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.”

“There’s no option to say no because there’s

“Alex, I already said yes,” she reminded me gently. “It didn’t end well the first time, and technically, by all laws, even though I’m trying to get out of it, I’m still married

name, but I forced it down. She continued, her voice filled with concern, “Then there’s the whole thing with your wolf, we

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

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 soft smile gracing her lips. “You still didn’t ask the question, Alex,”

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 so sorry

flash of movement, she was on me, tackling me to the ground with a joyful laugh. She buried her head

wave of relief washed over me. I laughed, the sound echoing through the clearing. Everything in my life suddenly felt right, like all the pieces had

contented sigh escaping

tears, and unspoken promises. She finally lifted her head, her

eyes

was electric, a surge of emotions that chased away any lingering doubts. My hands instinctively wrapped around her waist,

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

seeing Christian’s name flash on the screen. “We have a problem,” his voice cut straight to the point. Another groan rumbled out

now?” I asked, already feeling the

call. The situation just got

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

Chapter 144

my hand. She took it immediately, her brow furrowed with concern. “Is something

small smile onto my face. “Nothing I can’t handle,” I reassured her, even though a part of me wished I could just whisk her away from all the chaos and hide her in this perfect little clearing forever.

a moment, a flicker of doubt dancing in her eyes. It was clear she wasn’t entirely convinced, but she didn’t argue. Following me out of the clearing, the fairy lights cast long shadows as we walked back towards my car. The romantic interlude felt like a distant memory now, replaced by the harsh