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.

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 as quickly as it came, I pulled myself out

bathroom.

raw edges were starting to soften, the black ink losing its

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,

was fading, replaced by a burgeoning hope for the future. Ivan, with his kindness and strength, was becoming

to remove the mark already?” His voice startled me, cutting through the silence of the bathroom. There was a

Chapter 92

to playfully scold him for sneaking up on me, but the playful banter died on my lips. He stood there, casually leaning against the doorway, his

voice surprisingly steady. “Just admiring how beautiful

his eyes searching mine. Then, with a tendemess that took my breath away, he reached out and wrapped his hand around

“You Wer

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

leaned back slightly, a flicker of apology crossing his

but ask, a sliver of

For now, at least.” He didn’t elaborate, and I knew better than to push.

subject. “What is

answer

mark on my shoulder, a silent conversation taking place between

changes things, Amaya. Marking you… it ties you to me, to the pack, to this war even if you have somehow been the center of it, now more than

know,” I met his gaze head–on. “But I also know I don’t want to be anywhere else.” The words tumbled out, honest and raw,

as if looking for any sign of doubt or hesitation. Finding none, a slow smile spread across his face. It wasn’t the

thumbs gently stroking my cheekbones. “But I won’t lie to you, Amaya. Things are going to get worse before they get better. The war with Alex, it’s

I leaned into

slow, tender, a promise whispered on the skin. I felt him harden

way to my hips and I moaned as he pressed himself into me. I could feel his hardness against my ass and

His fingers brushed my fold and I let out a moan closing my

haze.