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.

some point during my breakdown, a detail that had completely escaped my

wave of fatigue. The last thing I registered

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Chapter 51

with determination. “I won’t let them take anymore

90%

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

twins, Ivy and Nate, locked in a playful battle, Ivy was reaching with chubby arms for something Nate clutched tightly in his

as he tried to shield the object

squeal. She lunged forward, her entire body weight 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 them tumbling in a

weight startled me, but a smile tugged at the comers of my lips despite the lingering exhaustion. This… this was

noise, the love–all of it, a beautiful mess that

I

untangling

momentarily distracted, pointed a stubby finger at the object still firmly clutched in Nate’s hand. “He took my dolly!” she declared, her

i

his eyes, peeked out from behind my arm. “No, it’s mine now!” he countered, his voice muffled by

a tiny, misshapen playdough creation that vaguely resembled a doll.

it’s a mermaid dolly she declared, snatching the creation from

resumed as soon as I disentangled them, “Mine” vy shrieked, reaching for the playdough doll in Nate’s hand. “No!” he countered, squeezing it tighter. Their voices intertwined

Ivan stepped

left,” I managed, a

make sure you were alright.” His eyes then shifted to the commotion unfolding on my stomach. “Looks like someone

chuckled, crouching down to their level. “So, what seems to be the problem

dolly!” Nate declared, pointing an accusing

scoffed. “It’s not

‚ a mermaidi”

tilted his head, feigning confusion “A mermaid, huh? Can you

to share

blob. He took it

mock seriousness. “Hmm, I

Chapter 51