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

war. We

with an anger so intense it took my breath away. “There doesn’t have to be a war?” he roared. He took a menacing step forward, towering over Ivan. “I lost

Alex continued, his voice cold and devoid of

“There won’t just be a war,” Alex snarled, his words laced

to care about the consequences, about the potential loss of innocent lives – human for vengeance so deep, so all–encompassing, that

was consumed

in the air, “look, we

10:27 Sat, 22 Jun

Chapter 78

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the consequences. Think about the lives

think my wolves didn’t have lives? Do you think they didn’t have families? They’re gone, ripped away. And you expect me to sit idly by

are other ways. It’s already brewing. More wolves are dying. Unleashing a war… that will only lead to more bloodshed,

scary then he let out a humorless laugh. “No. I have given him a free pass for way too long. This ends now. One

finally spoke up, my voice barely a whisper. “If this war spills over, they’ll find out.They’ll find

everything. It will be

to me for a brief moment before darting away. His eyes were cold, devoid of any warmth or recognition. It was as if I were a stranger, a face in the crowd. The rejection stung,

burn. Maybe then, just maybe, something

by his

laced with a hint of desperation. “Think about your pack. Think about what they would want. They wouldn’t

emotion. “I have lost wolves and many lost families. They want blood. They crave it and I will give it to

silence followed. Miranda, who had been unusually quiet throughout the

her voice was laced with a weariness that belied her usual cunning demeanor, “can we all just take a step back for

gaze remained fixed on Ivan, his eyes burning

bastard in the first place, Ivan. Maybe then, your pack wouldn’t be on the wrong side of

rin

were like a punch to the gut. The anger in Alex’s voice wasn’t just directed at my father; it was

it felt like we were on the precipice of another confrontation. But then, with a

come here to fight. We came here to talk, to try

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

had happened in the past few months didn’t matter. He had reverted back to his default setting, the cold, heartless version of