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.

he roared. He took a menacing step forward, towering over Ivan. “I lost wolves, Ivan! Pack members lost their families! And you think there doesn’t have to

voice cold and devoid of

cold dread washed over me. The sheer hatred radiating from Alex was palpable. “There won’t just be a war,” Alex snarled, his words laced with a horrifying certainty. “There will be a f*cking massacre

about the potential loss of innocent lives – human for vengeance so deep, so all–encompassing, that it eclipsed

was consumed by

in the air, “look, we can understand your anger. What Daniel did

10:27 Sat, 22 Jun

Chapter 78

88%

answer. Think about the consequences. Think about the

they didn’t have families? They’re gone, ripped away. And you expect me to sit idly

already brewing. More wolves are dying. Unleashing a war…

was scary then he let out a humorless laugh. “No. I have given him a free pass for

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

everything. It will

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

burn. Maybe

of despair washed over me. It was like talking to a brick wall. Alex was consumed by his rage, his desire for vengeance. Logic, reason, the potential consequences – none of

hint of desperation. “Think about your pack. Think

Alex roared, his voice raw with emotion. “I have lost wolves and many lost families. They want blood. They crave it and I will give

been unusually quiet throughout

“can we all just take a step back for a second? Maybe a good night’s sleep will help everyone clear their

gaze remained fixed on Ivan, his eyes burning with

with a bastard in the first

rin

father; it was directed at

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

to fight. We came here to talk, to try and find a peaceful solution. But if you’re not

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

in the past few months didn’t matter. He