Bonds

Chapter 113

-Alex’s POV-

The conversation didn’t go anywhere near how I planned. One minute we were talking, the next I lost it. Now Daniel Stone was sprawled on the other side of a very broken wall, and a crowd was forming around him. People were rushing over, asking if he was alright, offering help. True to form, Stone just brushed them off, all grunts and scowls, even though his face was definitely a bit paler. They didn’t seem to want to touch me. Not surprising. Perks of being a billionaire, I guess.

How long did I stand there? Minutes? Hours? Time seemed to blur. A small, dark part of me felt a twisted kind of satisfaction. I came here for a conversation, a chance to talk things through like a normal person. But Stone, he just had this way of pushing every single button. Still, I couldn’t stop the stupid smile creeping onto my face. It vanished faster than it came though, the second I saw Amaya pull up in that sleek black car with Ivan always hovering beside her.

She didn’t rush over to her father. She just stood there, a good distance away. I watched her talk to Ivan, her voice clipped and tight. Then her mother arrived, all flustered and worried. Amaya went straight to her instead, and they talked for a while, heads bent together. Finally, her

mother walked over to Stone, her face a mask of concern. Amaya turned her head then, like we could somehow feel each other across the space. Her eyes narrowed into slits. I swear, if daggers could be thrown, I’d be riddled with holes right now. She muttered something to Ivan, and before I knew it, she was striding towards me.

My wolf perked up, practically vibrating with excitement as he felt her aura wash over him. It was a primal thing, this connection we had. But even through the haze of wolfish glee, I saw the storm brewing in her eyes. I knew what was coming; a verbal – maybe physical–dismantling of Alex. Yet, for some crazy reason, the stupid smile was back. It felt like a reflex I couldn’t control. Maybe it was the satisfaction of finally seeing her after so long. Maybe it was the twisted anticipation of the fight to come. Whatever it was, it made me look like an idiot.

She stopped a few feet away, her eyes burning into mine. Her lips were pressed into a thin line, and her fists were clenched at her sides.

Silence stretched between us, thick and heavy. The only sounds were the murmurings of the crowd,their whispers dying down as they waited.

for the inevitable explosion.

We locked eyes, the silence stretching between us like an elastic band about to snap. A stupid grin tugged at the corners of my lips. Amaya always looked stunning, even furious. Like a firecracker about to explode, all sparks and raw energy. And of course, the stupid grin only

seemed to make things worse.

“You think this is funny?” she practically spat, her voice tight with barely contained anger.

I stayed silent, just drinking in the sight of her, In the corner of my vision, Ivan lurked, his brow furrowed in concern.

huh?” Her voice hitched slightly, then continued, a torrent of frustration, “What is your

another, deeper part held me back. I just kept staring, the image

I cut her off before the words could form. “You

cold fury. “You think this is a joke, Alex? Why did you even

I was done with the fighting,

Chapter 113

dare insult him!” Her voice rose a

I countered, folding my

a step towards her but she flinched back, her eyes blazing with

I ask a question? I’ll just go ahead and ask. Why didn’t you just go to him straight away when you arrived? Because you knew he’d brush you off, right? I’ll never understand why you’re always so keen to defend him, when he clearly doesn’t

knew I’d hit a nerve.

said, her voice flat. “Nobody wants you here. Besides,

played on my lips. “Are you upset that I’m getting married to

her arms, her expression unreadable. “Why would I be upset?

wedding planning is going great. Miranda’s a dream, you know. Unlike some people I know.” I tilted my head, feigning innocence as if the barb

flared.

I countered, taking a leisurely step forward, enjoying the way she mirrored

going to get to

just here for a civil conversation, that’s all. Apparently, that’s too much to ask for from

ha wall!”

with disbelief. “You literally

Stone wasn’t exactly Mr. Hospitality,” I shrugged, nonchalantly flicking a pebble at the growing crowd. A few nervous murmurs rippled through the onlookers. “Maybe if he wasn’t such

finally cracking with barely concealed fury. “You showed up unannounced, caused a scene, and

I said, holding my hands out placatingly. “Believe it or not. But your father, well, he has a certain way of rubbing people the wrong way, wouldn’t

a mixture of anger and something else i couldn’t quite decipher. Was it hurt? Pity? Maybe a flicker of the old