Bonds

Chapter 101

-Maya’s POV-

Alex’s grip tightened on my wrist, his knuckles tuming white with the force. The surprise in his eyes was quickly replaced by something else, a primal possessiveness that sent a shiver down my spine. For a moment, the defiance I felt faltered, replaced by a flicker of fear.

But it was a fleeting emotion. Squaring my shoulders, I met his gaze head–on. “Let go of me, Alex!” I hissed, yanking my hand back with surprising strength. The pain in my leg shot up again, a searing reminder of my vulnerability, but I ignored it.

“It’s none of your business!” I snapped.

His eyes narrowed further, his jaw clenching tight. “It is my business,” he countered, his voice a low growl. “You are beating his mark right where mine used to bel How dare you?”

I stared at him, incredulous. Was he seriously asking me this right now? The fight outside raged on, the sounds of snarls and crashes echoing through the corridor. Here we were, in a dimly lit back room, and he was fixated on the mark Ivan had placed on my shoulder.

“Are you being serious right now?” I spat, my voice laced with anger. “There’s a battle outside, one you started with your reckless order! Wolves are probably dying right now, and you’re worried about a stupid mark? News flash, Alex, you rejected me. You tossed me away like yesterday’s trash. I quit my job to get away from you, and all you can do is grab me and question my choices?”

“I just saved your life,” he muttered, his voice gruff.

“I didn’t ask for your help!” I shot back, my temper flaring. “Now let go of me! I need to find ivan and the others, see if they’re alright.”

Ignoring the throbbing pain in my leg, I pushed myself to my feet. The world tilted slightly, and I grabbed onto the nearest armchair for support. The fact that we were both completely naked, the adrenaline of the fight finally fading, suddenly hit me. But right now, that was the least of my concerns.

He stared at me, his expression unreadable. “You’ll get yourself killed out there,” he warned.

“Then call it off!” I countered. “You gave the order, call your wolves off!”

The anger in my voice surprised even me. But the thought of Ivan and the others, caught in the middle of this chaos Alex had unleashed, filled me with a fierce protectiveness.

He hesitated, his gaze flickering towards the closed door. The sounds of the fight seemed to intensify for a moment, then recede slightly.

“They won’t listen to me now,” he muttered, his voice defeated. “It’s too late.”

stop the fight you started? Too late

Alex flinched, his jaw clenching tight. For a moment, I thought he might argue, but then he let

finally, his voice softer now. “But

gestured towards the armchair where I had been sitting moments ago. There was a flicker of concern in his eyes but I wasn’t

Chapter 101

down my gu

raw, and the

I said coolly. “Thank you for the, uh, medical attention. But I think I’d rather take my chances out there with my friends than stay here

took a tentative step forward. The pain shot up my leg again,

swatted his

his hand hovering in mid–air for a moment before slowly retracting. A

a look of stubborn

he said through gritted teeth. “But you’re not

armchair closer to me. I hesitated for a moment, torn between my anger and the throbbing pain

I lowered myself onto the plush cushion. The cool fabric felt soothing against my hot skin. Alex watched me with an unreadable

right to be. I messed up, big time.

words hung heavy in the air and I froze for a moment. Did he just apologize? After all these time, after everything, he

now isn’t going to change anything,” he continued, his voice low. “Right now, we need to focus on getting you out

safely.”

simmered within me, but it was starting to be overshadowed by a wave of confusion. What exactly was going on with him? Why the sudden

about the mark? How did you know he marked me?” I finally asked, ignoring the other other million questions going through

hesitated, then ran a hand through his already messy hair. “Let’s just say I have my

now. I had bigger problems to

water?” he asked hesitantly, his

at him, surprised by the simple request. He looked genuinely concerned, a stark contrast to the

a moment’s hesitation.

I had known before. He turned and moved towards a small sink tucked away in a corner of the room amd my head

f*ck was