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.”

“Too late to stop the fight you started? Too late

a challenge and an accusation rolled into one. Alex flinched, his jaw clenching tight. For a moment, I thought he might

voice softer now. “But right now,

There was a flicker of concern in his eyes but I wasn’t ready

Chapter 101

down my gu

still raw, and the situation we

coolly. “Thank you for the, uh, medical attention. But I think I’d rather take

glint in my eyes, I took a tentative step forward. The pain shot up my leg again, sharper this time,

swatted his hand away. “Don’t

hand hovering in mid–air for a moment before slowly retracting. A flicker of something

replaced by a look of stubborn

gritted teeth. “But you’re not

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

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

angry. And you have every right to be. I messed up, big

for a moment. Did he just apologize? After all these

now isn’t going to change anything,” he continued, his voice low.

safely.”

unsure of how to respond. The anger still simmered within me, but it was starting to be overshadowed by a wave of

you even know about the mark? How did you know he marked me?” I finally asked, ignoring the other other

hesitated, then ran a hand through his already messy

wouldn’t get me anywhere right now. I had bigger problems to deal with, namely the battle raging outside and

you some water?” he asked hesitantly, his voice

He looked genuinely concerned, a stark contrast to

said after a

face, a fleeting glimpse of the Alex I had known before. He turned and moved towards a small sink tucked away

f*ck was