Bonds

Chapter 139

-Alex’s POV-

A knot of dread twisted in my gut the moment we pulled up to the location. Even from a distance, something felt off, a wrongness that sent something I didn’t like crawling down my spine. I knew the entire situation was a gamble, a dance with the devil, but this… this felt different.

My wolves were already ready, waiting outside for my order. The plan was simple – Amaya would enter first, confirm the twins‘ safety, and then I would follow, providing unseen backup. But the moment she disappeared through the doorway, a sickening premonition washed over me.

I lingered in the shadows, my senses on high alert. Silence stretched, thick and heavy, broken only by the pounding of my own heart. Just as I was about to move, a sound sliced through the air – the unmistakable click of a gun being cocked.

My blood ran cold. Every muscle in my body tensed, ready to spring into action. Slowly, cautiously, I turned, my gaze landing on the figure standing behind me.

Miranda.

A bitter laugh escaped her lips as she met my eyes. “Well, well, well,” she drawled, her voice dripping with venomous sarcasm, “if it isn’t my oh–so- alive fiancé. Thought you were a goner.”

* 2 43 2 60 is

I let out a frustrated groan, the sound rumbling deep in my chest. The last thing I needed right now was a confrontation with Miranda. “Miranda,” I gritted my teeth, “put the gun down. This isn’t the time.”

She threw her head back and bellowed with laughter, a chilling sound that echoed in the empty space. “The nerve,” she spat, her voice laced with a dangerous edge. “Making demands when you’re the one cornered like a rat. Pathetic.”

I took a tentative step towards her, but she instantly reacted, her finger tightening on the trigger. “Don’t even think about it, Alex,” she warned, her voice low and menacing. “I don’t know how you cheated death this time, but trust me, I won’t miss my second shot.”

Trying to reason with her

But I see right through you, you know.

get to Amaya, to the twins. Every passing second felt like an eternity, the silence broken only by the ragged rhythm of my breath and the incessant

She continued, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper, “I used to be envious of her. Amaya. It felt like you only ever had eyes for her, that no matter what, the two of you were destined to be together. I always wanted what she had. But

sob story. From the look in her eyes, it was clear she

with barely contained rage. “Because your monster of a father stole my childhood! Tore my family apart right in front of my eyes! You know what that does to a person, Alex? It fucks you up real good. I tried to get

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tears. “And then, when Ivan started this vendetta… it felt right. The thought of seeing you all suffer, of getting

had no control over what my father did. Bringing Amaya, the children, and me into this… it’s pointless. My father’s dying, Miranda. He’s a shell of

something akin to pain crossed her features, a fleeting glimpse of the vulnerable girl she once might have been. But it was quickly

hand. “One more word and I swear…” Her voice trailed off, but the threat hung heavy in

remain calm. I knew escalating the situation wouldn’t help anyone. I needed to find a way to disarm her, both literally and figuratively. But how? My gaze darted around the room, searching for anything that could give me an advantage. There was nothing.

isn’t the answer. You won’t find peace by hurting me, or Amaya, or the children. Let go of the hate,

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laced with bitterness.

)

of sadness in her eyes, a flicker of

gently. “Let the gun go. Walk away from all of this. There’s still time for you

air, broken only by the ragged rhythm of our breaths. Miranda stared at me, her face a mask of conflicting emotions. Was she considering my words? Hope flickered within me,

It wasn’t a light chuckle, not a friendly giggle.

Ivan that I’d be a fantastic actress! Look at your face, completely fooled! You actually thought for a second