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.”

rolled her eyes. “There’s no option to say no because

stepped 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,

with your wolf, we don’t even know what happened to him. And the war is still going on, and Ivan is still

didn’t let her finish. “I know I messed up,” I 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

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.

sank down on one knee, pulling out the ring that had been burning a hole in my pocket. I watched, my heart overflowing with a mix of hope and nervousness, as a tear slid down her cheek. “Amaya,” I began, my voice thick with emotion, “I am

the ground with a joyful

I laughed, the sound echoing through the clearing. Everything in my life suddenly felt right, like

contented sigh

head, her glistening with a mixture of joy and

eyes

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

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

a problem,” his voice cut straight

feeling the

call. The

it,” I interrupted, my voice hardening. “I’ll handle this one. Thanks for the heads–up, Christian.”

Chapter 144

my hand. She took it immediately, her brow furrowed

face. “Nothing I can’t handle,” I reassured her, even though a part of me wished I

she didn’t argue. Following me out of the clearing, the fairy lights cast long shadows as