Bonds

Chapter 61

-Maya’s POV-

“I’ve had enough of this, I’m leaving,” I said, breaking from his gaze and turning away from to leave. He didn’t try to stop me physically but his next words stopped me in my tracks, echoing in my mind like a challenge.

“He took everything from you, Amaya. From us. In a single night, he ripped our whole life apart. Don’t you want him to pay?”

I turned back to face Adrian, my heart racing with a mix of emotions. Hatred had filled my heart for the better part of four years, and I wanted to make Alex feel the pain he had caused me. But seeing him at that dinner had brought back all the feelings I thought I had buried, and I realized that my hatred had been a mask.

Every single moment since then has only proved it to be true.

His eyes seemed to bore into my soul, his voice dripping with venom. “He destroyed your marriage, your bond, everything you had built together. And for what? He didn’t even feel you were worthy enough to give a reason.”

I felt a surge of anger, my claws extending involuntarily. Adrian’s words were like fuel to the fire that had been simmering inside me. I had asked myself that question over and over.

Why? After everything, why?

“Think about it,” he continued, his voice low and menacing. “Alex took everything from us. Don’t you want him to suffer like we suffered?”

I took a step forward, my eyes locked on his, my mind racing with thoughts so many thoughts. My wolf growled in resistance. She wanted. nothing more than to claw out Adrian’s throat for daring to directly threaten the man she still findisrter her mate but even I could admit that making Alex feel an ounce of the pain he caused me when he ripped my heart apart was enticing

“He thinks he’s so powerful, so invincible,” Adrian sneered. “But we can bring him down. We can make him pay for what he did to us. And I know just how to do it.”

His words were like a poison, seeping into my mind, filling me with a desire for revenge. I felt myself getting drawn into his web of hatred and anger, and I knew I had to be careful.

“Come on, Amaya,” he said, his voice dripping with persuasion. “Let’s make Alex pay for what he did to us. Let’s show him that he’s not as powerful as he thinks he is.”

I took a deep breath, trying to control my breathing, “No, Adrian. I know what happened to you, and I really do hate Alex for what he did to you, to me. But if I spend the rest of my life or the time I have dwelling on revenge, then I would just be wasting the seconds I have to exist.”

He shook his head in pity, but it looked like he was mocking me. “And how many times have you told yourself those fake words to make you believe them? Do you even remember what it feels like to not be empty?”

I

That word. Emptiness. I felt it every day I opened my eyes. Having the twins filled a part of me, but the hole Alex put in my soul was still there, like one that would never be filled.

“You’re not even convincing yourself,.” He sneered. “You’re just hiding behind a mask of forgiveness to avoid the pain.”

I felt a surge

ree of an

fanger,

keep my calm. “I’m not hiding. I’m choosing to

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Chapter 61

this living? You’re just existing, Amaya. You’re letting

I’m choosing to focus on the good things in my life, like my children,

“Your family? You mean the man you pretend you want when Alex is all you think of? Your children that are constant reminder of him?

say. I’m just trying to move

words, but I knew he was just trying to provoke me. “It doesn’t matter what you not going to let you drag

want to be a coward, that’s your choice. But know

you’ll

shiver run down my spine, but I stood my ground. “I may not

me feel

venomous words behind. I knew I had made the right choice. I wasn’t

heart apart because everyone has darkness in them.. Some are just more subtle than others. You try to hide it but I see it, your demons and the more you try to suppress them, the more they grow until one day,” He paused and I felt the air on

look back.

When I was done, I went to pack some of Ivy’s and Nate’s things. I was in the middle of it when the twins came rushing in, arguing about something with the person

my toy!”

didn’t!” Nate shouted

the bags, then recovered quickly. “Amaya, I didn’t

somewhere?”

We’ll be there

unsure but then moved

the twins were still struggling over the

When I was done

faced the twins. “Okay, kids, we

asked, crossing

visit a friend,”

go,” Ivy said, pouting. “I like

little while,” I

do we have

up at me with