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 asked,

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 technically, by all laws, even though I’m trying to get out of it, I’m still married to

gut at the mention of 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 happened to him. And the

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

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

breath, I 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

a joyful laugh.

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

a contented sigh escaping

moment, a cocoon of happiness woven from laughter, tears, and unspoken promises. She finally lifted her head, her glistening with a mixture of joy and

eyes

around her waist, pulling her impossibly closer.

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 calls. Thankfully, she understood. She pushed herself off me reluctantly, her eyes searching mine

on the screen. “We have a problem,” his voice cut straight to the point. Another groan

already feeling the weight of responsibility settle back

your companies have mostly taken a physical hit,” Christian explained quickly. “But I just got a call. The situation just got a whole lot more complicated, more

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

Chapter 144

took a deep breath and stood up, offering Amaya my hand. She took it immediately, her brow furrowed with concern. “Is something wrong?”

smile onto my face. “Nothing I can’t handle,” I reassured her, even though a part of me wished I could just whisk

eyes. It was clear she wasn’t entirely convinced, but she didn’t argue. Following me out of the clearing, the fairy