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?”

tight. “You’re a real piece of work, you know

you should show a little more respect to your major investor.” I couldn’t resist adding a jab. “And perhaps you should worry about yourself for a change. Your ‘wife‘ didn’t

flicker of irritation crossed his face, a momentary lapse in his facade. “I’ll handle my own problems,” he muttered, his voice tight. “Maybe you should take your own advice. Where’s

own, a burden I was prepared to bear as soon as I had Amaya back and she’d forgiven

–

flickering in his gaze. He pulled out his phone, sending a quick text, presumably to Amaya. The

was time to push things

his phone, his brow furrowed in a deep concentration that excluded the entire world. I

over there?”

his fingers flying across the screen in a flurry of rapid typing.

growing louder in the sudden quiet. Minutes ticked by, each one dragging on for an eternity. My initial eagerness to be here had evaporated, replaced by a bone–deep boredom. Let’s face it, spending quality time with Ivan wasn’t exactly how I’d envisioned

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

know the truth about my father’s role in his

straightened up, snapping me

his

meetings were bad enough, but enduring a whole one with a company I wasn’t even invested in? Torture. The only reason I was here in the first place was Amaya. This was supposed to be a way to get closer to her, a way to reconnect. Now, with her absence glaring down at me like a judgment,

here before things got any

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

what?” Ivan snapped, his voice laced

like I was the one holding things up? I pushed myself out of the chair, a slow, deliberate movement meant

yeah, I’m coming,” I muttered, following him

uncomfortable silence. We walked in single file, me trailing behind Ivan, feeling like a shadow tagging along. As we entered the room, the other board