Bonds

Chapter 144

-Alex’s POV-

It had only taken meeting them, Ivy and Nate, to know that truly I had made the biggest mistake of my life when I kicked Amaya out. The guilt gnawed at me constantly, and I knew I would spend the rest of my life apologizing for it and there was still Ivan out there, a constant threat. It had taken that kiss, that spark of reconnection with Maya, to jolt me into action. And people were already on it, moving fast. It sure had its advantages being a billionaire alpha sometimes.

What confused me though, was why Ivan hadn’t gone after my father. Damon Thorne was clearly the start of his madness, the reason for the whole war. But just in case, I still had men positioned around the facility, keeping a watchful eye in case Ivan decided to finally stop playing his twisted games. Right now, though, I had something more important to do.

I stepped out from the shadows, the fairy lights casting a warm glow on the clearing. Amaya’s green eyes, sparkling with surprise, flew “Alex, what is all this?” she asked, her voice laced with bewilderment.

to mine.

I closed the distance between us, my heart pounding in my chest. “Amaya,” I began, my voice thick with emotion, “I

Her gaze flickered to the sign, then back to me. “There’s no question mark,” she pointed out, a hint of amusement dancing in her

“Exactly,” I replied, a grin spreading across my face. “So you don’t have the option to say

want you to marry me.”

eyes.

no.”

option to say no because there’s no question

back from me then, a shadow of worry crossing her features. The light in her eyes seemed to dim slightly. “Alex, I already said yes,” she reminded me gently. “It didn’t end well the first time, and

his name, but I forced it down. She continued, her voice filled with concern, “Then there’s the whole thing with your wolf, we don’t even know what

confessed, my voice filled with regret. “And I will spend the rest of my life making it up to you. You wouldn’t be dealing with getting out of a marriage if I hadn’t been such a coward. I am so sorry, Amaya, but I want to make things right because I love you. I didn’t know I could ever know what it felt like but you changed that so please let me.”

overhead, momentarily breaking the spell. We both looked up at the contrail streaking across the night sky before her gaze dropped back down. Her eyes darted around the clearing, taking in every detail. It had taken me all day to pull this together, to make it perfect. I didn’t want anyone’s help, I wanted it to be just us, a private moment between Amaya and me. Finally, her eyes landed on the sign again, a

I watched, my heart overflowing with a mix of hope and nervousness, as a tear slid down her cheek. “Amaya,” I began,

of movement, she was on me, tackling me to the ground with a joyful laugh. She buried her head in my chest, her body trembling slightly. “Yes!” she

my life suddenly felt right, like all the pieces had finally fallen into place. “I still didn’t ask,” I teased, pulling

contented sigh escaping

and unspoken promises. She finally lifted her head, her glistening with a mixture of joy and lingering worry. Without another word, she leaned in and crashed her lips against mine.

eyes

hands instinctively wrapped around her waist, pulling her impossibly closer. I deepened the kiss as her hands drifted down, finding my belt before hesitating.

moment was shattered. My phone, which I had purposely silenced for this evening, chose that exact moment to erupt with its insistent ringtone. A groan escaped my lips. With everything happening, with the war and the uncertainty surrounding her legal situation, I knew I couldn’t afford to miss any

a problem,” his voice cut straight to the point. Another groan rumbled out of me.

now?” I asked, already feeling the weight of responsibility

quickly. “But I just got a call. The

interrupted, my voice hardening. “I’ll handle this one. Thanks for

Chapter 144

offering Amaya my hand. She took it immediately,

even though a part of me wished I could just whisk her away from all the chaos and hide

clearing, the fairy lights cast long shadows as