Bonds

Chapter 78

-Maya’s POV-

Adrenaline surged through my veins, overriding any rational thought. Before I could even register what I was doing, I was stepping in front of Ivan, placing myself directly between him and the snarling black mass that was Alex’s wolf.

It felt instinctive, a primal urge to shield Ivan from whatever danger Alex posed. But my actions only seemed to make things worse. The wolf’s growl intensified, a deep, guttural sound that sent shivers down my spine. It was a sound that spoke of pure, unbridled rage, and it was

directed solely at me.

Panic clawed at my throat.

Would he attack me?

Ivan reacted quickly, grabbing my hand and pulling me back behind him. He raised his own hand in a placating gesture, his voice calm yet firm. “Alex, we’re not here to fight. We just want to talk.”

The wolf didn’t respond, only continued its menacing growl. It circled us slowly, its eyes glowing a fiery red in the darkness. The tension in the air was thick enough to choke on.

Just then, Miranda let out a huff of exasperation. “Oh for crying out loud,” she drawled, her voice dripping with annoyance, “just shift back already. Your wolf is terrifying everyone.”

A beat of silence followed. Then, with a sound like thunder, bones cracked and shifted within the massive form. A moment later, Alex stood before us in all his glory, his face etched with fury.

Heat flooded my cheeks as I averted my gaze. The sight of him, so raw and exposed, was flustering. But a flicker of movement caught my eye. I stole a glance at Ivan, only to find his jaw clenched tight, his eyes narrowed in what looked like… jealousy and anger?

The awkward silence stretched on, broken only by the guards‘ coughs and nervous shuffling as they handed him clothes.

Finally Miranda spoke up again, “Well, it’s a bit chilly out here, wouldn’t you say? Shouldn’t we all head inside?”

Her attempt at lightening the mood fell flat. Everyone, it seemed, was focused on Alex’s simmering rage. After what felt like an eternity, Alex spoke. His voice was a low growl, colder than the winter wind itself, “What do you want?”

Ivan let out a heavy sigh. “There doesn’t

n’t have to b

be a war. We can

doesn’t have to be a war?” he roared. He took a menacing

continued, his voice cold and devoid of any warmth,

radiating from Alex was palpable. “There won’t just be a war,” Alex snarled, his words laced with

potential loss of innocent lives – human for vengeance so deep, so all–encompassing, that

was

the threat hanging in the air, “look, we

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Chapter 78

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the consequences. Think about the lives that will be

my wolves didn’t have lives? Do you think they didn’t have families? They’re gone, ripped away. And

I don’t expect that. But there are other ways. It’s already brewing. More wolves are dying. Unleashing a war… that will only lead to more bloodshed, mere pain. It will

let out a humorless laugh. “No. I have

spoke up, my voice barely a whisper. “If this war spills

It will be

or recognition. It was as if I were a stranger, a face in the crowd. The rejection stung, a

the world burn. Maybe then, just maybe, something will

talking to a brick wall. Alex was consumed by his

of desperation. “Think about your

with emotion. “I have lost wolves and many lost families. They want blood. They

Miranda, who had been unusually quiet throughout the

just take a step back for a second? Maybe a good night’s sleep will

remained fixed on Ivan, his eyes

his voice low and dangerous, “you shouldn’t have merged with a bastard in the first place, Ivan. Maybe then, your pack wouldn’t be on

rin

anger in Alex’s voice wasn’t just directed at my father; it was directed

another confrontation. But then, with a defeated sigh, Ivan raised his hands in

We came here to talk, to try and find a peaceful solution. But if you’re

the sentence unfinished/We stood there for a beat longer, the weight of the situation hanging heavy

that had happened in the past few months didn’t matter. He had