Bonds

Chapter 98

Maya’s POV-

The grand hall buzzed with a nervous energy that sent shivers down my spine. The gala was meant to be a neutral ground for my father and Alex to finally talk things out. A night of peace and diplomacy. At least, that’s what we all hoped for.

The vast space had been meticulously arranged to accommodate the expected influx of wolves. Alex’s pack, several thousand strong by some estimates, had a designated section on one side of the hall. It was already filling up, a sea of men and watchful eyes. On the other side, a combined force of my father’s pack and Ivan’s own people sat together, a show of unity that felt more hopeful than real.

In the center, a raised platform awaited the main players. Ivan, the architect of this fragile truce, had a plan. He intended to address the entire gathering, to appeal to their reason, to make them see the futility of the ongoing conflict. Neither Alex nor my father had arrived yet, but the wolves were pouring in, the tension thickening with every passing moment.

Despite the festive decorations and the upbeat music playing in the background, a knot of apprehension tightened in my stomach. A primal instinct, a wolfish premonition, whispered warnings in the back of my mind. This wasn’t going to be a night of peace talks and reconciliation. This, I feared, could turn ugly very quickly.

Then, the entrance doors swung open, and a hush fell over the crowd. Alex entered the hall, flanked by two older men. Their confident strides, their predatory gazes, sent a jolt through me. Even though I’d fought tooth and nail to move on, to push him out of my heart, my wolf wasn’t so easily fooled. My head snapped towards him instinctively, our eyes locking in a silent battle of wills.

There was no remnant of warmth in his gaze, no flicker of recognition. It was as cold and hard as the day he’d rejected me, a stark contrast to the smug smile playing on Miranda’s lips as she walked beside him, their hands linked possessively, a mirrored image of the day I’d first seen them together

Ivan greeted them both with a courtesy that felt strained even from a distance. He ushered them towards Alex’s designated area, where the alpha took a prominent seat at the front.

A moment later, the doors opened again, and my father entered, a grim expression etched on his face. Petrov shadowed him closely. The air crackled with unspoken hostility as they made their way across the hall.

Ivan, with a forced smile, approached my father, extending a greeting. But even from here, I could see the tension radiating off him. My father’s response was a curt nod, a barely concealed sneer twisting his lips.

The interaction left me feeling strangely detached, pushed further into the background. I turned around to find Natalia and Sarah watching. me with concern etched on their faces. Riley, unfortunately, had been called into a last–minute shift she couldn’t get out of A part of me, a selfish part, couldn’t help but feel relieved. This wouldn’t be a safe environment for a human if things went south.

“Are you oka

you okay?” Natalia asked,

from the scene unfolding in the hall. “Yeah, I’m

your body is as tense as a coiled spring.

theirs. “I just… I just need this night to go well. I’m tired of the fighting, the senseless deaths. Every day this goes on, the risk

gently. “I know, Maya. We all are. But

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Chapter 58

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smile. “Yeah, it will. Now, I have to go mingle with the pack. See you inside.” She leaned down

doubt washed over me. “I don’t know why I was ever excited about this gala,” I confessed, “There’s

like something terrible is about

on. Ivan needs yo by his side tonight, and the whole world needs to see what a queen

bright lights. The murmur of conversation in the hall died down instantly, replaced by a stunned silence. A thousand pairs

intensity of Alex’s cold gaze boring into me from across the hall. My father’s glare was no less unsettling. but I refused to back down. Squaring my shoulders, I

the

gave me one last reassuring smile before slipping away to find a seat among the crowd. Ivan’s gaze met mine as I approached, and for a moment, the entire world seemed to fade away. Appreciation flickered in his eyes, a warmth that sent a blush

coming tonight,” he began, his voice ringing out clearly in the hushed hall. “We are all here

a beat longer than necessary. “The fighting, the deaths-

low murmur of agreement rippled through the hall. Even among the most hardened warriors, a flicker of doubt could be seen. Ivan’s words.

Ivan finished his

he

devastation they were causing? Did

expression hardening. “You just answered your own question, Daniel. We need to stop because it is leading to our