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.

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 wolves, Ivan! Pack members lost their families! And you think there doesn’t have to be

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

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 when

consequences, about the potential loss of innocent lives –

was

threat hanging in the air, “look, we can understand

10:27 Sat, 22 Jun

Chapter 78

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isn’t the answer. Think about the consequences. Think about

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 he

dying.

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

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

It will be

his gaze flickering to me for a brief moment before darting away. His eyes were cold, devoid of any warmth or recognition. It was as

burn. Maybe then, just maybe, something will

wave 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,

laced with a hint of desperation. “Think about your pack.

what my pack wants!” Alex roared, his voice raw with emotion. “I have lost wolves and many lost families. They want

followed. Miranda, who had been unusually quiet throughout the entire exchange, finally cleared her

with a weariness that belied her usual cunning demeanor, “can we all just

His gaze remained fixed on Ivan, 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 the wrong side

rin

punch to the gut. The anger in Alex’s voice wasn’t just directed at my father; it was directed at Ivan,at me, at our entire pack.

we were on the precipice of another confrontation. But then, with a defeated

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

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

felt like everything that had happened in the past few months didn’t matter. He had reverted back to his default setting, the cold, heartless version of himself I remembered from when he threw me