Bonds

Chapter 92

-Maya’s POV-

We stared at each other, the air thick with a silence that stretched on for what felt like an eternity. His eyes were now focused entirely on the mark that marred my shoulder. He opened his mouth to speak, then closed it again, as if searching for the right words.

“Amaya,” he finally managed, “…” The sentence trailed off unfinished, hanging heavy in

the air.

My own hand instinctively reached up to touch the mark, my fingers traced the mark. The memory of Alex’s mark, once vibrant in the same spot, flickered in my mind. It had faded over the years, mirroring the weakening of the bond after his rejection. Now, Ivan’s mark sat boldly on top, a new claim etched onto my skin.

“You marked me,” I whispered, the words catching slightly in my throat.

The silence returned, heavy and oppressive. He ran a hand through his hair, “I didn’t…” he started, but I cut him off.

A grin, genuine and unexpected, split my face open. “You marked me,” I repeated, this time with a hint of amusement dancing in my voice.

His brow furrowed in confusion. “You’re not… angry?” he stammered, clearly surprised by my reaction.

I shook my head slowly, letting my hand linger on the mark once more. “No,” I smiled, a blush creeping up my cheeks that I couldn’t quite control. “Actually,” I continued, my voice dropping to a husky whisper, “I’ve wanted you to do this for a while now. I wanted you to claim me.”

He held my gaze for a long moment, his eyes searching mine as if trying to decipher the truth behind my words. Then, a smile, slow and hesitant at first, spread across his face.

In a swift movement, he pulled me towards him, his arms wrapping tightly around my body. I melted into his embrace, the warmth of his touch a welcome comfort. He rested his forehead against mine, his breathing ragged and uneven.

“Thank you,” he murmured into my ear, his voice thick with emotion. Those were the last coherent words I heard before sleep claimed me, pulling me into a world of dreams where worries and anxieties melted away.

my eyes, the room was bathed in the soft glow of dusk. The warmth of his body was no longer next to me, and a wave of disappointment washed over me. Pushing the feeling aside

bathroom.

happiness. But the first thing I noticed was the mark on my shoulder. The raw edges were starting to soften, the black ink losing its initial intensity. It would heal quickly, completely, if my wolf side wasn’t so weak. But even with the delayed healing, the mark would eventually become a permanent brand on my skin, a constant reminder

followed. For us to fully form the bond, I needed to do the same but my wolf would have to come to terms with it first. She had been eerily quiet. It wasn’t a surprise – I knew she wouldn’t agree with Ivan marking me. She was still attuned to Alex, forever marked by his rejection. But I also

and pain of Alex’s betrayal was fading, replaced by a burgeoning hope for the future. Ivan, with his kindness and strength, was becoming

startled me, cutting through the silence of the bathroom. There was a teasing Lit to his tone, but

Chapter 92

but the playful banter died on my lips. He stood there, casually

my voice surprisingly steady. “Just admiring

the door frame and walked towards me, his movements slow and deliberate. He stopped just a hair’s breadth away, his eyes searching mine. Then, with a tendemess that took my breath away, he reached out and wrapped his hand around my waist, pulling me gently

“You Wer

when I woke up.” I whispered, the question tumbling out

back slightly, a flicker of apology crossing his face. “I’m sorry. Something came up that

everything okay?” I couldn’t help but ask, a sliver of worry creeping

elaborate, and I knew better than to push. There were things he couldn’t share with me, burdens of the pack leadership that weighed heavily

changed the subject. “What is

answer

gaze drifted back to the mark on my shoulder, a silent conversation taking place between him

changes things, Amaya. Marking you… it ties you to me, to the pack, to this war even if you have

know I don’t want to be anywhere else.” The words

of doubt or hesitation. Finding none, a slow smile spread across his face. It wasn’t the usual charming grin he wore, but a genuine, heartfelt smile that reached

you, Amaya. Things are

it out,” I leaned into his touch.

a promise whispered on the skin. I felt him harden as

in it. He stood behind me, his hungry eyes stared back sending shivers down my skin. His hands found their way to my hips

and I let out

haze.