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.”

I snapped. “Too late to stop the fight you started? Too late to apologize

flinched, his jaw clenching tight. For a moment, I thought he

said finally, his voice softer now. “But right now, you can’t go back

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

The anger and hurt from his rejection were still raw, and the situation we found ourselves

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 with

glint in my eyes, I took a tentative step forward. The pain shot

arm, but I swatted his hand away. “Don’t

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

replaced by a look of

you’re not going anywhere in that condition.

with surprising gentleness, pushing the armchair closer to

plush cushion. The cool fabric felt soothing against my hot skin. Alex watched me with

he began, his voice calmer now, “I know you’re angry. And you have every right to be. I messed

a moment. Did he just

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

safely.”

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

the mark? How did you know he marked me?”

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

knew pushing him wouldn’t get me anywhere right now. I had bigger

at least get you some water?” he asked hesitantly, his voice almost

request. He looked genuinely concerned, a stark contrast to

I finally said after a moment’s hesitation. “Water

smile flickered across his face, a fleeting glimpse of the Alex I had known before. He turned and

f*ck was