Bonds

Chapter 117

-Alex’s POV-

My gaze drifted to the window, the afternoon sun casting long shadows across Ivan’s office. A bitter truth settled in my gut – I always craved what was out of reach. Maybe the moon goddess had always been attuned to my feelings. That was why she paired me with Amaya in the first place, knowing the history between our families. We were mates, once. But I had been stupid, and afraid. I should have talked to her, dug deeper for the truth instead of pushing her away on a flimsy excuse. Now, she was gone. Gone, along with the mark that bound us. It was like a twisted echo of my past–wanting what I couldn’t have.

They say absence makes the heart grow fonder. In my case, it was a gnawing hunger, a relentless yearning that ate at me every damn second. The war with Daniel was far from over, his bloodthirsty werewolves still a threat. But for now, it was on hold. All I could focus on was the woman my wolf craved, the woman who, unknowingly, had filled the void in my life for months.

The supposed wedding with Miranda loomed on the horizon, a meaningless obligation that held zero weight. Amaya was the only one who stirred something deep within me, the only one who made me feel truly alive. Everything else the war, the company, even the stupid wedding – could wait. Sure, I’d be labeled a selfish bastard. But at this point, their judgment meant squat.

I wanted Amaya back, and nothing would stop me.

Even if she was married to Ivan, it wouldn’t change a thing. Her marital status was a bump in the road, a hurdle I was determined to jump over.

“Does being a jerk give you some kind of sick pleasure, Alex?” Ivan’s voice snapped me out of my inner thoughts.

I hadn’t realized I was still smiling, the amusement lingering on my face as I looked up at him. He was the leech I needed to detach her from, the reason for my unexpected presence here. Infiltrating their lives was step one, a calculated move to get my Silver back. My wolf whined in agreement, a perfect echo of my own desires.

Playing dumb, I raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean? I’m here for the meeting, just like we agreed. Seems reasonable to want to see where my investment is going, wouldn’t you say?”

“You and I both know this is about Amaya. Why can’t you just leave her alone?” His voice was laced with barely contained fury. “She quit her job, seeking refuge from you in this very office. And now you waltz in here, planning to insert yourself back into her life? I’m her husband, Alex. You’ll never have her back. So why don’t you just cut your losses and walk away?”

A slow smile spread across my face. I shrugged, a nonchalant gesture meant to further irritate him. “Like I said, I’m here for the meeting. And you did agree to let me wait in here, right?”

clenching tight. “You’re a real

forty–five percent of this company,” I countered, dripping with sarcasm. “Maybe you should show a little more respect to your major investor.” I couldn’t resist adding a jab. “And

lapse in his facade. “I’ll handle my own problems,” he muttered, his voice tight. “Maybe you should

couldn’t care less about her whereabouts. My mistakes were mine to own, a burden I was prepared to bear as soon as I had Amaya back and she’d forgiven me. Everyone else could go to hell for all I

–

said, slumping back into his chair. The anger hadn’t completely subsided, a dull ember flickering in his gaze. He pulled out his phone, sending a quick text, presumably to Amaya.

it was time to push things

a deep concentration that excluded the entire world. I cleared my throat, the sound echoing awkwardly in the silence that had

okay over there?” I

didn’t even glance my way. He grunted something unintelligible, his fingers flying across the screen in a flurry of rapid typing. A flicker of annoyance

for an eternity. My initial eagerness to be here had evaporated, replaced by a bone–deep boredom. Let’s face it, spending quality time

there, stewing in my own frustration, my mind started to wander. My gaze drifted to Ivan, his focused profile. Did he truly not have

the truth about my

up, snapping me

announced, his

Torture. The only reason I was here in the first place was Amaya. This was supposed to be a way to get closer

of here before things got any more awkward. But then again, leaving would be admitting defeat. And Alex Thorne

intrigued by Amaya’s anger. I had always found her fire, her passionate defiance, incredibly attractive. Maybe I’d gotten under her skin a

you coming or what?” Ivan snapped,

act like I was the one holding things up?

I muttered, following him out

Ivan, feeling like a shadow tagging along. As