Bonds

Chapter 45

-Maya’s POV-

Sarah waltzed away, leaving me staring after her with a mind blown wide open. Her revelation hung heavy in the air, the weight of her secret werewolf identity pressing down on me.

How had she figured it out?

Did

my wolf scent give me away somehow? These questions swirled in my head as I mechanically went through the motions of lunch, barely tasting the food in front of me.

By the time I returned to the office, the initial shock had begun to settle, replaced by a cautious curiosity. Ms. Edwards was perched on the edge of my desk, her sharp eyes scanning the designs I had spread out before leaving. She didn’t even look up as I entered, her focus solely on my work.

Tentatively, I cleared my throat. “Ms. Edwards?”

She finally lifted her head, her gaze sweeping across the office. “Ah, Ms. Stone. Back so soon.” A faint smile played on her lips.

“Yes,” I replied, still trying to gauge her reason for being in my office, “I went for lunch and-”

“These are some pretty impressive designs,” she interrupted, her voice devoid of any form of sternness. There was even a hint of genuine appreciation in her eyes.

“Thank you,” I managed, a flicker of relief washing over me. She stood up gracefully, her posture radiating an aura of power. “I see you’ve made yourself comfortable,” she commented, her eyes scanning the personalized touches I’d added to my workspace: a photo of Natalia and I, a motivational quote framed on the wall. “But before we get settled in, I have something I need to discuss with you.”

“Of course,” I said, eager to hear what was on her mind.

“Look,” She began, her voice turning serious, “given everything that happened with your father… the company scandal, his arrest, and the negative publicity it brought to the firm…” She paused, letting the silence hang heavy in the air.

go before you even had a chance to walk back into that door. The whole situation was

her words stinging. She had waved dismissively at it before after saying she wasn’t letting me go after I had explained the situation to her but I guess this conversation

your eyes, a raw talent that couldn’t be ignored. And these designs…” she gestured

that chance comes with a price. You have to prove yourself, and on the double. The high–end hotel renovation project – the one I mentioned during your

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Chapter 45

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submissions because I understood your situation but you have to show not just me but everyone else here that I didn’t

The excitement I felt earlier about the project was now tempered with a

room for mistakes here,” She added, her voice leaving no room for argument. “This client is demanding, and their

I said, my voice

grab your

the meeting or where we were headed, she was already

for

the plush leather seats. Ms. Edwards was a whirlwind of activity, her fingers flying across the touchscreen of her phone, efficiently clearing emails and scheduling meetings. I, on the other hand, couldn’t help but steal glances at her, my mind buzzing with questions about the upcoming client meeting and the revelation Sarah had dropped on me earlier. Another question rolled in, why was she bringing me along to

met mine through the rearview mirror. “I can feel your eyes on

cheeks, caught red–handed in my act of silent observation. “I, uh, yes,” I stammered. “I was just wondering where we’re going for this client meeting. Knowing the location

“Not a fan of surprises, are you?”

sigh. The uncertainty of the situation gnawed at me. Having some information beforehand would allow me to feel more in control,

you just yet,” she teased. “Part of this is seeing how you handle

wouldn’t be revealing any secrets about the client or the project. Just as I resigned myself to silence,

realized who you were, Amaya Stone. I was impressed you hadn’t added that. I like people like you that want to make a name for themselves away from their parent’s shadows. She paused, her gaze holding mine in the rearview mirror. “But something else caught my eye recently. I believe you recently married… Ivan McCall,

was the last thing I expected her

seemed to sense my hesitation, “Forgive me,” she said, a hint of apology in her voice. “Perhaps this is too personal, and

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