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

a war.

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.

Stone,” Alex continued, his voice cold and devoid of any warmth, “he’ll wish he was never even

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

of innocent lives – human for vengeance so deep, so

or werewolf. He was

in the air, “look, we can understand your

10:27 Sat, 22 Jun

Chapter 78

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Think about the consequences. Think about the lives that will be lost, both human and

Do you 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 while

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,

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

a whisper. “If this war spills over, they’ll find out.They’ll find out

It will be

any warmth or recognition. It was as if I were a stranger,

Let the world burn. Maybe then, just

was like talking to a brick wall. Alex was consumed by his rage, his desire

“Think about your pack. Think about what they would want. They wouldn’t want this bloodshed, this

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

unusually quiet

belied her usual cunning demeanor, “can we all just take a step back for a second? Maybe a good night’s sleep will help everyone

His gaze remained fixed on Ivan, his eyes burning with an icy

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

rin

directed at my father; it was directed at Ivan,at me,

confrontation. But then,

didn’t come here to fight. We came here to talk, to try and find a peaceful solution.

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

stood there, staring at Alex, and suddenly it felt like everything that had happened in the past few months didn’t matter. He had reverted back to his default