Bonds

Chapter 54

-Maya’s POV-

Life felt like it was slowly regaining a semblance of normalcy. The twins were getting along with Ivan and it tugged my heartstrings whenever hy cuddled into whenever he returned from work. He was so perfect with them. He was simply just perfect. As for me, I’d managed to maintain a delicate dance of avoidance with my father. A part of me itched to confront him about what van had revealed about the brother! never had a chance to meet but I knew a collision was inevitable and frankly, the last thing I needed was another explosion. The past few days had been surprisingly peaceful, a quiet lull in the storm that had been my life.

I threw myself into work, using design as an escape. Ironically, most of my efforts were currently focused on the redesign project for the very ‘person who shall not be named‘ – Alex’s company. Thankfully, Ms. Edwards hadn’t officially handed it over to me, so she remained the one in contact with him. One less complication, at least for now.

Tonight, I was out with the girls–Natalia, Riley, and Sarah. We’d decided to explore new territory for drinks, avoiding the Rusty Compass after the chaotic show we’d put onthe last time Natalia and I were there. Riley was extremely grateful and it was good to see her slowly warming up to us. As for Sarah, we’d become surprisingly close. She had a similar fiery spirit to Natalia, both of them with a mischievous glint in their eyes and a penchant for trouble. It felt good to have a new friend, someone I could confide in. I’d asked the question on how she found out that I was a werewolf. Sarah was a part of Ivan’s pack. A smile played on my lips as I recalled the exchange, but it quickly faded as Natalia spoke and she had been present at our wedding.

“Earth to Amaya,” Sarah snapped her fingers in front of my face, her voice laced with amusement. I flushed, caught red–handed zoning out. Natalia rolled her eyes dramatically.

“We should rename you ‘Space Woman,” she declared, her voice dripping with mock seriousness. “Always staring off into space, lost in your own little world.”

We all turned to stare at her, a mixture of amusement and exasperation on our faces. Natalia, seemingly oblivious to the effect, simply shrugged.

“What? I know I’m horrible at making jokes,” she muttered, taking a large swig of her drink. Then, her expression turned mischievous. “Speaking of stress and things worthy of being stared at… how is Ivan?”

The question hung in the air, the pointed tone making my stomach clench. I knew exactly what she was implying. She used thesame tone whenever I came back from a date in college.

I glared at her, my annoyance evident. “Why do you have to say it like that, Natalia?” I grumbled.

conspiratorially, her eyes sparkling with curiosity “Come on, Amaya,” she pressed. “We’ve all been dying to know. Is he as hot without

the calm observer of the group–likely a product of her barkeep training. But even she seemed to be wrestling with a flicker of curiosity in her gaze. This was

my checks, a traitorous warmth that I couldn’t quite control. The truth was, I hadn’t allowed myself to think of ivan in that way. Or maybe that was a lie. Maybe I just wasn’t being entirely honest with myself. There was no denying the blush that always seemed to rise whenever I caught him shirtless, making coffee before we both headed out for work. He’d given me a separate room, a gesture I was undeniably grateful for, but I wouldn’t deny that the image had crossed my

god,” Natalia practically whisper–shouted, her voice filled with mock horror. “You guys baven’t

INSTALL

10:21 Sat, 22 Jun

Chapter 54

By now,

was sure my face rivaled the color of a ripe tomato. “Knock it off,

“But why not?” she persisted, her head tilted inquisitively. “He is extremely extremely hot. You two are married. The man

isolation and how Alex was the father of my children but he didn’t know that they existed. Yes, my life was a hell of a

over and over. One day, I hoped I would finally believe it. I had tried to cancel that kiss from my thoughts but it

me this quiet vibe of a psycho that will kill

coughing

honey.” Sarah rubbed her back, “Don’t worry, you will used to being

a force of nature together, and a chaotic one at that. But a

what happens – or doesn’t happen–between Ivan and me is none of your business. Now, can we please move on to a less… personal topic? And also, you

burst out laughing while Natalia and Sarah glared at

so fun, not

my mouth to formulate a witty retort, Natalia’s eyes suddenly sparkled with an idea. “Hey,” she declared, her voice brimming with excitement, “how about we ditch this boring bar and go somewhere a

and I exchanged skeptical glances. While the prospect of escaping the relentless questioning about Ivan was tempting, venturing