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.

same woman I’d left behind but she was a master of deception. She’d put on a brave face for the kids, a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. I could 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 him, but maybe one day I would. As a final act of closure, I’d asked for his body to be found and buried next to my mother. Maybe their souls would sync and he would finally apologize for all that he had done, all the misery he put her thought and maybe together, they could

in the crossfire. That is what she had said and she hoped she’d found peace

All of that?

to this moment. Standing before the judge, I felt a strange sense of peace. A word with only five letters, but it held the weight of the world. I’d lost my freedom, but in the chaos, I’d found 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, but I was responsible for deaths.

was

She was here again, fighting for me. But I knew the outcome. Guilty. The room would fall

said, “Not guilty.”

I was free. I stood frozen, unable to process it. Then, two tiny bodies crashed into me, Ivy and Nate. Amaya came up behind them, tears streaming down her face. “We

children tight, the

I was free.

took a deep breath, the reality of the moment sinking in. I wanted to be with my family, with them. All eyes were on me. I steadied the twins in my arms and took

to go home with my family. And then I saw them – Christian, 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 family, these crazy people Amaya had brought into

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

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 with emotion. He turned to

enough mushy stuff. We’ve got a company to

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Chapter 164

lead. She, Christian, and I stepped into one car while the others followed in the other vehicles. The drive 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.

floor, my office. Or, rather, Adrian’s. A sleek, modern woman, presumably his PA, stood in

“I believe there’s been a misunderstanding,” she

There was an unspoken threat in her tone that made the PA take a step back. With a swift movement, Amaya pushed past

she had a plan and I would only escalate things and have myself thrown straight in jail

of us broke Alex and me apart. I understood your anger, your need for revenge. But you crossed the line when you started working with him.” She produced a file of documents. “I have proof of every life you helped him take. You might have gotten away with it once, but not this time.” She