Bonds

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Alex’s POV-

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The days stretched out like an endless desert. Time, once a steady companion, had become a relentless tormentor. I’d gone from being the king of my world to a prisoner of it. Over these past months, the world had shrunk to the size of this cell. I’d learned that even with power at your fingertips, life could still knock you down.

Ivan had played his cards close to his chest. I’d underestimated him, thinking I’d ended the game when I ended his life. But his plans, carefully laid, were like a time bomb I hadn’t defused. Adrian, that backstabbing leech, had seized the opportunity to take over my company. It was a bitter pill to

swallow.

Hours turned into days, days into weeks. I stopped counting. There was no point. All that mattered were the moments I’d spend with Amaya and the kids. It was a long road to get here. Ivy, my little firecracker, had slowly warmed up to me. I think it was my beard. She’d giggle and tug at it, saying I looked like a beast from her stories. It was the first time she’d touched me without fear. Being called a beast didn’t matter in that moment.

Nate was different. Quiet, watchful, like a young hawk. His eyes always seemed to be asking questions without making a sound. But I think he found his answers in just watching.

see the worry gnawing at her, hidden beneath the surface. Every visit ended with the same promise: she was getting closer, she’d get me out. I wished she’d stop. She was burning herself out. With all my resources, I couldn’t escape this place, what chance did she have? I’d accepted my fate, but at least I had them to visit. I’d done a lot of bad things. Maybe this was karma, paying my dues like my father. Thinking about him brought back the day of the battle. For once, he’d acted like a real father. His death hurt, a wound that wouldn’t heal. Damon Thorne, the architect of my misery, was dead. I hadn’t forgiven

burial for Miranda. She was a victim, a broken soul caught in the crossfire. That is what she

All of that?

myself. I could break out of this prison, my mind had raced with the idea for months. An idea fueled by my wolf who had been relentless to break free. But for the first time in my life, I wanted to do the right thing. I wasn’t responsible for the mass murders,

was my

knew the outcome. Guilty. The room

said, “Not guilty.”

reality. Not guilty. I was free. I stood frozen, unable to process it. Then, two

it. I held my children tight, the first tear escaping

I was free.

anticipation and happiness. “You have to walk out that door, Alex,” she said softly. I took a deep breath, the reality of the moment sinking in. I wanted to be with my family, with

Riley, Natalia, Nathan, and Sarah. Sarah and Natalia were cheering, their joy infectious. Riley was trying to calin them down, Nathan looking amused. For the first time in what felt like forever, the loneliness that had haunted me for years was gone. I had my

of reporters. When we finally reached them, Christian’s smile was the biggest I’d ever seen. “The beard is suiting,” he

looked at him, and a laugh burst out of me unexpectedly. He returned the laugh, his eyes filled with genuine relief. “I’m really glad you’re out, Alex. His voice was thick

shifted to seriousness, “Now, enough mushy stuff. We’ve got a company

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Chapter 164

to the company was a whirlwind of emotions. Every familiar sight was a stark reminder of the life I’d left behind. When we arrived, heads turned as we entered the building. I felt like a ghost, a relic of a past era. Amaya, however, moved through the crowd

વે

queen.

stood in front of the door. Her expression was cold and

be someone else entirely. “I believe there’s

threat in her tone that made the PA take a step back. With a swift movement, Amaya pushed past her, and I followed. Christian stayed behind to handle the PA.

my eyes landed on Adrian, perched arrogantly on my chair. Anger flared within me, but I knew I had to let Amaya handle this because she looked like she had a plan and I would only escalate things and have myself thrown straight

of us broke Alex and me apart. I understood your anger, your need for revenge. But you crossed the line when you