Bonds

Chapter 116

-Maya’s POV-

My hand hovered over the pen, reaching for it with the intention of jotting down a note. But instead of a smooth connection between my fingers and the plastic, my hand knocked over the entire cup that held all the pens on my desk. The clatter echoed in the sudden silence, rolling pens scattering across the surface.

“Shit,” I muttered under my breath, crouching down to gather the runaway writing instruments. My movements were clumsy, jerky even, a reflection of the turmoil brewing inside me. Just an hour ago, I’d been at the ice cream parlor with my friends, trying to decipher the. Now, I was back at the office, the mental door between me and my wolf still firmly slammed shut. Dealing with that would have to wait. Right now, all I could manage was basic functionality, and even that seemed like a massive effort.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” Ivan’s voice broke through my haze of frustration. It wasn’t the first time he’d asked that question since I’d returned from lunch, his concern evident in his tone. It was a valid question, I knew. My usual efficiency had taken a turn, replaced by a string of fumbled tasks and near–misses.

I managed to pack the pens back into the cup, offering him a strained smile. “Yeah, I’m fine,” I mumbled, the word lacking conviction even to my

own ears.

He wasn’t convinced. Pushing himself away from his desk, he walked towards me, his face etched with worry. “If you’re not feeling well, you should go home. You haven’t been yourself since we got here.”

I sighed, a heavy exhale that seemed to carry the weight of the world. “I’m not sick, Ivan. It’s just…my mind is all over the place right now. And honestly, being at home wouldn’t change that. That’s not why I don’t want to leave. It’s just…” My voice trailed off, the frustration bubbling over. “I don’t want you to keep doing me favors just because we’re married. I want to work hard and earn my place here. Just because you own the company doesn’t mean I should get a free pass.”

He nodded, his understanding evident. But even as his words soothed the irritation simmering beneath the surface, his actions spoke a different language. His hands came to rest on my shoulders, a comforting gesture that sent a jolt through me. “Maybe we could occupy your mind with something else,” he suggested with a smirk.

The playful glint in his eyes usually sent a thrill down my spine. Today, it felt like a misplaced note in a somber symphony. But before I could respond, a throat cleared from behind us, sharp and deliberate.

We both turned in unison, and my stomach lurched. Standing in the doorway, his expression unreadable, was Alex.

What was he doing here now?

since

spoke, his voice laced with surprise. “Alex. I didn’t expect you to be here. Do

flickered to Ivan, then back to me. A ghost of a smile played on his lips, a smirk that felt like a deliberate jab. “I heard there was an important meeting today,” he

clouding his features. “You don’t attend

getting in touch with your personal assistant to inform her of the change in how things will be run from now on, but there was no answer. You should really consider

to retort a fierce battle within me. He was clearly trying to get under my skin,

of us responded, the air thick with unspoken tension until Ivan spoke again. “This isn’t part of the deal, and my assistant does a very good job. Maybe it’s people who show up uninvited that make

simply ignored the comment, sliding further into the office with

scanning the space before settling on a plush armchair positioned directly across from Ivan’s desk. Ignoring the empty chair beside me the one usually reserved for my presence during important discussions –

the way he carried himself, the casual arrogance that reeked of entitlement. Here he was, waltzing into a meeting he wasn’t

A frown etched itself onto his forehead, mirroring the deepening furrow between my brows. “Alex,”

Chapter 116

nonchalance. He shrugged one shoulder, the movement dismissive. “Last I checked,” he drawled, his voice laced with a smug satisfaction that grated on my nerves, “you offered me 45 percent of this company in exchange

eyes widened in surprise. This was news to me. Forty–five percent? Ivan

to contain my surprise any longer. All eyes turned to me, Alex’s smirk widening a fraction, while Ivan’s

between me and Alex. “Yes,” he admitted, his voice strained. “It was a necessary step to keep the

afloat.”

meetings,” Ivan continued, his voice gaining strength as his anger simmered. “We need to talk

scoffed, a dismissive sound that did little to cool the rising heat in Ivan’s voice. “Procedure and protocol? We both know the company needs fresh ideas, a new approach. And I

within him. Probably on whether or not to punch Alex. The

tension.

“I appreciate your offer. But attending meetings wasn’t part of the deal. We need to establish some ground rules here,

of annoyance crossing his features. But it was quickly replaced by a calculated neutrality. “Of course,” he conceded, his voice smooth as silk. “Boundaries are important. But let’s not be hasty.Why don’t we all take a seat and

civilized adults?”