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.

“Come on, Amaya,” she pressed. “We’ve all been dying

a glance towards Riley. She, the calm observer of the group–likely a product of her barkeep training. But even she seemed to be wrestling

was a lie. Maybe I just wasn’t being entirely honest with myself. There was no denying the blush that always seemed

Natalia practically whisper–shouted, her voice filled with mock horror.

INSTALL

10:21 Sat, 22 Jun

Chapter 54

By now,

my face rivaled the color of a ripe

are married. The man is a looker. What’s the hold–up? And don’t tell me you are still

a hell of a lot complicated. Fran a hand through my hair, frustration mingling with the blush that still burned on my cheeks. “It’s not that simple and no it doesn’t have anything to do with Alex. He is the past and

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

will be attuned to that monstrosity. He gives me this quiet vibe of a psycho that will kill but

coughing

her back, “Don’t worry,

smile playing on my lips despite myself. These two were going to be a force of nature together, and a chaotic one

minds out of the gutter. And for the record, what happens – or doesn’t happen–between Ivan and me is none of your business. Now, can we please move on to

laughing while Natalia and

not anymore. We were just

opened 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

the prospect of escaping the relentless questioning about Ivan was tempting, venturing out into the unknown with these two wasn’t exactly my idea of a relaxing