Bonds

Chapter 51

-Maya’s POV-

“Brother?” The question tumbled out of my mouth that echoed in the deafening silence of the car.

“You had a brother, Amaya,” Ivan clarified, his voice laced with a sadness that mirrored the turmoil swirling inside me. “He died before you were even born. I don’t know all the details surrounding his death, but I do know it hit your father hard. Devastated wouldn’t even begin to

describe it.”

“Dead? But how do you know? And why didn’t my father ever mention him?”

Suddenly, a memory from the hospital flickered in my mind. My father’s harsh words, laced with a bitter sadness: “Because they took him away from me.”

Could it be? Was this brother the one “taken away“? The thought sent a shiver down my spine.

“When I became Alpha,” Ivan continued, his voice low, “I had to learn about all the other packs in the city, their histories, their rivalries. That’s how I found out about your brother. Apparently, he almost burned down the entire city in a rage, seeking revenge on the one responsible for his death.” He hesitated for a moment, then added, “Alex’s father”

My eyes snapped to his face, searching for any hidden meaning, any deception. Suddenly, everything clicked into place. The animosity between my father and Alex’s pack. His unending hate for Alex. It all made a twisted kind of sense.

“Alex’s father? I could have had a brother,” I whispered.

Ivan reached over, his hand gently squeezing my knee. I hadn’t realized how badly it was trembling “I can’t speak for your father, Amaya,” he said softly. “But maybe… maybe he saw you as a constant reminder of what he lost. A painful echo of his griet

Pity? Anger? The emotions churned inside me, a confusing cocktail it wasn’t my fault he’d lost his son. Yet, for all these years, he’d turned his

cold anger on me, the innocent bystander in this tragedy. What about Alex? Did he know about his father’s past? There was no way he could be completely oblivious. Whenever I’d mentioned his family, he’d shut down, the conversation turning

“Amaya,” Ivan’s voice broke through my spiraling thoughts. “Look at me.“His touch, gentle yet firm, brought my attention back to him. His fingers brushed away the tears I hadn’t realized were streaming down my face.

“Why?” I choked out, “Why did things have to be so complicated?”

His hands left my knee, and he gently pulled me into a loose hug. The car was cramped, but he managed to create a pocket of comfort amidst the overwhelming chaos of my emotions. My body wracked with sobs, tears soaking the fabric of his shirt. He didn’t say anything, just held me as the storm raged on inside me.

After what felt like an eternity, the intensity of the sobs subsided, leaving behind a hollow ache and a raw exhaustion. I leaned into his embrace, drained and emotionally spent

“Let’s get you home,” he whispered softly, his voice a soothing balm against the storm.

the ignition. Apparently, the car had been turned off at some point during my breakdown, a detail

wave of fatigue. The last thing I

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Chapter 51

“I won’t

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my eyelids, rousing me from sleep. I blinked a few times, my vision adjusting to the familiar

of limbs and dark hair–my twins, Ivy and Nate, locked in a playful battle, Ivy was

screeched, his brow furrowed in fierce concentration as he tried to shield the object

thrown behind the grab and the balance they maintained was quickly disrupted: A yelp escaped Nate’s lips as he lost his footing, sending both of

the comers of

chaos, the noise, the love–all of it, a beautiful mess that filed a void I hadn’t even

I

there, champions,” I chuckled, gently untangling them from each other.

a stubby finger at the object still firmly clutched in Nate’s

i

glint in his eyes, peeked out from behind my arm. “No,

I reached for Nate’s hand and pried it open, revealing a tiny, misshapen playdough creation that vaguely resembled a doll.

she declared, snatching the

the playdough doll in Nate’s hand. “No!” he countered, squeezing it tighter. Their voices intertwined in a

as i watched them. Just then, the bedroom door creaked open. Ivan stepped inside, his

a

needed to make sure you were alright.” His eyes then shifted to the commotion unfolding on

crouching down to their level. “So, what seems

dolly!” Nate declared, pointing an accusing finger

scoffed. “It’s

‚ a mermaidi”

head, feigning confusion “A mermaid, huh? Can you show

wager to

the playdough blob. He took it

mock seriousness. “Hmm,

Chapter 51