Bonds

Chapter 155

-Maya’s POV-

I was so tired of this. Tired of the fear, the uncertainty, the constant looking over my shoulder. I wanted to scream disappear. But I couldn’t. Not with the twins, not with everything that was happening.

to break something, to just

Ivan. That name was like poison in my ears. I wanted to wipe him off the face of the earth. I wanted to watch him suffer, to feel the same pain he inflicted on others. My wolf was restless, pacing inside me, eager to unleash her fury. But I had to hold her back. Losing control wasn’t an option. Not now.

Riley’s voice broke through my thoughts. “We still haven’t come up with anything tangible,” she said, her voice laced with frustration.

I turned to face her, my gaze meeting hers. Natalia was running a hand through her hair, her face etched with worry.

“Well, right now, I don’t know why he’s going after Nate,” Natalia said, her voice low. “Why not just stick to Damon? Why involve an innocent kid?”

I felt a cold rage building inside me. How could anyone be so heartless? How could someone target a child?

“He wants to watch us suffer,” I said, my voice barely a whisper. “He wants to break us.”

Everyone looked at me, their faces a mixture of shock and fear.

“He wants to see two generations wiped out,” I continued, my voice steady now. “Damon was responsible for his parents‘ death. Ivan witnessed it. This is his revenge.”

Sarah, who had been quiet until now, spoke up. “Two generations?” Her voice was small.

I nodded. “He wants to scar Nate for life, just like he was scarred. He is a monster and I was just too blind to see it.”

I couldn’t believe I was saying these things out loud. It felt like I was living in a nightmare.

Natalia reached out and took my hand. “This isn’t your fault, Amaya,” she whispered softly. “He played us all. We all liked him, trusted him. None of us saw this coming.”

it felt forced. “I know,” I managed to

Christian, the unspoken leader of the group. He was on the phone, his face a mask of concentration. He

of time. Ivan has somehow found a way to be one step ahead of

How could we possibly defeat someone who seemed to know our every move? I looked at the others, their faces mirroring my own fear and uncertainty. We were in over our heads, and I didn’t know if we were going

fear and anger. Ivan was a monster, a cold–blooded killer who had no regard for human life. The thought of Nate in his hands made my blood run cold. I couldn’t let that happen. Not to my son.

plan,” Riley said, her voice breaking the heavy silence. “A real plan, not just throwing ideas out

replied, trying to sound calm

voice filled

to find a way to hit him where it

voice filled with doubt. “We’ve tried

mind was blank. I

about Riley’s dad?” Natalia suggested. “Alex is still gone. There is no way in hell we are letting him near Nate. He is a mafia lord. He is like the best

men. It’s not his fight and he has his own to focus on. He isn’t getting

a sigh, “Well there goes that option

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10:25 AM

Chapter 155

mind raced, trying to come up with a plan. I needed to think clearly, to focus. But the fear was overwhelming. I could feel my heart pounding in my chest. I took a deep breath,

raising my kids, enjoying my family. I looked at my friends, my makeshift family. They were all I had left. We were in this together, and we had to find a way out. But how? How do

breath. A chill ran down my spine, not from the cold but from something else, something primal. And then I felt him. His presence

filled with a power I’d never heard

waves, so strong it nearly knocked me off

held me for a moment, his arms as strong as steel, yet gentle as a

I didn’t care about anything else. He was here, and

mixture of shock and relief. Sarah wiggled her eyebrows at

“We’re done playing games,” he said, his voice low and dangerous. His eyes, usually soft and playful,

each of us. “We give him what

our lips. “Are you crazy?” Riley exclaimed, her voice filled with