Bonds

Chapter 153

-Maya’s POV-

“Amaya.”

The sound of my name snapped me out of my thoughts. I hadn’t realized I was pacing again. I should stop. I should calm down. But my mind was a whirlwind of worry and fear.

I shouldn’t have left him back there. I should have stood my ground, told him I was staying. Maybe if I had, things would be different. I wanted everything to be simple. Girl meets boy, they fall in love, get married, and live happily ever after.But my life was anything but simple.

A mate with trust issues, a father who was more like a villain than a parent, a dead brother I never got to know, a fake lover turned twisted enemy, and now witches. How much more could I handle? I wanted to scream. I wanted to run. But I couldn’t. Not with the twins here. Everything was just a lot. Too much.

“Amaya!” Natalia’s voice was sharper this time completely pulling me back to reality. I turned to face her. “What?” I managed to say, my voice sounding strained even to my own ears.

“I’ve been calling your name for the past five minutes,” she said, her eyebrows drawn together in concern. “You need to stop pacing. Your energy is affecting the twins.”

I glanced at the twins. Nate was sitting quietly, his face turned towards me. Ivy was also quiet, her eyes fixed on me. I could understand Nate’s quiet. There were times he simply went quiet but never Ivy. Whatever happened between her and Alex’s aunt had something extra to it and I didn’t like it one bit..

“I’m sorry,” I mumbled, feeling a pang of guilt. “I just…” I trailed off, not knowing how to explain the chaos inside my head.

“I know,” Natalia sighed softly. “We’re all worried. With Ivan looming over us and Alex gone, things are crazy. But for the sake of the twins, you need to calm down.”

I nodded, trying to take deep breaths. I needed to focus on the present. I needed to be strong for the twins.

“She’s been awfully quiet since we got back,” Natalia continued a, referring to Ivy.

“I know,” I replied. “Something happened between her and that witch. Or should I say, Alex’s aunt.”

Natalia’s eyes widened. “Wait, what?”

I hadn’t had a chance to fill Natalia in on everything that had happened. The car ride back had been filled with tense silence as everyone tried to process what we had seen.

“So, if she’s Alex’s aunt, how is she a witch? And most importantly, you don’t think Ivy is one, right?” Natalia asked, her voice filled with disbelief.

I shook my head. “No way. I don’t think Ivy is involved in any of this.”

when Riley entered the room. My

from Alex?” I asked, my voice barely

No. Two days and he still wasn’t back. What was happening

I stood in the living room. Natalia’s understanding eyes met mine as I nodded towards the twins, a silent plea for a moment of solitude. She offered a reassuring smile in return and then I

Desperation gnawed at me as I

my ears as I fumbled for the device, my fingers trembling. I looked at the caller ID. An unknown number.

that followed was agonizing. When the voice

echoed through the receiver. A wave of disappointment washed

It’s

that tone hurt,” she

my voice barely audible over the pounding in my ears. “I just have a lot going on, and I’m really worried about Alex.”

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Chapter 153

almost feel the weight of her concern through the phone, Finally, she spoke, “Your father asked me to call. In

a second to collect myself, “You told me once he wasn’t always

I could hear her sigh through the phone, a sound filled with weariness and resignation.

in my throat, “Is that really why you’re calling? To see if I passed on father’s

on my daughter,” she replied, her voice softening. Her words were like a warm blanket on a cold day, offering a brief respite from the storm raging

this,” I whispered

Amaya. I wish I could do something to help. When this is all over,

too,” I whispered, clinging to the glimmer of

the call when she hesitated. “I know I’m the last person you want to talk to about this, but I hope Alex

shaky sigh.

and-”

through the bathroom, pulling me from the conversation. “I’ll have to call you back,” I told my mother quickly, my voice filled with

I don’t know what it is, but something bad is coming. I feel it in my bones. Just be careful, please.” Her voice was laced with a

will call you later,” I replied, trying to sound reassuring.

down in front of Ivy, her small figure looking lost

forehead, her eyes closed. “Not good,” she mumbled. I placed my hand on her forehead, feeling

nodded slowly, her eyes still

bed. Maybe you just need some rest. If you’re not

she replied, her voice firm for the