《Bonds of the Alpha Billionaire (Maya and Alex)》 Chapter 1 Chapter One ~Four years ago~ ~Maya¡¯s POV~ It rained on the day I died. People die in different ways, mine was one of the most painful kinds. My heart was ripped out and shredded into a million pieces right in front of me. ¡°Alex, please don¡¯t do this to me,¡± I begged running after him, ¡°Please I am begging you. I have nowhere to go.¡± He turned to me, his blue eyes now as cold as ice stared at me. Gone was the warmth that made me feel safe whenever he held me to his chest, whispering just how much he loved me. ¡°Alex,¡± I whispered his name again. ¡°You are starting to irritate me. Do not make me throw you out, Maya.¡± Maya. The sound of my name on his lips was another painful stab to my heart. He hadn¡¯t called me by my real name in the three years we had been married. My begging was getting me nowhere I realized. Standing to my feet, I wiped the tears from my cheeks. ¡°You are really going to do this to me after everything we have been through together? After everything I gave up just to be with you?¡± He didn¡¯t say anything. He simply stared through me like I didn¡¯t exist. Like I was nothing. I stared at him. He looked the same. The same man I had fallen in love with. The same man I had turned my back on my entire pack for just to be with yet he was so different. There had been so much whispers after the announcement of our engagement but the center of it all was that I was a gold digging stripper that had dug her ws into one of the most eligible billionaires in the city but neither Alex nor I had cared. He kissed me two months after that and imed me as his. ¡°You and I against the world silver.. Always and forever,¡± he had whispered just before he entered me for the first time. We had both made sacrifices for love and I was not going to let him destroy it. ¡°You cannot just discard me like I am nothing to you,¡± I said finally, hoping to get a reaction from him but there was nothing. ¡°Do you have nothing else to say?¡± Silence hung between us, almost suffocating me then finally he walked towards the table, grabbing a brown envelope and in that cold and detached voice, ¡°My signature is already on it. Sign it and don¡¯t let me see you ever again.¡± ¡°We can fix whatever is wrong. Tell me what happened. You can¡¯t just leave then return only to tell me you are ending our marriage and then throw divorce papers in my face. Please let me fix it. Whatever it is.¡± I tried to step forward but halted in my step when I saw the sh of ck in his eyes. His wolf lunging to the surface reminded me of the most important detail of our rtionship, ¡°We are mates.¡± His eyes darkened fully making me wish I hadn¡¯t said that because the next words that came out from his mouth ripped my heart out. ¡°I reject you Amaya Stone and from this moment, you are nothing to me.¡± The hit was so fast and painful, it had me falling back on my knees gasping for air. I had heard stories of rejection but none of them prepared me for this. My wolf recoiled howling in pain as I struggled to see through the tears. ¡°Throw her out of my house.¡± I felt two strong hands pick me from the floor. ¡°Alex,¡± I gasped out, ¡°I¡¯m.. I¡¯m..¡± ¡°Don¡¯t ever let me see her again.¡± Those were thest words that echoed in my head and that was thest time I saw Alex Thorne. That night¡­ It rained. That same night.. I died. *************** ¡°It is time for you toe back home. I have found a man for you to marry.¡± N?velDrama.Org owns this text. I paused trying to steady my breath when my father¡¯s hard tone sounded through the phone again, ¡°Amaya did you hear me?¡± ¡°Yes¡­ Yes father I did.¡± I should have known immediately I saw Daniel Stones¡¯ name on my phone. My father hardly ever called and when he did, he wanted something. ¡°When will the wedding take ce? Who is he?¡± I managed to get out after a long pause. ¡°That shouldn¡¯t be your concern. I will send a car to fetch you before the week runs out. Be prepared and do not keep me waiting.¡± Fetch me. Like amon dog. ¡°Yes father. Am I allowed to¡ª¡° He didn¡¯t let me finish before ending the call and I let out a sigh. I wished I had it in me to fight. To say no. That I wouldn¡¯t be part of an arranged marriage to a man that I did not know but there was no fire left in me. It had all burned out after four years. The only reason I opened my eyes everyday were Ivy and Nathan. I knew my father wouldn¡¯t approve of me bringing them to his house. The bastard children to your bastard husband as he called them. Thinking up solutions in my brain, I quickly scrolled through the limited number on my phone. Natalia¡¯s voice burst through the phone with an energy that could light up the whole city. ¡°Amaya! I miss you so, so much! Oh my goodness, are you at my doorstep right now? Please tell me you¡¯re here! Wait, no, wait a sec, I¡¯m not even home. Let me quickly call Nate¡ª¡± ¡°Natalia,¡± I chuckled, trying to calm down my ever-excited best friend, ¡°Could you maybe give me a chance to talk here?¡± ¡°Oh, right, right, right! I¡¯m so sorry. You know how I am¡ªI just can¡¯t help it. I get all hyper when you call, especially ¡¯cause it¡¯s so rare.¡± ¡°Natalia,¡± I interjected again, gently teasing her, ¡°You¡¯re doing it again.¡± ¡°Oh! Right, right! I¡¯m all ears now. You have the floor, girl!¡± Natalia¡¯s excitement was infectious. Her words always poured out like an overflowing river, bubbling over with enthusiasm. It felt like she could fill an empty room with her energy, and I couldn¡¯t help but smile even over the phone. I breathed out a long, deep sigh, picturing Natalia¡¯s face in my mind. I knew her eyes would have narrowed in concern. ¡°What happened?¡± Her voice flowed through the phone,ced with worry and curiosity. ¡°My father,¡± I began, hesitating as I felt the weight of his demand settling over me, ¡°he wants me¡­ he wants me toe back home.¡± The silence on the line felt heavy, the space between her breaths seemingly long. Her silence spoke volumes before she finally broke it, her voice gentle butced with concern, ¡°What does he want you to do?¡± I closed my eyes, the memories of my father¡¯s call still echoing in my mind, the words sinking into my heart like heavy stones. ¡°Make the same mistake again,¡± I whispered, feeling the sting of resentment, ¡°get married, but this time, to a man of his choosing.¡± ¡°Amaya,¡± she breathed my name like a soft prayer. We didn¡¯t always need words. It felt like Natalia and I had honed this psychic connection from the very first day we met in college. ¡°I owe it to him,¡± I sighed into the phone, almost feeling her understanding seep through the line. ¡°After everything I did¡­ I turned my back on my entire pack, and he still took me back.¡± ¡°Sending you away to live in istion isn¡¯t exactly an act of reconciliation,¡± Natalia retorted, her voice a mix of frustration and empathy. ¡°Your parents left you to raise the twins all by yourself.¡± I opened my mouth to protest, to defend their actions, but Natalia cut in, her words gentle yet firm, ¡°You did it for love. You loved him, Amaya. Don¡¯t let anyone ever fault you for that.¡± She didn¡¯t even have to say his name for a new wave of pain to wash through me. ¡°I¡­ I already said yes,¡± I whispered, the weight of my decision heavy in my chest. ¡°He said he would send a car to fetch me before the week ends.¡± She let out augh but it sounded hollow, ¡°Fetch you? Like a dog?¡± I could haveughed if the situation had been different. ¡°You know I wouldn¡¯t bother you if I had any other option.¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine. Will you bring Ivy and Nathan yourself? Please, please say yes. I¡¯ve been dying to see you for ages. It¡¯s been over a year and I really want to hug you and you don¡¯t even have to stress about Nate. You know how much he loves you. Sometimes, I¡¯m convinced it¡¯s even more than he loves me, which is saying something. He misses you too and¡ª¡° ¡°Natalia Jameson!¡± I chuckled softly, interrupting her rambling. ¡°Sorry¡­.My excitement level shot to the top again.¡± ¡°Are you certain Nate won¡¯t mind?¡± ¡°Natalia, you know him as well as I do. It used to be the three of us against the world, remember? I¡¯ll take care of them for as long as you need. You¡¯ve got a reliable babysitter in me,¡± she reassured. She paused for a second and I knew what she was thinking. ¡°It¡¯s fine Natalia. It won¡¯t be challenging. A loveless marriage on paper is manageable because, to be honest, I hardly have any more love left to give.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry your life turned out so shitty.¡± ¡°Me too.¡± As we wrapped up the call, she left me with those words, ¡°I love you.¡± Natalia knew almost everything about me, but there was a part of me she¡¯d never truly understand ¨C just how much I despised those words. The week flew by me like seconds. Everything went as nned. Natalia had thrown her hands around me wrapping me in a bear hug when I went to drop my twins off and then finally after what stretched like an eternity, I found myself standing in front of my father¡¯s study. ¡°Enter,¡± his voice called out when I knocked on the door. He didn¡¯t look up from the paper when I entered, I hadn¡¯t expected him to. ¡°Father,¡± I greeted as I stepped in. ¡°You¡¯re five minuteste, Amaya. You know how I detest waiting.¡± ¡°I apologize. I had something to attend to first.¡± ¡°The bastards?¡± His choice of words pricked at my inner wolf, who growled in frustration. She despised his term for them, as much as I did, but I would never grant her the authority to act upon it. Seeking to divert his attention, I moved closer, hoping for even a glimpse of acknowledgment. Finally, he lifted his head, his disapproving gaze meeting mine. ¡°This is what you¡¯ve chosen to wear to meet your future husband?¡± ¡°What? You didn¡¯t mention I¡¯d be meeting him today. Besides, I don¡¯t even know who he is.¡± I saw the sh of annoyance in his eyes before it darkened. Heposed himself then cleared his throat, ¡°You are familiar with him.¡± Why did my heart kick up a notch at that? Why did I desperately want him to call Alex¡¯s name still? My father, however bursted my bubble when he said the name, ¡°Ivan McCall,¡± the ln continued, ¡°The wedding will happen in two weeks but before that, there will be a family dinner. Do not embarrass me,¡± thest words were said with a note of warning. I bowed my head, ¡°Would that be all father?¡± No reply came from him so I turned on my heels to leave. He stopped me with a call of my name and I turned back to face him. I wished I didn¡¯t have the ability to predict what people would say next because looking into his eyes, I felt dread wash over me and I was right when he uttered his next line of words. ¡°It won¡¯t just be a formal wedding. There will be a mating ceremony after which you will allow Ivan to mark you and im you as his mate.¡± Chapter 2 Chapter Two ~Maya¡¯s POV~ ¡°What?¡± I blinked. I couldn¡¯t have possibly heard him right, ¡°You can¡¯t be serious.¡± ¡°Do I look like I entertain jokes? Ivan will im you during the mating ceremony. Our packs will be merged as one afterwards and so will thepanies. It will be an empire, one of the greatest this world has ever known.¡± I stared at him. I could see his lips moving but my ears had stopped listening. ¡°Amaya!¡± He snapped, ¡°You know I hate it when I ask a question and do not get an immediate response.¡± I shook my head, ¡°I have agreed to get married to a man that I do not know. Letting him im would be too much, I already have a mate.¡± N?velDrama.Org owns this text. ¡°Do not speak of that bastard in my presence and need I remind you of the shame you brought upon our pack after you let him use you and then reject you?¡± ¡°I reject you Amaya Stone and from this moment, you are nothing to me.¡± The words echoed in my head. No matter how hard I tried, I could never forget. My wolf had never been the same again. I was an Alpha female but the only way I would describe myself now was weak and broken. ¡°Please father. I do not mind the marriage but I do not wish for my wolf to be bound to anyone ever again.¡± ¡°You will do as I say. I am not asking, I am ordering you.¡± I shouldn¡¯t have been surprised. I had never experienced an ounce of love from my father, maybe that was why it was so easy for me to turn my back on them when I found someone who I thought would love me till the end of time. Daniel Stone had always lived up to his surname. His heart was as cold as stone and whenever he looked at me; I saw it in his eyes. He wished I was a burden he didn¡¯t have to carry. ¡°There can be¡ª¡° I started to say but was cut short by the sudden ringing of a phone. My father stared at the screen of his phone with a flicker of annoyance crossing his features. ¡°Ivan.¡± He stated simply, bringing the phone to his ear. I watched him talk to my husband to be for a few seconds then banged his phone on his desk. ¡°Is this how he ns on starting up our arrangement? Canceling ns at thest minute,¡± he spat out ring at me like I was somehow responsible for Ivan canceling on him but at least I felt relief of not needing to put on a fake act anymore. ¡°I¡¯m sorry he canceled.¡± That was the right thing to say right? ¡°You are still going to meet him today so no need to sound so relieved.¡± He nced at his watch, ¡°He has invited us for a family dinner. The most important members of both our packs will be there. Go and start getting prepared. You are dismissed.¡± I bowed my heard in respect because I knew arguing with him was pointless. Turning on my heel, I started to walk towards the door. ¡°Do not embarrass me Amaya.¡± I didn¡¯t need to turn back, I knew a threat when I heard one. The day flew by, in no time it was time for the dinner. The McCall mansion was everything like I had expected it to be. Everything, almost perfect, not a single piece out of ce. That was the first red g, I sat quietly at the long dinner table watching as every other person started to arrive. The Moon Goddess had only shown me cruelty by making me be born to a man like Daniel Stone and then predestined to be mated to the man that broke my heart. The least she could do was make the man I would be forced to spend the rest of my days with not be an a*shole. Also making him hot wouldn¡¯t be so bad. The entire room went still and I knew Ivan McCall had stepped into it. I said one more silent prayer to the moon goddess then raised my head. Everything in me stopped functioning, His golden pools were already boring into mine. My father was saying something to him,with my trophy mother standing at his side but he had his entire focus on me. Gulping, I readied myself for the introduction. I had heard of his pack, I knew he was the Alpha, I knew he was rich but I had never seen him. No man should look that beautiful. His golden brown hair fell to his forehead, almost covering the most beautiful shade of gold I had ever seen, a small smile ying on his sinful lips. My eyes were basically eye f**king him and he knew it. For the first time in my life I was grateful for the sound of my father¡¯s voice when it snapped me back to reality, ¡°Amaya,e over here.¡± Standing up, I prayed that I didn¡¯t fall. Ivan¡¯s eyes didn¡¯t leave me as I made my way towards them. ¡°Amaya, Ivan McCall.¡± He extended his hand, the smile stretching round his entire face and I almost stopped breathing. ¡°It¡¯s so lovely to finally meet you.¡± He took my hand in his, ¡°You are even more beautiful in person.¡± ¡°And I you.¡± What did I just say? ¡°Sorry.. I meant you are beautiful.. I meant.. sorry¡­ I meant to say.. ¡° ¡°Amaya!¡± My fathers tone snapped me back to reality, ¡°It¡¯s really nice to meet you, Ivan.¡± His eyes twinkled with mischief like he knew all my secrets and I was so close to melting at the spot. Natalia had always said beautiful men would be the end of me. ¡°Should we take our seats?¡± Ivan asked. ¡°Of course,¡± my father nodded his head frantically while my mother stood awaiting his next command. As expected Ivan sat next to me, my father on my other side. I really wished he would have sat at least one chair away from me. The long dining table was filled with guests in their chairs, both packs already making small talk. ¡°I believe everyone has arrived. Shall we begin?¡± My father¡¯s authoritative voice echoed through the entire room which made the smile drop from Ivan¡¯s face. Of course I knew. I hadn¡¯t stopped staring like aplete idiot. ¡°There is a guest missing. My sister.¡± A frown touched his lips, ¡°she should have arrived by now.¡± ¡°Do we wait for her to arrive before we start?¡± My father asked, pretending to care. The smile returned to Ivan¡¯s face as he nced at me, ¡°I shouldn¡¯t keep my beautiful bride waiting. Let us¡ª¡° ¡°I am so sorry I amte,¡± a floaty female voice rang through the room. All eyes turned to the entrance. I didn¡¯t need to be told, I already knew exactly who she was. Beauty must run in their family because with her long blonde hair, sparkling green eyes and bee stung lips, she looked like a princesse alive. She stepped further into the room, her eyes settling on her brother before waving her hands excitedly, ¡°The best thing ever just happened. I was going to do it tomorrow but I just can¡¯t wait, everyone,¡± she turned to the door, ¡°I would like to introduce my fianc¨¦.¡± The man stepped into the room and the first thing I noticed were his broad shoulders. I felt my wolf stir then go still in my head. My entire body froze. There was no way this was happening. It couldn¡¯t be real. It couldn¡¯t be him. My whole world came crashing down when she opened her mouth again saying the name of a man I never hoped to see ever again. Alex Thorne. Chapter 3 Chapter Three ~Maya¡¯s POV~ The entire air was sucked out of the room or maybe it was because I forgot how to breathe. Memories, buried deep, surged back with an unbearable intensity. I couldn¡¯t ignore the betrayal, the pain he¡¯d inflicted when he coldly cast me aside. ¡°I reject you, Amaya Stone,¡± his words echoed relentlessly in my mind, each syble a stab to my wounded soul. And yet, despite the hurt, a part of me couldn¡¯t help but acknowledge the lingering connection, the remnants of the love we once shared. My mouth opened to say something¡ª say anything. Luckily my father beat me to it when his growl reverberated in my ear, ¡°What is he doing here?¡± Ivan looked between Alex and my father while I watched the man who had ripped out my heart without a second thought walk towards Ivan¡¯s sister, whisper something in her ear before they made their way to the far end of the dining hall. My wolf howled, urging me to make a move but I couldn¡¯t. ¡°I didn¡¯t realize Miranda would bring him,¡± Ivan nced at his sister who was chatting away happily as members of their pack congratted her, his eyes narrowed, ¡°And I did not realize their rtionship had gone this far.¡± ¡°You don¡¯t like him?¡± There was no need to look at my father. I heard the smile in his voice when he asked the question. ¡°I have no feelings towards him. Alex Thorne is not a man I would trust but my sister has never been one to listen to me. I cannot tell her who she should or shouldn¡¯t be with.¡± The easy smile returned to his face, ¡°Let¡¯s not let one bad egg ruin our evening, shall we proceed?¡± The dinner went on and I was slowly dying. Everytime my eyes turned in their direction, my heart broke even more. He used to smile at me just like that. How could he not feel my wolf? How could he not feel the pain seeping from me? I hated how much it still hurt after all these years because the only thing I ever wanted to feel towards him was hate. It came as a surprise that Miranda hadn¡¯t brought him to our side of the table for a formal congrattions but I went on with my food eating quietly. Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org. Through the haze, I was aware of Ivan trying to make small talk but I could hardly focus. ¡°Behave yourself, Amaya,¡± my father growled beside me suddenly, ¡°Stop looking at him like a lost puppy. I don¡¯t want Ivan finding out about your ties to that bastard.¡± In the wake of my father¡¯s warning, I kept my gaze trained on my te, refusing to let them eyes wander back to the distant corner when Ivan caught my unease. ¡°You are hardly eating, don¡¯t you like the food?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not that.. I .. The food is lovely.. I just..¡± ¡°Get out!¡± The sudden sharpmand echoed through the hall. All eyes shifted to my father who had risen to his feet ring at Alex, a silent fury radiating from him. The room had fallen into silence, everyone anticipating what would happen next. The smile fell from Alex¡¯s face as if he suddenly became aware of other people around him then it happened. His eyes left my father, scanning the room like he was searching for something until theynded on me. A flicker of surprise crossed his features as our eyes met across the room, a collision of emotions growing within me like a storm. My wolf stirred, responding to the maic pull, urging me towards him. I knew without a doubt that he felt it too¨C mirrored my feelings but just as swiftly as the connection sparked to life, his demeanor shifted. His eyes, once soft with a hint of recognition, hardened before traveling back to my father. Ivan rose, attempting to diffuse the escting tension, ¡°Mr stone I think¡ª¡° but my father¡¯s voice cut through like a de. ¡°I want him out. I will not sit here anymore and eat in the same room as that bastard.¡± I had to give it to my father for holding out that long before snapping. His hatred towards Alex and his family was a longstanding me that finally ignited, the reason for the rivalry between both packs still unknown to me. Alex regarded my father for a moment longer then focused his attention back to his food. Miranda sat still, waiting for how it would y out, we all were. ¡°I will give you one more chance to leave, Thorne or you will regret it.¡± As if no one had spoken to him, Alex continued with his meal. As the tension rose, my fathermanded, ¡°Take him out.¡± Two men, I recognized as members of my pack approached Alex, still he continued eating his food ignoring the escting tension. One of the menid a hand on Alex¡¯s shoulder, and in an instant, he twisted it so fast that a bone snapped. I couldn¡¯t help but gasp, stunned by the sudden disy of skill. As the man let out an angry growl, ¡°You will pay for that, you bastard,¡± he swung his ws towards Alex, hispanion attempting to grab him. With practiced precision, Alex sidestepped the attack, smoothly evading the strike while gracefully maneuvering away from the other¡¯s attempt to grab him. Rising to his feet, Alex spoke calmly, almost unaffected, ¡°This won¡¯t end well for either of you. Rethink your actions.¡± ¡°I said throw him out,¡± my father growled, signaling an impending sh. I had never seen Alex inbat. Until that moment, he had been just a man ¨C one who made billions and had been my once-loving mate. This version of him was an entirely different entity. His movements held a captivating elegance, a grace that effortlessly evaded their strikes, making it seem like a deadly dance. Beside me, Ivan attempted to reason with my father, his voice strained with urgency. ¡°Mr. Stone, please call off your men before this esctes and they end up dead. I do not want bloodshed in my house.¡± ¡°Then you shouldn¡¯t have let your sister get involved with a bastard.¡± My attention darted between the argument and the escting conflict. The room crackled with tension, the air thickening with the impending sh. Then, a thunderous crash interrupted the dialogue as one of the men crashed onto a side table, the shattering of ss and splintering of wood magnifying the chaos. Despite themotion, Alex remainedposed, a serene mask masking the intensity beneath the surface while the other man panted, relentlessly swinging his ws. In one swift move, Alex seized the man¡¯s hand, twisting it until the man yelped in pain, then snapped his neck. The man crumpled to the floor¡ª dead. A gasp flew out but it wasn¡¯t from me. Without reason, my eyes immediately went to Miranda who sat there beaming with pride. Why wasn¡¯t anyone moving? Alex stared at the man¡¯s still form a little longer with a look of indifference before raising his head to meet my father¡¯s angry gaze. ¡°I have no regard for you,¡± his gaze flickered to me for a second, ¡°or your family but do not test me. I will overlook this attack because it is a night of celebration for my fianc¨¦e but make no mistake, next time, it will be your dead bodyying at my feet.¡± He nced at me onest time and there was nothing but hate in his eyes. ¡°Miranda.¡± With the brightest of smiles, she strutted towards him, linking her hands with his. She nced around the room, ¡°My deepest apologies for the chaos.¡± She did not look apologetic. It wasn¡¯t until they left and my father exploded that I realized that the worst was happening. The father of my children, the man my wolf craved, was getting married to the sister of my fianc¨¦. But that seemed like the least of my problems when my father growled angrily, ¡°He will pay for that and I will make him beg for death.¡± The worst had actually happened¡ª Alex Thone had just dered an open war on my family. Chapter 4 Chapter Four ~Maya¡¯s POV~ ¡°This is all your fault,¡± his voice boomed, echoing through the room. I already knew it wasing. Things had not gone as nned for Daniel Stone, he needed someone to me and I was the avable scapegoat. I swallowed hard, feeling the weight of his usation. ¡°I-I¡¯m sorry, Father. I didn¡¯t mean for things to go the way they did.¡± Deep down, I wondered what the apology was for. There had been no offense on my part. ¡°Sorry? Sorry won¡¯t fix this mess!¡± His face contorted with anger. ¡°I brought you back into our fold, and what do I get? Shame and embarrassment!¡± ¡°I know, Father. I didn¡¯t want¡ª¡± ¡°You didn¡¯t want? What about what I want?¡± He mmed his fist on the table, making me flinch. ¡°I wanted a peaceful dinner, a smooth merger, and you ruined it all. You escted things when you went ahead and married that bastard.¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to¡ª¡± ¡°Silence!¡± His sharpmand cut through my feeble attempts to exin. ¡°You¡¯ve always been trouble. A disgrace to our family name!¡± I bit my lip, struggling to hold back tears. ¡°I-I¡¯ll make it right, Father. I promise.¡± ¡°Promises! You think promises erase your ipetence?¡± He leaned in closer, his eyes aze with fury. ¡°I should have known better than to rely on you. You¡¯re nothing but a burden! You¡¯re lucky I didn¡¯t cast you out for good!¡± ¡°I-I¡¯ll fix it, I swear,¡± I pleaded, feeling smaller with every word. ¡°You¡¯re lucky I need you for the merger,¡± he spat, his voice cold and cutting. ¡°Don¡¯t think for a moment you¡¯re indispensable. You¡¯re receable.¡± ¡°I understand, Father. I¡¯ll do better,¡± I murmured, my resolve crumbling under his harsh words. ¡°Now I have to fix the mess you have made.¡± Without another word, he swiftly retrieved his phone, his fingers tapping away at the screen, and dialed a number. As he spoke in hushed tones for a few minutes, I dared to hope for a moment of escape. ¡°That was Ivan. The wedding has been moved,¡± he announced with a finality that sent shivers down my spine. N?velDrama.Org is the owner. A brief breath of relief escaped me, only to be snatched away almost instantly. ¡°You are getting married in three days.¡± The conversation yed out in my head as I stood in therge hall, every word still making me wonder what exactly I had done wrong that night. The beautiful white dress, almost suffocating. I stood amidst the crowd, feeling a profound sense of detachment, surrounded by a sea of strangers. My gaze inadvertently fell on Ivan, the man I was about to bind myself to. He had an easy smile on his face like he had waited for this moment and it was finally here¡ª he looked like a man in love, somehow that only made me even more sick to my stomach. Before I could collect my thoughts, he approached, his demeanor surprisingly gentle. ¡°Maya, are you okay? If there¡¯s anything bothering you, you can talk to me.¡± His eyes twinkled with mischief, ¡°I need to know if you are going to run away before we say our vow.¡± It was undeniable, the man was beautiful. My heart raced, torn between the impulse to confide and the fear of the impending union. ¡°I-I don¡¯t want to be imed just yet, Ivan. I need some time,¡± I stammered, my voice barely audible amidst the bustling hall. ¡°I understand.¡± ¡°You do? I thought.. My father¡ª¡° ¡°Look, Maya. I know getting married wasn¡¯t on your to do list but we are here now and I am really looking forward to getting to know you, you don¡¯t have to be scared of me.¡± My eyes traveled to his beautiful eyes and I couldn¡¯t help the smile rising to my cheeks, ¡°Okay¡­ All these.. It¡¯s just¡ª¡° ¡°Too much?¡± Hepleted for me. ¡°Yeah.¡± ¡°Honestly.. I don¡¯t even know half of the people here. Most of them are just here to witness the union of two great packs and all I want to do is stuff my face with food.¡± Theughter escaped my lips before I could help it, causing the grin on his face to grow, ¡°I finally got augh. You should do it more often, you look even more beautiful.¡± The puddles were already forming within me, it wouldn¡¯t take much more for me to melt. ¡°We will hold on the iming,¡± he continued, ¡°until you are ready. I am a very patient man.¡± ¡°Thank you.¡± His eyes sparkled as he leaned in, ¡°So let¡¯s go get married.¡± His voice dropped to a whisper making my insides swirl. He brushed his lips against my ear with a fleeting touch, ¡°I have been dying to kiss you.¡± The puddles formed fully and I melted. He guided me gently towards the front, his hand a steady anchor amidst the scattered emotions. We stood facing each other, my heart pounding so loud, I could almost hear it. I nced at my father, his narrowed eyes boring into me, a silentmand to proceed. Ivan began, his voice steady as he recited his vows, ¡°I promise to be your constant support, your unwavering pir in the storms of life. To hold you close in times of joy, to celebrate every triumph by your side. And in moments of darkness, I pledge to be your guiding light, illuminating the path to our shared happiness.¡± With a yful glint in his eye and a boyish grin, he added, ¡°I also vow to try not to hog the nket too much on cold nights.¡± His light-heartedness eased the tension, eliciting a small chuckle from me. Gathering myself, I continued, my voice still tinged with uncertainty but softened by a fleeting smile, ¡°I promise to stand beside you, to cherish the beauty of our moments together, whether inughter or in tears. To be your sanctuary in times of chaos and your partner in creating a life filled with love and¡ª¡° As I was about to speak thest word, a faint ticking sound disrupted the air. I paused, about to question it when suddenly, chaos erupted. A sudden explosion tore through the room, its deafening roar drowning everything else. Screams pierced the air, their source indistinguishable in the chaos. Before I couldprehend, my body was sent flying, crashing into a wall, the impact sending shockwaves through me. I tried to get up but all I felt was pain coursing through my body and then my entire world went ck. Chapter 5 Chapter Five ~Maya¡¯s POV~ The voices floated all around me as I stirred back into consciousness. Every bone in my body hurt and I sensed my wolf stirring within, an instinctive response to the chaos around, ready to defend. Swiftly, I pushed her back knowing I needed my human side taking charge in this moment of disarray. Gentle hands reached out, pulling me from the cloud of confusion. Struggling to stand, I grappled with pain coursing through every bone. Through the fog in my mind, I met Ivan¡¯s concerned gaze. ¡°Are you okay?¡± His voice echoed through the haze. Battling dizziness, I nodded, allowing him to guide me to a nearby chair. ¡°What happened?¡± I managed to utter. ¡°An explosion,¡± Ivan exined, ¡°Someone nted a bomb to stop the wedding.¡± ¡°Who would want to stop the wedding?¡± My wolf stirred, giving a possible answer to the question but I refused to believe that Alex had anything to do with it. I had seen it¡ª the look on his face. There was nothing but hate. Alex wouldn¡¯t be interested in stopping me from getting married unless it wasn¡¯t to stop the wedding and this was him showing that he meant the statement against my father, ¡°Maya, did you just hear me?¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry.. I was just.. Why would someone nt a bomb?¡± ¡°That¡¯s not important right now. I think we need to get you to a hospital.¡± ¡°No. I¡¯m fine,¡± Realization dawned on me, ncing around, ¡°My father, my parents, where are they?¡± ¡°I saw Daniel and your mother after the explosion,¡± Ivan reassured me, ¡°He was trying to get her away from harm¡¯s way. They are okay.¡± A bitter taste lingered in the air, the realization hitting me hard. Of course, he didn¡¯te looking for me. ¡°I didn¡¯t finish saying my vows. We aren¡¯t married yet,¡± I uttered, still trying to process everything happening. A smirk danced on his lips, attempting to inject a sliver of humor into the grim scene. ¡°Wow. If I had known it would take an explosion to get you to admit you want to marry me, then I would have nted the bomb myself.¡± Despite the wreckage and the chaos, augh bubbled up from somewhere deep within me. ¡°I should probably go find my parents,¡± I murmured, acknowledging the unspoken responsibility even though they hadn¡¯te looking for me. ¡°I guess I will see youter.¡± ¡°We will talk aboutpleting the weddingter.¡± Nodding, I turned to leave but before I could take another step, he pulled me back, a sudden and unexpected force. Without giving me a chance to prepare, his lips crashed against mine. A gasp escaped my lips giving him the opportunity to deepen the kiss. His hands wrapped around my waist, pulling me closer and my hands instinctively went to his hair. I felt the kiss everywhere¨C from the strand of my hair to the tip of my toe, yet something felt different. He doesn¡¯t kiss like Alex, a small voice whispered, snapping me back to reality. Finally, he pulled away, smiling down at me, ¡°I didn¡¯t want to leave this hall without knowing what those beautiful lips taste like.¡± A blush rose to my cheeks as he bent down, his lips brushing against my ear, ¡°You taste even better than I imagined.¡± With one final smile that I knew without a doubt dropped panties everywhere he went, he turned around, leaving me standing there smiling like a fool. Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org. ¡°Amaya, why are you standing there like you have nothing better to do with your legs?¡± my father¡¯s voice cut through the post-explosion haze. Turning, I was met with his unmistakable death re. ¡°I was just about toe find you.¡± ¡°It looked like you were standing there, staring into space like an idiot,¡± he remarked, his tone as stern as ever. I sighed, attempting to defend myself, ¡°Father, there was an explosion. Am I not allowed to take a moment to collect my thoughts?¡± His eyes narrowed even more, a silent warning. ¡°Are you talking back to me?¡± ¡°No, I wasn¡¯t¡­ I was just¡ª¡± ¡°I do not have time to waste, child. Where is Ivan?¡± ¡°He left, probably to do some damage control after he came to find me when the bomb went off.¡± I emphasized thest part, hoping to make my point, but of course, he remained unfazed. ¡°Your mother and I want to leave, and if you choose to stop standing around like an idiot, I would like to get moving,¡± he dered, his impatience evident. I hurriedly nodded, not daring to provoke him further. ¡°Yes, Father, let¡¯s go.¡± As we navigated through the remnants of the once festive venue, my mind buzzed with a mixture of emotions and questions. The shock of the explosion still echoed in my ears, making it hard to focus on anything else. ¡°Amaya,¡± my mother¡¯s voice called out as we approached her. She looked frazzled but unharmed. Relief somewhat washed over me. ¡°Are you okay, dear?¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine, Mom,¡± I replied, ¡°What happened? Why would someone do this?¡± I just stared at her wondering. My mother and I had always had an awkward rtionship. She was just a trophy wife that did whatever my father said. Anytime I stared into her eyes, there was only loss and emptiness. Never a look that depicted love. Just like my father, I knew she didn¡¯t love me. He interrupted what felt like a forced moment, his tone clipped, ¡°We can discuss thatter. Right now, we need to leave. The situation is too chaotic.¡± He led us outside, away from the chaos, where emergency personnel were already arriving. As we reached the parking area, my father directed us towards the car. ¡°Amaya, we¡¯ll need to have a talk about what happened. And your decisions.¡± My decisions? What had I even done? I clenched my jaw, bracing myself for what I knew would be a lecture. ¡°Yes, Father.¡± The drive back home was ufortably silent. My mind raced with thoughts of the interrupted wedding, the mysterious explosion, and Ivan¡¯s seemingly calcted exit. I stole nces at my mother, who appeared lost in her own thoughts. Once home, my father ushered us into the living room. ¡°Sit down. We need to address what happened.¡± I took a seat, exchanging a nce with my mother. The air in the room was thick with tension. ¡°What did I do, Father?¡± I ventured cautiously. He sighed, running a hand through his graying hair. ¡°Firstly, are you hurt? Did Ivan ensure your safety or did he run like a coward? I need to know the type of man he is in this kind of situation.¡± Trust that Daniel Stone was only thinking about himself yet again. ¡°I¡¯m physically fine, Father,¡± I reassured him with a tight smile, ¡°Ivan got to me just in time after the explosion.¡± He nodded, his eyes calcting. ¡°Good. Now, about the wedding. Why didn¡¯t you finish your vows?¡± Did he really just ask me that? I hesitated, choosing my words carefully. ¡°Father, with all due respect, the explosion was a bit more pressing than vows at that moment.¡± His expression hardened. ¡°Amaya, this alliance is crucial for our pack. Your decisions could have consequences beyond what you realize.¡± ¡°What do you mean by my decision? I haven¡¯t done anything wrong. The only thing I¡¯ve done is what you asked of me. Getting married to a man that I do not know. I didn¡¯t cause the explosion, Father. And I certainly didn¡¯t ask for it,¡± I retorted, frustration creeping into my voice. ¡°Don¡¯t you dare raise your voice at me,¡± he growled, his eyes darkening, ¡°You¡¯re lucky I chose to give you the time of day after the disgrace you brought to my pack.¡± ¡°Father I¡ª¡° ¡°Shut up and do not speak again unless I give you permission to. If you had just said your vows in time before the explosion then I wouldn¡¯t need to waste my valuable time preparing for another wedding.¡± He snapped. ¡°Daniel, maybe you should¡ª¡° My mother tried to input but he cut her short, ¡°Did I say you can say anything?¡± ¡°I apologize.¡± She said quickly, bowing her head. ¡°Don¡¯t you have anything to say for yourself?¡± He sneered, refocusing on me. My wolf growled wanting nothing more than to w out his face and I wished that I still had it in me. That I could reflect the fire still burning in me but unlike her, I couldn¡¯t get back on my feet to stand up to him. Alex broke something in me that I would never get back so I pushed her to retreat. ¡°Father, I apologize,¡± I uttered, my head bowed. It wasn¡¯t an apology for any wrongdoing on my part, but rather a submission to his dominance. ¡°You didn¡¯t do anything and you know it.¡± Natalia¡¯s voice echoed in my mind. ¡°We have to finish the ceremony, so there will be another wedding,¡± he dered, revealing his ns for a smaller, more exclusive event with only the most significant wolves in attendance. I nodded silently, my thoughts a jumble of resignation and futility. There was nothing left to say. His phone rang, a brief respite from the tension. As he attended to the call, I felt a fleeting sense of relief. The call ended abruptly. ¡°They found remnants of the bomb,¡± he dered, the intensity of his gaze fixed on me. Deep down, I sensed he med me, even though I bore no responsibility. His eyes bore into mine, using. ¡°It had the markings of that bastard¡¯s pack.¡± Chapter 6 Chapter Six ~Maya¡¯s POV~ Natalia¡¯s voice, muffled through the phone, jolted me out of a daze. ¡°You really think he did it?¡± Her words felt like sandpaper against my raw nerves. I let out a sigh, ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± the confession scraping my throat, ¡°But think of it, Natalia. If I were to bomb a ce, why would I leave evidence that it was me on the bomb?¡± ¡°Exactly!¡± Natalia¡¯s sharp tone crackled through the receiver. ¡°My thoughts exactly. But still, he¡¯s the only one with a motive to stop the wedding. Maybe he realized what he lost.¡± I shook my head, the gesture echoing the hollowness inside me, ¡°I looked into his eyes. The Alex that loved me¡­ I didn¡¯t see that man anymore. There was anger, yes, but also a stranger, someone consumed by something I couldn¡¯t understand.¡± A beat of silence hung between us, thick with unspoken doubts. ¡°So maybe it was his way of making good on that threat. Maybe this was his way of showing Everton that he means to really go to war with your father.¡± ¡°And my father, of course, couldn¡¯t help but me me,¡± I muttered, bitternesscing my voice. N?velDrama.Org owns this text. ¡°When are you going to stand up¡ª?¡± Shebegan, her question hanging in the air. ¡°No, Natalia, please don¡¯t,¡± I interrupted, my voiceced with a plea. ¡°I did that once, and it ended with my heart in pieces. That fire¡­¡± I choked back a sob, the memory a barbed wire twisting in my gut. ¡°It¡¯s gone.¡± ¡°Amaya¡­¡± Her voice wasced with concern, reaching across the miles to wrap around me in a virtual hug. I clutched the phone tighter, ¡°It¡¯s gone,¡± I repeated. Silence followed as I stared at myself in the mirror. A stranger stared back, her eyes dull with pain, her lips drawn in a tight line of resignation. Natalia¡¯s voice broke through the fog. ¡°Amaya¡­¡± she began, her tone softer now, filled with understanding. ¡°It¡¯s not about the fire, darling. It¡¯s about the embers. They¡¯re still there, glowing under the ashes. You just need to find the courage to fan them back into life.¡± ¡°Maybe,¡± was my only reply, a single word that hung heavy in the air between us. Natalia, bless her bluntness, knew me too well to let it linger. Instead, she sidestepped, her voice sharp but warm. ¡°Has Ivan called you yet?¡± ¡°No,¡± I admitted, picking at a chipped piece of nail polish. ¡°He¡¯s probably still knee-deep in damage control after the explosion. Daniel, of course, is already nning a redo of the wedding since I, apparently, need to finish my vows. A smaller one this time, he says.¡± I could hear the unspoken words simmering on Natalia¡¯s tongue, her silence crackling with disapproval. I knew she wanted to cuss out my father but was holding back. ¡°You know what? Why don¡¯t we ditch the dust and debris of today and paint the town red? Forget Daniel¡¯s mini-wedding ns, forget dinner with the pack higher-ups. Tonight, we¡¯re breaking free.¡± ¡°Natalia,¡± I started, the protest forming on my lips. ¡°It¡¯s past ten. I don¡¯t think my father¡ª¡± ¡°Don¡¯t even go there, Maya Stone,¡± she cut me off, her voice firm despite the yful glint in her eyes I knew would be dancing in her eyes, ¡°You are a grown woman, not a porcin doll to be shelved at his will. I know it¡¯s easier to justply, to shrink into the shadow he casts, but damn it, Maya, that¡¯s not you. I miss the girl who could stare down a rogue wolf andugh in his face. I miss the firebrand who started a rebellion in college because a professor misquoted Nietzsche. I miss the you that wouldn¡¯t back down from anything, the you that punched Nathan in the nose and demanded he told me he loved me like a man.¡± Her words were a punch to the gut, jolting me out of my self-pity. ¡°Where are we going?¡± I whispered, wiping the tears that threatened to spill over. Natalia¡¯sughter was like a spring breeze, clearing the fog of despair. ¡°There¡¯s this new club that just opened,¡± she chirped, her excitement infectious. ¡°Big Shot, it¡¯s called, and rumor has it they have a dance floor that hypnotizes and cocktails that sing opera. I¡¯ve been dying to check it out, and tonight, my friend, tonight is the night.¡± ¡°But what about Nathan and Ivy?¡± I interjected. ¡°Passed out in dreand and they won¡¯t be up till tomorrow,¡±She replied, ¡°I¡¯ve been itching for some girl time anyway, and you need a night to forget the bomb, the broken vows, the piece of shit that broke your heart. Plus, I have this new outfit that practically screams ¡®watch me dance,¡¯ and you wouldn¡¯t want to deny me the audience, would you?¡± Before I could answer, she was already nning the escape. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about details, I¡¯ll handle everything. I¡¯ll text you the address, you wear something that sets your inner warrior goddess on fire, and meet me by the back gate in ten minutes. We¡¯re painting the town ruby red, Maya Stone, and for once, the only fireworks will be the ones we spark ourselves.¡± I couldn¡¯t help butugh, the sound bubbling up from a ce I thought had been buried under the rubble of the day. The Natalia Rant, as she affectionately called it, had a way of doing that, of stripping away the self-doubt and reminding me of the fire that still flickered within. ¡°Alright,¡± I agreed, the word slipping out on a breath of newfound defiance. ¡°Just one favor, though.¡± ¡°Anything,¡± she promised, her voice already halfway out the door. ¡°Make sure there¡¯s dancing. Lots and lots of dancing.¡± ¡°Consider it done,¡± she dered, her mischievousughter echoing down the hallway. ¡°Tonight, my friend, we dance like there¡¯s no tomorrow.¡± As I hung up the phone, a spark flickered to life in my eyes, chasing away the shadows of fear and resignation. The girl who punched Nathan in the face and defied her father wasn¡¯t dead, she was simply hibernating. And tonight, Natalia was right, she wasing out to y. I slipped through the rusty back gate, the cool night air a wee p against my burning cheeks. My heart hammered in my chest, a wild hummingbird trapped in a cage of nerves and excitement. There she was, Natalia, silhouetted against the streemp, arms crossed and lips pursed in impatience. ¡°Took you long enough, Rapunzel,¡± she teased, her voice a familiar melody in the symphony of the city. ¡°Sorry,¡± I breathed, pulling the cor of my leather jacket tighter against the wind. ¡°Just¡­ needed a minute.¡± Her eyes, sharp as diamonds, seemed to pierce through my flimsy excuse. ¡°The alpha throwing another tantrum?¡± she asked, her toneced with knowing humor. ¡°No,¡± I denied, though the lie tasted bitter on my tongue. ¡°Just needed to¡­ collect myself.¡± She stepped closer, her smile soft and understanding. ¡°I get it,¡± she said, ¡°It¡¯s been a hell of a day. But tonight, we forget all that. Tonight, we¡¯re free.¡± Her words were a balm to my bruised spirit. I let out a shakyugh, feeling the tension seep out of my shoulders. ¡°Ready when you are, General Natalia.¡± ¡°Excellent,¡± she dered, a mischievous glint in her eyes. ¡°Now, about that outfit¡­¡± She threw me a once-over, assessing me like a fashion critic. ¡°Hmm,¡± she murmured, tapping her chin with mock contemtion. ¡°Not bad, for a first draft. But you know what they say, Maya Stone, when you¡¯re going into battle, you wear your fiercest armor.¡± A yful smile curled my lips. ¡°And what might this armor be, oh wise warrior?¡± She winked, pulling a small velvet bag from her purse. ¡°Just a little something to help you unleash your inner shield maiden.¡± My fingers trembled as I untied the drawstring, revealing a glistening dress, the color of a bruised sky after a fierce storm. It clung to my curves like a second skin, whispering promises of confidence and freedom once I put it on. She grinned, her eyes sparkling with approval. ¡°See? Now that¡¯s more like it.¡± Her approving nod, and a sense of exhration bubbled up within me. I wasn¡¯t Maya Stone, the dutiful daughter and reluctant fianc¨¦e. I was Maya, the girl who couldugh in the face of danger, the girl who knew how to fight for what she wanted. Tonight, we painted the town ruby red. The music pounded in our veins, theughter spilled like champagne bubbles, and the dance floor became our battlefield. We spun and twirled, shadows in the strobe lights, two wolves unleashed from their cages and then it happened. My wolf felt him first, stirring and howling. Every hair on body stood. I didn¡¯t want to turn around, but I couldn¡¯t stop myself. Our eyes shed across the room. His icy eyes staring through me. My legs on their own ord wanted to go to him, somehow I managed to stop myself. ¡°Amaya! Look out!¡± I heard Natalia¡¯s warning but it was toote. I turned around just as a man raised his ws, striking me against my face. I fell to the ground, my entire world going ck. Chapter 7 Chapter 7 -Alex¡¯s POV- Amaya Stone. The name was like a brand scorched onto my brain, refusing to fade ever since she walked into my life. My wolf recognized her instantly, that primal bond screaming mate. But it wasn¡¯t just the connection that drew me in. It was the fire in her eyes- a raw, burning intensity that mirrored the mes in my own soul. I loved that fire, cherished it with every fiber of my being. Amaya was the one person I would have walked through hell for, the only one I ever trusted with that piece of myself. And then, like everyone else, she betrayed me. My fingers clenched around the whiskey ss, the icy liquid numbing but not erasing the bitter taste of her betrayal even after four years. Miranda¡¯s soft voice broke the silence, her presence unwee in my study at that moment¡­ ¡°Stillbrooding, Alex?¡± Her eyes, sparkling, held a yful glint, but I saw right through it. This wasn¡¯t about concern, it was about control. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re still hung up on that wedding? Honestly, if anyone should be upset, it¡¯s me.¡± Her brother, Ivan, had married Amaya as his mate. A cold fury erupted within me, my wolf straining against the leash, But I held him back, unwilling to give Miranda the satisfaction of seeing my pain.. ¡°It¡¯s not the wedding.¡± I growled, my voice raw. v. ¡°It¡¯s the usation. nting a bomb? Leaving my y mark on it? I¡¯m not an idiot, Miranda.¡± She perched on the edge of my desk, her smileced with disdain. ¡°Just ignore it, darling. This whole mess the families Ivan could have gotten tangled with, why them?¡± with the Stones? Beneath you. Besides, of all There was a time when Miranda had fascinated me. I would admit her, having her in my bed was the main goal, one I had managed to aplish the same night, unfortunately, two monthster, she returned announcing she was pregnant. I thought it was rather ironic when she ¡°lost¡± the baby a week after I agreed to get married. I knew exactly what had happened. My billions weren¡¯t made by me being an idiot, however I decided to go on with the wedding, after all, she did make head turn and when she wasn¡¯t irritating my wolf, her antics filled a tiny piece of my empty heart. The facade was easy enough to put up in public. We looked perfect. The perfect fit. I looked at her eyes. They always sparkled with mischief, like she knew something I didn¡¯t, sometimes I found it intriguing, most times it irritated me like right now. She had been talking but I only managed to catch thest part, ¡°The wife is as in as theye. I would have mistaken her for a robot. So d I didn¡¯t have to sit through staring at her boring face at that wedding.¡± My wolf snarled, the lie burning in my throat. Amaya wasn¡¯t in. The first time I saw her, she¡¯d walked into that smoky bar like a siren, hair the color of burnished copper cascading down her back, eyes like liquid emerald fire. A body carved like it was made to make men sin. Every head had turned, every breath hitched. She was unforgettable, intoxicating. But for Miranda, it was all lost on her. She only saw what she wanted to see ¨C a threat, a rival in in whatever twisted game she thought she was going to win. I pushed the ss away, ¡°Don¡¯t talk about her like that. You don¡¯t know her.¡± Why had I said that? The smirk on Miranda¡¯s face vanished like a light switch tripped. In its ce, a cold glint sparked in her eyes, ¡°Oh, honey,¡± she drawled, voice dripping with venom, ¡°you underestimate me. Women like Amaya? I practically wrote the book on them. And guess what? I think it¡¯s high time she gets properly acquainted with her sister-inw.¡± Chapter 7 My gut clenched. It was bait, and I¡¯d swallowed it whole the first time. Now, silence sat heavy between us, a silent acknowledgment of my defeat Miranda, sensing my hesitation, leaned in like a viper waiting to strike. ¡°See you soon, darling,¡± she purred, her hips swaying hypnotically as she sashayed away. The urge to grab her, pin her against the wall and f**k the smugness out of her, was almostThis material belongs to N?velDrama.Org. overwhelming. But my anger was a tangled mess with frustration. Alcohol would solve it, but this whiskey wasn¡¯t going to do.. I needed a different kind of oblivion. ¡°Big Shot¡± it was, then. This newly opened nightclub was a yground for the city¡¯s high-fliers, the werewolf elite. Loud bass thrummed in my chest as walked in, the scent of sweat and expensive perfume thick in the air. Perfect. For tonight, I needed anonymity amongst predators. My wolf stirred, restless, as I scanned the dance floor. He scented her first, a primal recognition pulling me towards her like a ma. There she was, Amaya, her back arched to the music, commanding the room even in a crowd of twenty, Hungry eyes followed her every move, each of them I was sure had the same thought as me. Her back went rigid suddenly as she slowly turned in my direction. Our eyes shed across the room and it felt like everything was sucked out of me. Then, it happened in a blur. A shout and Amaya crumpled to the ground as a man struck her down. A fight had started somewhere on the periphery, neither of us noticing. Amaya, caught in the crossfire, paid the price. My world went red. Every rational thought fled, reced by a white-hot fury. Before I could even think, I was on top of the offender, hands locked around his throat. He looked like a rich frat boy gone feral, fear dawning on his face as he realized who he¡¯d just punched. ¡°You don¡¯t touch what¡¯s mine,¡± I snarled, voice raw with barely contained rage. The wolf, unleashed, pulsed beneath my skin. It wasn¡¯t just Amaya; it was everything that night represented ¨C Miranda¡¯s taunts, my helplessness, the simmering anger just waiting to spill over, The room held its breath. The music seemed to shrink away, leaving only the echo of my words and the ragged gasps of the man in my grip. ¡°¡­I didn¡¯t mean to hit her,¡± he stuttered, tears welling up in his eyes. My grip tightened. My wolf wanted his blood. ¡°Alex!¡± a familiar voice called out. I looked up to see Natalia holding Amaya, her face etched with concern. ¡°Please, Alex, let him go. Everyone¡¯s staring.¡± I took a deep breath, forcing myself to back down. This wasn¡¯t the time or ce. ¡°If you ever step foot in this club again,¡± I growled, shoving him away, ¡°you¡¯ll regret it.¡± I turned to Amaya, unconscious in Natalia¡¯s arms. For the first time in four years, my wolf felt at peace. Gently, I lifted her into my arms and walked out of the club, ignoring the curious stares that followed me. The cool night air hit me like a p. I needed to get Amaya somewhere safe, somewhere away from the prying eyes of the city. I was grateful for the club¡¯s exclusivity because thest thing I wanted was ¡°Alex Thorne, the city¡¯s most beloved billionaire, making headlines for beating up a college student or Maya¡¯s name be entangled in it.¡± ¡°I will have my driver take her back to her-¡± ¡°No,¡± Natalia interrupted me, ¡°She is going to my house. We can deal with Daniel Stone¡¯s Lantrum in the morning¡± Amaya moaned softly in my arms. I looked down at her, her face pale in the moonlight, and a strange sense of protectiveness washed over me and in as much as my wolf wanted it, knew I had to kill whatever emotions were resurfacing. ¡°She¡¯ll be fine,¡± Natalia said reassuringly. ¡°Just a concussion, maybe a broken nose.¡± I had met Natalia the same night as Amaya and she was actually among the few people I actually liked. Secretly I had even loved her Natalia rant as she called it but that was a thing of the past. The hurt came crawling back and my jaw clenched, the hurt from earlier bubbling back I don¡¯t care what happens to her,¡± I spal, my voice colder than 11:59 Thu, 20 Jun M Chapter 7 the winter night. ¡°My car¡¯s no longer avable, get a cab.¡± 85% Natalia¡¯s eyes widened in surprise, but she didn¡¯t argue. Her fingers flew across her phone screen, and then she looked back at me. ¡°Car¡¯s on its way.¡± Silence settled between us, thick and heavy. We waited in the cool air, the only sound the rumble of distant traffic. The car arrived, headlights slicing. through the darkness. I gently lifted Amaya into the back seat, her face pale in the streemp glow. Natalia paused at the door, her hand hovering on the handle. ¡°For a minute there, Alex,¡± she said, her voice quiet, ¡°I almost thought you were not aplete a**e. d I was wrong.¡± The car door mmed shut, and I watched the taillights disappear into the night. My mind was a tangled mess, emotion stirring within me. But one thought remained, sharp and clear: ¡°I hated Amaya Stone. And nothing was ever going to change that.¡± Chapter 8 Chapter 8 -Maya¡¯s POV- Iwinced as Natalia pressed the ice pack against my throbbing cheek, hissing through gritted tooth. ¡°Thank you.¡± Her eyes widened. ¡°Seriously, Amaya, you should have seen him. He looked like he was minutes away frommitting murder.¡± I tried to smile but even I knew that it looked fake, ¡°Natalia.¡± She sat on the edge of the bed, concern creasing her brow. ¡°I know what you are thinking. But Amaya, the way he held you afterward¡­ like you were made of ss, like he would do anything to protect you.¡± I really wanted to believe her. Four years ago, I would have. The Alex I fell in love with would have killed for me but he wasn¡¯t that man anymore. I sighed, exhaustion pulling at my already battered body. ¡°Alex has always had a temper because it couldn¡¯t have had anything to do with me.¡± She tried to speak but I cut her off, ¡°I saw the look on his face at the club. It was the same one he had when he saw me at the dinner, the same as the one he had when he kicked me out and rejected me.¡± The word rejection tasted bitter on my tongue. She hesitated, gnawing on her lip. ¡°Look, maybe I¡¯m reading too much into it, but¡­¡± her voice dipped even lower, ¡°that look in his eyes, Amaya. It wasn¡¯t hate. It was¡­ raw. Like seeing you hurt triggered something deep, something primal¡± My heart, still hammering a frantic rhythm against my ribs, s k i p e d a beat. ¡°Maybe it was. Maybe it wasn¡¯t but it doesn¡¯t change anything and I know you know it too because you would have told me what happened when he took me out of the club.¡± She sighed, ¡°It was like something snapped and he went cold.¡± ¡°That¡¯s all I needed to know. I really wish I could hope but I can¡¯t. I try to convince myself that I hate him and it hurts even more because my wolf cries out for him but I know the reality, my story withThis material belongs to N?velDrama.Org. Alex, it¡¯s over and nothing can ever change that.¡± She wanted to say something, tell a lie that even I wanted to believe but instead, she kept quiet. I struggled to my feet, the throbbing in my cheek mimicking the pounding of my heart. ¡°I have to get home, Natalia. If Daniel finds out¡­¡± She scoffed, cutting me off mid-sentence. ¡°Alright I¡¯ve had just about enough of this, Amaya! It¡¯s 4 AM, and you won¡¯t even see your kids before running off? I know Daniel¡¯s a monster wrapped up with being an a s s h o le but before Alex, but you used to stand up to him.¡± ¡°I am so tired and I really don¡¯t need a lecture, Natalia,¡± pleaded, exhaustion dragging me down. ¡°Then stop acting like you deserve one! You ain¡¯t going anywhere in this state. Sleep. Tomorrow, we will deal with Daniel.¡± Natalia had faces, and this firm,manding one meant there was no arguing. With a sigh, I sank back onto the bed, closing my eyes. She was right. Rushing into the night wouldn¡¯t solve anything. Her voice softened as she walked towards the door, ¡°Look, I know you¡¯re tired of hearing it, but this has to end, Amaya. Stop letting your pain be your cage.¡± The click of the light switch plunged the room into darkness. Natalia¡¯sst words, ¡°I miss my friend, Amaya,¡± hung in the air, heavy with unspoken truths. Tears slid down my cheeks, warm against the cold ice pack. But beneath the sadness, a spark flickered. Natalia was right. I was tired, weary of running. Maybe tomorrow, with the sun shining again, I could find the strength to face my past and fight for my future. I closed my eyes, allowing myself to dream. Chapter B Thu, 20 Jun (-6) The moment of peace onlysted for a little while, the echo was shattered by the m of my bedroom door as soon as I entered. My father loomedrge, his eyes the color of a brewing storm.¡±Where have you been?¡± His voice c r a c k l e d with barely contained fury. ibraced myself. This dance, this tango of fear and defiance, was all too familiat. ¡°I was out,¡± I said, holding his gaze. ¡°That¡¯s not an answer,¡± he spat, his words punctuated by the snap of his jaw. Natalia¡¯s voice, a whispered mantra, fueled iny resolve, I¡¯m an adult, Father,¡± I stated, my voice surprisingly steady. ¡°I don¡¯t need your permission toe and go, especially when it involves seeing my children.¡± He lunged, the air c r a c k l i n g with raw aggression. It was a step too far, crossing a line I never thought he¡¯d dare to breach. His w connected with my check. Pain red, stinging and hot. Gasping, I stumbled back, my world tilting on its axis. This¡­ this was new. He¡¯d threatened, belittled, manipted, but he¡¯d neverid a hand on me. Until now. ¡°Do not speak of those s in m y presence,¡± he snarled, his voice a feral growl. ¡°You will obey me, Amaya.You live under my roof, you dance to my tune. Defy me again; the consequences will be much more severe next time.¡± ¡°Get dressed and wear something presentable. Ivan is on his way and will be here soon.¡± He turned and stalked out, leaving me crumpled on the floor, surrounded by the wreckage of my defiance. My fingers trembled as I reached for my cheek. The first wound had healed, this one had cut deeper and I knew it would take a longer time. A shaky sigh escaped my lips, but it wasn¡¯t a sigh of defeat. For the first time in four years, I felt something spark within me ¨C a flicker of fire. My father might have won today, but I wouldn¡¯t back down. The hot sting on my cheek pulsed as I stepped into the shower, the water washing away the grime and the remnants of fear. As I scrubbed, I steeled myself for Ivan¡¯s arrival. He was right there, waiting in the living room when I stepped out, his eyes widening at the sight of my bruised cheek. ¡°What happened?¡± he asked, his. voice tight with concern ¡°Just tripped and fell,¡± I mumbled, unable to meet his gaze. He raised an eyebrow, skepticism etched on his face. ¡°Fell on someone¡¯s ws?¡± he questioned, his eyes flickering to my father who sat stiffly across the Toom. Daniel cleared his throat, injecting a false cheer into his voice. ¡°Clughsy as always, that one.¡± Ivan¡¯s gaze danced between us, the tension in the air thick enough to slice. I kept my expression neutral, masking the storm brewing within. My father¡¯s eyes narrowed, a silent warning shing through them. Finally, Ivan took a deep breath. ¡°Daniel, if you wouldn¡¯t mind, I¡¯d like to speak to my wife alone.¡± The word ¡°wife¡± sent a jolt through me, an unfamiliar warmth spreading through my chest. My father hesitated, his fake smile faltering. But seeing the steely resolve in tvan¡¯s eyes, he finally relented. ¡°Of course, Amaya. See me when you¡¯re done.¡± Ivan cupped my face, his fingers gentle as they traced the tender skin around my injury. ¡°He¡¯s gone,¡± he murmured. ¡°Now, tell me what really happened.¡± I looked into his kind, serious eyes, a b catching in my throat. ¡°We argued,¡± I choked out. ¡°He hit me. But it¡¯s okay, really.¡± His frown deepened. ¡°Does it happen often?¡± ¡°Today was the first time,¡± I admitted, my voice barely a whisper. 584% Chapter 9 The air crackled around Ivan¡¯s question, heavy with unspoken meaning. My mind instantly shed to my father¡¯s icy re. It was tempting to spill the tru I shook my head, keeping my voice level ¡°Nothing. Just the usual pack rivalry stuff. Why do you ask?¡± He studied me for a moment, then his smile returned, quick and easy. ¡°No reason, really. Just trying to keep my ear to the ground, you know? Lots of chatter going around. Heard something about trouble at the new elite club and I heard Alex was i The truth prickled on my tongue, but before I could speak, he cut me off, His hand, warm and gentle, cupped my cheek. ¡°Easy there, no need to exin controlling brute. You¡¯re free toe and go as you please. Just wanted to check.¡± Relief washed over me, mingling with a pang of guilt. I forced a smile and nodded. ¡°Thank you. Maybe next time we can go together.¡± His eyes crinkled at the corners. ¡°I¡¯d like that, Amaya.¡± The tension eased, reced by a cautious hope. This was fragile, this trust he extended, and I wouldn¡¯t risk shattering it with lies. The future stretched b just for now, the simple truth of his presence felt like enough. Look His touch lingered on my cheek, the warmth seeping into me, melting away the residual chill of fear. It felt safe. Unfamiliar, but safe. He took a step back gesturing for them to sit, his smile still in ce. ¡°This is something I should have done even before the wedding. I want to know you, His request struck a chord, a long¨C dormant longing for connection. For thest four years, I¡¯d been molded into something I wasn¡¯t, expected to follow scripts written by others. But Ivan¡¯s Hesitantly, I began. ¡°I love to paint,¡± I admitted, surprised by the ease of the words. ¡°Abstracts. Explosions of color, tangled lines that tell stories only I can see still paint?¡± Ivan¡¯s face lit up with genuine interest. ¡°That¡¯s incredible. Do you st stung me. ¡°No. Father¡­¡± I stopped, the words harsh and bitter van waited patiently, his eyes understanding. Shame stung I took a deep breath. ¡°He never approved. Said it was a waste of time. As a future Luna, I should focus on more important things.¡± ¡°Ivan! ¡°Like being a trophy wife,¡± Ivan finished, his voice surprisingly cold. We stood in silence for a moment, the unspoken connecting us. Then, Ivan cleared his throat and offered a hesitant smile. ¡°Well, I think painting¡¯s important. And your father¡­ well, let¡¯s just say he isn¡¯t the world¡¯s best His lightheartedness warmed me. Maybe, just maybe, there was space for me to rediscover myself in this strange new life. ¡°Maybe I¡¯ll paint again,¡± I said, a small smile ying on my lips. His free eyes glimmered, reflecting the spark in my own. ¡°I¡¯d love to see it,¡± he said, his voice sincere. The click of the lock on the door echoed in the silence as a maid passed by, breaking the spell of our o and a frown creased his forehead. He pulled out conversation. Ivan froze, hand hallway to his pocket, 12:00 Thu, 20 Jun. ¡°Damn,¡± he muttered, his voice apologetic. ¡°Looks like duty calls. Something came up at work.¡± 1 felt a pang of disappointment, the warmth of connection fading a little. ¡°Oh. It¡¯s okay,¡± I said, forcing a smile. ¡°Workes first, right?¡± He winced. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, Amaya. Really. This wasn¡¯t how I wanted the day to go.¡± He walked towards the door, his stride hesitant. Then, he stopped, turning back to me with a hopeful spark in his eyes. ¡°Listen, hot about youe with A thrill shot through me. An actual date, away from the watchful eyes of my father, with a man who wasn¡¯t trying to control me. But I hesitated. ¡°Where ar Ivan chuckled, a touch of awkwardness in his voice. ¡°Work stuff, honestly. It¡¯s not exactly morous, but hey, someone¡¯s gotta make sure the gears keep He extended his hand towards me, his smile disarming, ¡°Come on, adventure awaits. Trust me, it¡¯s more exciting than paint stters and canvases, at le I looked at his outstretched hand, then back at his face, his genuine enthusiasm infectious. My doubts melted away, reced by a flicker of anticipation. ¡°Okay,¡± I said, surprising even myself. ¡°Let¡¯s see what kind of trouble your ¡®work¡® gets us into.¡± We slipped out of the house, the coolness of the night air wrapping around us like aforting cloak. Ivan kept a tight grip on my hand as we navigated the familiar, yet always oppressive, grounds of my childhood home. My heart thumped a nervous rhythm against my ribs, a mixture of excitem ¡°Hey,¡± Ivan murmured, squeezing my hand gently. ¡°Everything okay?¡± I offered him a shaky smile. ¡°Just.. it¡¯s been a een a while since I went out like this. You know, like a normal person.¡± He snorted, a deep, genuineugh that sent a shiver down my spine. ¡°Normal? Amaya you look pretty normal to me.¡± Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org. My senses were on high alert, but beneath the tension, a thrill danced¨C the thrill of His words brought a lightness to my heart I hadn¡¯t felt in years. My: defying my father, of reiming even a sliver of control over my life. Finally, we reached a small, unassuming building at the back of the courtyard. Ivan exined it was the headquarters for his team, a group of wolves ded We spent the next hour walking through the building, Ivan exining the different operations, introducing me to his colleagues. I learned about patrols, n And amidst the chaos, the unspoken conversations, I saw Ivan in a new light. He wasn¡¯t just the handsome Alpha¡¯s, the charming suitor. He was a leade By the time we left, the first blush of dusk was painting the sky. ¡°I don¡¯t k know about y t you but I¡¯m starving,¡± he said rubbing his stomach, ¡°And I know the perfect restaurant.¡± Stepping into the restaurant, the world outside faded away. Dim lighting reced the harsh moonlight, soft music wove through the air, andughter ming ¡°Nervous?¡± he asked, his voice aforting rumble 12:00 Thu, 20 Jun M The truth tangled on my tongue. Nervous? Definitely, Exhrated? Absolutely. Ivan¡¯s smile softened. ¡°Don¡¯t worry,¡± he said, his hand finding mine. ¡°No pressure. No pretense. Just getting to know each other.¡± His words washed over me, erasing the tension that had tightened my shoulders. It was¡­ refreshing. Being seen, not as a political pawn, but as a perso Conversation flowed effortlessly, a river weaving through topics that felt both familiar and new. Ivan¡¯s wit surprised me, his jokes catching me off guard a He listened intently, a spark of understanding in his eyes, as I talked about my passion for painting, the quiet ache of a dream abandoned. The world outside blurred as the hours melted away, measured in shared smiles and stolen nces. The initial spark of nervousness simmered. The mu ¡°May I¡­?¡± he started, his voice hesitant. My breath hitched, anticipation buzzing in my veins. Before I could answer, his hand cupped my cheek, his thumb tracing the curve of my jaw. Then, with tenderness that sent shivers down my spine, he leaned in and kissed me. It was a soft, hesitant press of lips, a gentle exploration filled with unspoken promises. We pulled away, both breathiess then my wolf stirred, I knew immediate Pulling away, my eyes shed with Miranda¡¯s and standing next to her with a re that could met ice was Alex. SEND G Chapter 10 My world narrowed to the unwee sight of Alex¡¯s cold state and Miranda¡¯s glittering eyes, their silhouettes framed by the warm glow of the restaurant veins. suddenly icy. Of all the restaurants in the city, they had to choose this onb7 Ivan felt the shift in the atmosphere, his gaze following mine. His frown mirrored my own, a deep furrow creasing his forehead, ¡°Miranda,¡± he acknowledged curtly, his voice clipped. I wasn¡¯t sure who he disliked, his sister or Alex. Miranda, oblivious to the tension she¡¯d created, breezed closer, her voice dripping with sweetness. ¡°Amaya, how lovely to finally meet you! The wedding dinner frenzy kept us from properly connecting¡± She extended a manicured hand towards me, eyes glinting with a veiled challenge. ¡°Miranda McCall, Ivan¡¯s charming little sister, And this,¡± she announced with a theatrical flourish, ¡°is Alex, my fianc¨¦ but I am sure you need no introduction.¡± The way she drew out ¡°fiance¡± felt like a deliberate barb which was weird because she couldn¡¯t possibly know about my marriage to him. My father had made sure to bury every connection we ever had, so I was but a shadow in Alex¡¯s life. A once before. I forced a smile, stering it onto my face like a poorly¨C fitting mask. Straightening my spine, I met her gaze with a chin held high. ¡°It¡¯s lovely to meet you both,¡± I said, my voice calm despite the storm raging wi My invitation hung in the air, heavy with unspoken tension. Alex remained silent, his unreadable eyes fixed on me. Ivan frowned, a furrow creasing his br Miranda¡¯s smile widened, a predatory gleam shing in her eyes. ¡°Oh, wouldn¡¯t want to intrude on your cozy little date night,¡± she drawled, dragging out The lie was transparent but none of us said anything ¡°Nonsense,¡± Ivan countered finally speaking, his voice low and firm. ¡°There¡¯s plenty of space. Pull up a chair.¡± Alex stepped forward, his face unreadable, an impassive mask, ¡°We will go somewhere else,¡± he said, his voice a rough scrape. I met his gaze, a silent challenge sparking between us. The past, with its tangled threads of love and betrayal, hung heavy in the air. But this wasn¡¯t then. This was now, and I was no longer the fragile girl he¡¯d left behind. ¡°It¡¯s fine,¡± I said, my voice steady despite the tremor in my heart. ¡°The more the merrier, right?¡± Miranda¡¯s smile faltered for a flicker, reced by a sh of annoyance. She shot me a re, venom masked by a tight smile. ¡°As you wish, darling.¡± ¡°So, Amaya,¡± Miranda chirped, her voice dripping with feigned sweetness after they settled in. ¡°Tell me all about what you think of married life. Must be quite different from your past, wouldn¡¯t you I took a deep breath, refusing to give her the satisfaction of whatever she was fishing for. ¡°It certainly will be an adjustment,¡± I replied, keeping my voice neutral. ¡°But Ivan and I are learning to navigate our new roles.¡± Ivan shot me a grateful nce, a silent reassurance that he stood by me, something I didn¡¯t quite understand. The conversation, if it could be called that, flowed like msses. Miranda peppered me with thinly veiled insults, each one met with a calm, measured re I didn¡¯t know what her problem was. We had never met before this but I knew everything she was doing was to bait me, it wouldn¡¯t work. My wolf stirred :85%•þ A thought that brought a smile to my face. I could feel Ivan¡¯s concern, his hand brushing mine under the table in a silent gesture of support. The touch was electric, sending a jolt of nervous energy Why wasn¡¯t he saying anything? The meal dragged ea, each mouthful a tasteless chore. Finally, I couldn¡¯t bear the suffocating atmosphere any longer. ¡°Excuse me,¡± I announced, pushin Ivan rose immediately, his worried gaze locked on mine. ¡°I¡¯lle with you,¡± he said, his voice tight. Before I could respond, Miranda interjected, her voice sharp with suspicion. ¡°I¡¯m sure Amaya can handle a little stroll on her own. Don¡¯t want to interrupt your precious alone time, do we?¡± I gritted my teeth, refusing to let her goad me. Turning to ivan, I met his gaze. ¡°I¡¯ll be back in a moment,¡± I said, forcing a smile. ¡°I promise I won¡¯t take lo With ast defiant nce at the table, I stepped out into the cool night air. The star¨C strewn sky felt like a balm on my soul, the crisp air cleansing the acrid taste of Miranda¡¯s venom from my tongue. Taking a deep breath, I closed my eyes, letting the silence wash over me. This wasn¡¯t the end, I realized. This was just the beginning of something I didn¡¯t quite understand, ncing back at the entrance, it stared back at me like a mocking eye, but my feet refused to budge. Whatever Ivan¡¯s silent game with Miranda was, i d As I stepped out, the city lights sprawled beneath me like a glittering jewel box, momentarily distracting me from the turmoil within. Taking a deep breath, But the moon goddess, it seemed, had a twisted sense of humor. Because silhouetted against the pale light at the rooftop¡¯s edge stood Alex. My heart threatened to leap out of my chest, but I held it down, refusing to let him dictate my rhythm. His back was to me, but the tension radiating from ¡°What are you doing up here?¡± I asked, my voice barely a whisper against the wind. He didn¡¯t turn, but his shoulders clenched subtly. ¡°The same thing you are doing,¡± he replied coldly. Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org. His tone cut through me like a winter wind. It was the same tone he¡¯d used four years ago, the day he walked away, leaving me a shattered shell of the w My wolf lunged to the surface, her fangs bared at the mating mark burning on my shoulder, a constant reminder of our broken bond. At that moment, i hand hated it more than anything, a symbol of a promise betrayed, a love turned to ice. How could he be so cold? Where had the man who held my beneath starry skies, who whispered words of forever in the moonlight, disappeared to? Determined not to back down, I walked towards the rooftop¡¯s edge, the biting wind whipping at my hair. When I reached the precipice, I felt his shoulder s We stood in silence, the city lights a silent audience to the storm brewing within. Finally, I broke the suffocating quiet. ¡°Natalia told me what you did. Thank you.¡± My words hung in the air, unanswered. He stared ahead, his jaw clenched tight, a mask of anger hiding whatever turmoil raged within. 12:00 Thu, 20 Jun M ¡°Alex,¡± I pressed, my voice cracking with a mix of defiance and vulnerability. He didn¡¯t answer, but slowly turned to face me. Our eyes met, and for a fleet a flicker of pain that minored the ane twisting my heart. ¡°Amaya,¡± he replied, the name falling from his lips like a forgotten melody. I shook my head, feeling the familiar sting of tears pricking my eyes. ¡°There was a time it was silver,¡± I whispered, my voice catching on the memory of st His eyes darkened, the gold flecks turning molten, his breathing turning ragged. He growled, a low rumble that vibrated through me, and took a step tow skin, ¡°There was a time I thought you were different,¡± he growled, his voice rough with barely contained emotions. ¡°Not like the rest of them. Now you are noth With that he turned, walking towards the exit. He stopped, taking onest nce at me, ¡°You should have chosen better than the McCalls. That family w The door mmed shut, the words echoing in the wind. Chapter 11 -Alex¡¯s POV- -Seven Years Agon The phone ttered down on the polished mahogany desk, the sharp crack echoing through the office. I mmed my list onto the armrest, the growl already rising in my throat, raw and primal. ¡°What did Daniel Stone do this time?¡± Adrian drawled, sauntering in with the unruffled case that always grated on me in these moments. I threw him a re, the fury simmering beneath the surface. ¡°Trying to bait me out again, the pompous ass. It¡¯s getting hard to ignore,¡± I admitted, the gro I could feel it, my wolf stirring within, ws scraping against the confines of my control. Daniel Stone, the Alpha of a rival pack had always enjoyed pushing my buttons, andtely, he ¡°You know he is. Alex,¡± he said, his voice calm and steady, a stark contrast to the storm brewing inside me. ¡°Don¡¯t give him the satisfaction. Let it roll¨C off your back like you always do. He¡¯ll get bored eventually, fighting a war with himself.¡± He had a point, damn him. Adrian, my right¨C hand man, confidante, and the only person who truly understood the beast I kept caged within. He was always the voice of reason, t the anchor in my ever¨Cchurning sea of emotion and he was right. Reacting was exactly what he wanted. I clenched my jaw, forcing the wolf back into the shadows. ¡°Fine,¡± I conceded, the word grating like sandpaper on my raw nerves. ¡°But he¡¯s pushing it.¡± A ghost of a smile yed on Adrian¡¯s lips. ¡°Then let¡¯s drown the frustration before it takes control. Drinks? My treat. Consider it your reward for not turing I shook my head, but the amusement flickered in ¡°You my eyes. ou don¡¯t need my help wooing women, Adrian.¡± ¡°True,¡± he winked, ¡°but hearing you say it never gets old. Now, brooding billionaire or charming billionaire? Your choice.¡± ¡°It¡¯s the middle of the day, Adrian,¡± I protested, knowing it was futile. ¡°And?¡± he countered with a shrug. ¡°If the boss has a problem with my work hours then he should go ahead and fire me.¡± Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org. ¡°One of these days, I will,¡± I muttered, but a grin tugged at my lips. He knew it was an empty threat. The club throbbed with the usual Friday night energy. Bodies pulsed on the dance floor, fueled by alcohol and adrenaline. Women adorned in glitter and The usual scene. And yet, the moment I stepped into the VIP section, the world seemed to tilt amidst the kaleidoscope of color and movement, my eyes its axis. The music muted, the chatter dimmed, and Her hair, the color of burnished copper, cascaded down her back like a waterfall of fire. Her emerald eyes, sparkling withughter, held the entire room c And then, our eyes met. Time stopped. The air crackled with an unseen energy. The words I was about to say evaporated. My wolf, ever¨C attuned to my emotions, let out a guttural growl, a primal recognition echoing through my soul. ¡°Mate,¡± I breathed, the word raw and powerful, leaving no room for doubt. Her eyes widened, mirroring the shock in my own. ÓÐ84% And then, it was gone. The connection, the intensity, all faded as quickly as it appeared. But the echo remained, a tremor in my c my soul. core, a brand seared into My eyes snapped open, the stark reality crashing down with the sting of a p. The phantom pain of the brand throbbed on my shoulder, a constant rem ¡°Mex!¡± Miranda¡¯s voice yanked me back to the present,ced with a tinge of annoyance. ¡°You gonna park the car or what?¡± I turned towards her, imitation simmering beneath the surface. My jaw clenched, and she could probably feel the heat radiating off me. ¡°What the hell wa Miranda, ever the master of ying dumb, blinked innocently. ¡°What was what about?¡± she feigned confusion, tilting her head like a curious puppy. But I wasn¡¯t buying it. ¡°Don¡¯t y coy with me,¡± I growled, my wordsced with frustration. ¡°You know exactly what I¡¯m talking about.¡± She shrugged nonchntly, the smile on her face not reaching her eyes. ¡°Just trying to be friendly with my future sister¨Cin¨C law, darling. Get to know her a little better.¡± ¡°Did you just happen to ¡°know¡± that Ivan made reservations here?¡± I shot back, skepticism dripping from my tone. She offered another shrug, feigning ignorance. ¡°Maybe I overheard him talking about it? Who knows?¡± I scoffed, her act transparent as ss. ¡°Miranda, stop ying games. It¡¯s unbing.¡± Instead of backing down, she leaned back in her chair, a sly smile twisting her lips. ¡°Oh, honey, I never get tired of ying games. Especially when I¡¯m always two steps ahead.¡± Her words were like a lit match tossed into a pool of gasoline. My anger red, fueled by her maniptive nature and veiled hostility towards Amaya. ¡°Two steps ahead, huh?¡± I countered, my voiceced with icy calm, ¡°Let¡¯s see how far that gets you when everythinges crashing down.¡± The smug smile faltered for a fleeting moment, a flicker of uncertainty crossing her eyes. But it was quickly reced by a defiant smirk. ¡°We¡¯ll see about that, Alpha,¡± she purred, her voice dripping with mock sweetness. ¡°But until then, I suggest you get your act together. You wouldn¡¯t want Her words hung heavy in the air,den with veiled threats and unspoken warnings. The tension in the car was thick enough to cut with a knife, a silent ba I held her gaze, refusing to break under the pressure. My jaw remained clenched, but my voice was steady when I spoke. ¡°Whatever happened with her is in the past and I do not care what you do but make no mistake, Miranda,¡± I said, each wordced with quiet menace. ¡°You keep tes I trailed off, letting my silence speak volumes. The unspoken threat hung heavy in the air, a promise of consequences if she dared to cross the line. Miranda¡¯s smile faltered again, reced by a flicker of something akin to fear. But before she could reply, I turned and walked away, leaving her fuming the car. Chapter 12 -Maya¡¯s POV- My silence hung heavy in the air, thicker than the city mist clinging to the car windows. Ivan finally broke it, his voiceced with an apology I wasn¡¯t ready to ept. ¡°You are upset with me,¡± he stated, the obviousness grating on my already raw nerves. I swivelled towards him, my re hot enough to melt the ice currently residing in my veins growing every second from the encounter with Alex. ¡°My rtionship with Miranda¡­ it¡¯splicated,¡± he offered, his voice trailing off like an unfinished sentence. Butplications meant nothing to me in t ¡°Does thisplication make you SCARED of her?¡± I spat, each wordced with venom. ¡°Because you just puppet on her strings. I don¡¯t even know her sat there and let her make jabs at me, like a My voice escted, mirroring the turmoil within. The frustration of the encounter with Miranda, the sting of Alex¡¯s reappearance, all converged into a torre rid of the firestorm. He sighed, a weary sound that spoke volumes. ¡°It¡¯s not you,¡± he began, attempting to soothe the tempest. ¡°Miranda is like that with everyone. She thrive But his apology rang hollow. ¡°She didn¡¯t ruin the dinner, Ivan,¡± I snarled, my wolf straining at the leash, baring her fangs at the perceived weakness. ¡°You did.¡± The usation hung heavy in the air, a stark contrast to the soft hum of the engine. His eyes widened, surprise battling with hurt. But it was the hurt that beneath his carefully constructed facade, My wolf whined, urging me forward, demanding answers. Yet, a sliver of reason held me back. Taking a deep breath, I forced myself to calm the storm within. The questions wouldn¡¯t disappear, but the usations wouldn¡¯t get us anywhere. I neede ¡°Tell me the truth, Ivan,¡± I said, my voice softer now, but no less determined. ¡°Why did you let her treat me like that? Why the silence when I needed you Silence stretched between us, taut and heavy. But this time, it wasn¡¯t suffocating. It was filled with anticipation, a shared space where secrets might finally be unveiled. ¡°Do you think I am so weak and I cannot handle what it is? Is that why you went to my father to marry me out of all the options you could have had¡­. Be Ivan flinched, the hurt in his eyes deepening. ¡°That is not true. I don¡¯t think you are weak and it¡¯s not that simple,¡± he muttered, his voice tight ¡°Then make it simple,¡± I snapped, my wolf straining at the leash, her ws scraping against the metaphorical cage of my control. ¡°Because right now, al He sighed, a deep, frustrated sound. ¡°Miranda and I¡­ we have a history,¡± he confessed, his voice barely above a whisper. ¡°Aplicated one, filled with¡­.baggage not like regr siblings. She is like a tickin seconds.¡± My anger simmered,ced with a flicker of curiosity. ¡°What kind of baggage?¡± I pressed, needing to understand the invisible strings that bound him. He hesitated, his gaze fixed on the passing cityscape, a million unsaid words battling for release. Finally, he spoke, his voiceced with pain. ¡°Our paren 12:00 Thu, 20 Jun M His words resonated deep within me, striking a chord of empathy. ¡°How old were you?¡± I whispered. Seven.¡± ºÅ:84%1 N?velDrama.Org is the owner. I felt all the anger disappear in seconds, ¡°I am really sorry, I cannot imagine what that coud have been like or for her. You had your childhood stripped. aw ¡°I know,¡± he said, his voice thick with regret. ¡°And I apologize. Truly. But Miranda¡­ she¡¯s fragile, and right now, especially vulnerable. After they died, it was the two of us against the world and then things changed when we were old enough to start dating. She is really possessive of me. Seeing yo ¡°Seeing me with you? You make it sound like I¡¯m some kind of trophy or maybe you are the trophy,¡± I scoffed, the hurt bubbling to the surface. ¡°No,¡± his hand reaching out to grip mine, but I instinctively pulled away. ¡°it¡¯s not like that. You¡­ you represent something new, something good in my life losing the only constant she has left. It has always been like that. She can date but I can¡¯t. Now that I am marrying, she made it clear that she is upset She has always His words resonated within me, painting a picture of a fractured rtionship, of loyalty twisted by loss and fear, My anger softened, reced by a sliver o ¡°You can¡¯t let her fear dictate your actions, Ivan,¡± I said, my voice gentler now. ¡°You have to stand up for yourself, for me.¡± He met my gaze, his eyes searching mine. ¡°I will,¡± he vowed, his voice firming with resolve. ¡°But it won¡¯t be easy. Miranda¡­she can be ruthless.¡± ¡°Then let¡¯s be ruthless together,¡± I challenged, a spark igniting in my chest. ¡°We face this, whatever it is, head¨Con. As equals, not puppets to someone else¡¯s drama.¡± He smiled, a flicker of hope lighting up his features. ¡°As equals,¡± he echoed, squeezing my hand gently. The streemps reflected in his hopeful smile, casting dancing shadows on his determined face. His hand lingered in mine, the silent agreement warmin halt, the tires squealing against the asphalt Ivan¡­ What are you-¡± i began, confusion tugging at my brows. But a thrill, unexpected and exhrating, fluttered in my chest. He didn¡¯t wait for my quest pulling me along with him. ¡°Doing things on our terms,¡± he stated, his voice firm despite the tremor in his hand. ¡°Equals, remember?¡± My heart skipped a beat as understanding dawned. ¡°You¡¯re not¡­What are you doing?¡± ¡°We are getting married?¡± he finished, a mischievous glint in his eyes. ¡°Right here. Right now.¡± Augh bubbled up, nervous and light. ¡°Ivan, we¡¯re in the middle of the street! We can¡¯t just-¡± My words died in my throat as he dropped to one knee, the concrete providing an unconventional altar. My breath hitched, eyes widening in shock. In his hand, glinting under the streetlight, was a ring. ¡°Maya,¡± he said, his voice husky with emotion, ¡°you deserve more than a gilded cage and a preordained future. You deserve love,ughter, and at partnership built on trust and respect. So, will you do me the incredible honor of bing m Thest part had me barking out augh. Tears welled up in my eyes, blurring the city lights and the curious faces peeking from nearby windows. This wasn¡¯t what I expected when I agreed to co undeniably him. A chokedugh escaped my lips, ¡°Are you crazy?¡± I whispered, my voice thick with emotion. He grinned, his eyes sparkling. ¡°Maybe. But beautifully, wonderfully crazy. So, what do you say, Maya? Do you take the chance on forever with a man who might be slightly insane?¡± The decision was clear. This wasn¡¯t a fairy tale proposal, but the start of our own unique adventure. Taking a deep breath,I met his gaze, a smile blooming on my face. ¡°Ivan,¡± I said, my voice trembling with joy, ¡°you may be crazy, but you¡¯re my kind of crazy. And yes, yes, a thousand times yes!¡± He whooped, the sound echoing through the quiet street, and pulled me into a tight embrace. The kiss that followed was electric, charged with the thrill of defying expectations and the pr our own terms. As ourughter mingled with the honking of impatient cars, I knew this wasn¡¯t just the beginning of a marriage, but the start of something Little did I know that this very moment was just the beginning of the chaos, Chapter 13 Chapter 13 ¡°So,¡± Natalia drawled, stretching out the word like t a f y, ¡°he dropped to one knee, right there in the middle of the street?¡± Her voice hold a mixture of amusement and disbelief, but underneath I could sense the genuine excitement bubbling up. I couldn¡¯t help but c r a c k a smile, twirling the simple pearl ring on my finger, ¡°Exactly,¡± I confirmed, my voice tinged with disbelief. ¡°The minute we were arguing about his sister being a grade one b**h, the next he¡¯s proposing under the streetlights.¡± Natalia leaned closer, her eyes sparkling with something akin to mischief. ¡°So, you¡¯re officially over Alex then? Like,pletely wiped from your emotional hard drive?¡± A groan escaped my lips. ¡°Nat, can we please not go there? For one blissful hour, can just bask in the crazy, unexpected reality of my new fianc¨¦ without dissecting the Alex shaped elephant in the room?¡± She squeezed my hand, her yful expression softening ¡°Okay, okay, truce. But as your friend, I gotta do my due diligence. This Ivan guy seems¡­¡± she hesitated, searching for the right word, ¡°perfect. Almost too good to be true,¡± Panic fluttered in my stomach. It was exactly the thought that had been gnawing at me ever since the adrenaline of the proposal had faded, ¡°I know but maybe this is my reward for all the s**t I¡¯ve suffered,¡± forced a casual tone, but the tremor in my voice betrayed me. Her gaze softened. ¡°I¡¯m not trying to paint him as a bad guy but I would be wrong if I didn¡¯t speak my mind. Alex is the father of your children who doesn¡¯t know he has children. You have a mating mark that van does not know about, not to mention he does not know that you were married to Alex, who is his crazy sister¡¯s fianc¨¦ now. Wow, I just realized that that is a whole lot. Don¡¯t even let me get s t a ed on your asshole father¡± Her words were like an avnche, burying me under the weight of unspoken truths. My heart hammered against my ribs, a frantic drumbeat echoing the chaos in my mind. Why couldn¡¯t things ever be simple? ¡°Natalia, for goodness sake, we just had a moment,¡± I mumbled, burying my face in the pillow. The image of Ivan¡¯s hopeful smile shed before my eyes, and a pang of guilt stabbed at me. ¡°He already asked if anything happened between us. I can¡¯t just ruin everything now by confessing Ilied.¡± But deep down, I knew Natalia was right. The longer I kept the truth hidden, the bigger the potential fallout. The thought of losing Ivan, of seeing his trust shatter, was a terrifying prospect. It felt like teetering on the edge of a cliff, one misstep away from freefall. ¡°It¡¯s not just about ruining the moment, Maya,¡± Natalia¡¯s voice softened,ced with genuine concern. ¡°What about you? Can you live with this secret gnawing at you? What happens when he finds out on his own? How will that make you feel?¡± A tear escaped, tracing a warm path down my cheek. The reality of the situation hit me like a tidal wave. I couldn¡¯t keep hiding. The burden was already suffocating, and the longer I waited, the more painful the inevitable reveal would be. Taking a deep, shaky breath, I met Natalia¡¯s gaze. My voice trembled, but there was a newfound resolve in it. ¡°You¡¯re right,¡± i admitted, the words tasting bitter on my tongue. ¡°I can¡¯t do this anymore. I need to tell him everything. The truth, the whole messy truth.¡± Natalia gave me a smile that was both sad and supportive. ¡°It won¡¯t be easy, Maya, but trust me, facing it head on is the only way to build a real future with him. A future built on honesty, not secrets.¡± Her words resonated within me, offering a sliver of hope amidst the storm of fear. ¡°Mum?¡± Ivy¡¯s little voice cut in as she came into the room, rubbing her eyes. My hand instinctively reached out, and her tiny figure melted into my embrace, Ivy, with her sleep- mussed hair and the familiar scent of sunshine and bubblegum, instantly calmed the storm raging within me. ¡°My little angel,¡± I whispered, pressing a kiss to her forehead. Looking into her big, blue eyes, it felt like staring into a mirror reflecting Alex back at me. A pang off guilt pierced my heart, quickly followed by a wave of fierce protectiveness. Ivy was my haven, my anchor in the swirling sea of emotions. Her soft whisper, ¡°Nathan¡­ mean¡­ sleep,¡± brought a chuckle to my lips. Unlike her, Nathan, was a whirlwind of boundless energy, currently terrorizing Nato, in some unknown corner of the house. Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org. 1/3 12:00 Thu, 20 Jun M Chapter 13 I nced up to find Natalia¡¯s gaze filled with warmth and understanding. ¡°What?¡± I asked, the question barely audible. ¡°Nothing,¡± she replied, her lips twitching with anusement. ¡°Just happy you have them.¡±. 84%1 ¡°Me too.¡± I choked out, the words thick with unshed tears. ¡°And I will tell Ivan, everything. But for now, just for a little while, I want to savor this moment, this fragile peace before the storm.¡± Natalia¡¯s smile broadened, knowing in her heart the storm I referred to. ¡°Of course you can,¡± she said, her voiceced with empathy. ¡°But now that you¡¯re here, there¡¯s something I actually wanted to talk about.¡± My attention shifted, curiosity sparking in my eyes. ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°There¡¯s an opening at the biggest interior designpany in the city,¡± she announced, ¡°Now that you are back, I know you would rather eat dirt that sit on your s s doing nothing so I already sent in your details and everything. They want to meet with you. Monday morning.¡± My jaw dropped, a mixture of surprise and gratitude battling within me. If I hadn¡¯t already loved Natalia with the ferocity of a thousand suns, this act of unwavering support would have cemented her ce forever in my heart. ¡°Natalia, you are truly the best friend a girl could ask for,¡± I dered, my voice thick with emotion. Herughter, bright and infectious, filled the room, her eyes sparkling with genuine joy. ¡°The best friend in the world, you mean?¡± she teased, nudging me yfully. ¡°And if you want to repay me, nail that interview,¡± she winked, her confidence in me a balm to my soul. ¡°I will,¡± I promised, my voice firm despite the tremor of anxiety still lingering in my chest. ¡°Thank you, really. Thank you for everything.¡± Pulling ivy closer, I inhaled the sweet scent of her hair, her steady breaths aforting rhythm against my pounding heart. This moment, this fragile peace with my daughter and my best friend, felt precious, almost sacred, in the face of the storm brewing within me. But the familiar ning of my phone shattered the tranquility, yanking me back to the harsh reality of my situation. A nce at the screen sent a wave of dread washing over me- it was my father. ¡°Ignore it,¡± Natalia whispered. I raised my head, a shakyugh escaping my lips. ¡°What?¡± ¡°My wolf is not in the mood for your father¡¯s annoying voice,¡± she dered yfully, but the concern in her eyes was unmistakable. ¡°He probably wants to yell about something you haven¡¯t even done yet.¡± By the time she finished, the call had already ended. I let out a sigh of relief, only to be met with the insistent ringing again. My father rarely called twice unless it was something urgent, and I knew Natalia felt the shift in my mood before I even spoke. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you answer the first time?¡± his voice snapped as soon as I picked up. ¡°Hello, Father,¡± I replied, forcing a calm into my voice that I didn¡¯t quite le feel ¡°Nice to hear from you too.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t y coy with me, Amaya,¡± he barked. ¡°Where have you been? Why weren¡¯t you homest night? And what in the world is this I hear about you getting married on the street, with no high- ranking werewolves present? Have you lost your mind?¡± His words felt like physical blows, each usation chipping away at the fragile peace I¡¯d managed to build. A guttural growl ripped from my throat before I could stop it, raw and primal. ¡°Did you just growl at me?¡± his voice, tinged with disbelief, finally registered. ¡°Father,¡± I started, my voice low and dangerous, ¡°I am a grown woman. You wanted me married to Ivan, and I am. I don¡¯t owe you an exnation for how I did it, and I¡¯m certainly not ountable to you for my decisions, especially as a mother with children to raise.¡± I met Natalia¡¯s gaze, searching for strength and finding it reflected back in her unwavering support. Inhaling deeply, I pushed down the storm of 84%•þ 12:00 Thu, 20 Jun ? M Chapter 13 emotions threatening to consume me. ¡°Is there a specific reason you called?¡± I asked, hoping to cut through the tension and get to the point. A heavy silence followed, then his voice, softer this time, almost hesitant and I instantly knew something was wrong. ¡°While you were busy getting married on the streets, there was an ident¡­¡± My breath hitched, and an icy coldness spread through my veins. ¡°What?¡± Your mother was involved,¡± he choked out, the admissionced with something rare for him-fear. ¡°And I¡¯m¡­ I¡¯m not sure she¡¯ll make it.¡± 0 12:01 Thu, 20 Jun MD Chapter 14 He smirked, a humorless twist of his lips. ¡°Yes. Would you have gotten hare so fast otherwise? You may have behaved yourself for the past four years, but I know you, Amaya. You¡¯ve as stubborn as theye, and I can see the rebellion in your eyes rising. So yes, I lied because I need those documents signed.¡± I stood there, rooted to the spot, anger battling disbelief and a deep-seated hurt. ¡°¡­I¡­ What the hell is wrong with you?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t raise your voice at me, my father snapped, his facade of nonchnce cracking. ¡°And don¡¯t disturb the peace of the hospital The absurdity of it all washed over me. He actually made mee to the hospital, lied about my mother¡¯s well-being, just to corner me into signing some document? ¡°You think you can just use me like this?¡± I finally managed, my voice trembling with a mix of anger and hurt. My mother opened her mouth to speak, but my father cut her off, his hand rising in a silencing gesture. ¡°This is not a family discussion, Amaya. Just sign the d am n document and get this over with.¡± Myar My arms folded across my chest, a defiant shield against the storm brewing within. ¡°What¡¯s in the document?¡± I demanded, my voiceced with an icy calm that belied the turmoil raging inside. My father scoffed, a dismissive sound that sent another wave of anger crashing against my resolve. ¡°Just business, as usual. Nothing for you to concer yourself with.¡± ¡°Concern myself with?¡± Techoed, incredulous. ¡°You drag me here under false pretenses, expecting me to blindly sign your little papers? This isn¡¯t business, Dad. This is maniption, control, and frankly, another level of madness I refuse to be a part of¡± Before he could retort, I spun on my heel, my head held high despite the tremor in my legs. ¡°I¡¯m leaving¡± As I reached for the door handle, a heavy silence descended upon the room. I nced back at my mother, expecting support, understanding. But her gaze remained downcast, shrouded in a veil of quiet resignation. A pang of disappointment, sharper than any anger, ripped through me. ¡°Mom,¡± I started, my voice softer now, ¡°you really should try acting like my mother once in a while¡± The unspoken plea hung heavy in the air, but it was met with the same deafening silence. With a sigh that spoke volumes, I reached for the handle again. Suddenly, the room was filled with the ominous creak of my father¡¯s chair scraping against the floor. My heart hammered against my ribs as he towered over me, his presence suffocating In a heartbeat, his hand shot out, his extracted ws digging into my throat like icy talons. The air whooshed out of my lungs, reced by a burning fear that wed at my throat. ¡°Do not test me,¡± he growled, his voice low and menacing, His eyes, once steely pray, had darkened to an inky ck. The pain in my throat intensified, each squeeze threatening to extinguish the fragile me of consciousness flickering within me. I felt my wolf lunge to the surface but there was something stopping her from breaking through. ¡°Father,¡± I gasped, the word choked out through the constricting pressure. Daniel, please stop!¡± My mother¡¯s voice, frantic andced with fear, finally pierced the haze of terror clouding my mind. ¡°Daniel! Let her go!¡± The tension in the room c r k d like electricity then as abruptly as it started, the pressure around my throat eased. I gasped for air, my lungs burning, as my father released his grip. He stumbled back, his chest heaving, the darkness slowly receding from his eyes. My hand instinctively flew to my throatYou could have killed me,¡± I rasped, each word a gritty cough escaping my constricted airways. My eyes darted between my mother, her face etched with silent pleas, and my father, whose cial expression held no remorse. ¡°Sign it,¡± he barked, thrusting the document at me like Chapter 14 Chapter 14 -Maya POV- The world seemed to tilt on its axis. A million conflicting emotions warred within me: anger, resentment, guilt, fear, and an unexpected pang of grief. She was more like a trophy wife to Daniel Stone but the fact still remained-she was my mother. Natalia ced aforting hand on my arm, her presence grounding me in the midst of the emotional maelstrom. Tears welled up in my eyes, blurring my vision, but I blinked them back, refusing to crumble. ¡°Where is she?¡± I demanded, my voice surprisingly steady. He gave me the name of the hospital, and before I could even process the information, I was already pushing the call to end. Natalia helped me gather my things, moving with urgency yet understanding ¡°I¡¯ll watch the kids,¡± she promised, her voice firm and reassuring. ¡°Go, be with your mother.¡± I didn¡¯t need to be told twice. With a quick hug of gratitude, I rushed out, my mind racing, my heart pounding a frantic rhythm against my ribs. Would I get to say goodbye? I mmed through the automatic hospital doors, the sterile scent assaulting my senses as I skidded to a stop at the reception desk. My breaths wereing in ragged gasps, adrenaline fueled by the phantom echo of my father¡¯s words. ¡°Hello,¡± I choked out, forcing myself to calm down. ¡°My mother was in an ident. She was brought here. Victoria Stone. I need to see her.¡± The nurse, a woman with an overly-tight smile and eyes that held no warmth, scanned my frantic state. ¡°Room 101,¡± she uttered, her tone clipped and dismissive. I didn¡¯t bother registering her attitude. With a mumbled ¡°thank you,¡± I tore through the hallway. Bursting into the ward, the scene that greeted me stopped me in my tracks. There, on a sofa, sat my mother, a magazine casually draped across herp, as my father tapped away on his phone, the picture of nonchnce. ¡°What is going on here?¡± The words seemed to rip from my throat, raw andced with disbelief. ¡°You told me she was in an ident! How? What?¡± My father finally looked up, his eyes devoid of any genuine concern ¡°Amaya,¡± he drawled, his voice t andcking warmth, ¡°you¡¯re here.¡± ¡°What the hell is going on?¡± I demanded, my voice rising in pitch. My eyes darted between them, searching for answers. A flicker of apprehension crossed my mother¡¯s face and eyes met for a fleeting moment, and in that silent exchange, I saw a sh of apology, a flicker of the mother I remembered before the walls went up and the silence settled in But before I could read into it further, my father¡¯s voice cut through the tenso silence. ¡°Sign this,¡± he said, thrusting a document in my direction. ¡°What?¡± I blinked, momentarily stunned by the abruptness of his demand. ¡°Do you really need me to repeat myself, Amaya?¡± His voice grew sharper,ced with irritation. ¡°Take the document and sign it.¡± Anger surged through me, hot and potent. ¡°Are you seriously kidding me right now? You seriously lied! To get me toe here?¡± I spat, finally piecing together the twisted puzzle. Chapter 14 My hands trembled as i epted the paper, the starkness of the white contrasting the vivid red blooming on my skin. Anger simmared, threatening to boll over, but exhaustion weighed me down like a nket stilling my rage. ¡°Why, Father?¡± My voice, barely a whisper, echoed in the sterile silence. ¡°Why do you hate me so much?¡± The question hung heavy in the air, a loaded usation. I yearned to unleash the oriental frustration and hurt that had fostered within me for years, but something held me back. Perhaps it was the vulnerability flickering in my mother¡¯s eyes, or the raw pain simmering beneath my father¡¯s stoic facade. But the silence stretched, suffocating and oppressive. ¡°What did I ever do to you?¡± My voice rose, each sybleced with a tremor of disbelief and simmering anger. ¡°Why do you despise me so?¡± My mother¡¯s voice cut through the rising tension, a desperate plea. ¡°Amaya, please, just sign it.¡± But the dam burst. Years of pent-up frustration poured out, fueled by the burning injustice of it all. ¡°No!¡± I roamed, the word echoing off the stark white walls. ¡°Not until you tell me why! Why, Father? Is it because of Alex?¡± The name hung in the air, charged with unspoken emotions. My mother¡¯s hand shot out, reaching for mine, her eyes begging me to stop. I ignored her, locked in a silent battle with my father. ¡°Is it because I chose him over you?¡± I pressed on, my voice cracking with raw emotion. ¡°Is it because he¡¯s the father of my children? Is that why you hate me so much?¡± My father remained silent, but the flicker of movement in his hand sent a jolt of apprehension through me. His ws, retracted moments ago, emerged and a single drop of blood dripped down his clenched fist. ¡°Answer me!¡± I screamed, my voice echoing with desperation. ¡°What did we ever do to you?¡± My father raised his hand, the steely ws glinting in the stark light. He lunged, ws extended striking the wall, ¡°Because they took everything from me,¡± he thundered, his voice filled with so much pain, ¡°Because they took him away from me.¡± SE 2:01 hu,N?velDrama.Org owns this text. Chapter 15 Chapter 15 -Alex¡¯s POV- My phone buzzed, the insistent hum jarring against the simmering rage coiled in my gut. I answered, my voice clipped, barely above a growl. ¡°Alex,¡± the smooth, unruffled voice on the other end sent another shot of irritation through the. ¡°Got your message. You really sure about this?¡± A harsh scoff escaped my throat. ¡°Do I sound unsure?¡± ¡°Think of the consequences,¡± the man continued, his tone even, almost emotionless. ¡°This ain¡¯t some schoolyard scuffle. Daniel Stone might be an arrogant k , but he¡¯s also Amaya¡¯s father,¡± The name hit me like a e r punch. My jaw clenched, teeth grinding together. But I didn¡¯t care. I didn¡¯t care about her anymore. The same words I had been telling myself thest few days.¡± ¡°What¡¯s your point?¡± I spat, venomcing each word ¡°Think, Alex,¡± the urgency crept back into his voice, a hint of steel finally breaking through. ¡°Taking down Daniel won¡¯t be a walk in the park. There¡¯ll be retaliation, chaos. Amaya could get caught in the crossfire. You ready to live with that?¡± Fury washed over me, cold and suffocating. I didn¡¯t need a lecture on the fallout. I know the risks, the potential damage. But the image of Daniel¡¯s smug face, the memory of his taunts, fueled my resolve. ¡°I don¡¯t give a d a m n about them,¡± I snarled, my voice low and dangerous. ¡°Daniel Stone crossed a line. yed his games, pushed me to the edge. Now, he pays.¡± Silence stretched on the other end, heavy and thick. Then, a sigh. ¡°Alright, Alex. Just remember, the path you¡¯re on is dark. No turning back once you step onto it ¡°No looking back,¡± I said, my voice hard as stone. ¡°I won¡¯t rest until I see Daniel Stone on his knees, begging for mercy. Until then, the only consequence 1 care about is his.¡± The line went dead, leaving me alone with the echo of my own words and the stark reality of my choice. There would be a price, innocent lives caught in the maelstrom of my vengeance. But the wolf within, the primal need for retribution, drowned out any flicker of doubt. I mmed the phone down, the force sending a tremor through the room. My fists clenched, knuckles white, the image of Daniel¡¯s face burning behind my closed eyelids. This wasn¡¯t just about settling a score. It was about dominance, reiming the power Daniel had stolen, Proving, to myself and the world, that I wouldn¡¯t be pushed around, wouldn¡¯t be made a fool. I stormed out of the room, grabbing my keys and heading home hoping Miranda was asleep so I wouldn¡¯t have to deal with her because I was definitely not in the mood. The roar of my engine died down, punctuating the storm raging inside me. I mmed the car door shut, the vibration echoing the fury trembling in my limbs. The metallic g of rage clung to me, mirroring the bitter taste in my mouth. Bursting through the front door, I nearly ripped it off its hinges. I almost let out a groan when i saw her. Miranda sat perched on a plush armchair, swirling wine in her hand. Each tap of her perfectly manicured nails against the crystal goblet was a taunt against the chaos I carried. ¡°Ah, Alex,¡± she drawled, her voice dripping with mock sweetness. ¡°Just the man I was hoping to see.¡± Chapter 15 Ignoring her, I headed straight for the stairs but Miranda wasn¡¯t one to be easily dismissed. ¡°Don¡¯t we have something to discuss?¡± she purred. I stopped, pivoting on the bottom step. The anger in my eyes could curdle milk, a stark contrast to the amusement ying on her lips. ¡°Not now, Miranda,¡± Igrowled, barely controlling the beast within. ¡°Oh, but I think it is,¡± she countered, her smile widening ever so slightly. ¡°Seems your Congrattions gifts are in order, wouldn¡¯t you agree?¡± mate just tied the knot with my dear brother. The mention of Amaya sent a fresh jolt of anger through me. I didn¡¯t need this, not now. ¡°Just send something generic,¡± I snapped, turning back towards the stairs. ¡°Generic?¡± she feigned shock, eyes widening dramatically. ¡°But how utterly¡­ dull. Don¡¯t you think a personalized touch would be more fitting for the Alpha¡¯s mate?¡± ¡°I said, generic!¡± I repeated, voice tight with barely contained rage. She tilted her head, a knowing glint in her eyes. ¡°Such hostility, darling. One would almost think the news upset you.¡± I clenched my jaw, refusing to give her the satisfaction of a reaction. But she persisted, her voice dripping with sharine sweetness. ¡°Perhaps you¡¯re feeling a tad¡­ left out? After all, your little reunion with your past didn¡¯t quite go as nned, did it?¡± My fists clenched at my sides, nails digging into my palms. I knew where this was going, the subtle jabs, the veiled threats. Miranda always enjoyed twisting the knife. ¡°Don¡¯t push your luck, Miranda,¡± I warned, my voice a dangerous rumble. ¡°Oh, but wouldn¡¯t you know,¡± she continued, her smile never faltering. ¡°Luck seems to be on my side lately. And speaking of luck, I received a rather interesting package today.¡± My breath hitched, a sliver of fear worming its way through the anger. I knew what she was talking about. The picture, the one reminder of a past i desperately wanted to bury. ¡°Don¡¯t even think about it,¡± I growled, taking a step towards her. She stood, her smile widening into a triumphant smirk. ¡°Think about what, darling? Sharing a little secret with my brother? Perhaps reminding him exactly who his wife truly is?¡± My blood ran cold. I couldn¡¯t let her do this. Amaya didn¡¯t deserve to be dragged into their twisted game. ¡°You wouldn¡¯t,¡± I spat, my voiceced with desperation. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t I?¡± she challenged, her eyes gleaming with malice. ¡°Why don¡¯t you test me and see?¡± I stood frozen, caught between rage and fear, the weight of her threat heavy on my chest. She took another step closer, her voice a low whisper. ¡°You see, Alex, the game has changed. And this time, I hold all the cards.¡± The air d w ith unspoken tension, the silence thick and suffocating. I stared at her and I knew she wouldn¡¯t hesitate to use the picture, to destroy Amaya if it meant gaining an advantage. Chapter 16 8.4%„Ó 1 looked up at him, a smallugh escaping my lips. ¡°With what just happened with that interview, yes please.¡± He cupped my chin in his hand, his thumb gently stroking my cheek. ¡°I¡¯m sure you didn¡¯t,¡± he stated confidently. ¡°You did great, Amaya. They would be foolish not to call you back.¡± Instead of arguing, I met his gaze, a silent gratitude welling up within me,¡±So, where are we going then?¡± I asked, a flicker of curiosity sparking in my eyes. He winked, a hint of mischief dancing in his dark eyes. ¡°That, my love, is a surprise.¡± He led me through bustling bodies until we stopped in front of a small, unassuming building adorned with a faded blue awning and a single flickeringntern above the doorway. A hand-painted sign proimed it ¡°The Midnight Muse,¡± ¡°Intriguing,¡± I murmured, a smile tugging at my lips. Ivan squeezed my hand. ¡°Ready for something unexpected?¡± I nodded, my heart pounding with a mixture of excitement and apprehension. He winked conspiratorially. ¡°Follow me,¡± he said, leading me to a hidden door tucked away in the corner of the room. It creaked open, revealing a narrow passage lit by dim sconces. We descended a flight of rickety stairs, the sound of our footsteps echoing in the silence. At the bottom, the passage opened into a small, circr room. In the center stood a massive telescope, pointed towards a skylight directly overhead. The night sky glittered above, a canvas of stars sparkling like diamonds s**d on ck velvet. ¡°Wow,¡± I breathed, awestruck. ¡°A friend of mine had this space built a few years ago,¡± Ivan exined, cing a hand on my shoulder. ¡°She wanted a ce to escape the city lights and reconnect with the universe.¡± He led me towards the telescope, his voice gentle as he guided me on how to adjust the lens. I peered through the eyepiece, and a gasp escaped my lips. The vastness of space unfolded before me, a dizzying array of stars and celestial bodies stretching out infinitely. ¡°It¡¯s beautiful,¡± I whispered, humbled by the immensity of it all. He smiled, his gaze meeting mine. ¡°It is,¡± he agreed, his voice warm and soft. ¡°But it doesn¡¯t hold a candle to you.¡± A blush crept up my cheeks, but before I could respond, a shooting star streaked across the inky ck canvas. ¡°Make a wish,¡± Ivan whispered, his breath tickling my ear. I closed my eyes, a silent wish forming on my lips. As I opened my eyes, I met Ivan¡¯s gaze. The city lights may have faded, but the warmth in his eyes shone brighter than any star. He stepped closer tucking a stray hair behind her ear, ¡°I think I¡¯m in love with you.¡± 0 Chapter 15 But then, a different thought surfaced, a cold, calcting n taking root in my mind. I met her gaze, a new steely glint recing the raw anger. ¡°Alright, Miranda,¡± I said, my voice surprisingly calm. ¡°Let¡¯s y your game. I will help you pick out the gifts.¡± Her smile faltered for a moment, surprised by the sudden shift. But it quickly returned, wider and more dangerous than before. ¡°Excellent,¡± she purred, leaning closer. ¡°But remember, darling, in this game, there are no winners, only survivors. And right now,¡± paused, her voice dpdropping to a chilling whisper, ¡°I have the upper hand.¡± Theld her gaze, my own smile mirroring hers, but tinged with a darkness she couldn¡¯tprehend. ¡°We¡¯ll see about that, Miranda,¡± I murmured. Her tone dropped turning seductive as she moved closer to me, ¡°I had loved when you f*d *me when you are angry,¡± she whispered, closing the distance between us and running a hand down my chest. Werewolves were sexual creatures and Miranda had a body made for sin. That was how she had entrapped me in the first ce. I felt my wolf stir. He might not feel any connection to her but it was undeniable that she was a good **k. N?velDrama.Org owns this text. She stood on her tiptoe bringing her lips to my ear, ¡°I can see the lust in your eyes. I can heat the growl you are trying to silence. You know you want to so do it. F**k me, Alex.¡± I had two choices here. I could walk a way or give my wolf the release we both needed. Her hands moved down slowly and with a growl, I mmed his lips on hers. My hands moved to her hips and I lifted her up, pressing her against the wall. She wrapped her legs around my waist. She moaned loudly as my fingers found their way to her wetness. ¡°F**k me, Alex **k me hard.¡± She begged. I did as she asked and moved my fingers until I felt my o**m building up then added another. ¡°Alex,¡± She gasped, ¡°Don¡¯t stop.¡± I waited until her eyes closed and I felt her body shiver then my fingers stopped moving. Her eyes snapped open suddenly, ¡°Alex? Why did you- The words were cut short as my ws extended, wrapping them around her neck, ¡°Alex,¡± She gasped my name again but this time, it was from my hand squeezing the life out of her. I leaned closer, ¡°I will tell you only once, you ever threaten me again and I won¡¯t hesitate to snap your neck.¡± My hands squeezed harder until she was struggling, ¡°I am Alex Thorne. No one threatens me and gets away with it. Do. You. Understand?¡± She managed a nod and I let her go, her body crumbled to the ground. ¡°And if you ever threaten Amaya again? I don¡¯t care what yourst name is. I will slit your throat.¡± 0 Chapter 16 Chapter 16 -Maya¡¯s POV- I sat on the plush chair, hating how distracted I felt knowing that Natalia must have put in a lot to get me this interview. My father¡¯s words echoed in my head, each syble tumbling through my mind. He¡¯d shoved the papers at me, anger burning in his eyes, and demanded I sign them. My mother followed him out, a silent apology in her eyes that did nothing to soothe the storm raging inside me. ¡°Amaya Stone? Is Amaya Stone here?¡± The voice snapped me out of my thoughts. I jumped to my feet, my cheeks burning with embarrassment. The other candidates watched me, probably judging me for not being focused. ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s me,¡± I mumbled, shoving the stray hair from my face. The woman who called my name gave me a warm smile, her eyes crinkling at the corners. She looked about my age, but carried herself with a confidence I envied. Her tailored ck suit hugged her curves perfectly, her dark hair sleek and polished. ¡°No worries,¡± she said kindly, her voice like honey. ¡°Nerves got the best of everyone sometimes. Follow me, Ms. Stone.¡± I opened my mouth to correct her- it was Mrs. Stone technically, and McCall anyway ¨C but the words wouldn¡¯te out. We stopped in front of a heavy wooden door with a brass namete that read ¡°Ms. Edwards.¡± My guide took a deep breath, smoothing her already wless outfit. ¡°Just a heads up,¡± she murmured, her voice losing a bit of its earlier cheer. ¡°Ms. Edwards can be a bit¡­ direct. But she¡¯s fair, and she appreciates honesty.¡± I swallowed, my throat suddenly dry. ¡°Direct?¡± 1 echoed, already picturing a stern woman in a power suit grilling me like a criminal. She offered a reassuring smile. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, you¡¯ll be fine. Just be yourself.¡± Taking another deep breath, I nodded, trying to muster some confidence. The woman gave the door a gentle knock, then pushed it open. ¡°Ms. Edwards,¡± she announced, her voice back to its usual confident tone. ¡°Amaya Stone is here for her interview.¡± A woman looked up from behind a massive mahogany desk. She was older than I expected, maybe in herte fifties, with silver streaked hair pulled back in a tight bun. Her eyes met mine, and I felt a shiver run down my spine. ¡°Thank you. , Sarah,¡± Ms. Edwards said, her voice a low tone thatmanded attention. ¡°Please, close the door.¡± Sarah gave me a quick wink and a thumbs-up before shutting the door softly behind her. The knot in my stomach tightened, and the questions about my father swirled around my mind but I knew for now, I had to focus on this interview. I took a deep breath, trying to block out everything else, and forced a smile. ¡°Ms. Edwards,¡± I said, extending a hand. ¡°It¡¯s nice to meet you.¡± Ms. Edwards didn¡¯t offer a smile in return. Instead, she stared at my hand for a beat before reaching out and giving it a firm, no-nonsense shake. ¡°Wee, Ms. Stone,¡± she said, her gaze still locked of mine. ¡°Please, sit.¡± I sat down in the chair facing her desk. It didn¡¯t feel like just an interview anymore. It felt like a test, an interrogation. And I wasn¡¯t sure if I was ready for the questions that were about toe. My stomach twisted as Ms. Edwards flipped through my portfolio. ¡°Interesting,¡± she finally said, ¡°Bold use of color, Ms. Stone, but not exactly. conventional.¡± 8421 Chapter 16 My cheeks burned. ¡°I like to push boundaries,¡± I stamntered, ¡°to create something unexpected.¡± She raised an eyebrow, ¡°And can you exin how that trantes to happy clients? Not everyone wants the unexpected in their living room, Ms. Stone.¡± My mind went nk. All the practiced answers, the slickebacks I¡¯d prepared- vanished, ¡°Well, ¡­¡± I trailed off, feeling like a deted balloon. Ms. Edwards sighed, her perfectly polished nails tapping a rhythm against the desk. ¡°Interior designThis material belongs to N?velDrama.Org. isn¡¯t just about expressing yourself, Ms. Stone,¡± she began, a hint of condescension in her voice. ¡°It¡¯s about understanding your client¡¯s needs, their vision.¡± But her words triggered something within me. My father¡¯s harsh voice echoed in my head, ¡°Because they took everything from me.¡± Taking a deep. breath, I sat up straighter. ¡°You¡¯re absolutely right, Ms. Edwards,¡± I said, my voice surprisingly firm. ¡°Understanding the client is key. But sometimes, a designer can help them see beyond limitations, push them outside theirfort zones, create something truly unique. Something that speaks to their soul, not just their Pinterest board.¡± Ms. Edwards¡± gaze narrowed, then softened a fraction. A flicker of something, maybe even interest, crossed her face. But before she could respond, I stood up. ¡°Thank you for your time, Ms. Edwards,¡± I said, extending my hand. ¡°It¡¯s been¡­ educational.¡± She took my hand, her grip surprisingly strong. Thank you, Ms. Stone,¡± she replied, her voice lacking its earlier edge. ¡°We¡¯ll be in touch.¡± As I walked out of the office, my mind swirled with emotions. The interview hadn¡¯t gone as nned, but something had shifted in the room. Maybe it was the way my voice gained strength, the unexpected fire in my eyes. Maybe it was the connection I unknowingly made between my father¡¯s words and my own design philosophy, finding my voice even amidst the confusion. Stepping out of the imposing office building, I squinted against the sudden re of the afternoon sun. Car horns red, pedestrians hurried past in a blur of colors and faces, and the air thrummed with a chaotic energy- Despite the noise andmotion, the call from Ivan cut through it all ¡°Lnever thought I would be the victim of a runaway bride,¡± he teased, his voiceced with amusement. I chuckled, surprised by the sound. ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± I managed, ¡°Thest few days have just been a lot, and then I had the interview, I¡¯m really sorry I haven¡¯t had time toe see you and get settled.¡± ¡°Is that why you look beautiful?¡± he asked, a slight shift in his tone. I blinked, myughter tinged with disbelief. ¡°What?¡± The question hung in the air, followed by a car ho k n g harshly, shattering the brief moment of connection. ¡°What?¡± I uttered again, this time a mix of surprise and confusioncing my voice. ¡°I don¡¯t exactly look beautiful, Ivan. I look like a hot mess.¡± As I turned, searching for the source of the noise, a sleek ck car pulled up to the curb, its polished surface reflecting the afternoon sun. A figure emerged from the driver¡¯s side, and my breath hitched. It was Ivan. He took a few strides towards me, his tall frame casting a lengthening shadow on the sidewalk. My stomach fluttered as our eyes met. ¡°That¡¯s not what my eyes tell me,¡± he said, his voice low and warm. His words sparked a smile on my lips, and I ended the call, the phone slipping back into my purse as if forgotten. ¡°Ivan? How? What are you doing here?¡± He grinned, reaching out to pull me closer. ¡°Picking you up,¡± he replied, you said you were going to see your best friend and then you disappeared on me.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry. My father happened and then he managed to mess with my head and this interview. And I¡¯m pretty sure I blew it.¡± ¡°You needed a distraction.¡± Chapter 17 Chapter 17 -Maya¡¯s POV- ¡°You don¡¯t have to say it back,¡± he rushed on, his voice attempting to mask the vulnerability I saw reflected in his eyes. ¡°And maybe I shouldn¡¯t have been so hasty. I just¡­ can¡¯t hide how I feel. You¡¯re an amazing woman, Amaya, and¡­¡± He trailed off, searching my face, and a wave of panic washed over me. I couldn¡¯t let him get any closer, not emotionally, not physically. ¡°I have kids,¡± the words tumbled out in a rush, escaping my control before I could stop them. He blinked, a flicker of confusion recing the affection in his eyes. ¡°What?¡± I could almost hear my father¡¯s voice, a chilling echo in the back of my head, warning me against this very moment. ¡°Two of them,¡± I blurted out, my voice ragged. ¡°Twins. And I didn¡¯t¡­ I mean, my father didn¡¯t want me to tell you. But I don¡¯t want to lie to you anymore, Ivan.¡± Silence stretched between us, thick and suffocating. He just stared at me, his expression unreadable. The longer he remained silent, the heavier the weight of my confession became. ¡°Ivan? Please, say something.¡± Then, a flicker of something dark crossed his features. Anpor? Hurt? Whatever it was, sent a shiver down my spine. ¡°How long were you going to keep it a secret?¡± His voice was low,ced with a dangerous edge. ¡°Wait, that¡¯s not even the question I should be asking. Who is the father?¡± My mouth gaped open and closed like a fish out of water. No words came out, no justifications, no exnations. Frustration red in his eyes, quickly reced by a chilling resignation. He let out a humorless scoff ¡°Fine,¡± he muttered, the single word heavy with disappointment. He turned away, his broad shoulders slumped in defeat, ¡°I trust you can find your way back to wherever you go to hide your lies,¡± he said, his voice cold and distant. ¡°Ivan, please!¡± He didn¡¯t turn around. He just kept walking, leaving me alone in the echoing silence of the room. As he reached the doorway, a sliver of fear flickered within me. ¡°Are you ending the marriage?¡± He paused, turning his head slightly. The expression on his face was unreadable. ¡°No, Amaya,¡± he said finally. ¡°I¡¯m not. But I need time. Time to process this.¡± He paused again, his gaze lingering on me for a beat longer before he continued, ¡°I¡¯ll call you when I have things figured out.¡± Then, with a final, heavy sigh, he disappeared out the door, leaving me alone in the darkness with the deafening silence of my own secrets. My legs trembled as I left the building, each step echoing the turmoil within. Stealing a deep, shaky breath, I opted against calling a cab. Walking, I reasoned, might offer a semnce of control amidst the chaos. The city streets pulsed with a fric energy as 1 walked. My destination remained unknown, my mind consumed by the fallout that awaited me. My father¡¯s face, twisted with fury, shed through my thoughts, fueling a fresh wave of dread. The rhythmic tter of my heels filled my ears and without realizing it, my steps had carried me towards a bar. 84% Chapter 17 I stopped to stare at the sign for a moment. The Rusty Compass. Pushing open the door, I was greeted by the warm,forting scent of stale beer and well-worn leather. The low murmur of conversation hung in the air, punctuated by the asional clinking of sses. A lone young woman stood behind the bar, her auburn hair cascading down her shoulders in fiery waves. Her face, etched with the lines of experience, held a warmth that belied the weariness in her hazel eyes. Her name tag read ¡°Biley.¡± ¡°Can I get a double scotch, neat?¡± She nced up, lingering on my face for a beat longer than necessary. Her eyes, the color of melted chocte, held a flicker of concern, ¡°Rough her gaze night?¡± 1 slumped onto the wom barstool, defeat coursing through me. ¡°The roughest of them all,¡± I confessed, letting out a shaky sigh. One ss turned into two, then three and before I realized, I was spilling my guts to aplete stranger. Riley listened patiently, her expression a mask of quiet understanding. When I finished, a heavy silence settled between us. She opened her mouth to talk then, a suddenmotion erupted near the back of the bar. Three burly men shoved their way through a swinging door, theirughter grating in the previously subdued atmosphere. One of them, a man with a shaved head and a gold chain glinting around his neck, mmed a wad of cash onto the counter. ¡°Three rounds of your strongest stuff, sweetheart,¡± he barked at Riley, his gaze leering. ¡°And make it quick.¡± Riley¡¯s jaw clenched, and a flicker of defiance sparked in her hazel, ¡°I¡¯m sorry but there are no drinks avable. This is a peaceful bar and it is not for you and your gunes.¡± The gold chain around the shaved head of the neer nked as he mmed his fist on the counter, the force rattling the sses behind Riley, ¡°This ce ain¡¯t for the likes of us, huh? What makes you think you can throw us out, sweetheart?¡± ¡°You are are bikers. This bar has its rules. Bikers aren¡¯t allowed in here. I¡¯m pretty sure you know that. You are just looking to make trouble¡± His buddies joined him as he moved closer until he was in Riley¡¯s face, ¡°Again Lask. What are you going to do about it?¡± I gripped the edge of the barstool, the weight of the situation pressing down on me. ¡°Look,¡± interjected, my voice surprisingly calm despite the churning in my stomach, ¡°Maybe it¡¯s best if you guys just- ¡°Who are you to tell us what to do?¡± The man sneered, his gaze flickering to me with undisguised hostility. ¡°This ain¡¯t your business,dy. I suggest you stay out of it.¡± ¡°Actually,¡± I countered, taking a deep breath, ¡°it kind of is. This is a decent ce, and causing trouble isn¡¯t exactly on the menu.¡± A slow smirk spread across his face. ¡°This some kind of joke, sweetheart? You think you can throw us out?¡± One of his buddies, a hulking mass of a man let out a gutturalugh. ¡°Yeah, maybe she should show us how it¡¯s done.¡± The entire bar seemed to hold its breath, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife. I knew I was out of my league, but something about their disrespect towards Riley, the way they were trying to intimidate her, intimidate me made my wolf growl in anger. ¡°Maybe I will.¡± My posture straightened, my chin lifted a fraction, and a steely glint entered my eyes as they turned to ck before flickering back to normal. 12:01 Thu, 20 Jun Chapter 17 Sensing the shift in my demeanor, the man¡¯s smirk faltered for a brief moment. Before he could react, I leaned forward, my voice dropping to a low growl ¡°Look, I get it. You and your buddies want to act tough. But trust me, this isn¡¯t the ce for that. Now, why don¡¯t you all just take your elsewhere before things get messy?¡± business Silence descended upon the bar. Patrons stared, their eyes wide with surprise. Even Riley seemed taken aback by my sudden disy of confidence. Honestly, I didn¡¯t know where it came from but I felt my wolf pacing, I felt her anger. She had been quiet for too long. He stared at me for a long, tense beat. Then, a humorless chuckle escaped his lips. He turned to his buddies, sending a silent message and before I knew it, one of them came at me. The guy lunged fueled by arrogance and aggression. In a sh, my body reacted instinctively.This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org. Channeling my wolf, I sidestepped his attack with feline grace, my movements a dance between predator and prey. The other two, momentarily stunned, hesitated as they assessed the sudden shift in the confrontation. With a swift motion, I disarmed the lunge, twisting the guy¡¯s arm behind his back and forcing him to the ground. The impact echoed through the bar, a sudden hush fottowing the thud. His buddies, now realizing the precariousness of their situation, exchanged uneasy nces. As the hulking mass advanced, I embraced my werewolf strength. My fist connected with precision, sending him reeling backward. I moved seamlessly between opponents, a blur of controlled violence, utilizing my werewolf abilities to anticipate their moves. The man with the shaved head, still recovering from my initial redirection, attempted a wild swing. I ducked effortlessly, seizing the opportunity to disarm him as well. The barstool I gripped earlier became an extension of my power. Amidst the chaos, the bar¡¯s patrons watched in stunned silence but no one tried to intervene. With a final, assertive move, I positioned myself between them and the exit. ¡°This is yourst chance to leave peacefully. Don¡¯t make me show you the consequences.¡± Their retreat was swift, stumbling over each other in a hurry to escape the embarrassment. The bar¡¯s atmosphere gradually shifted from tension to relief, the patrons exchanging shocked nces. Turning to Riley, her eyes now wide with a mix of awe and fear, she stammered, ¡°I saw your eyes and your hands¡­ what are you? What kind of monster are you?¡± Chapter 18 Chapter 18 -Maya¡¯s POV- The silence after the bikers stumbled out was like a physical thing, thick and suffocating. My heart hammered, the adrenaline slowly fading away, leaving behind a cold dread. The primal satisfaction of defending the bar, fueled by my wolf, warted with a creeping foar. ¡°I, uh¡­.¡± I stammered, my mouth suddenly dry. I took a tentative step towards Riley, then another, needing to exin, needing something. But before could get close, she recoiled, her hand shooting up to ward me ofl. Her eyes, wide and fearful, flicked from me to the retreating figures of the bikers, then back to me. I nced around and relief washed over me momentarily at least the others hadn¡¯t seen my wolf lunge to the surface. But the relief was short-lived, reced by a sinking feeling in my gut as I met Riley¡¯s gaze again. ¡°Riley, please.¡±Twhispered, my voice barely above a croak. ¡°We need to talk, but not here, I promise I won¡¯t hurt you,¡± Her lips moved silently for a moment, her expression a mask of confusion and dawning horror. Then, in a voice barely audible, she rasped, ¡°The back.¡± She spun on her heel and headed towards a swinging door at the rear of the bar. I followed her quietly, the weight of her unspoken questions hanging heavy in the air. The backroom was small dominated by a battered metal counter and stacks of empty crates. Riley moved straight for the counter, her back to me, her hands gripping the worn wood as if seeking sce in its solidity. Honestly, I couldn¡¯t me her. The silence stretched again, broken only by the ragged breaths escaping my own lungs. Then came the question, the one I¡¯d dreaded, ¡°What¡­ what are you? How did you¡­ Your eyes. What are you?¡± There were a million ways I could answer. I could lie, tell her she¡¯d imagined the whole thing, the adrenaline messing with her mind. But the thought of it left a bitter taste in my mouth. The past four years had been a living hell, broken by someone else¡¯s actions and I wouldn¡¯t subject anyone else to that. I knew how this story ended. The suspicion, the doubt, the slow erosion of sanity as she tried to convince herself it wasn¡¯t real. It would break her differently, not like I was. Taking a deep breath, I braced myself. ¡°I¡¯m a werewolf,¡± I said, the words tumbling out in a rush. The silence that followed was deafening. She stared at me, her face¡¯a canvas of disbelief. ¡°A werewolf? But¡­ they don¡¯t exist.¡± Then, a sudden, unexpected sound filled the airughter, Sharp, disbelievingughter that echoed strangely in the small room. A hysterical edge crept into it, and for a horrifying moment, I thought she was going to crack. ¡°Alright,¡± she gasped, wiping at her eyes with the back of her hand. ¡°Where are the cameras? Because I¡¯m definitely being punked right now.¡± Her voice trailed off, and she looked around the room frantically, searching for some hidden device, some sign that this was all an borate joke. My heart sank, I hadn¡¯t expectedughter, but the terror in her eyes was worse. ¡°Riley,¡± I said gently, reaching out a hand towards her, but she flinched away. ¡°You¡¯re serious?¡± she whispered. I nodded slowly, the weight of her fear pressing down on me. ¡°Holy shit! Holy shit!¡± she scrambled backwards, her voice rising in panic. ¡°How are you¡­? How are werewolves real? Werewolves only exist in stories and this is definitely not one!¡± Chapter 19 ¡°Riley, please, calm down,¡± I pleaded. ¡°I won¡¯t hurt you I promise¡± But the words seemed to have the opposite effect, fueling her panic ¡°How can you promise that?¡± she shrieked, her voice cracking with fear. ¡°You¡¯re a monster! A creature out of nightmarest¡± 84% ??? ¡°No, Riley, please,¡± I pleaded, my voice dropping to a low, soothing murmur. Every instinct in meN?velDrama.Org owns this text. screamed to hug her, to offer physicalfort, but! knew it would only terrify her further. ¡°I understand why you¡¯re scared. Believe me, I do.¡± She took a shuddering breath, her eyes wide and frantic. ¡°You¡­ you can turn into a wolf?¡± ¡°Yes. But that doesn¡¯t mean I¡¯m a monster. Look at me.¡± I gestured to myself, hoping the normalcy of my human form would offer some reassurance. ¡°I¡¯m Amaya. The same Amaya who you just poured a drink and listened to vent about her day. The wolf is a part of me, yes, but it doesn¡¯t define me? Tears continued to stream down her face, carving clean tracks through the grime of the bar. ¡°But¡­ but how? Why? And how did you¡­¡± she trailed off, her voice thick with confusion. ¡°It¡¯s a long story. And right now, I think it¡¯s more important that you calm down. Can you take a deep breath with me?¡± She hesitated for a moment, her eyes darting nervously between me and the doorway. Finally, with a shaky hand, she wiped her tears away and took a deep, ragged breath, I followed suit, the slow rise and fall of my chest mirroring hers. ¡°See? You¡¯re alright. And I¡¯m alright. We can talk about this, but first, you need to breathe.¡± Another shaky breath escaped her lips, followed by a long, shuddering sigh. The raw fear in her eyes began to subside, reced by a cautious curiosity. ¡°Alright,¡± she mumbled, her voice barely audible. ¡°But where do we even begin?¡± My phone vibrated in my pocket, shattering the fragile calm that had begun to settle. I pulled it out, my heart sinking as I saw the message. It wasn¡¯t a call, but a single, curt text from my father: ¡°Come home.¡± I nced back at Riley, her fear slowly giving way to a hesitant curiosity. This wasn¡¯t how I¡¯d nned this conversation. This wasn¡¯t the time, not with her eyes still wide and her voice shaky. But there was no choice. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, but I have to go. Something just came up, something I can¡¯t ignore.¡± Her brow furrowed, ¡°Is everything okay?¡± ¡°¡­I¡¯ll exinter. There¡¯s a lot to unpack, about me, about what just happened. But right now, I have to deal with this other thing.¡± Panic flickered across her face. ¡°Wait, you¡¯re not leaving, are you? Not after all this?¡± ¡°No, no,¡± I assured her, reaching out a hand, then quickly retracting it when I saw her flinch. ¡°I¡¯ll come back. I promise. But I need you to understand, what I told you¡­ it¡¯s a secret. A big one. Humans aren¡¯t supposed to know about us.¡± The gravity of my words hung heavy in the air. Riley¡¯s eyes darted around the room as if searching for hidden cameras, for any sign that this wasn¡¯t real. But slowly, a flicker of understanding reced the initial fear. ¡°A secret. Like a¡­ werewolf secret?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± I confirmed, relief washing over me at her tentative eptance. ¡°There¡¯s a whole side to this world you don¡¯t know about, different factions, different rules. But I can¡¯t exin it all right now.¡± ¡°Okay,¡± she nodded slowly, ¡°But you¡¯lle back and tell me?¡± ¡°I promise. This isn¡¯t over. But please, Riley, I¡¯m begging you, don¡¯t tell anyone what you¡¯ve learned, Not a single soul.¡± 12:01 Thu, 20 Jun.. Chapter 18 84% i in danger,¡± the mumbled, the fear returning, but a different kind this time, She met niy gaze, her eyes searching mine. ¡°¡­ I wouldn¡¯t want to put you i edged with concern. ¡°Thank you,¡± i breathed, a wave of gratitude washing over me. Then, with a firial squeeze of her hand, I turned and hurried out of the backroom. Daniel was always angry, at what? I have never discovered but I was always at the receiving end of his anger. Most times, it was unprecedented. Not this time. I knew, without a doubt, that this time, there would be hell to pay. Chapter 19 Maya¡¯s POV- The door creaked open under the weight of my apprehension. My father sat in his usual armchair, a snifter of brandy swirling in his hand. The fire crackle His gaze snapped towards me the moment I entered. The scowl etched on his face deepened, carving lines of disapproval even deeper into his weather ¡°There you are,¡± he rumbled, his voiceced with a dangerous edge,. ¡°About time. I¡¯ve been waiting.¡± ¡°I can exin,¡± Irushed out, the words tumbling from my lips before he could scream at me. Giving him a chance to speak first was a losing strategy, I kn N?velDrama.Org owns this text. The frown on his face deepened, a storm cloud gathering above his narrowed eyes. ¡°What are you going on about now?¡± I took a moment to stare at him. He was¡­ calm. Completely uncharacteristically calm. If the news had reached him, he would be exploding in my face b in a mask of restrained rage which was usual for him. I would never understand why he was always so angry. e you talking about, Amaya?¡± ¡°What are you ¡°Nothing.¡± I recovered quickly, forcing a smile, ¡°It was nothing. Why did you ask me toe here?¡± He held my gaze, his eyes boring into mine. We both knew I was lying but instead of pushing it, as was his usual tactic, he simply said, ¡°Do you have the documents signed already?¡± The question caught me off guard. ¡°You just gave them to me yesterday, father, I reminded him. ¡°I had an interview today. So no.¡± ¡°Interview for what?¡± he asked, a flicker of curiosity momentarily recing the storm in his eyes. ¡°A job,¡± was all I said, yet again, he didn¡¯t push it. My mind raced, wondering what was going on. This uncharacteristic calmness, thisck of his usual in ¡°Ivan called,¡± he continued, his voice t. I froze for a split second, a flicker of panic shooting through me. ¡°Why did he? Did something happen?¡± ¡°No,¡± he said, seemingly dismissing the question with a wave of his hand. ¡°He wants you to move in with him. I already sent your things to his ce.¡± Everything about that statement infuriated me- the casualness of his tone, the audacity of making decisions about my life without consulting me. kept my ¡°Is that all?¡± I asked, managing a semnce ofposure. ¡°Yes,¡± he said, his gaze flickering away for a moment. But I I bowed my head in a gesture of respect, a formality ingrained in me since childhood. He was my Alpha, after all, and despite our strained rtionship, th He gave a curt nod, his attention already seemingly focused elsewhere. I turned and left the room, the door swinging shut behind me with a sigh, mimick that flooded my system. Outside, the cool evening air hit me like a p, a wee change from the suffocating atmosphere within. I had a lot of questions swimming through my 12:01 Thu, 20 Jun M Why the sudden calmness? Why hadn¡¯t he pressed me about han? Did he know? The uncertainty gnawed at me, leaving me with a hollow feeling in the pit of my stomach. My hand instinctively reached for my phone, a familiarfort hovered over it for a moment too long. Without much thought, I pressed dial The phone pressed against my ear felt heavy. It went on ringing and I wondered if he still used the number. Just as I was about to give up, the ringing sto Finally, his voice broke the quiet. He spoke my name, a single word that hung in the air, heavy with expectation. A deep breath hitched in my throat, a co button. The phone sank back into my hand, feeling oddly heavy. I let out a shaky breath, blinking rapidly as tears welled up in my eyes. What had I just done? Alex had made it clear that he wanted nothing to do with me so why couldn¡¯t just let him go or hate him after everything he did to me. I loved him. With everything I had. I closed my eyes, the night we first met reying in my head. I didn¡¯t want to go to the club. I had a whole lot of projects and I was stressed but Natalia managed to convince me with her usual Natalia rant. My gaze to find a quiet area. And then¡­ Everything stopped. The music faded into a distant hum and my breath hitched in my throat as my eyes locked onto him. Across the crowded room, time seemed to bend aro A low growl rumbled deep within me, a sound that wasn¡¯t mine. My wolf, always attuned to my emotions, recognized him instantly. Mate The word echoed in the silent space between us, a raw, powerful truth that left no room for doubt. But the moment was shattered before it could fully blo The connection, the intensity ¨C it all evaporated as quickly as it appeared. Gone. Leaving behind a tremor that shook me to my core, a brand seared into my soul. Natalia¡¯s grip tightened, pulling me away towards the pulsating mass of dancers. I stumbled forward, my mind reeling, my senses overwhelmed. I pushed ¡°Sure, Natalia,¡± I choked out, ¡°But I need to use the bathroom, like, right now.¡± I pushed through the crowd, bodies brushing past me, sweat clinging to my skin. I needed space, needed to understand what the heck just happened. R Then, the air in the bathroom shifted. A change, subtle yet undeniable. My breath caught in gay throat, my eyes darting around the small space. He was I didn¡¯t turn around. Fear, excitement, and a strange sense of anticipation warred within me. The silence stretched between us, thick and heavy I could a Finally, unable to bear the silence any longer, I broke the tension. ¡°You shouldn¡¯t be in here. The sign says females only¡± A deep, amused chuckle filled the room. It was rich, powerful, and sent a shiver down my spine. ¡°That¡¯s the first thing you want to say to me?¡± I took a deep breath, finally turning around to face him. The fluorescent lights did little to diminish the raw power that emanated from him. He was breath shouldered and lean, with a chiseled jawline and eyes that seemed to hold a universe of secrets within their depths. Mate. My wolf acknowledged him with a renewed growl, a low rumble deep in my chest. We stared at each other, the air crackling with unspoken emotions. Neither of us spoke, yet a silent conversation passed between us, a raw awareness that transcend ¡°Well, I finally managed, ¡°this isn¡¯t exactly how I pictured our first conversation going. A bathroom stall in a crowded club?¡± A slow smile spread across his face, crinkling the corners of his eyes and sending a jolt through me. ¡°Ours?¡± He raised an eyebrow, amusement dancing ¡°Please,¡± I scoffed, rolling my eyes to mask the sudden flutter in my stomach. ¡°Don¡¯t insult my intelligence. You felt it too, the connection. The undeniable pull. So don¡¯t try to y dumb.¡± His smile widened, revealing a set of perfectly white teeth, ¡°Stressful night?¡± he asked, his voiceced with a hint of amusement. Lignored his attempt to deflect. ¡°Well?¡± I pressed, my voice stronger now, a newfound confidence blooming within me. ¡°I wasn¡¯t expecting our first encou He took a slow step ep towards me, and the air between us seemed to crackle with electricity. His scent, a mix of chocte and something uniquely him, filled my senses, se ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡± I met his gaze, ¡°You want to know my name?¡± I challenged, stepping closer until we were mere inches apart. ¡°Then you have to earn it.¡± With that, I turned to walk past him, a desperate need to escape the overwhelming pull of our connection warring with the intense curiosity that burned w take another step, his hand shot out, wrapping around my wrist. A gasp escaped my lips as he spun me back to face him. His eyes, which had been war turned to ck. he growled, his voice a low, guttural threat that sent a primal thrill coursing through me. He leaned closer, his ¡°You don¡¯t walk away from me, little mate,¡± brushing my ear, his breath warm against my skin. ¡°Because you are mine, Silver.¡± Chapter 20 Chapter 20 ¡°Maya¡¯s POV- The word hung in the air, a possessive im that resonated deep within my soul. A spark ignited, a connection so profound it left me breathless, Then, before I could react, his teeth sunk into the soft flesh just below my ear, a sharp prick of pain followed by a surge of heat that raced through my body. I gasped, a mixture of shock and something else, something primal and instinctive, escaping my lips. His grip tightened around my wrist, his eyes holding mine captive. ¡°Now,¡± he murmured, his voice husky with something akin to reverence, ¡°you¡¯ll remember me The bathroom door creaked open, jolting us both from the intense moment. Natalia¡¯s voice,ced with concern, broke through the silence. ¡°Amaya? Are you okay in there?¡± His grip loosened, but he didn¡¯t release me. He nced towards the door, a flicker of annoyance crossing his features. Then, with a final, lingering look, he let go of my wrist and disappeared from the bathroom into the crowd. My knees buckled, and I slumped against the cool tile wall. My heart hammered against my ribs, my head spun, and a strange tingling sensation danced across my skin. Mate. The word echoed in my mind, a brand seared into my soul. Natalia entered the restroom, her face etched with worry. But before she could speak, I grabbed her arm, a desperate need to escape overwhelming me. ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± I whispered, my voice trembling, ¡°Let¡¯s just get out of here. Her questions went unanswered as I pulled her out of the bathroom and back into the throbbing heart of the club. The music pounded around me, the lights blurred, but all I could see was his face, feel the ghost of his touch, and hear the raw possessiveness echoing in his words: You are mine, Silver. ¡°Amaya! What the heck was that all about?¡± Natalia shouted as soon as we got back into the club. ¡°You practically dragged me out of there!¡± I tried to focus on anything to drown out the chaotic symphony within me ¡°just needed some air.¡± ¡°Air? In the middle of the bathroom stall? Did you suddenly develop ustrophobia? And who was that guy in there with you? You looked like you were about to eat each other¡¯s faces!¡± Her bluntness, while unwee at the moment, did manage to break through the fog of confusion clouding my mind. Taking a deep breath, I reached out and grabbed her arm, pulling her towards a quieter corner of the club. ¡°Natalia,¡± I began, forcing myself to meet her curious gaze. ¡°There¡¯s something you need to know¡­¡± She listened patiently, her brow furrowing in concentration as I recounted the encounter in the bathroom. When I finished, a stunned silence hung between us, broken only by the faint thumping of the music. Then, it happened. Her face broke into a wide grin, her eyes sparkling with excitement. A high- pitched squeal escaped her lips, and before I could react, she hadunched into a celebratory dance, her arms iling wildly. ¡°Oh my God, Amaya! You found your mate! This is amazing! The best thing ever!¡± she shrieked, practically bouncing off the floor. Exhausted, both physically and emotionally, I couldn¡¯t help butugh at her infectious enthusiasm. Despite the whirlwind of emotions i was experiencing, a sliver of happiness bloomed within me. Finding my mate, something I¡¯d dreamt about for years, was finally happening. But as quickly as the happiness appeared, a new wave of anxiety washed over me. Natalia, oblivious to my internal struggle, continued to gush about the significance of the encounter. Chapter 20 The more I learned, the more the picture in my mind shifted. He wasn¡¯t just the ruthless businessman portrayed in the media. There were hints of a sharp intellect, a quiet determination, and even a flicker of vulnerability in his eyes that caught me off guard. He wasn¡¯t the monster my father painted him to be even though I had never bothered to pay too much attention. As the night wore on, exhaustion began to tug at me. The emotional rollercoaster of the evening had taken its toll. ¡°We should get home and get some sleep,¡± Natalia suggested, ¡°We¡¯ll think more clearly in the morning. Even better, not in a club. I nodded, letting her take the lead. The world went by in a blur until I found myself crawling into bed, the events of the night reyed in my mind. The throbbing club, the intense connection with Alex, and the chilling realization that he was everything my family considered an enemy. With a sigh, I closed my eyes. Sleep wouldn¡¯te easily and Iid awake all night staring. The months that followed, I went against my entire family, my entire pack and for three years, I had everything I could ever dream of He promised it would be two of us till the very end. Then in one night, he broke his promise and took it all away from me. I opened my eyes, the tears flowing freely as the past faded away, leaving a dull ache in my chest but with it came the painful realization. I was still in love with him¡­ I was still in love with Alex Thome. apter 20 83% ¡°Seriously, Amaya,¡± she said, finallying to a halt and grabbing my shoulders. ¡°This changes everything You have to tell me all the details! What were his eyes like? Did he smell good? Did he say anything?¡± A blush crept up my neck as I recalled the intensity of his gaze, the intoxicating scent that had filled the small bathroom space. But before I could answer, a new thought struck her. ¡°Wait a minute.¡± she muttered, her brow furrowing as gears seemed to be turning in her head. ¡°He seemed familiar somehow. Dif you get a good look at him?¡± Inodded hesitantly, ¡°Yeah, in the bathroom light, He¡¯s tall, broad-shouldered¡­. She wasn¡¯t listening anymore. She whipped out her phone, her fingers flying across the screen as she frantically typed something int ¡°What are you doing?¡± ¡°Searching!¡± she mumbled, not looking up. ¡°I swear I¡¯ve seen him somewhere before.¡± A few seconds of frantic typingter, her eyes widened in realization. ¡°Holy shit,¡± she muttered, a nervous tremor in her voice. She turned the phone screen towards me, and a gasp escaped my lips. There, staring back at me from the screen, was the face of the man from the bathroom. The intensity of his gaze seemed to bum through the phone screen, sending a familiar tingle down my spine. But it wasn¡¯t just his face that made my breath catch. It was the caption below the picture that sent a jolt of ice through my veins, Alex Thorne, CEO of Thome Industries. My blood ran cold. I might not have cared about the faces behind the rivalry between our families, but one thing was for sure: finding my mate had just gotten a whole lot moreplicated. My father would never allow me to be with Alex Thorne, the Alpha of our family¡¯s greatest rival Her face mirrored the growing horror dawning on me. She opened her mouth to speak, but the words seemed to catch in her throat. ¡°No, I breathed, the word escaping my lips on a shaky exhale. ¡°This can¡¯t be happening.¡± ¡°It is happening. Amaya. But we¡¯ll figure this out. There has to be a way.¡± She grabbed my hand, squeezing it tightly. ¡°We just need to think. You found your mate. Nothing is going to stop you from being with him.¡± We stood there in silence for a moment, the weight of the revtion settling on us like a suffocating nket. The excitement of finding my mate had evaporated, reced by a cold dread that gnawed at my insides. ly father will never approve. The rivalry between our families¡­ it¡¯s been going on for years.¡± ¡°My ¡°Yeah, I know. But maybe there¡¯s a chance this will change things.. Maybe both your families can finally bury the hatchet. For your sake, Amaya.¡± My heart ached at the thought. The rivalry was a deeply ingrained part of our lives. Hoping for a sudden change seemed naive, foolish ever. But a flicker of hope, however faint, sparked within me. ¡°Maybe,¡± I echoed, clinging to the fragile possibility. ¡°We need a n,¡± She dered, her voice regaining its usual tenacity. ¡°First things first, we need to learn everything we can about Alex Thorne. Maybe if we understand him better, we can figure out a way to make this work.¡± A sense of purpose washed over me, dispelling some of the fear. She was right. We couldn¡¯t just sitN?velDrama.Org owns this text. here paralyzed by the situation. We had to fight for this, for the unexpected bond I felt with Alex, the raw connection that defied the animosity between our families Pulling out my phone, I mirrored her actions. Together, we delved into the digital world, searching for any information we could find about Alex Thome right there in the club. News articles detailing his sess as CEO of Thorne Industries, interviews showcasing his business acumen, even a few candid photos capturing a glimpse of the man behind the powerful image. Chapter 21 ~Alex¡¯s POV Íê.83% The dial tone buzzed in my ear, a mocking little rhythm that mirrored the gnawing anxiety in my gut. I mmed the phone back down on the cradle, the p yet the nagging feeling remained. why had she called? What was she thinking? A sigh escaped my lips, a plume of frustration in the still air of my office as I dropped the phone on the table. It vibrated, startling me from my thoughts. My heart leaped¨Cmaybe it was her! But the flicker of hope died as quickly as it arose. It was just Christian, his name shing on the screen in a digital taunt. With a grimace, I answered the call. ¡°Expecting someone else?¡± he drawled, his voice dripping with amusement. ¡°Are you calling me to tell me it¡¯s done or calling to just irritate me?¡± I countered, my voice Hat ¡°Now, now, Alex,¡± he chuckled, the sound grating on my nerves. ¡°I know you¡¯re lonely cooped up in that office all day. Just wanted to be a friend.¡± I fought back a growl. Christian¡¯s idea of friendship was twisted. Sometimes, it intrigued me, most times it just annoyed me but it was what I liked about him. How twisted he was. ¡°Cut the crap. Christian,¡± I growled, the sound low and menacing. ¡°Alright, alright,¡± he conceded, feigning surrender. ¡°Since you want to be so serious, the message has been sent. Hispany will take the first hit tomo A flicker of satisfaction, primal and unwee, coursed through me. Daniel Stone. The name had be a constant thorn in my side, a festering woun it would be a twisted kind of justice. My wolf rumbled in agreement deep within me, a deep guttural sound that vibrated through my bones. Pushing those primal urges down, I spoke. ¡°Good. Just keep me updated.¡± ¡°But of course,¡± He replied, his voice dripping with mock sincerity. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t want you to miss any of the fun, would we?¡± I was about to retort when he spoke again, his tone shifting abruptly. ¡°I went to see Adrian.¡± The words hung in the air, heavy and unexpected. Every hair on my body stood on end, a prickling sensation that crawled up my spine. I waited, my breath caught in my throat, expecting him to borate. But he remained silent, a smug smile e Frustration bubbled up inside me. ¡°Are you waiting for me to ask what it was about?¡± I finally managed, my voice taut. ¡°Just making conversation,¡± he purred, clearly enjoying the difort he was causing. ¡°But hey, no worries. You¡¯ll hear about it soon enough.¡± I gritted my teeth. He¡¯d won this round, nted a feed of doubt and worry that would gnaw at me untill had answers. ¡°Do your damn job, Christian,¡± I grow With a final, self¨C satisfied chuckle, he ended the call. I mmed the phone back down, the frustration momentarily eclipsed by a surge of anger. Christian was a necessa twist the knife, to y psychological games, was wearing thin Leaning back in my chair, I pinched the bridge of my nose, trying to clear the fog of emotions swirling inside me. My mind drifted back to Amaya like it always did. I let out a sigh as My meticulously mannered secretary, Ruth, poked her head through the doorway. Her usuallyposed face was etched with a hint of concern. ¡°Mr. Thome,¡± she began, ¡°I apologize for interrupting, but I wouldn¡¯t bother you if it weren¡¯t important. There¡¯s a walk¨C in in your office.friedu exining that you don¡¯t typically take- ¡°Get on with it, Ruth,¡± I interrupted, impatience coloring my tone. The day¡¯s events had worn on my nerves, leaving me with a short fuse. ¡°Yes, sir. The gentleman¡¯s name is Ivan McCall,¡± she continued, her voice steady despite my brusqueness. ¡°He was quite insistent on seeing you and wo A frown creased my forehead. What did Ivan want? ¡°Did he say what he wants?¡± ¡°No, sir,¡± Ruth replied, shaking her head slightly. ¡°He was rather tight¨C lipped. Just kept repeating it was urgent and wouldn¡¯t be discussed over the phone.¡± Intrigue flickered within me, a spark amidst the dull ache of worry. ¡°Alright,¡± I sighed, pushing myself out of my chair. ¡°Send him in.¡±¡± The door creaked open and Ivan stepped into my office. My wolf let out a low growl that rumbled deep in my chest. It wasn¡¯t just about Amaya. Even befo was something about him, a polished veneer that felt an inch too thick. Like a cheap suit trying to pass for bespoke. Nobody was perfect, that much I kne ¡°Well?¡± Ivan finally spoke, his voice smooth as polished marble. My gaze flicked up, taking him in. ¡°Well what?¡± I countered, keeping my tone t. ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to offer me a seat?¡± he asked, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes. ¡°Considering you barged in uninvited and don¡¯t have an appointment,¡± I drawled, ¡°I wouldn¡¯t say you exactly qualify as a guest. So offering a seat doesn¡¯ priority list.¡± A flicker of something crossed his face, a crack in the smooth facade. It was gone as fast as it appeared, reced by a practiced smile. ¡°Fair enough,¡± he conceded, taking a seat opposite me without waiting for an invitation. The defiance in his ¡°So,¡± I said, leaning back in my chair, ¡°let¡¯s get to the point, shall we?¡± ¡°I need your help,¡± he blurted out, the urgency in his voice a stark contrast to his earlierposure. There was a tremor in his hands, a telltale sign of nerves. Interesting. This was unexpected, to say the least. I raised an eyebrow, watching him. ¡°With what?¡± He took a deep breath, his shoulders slumping slightly. ¡°Mypany. I¡¯m in a bit of a bind, financially speaking. I was hoping you could, perhaps, invest?¡± Heughed, a humorless sound that scraped against my ears. ¡°Natural? Maybe. But Stone thinks mypany is rock solid, my pack strong. That¡¯s the whole point of his marriage Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org. My wolf snarled deep within, a primal reaction to ction to the c casual way he spoke of Amaya, I shoved it down, focusing on the situation at hand. ¡°Still doesn¡¯t exin why you¡¯re here begging for my help.¡± ¡°Begging?¡± A flicker of anger sparked in his eyes, then died down as quickly as it red. ¡°Let¡¯s just say I thought, given your¡­ engagement to my siste A slow smile spread across my face. Not a friendly one. ¡°No,¡± I said, the single word heavy with finality. The air crackled with tension. The carefully constructed mask seemed to falter for a moment, revealing a flicker of desperation in his eyes. ¡°No?¡± he repeated, his voice tight. ¡°You heard me clearly, Ivan. Now, if you¡¯ll excuse me, I have actual work to do.¡± He stood up abruptly, his face a mask of strained control. Finally, a crack in the perfect facade. A flicker of something real, something human. ¡°Fine,¡± he spat. ¡°Thank you for your time.¡± He walked to the door and I called his name. He paused but did he turn to look at me, ¡°One day, the mask will fall and she will see you for who you truly are.¡± He turned back to me, his eyes hard, ¡°That¡¯s where you are wrong, Alex Tam who I say I am. I don¡¯t hide it like you. Hide the fact that you are a cold bitte He stormed out, mming the door behind him with a force that rattled the windows. There was something off about Ivan¡¯s visit. The desperation in his voice, the veiled threat ¨C it all felt calcted. But calcted for what? Was he truly in trouble, or was this some borate y orchestrated by Stone? The silence in the room pressed down on me, heavy and suffocating and I picked up my phone and finally pressed the dial. She picked up on the first ring but I didn¡¯t wait for her to speak, ¡°Amaya, we need to talk.¡± Chapter 22 Chapter 22 -Maya¡¯s POV- I hadn¡¯t expected the call. After I put my phone down, a series of questions ran through my mind but I was here now, the metal door was the only thing separating us and taking a deep breath, I knocked. A voice, crisp and efficient, called out from within. ¡°Come in.¡± Pushing the door open, I stepped inside, my gaze immediately falling on the woman seated behind the massive mahogany desk. She looked different today, less imposing somehow. Gone was the stern expression, reced by a hint of a smile. Was it my imagination, or did her eyes hold a flicker of something akin to¡­ respect? ¡°Ms. Stone,¡± she greeted, her voice still holding that samemanding tone, butced with a touch of warmth that surprised me. ¡°Please, have a seat.¡± I sat down in the plush chair, the smooth leather cool against my skin. My mind raced, reying Alex¡¯s cryptic call over and over again but I had to focus. If she had called me back it meant I got the job right? Right? ¡°You called me back,¡± I finally blurted out, unable to hold back the question any longer. Her smile widened, a genuine smile this time that crinkled the corners of her eyes. ¡°Yes, Ms. Stone, I did,¡± she confirmed. ¡°You know why?¡± I shook my head, my heart pounding a frantic rhythm against my ribs. ¡°Because,¡± she began, leaning back in her chair, ¡°out of all the candidates I interviewed for the design position, you were the only one who truly impressed me.¡± ¡°You weren¡¯t afraid to push back,¡± She continued, her voice losing its earlier formality. ¡°You spoke your mind, even when you disagreed with me. That¡¯s at quality I value highly, Ms. Stone. Most people just parrot back what they think I want to hear.¡± I swallowed, my cheeks burning with a mixture of surprise and a dawning sense of validation. Had I actually¡­ impressed her with my audacity? It seemed almost unbelievable. She leaned forward, her gaze sharpening once more. ¡°Now,¡± she said, her voice back to its usual business-like tone, ¡°that doesn¡¯t mean your interview was perfect. Frankly, your portfolio was a bit¡­ unorthodox, shall we say?¡± I braced myself, the warmth in my chest giving way to a familiar knot of anxiety. ¡°I like to take risks,¡± I admitted, ¡°To create something unexpected.¡± ¡°And sometimes,¡± she countered, a hint of amusement dancing in her eyes, ¡°unexpected clients walk through that door with very specific expectations.¡± She gestured towards a stack of folders on her desk. ¡°These are proposals from some of the biggest design firms in the city. They¡¯ve all been vying for the same project ¨C a high-end hotel renovation. The kind of project that couldunch a young designer¡¯s career,¡± My breath hitched. A high-end hotel renovation? This was a huge opportunity, something I never dared to dream of. But thepetition must be fierce. ¡°Why are you telling me this?¡± I finally managed, the question tumbling out in a rush. Her smile turned enigmatic. ¡°Because, Ms. Stone,¡± she said, her voice dropping to a low murmur, ¡°I saw something in you during your interview. A spark A willingness to challenge the norm. And frankly, the other proposals¡­ well, let¡¯s just say they¡¯re a tad¡­ predictable.¡± A spark of understanding ignited within me. She wasn¡¯t just impressed by my audacity. She saw my potential, my ability to bring something fresh and exciting to the table. This wasn¡¯t just an interview anymore. It was a challenge, an invitation to showcase everything I had to offer. ¡°So,¡± she continued, her gaze unwavering, ¡°are you interested?¡± Chapter 22 My mind raced. This was a chance I couldn¡¯t afford to pass up. But the doubts lingered. Could I compete with established firms? Did I have what it took to take on such a prestigious project? I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of her expectation settle on me. Looking her straight in the eye, I spoke with a newfound confidence. ¡°Yes, tam very interested.¡± A slow smile spread across her face, a smile that spoke volumes. ¡°Excellent,¡± she replied, a hint of satisfaction in her voice. Then let¡¯s get started.¡± The next hour flew by in a whirlwind of discussion. She outlined the project details, the client¡¯s vision, and the tight deadlines. I listened intently, my mind already buzzing with ideas. She challenged me with questions, testing my understanding and creativity. I answered back, fueled by a surge of d¨¦termination and a thirst to prove myself. When the conversation finally ended, I felt exhrated and slightly exhausted. This was going to be a challenge, no doubt about it. But for the first time in a long time, I felt a sense of excitement, a feeling that anything was possible. ¡°This is a lot to take in,¡± I admitted, gathering my thoughts. She nodded, ¡°it is. But I have faith in you. Now, go back and review the project details. I expect a preliminary proposal on my desk by the end of the week. I stood up,¡±Thank you, Ms. Edwards. I won¡¯t disappoint you.¡± She offered a curt nod, a hint of a challenge still lingering in her eyes. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t expect anything less.¡± I returned the nod, a newfound confidence blooming in my chest. Stepping towards the door, a nervous energy vibrated through me, a wee change from the suffocating uncertainty that had gued me earlier. Taking a deep breath, I reached for the doorknob, the weight of the high-end hotel renovation project settling on my shoulders. It was a daunting task, a pressure cooker of deadlines and demanding clients. This was my chance, my opportunity to prove myself, not just to Ms. Edwards, but to myself. Just as I opened the door, hervoice cut through the air. ¡°Amaya?¡± I turned back, unsure of what she might say. A full-blown smile, genuine and warm, spread across her face, momentarily erasing the usual sternness. ¡°Wee to the team,¡± she said, the words a simple yet powerful endorsement. as A grin stretched across my own face, mirroring hers. Stepping out of the office, the sterile hallway seemed to hum with possibility. My phone buzzed impatiently in my pocket, pulling me back to the present. A wave of exhration washed over me as I answered the call. ¡°I got it!¡± I practically shouted, the words tumbling out before she could even speak. ¡°Of course you did,¡± Natalia replied, her voiceced with unyielding confidence in me. In the background, I could hear Ivy¡¯s excited chatter, ¡°Is that Mummy?¡± N?velDrama.Org is the owner. ¡°Yes, sweetheart,¡± She cooed, ¡°And she ising to see you and that stubborn twin of yours soon. Right Amaya?¡± Iughed, ¡°Right.¡± Briefly, I filled her in on the good news, embellishing slightly about how awesome I was during the interview. It was a white lie but ! was just too happy. It felt like an escape from all the drama that seemed to surround my life from the moment I met Alex. Something new. Natalia took over the conversation, regaling me with hushed details about how she¡¯d kept the kids upied and how proud she was of me. When she finished, her voice vibrated with barely contained excitement. ¡°So? How are we celebrating? Drinks? Food? Unleashing our wolves and howling at the moon? What? Tell me! Tell me!! TELL ME!!!!!!* A burst ofughter escaped my lips. Natalia¡¯s infectious enthusiasm was always a mood booster. ¡°Slow down there, tiger,¡± I teased. ¡°Will Nathan be alright watching the kids tonight?¡± ¡°Absolutely! We already discussed it,¡± she confirmed. ¡°Okay then, Drinks sound perfect. Actually, I have the perfect ce already and I do need to fix something there first. So, I¡¯ll text you the address, and you meet me there. Deal?¡± 12:02 Thu, 20 Jun MD Chapter 22 ¡°Deal,¡± She agreed. Just as I was about to end the call, she spoke again, her voice dropping to a more serious tone. ¡°Are you going to see him?¡± B3% The question hung heavy in the air, a stark reminder of the elephant in the room. I¡¯d been deliberately trying to push Alex¡¯s cryptic call to the back of my mind, focusing all my energy on this incredible opportunity His voice echoed in my head, ¡°We need to talk¡± What at did he need to talk about? The thought sent a tremor of anxiety through me. ¡°No,¡± I finally answered, my voice firm despite the turmoil within. ¡°There¡¯s nothing left to say. I¡¯m going to celebrate tonight, have a fun day with my kids tomorrow, and then deal with whatever Ivan throws my way. There¡¯s no room for Alex in my life anymore.¡± My wolf rumbled a low growl in my chest, a sound that spoke volumes. Even as the words left my lips, I knew it was a lie, a flimsy shield I was trying to hide behind. Natalia, bless her perceptive nature, didn¡¯t call me out on it, ¡°Alright,¡± she said, her voiceced with a hint of understanding. ¡°Text me the address. I¡¯ll meet you there.¡± The call ended and I scrolled through my phone, going straight to his number. My fingers didn¡¯t hover this time. I immediately clicked on his name, then blocked and deleted his number. Like I said¡­ It didn¡¯t matter that I still loved him. There was no space for Alex Thorne in my life anymore. Chapter 23 -Maya¡¯s POV- The familiar scent of stale beef and leather greeted me as I pushed open the door of The Rusty Compass. My eyes scanned the bar, immediatelynding on Riley. S As she straightened, our eyes met. A jolt passed through her, and she flinched, taking a step back. ¡°Hi,¡± I greeted, my voice softer than usual. Her response was a shaky, ¡°Hey.¡± Even from a distance, I could see the dark circles under her eyes, a stark contrast to the vibrancy I remembered. Concern tugged at me. ¡°Ar 1. me. ¡°Are you okay? Can you take a break so we can talk in the back?¡± She hesitated, her gaze flickering around the room, before nodding slowly. She excused herself to a nearby coworker, who readily agreed to cover her duties. As soon as the swinging door closed behind us, shutting out the bar¡¯s low murmur, I blurted out, ¡°You look exhausted. Haven¡¯t been sleeping?¡± She sighed, rubbing the circles beneath her eyes. ¡°Yeah, not really. These past two days¡­ I don¡¯t even know who to trust anymore. I mean, anyone cou ¡± ¡°Riley, interjected gently, cing a hand on her arm to stop her from spiraling. ¡°Werewolves aren¡¯t bad people. And I¡¯m so sorry I¡¯m putting you through t Her eyes, wide and searching, locked onto mine. ¡°How do you even ex st?¡± she whisper yelled, ¡°Were you bitten by one? Do you, like, transform every fu moont I chuckled, the sound offering a wee break from the tension, ¡°No, not at all, I was born this way. Being a werewolf is part of me, it¡¯s in my blood. And A shadow crossed my face. ¡°Although, I haven¡¯t let my wolf out muchtely.¡± ¡°Why not?¡± she pressed, curiosity recing some of the fear in her gaze. ¡°It¡¯s a long story,¡± I admitted, sinking deeper into the worn leather barstool across from her. ¡°One I don¡¯t like to talk about.¡± She studied me intently. ¡°So, this wolf¡­ is it like a separate being inside you?¡± I shook my head. ¡°Not exactly. It¡¯s more like¡­ a primal part of me. Think of it as strong emotions and instincts; raw and untamed. It¡¯s the fight or flight re ¡°Wow,¡± she breathed, her voice tinged with a mix of awe and apprehension. ¡°So, when you, uh, shifted a bit the other night, that was your wolf taking ove ¡°Yes,¡± I confirmed. ¡°But I can usually feel iting on, a sort of simmering beneath the surface. That night with the bikers, though¡­ everything happene ¡°But you did control it,¡± pointed out. ¡°You fought them off and then¡­ she hesitated, her voice dropping to a whisper, ¡°your eyes changed back.¡± A faint blush crept up my cheeks. Her keen observation hadn¡¯t gone unnoticed. ¡°Yeah, about that. Werewolves have heightened senses, and our eyes ch ¡°So, you can control how much of the wolf you let out?¡± Her brow furrowed in concentration. 12:02 Thu, 20 Jun M 83%¡£ ¡°To a certain extent,¡± I replied cautiously. ¡°There¡¯s constant training involved, learning to manage the wolf¡¯s urges and channel its strength without sum ¡°Training?¡± Her eyes widened. ¡°Do you have, like, a secret werewolf gym or something?¡± A small smile tugged at my lips. ¡°Not exactly. There are packs,munities of werewolves, and they have ways to train and control their woll natures. It¡¯ ¡°Mentorship?¡± She repeated, leaning forward in her chair. ¡°So, there are other werewolves out there?¡± ¡°More than you think,¡± I admitted, a hint of unease creeping into my voice. ¡°But the werewolf world is aplex one, with its own set of rules and secrets Her face fell. ¡°But¡­ how can I just forget something like that? And what about the whole monster thing? Don¡¯t werewolves eat people?¡± She looked genu ¡°Whoa, whoa, whoa,¡± Theld up my hands in mock surrender. ¡°Hold on a second. Werewolves aren¡¯t monsters out to eat at people. We have a¡­plicated rtionship with humans, but violence is ast resort. Mostly, we just try to live our lives in secret.¡±¡± ¡°Secret lives,¡± She muttered, shaking her head. ¡°This is all so much to take in.¡± ¡°I know,¡± I offered her a sympathetic smile. ¡°It¡¯s a lot to process. But trust me, I wouldn¡¯t have told you any of this if I didn¡¯t think I could trust you. You soom¡­ different. Stronger than you let on.¡± Her cheeks flushed a faint pink, ¡°Stronger than a werewolf?¡± ¡°Not exactly,¡± I chuckled. ¡°But you have a good heart. And that¡¯s something I value more than anything.¡± She stared at me for a long moment, her gaze searching. Then, a small, hesitant smile touched her lips, ¡°Alright, Mays. I¡¯ll try my best to keep your secre ¡°Deal,¡± I agreed readily. ¡°But first, can I buy you a drink? I know you work at a bar and now it sounds really dumb after you just poured one for someone Her smile widened, morphing into a smallugh. ¡°Sounds good. Just promise me you won¡¯t turn into a giant wolf and devour the entire bottle in one gulp I let out a heartyugh, the sound echoing warmly in the dimly lit backroom. ¡°No promises,¡± I countered yfully, ¡°but I¡¯ll try my best to restrain myself.¡± Turning towards the swinging door, she called out, ¡°Hey, Sarah! Can I take a ten¨Cminute break? I just need to chat with a friend for a second.¡± A young woman with brown hair popped her head out from behind the bar. ¡°Sure thing. Take all the time you need. I can handle things here for a bit.¡± Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org. She smiled gratefully. ¡°Thanks, Sarah. I really appreciate it.¡± Together, we made our way towards a free table in the corner, the familiar creak of the floorboards aforting soundtrack to our conversation. Just then, the bar door swung open with a flourish, announcing Natalia¡¯s arrival in a gust of wind andughter. Her hair, styled in a series of outrageous ¡°I am literally two minuteste,¡± she announced dramatically, throwing her arms wide in a mock huff. ¡°And you already reced me with someone new I rolled my eyes, a smile tugging at the corners of my lips. ¡°Natalia, please. Just¡­ have a seat. I don¡¯t have the strength for your theatrics today.¡± Gestur 12:02 Thu, 20 Jun M and it¡¯s kind of screwed up her life, so now we¡¯re all having a drink because the world is messed up, and Riley, this is Natalia, my chaotic best friend.¡± Natalia¡¯s jaw dropped for a moment before a slow smile spread across her face. ¡°You¡¯ve always had a re for interesting introductions,¡± She took a sea Riley fidgeted in her seat, a nervous energy radiating from her. ¡°Yeah,¡± she admitted softly. ¡°It was¡­ a lot to take in. Are you uhm¡­ Like her?¡± A Natalia nced around, her gaze sweeping over the tables before settling back on Riley. She checked for any lingering stares, a habit that had be ingrained after years of keeping our secret. T Riley¡¯s eyes widened as she witnessed the fleeting change. She scooted back slightly in her chair, her voice trembling a little. ¡°Okay, okay, I got it. One o them.¡± A chuckle escaped me, but it died down quickly. ¡°Knock it off,¡± I said yfully, nudging her arm. ¡°We¡¯re trying not to scare her here- My words were cut short by a sudden shift within myself. A low growl rumbled deep in my chest as my wolf paced, suddenly agitated. My head snapped threat Natalia, taken aback by my sudden reaction, looked at me with concern etched on her face. ¡°What is it?¡± Before I could answer, our eyes met, and her lips curved up in the most annoying way, ¡°Miranda¡¯s here.¡± 0 Chapter 24 -Maya¡¯s POV- Miranda sashayed towards our table, that mocking smile stered on her face. It was like a spotlight had suddenly found her, every wiggle of her hips ca Riley leaned forward, her eyes wide. ¡°Ivan¡¯s sister?¡± she began, but then seemed to catch herself, her cheeks flushing slightly. ¡°Oh, right. The husband y ¡°What a coincidence, Amaya,¡± She drawled, her voice dripping with sweetness. ¡°I looked up at her smug face and had to bite down a growl. Something in my gut told me there were no coin be caught dead in this kind of ce unless¡­ well, unless there was something specific she was looking for And that something, I was willing to bet, was me. Trefused to give her the satisfaction of a reply. Disliking someone with such intensity wasn¡¯t exactly a pleasant feeling, but there was no room for pretens Natalia spoke up. She narrowed her eyes, her gaze unwavering. ¡°What can we do for you?¡± she countered, her voice firm. ¡°You are interrupting our conversation.¡± N?velDrama.Org is the owner. Miranda¡¯s face contorted in a sh of anger. She red at Natalia as if she were nothing more than an irritating insect. ¡°And you are?¡± she spat, her voice dripping with Natalia didn¡¯t flinch. ¡°If you use that condescending tone on me again, I¡¯ll punch it right off your face,¡± she retorted, her voice low and dangerous. I could Miranda not to underestimate her. Natalia might light up a room with her vibrant personality, but she wasn¡¯t one to back down from a fight. Miranda stared at her for a long, tense moment, the air crackling with barely contained hostility. Finally, she seemed to deem Natalia unworthy of further attention, her gaze snappin I maintained eye contact, my expression nk. Frankly, I didn¡¯t care about her anger. It came and went as quickly as the wind, and held about as much Seeing her tactic fail, Miranda¡¯s anger dissipated just as quickly as it had arisen. ¡°Very well then,¡± she huffed, her voice regaining its artificial sweetness. in¨C law, but apparently that¡¯s not allowed.¡± She turned to leave, then paused dramatically as if remembering. something. ¡°Oh, and since I ran into you, I shou The words hit me like a physical blow. One month. Just one month, and Alex would be officially off¨C limits, bound to another woman. My wolf let out a deep, frustrated growl within me. We didn¡¯t have him before, and frankly, the way things ended, it was shared. primal possessiveness within me still reared its ugly head, a reminder of the bond we once I forced myself topose myself, schooling my features into a neutral mask. Offering a tight smile that didn¡¯t quite reach my eyes, I said, ¡°Congrattio Miranda lingered for a moment, the air thick with unspoken tension. A flicker of something akin to grudging respect yed across her features as she gl a forced lightness. ¡°Speaking of my brother, how are things with him? I haven¡¯t from him in a while.¡± She said thest part with a frown and it looked like ¡°He¡¯s fine.¡± ¡°Good, good,¡± She chirped, a touch too eager, Alex has been swampedtely with wedding nning. We¡¯ve decided to move things up a bit. Getting hitched in a month!¡± She beamed at me, her eyes sparkling with a triumph that felt anything but genuine, I wanted to growl. Why couldn¡¯t she just shut up and walk away? ¡°Congrattions.¡± I managed again, my voice strained. ¡°That¡¯s wonderful news.¡± The words felt hollow, even to my own ears. She seemed to bask in my forced cheer. ¡°Isn¡¯t it?¡± she cooed, leaning closer. ¡°You know, Alex and I were talking about the guest list the other day, and he wife and hence family.¡± Her voice dripped with mocking sweetness, each word a deliberate jab. Anger red within me, hot and fierce. How dare she try to use my past against me? ¡°We¡¯ll be there,¡± I said tightly, my jaw clenching. ¡°Ivan and I wouldn¡¯t miss it for the world.¡± I could feel Natalia¡¯s anger rising but she knew I had to handle this by myself Miranda¡¯s smile widened, a touch too wide, revealing a hint of something predatory beneath the surface. ¡°That¡¯s lovely,¡± she purred. ¡°It wouldn¡¯t be the sa The question hung in the air, a challenge disguised as a casual remark. The past, buried deep within me, threatened toe bubbling to the surface. I s cool still ¡°That was a long time ago, I¡¯managed to force out, ¡°Things change.¡± ¡°Oh, they certainly do,¡± She agreed, her eyes gleaming with malicious amusement. ¡°Speaking of change, Alex seems like a different man these days. So ¡°I wouldn¡¯t know. Alex and I haven¡¯t spoken in years. The past is the past ¡°Well, good riddance, I say,¡± she dered, her voice dripping with condescension. ¡°You deserve someone who appreciates you, Amaya. Someone who s Thest sentence hung in the air, heavy with implication. It was the final straw. I shot up from my seat, my chair scraping harshly against the floor. The a ¡°What the hell is your problem?¡± I practically roared, my voiceced with raw emotion. ¡°Is being a thorn in my side just a part of your daily routine? Alex a She seemed to relish my outburst, a satisfied smirk ying on her lips. ¡°Oh,e on now. I¡¯m just trying to be friendly. Catch you up on some news. ¡°News?¡± I scoffed. ¡°This isn¡¯t news. It¡¯s a veiled threat, and a poorly veiled one at that. My gaze narrowed. ¡°Does Ivan know about Alex and I? Is he prete A satisfied look bloomed on her face. She had finally gotten a rise out of me, and she knew it. ¡°I have no idea what you¡¯re talking about. Just trying to b some¡­ well, sisterly advice.¡± She leaned closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. ¡°And for my brother,¡± she began, ¡°no, he doesn¡¯t know a thing about you and Alex. Alex ¡°And Ivan,¡± she continued, her voice taking on a patronizing tone, ¡°well, let¡¯s just say he¡¯s head over heels for you. Pity, really. He¡¯s getting the leftovers, Before I could even formte a reply, a low growl erupted from deep within me as my wall stirred in recognition. My attention snapped away from Miranda, drawn towards the entrance of the bar. There, silhouetted against the dim light, stood Alex, 12:02 Thu, 20 Jun MD The entire room seemed to fall silent, all eyes turning towards the unexpected arrival. For a moment, the only sound was the low hum of conversation filt É« Chapter 25 -Alex¡¯s POY- A guttural curse echoed through the speakers, followed by the sickening thud of something heavy hitting the wall. I almostughed, leaning back in my chair as I watched the live feed from one of the hidden cameras Christian had nted in Daniel Stone¡¯s office. Daniel himsell was a whirlwind of barely contained fury. His face, usually a mask of practiced composure, was contorted with rage, Veins bulged in his neck, and his perfectly styled hair was coming undone, strands sticking to his forehead like sweat dampened gs of surrender. The multi- million dor mahogany desk that served as the centerpiece of his office looked like it had been ravaged by a toddler having a tantrum. Papers were scattered everywhere, some crumpled into unrecognizable balls, others fluttering to the floor. An expensive ss pen, the kind I would never stoop to using,y I shattered on the white marble floor. A twisted part of me enjoyed the spectacle a little more than I cared to admit. It was a petty pleasure, a childish delight in seeing the man who had being a thorn to my family brought so low. Even before I discovered Amaya was my mate, he had hated my father, my pack, something that transcended to me and I never know why. Somehow, he always came up on top. But that was then, and this was now. Christian, with his ruthless efficiency and disturbingck of moralpass, had turned the tables. He¡¯d exposed Daniel¡¯s dirty dealings, leaked damaging information to the press, andunched a hostile takeover of Stone Industries, all with surgical precision. Thepany was hemorrhaging money, its stock price plummeting faster than a stone dropped down a well. Daniel¡¯s carefully constructed empire was crumbling around him, and the look on his face was priceless. And this was just the beginning. ¡°Fix it!¡± he roared, his voice strained with impotent fury. ¡°I don¡¯t care how you do it, just fix it!¡± HeN?velDrama.Org owns this text. spun around, his gazending on the two cowering figures huddled in the corner of the office. They were both senior executives, men who usually carried themselves with an air of self-importance. Now, they looked like frightened rabbits caught in the headlights. ¡°We¡¯re¡­ we¡¯re working on it, Mr. Stone,¡± one of them stammered, ¡°But the market is in freefall, and there¡¯s only so much we can do.¡± Daniel threw his hands up in the air, a gesture of utter exasperation. There¡¯s always something you can do!¡± he bellowed. ¡°That¡¯s what I pay you for! Think, d am n it, think! Come up with a n, any n!¡± He paced the room like a caged animal, his movements jerky and erratic. I should feel bad for doing this to her father. He might be an e b ut he was still her father, still, I found myself unconsciously leaning closer to the screen, my gaze glued to the unfolding drama. Despite the satisfaction of seeing Daniel squirm, a part of me couldn¡¯t help but feel a pang of¡­ something. Regret? Sympathy? it was hard to say. The man had caused me so much pain, and yet, watching him crumble filled me with a sense of emptiness rather than joy. Perhaps it was the knowledge that revenge, however sweet it tasted in the moment, wouldn¡¯t erase the past. With a sigh, I pushed myself back from the desk, the screen flickering back to the stock market ticker disyed on the opposite wall. The numbers were scrolling by at an rming rate, each red digit a testament to Daniel¡¯s crumbling empire. A small, almost inaudible voice in the back of my head pointed out that this destruction hade at a cost. The coteral damage ¨C the jobs lost, the livelihoods threatened-weighed heavily on me but I shrugged it off. Amaya¡¯s face shed in my mind. I had texted her an address after I ended the call. I had waited but she didn¡¯t show u to talk to her about but in that moment, I just really missed her. My thoughts were interrupted by a sharp ping from my phone. It was a text. From Miranda. A low growl rumbled deep within me. Just what I needed. I stared at the message e with irritation. up. I didn¡¯t even know what I wanted ¡°Meet me at The Rusty Compass. Now. It¡¯s urgent¡± I cursed under my breath. I knew Miranda. ¡°Urgent meant some convoluted scheme designed to irritate me further, to poke and p rod at the raw wounds 12:02 Thu, 20 Jun 00 Chapter 25 she seemed so adept at finding. ½ð83% But ignoring her wasn¡¯t an option. She had a knack for creating chaos, and 1 couldn¡¯t stay put. With a sigh of resignation, I grabbed my keys and headed for the door. The Rusty Compass wasn¡¯t exactly my kind of ce. Tucked away in a forgotten corner of the city, the bar reeked of cheap beer and stale cigarettes. The neon sign outside flickered erratically, casting a sickly green glow over the chipped paint and peeling vinyl siding. The moment I stepped through the door, the smell of stale beer and desperation hit me like a physical blow. The air was thick with smoke and the low hum of drunken conversation. Dimly lit corners offered dubious privacy, and the only light source for the makeshift dance floor in the center was a disco ball covered in ayer of dust that danced erratically above swaying bodies. My wolf let out a deep, guttural growl, a primal sound that resonated through my bones. It wasn¡¯t a sound of aggression, but of recognition. My gaze snapped towards the source of the growl, cutting through the haze of smoke and dim light. There, in a booth tucked into the backer, stood Amaya. Her back was to me, but the stiff set of her shoulders and the way her jaw was clenched tight spoke volumes. Miranda was standing right in front of her. Her face was illuminated by the flickering me of a lighter as she leaned across the table. Even from this distance, I could see the malicious glint in her eyes as she spoke, her voice a low murmur that didn¡¯t reach my ears. Amaya¡¯s hand twitched, her fingers curling into a fist. I could almost feel the tension radiating off her, the barely controlled fury simmering beneath the surface. Another growl erupted from within me, this time a possessive snarl fueled by a primal urge to protect her. Before I could even think twice, I was striding across the bar, the worn wooden floorboards creaking in protest under my weight. Heads turned as ! moved, a hush falling over the room for a brief moment before the murmur of conversation resumed. Amaya didn¡¯t even turn around at first, her focus honed solely on Miranda. Then, as if sensing my presence, she lifted her head, her eyes widening in surprise as she met mine. The look in her eyes was aplex mix of emotions- anger and a flicker of something else I couldn¡¯t quite decipher. But it was the fury simmering beneath the surface that mirrored my own that truly caught me off guard. Miranda, oblivious to the silent exchange between Amaya and me, finally noticed my approach. A smug smile spread across her face, the corners of her lips curling up in a malicious smirk. ¡°Well, well, well Look who decided to finally join the party.¡± The air c a c l d with tension. My arrival had thrown a wrench into whatever twisted game Miranda was ying. Amaya¡¯s gaze flickered between me and Miranda, the emotions swirling within her a storm waiting to break. She opened her mouth to speak, but before any words could escape, Miranda cut her off. ¡°Darling.¡± Miranda purred, ¡°Isn¡¯t this a lovely surprise? Alex, how nice of you to finally grace us with your presence.¡± She gestured towards the empty space beside Amaya, a clear invitation I knew wasced with a hidden barb, ¡°Why don¡¯t you join us? We were just catching up, weren¡¯t we, Amaya?¡± ring as she took a deep breath but her entire focus was on me, ¡°What are you doing here?¡± Amaya¡¯s jaw clenched tight, her nostrils ring Before I could even formte a response, Miranda swooped in, ¡°Darling,¡± she drawled, her eyes gleaming with malicious amusement, ¡°I was just reminiscing here with Amaya, you know how she was a thing of your past and how she means nothing to you because those were your exact words right? She is nothing¡± The effect was instantaneous. The fury that had simmered beneath the surface of Amaya¡¯s expression erupted into a violent storm. With a snarl that ripped through the bar, sheunched herself across the table at Miranda. Her attack was swift and brutal. ws extended, she tackled Miranda, sending them both crashing to the floor. A scream tore from Miranda¡¯s throat as Amaya rained down blows with a ferocity that took me aback. Reacting purely on instinct, I lunged forward, grabbing Amaya around the waist and hauling her back from the struggling mass on the floor. Chapter 25 ¡°Amaya! Step it!¡± Froared. She thrashed against me, ¡°Let go of me you f u k i n g as s h ol e!¡± she snarled, ¡°I said let gol¡± My wolf lunged to the surface at that moment, ¡°I said stop it, Silv Chapter 26 Chapter 26 -Maya¡¯s POV- Everything in my body seized tip. The world seemed to shrink down to a single point ¨C Alex, his hand wrapped around my waist, his voice a low growl in my ear Silver. He¡¯d called the Silver. The mor of the bar faded away, reced by a ringing silence. Every eye in the room was locked on us. Miranda was still sprawled on the floor, a guttural stream of curses erupting from her bloodied mouth. In that moment, I almost felt a flicker of satisfaction. She deserved worse. His scent washed over me, sending a purr through my wolf¡¯s core then the warmth of his body against mine vanished as abruptly as it had appeared, leaving a hollowness in its wake as he moved away. Even after all this time, it was still him. A sharp voice sliced through the fog clouding my mind. Riley. Right, Riley was here. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, Amaya,¡± she said, her voice strained, ¡°But you need to go. My manager will be out any second.¡± My mind was a jumbled mess. I didn¡¯t know what to do, where to go. Then, Natalia¡¯s hand mped onto my arm, a firm grip that tugged me back to reality. She gave Alexa withering stare. ¡°Don¡¯t you dare touch her again,¡± she spat. She dragged me away, our path taking us directly over Miranda, who shrieked at Alex, demanding he help her up. He remained frozen, a mirror image of my own paralysis. He knew what he¡¯d done. Silver. The word echoed in my head, a single syble loaded with a lifetime of memories ¨C stolen moments, whispered promises, a love both fierce and forbidden. I stole onest nce over my shoulder. His gaze was locked on mine, intense and unwavering, even as I was pulled out of the bar and into the cool night air, The sudden change in temperature sent a gasp through me. ¡°Are you okay?¡± Natalia¡¯s voice cut through the fog of emotions swirling within me. ¡°Silver.¡± Irasped, ¡°He called me Silver.¡± Her gaze held a depth of empathy that made my chest tighten. She shook her head slowly, as if searching for the right words, then sighed. ¡°Let¡¯s just get you home, Maya,¡± she said gently. ¡°We can deal with all thister. The deadbolt clicked open, revealing Nathan¡¯s smiling face. His smile faltered the moment he saw mine. His eyes flickered between me and Natalia, concern etching lines onto his forehead. ¡°Drinks gone wrong?¡± he asked gently, his smile reced with a cautious concern. I practically melted into him as he pulled me inside. Natalia took a seat on the opposite couch, a silent observer. Nathan knew me well enough not to pry in that moment. He just held me close, his strong arms aforting anchor in the storm that was my emotions. We¡¯d met in college, bonded by the shared secret that pulsed deep within us-all three of us were werewolves. Nathan, the former college basketball star, had a way with using his enhanced abilities to his advantage on the court, making him a ma for female attention. Natalia hadn¡¯t been immune to his charm. Their story was aplicated one, filled with unspoken feelings and missed opportunities. Finally, I¡¯d taken matters into my own hands, literally, and punched some sense into Nathan. He needed to man up and tell Natalia how he felt, or let her go. Thankfully, he¡¯d chosen the former, and now, yearster, they were happily married and I don¡¯t know what I have done without them. His fingers brushed against my hair, sending a familiar tingle down my spine. ¡°What happened?¡± he asked softly. Natalia snorted, her voiceced with exasperation. ¡°Alex,¡± she muttered, I could practically feel the temperature in the room drop as Nathan tensed. A low growl rumbled deep within his chest, ¡°Of course it was,¡± he muttered under his breath. ¡°Why can¡¯t he just leave you alone? You¡¯re trying to move on with your life,¡± There were no easy answers. For my part, I was exhausted. Exhausted by the constant tug-of-war between Alex, Ivan, and that infuriating Miranda. Now, 12:03 Chapter 26 Thu, 20 Jun to top it all off, I had a whole new mess to deal with one that involved my father finding out I¡¯d beaten up Ivan¡¯s precious little sister, ¡°She had iting.¡± Natalia dered, seemingly reading my mind. Nathan¡¯s eyebrows shot up in surprise ¡°Who had iting?¡± Natalia gave him a quick rundown of the situation, her voiceced with barely contained excitement. She couldn¡¯t resist adding des about how ¡°amazing¡± it had been when I¡¯d ¡°who p d Miranda¡¯s a .¡± I knew she was trying to lighten the mood, but I couldn¡¯t help but chuckle. ¡°Yeah,¡± admitted with a wry grin, it did feel pretty good. I could have ripped out every single one of those fake blonde extensions.¡± I pushed myself back from Nathan¡¯sforting embrace, a groan escaping my lips as I buried my face in my hands. The weight of the evening, the encounter with Alex, the raw emotions it had unearthed-it all threatened to overwhelm me. ¡°What am I going to do?¡± I mumbled into my palms, my voice m u f l d. ¡°Alex¡­ he¡¯s driving me crazy.¡± ¡°You mean wanting him is driving you crazy,¡± Natalia¡¯s voice cut through. I whipped my head up, ring at her. My mouth opened to defend myself, to deny the truth that hung heavy in the air, but she cut me off before a single word could escape. ¡°Don¡¯t even try to deny it, Amaya,¡± she said, her excitement dying down immediately. ¡°It¡¯s written all over you, and frankly, it¡¯s exhausting to watch you torture yourself like this.¡± ¡°You need to make a decision,¡± She continued, her voice softening slightly. ¡°Ivan¡¯s still there, offering you the world, you said. And then there¡¯s Alex, the one who walked away without a backward nce, leaving you pregnant and heartbroken, with nothing but broken promises echoing in your ears.¡± ¡°Natalia,¡± Nathan tried to interrupt. ¡°She needs to hear this, babe. It¡¯s the hard truth, but someone needs to say it.¡± Shetook a deep breath, her voice hardening with resolve. ¡°He¡¯s getting married, Amaya. Getting married. He chose someone else. He threw you away when you needed him most, with no exnation, no apology. You. Have. To. Let Him, Go.¡± Her words were a punch to the gut, a reminder of the reality I desperately wanted to escape. They were harsh,ced with anger on my behalf, but undeniably true. I knew it. As the weight of her words settled in, a wave of despair washed over me. Tears welled up in my eyes, threatening to spill over. Natalia must have sensed my crumbling resolve because she was beside me in an instant, pulling me into a tight embrace. ¡°I know,¡± she murmured, her voice thick with sympathy. ¡°I know you love him. But sometimes, love isn¡¯t enough. Sometimes, you have to choose yourself. It¡¯s time you let him go.¡± She held me close, her arms a silent source of strength as I clung to her, the s s wracking my body slowly subsiding into sniffles. When I finally pulled back, wiping at my damp cheeks with the back of my hand, her gaze held a mixture of concern and fierce determination, ¡°Listen to me, Amaya,¡± she said, her voice gentle but firm. ¡°This new job you got, that¡¯s a good thing. A fresh start, a chance to build something new for yourself. Focus on that. Throw yourself into your work, prove yourself. Don¡¯t let Alex distract you from that.¡± ¡°I know. I just¡­ I don¡¯t know how to move on when a part of me feels stuck in the past.¡± She squeezed my hand gently. ¡°You move on one step at a time. And right now, that step is focusing on yourself. On your career, your kids, on the people who are there for you, who love you unconditionally and even there¡¯s Ivan. You¡¯ve been so focused on Alex that you¡¯ve neglected the rtionship you have with him.¡± ¡°I know,¡± I mumbled, defeated. ¡°I just¡­¡± The words trailed off as my phone pierced the silence with its insistent ringing. I nced at the screen, a jolt of surprise shooting through me as I saw Ivan¡¯s name shing on the disy. ¡°Speaking of him,¡± I muttered, a nervousugh escaping my lips before I answered the call. ¡°Hey,¡± I greeted, forcing a lightness into my voice that I didn¡¯t quite feel. ¡°I am so, so sorry about everything. I know we need to talk, and I promise I¡¯ll 12:03 Thu, 20 Jun M Chapter 26 ³£,83%¡£ My words were cut short by a sharp, urgent voice on the other end of the line. ¡°Amaya, stop,¡± He said, his voice clipped and uncharacteristically tense. ¡°We can talk about thatter. Right now, I¡¯ve been trying to reach you all night, Where are you?¡± ¡°I¡¯m at¡­ I¡¯m at Natalia¡¯s ce. What¡¯s going on? Is everything okay?¡± ¡°I¡¯ming to get you.¡± This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Wait.¡± I stammered, a knot of dread forming in my stomach. ¡°What¡¯s happening?¡± There was a beat of silence before Ivan spoke again, his voice a low growl. ¡°Your father. He¡¯s been arrested. He is being investigated by the FBI.¡± Chapter 27 Chapter 27 -Maya¡¯s POV- The world seemed to tilt on its axis. The phone felt heavy in my hand, suddenly a foreign object. ¡°What?¡± I whispered, the single word escaping my lips in a ragged breath. The line went dead before I could say anything else. I stared at the phone screen, numb, the gravity of Ivan¡¯s words sinking in. ¡°Amaya? What¡¯s wrong?¡± Natalia¡¯s voice cut through the fog of confusion clouding my mind. Her hand shot out to grip mine, ¡°What happened?¡± I looked at her, my mouth working soundlessly for a moment. ¡°My father. He has been arrested. Ivan just called. The FBI¡­ they¡¯re investigating him for something.¡± Her eyebrows shot up in surprise, ¡°Does he know what it¡¯s about?¡± 1 shook my head slowly, the room feeling like it was closing in on me. ¡°No. He just said they¡¯re investigating him. He¡¯sing to pick me up.¡± A flicker of worry crossed her face. ¡°Do you w want me toe with you?¡± she asked. ¡°Maybe it would be better if you weren¡¯t alone.¡± ¡°No. I need to handle this myself. Thank you, though, Natalia. For everything and you too Nathan.¡± I know he had gone quiet just like he always did when Natalia and I were having our moment. He nodded giving me a tight smile, ¡°Anytime, Maya.¡± Natalia pulled me into a tight hug, her embrace a silent reassurance in the face of the unknown. ¡°Call me when you know more. And whatever happens, you know I¡¯m here for you.¡± I clung to her for a moment longer, drawing strength from her unwavering support. Then, I pulled back, wiping at the tears that had welled up in my eyes. Taking a deep breath, I forced myself to focus. My father needed me, no matter how much I considered him a monster sometimes and whatever ho¡¯d gotten himself into, I had to be there for him. ¡°I gotta go,¡± I told them, my voice thick with emotion. ¡°Ivan¡¯s on his way.¡± Nathan nodded, her gaze filled with understanding. ¡°We wille see youter.¡± I offered her a watery smile, then turned and headed for the door. As I stepped out into the cool night air, a shiver ran down my spine. The drive with Ivan was tense and silent. He gripped the steering wheel tightly, knuckles white, his jaw clenched with suppressed anger. I stole a nce at him once, but he kept his gaze fixed on the road ahead, a storm brewing behind his normally calm eyes. He hadn¡¯t said a single word to me since he picked me up and the tension in the car was killing. ¡°What do you know?¡± I finally broke the silence, About what¡¯s happening I mean.¡± He let out a frustrated sigh, finally turning his head towards me for a brief moment. ¡°Not much. I got a call from a friend in the force. Apparently, there¡¯s been an investigation into your father¡¯s business dealings for a while now. Something about moneyundering, maybe more.¡± My stomach lurched. Moneyundering? The usation sounded surreal, something ripped from a bad crime movie. ¡°Moneyundering? But¡­ that doesn¡¯t make any sense. I know my father might be an a** h o e but he is a good businessman, a sessful one. Why would- ¡°I don¡¯t know, Amaya,¡± He interrupted, his voiceced with frustration. ¡°That¡¯s what we¡¯re going to find out, I guess.¡± The rest of the ride passed in a blur. My mind raced with questions, anxieties, and a growing sense of betrayal. How could my father be involved in something like this? And how much of it was true? Chapter 27 When we finally pulled up in front of my father¡¯s house, a swarm of police cars and yellow crime scene tape greeted us. The sight of it sent a fresh wave of panic crashing over me. This was serious. This wasn¡¯t some misunderstanding. Ivan parked the car a few houses down, a silent agreement to avoid drawing unnecessary attention. He took my hand in his, his grip firm yetforting. ¡°We¡¯ll go in together. ¡°But be prepared. Things might be¡­ chaotic.¡± I nodded, my throat constricting with a mixture of fear and a strange sense of detachment. Taking a deep, shaky breath, I steeled myself for whatever. awaited us inside. As ivan and Lapproached the house, a police officer materialized at the door, his gaze flickering between us with suspicion. ¡°Can help you?¡± he asked curtly. ¡°I¡¯m Amaya Stone,¡± I said, forcing my voice to remain calm. ¡°This is my husband, Ivan McCall. It¡¯s my father¡¯s house and I need to get inside.¡± The officer¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly. He studied us for a beat, then stopped aside, allowing us to enter the house. The first thing that hit me was the chaos. Furniture was overturned, drawers hung open, papers were s c a e r e d everywhere. It looked like a tornado had ripped through the ce. In the living room, a group of officers were questioning my mother. Her eyes were red-rimmed and swollen, her normallyposed face etched with worry and fear. When she saw me, a flicker of relief crossed her features. ¡°Amaya!¡± she cried, rushing towards me. She threw her arms around me, holding me tight as if afraid I might disappear. ¡°Thank goodness you¡¯re here.¡± I froze at first. I knew we both needed each other at this moment and she must be going out of her mind but still, it felt foreign. Seeing her like this. Uneasily, I hugged her back, the familiar scent of her perfume doing little to dispel the sense of unease that had settled deep within me. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± I whispered. ¡°Where¡¯s father?¡± She pulled back slightly, wiping at her tears with a trembling hand. ¡°They took him,¡± she said, her voice h o a r s e. ¡°The FBI. They said he was¡­ involved in some kind of illegal activities. Money laundering, they mentioned.¡± ¡°But¡­ how?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± She interrupted, her voice cracking with despair. ¡°I haven¡¯t known what to think. They wouldn¡¯t tell me anything. Just took him away.¡± Ivan stepped forward, cing a hand on my shoulder as if sensing my growing unease. ¡°We should let your mom get some rest,¡± he said gently. ¡°We can try to find out more about your father in the morning¡± My mother clung to my hand, her eyes pleading. ¡°Don¡¯t leave me alone, Amaya.¡± The weight of her fear settled on me like a heavy cloak. With a heavy heart, I squeezed her hand back. ¡°We¡¯ll stay,¡± I promised, the words tasting foreign on my tongue. As Ivan went to help himself to a ss of water, I found myself drawn to a framed photograph on the mantle. The three of us stood together even though it looked forced but still, we stood together.N?velDrama.Org owns this text. A lump formed in my throat. Suddenly, the weight of the night¡¯s events pressed down on me with renewed force. Alex, my marriage, and now this- my father¡¯s arrest hanging like a dark cloud over everything. Exhaustion washed over me, a heavy wave that threatened to pull me under. I¡¯m so tired, Mom,¡± I mumbled, my voice thick with emotion. She reached out and pulled me into a tight embrace. ¡°I know. I am too. But we¡¯ll get through this together. I nodded then for the first time I could remember since I was born, wrapped my hands around her until she fell asleep. The night stretched on endlessly. Most of the officers had gone but I knew they would be back. With how hot it was, they wouldn¡¯t let us see him. Ivan busied himself with phone calls and before she fell herself, my mother had told me that hiswyers were working on getting ahead of whatever it was and we would be able to see him soon. Ivan moved closer, ¡°There¡¯s not much I can find out tonight,¡± he admitted, his voiceced with disappointment. ¡°Everything¡¯s pretty locked down. But I¡¯ll keep trying in the morning.¡± A heavy silence descended upon us, thick and suffocating. Wo stared at eat other for a moment, lost in our own thoughts. Finally, I opened my mouth to speak, ¡°Ivan-¡± He cut me off with a gentle shake of his head. ¡°We can talk about itter, Amaya. Really, now is not the time or the ce.¡± I swallowed hard, a lump forming in my throat. Closing my eyes brielly, I squeezed them shut tight, wishing for a moment of peace amidst the chaos swirling around me. When I opened them again, my gaze fell back to him. He was staring intently at me, and for the first time that night, I truly saw him. Dark circles hung beneath his eyes, his face etched with fatigue. A pang of guilt stabbed at me. Here he was, trying to be strong for me, for my family, and I knew I was the reason for the exhaustion etched on his features. This man had been nothing like what I¡¯d expected when we got married. He didn¡¯t deserve this, all this stress and worry because of my messy life. Before I could stop myself, the words tumbled out of my mouth, a confession I knew I couldn¡¯t hold back any longer. ¡°Alex,¡± I blurted out, ¡°Alex Thorne¡­ he¡¯s the father of my children.¡± Chapter 28 Chapter 28 Maya¡¯s POV- The silence that followed my confession stretched on for an eternity. It was a deafening quiet, broken only by the soft rasp of my mother¡¯s breath and the frantic hammering of my own heart. Ivan¡¯s face was a canvas of emotions-confusion, hurt, disbelief- flitting across his features se quickly I couldn¡¯t keep track. Then, a realization dawned on me, chilling and stark. He truly hadn¡¯t known. The dam within me had burst, and the words tumbled out and I couldn¡¯t control. ¡°My father didn¡¯t want you to know,¡± I rushed out, my voice raw with a mixture of guilt and desperation. ¡°He erased every trace of it. Alex and I¡­ We were married for three years. We were mates. Then, he rejected me. I was pregnant with ivy and Nate, but he didn¡¯t know. He still doesn¡¯t. And it¡¯s going to stay that way. Ivan, I just¡­ I just don¡¯t want to keep lying to you anymore.¡± He remained silent, his gaze locked on mine, his expression unreadable. It was torture, that silence, each passing second stretching into an agonizing eternity. ¡°Please,¡± I pleaded, my voice dropping to a whisper. ¡°Say something. Anything¡± Finally, he shook his head slowly, as if trying to clear his thoughts. ¡°The woman I married¡­ was married before? Not just to anyone, but to Alex Thorne? Who happens to be my little sister¡¯s fianc¨¦?¡± His voice was a low rumble,ced with disbelief. The mention of Miranda jolted me back to the present. A flicker of apprehension crossed my face. He studied me for a long moment, his brow furrowed in concentration. ¡°What else do I need to know?¡± He asked, ¡°Because I can tell there¡¯s more from that look.¡± ¡°There is. I, uhm, kind of attacked her at a bar. And you may have¡­ beaten her up.¡± Instead of the anger I expected, he surprised me when a wry smile tugged at the corner of his lips. ¡°Someone finally did it,¡± he said, a hint of amusement in his voice. ¡°I have a list of people who¡¯ve been dying to see her get what¡¯sing to her.¡± My jaw dropped. ¡°You¡¯re not¡­ mad?¡± He let out a long sigh. ¡°I don¡¯t know what to feel. Regarding Miranda, well I know she had iting. She takes pleasure in annoying people. Someone finally cracked. I¡¯m surprised she hasn¡¯t called me yet to cuss you out,¡± then he let out a sigh, ¡°And then Alex. I don¡¯t know but the thought that you and him¡­ Amaya, this is a lot to take in.¡± ¡°It¡¯s over,¡± I said with conviction. ¡°Whatever happened in the past is staying buried. And I promise you, that¡¯s where it will stay, I don¡¯t want to live with you anymore, Ivan. Like Natalia said, I need a fresh start, and I want you to be a part of that fresh start. No one else.¡± A wave of relief washed over his face, followed by that familiar boyish grin that always made me tingle, ¡°You really mean that?¡± alie ¡°Yes,¡± I said, meeting his gaze head on. ¡°And I know my father already had my things moved to your apartment. Even though I¡¯m pretty ticked off that you didn¡¯t ask me first, I¡¯ll happily move in with you.¡± A chuckle escaped his lips. ¡°Well, that was about to be my next question. Considering the situation here¡­¡± he trailed off, gesturing towards the chaotic state of the house. ¡°Exactly,¡± I said, a small smile ying on my lips. ¡°A fresh start indeed.¡± Gently, I shifted away from the couch, careful not to disturb my mother¡¯s slumber. The silence of the house felt heavy again, punctuated only by her soft breaths. I ced a fluffy pillow under her head, tucking the edges in for good measure Moving towards him, I wasn¡¯t sure what exactly I should do but he cut out my thinking process when he wrapped his hands around me, pulling me close. He buried his head in my hair, taking so whiff, ¡°Everything about you is just so perfect and I really want this to work and I¡¯m sorry I didn¡¯t ask you first about moving your things. I guess I was kind of mad at you but I really I¡¯m sorry.¡± Slope 28 A small smille tugged at the corner of my lips as he let me go looking into my eyes. ¡°Well, as you can see,¡± I gestured towards the overall state of the house, ¡°I don¡¯t exactly have many options right now so I guess I can¡¯t really be mad,¡± ¡°True,¡± a thoughtful look crossing his face. ¡°But are you sure that¡¯s what you really want?¡± I met his gaze head-on. ¡°Yes,¡± I said, my voice firm. ¡°This whole mess, it¡¯s made me realize a lot of things. I don¡¯t want to live a lie anymore, Ivan. Not with you, not with anyone. And the truth is¡­ IN?velDrama.Org owns this text. want this to work. I want us to work.¡± He reached out, his hand gently cupping my cheek. ¡°Me too, Amaya,¡± he said, his voice sincere. ¡°More than anything. But it won¡¯t be easy. There¡¯s a lot to unpack, a lot to figure out.¡± ¡°I know,¡± I said, squeezing his hand. ¡°My past is¡­plicated, to say the least. And your sister¡­ well, let¡¯s just say things could get awkward at family gatherings.¡± He let out a humorlessugh. ¡°Awkward? Try nuclear meltdown.¡± I winced. ¡°Right. Maybe we can avoid family gatherings for a while.¡± A smile spread across his face. ¡°We can definitely talk about that. But seriously, I¡¯m willing to try. We¡¯re both willing to try, right?¡± ¡°Absolutely,¡± I said, returning his smile. ¡°We take things one step at a time. A harsh buzzing sound cut through the tender moment, shattering the fragile peace. He pulled out his phone, his brow furrowing as he checked the screen. ¡°It¡¯s a friend,¡± he said, his voice apologetic. ¡°He might know something about your father¡¯s case. I need to take this.¡± I sighed, ¡°Of course, I mumbled, the weight of the situation settling back on my shoulders. ¡°Go ahead.¡± He gave me a quick squeeze before moving away, his phone pressed to his car as he walked towards the window. Straining to hear him over the low murmur of his conversation. My gaze drifted to my mother, still fast asleep on the couch. A sliver of guilt p r i c k d at me. I knew she had never really tried to be a mother. Just a trophy wife to my father but maybe I could have tried to be a better daughter. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m here,¡± Ivan¡¯s voice rose slightly, his tone tense distracting me. He paused for a moment, listening intently. ¡°A lead? Are you sure this guy¡¯s reliable?¡± Another pause, punctuated by a few short, clipped responses. My curiosity piqued. A lead? Could this be the break they needed to clear my father¡¯s name? I inched closer, hoping to catch a snippet of the conversation, but he kept his voice low, his back turned towards me. Finally, he ended the call with a curt ¡°Thanks, I appreciate it,¡± and slipped his phone back into his pocket. Turning around, he met my gaze, a mixture of emotions swirling in his eyes. ¡°There might be something. My friend knows someone who used to work with your father. He¡¯s willing to meet with us tomorrow, but he wants to keep it discreet.¡± ¡°Discreet?¡± echoed, apprehension creeping into my voice. ¡°Why?¡± He hesitated for a moment, then ran a hand through his hair. ¡°He thinks there might be more to your father¡¯s case than the FBI is letting on. He says there could be¡­some powerful people involved.¡± ¡°So, what do we do?¡± ¡°We tread carefully,¡± He replied, his jaw clenched tight. ¡°This friend of mine, let¡¯s call him Yuri, wants to meet in a neutral location. Somewhere the feds wouldn¡¯t think to look.¡± ¡°Neutral location?¡± My 17¡å My stomach chumed. ¡°Like what?¡± Chapter 28 stumble upon us there.¡± Haunted? Thest thing I needed was to add phosts to the ever-growing list of problems. But the thought of getting some answers outweighed my fear. ¡°Alright. Let¡¯s do it. When?¡± ¡°Tomorrow night,¡± His eyes locked on mine, ¡°But Amaya, before we dive headfirst into some potential mob hangout, there¡¯s something you need to know.¡± He paused, his expression unreadable. My heart hammered against my ribs, a frantic drumbeat in the sudden silence. ¡°What is it?¡± I asked, a tremor in my voice. Ivan leaned closer, ¡°Being Alphas¡­ Leaders of packs isn¡¯t easy and sometimes to stay in charge, you might need to get your hands dirty and I¡¯m not innocent of it. I just want you to know that your father isn¡¯t innocent of this either.¡± The blood drained from my face. Just as I opened my mouth to speak, a loud rapping echoed at the front door, shattering the already fragile calm. We exchanged a startled nce, the weight of the unknown settling on our shoulders. Who could be here at this hour, and what did they want? Chapter 29 Chapter 29 -Alex¡¯s POV- Let out an irritated sigh before moving towards Miranda. Amaya was already gone, whisked away by Natalia who looked like she was about to erupt Eke a volcano, Miranda was still sprawled on the floor, clutching her face and letting out a string of very undignified s o b s. The bartender woman who had been at Amaya¡¯s side, was staring wide-eyed at the scene. ¡°Please sir,¡± she squeaked, ¡°You two need to leave. Now.¡± I shot her a re that instantly mped her mouth shut. She took a nervous step back, her eyes darting between me and the whimpering mess on the floor. Reaching down, I grabbed Miranda¡¯s arm, intending to help her up. ¡°Don¡¯t touch me!¡± she shrieked, pping my hand away with surprising force. The entire bar had fallen silent, everyone¡¯s attention focused on the unfolding drama. The air c**d with tension, thick with the scent of stale beer and the ufortable silence that followed Miranda¡¯s outburst. It was starting to grate on my nerves. ¡°Enough of this,¡± 1 growled, my voice low and dangerous. ¡°Get up right now. You¡¯re making a scene and starting to irritate me. A lot.¡± My words seemed to have the desired effect. Miranda, perhaps sensing the shift in atmosphere, finally stopped her sobbing fit. Sniffling back tears, she scrambled to her feet, grabbing her purse with one hand and wiping at her red-rimmed eyes with the other. Without a word, she stalked towards the exit, her shoulders hunched as if trying to shrink away from the curious stares of the patrons. I followed close behind, casting a final look around the bar. Every head was still turned, eyes wide with a mixture of fear and morbid curiosity. With a m**l groan, I sent a quick text message to Christian, outlining the situation and asking him to deal with any potential fallout. There would definitely be questions in the morning, and Christian, with his talent for smooth-talking and discreet intimidation, was the best person to handle them. Stepping out into the cool night air, I closed the door to the bar behind me with a heavy thud. The street was quiet, a stark contrast to the chaos I had just left behind. Taking a deep breath, I let out a long sigh, the tension slowly draining from my shoulders. This whole night had been a mess, from the surprise encounter with Amaya to the brawl with Miranda. I just wanted to go home, crawl into bed, and forget the entire evening ever happened. But she would not let me. As if she suddenly felt my presence, she stopped walking, turning around to face me, ¡°This is all your fault, you know,¡± she hissed. I grunted nomittally, focusing on the flickering streetlight overhead. She continued, her voice rising with each word, ¡°You just stood there like a statue while that¡­ that she-wolf attacked me!¡± ¡°You weren¡¯t exactly ying saint, Miranda,¡± I finally interjected, my voice t and devoid of any emotion. It felt easier that way, a shield against the chaos of the night. ¡°A saint?¡± she scoffed, throwing her hands up in the air. ¡°She¡¯s the one who lunged at me like a rabid dog! All because of some s**d remark I made. And you just watched!¡± ¡°You were provoking her,¡± I pointed out, my tone even, almost bored. The truth was, the whole fight had happened so fast it was a blur. But I wasn¡¯t about to admit that to her. ¡°Oh, so now I¡¯m the bad guy?¡± she shrieked, ¡°You k know what? Maybe you were happy to see Amaya humiliate me like that. Maybe that¡¯s why you didn¡¯t even try to stop her!¡± I finally gave her my attention, a flicker of annoyance crossing my features despite my best efforts. ¡°Here we go again with the conspiracy theories, Miranda. It¡¯s getting old.¡± ¡°Conspiracy theories?¡± she threw her hands up in the air, her voice dripping with sarcasm. ¡°Is that what you call it? Come on, Alex, give me some credit.¡± Frustration bubbled over in me. She just wouldn¡¯t let it go. I don¡¯t know what your problem is, Miranda,¡± I said, my voice tight. ¡°But something definitely is wrong with you. You asked me toe here, Why were you even herd in the first ce? Were you following her?¡± She scoffed, her arms crossed defensively. ¡°Following her? Don¡¯t be ridiculous, had no idea the would be here. It¡¯s a small city and I came here to meet a friend from work.¡± ¡°You wish you had any friends,¡± I remarked drily. All I wanted was to get away from the drama and get some sleep. I ¡°Whatever,¡± she said, dismissively. ¡°The point is, I wasn¡¯t following anyone. Unlike you, apparently.¡± Her voice dripped with usation. ¡°Unlike me what?¡± I challenged, narrowing my eyes. ¡°Don¡¯t y dumb. We both know you have a thing for Amaya still. No matter how much you pretend like you don¡¯t.¡± I clenched my jaw, anger starting to simmer beneath the surface. ¡°I don¡¯t have a thing for her. I told you before, she is a thing of the past.¡± I growled, forcing the words through gritted teeth. ¡°oh, come on. Look at your face! You were practically glowing when you saw her. Still hopelessly in love with the girl who broke y your heart.¡± ¡°She didn¡¯t break my heart, Miranda,¡± I snapped. ¡°And you have no idea what happened between us so shut up about it.¡± ¡°Yeah, right. That¡¯s what they all say. But the truth is, you¡¯re still hung up on her. And no matter what you do, she¡¯s never going to take you back. She¡¯s with my brother now. You lost your chance.¡± Her words hit a nerve, a raw vulnerability I desperately tried to keep hidden. Silence stretched between us, thick and suffocating Miranda seemed to take my silence as eptance, a cruel smile twisting her lips. ¡°Look at us, Alex,¡± she said, her voice softening slightly. ¡°Two lost souls, pining after what we can¡¯t have. Maybe that¡¯s why we work so well together. We understand each other.¡± There was a strange glint in her eyes, a hint of something more than sympathy. My gut clenched, a primal instinct warning me to take a step back. But before I could move, she was on me, her arms wrapping around my neck, her body pressing close. ¡°Miranda,¡± I started to pull away, but she held me tight. ¡°Don¡¯t,¡± she whispered, her voice husky. ¡°Just stay with me for a while. Forget about Amaya. Forget about everything else. Just us, here and now.¡± The heat of her body pressed against mine, the desperation in her voice¡­ for a moment, I faltered. The loneliness that had been gnawing at me for so long threatened to consume me. But then, a vision of Amaya¡¯s face shed in my mind. ¡°Miranda, stop it,¡± I growled, pushing her away. She stumbled back, a look of shock and hurt on her face. ¡°You haven¡¯t f**d me since she came back into the picture. I know you, Alex. I know your wolf wants it. You have been starved for so long and I know you aren¡¯t f**g anyone else¡± My voice was t, ¡°No, I don¡¯t¡± Her face hardened, the vulnerability reced by a cold anger that mirrored my own. ¡°Fine,¡± she spat. ¡°Then what do you want? She¡¯s gone. Get over it!¡± Her words were cruel, a deliberate jab at my deepest insecurities. I felt a surge of anger rise within me, hot and primal. ¡°Shut up, Miranda!¡± I roared, my voiceced with a dangerous edge. She flinched at my outburst, but then squared her shoulders, defiance flickering in her eyes. ¡°What will you do if I don¡¯t?¡± she challenged, her voice trembling slightly. The air c a c kle d with tension. In that moment, the world around us seemed to fade away. The anger that had been simmering beneath the surface for the entire night boiled over. My vision narrowed, focusing solely on Miranda¡¯s face, flushed with defiance and a hint of something¡­ else. A primal instinct, raw and unfamiliar, surged through me. It was a hunger, a need to overpower, to silence. Before I could even process what was happening, my body moved on its own. With a speed that surprised even me, I lunged forward, grabbing her upper arms. Her gasp of surprise was cut short as I pulled her roughly against me The heat of her body sent a jolt through me, but it was quickly overshadowed by the burning intensity of my own emotions. ¡°Shut. Up,¡± I growled, the words a low rumble in my chest. My voice wasn¡¯t mine anymore, it was deeper, rougher,ced with a pots i didn¡¯t recognize. Her eyes widened in shock. Her bravado seemed to falter under the intensity of my gaze. For a terrifying moment, I just held her there, the primal urge to dominate warring with a sliver of reason clinging to the edges of my mind. Her scent, a mix of perfume and sonsething distinctly hers, filled my senses, igniting a confusing c o k ail of desire and aggression. Then, as abruptly as it began, the urge shifted. The row hunger inorphed into something more¡­ urgent. Without any conscious thought, I leaned down, my lips crushing against hers. ¡°You got what you wanted, didn¡¯t you?¡± I said finally, niy tone dry. ¡°I gave you an a s m you have been practically begging for. Now, if you¡¯re done with your dramatic performance, get in your car. Thest thing I need is for someone to attack you again and then have to deal with your annoying pack breathing down my neck.¡± She remained rooted to the spot, her gaze locked on mine. But the defiance that had flickered in her eyes earlier was reced by a burning hatred so intense I could pra t ally feel the heat radiating off her ¡°You are a horrible person, Alex, she spat, her voiceced with venom. A ghost of a smile yed on my lips. ¡°Maybe,¡± I conceded, my voice devaid of any real emotion. ¡°But aren¡¯t we both horrible people, Miranda? You were the one who practically dragged me to that bar knowing Amaya would be there, just to stir up trouble. That¡¯s why you and I are stuck with each other. Two horrible people onmon ground,¡± My nonchnt shrug did little to quell the fire in her eyes. ¡°You think this is some kind of game? A twisted joke? You messed with the wrong person tonight. You may not care about the consequences, but I do.¡± ¡°Consequences?¡± I echoed, raising an eyebrow in feigned surprise. ¡°What consequences could you possibly throw at me? You gonna tell everyone about the little bar brawl you instigated?¡± A cruel smile twisted her lips. ¡°No. I am going to tell Ivan. Everything.¡± My bored facade flickered for a moment, a flicker of something sharp and dangerous recing it. ¡°And what exactly are you nning to tell him?¡± ¡°Everything,¡± she repeated, her voice gaining a manic edge. ¡°About you and Amaya. About your little¡­ history. I¡¯ll tell him about your marriage. Let¡¯s see how that perfect, peaceful life Amaya¡¯s trying to build with my brother crumbles when he finds out he is getting leftovers.¡± For a moment, I simply stared at her, the weight of her words settling on me. I hated threats and something inside me snapped. The boredom, the irritation, all of it melted away, reced by fury. Before I could even think, my hands were around her throat. ¡°I have warned you before. You will not breathe a word of this to anyone. Do you understand?¡± Her eyes widened in terror, her face turning a sickly shade of purple. Her bravadopletely gone, she could only gasp for air, her hands wing uselessly at mine. Despite the raw anger coursing through me, a sliver of reason remained. I knew I couldn¡¯t strangle her here even though I badly wanted to. But the message needed to be clear. With a final, bone-chilling growl, I released my grip. She stumbled back, gasping for breath. ¡°Do I make myself clear?¡± I asked, my voice calmer now, butced with an icy menace that brooked no argument. She could only manage a weak nod, her chest heaving with each ragged breath. ¡°Stay away from her. I won¡¯t warn you again.¡± With that, I turned and walked away, leaving her standing there alone in the darkness, the weight of my threat hanging heavy in the air. Reaching my car, I inserted my keys. Just as my fingers brushed against the cool metal of the handle, a shift urred within me, subtle but undeniable. ¡°Stalking me now?¡± I said, my voice rough around the edges. I hadn¡¯t turned around, but I could practically feel the amusement radiating from the person behind me. ¡°That was quite the scene there, Alex,¡± the voice drawled, smooth as silk andced with a hint of something else ¨C maybe amusement, maybe something darker. Slowly, I turned, my movements measured and deliberate. Standing a few feet away was Christian, his face bathed in the dim glow of the streetlight. He was undeniably handsome, with sharp features and eyes that seemed to hold a thousand secrets. But unlike most handsome men, there was no warmth in his good looks. Instead, an aura of danger clung to him, a subtle threat that sent shivers down the spines of those who dared to look him in the eye for too long. He had a darkness in him. That was why I liked him.N?velDrama.Org owns this text. Chapter 30 Chapter 30 -Alex¡¯s POV- It was a brutal collision, furled by anger and a strange, possessive need. I took what I felt I deserved, a silencing of her constant tirade, a dominance over the situation that had spiraled out of control. Her lips were soft beneath mine, yielding at first, then hesitantly returning the kiss. Her hands, which had been clenched at her sides in a futile attempt to mask his much I affected her, now found their way around me. She held on tight as I devoured her mouth with an intensity that surprised even myself. The kiss was a battle of wills, each of us fighting for dominance. But as the seconds ticked by and her body began to respond. Her hands slid up my back and around to the front of me where they found their way under my shirt. Her fingers traced my spine while my hands roamed over her body as well, tracing lines along her back and up under her shirt. I felt her skin beneath my fingers, warm and smooth. I felt her hands move to the front of my pants, undoing them with a quickness that surprised even me. I didn¡¯t resist as she pulled down both mine and hers in one swift motion. She looked up at me and I suddenly realized what was happening. Why I was reacting to her like this. I was picturing Amaya. I let out a low curse. She was the one I wanted and now I was thinking of her. I ground my teeth as Miranda¡¯s hands found her way to my boxer, snapping me back to reality. Back to what was happening. She stroked my d***k through my boxer and I had to stop myself from pushing her off me. My wolf let out a growl, a silent reminder that we were both starved. It shouldn¡¯t matter who was getting me off as long as I found my release. Maybe that made me sound like an a**hole not Miranda had given me no reason to want to be a gentleman to her. After all this was all it began, she seduced me and she had always been a good f**k. My gaze scanned the dark park, No one could see us here. I looked down at her, ¡°Take me out.¡± This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org. A triumphant smile crossed her face while her hands worked stroking my d**k through my boxer, I let out a low groan and that was the go ahead she needed. She pulled down my boxer and grabbed a hold of me. I let out another groan as her hand stroked up and down, ¡°You¡¯re so hard.¡± I let tout a low growl, ¡°Take me in your mouth.¡± I demanded. She leaned down, her lips parted as they closed around my d**k. I groaned at the feeling of being enveloped by that warm wetness again. She sucked me deep into her mouth, taking my entire length. I let out a low growl and pushed myself deeper inside of her throat until she gagged on it but didn¡¯t stop sucking, then suddenly, I pulled my d**k from between her lips, ¡°Getup.¡± Without arguing, she stood up. Her hand went to my d**k stroking it as she looked at me with lust filled eyes of hers. I pushed her against her car and yanked up her skirt. My fingers found their way to her panties, ripping them off of her in one swift motion. I looked down at her p**y, wet and ready for me. She let out a whimper as my fingers found their way to the entrance, sliding inside her. She was already so wet. I f**d her hard and fast, my fingers moving in a blur as she let out one loud moan after another then I felt her body tense up as she came, screaming out my name. Her p**y clenched around me, tighter than before and before I knew it the words slipped from my mouth, ¡°C **m for me, Amaya.¡± The moment shattered like a dropped ss, the sound echoing faintly in the otherwise silent street. Her eyes, wide with a mixture of shock and something darker, snapped up to meet mine. She shoved me away with a force that surprised me. ¡°¡±Did you just call me Amaya? You were thinking of her? While you were touching me?¡± I forced a bored expression onto my face. ¡°Maybe I mumbled, my voice t. I hadn¡¯t even gotten off. The hurt in her eyes, a raw vulnerability i hadn¡¯t seen before, should have elicited some kind of reaction from me. Pity, maybe, or even a flicker of guilt. But all I felt was a dull annoyance at the turn of events. 12:03 Thu, 20 Jun ? M ? Chapter 30 ¡°You came in person, So it must be pretty important.¡± The corner of his lips twitched, ¡°Can¡¯t a friend just want to see a friend, Alex?¡± he said, his voice dripping with a false sincerity. But the amusement that had been in his voice earlier was gone, reced by something colder, harder. ¡°Not when the friend is you. Why are you here?¡± The amusement fell from his face instantly, ¡°We need to talk. Adrian is getting out.¡± Chapter 31 Chapter 31 -Maya¡¯s POV- The knocking continued, a persistent hammering that was starting to grate on my nerves. This wasn¡¯t the time for unexpected visitors, not with everything happening, Just as I was about to tell Ivan to ignore it, the sound of the front door swinging open sliced through the tense silence. A m u f l e d exchange of words followed, then a high-pitched voice,ced with annoyance, cut through the air. ¡°Get out of my way!¡± I let out a m e n a l groan. Thest person I needed to see right now was Miranda. My wolf, already on high alert from the chaotic events of the night, perked up at the sound of her voice. My ws felt like they were itching to extend from my fingertips. Ivan let out a low groan beside me, mirroring my own frustration. Miranda pushed past the bewildered-looking police officer who had answered the door. She looked like a mess, her designer clothes wrinkled and her normally styled hair hanging limp around her shoulders. But it wasn¡¯t just her appearance that threw me off. There was a frantic edge to her eyes, a desperation that I hadn¡¯t seen before. ¡°Miranda, what are you doing here?¡± Ivan asked, his voiceced with a mixture of annoyance and concern. She ignored himpletely, her icy gazending directly on me. ¡°You f**g little b**h,¡± she spat, her voice tight with barely concealed fury. ¡°Miranda,¡± Ivan growled, his voice a low rumble. This time, she couldn¡¯t ignore him. She whipped her head towards him, her eyes zing. The remaining police officers exchanged wary nces, unsure of whether to intervene. The tension in the room was thick enough. to cut with a knife. Taking a deep breath, I forced myself to step forward. ¡°Haven¡¯t you caused enough drama for one night? What more do you want?¡± My voice came out calmer than I felt. Inside, however, I was fuming. Couldn¡¯t this woman see that we were dealing with a serious situation here? Did she have to make everything about her? ¡°Oh, please shut up,¡± she snapped. ¡°You think you can take him away from me? Well, you¡¯re wrong!¡± I was not in the mood to y dumb so I crossed my arms defensively. ¡°I have no interest in Alex, and I don¡¯t know why you came to my father¡¯s house, but I suggest you leave because I won¡¯t let anyone hold me down this time.¡± My words seemed to register with her for a split second. Surprise flickered across her face, then a c n n g glint reced it. She finally turned her attention to Ivan, ¡°You know? That they were married?¡± A dark look crossed his face, ¡°And I¡¯m realizing now that you knew too and you didn¡¯t tell me,¡± he said, his voice low and dangerous. ¡°I-I-¡± she stammered, momentarily flustered. Before she could continue, I cut her off. I¡¯d had enough of her games. ¡°Please leave, Miranda. We are already dealing with so much,¡± I sighed, my voiceced with exhaustion. 11:34 Fri, 21 Jun Chapter 31 As if just realizing the state of the house for the first time, she nced around at the overturned furniture and s c a t t er e d papers: Her expression remained unreadable for a beat, then she turned back to us, her focus back on Ivan. ¡°Can¡¯t you see her for what she is?¡± she screeched. ¡°She¡¯s a maniptor and she¡¯s trying to turn you against me!¡± Her voice wasced with a strange desperation, a hint of hysteria creeping in around the edges. ¡°This isn¡¯t about me,¡± I said firmly. ¡°This is about my father. He¡¯s been arrested and we¡¯re trying to figure out what¡¯s going on.¡± A flicker of something akin to fear crossed her face for a brief moment, then it was masked by a sneer. ¡°Well, good luck with that,¡± she spat, her voice dripping with sarcasm. ¡°And Ivan, don¡¯t let her fool you.¡± He let out a sigh, ¡°That¡¯s enough. You need to leave.¡± ¡°No, Ivan. You need to listen to me! This woman, she¡¯s not who she seems. She¡¯s ying you.¡± ¡°Miranda!¡± He snapped, his voiceced with a rare anger I hadn¡¯t seen directed at anyone before. ¡°Leave Amaya alone and you¡¯ve overstayed your wee. You weren¡¯t even invited in the first ce.¡± Her defiance faltered for a moment, reced by a flicker of hurt that quickly morphed back into anger. ¡°Don¡¯t you get it? She¡¯s trying to break us up! Can¡¯t you see what¡¯s happening right in front of you?¡± She gestured wildly between me and Ivan. ¡°There¡¯s nothing happening,,¡± I said firmly, stepping forward to stand beside Ivan. ¡°Your usations are ridiculous.¡± Internally, however, a flicker of annoyance sparked. Is this who Alex really chose to be with? ¡°Ridiculous?¡± She scoffed, her voice rising with each word. ¡°Don¡¯t insult my intelligence. The way you two look at each other ¨C it¡¯s obvious there¡¯s something going on.¡± ¡°Look: There is nothing between me and Alex. Like you told me, whatever happened between us in the past and nothing is going to change that. Your jealousy is clouding your judgment.¡± ¡°Jealousy?¡± she shrieked, her voice cracking with a hint of hysteria. ¡°Don¡¯t you dare y innocent with me! ¡°My past with Alex is exactly that. The past. It has nothing to do with me and Ivan.¡± ¡°But it does!¡± she insisted, turning back to her brother. ¡°Can¡¯t you see that? She¡¯s using you to get to me so she can worm her way back into Alex¡¯s life. Don¡¯t let her manipte you!¡± I took a deep breath, trying to maintain some semnce of calm. ¡°It¡¯s not my fault that you are paranoid. He¡¯s my past, and that¡¯s not going to change.¡± Ivan remained silent throughout our exchange, his gaze flickering between us. I couldn¡¯t tell what he was thinking, but the tension in the room was thick enough to cut with a knife. Just as she opened her mouth to retort, I cut her off. ¡°Look, Miranda,¡± I said, my voice firm. ¡°I understand that you care about Ivan, but this is not the way to handle things. Showing up here unannounced, causing a scene ¨C it¡¯s not helping anyone. If you truly care about him, then you¡¯ll leave and let us deal with what¡¯s going on.¡± A flicker of something akin to defeat crossed her face for a moment, then she straightened her shoulders, a defiant glint returning to her eyes. ¡°Fine,¡± she spat, her voiceced with barely concealed anger. ¡°But you listen to me good, Amaya. Don¡¯t think you¡¯ve won here. I¡¯m not going anywhere, and I¡¯ll be watching you. Don¡¯t you dare try to take them away from me.¡± µÚ61%¡£ Chapter 31 With that final threat hanging in the air, she turned on her heel and stalked out of the house, mming the front door behind her with a resounding bang. The sound echoed through the tense silence, leaving a heavy weight in its wake. Silence descended, thick and heavy. He remained frozen for a beat, his gaze fixed on the empty doorway. Then, slowly, he turned to me, his face etched with a mixture of guilt and frustration. ¦§ ¡°Amaya, I-¡± he started, his voice rough. He ran a hand through his already ruffled hair. I simply shook my head, a sigh escaping my lips. It wasn¡¯t a dramatic sigh, filled with theatrical despair. It was a tired, weary sigh, the kind thates from dealing with one too many curveballs. ¡°Why does the drama never end?¡± I asked, the question more rhetorical than anything. My voice was quiet, devoid of anger, butced with a heavy dose of exhaustion. He winced, his shoulders slumping slightly. He knew exactly what I meant. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry,¡± he finally said, his voice sincere. ¡°I know this isn¡¯t the time for her drama, especially with everything going on with your father.¡± I offered him a small, tired smile. ¡°It¡¯s okay,¡± I mumbled, more for his benefit than my own. The truth was, I was beyond caring about Miranda¡¯s antics at this point. He hesitated for a moment, then took a tentative step towards me. ¡°Look,¡± he said, his voice low, ¡°what she said about you and him¡­ there¡¯s nothing to it, right?¡± His question hung in the air, a silent plea for reassurance. I met his gaze, my eyes searching his. ¡°Of course not: Like I said, its my past.¡± A flicker of relief crossed his face, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. ¡°Right. We still need to meet up with-¡± His sentence was cut short by a sharp ringing slicing through the tense silence. The sound made me remember that some officers were still here and they had witnessed everything. One of them answered the phone. This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org. He spoke for a few seconds then said something to his counterpart. One of the officers who had remained by the doorway stepped forward with a grim expression. In a swift, practiced movement, he grabbed my arm, effectively pulling me away from Ivan. ¡°Whoa, whoa, whoa!¡± I stammered, my voiceced with confusion and a rising sense of panic. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± The officer¡¯s face remained impassive. ¡°Amaya Stone,¡± he said, his voice clipped and official. ¡°You are under arrest for involvement in moneyundering activities.¡± 0 Chapter 32 Chapter 32 -Maya¡¯s POV- I stared at him, my mouth agape, struggling to form a coherent response. ¡°There must be some mistake,¡± I finally managed, ¡°This is crazy! ¨C ¡°We have reason to believe you were involved in a series of financial transactions linked to illegal activities with your father,¡± the officer continued, his voice devoid of emotion. ¡°You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in court. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed for you.¡± My brain scrambled to process his words. Moneyundering? Illegal activities? It was like he was speaking a foreignnguage. This couldn¡¯t be happening. This had to be some kind of bizarre misunderstanding. nced at Ivan, searching for some flicker of recognition, some shred of understanding in his eyes. But his expression was a mask, a mixture of shock and confusion that mirrored my own. He opened his mouth to speak, but before any words coulde out, another officer stepped forward. ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± the officer who had arrested me said curtly, gesturing towards the door. His grip on my arm tightened, leaving no room for argument. Suddenly, a new sound pierced the tense silence. A groggy voice,ced with confusion, echoed from the living room. ¡°Amaya? What¡¯s going on?¡± My mother. She must have finally woken up from the chaos. Maybe if it was any other situation, I would have wondered why she hadn¡¯t woken up throughout Miranda¡¯s tantrum. Before I could even turn my head to look at her, her voice rose in rm. ¡°What are you doing to her?¡± she shrieked, her words directed at the officers. As if jolted awake by her outburst, Ivan finally reacted. He lunged forward, his voiceced with a dangerous edge. ¡°Let her go! This is a misunderstanding!¡± The officers, however, were unfazed. One of them reacted instantly, his hand shing to his holster as he drew his gun. ¡°Sir, I suggest you don¡¯t make another move.¡± His voice was calm but firm, leaving no room for argument. Everything was happening so fast, a whirlwind of confusion and terror. My mother screamed, a high-pitched sound that wed at my sanity. I had never even been involved in my father¡¯s company! There had never been any talk of moneyundering, of illegal activities. It was all a terrible mistake, a cruel nightmare. But the officers weren¡¯t interested in exnations. With a firm grip on my anger. She arm, they began to usher me towards the door. My mother lunged after me, her face contorted with a mix of fear and reached out, her hand grasping at my arm. ¡°Amaya! No!¡± she cried, her voice cracking with desperation. But before I could say anything, the officers were pulling me out of the house. The world blurred into a nightmarish coge of shing lights and sirens wailing in the distance. Through the haze of confusion and panic, I could hear my mother¡¯s screams fading behind me. ¡°Stop them! You can¡¯t let them take her! Then, just as abruptly, her voice was gone, like a distant, the way she had been for the better part of my life, reced by the rhythmic thump of my own heart hammering against my ribs. As they shoved me into the back of a waiting police car, I caught a :34 Fr Chapter 32 glimpse of Ivan through the rear window. He stood there on the porch, his expression unreadable in the dim light. ¡°I¡¯ll fix this,¡± he mouthed silently, his voice barely moving his lips. 61%ºÏ Whether his words were meant for me or for himself, I couldn¡¯t tell. But they were the only shred of hope I had left in the midst of this swirling nightmare. The squad car lurched forward, the harsh red and blue lights painting the world in a dizzying strobe effect. My wolf thrashed inside me, snarling inside my head. The primal urge to fight, to tear free, was overwhelming. But I shoved her down, forcing myself to remain calm. Panicking wouldn¡¯t help. I needed a clear head to get out of this mess. The ride to the station was a blur of usations and tense silence. My attempts to exin, to plead my innocence, fell on deaf ears. The officers were stoic, their faces emotionless masks. By the time we arrived, the only evidence of my pleas was the raw scrape in my throat from my desperate whispers. The booking process was a cold, impersonal affair. Fingerprints, mugshots, a strip search that left me feeling utterly vited. They took everything from me ¨C my phone, my wallet, even the ne Alex had given me that I couldn¡¯t let go of and kept buried under each cloth I wore. There was no opportunity for a call, no chance to reach out to Ivan or anyone else. Finally, they ushered me into a sterile holding cell. It was cramped, the air thick with the smell of disinfectant and something else.. fear. Two women sat on a metal bunk, their eyes following my every move with a mix of curiosity and hostility One of them, a woman with a **d head and a defiant glint in her eyes, spoke first. Her voice was raspy, probably from years of smoking. ¡°New meat,¡± she sneered, gesturing towards the empty bunk with a jerk of her chin. ¡°You in for shoplifting, sweetheart? Drugs?¡± I shook my head, ¡°No, I-¡± ¡°Don¡¯t bother,¡± the other woman cut me off. She was older, her face etched with a lifetime of hard living. ¡°They ain¡¯t interested in exnations here. Just keep your head down and don¡¯t cause any trouble.¡± Despite the hostility in their voices, a flicker of something akin to pity crossed the older woman¡¯s face. ¡°What¡¯d you do, kid?¡± she asked, her voice softer than before. ¡°They¡­ they arrested me for moneyundering,¡± I stammered, the absurdity of the usation still sinking in. A snort ofughter erupted from the s**d-headed woman. ¡°Moneyundering? You look like you couldn¡¯tunder a sock, sweetheart.¡± ¡°I know, I know,¡± I mumbled, feeling a hot flush creep up my neck. ¡°It¡¯s a mistake. There¡¯s no way I could be involved in something like that.¡± The older woman studied me for a long moment, her gaze unwavering. ¡°Looks like you got yourself in a heap of trouble, kid. But listen good, there are ways to survive in here. Don¡¯t trust anyone, least of all the guards. And if anyone tries to mess with you, you fight back. They respect strength here, not weakness.¡± I took a deep breath, forcing myself to meet her gaze. ¡°I¡­ I appreciate the advice,¡± I managed, my voice shaky but firm. The s**d-headed woman snorted again, but this time there was a hint of amusement in her eyes. ¡°Looks like newbie¡¯s got some Chapter 32 fight in her after all, Rita. Maybe she won¡¯t be such a pain in the a** after all.¡± Neither of us said another word and I turned my gaze staring out the cell. How was I involved in this when I had never gotten entangled in my father¡¯spany. I closed my eyes, focusing on my connection with my wolf. I hadn¡¯t let her out in years because the rejection had hurt us in so many ways. I still felt broken but being in here, locked felt so suffocating. The night stretched on, a slow, agonizing crawl. Sleep was impossible with the harsh fluorescent lights buzzing overhead and the constant murmuring of the other women in the cell. Before I know it, dawn arrived with a sliver of weak sunlight pushing through the narrow window. My stomach grumbled, loud enough for everyone to hear. ¡°First rule of jail food,¡± Rita rasped, her voice gravelly from sleep, ¡°never trust anything that¡¯s brown and mushy.¡± She reached into a worn canvas bag tucked beneath her bunk and pulled out a stic bag filled with stale bread and a questionable- looking apple. ¡°Share?¡± she offered, her gaze surprisingly gentle. Hesitantly, I epted a piece of bread. It was stale and dry, but it was sustenance. ¡°You gonna be alright, kid?¡± Rita asked, her voice softer than I expected. ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± I admitted, my voice choked with a mix of fear and frustration. ¡°This is insane. I haven¡¯t done anything wrong.¡± She nodded, a flicker of understanding in her eyes. ¡°They don¡¯t always care about that here,¡± she said bluntly. ¡°But you gotta keep fighting. They can take your freedom, but they can¡¯t take your spirit.¡± The day dragged on, punctuated by the nging of cell doors and the asional shout from somewhere down the hall. Then, an unexpected sound pierced the air ¨C the rattle of keys approaching the cell door. All three of us turned towards the sound as the heavy metal door nged open, revealing a young guard, his face impassive. ¡°Amaya Stone,¡± he called out, his voice t. My heart hammered against my ribs. Was this it? Was someone finally here to listen to my side of the story? Or was this something worse? I stood up, my legs shaky but my gaze defiant. ¡°Yes?¡± I said, my voice surprisingly steady. The guard gestured towards the hallway. ¡°There is someone here to see you.¡± ¡°Who?¡± He looked annoyed by the question but he answered anyway, ¡°He said his name was Alex Thorne.¡± 0 ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org . Chapter 33 -Alex¡¯s POV- Fury gnawed at my insides, a bitter, acidic knot that twisted with every ragged breath I took. The image of Christian¡¯s smug smile burned behind my eyel ying. Adrian getting out was a major headache, that much I knew. But the truth Christian had withheld was a goddamn detonator, set to drive my wolf The hit I had him make Daniel¡¯spany take had exposed his moneyundering scheme, which was why he was currently being. investigated. That much I knew. What I didn¡¯t know was that Christian had neglected a crucial detail. In his my haste to make Daniel pay for being a headache, I had inadvertently implicated Amaya. Danirl had forged signatures,undering money in her name, forging a financial link between her and hispany. So if Daniel was going down, so was she. And that was uneptable. The memory of Christian¡¯s infuriating smirk as he turned his back on me after stating without an ounce of remorse that she had been arrested too sent a But still I asked myself. Why couldn¡¯t I just walk away? Forget about the woman who had betrayed me? But the answer was simple ¨C I couldn¡¯t. I couldn¡¯t let her go no matter how hard I tried. Amaya, for all her ws, was still innocent in this. She was a pawn, manipted by her father a her locked up in some godforsaken jail cell, ignited a primal urge within me. §®§å§Ú This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org. wolf snarled. He liked Christian but at this point, I was trying so hard not to give into him, tear through the city and make Christian pay for keeping somet The air crackled with nervous energy as I stormed into the station, the harsh fluorescent lights adding to the sterile atmosphere. My alpha aura pulsed ar ¡°I¡¯m here to see Amaya Stone,¡± I dered, my voice hard andced with an edge of impatience. A silent part reminded me that she would soon take his nam The young officer behind the counter barely nced up from his paperwork. ¡°Do you have an appointment, sir? Are you her deference.wyer?¡± His voice was t, devoid of any ¡°Do you have any idea who I am?¡± The officer finally looked up, his gaze flickering over my expensive suit and the glint of my Rolex watch. But there was no recognition, no hint of awe in h ¡°Sir, everyone needs an appointment to see a detainee and you are not herwyer sooo¡­,¡± he repeated, his voice firm. My wolf strained at the leash, its growl rumbling deep in my chest. The tant disrespect from this underling was infuriating. ¡°Look, kid,¡± I growled, leanin 11:34 Fri, 21 Jun ti The officer¡¯s posture stiffened, his eyes widening a fraction. He clearly sensed the raw power emanating from me, the alpha energy that demanded obedience. But he held his ground, his jaw set in a stubborn defiance that surprised me. ¡°Mr. Thorne,¡± he said, his voice stillced with a hint of nervousness, ¡°Even for you, there are procedures to follow. Without an appointment, I can¡¯t let yo The air crackled with unspoken tension. We were locked in a silent battle of wills, the young officer clinging to the flimsy shield of protocol while my wolf s The silence stretched, broken only by the rhythmic hum of the fluorescent lights. Finally, with a deep, controlled breath, I forced my anger down. There w ¡°Fine,¡± I conceded through gritted teeth. ¡°Get me an appointment. Now.¡± The officer, visibly relieved, scurried to hisputer. ¡°It might take a few hours, sir,¡± he said, dialing a number. ¡°Get me in to see her now.¡± H He flinched at the icymand in my voice. He stammered for a moment, clearly out of his depth dealing with an enraged billionaire. But the raw power simmering ben the surface of my words must have gotten through to him. Without another word, he hung up the phone and grabbed a set of keys from a drawer. ¡°Follow me, Mr. Thorne.¡± We walked in tense silence down a sterile white hallway, the silence punctuated only by the rhythmic click of his shoes on the floor. My wolf thrashed ins mirroring my own. Why was I here? Was it guilt gnawing at the edges of my conscience, guilt for the situation she found herself in, a situation I inadverte She wasn¡¯t our mate anymore, not after her betrayal. The memory of her betrayal sent a fresh wave of anger coursing through me, a frown etching itself Amaya stood at the entrance, her face an unreadable mask. Gone was the fiery defiance I was used to seeing, reced by a stoic emptiness. There we breakdown. She had always been strong, I knew that much. But this stoicism, this utterck of emotional disy did not sit well with me. The silence stretched on, heavy and suffocating. Finally, she broke it with a sighced with exhaustion. ¡°Why can¡¯t you just leave me alone?¡± Her voice was t, devoid of any emotion. I didn¡¯t answer. The truth was, I didn¡¯t have an answer. ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to sit?¡± I asked instead, my voice gruff. A sardonicugh escaped her lips. ¡°And you¡¯re suddenly capable of being a gentleman, I see.¡± I ignored the jab, the alpha within me wanting to take control. ¡°Amaya, sit down,¡± Imanded, my voice radiating my power. She might be an alpha fem was stronger. alpha She didn¡¯t argue this time, but the look she shot me was enough to singe my eyebrows. She took a seat across from me, her posture stiff and unyielding. ¡°Do you want to gloat? All the hate you have for my father, finally getting what he deserves, right? And since my family is apparently. filled with terrible pe ¡°I didn¡¯te here for your attitude,¡± I growled, frowning. ¡°Don¡¯t make this any harder than it already is.¡± ¡°Well, I don¡¯t want you here at all, Alex,¡± she shouted back, her voice finally cracking with emotion. ¡°So get out!¡± I stood up abruptly, my movements sending a jolt of fear through her. She flinched back, shrinking into her chair. The urge to roar, to unleash the full force of my anger, was overwhelming. But I held it back. ¡°Watch. Your. Tone,¡± I growled, each word a barely controlled snarl. She narrowed her eyes at me, defiance flickering in their depths, but wisely chose to remain silent. With a sigh of frustration, I sank back down into the c ¡°You shouldn¡¯t have been arrested,¡± I finally said, my voice calmer now. ¡°Your father forged your signature and took money in your name.¡± Her reaction surprised me. No anger, no disbelief, just a nk stare. It was unnerving. ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to say anything?¡± I asked, frustration creeping back into my I voice. Amaya remained silent, her gaze fixed on a point somewhere above my head. The air grew thick with a suffocating silence. ¡°Damn it, Amaya!¡± I mmed my fist on the table. It ttered under the force of my blow, sending a jolt through the sterile room. ¡°Look at me,¡±mand ¡°Your father used you,¡± I stated bluntly, pushing past the anger to focus on the facts. ¡°He forged your signature and used your name tounder money. Y Silence. Still, no reaction followed. The two of us stared at each other, neither of us saying another word. Just when I thought she had finally gone deaf, surface. It took everything in me to stop him from taking over when the next words spilled from her lips. ¡°I hate that I can¡¯t stop loving you.¡± # Chapter 34 -Maya¡¯s POV- He stared at me, his face a mask ofplete and utter nkness. It was as if someone had flipped a switch, erasing all emotion from his features. The Then, as if suddenly remembering his purpose for being there, he cleared his throat, the sound harsh and grating. ¡°Your father will¡­¡± he began, but I cut him off before he could finish the sentence. ¡°Don¡¯t you dare talk about my father right now! Didn¡¯t you hear what I just said to you?¡± He let out a sigh, a sound of weary exasperation. ¡°I came here to help because I know you¡¯re not involved in this,¡± he said, his voice t. ¡°I didn¡¯te to His words were like a fresh spark igniting the tinderbox of my emotions. ¡°My feelings?¡± I spat the word back at him, incredulous. ¡°Are you kidding me, Ale ¡°Amaya,¡± he started, but I wasn¡¯t finished. This wasn¡¯t the time for his patronizing tone. Not now. ¡°Don¡¯t you dare say my name,¡± I growled, my voiceced with a dangerous edge. ¡°You know what? Leave.¡± His eyes narrowed a fraction, a flicker of surprise crossing his features. ¡°What?¡± ¡°You heard me. I said leave. Get out. I don¡¯t need your help. The Stones are garbage, so why don¡¯t you just stay away from us?¡± The words tasted like ash in my mouth, each one a betrayal of the raw emotions that had just spilled out of me. But something had shifted within me, a d seated anger rising to the surface. This wasn¡¯t the Alex I knew. This cold, emotionless stranger staring back at me was a far cry from the man I had fallen for a moment, his gaze unwavering. Then, he spoke, his voice devoid of any warmth. ¡°You¡¯re making an unnecessary scene. Stop shouting.¡± The calmness in his voice only served to fuel my rage. ¡°Stop shouting?¡± You barge in here, act like you care, and then dismiss my feelings like they¡¯re no I stared at him, searching his face for a trace of the Alex I knew, the man I had loved. But there was nothing. Just this cold, calcting stranger. He knew And if he was gone, then why was he here? What did he want from me? ¡°Why?¡± The question hung heavy in the air, a challenge. Why was he here, inserting himself into this mess? Why did he care? His reasons couldn¡¯t poss A flicker of something crossed his features, a fleeting emotion I couldn¡¯t quite decipher. Was it annoyance? Hesitation? It was gone as quickly as it appea INSTALL ¡°I told you,¡± he said, his voice clipped. ¡°You¡¯re not involved in this. You shouldn¡¯t be here.¡± His words felt hollow, ringing false in the sterile silence of the room. A thought, cold and unsettling, slithered into my mind. He had always loathed my fath ¡°Did you have anything to do with this?¡± The question burst from my lips,ced with suspicion. The ai shifted, a tangible change in the atmosphere. For a fleeting moment, a flicker of guilt flickered across his face, a chink in his armor. It was gone so ¡°You!¡± The word exploded from me, a mixture of disbelief and betrayal. ¡°You had something to do with this, didn¡¯t you? This whole thing¡­ my father being investigated¡­ it¡¯s all your doing!¡± He remained silent, his jaw clenched tight, but the silence itself spoke volumes. My anger red, a white¨Chot inferno consuming N?velDrama.Org is the owner. 1. me. ¡°Unbelievable!¡± I spat the word at him, my voice trembling with fury. ¡°You had to go this far? Couldn¡¯t you have just¡­ I don¡¯t know¡­ done something els ¡°Your father started this, Amaya. And the only reason he¡¯s even still alive is because of you so you should be grateful.¡± Grateful? The word tasted like ash in my mouth. Grateful that he¡¯d entangled me in his twisted game of revenge? Grateful that he¡¯d used me as a pawn to get to my father? ¡°Grateful?¡± I screamed, my voice raw with emotion. ¡°You think I should be grateful that you are destroying my life without a single thought for how it would affect me? That something you did is making them paint me as a criminal?¡± He flinched at the usation, a flicker of something akin to pain crossing his features. But it was quickly masked by his usual stoic indifference. ¡°You weren¡¯t supposed to get cinvolved.¡± ¡°Weren¡¯t supposed to get involved? So you nned all this, knowing the risk, and then act now you are here to what? y knight in shinning armor to th He opened his mouth to speak, but I cut him off before he could utter another word. ¡°No,¡± My voice was shaky with a mixture of anger and exhaustion. ¡°I don¡¯t want to hear it. Just get out. Leave me alone.¡± He stared at me for a long moment, his expression unreadable, ¡°I¡¯ll get you out of here.¡± ¡°Like hell you will. You¡¯ve done enough damage already. Just stay out of it.¡± He let out a tired sigh, ¡°You don¡¯t understand,¡± ¡°Don¡¯t I?¡± I scoffed. ¡°Enlighten me then, Alex. Because from where I¡¯m sitting, it seems pretty clear. You get revenge on my father by dragging me into yo A beat of silence followed. Then, with a slow, deliberate movement, he stood up, narowing the space between us. I hated how how my breath hitched up when he moved closer. His scent surrounded me making my wolf heady. ¡°It wasn¡¯t supposed to be like this. When I took down your father¡¯spany, I¡­¡± He trailed off, frustration etched on his features. ¡°You what?¡± I pressed, refusing to let him off the hook. ¡°Didn¡¯t think about the coteral damage? Didn¡¯t think about the fact that your little vendetta might He flinched at the word ¡®mate¡®, a flicker of pain crossing his face for a split second before his expression hardened once more, ¡°I am not going to talk about that.¡± ¡°Well, that¡¯s exactly what we should be talking about, isn¡¯t it? You can¡¯t just waltz in here, act like you care.¡± ¡°Amaya,¡± he started, but I cut him off. ¡°No! Don¡¯t you dare try to patronize me. You want to talk about coteral damage? What about our rtionship, Alex? What about everything we had?¡± He took a deep breath, his eyes locking with mine. For a moment, I saw a flicker of something raw and vulnerable in their depths. But then it was gone. ¡° ¡°Why not?¡± I practically screamed, my frustration reaching a boiling point, ¡°Because it doesn¡¯t fit into your carefully constructed n? Because it makes you ufortable?¡± He didn¡¯t answer, but his jaw clenched tighter, and a muscle ticked in his temple. I could see the effort it took him to control his temper. ¡°Is that it, Alex?¡± I pressed, pushing him further. ¡°Is that why you threw everything we had away? Because facing your feelings is too damn hard?¡± A flicker of anger crossed his features, a dangerous glint in his eyes. But before he could respond, I surged to my feet, towering over him in my anger. ¡°How could you?¡± I demanded, my voice shaking. ¡°How could you just throw everything we had?¡± He remained silent, his face a mask of controlled fury. The tension in the room crackled like electricity. I could feel the air around him shift, a dark energy Suddenly, he snapped. His eyes turned to ck. Before I could react, he grabbed my arms, pulling me close, his chest brushing against mine. ¡°I said enough!¡± He roared, his voice a low growl. The sound of the metal door mming open startled both of us as an officer stepped inside and behind him stood Ivan. Their presence seemed to break I stumbled back, clutching my arms where he¡¯d grabbed me. I stared at Alex, his eyes flickering back to their color. But the cold, hard edge to his gaze re Chapter 35 -Maya¡¯s POV- ¡°What¡¯s going on here?¡± Ivan repeated, his voice tight with a mix of concern and irritation. His gaze flickered between me and Alex, the tension in the air back to me. ¡°You will be out of here soon,¡± he said, his voice t and devoid of any emotion. It felt like a statement of fact, not a promise. He didn¡¯t wait for a response, turning Ivan¡¯s jaw clenched tight. He looked at me, his face a mask of anger. I opened my mouth to exin, to bridge the widening gap between us, but he cut m ¡°Maya,¡± he started, his voice losing its usual softness whenever he spoke to me, ¡°You told me Alex was¡­ a thing of the past. You said you were done with him.¡± His words held a hint of betrayal, a reminder o ¡°Lasked him to leave,¡± I blurted out, feeling defensive. ¡°It¡¯s not like I had a choice! He just showed up here, and¡­¡± I trailed off, frustration bubbling inside me. It wasn¡¯t fair. I shouldn¡¯t have to apologize for being in a jail cell with a man w ¡°And how does that exin why he practically had his hands wrapped around you when I walked in here?¡± ¡°It happened fast,¡± I exined, my voice calm despite the anger simmering beneath the surface. ¡°He just grabbed me and I wanted to push him away but-¡± ¡°But you didn¡¯t¡± he cut in, his eyes narrowing. ¡°What was he even here in the fisrt ce.¡± ¡°He said he was here to help,¡± I admitted hesitantly. My words felt hollow even to myself. Help? He¡¯d caused most of this chaos! ¡°Help?¡± He scoffed, his disbelief evident. ¡°He¡¯s thest person you need help from, Amaya. Don¡¯t you see that?¡± ¡°See what?¡± I shot back, my temper finally ring, ¡°I appreciate you worrying, Ivan, but I can handle myself.¡± A beat of silence followed my outburst. He stared at me, his expression unreadable. The air crackled with unspoken words and simmering tension. But th just angry. My emotions seemed to bleed into his and the hurt disappeared reced by anger but then instead of exploding like I expected to, he let out a sign. ¡°Handle yourselff You¡¯re sitting in a jail cell, Maya. How exactly are you handling that?¡± His gentle tone disarmed my anger. Shame washed over me. He was right. He was still here for me even though I had not made it easy. ¡°I¡­ I don¡¯t know,¡± I mumbled, looking down at the floor. ¡°This whole thing is a mess. My father, Alex showing up¡­ I just want it all to stop.¡± He sighed, the sound heavy with weariness. He reached out, cing a hand on my shoulder. The touch was warm, a reminder of his presence, his support, ¡°We just need to focus on getting you out of here.¡± A wave of relief washed over me as he spoke. Getting out of here was all I needed to focus on at that moment. ¡°We?¡± Techoed, ¡°Do you mean you¡¯ve fig a way to get me released?¡± He hesitated for a moment, a flicker of something unreadable crossing his features. ¡°I¡¯ve contacted awyer. Someone who can navigate this mess and ¡°But what?¡± The hope that had bloomed in my chest started to wilt. Was there anotherplication? Another hurdle to jump? ¡°I also spoke to your father,¡± He admitted, his gaze dropping to the floor for a moment before meeting mine again. heart. of sympathy in his eyes, a flicker of something that tugged at my There was a hint My breath hitched. ¡°You saw my father? Is he¡­ is he alright?¡± The image of my father, stern and powerful, facing an unknown interrogation, sent a fresh ¡°He¡¯s not in the best ce. The investigation into hispany¡­ it¡¯s not going well for him. They¡¯ve frozen most of his assets, and there¡¯s a lot of evidenc I felt a cold dread pool in my stomach. This wasn¡¯t good. Not good at all. ¡°Thepany¡­Does that mean¡­¡± ¡°It doesn¡¯t look good. There¡¯s a chance they could shut it downpletely. And even if they don¡¯t, the financial strain¡­ it will take years to recover, if eve The news hit me like a physical blow. The symbol of my father¡¯s power and prestige, potentially crumbling to dust. The implications were staggering. ¡°But what about the pack?¡± I blurted out, a new worry dawning on me. ¡°With Daniel¡­ with everything going on here, the pack is in chaos. Everyone¡¯s vying for power, and those whose who think they have a chance are gunn I let out a groan, ¡°That is not good at all. This is a fucking mess. Everything falling apart.¡± ¡°We¡¯ll figure it out. We¡¯ll deal with your father, thepany, and the pack. But first things first, we get you out of here.¡± His words calmed the storm of emotions brewing inside me. He was right. Panicking wouldn¡¯t solve anything. I needed a clear head, a n. ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org . ¡®So what¡¯s the n then?¡± I asked, forcing myself to sound calm. ¡°How do we get me released? And what about my father¡­ is there anything we can do ¡°Getting you released is the easy part. Thewyer should be here any minute now. As for your father¡­¡± he hesitated, his brow furrowing in thought.. ¡°As for my father?¡± I pressed, my voiceced with a sliver of desperation. ¡°There has to be something we can do. What about the person we were suppo ¡°He turned out to be a waste of time. He is the reason I am justing to see you. He amounted to nothing. Just wanted some 11:35 Fri, 21 Jun ti cash for some few useless words. The only thing we can do now is try to help your father. But the evidence against him is strong A bitter part of me bubbled up. Maybe this was karma finally catching up to my father, a payback for all the wrongs he¡¯d done. Maybe if he sat here for a ¡°We¡¯ll do what we can,¡± I said, my voice firm. ¡°But Ivan, there¡¯s something else. I can¡¯t let the pack fall apart. The power can¡¯t shift hands away from the S He nodded curtly, understanding etched on his face. ¡°And I really hate to ask this of you but Natalia needs to be informed of what is happening.¡± I closed my eyes feeling a wave of pain, ¡°She needs to know ¡°Alright,¡± He said, his voice gentle. ¡°I¡¯ll take care of it and she needs extra help in handling them, I would be happy to help.¡± I stared at this man. What kind of beautiful creature was he? I opened my mouth to tell him just how much I appreciated everything he was doing for me but the sound of approaching footsteps broke the silence. The door creaked open, revealing a uniformed officer. ¡°Times up Sir.¡± Ivan stood up, a flicker of something unreadable crossing his features before a wry smile touched his lips. He turned to leave, then paused at the doorwa ago vanished, reced by a steely glint in his eyes. ¡°When you get out of here, Amaya,¡± he said, his voice low and intense, ¡°I won¡¯t tolerate.you having anything to do with Alex.¡± I met his gaze, understanding settling in my stomach. ¡°I understand,¡± I said simply. ¡°And one more thing,¡± he continued, a hint of a challenge in his voice. ¡°Once this is all over, I¡¯m iming you as my mate.¡± With that, he turned on his heel and strode out, the heavy metal door nging shut behind him. 0 Chapter 36 Chapter 36 -Alex¡¯s POV- Fury gnawed at me, a bitter, acidic knot that tightened with every ragged breath I took. The image of Amaya flinching back from my touch, her eyes wide with fear, was branded into my skull. The air in the cell was thick with the suffocating weight of my mistake. I shouldn¡¯t have touched her. I stormed out of the station, the m of the heavy door echoing my own internal turmoil. Grabbing my phone, I punched in Christian¡¯s number, my thumb hovering over the call button. This mess, this whole ch a a de ¨C it was all his fault. He picked up after two rings, his voice dripping with his usual twisted amusement. ¡°Alex, what a pleasant surprise. Did you miss me already?¡± ¡°Get her out,¡± I growled, the words a low rumble in my chest. ¡°Ah, Amaya,¡± he chuckled, a sound that grated on my nerves. ¡°Seems the little mate wasn¡¯t too thrilled to see you.¡± I ignored his jibe. ¡°I don¡¯t have time for your games, Christian. Get her out of that cell. Now.¡± A beat of silence stretched between us, then Christian sighed, a theatrical disy of exasperation. ¡°Alright, alright. Calm down. It¡¯s happening. She¡¯ll be out in no time.¡± ¡°See that it happens,¡± I growled, my voiceced with a dangerous edge. ¡°Now, now, Alex,¡± he cooed, but the amusement was gone from his voice, reced by a hint of something¡­ caution? ¡°Don¡¯t get your fur in a twist. It was just a little nudge in the right direction. I was trying to be a good friend. Give you a little nudge in the right direction, Afterall it won¡¯t take a blind men to see that you are still in love with her.¡± ¡°This wasn¡¯t a game, Christian,¡± I snarled, each wordced with venom. ¡°You kept me in the dark about her father getting her involved. If I hadn¡¯t found out¡­ ¡°Hey,¡± he interrupted, his voice sharp. ¡°Don¡¯t try to pin this on me. You gave the go ahead. I was just following orders.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t ever pull a stunt like this again, Christian,¡± I warned, my voice low and dangerous. ¡°If you ever put her in harm¡¯s way again, there will be consequences. And trust me, you won¡¯t like them.¡± He scoffed, ¡°Why don¡¯t you save the threats for someone that actually fears you.¡± ¡°Consider it a promise,¡± I growled. ¡°This¡­ this changes everything. We¡¯re done, Christian. If you ever¡­¡± The amusement crept back into his voice, ¡°So you say.¡± ¡°Get. Her. Out,¡± I repeated, each word clipped and full of menace. Then, without another word, I mmed the phone shut. My body thrummed with a primal energy, a c o c t i l of rage, frustration, and a gnawing fear for Amaya. I needed an escape. Needed to feel the wind whipping through my fur, the earth pounding beneath my paws. With a feral snarl, I ripped open the car door andunched myself into the countryside, the roar of the engine a muted echo of the Chapter 36 storm raging inside me. The city lights blurred into streaks of yellow as I pushed the car to its limits, the speedometer needle climbing steadily. Finally, I reached the edge of my property, a sprawling expanse of rolling hills and wild forest. Without a second thought, I threw the car into park and mmed the door shut. Taking a single, deep breath, I shifted. The transformation was as familiar as it was brutal. Bones contorted, muscles ripped, and a deafening howl erupted from my throat as I took my wolf form. My fur was the color of a moonless night, a deep, inky ck that shimmered with an otherworldly sheen under the pale moonlight. Towering over eight feet at the shoulder, I was a hulking mass of muscle and bone. Razor-sharp ws extended from my massive paws, and my teeth, bared in a silent snarl, were as long and deadly as daggers. My senses, amplified a hundred fold, took in the world around me. But the only thing that mattered was the release. The feeling of the wind whipping through my fur, the exhrating power coursing through my veins as I took off into a sprint. There was no thought, no strategy, just the primal urge to run, to outrun the anger, the fear, the suffocating weight of everything that had happened. I ran until my lungs burned and my legs ached, the taste of metallic blood filling my mouth. But still, IN?velDrama.Org owns this text. couldn¡¯t stop. Finally, exhausted but far from calm, I slowed to a trot, my body finally starting to cool down. Copsing onto a grassy knoll, I panted heavily, the rhythmic sound the only noise in the silent night. Raising my head, I let out a long, mournful howl, the sound echoing through the trees, ament for the bond I might have irrevocably broken. The sound hung in the air, unanswered, a stark reminder of the immense loneliness that stretched before me. As the night wore on, the initial surge of rage subsided, reced by a deep, gnawing ache. Regret, heavy and bitter, settled in my gut. How could I have let things get so out of control? A shiver wracked my massive form, not from the cool night air, but from the chilling realization of my actions. I n cell. With a heavy sigh, I rose to my feet, the weight of the world seemingly pressing down on me. Shifting back into my human form, 1 winced at the ache in every muscle. A voice,ced with cold sarcasm, sent a jolt of surprise through me. ¡°Well, wasn¡¯t that just a delightful disy of uncontrolled power?¡± Natalia stood a few feet behind me, arms folded across her chest. Moonlight glinted off her icy eyes, hardening their usual warmth. She looked like a storm about to break, beautiful and terrifying in equal measure. She folded her hands ignoring the fact that I was naked, keeping her gaze on my face, ¡°Maya¡¯s in jail.¡± I almost scoffed. Tell me something I don¡¯t know. Scowling, I reached behind a nearby tree, grabbing the clothes I always kept stashed there in case of an unexpected shift. Pulling on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt, I met her gaze, my jaw clenched tight. you found me was t, devoid of any emotion, a stark contrast to the turmoil raging inside me. ¡°Should I My voice -k how you ¡°Don¡¯t y dumb with me, Alex,¡± she snarled. ¡°I¡¯m not here for idle chit-chat. Maya¡¯s in a jail cell.¡± My eyes narrowed back at her, ¡°I know.¡± Chapter 36 ¡°You know,¡± She growled and I could feel her wolf surfacing. ¡°And what are you doing about it? Running around ying catch with yourself?¡± Anger red. I took a step towards her, and for a fleeting moment, I saw a flicker of fear in her eyes. But it was quickly reced by a steely resolve, ¡°Don¡¯t even think about trying to intimidate me with your alpha b ll sh i t,¡± she growled, her voice low and dangerous. ¡°Focus that alpha c a p on getting Maya out of jail. You kno d a n well she had nothing to do with her father¡¯s crimes.¡± I clenched my fists, ¡°I¡¯m working on it,¡± I finally managed to grind out. Silence stretched between us, thick and suffocating. ¡°Why are you evening to me with this?¡± I asked, breaking it, ¡°Amaya and I are over.¡± ¡°You¡¯re the most powerful man in this city, Alex,¡± she spat, her wordsced with venom. ¡°Not just in the supernatural world, but in the g o d a n human world too. Use your connections. Get her out! You know she¡¯s innocent!¡± ¡°I told you, I¡¯m working on it,¡± I repeated, my voice firmer this time. Her eyes narrowed, her gaze burning into mine then she turned around to leave but as if she remembered something, her gaze snapped back to mine, ¡°You know you are an a s s h l e right? After everything she gave up for you, you discarded her like she was nothing, for what? A s p id reason that is still unknown. Sometimes I me myself, I should have never pushed her towards you. should have never told her to give you a chance after the shit you pulled when you first discovered you were mates because you, Alex Thorne, are a bastard and you deserve every single horrible thing that ising to you.¡± She paused sucking in a deep breath. I stared at her but didn¡¯t say anything. I discovered the true meaning of rants when I met Natalia and the first time I received one of her was one I would never forget. Silence stretched between us so she just shook her head at me with so much disappointment. Then she turned away. ¡°Adrian is getting out.¡± I said as she walked. I watched as everything in her froze for a moment then she continued walking. Her next words were low but I still heard them, ¡°Good. Then you two can d a m n yourselves to hell.¡± Then she disappeared from my sight. I let out a breath, walking to my car. It was high time I paid him a visit. Çú Chapter 37 Chapter 37 ~Alex¡¯s POV- -Seven Years Ago- The amber liquid swirled in my ss, catching the dim bar light. Adrian, sprawled across the booth from me, mirrored my action, his own drink disappearing with a satisfied grunt. ¡°So, let me get this straight,¡± he drawled, his voice thick with amusement. ¡°Intense, undeniable connection? You felt all that so that meant you finally found the person you were predestined to be with for the rest of your life? Your mate.¡± I grunted in reply, the news still settling in my gut like a boulder. A mate. The word itself felt old fashioned, a relic from a bygone era. Yet, here I was, a modern man facing a truth as primal as instinct. ¡°And she¡¯s a college freshman? Not just that, she is a Stone.¡± Adrian pressed, a sardonic grin twisting his lips. ¡°Junior,¡± I corrected, forcing down another gulp of whiskey. The burn did little to soothe the disquiet churning inside me. I knew what he was getting at. I was a thirty year old man. Nine years wasn¡¯t so much but trust Adrian to point that out. He threw his head back and roared withughter, the sound harsh and grating in the smoky bar. ¡°Brilliant! Just brilliant! Your Moon Goddess really has a twisted sense of humor, doesn¡¯t she?¡± My jaw clenched, a low growl rumbling in my chest. Adrian, with his infuriating brand of gallows humor, was the only person! could have confided in. But even his amusement felt like sandpaper on a raw wound. ¡°What¡¯s so funny?¡± I snapped, my voiceced with a dangerous edge. He sobered up instantly, raising his hands in mock surrender. ¡°Whoa there, big guy. No need to get your fur in a twist. It¡¯s just¡­ the irony, you know? Amaya Stone, daughter of that self-righteous p r i c k Daniel Stone. Of all the people that could have fathered her, it just had to be him.¡± The name hung in the air, heavy with history. Daniel Stone, the Alpha of the rival Crescent pack, had been a thorn in my side for as long as I could remember. The animosity between our packs ranN?velDrama.Org owns this text. deep, a legacy of past grievances. ¡°I don¡¯t give a damn about Daniel Stone,¡± I growled, the words a low rumble in my chest. ¡°She¡¯s mine. And I¡¯ll take what¡¯s mine.¡± ¡°Hold on, Romeo,¡± He scoffed. ¡°Don¡¯t get all possessive on me. This isn¡¯t some fairy tale. She¡¯s not a damsel in distress waiting to be swept off her feet by the brooding Alpha.¡± He was right, of course. From the moment I¡¯did eyes on her across the bar, I¡¯d known she was anything but ordinary. I couldn¡¯t stop myself. I was drawn to her and there waas nothing I could do stop it no matter how hard I tried nor was I interested in stopping it. ¡°So, what¡¯s the n, then, Casanova?¡± he continued, his voiceced with a challenge. ¡°Shower her with expensive gifts? Serenade her under her window? Stalk her? Kidnap her? Force her to be with you? Because I don¡¯t think she would go against her father, her entire pack to be with you.¡± A muscle ticked in my jaw. He was right again. This wouldn¡¯t be easy. iming a mate from a rival pack was a delicate dance, Chapter 37 20180 fraught with potential for bloodshed. But the primal urge that pulsed within me, the undeniable pull towards Amaya, wouldn¡¯t be ignored. ¡°I haven¡¯t figured it out yet,¡± I admitted, frustration gnawing at me. ¡°But one thing¡¯s for sure. I won¡¯t let some ancient pack rivalry stand in the way of what¡¯s mine.¡± He studied me for a long moment, a flicker of concern recing his earlier amusement. ¡°Just be careful, Alex,¡± he said finally, his voice low and serious. ¡°This could get messy. Really messy.¡± I met his gaze, my own unwavering. ¡°I know the risks,¡± I said. ¡°But this¡­ this is different. This is my mate. And nothing will stop me from iming her.¡± The weight of his words hung heavy in the air as we finished our drinks, a silent understanding settling between us. The path ahead wouldn¡¯t be easy, but the primal pull of the mate bond was stronger than any obstacle. Just then, he sprang to his feet, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. ¡°Alright, enough brooding,¡± he dered, pping me on the back. ¡°Let¡¯s go see what this woman looks like that¡¯s managed to rattle the all-powerful billionaire Alpha Alex Thorne.¡± I scoffed, shaking my head, but a reluctant smile tugged at the corner of my lips. ¡°We¡¯re not going anywhere near her, Adrian, When I see her again, I want her to be mine,¡± I finished, the possessiveness in my voice undeniable.. His grin widened. ¡°Come on, Alex,¡± he chuckled. ¡°Loosen up a bit. A little harmless curiosity wouldn¡¯t hurt, would it? Besides, I wouldn¡¯t mind seeing the woman who¡¯s got you all worked up.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not harmless curiosity, Adrian,¡± I countered, my voice firm butced with a hint of amusement at his usual daredevil tendencies. ¡°This is serious. We don¡¯t want to s p o her or cause an incident with the Crescent pack, especially not before I have a n. ¡°Alright, alright,¡± he conceded, raising his hands in mock surrender. ¡°But stalking from a distance is practically a national pastime for werewolves, right? We can just observe from afar, gather some intel. No need to get all Alpha protective just yet.¡± I growled yfully, pushing myself out of the booth. ¡°Stalking is a strong word, Adrian.¡± ¡°Oh,e on,¡± he countered, slinging an arm around my shoulder as we headed towards the door. ¡°Don¡¯t be such a stick in the mud. Besides, you know you¡¯re curious too. What is she like? Maybe she¡¯ll be out practicing her wolf form under the full moon tonight, who knows?¡± Despite myself, a small spark of curiosity flickered within me. The truth was, I hadn¡¯t seen her since I left my mark on her in the bar bathroom after the initial shock of discovering our mate bond. The weight of the situation, the potential for conflict between our packs, had kept me at a distance. But the thought of seeing her again, even from afar, sent a thrill through me. Just before we stepped out of he bar, Adrian stopped and ced a hand on my shoulder, his earlier amusement reced by a look of genuine concern. ¡°No matter what, Alex,¡± he said, his voice low and serious. ¡°I¡¯ll be with you every step of the way.¡± I met his gaze, a wave of gratitude washing over me. Trust didn¡¯te easily for me, especially with my past. But Adrian, my closest friend and confidant, had earned it which was why he knew everything about me including the fact that I was a werewolf even though he was a human. A silent understanding passed between us, a promise spoken without words. With a small smile, I nodded in response, We may be heading into uncharted territory, but at least I wouldn¡¯t be facing it alone. The memory faded, reced by the stark reality of the present. I blinked open my eyes, the sterile white walls of the prison infirmary swimming into focus. Seven years. The memory was from seven years but I hadn¡¯t seen him in three years ever since he ended up in prison. A harsh cough shattered the silence. I snapped my eyes open to see a burly guard with a shaved head standing before me, ¡°Mr Thome, right this way.¡± With a curt nod, I followed him down the sterile hallway, the rhythmic clink of his boots echoing against the polished concrete floor. The air grew thick and stale as we turned a corner, the fluorescent lights casting an unttering, clinical glow. The guard stopped in front of a heavy, steel door. A metallic ng echoed through the corridor as the guard unlocked the door. He gestured towards the darkness within. ¡°We usually give ten minutes tops but for you Sir, we will extend the time.¡± I nodded, not paying him more attention than I needed to. There were many advantages that came with being one of the city¡¯s most respected billionaires. This was one of those times. I hesitated for a moment, a knot of apprehension tightening in my gut. Taking a deep breath, I stepped into the darkness. The heavy door nged shut behind me, plunging me into a suffocating ckness. Then, a shift in the air. He stood in the center of the small cell. The chains binding his wrists and ankles clinked faintly as he finally turned to face me, Gone was the easy charm that had once crinkled the corners of his eyes. His face was gaunt, etched with the harsh lines of hardship. His once-golden hair, usually worn meticulously styled, was matted and dull, hangingnkly around his shoulders. Silence stretched between us, thick and suffocating. His voice, when it finally came, was devoid of warmth, as hard and unforgiving as the stone floor beneath my feet: ¡°It¡¯s been too long, Alex,¡± he rasped, each wordced with venom. ¡°Not since thest time we spoke. When you took everything from me.¡± Hatred burned in his eyes, a raging inferno directed solely at me, ¡°And threw me in prison.¡± Chapter 38 -Maya¡¯s POV- One week. That¡¯s how long the cold, damp cell had been my onlypanion. The stale air, the flickering fluorescent light, the constant echo of distant shouts ¨C it all melded into a single, horrifying memory. The relief of Natalia flinging her arms around me when I was finally released was almost suffocating. ¡°They wouldn¡¯t even let me see him,¡± I thought bitterly, clenching my fists in myp. Ivan had exined things vaguely, something about political pressure and ¡°influential forces.¡± He¡¯d insisted he wasn¡¯t responsible for my relea SM Moving in with Ivan had been a whirlwind. The twins, bless their curious little hearts, were asking endless questions I couldn¡¯t answer. ¡°Where have you I would exin but I was just too damn tired. There was almost no tears left in my eyes. Today, however, I wasn¡¯t here for tears. I was here to fight. Sitting across from a portlywyer with thinning hair and a perpetually worried expression, I s ¡°Mr. Davies,¡± I began, my voice firm despite the tremor in my hands, ¡°with all due respect, I don¡¯t feel like you¡¯re doing enough. It¡¯s been a week, and I ha Mr. Davies squirmed in his seat, adjusting his spectacles. ¡°Miss Stone, I understand your frustration. Believe me, I am doing everything in my power. But ¡°Complicated how?¡± I pressed, my voice rising a notch. He sighed, a deep rumble that seemed to emanate from somewhere deep within his belly. ¡°The evidence against him is¡­ substantial, Miss Stone. Large ounts, the whole shebang. It doesn¡¯t look good, I¡¯m afraid to say.¡± My stomach clenched. My father had always done things the legal way. That was one thing I could brag about even though we never saw eye to eye. Bu ¡°And how long?¡± I finally managed to ask, ¡°How long could he be in prison for moneyundering?¡± He avoided my gaze, his lips pursed in a thin line. ¡°Moneyundering is a serious offense. Depending on the severity, the sentence. could range from¡­¡± ten to twenty¨Cfive years.¡± Twenty¨Cfive years. A heavy silence descended upon the room after he uttered the chilling sentence. The air felt thick, the weight of the situation pressing down on me. Wiping a stray tear that escaped down my cheek, I forced myself to speak. ¡°Ten to twenty¨Cfive years,¡± I repeated, the words catching in my throat. ¡°That can¡¯t be it. There has to be something we can do.¡± 61%«I¡£ He shuffled some papers on his desk, avoiding my gaze. ¡°Look, I understand this is a difficult time for you. But these usations. are serious, and the e your father seems strong. However,¡± he continued, a hint of hope creeping into his voice, ¡°there might be a small chance. We could try to argue entrapm was pressuring him into A flicker of hope ignited within me. ¡°Entrapment? But how would we know? They won¡¯t even let me see him.¡± He steepled his fingers, his expression thoughtful. ¡°That is a problem. However, I can draft a request for visitation rights. There¡¯s no guarantee it will be g situation.¡± A sliver of relief washed over me. At least I wouldn¡¯t bepletely in the dark anymore. ¡°Visitation rights,¡± I echoed, ¡°Yes, please do that. Anything to see He nodded, a faint smile flickering across his lips. ¡°Alright. I¡¯ll get on that right away. In the meantime, I¡¯ll also see if I can dig up any information about entrapment. It¡¯s a long shot, but it¡¯s all we have right now.¡± ¡°Thank you. I really appreciate you taking on this case.¡± He gave a small smile. ¡°It¡¯s not about me. It¡¯s about justice. I will be in touch.¡± With a final nod, he shuffled out of the study, leaving me alone with my thoughts. I hadn¡¯t allowed myself to truly consider it before. In the whirlwind of emotions, fear, and confusion, the question of innocence hadn¡¯t truly surfaced. But now, a seed of doubt had been nted. Was he really guilty of all that they said? A cold shiver ran down my spine. And then there was Alex. Could he be behind this? Could he have manipted the evidence, used his influence to get my father out The weight of worry settled heavily on my shoulders. With m pop y father gone, the responsibility for the Crescent pack loomedrge. The irony wasn¡¯t lost on me. I¡¯d relinqu be with Alex, only to have it thrust back upon me by his actions. Why couldn¡¯t he just stay out of my life. Even if he had been the one to have me release out of me. A choked sob escaped my lips, tears stinging my eyes. Just as I felt myself spiraling into despair, the office door creaked open and Natalia entered. Her streaked face and slumped posture. ¡°Maya?¡± she said softly, her voiceced with worry. ¡°How are you holding up?¡± I managed a weak smile, the gesture feeling hollow even to me. ¡°It could be better,¡± I admitted, my voice thick with emotion. ¡°Mr. Davies is trying to get me visitation rights, but it could take days. And the mi She pulled up a chair and sat next to me, her presence a source offort. She squeezed my hand gently, her touch warm and reassuring. ¡°Hey,¡± she s I let out a shaky breath, leaning into her side. ¡°It just feels like one drama after another, I confessed, burying my face in her shoulder. ¡°First, everything w She wrapped her arms around me, holding me tight. ¡°I know, sweetie,¡± she murmured. ¡°It feels overwhelming, doesn¡¯t it? Like the world is conspiring against you.¡± N?velDrama.Org is the owner. I pulled back slightly, tears welling up in my eyes again. ¡°And the worst part?¡± I whispered, my voice barely above a choked sob. ¡°It feels like Alex¡¯s shad She frowned, her brow furrowed in concern. ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± she admitted. ¡°But jumping to conclusions won¡¯t help. Right now, we need to focus on your fa ¡°You¡¯re right. Focusing on anger won¡¯t help. I need a clear head.¡± ¡°That¡¯s the spirit. We¡¯ll get through this together, Maya. You¡¯re not alone. We have each other, the twins, the pack. We¡¯ll figure this out, one step at a time But then there was suddenly a flicker of hesitation in her eyes. ¡°Natalia?¡± I prompted, a sliver of unease creeping into my voice. ¡°Is something wrong? She hesitated for a moment longer, then blurted out, ¡°There¡¯s something you need to know, Maya. Something I haven¡¯t told you yet.¡± My heart hammered in my chest, a sense of foreboding washing over me. ¡°What is it? What haven¡¯t you told me?¡± She took a deep breath, ¡°I went to see Alex when you were in jail.¡± I froze, the blood draining from my face. Seeing my reaction, she rushed on, ¡°I know, I know, it wasn¡¯t the best decision. But I was worried sick about you anyone could get you out of it, I knew it would be him.¡± Her exnation did little to ease the turmoil within me. The mere mention of Alex sent a fresh wave of anger crashing through me. But before I could voic dropped another Chapter 39 Chapter 39 -Maya¡¯s POV- ¡°You like it when I f**k you don¡¯t you? Say it Silver. Tell me how much you want it.¡± I tried to stop the moan but it escaped my lips when his lipstched onto one of my nipples. ¡°Say it, Silver.¡± ¡°I love it.¡± I gasped out. ¡°Love what?¡± He flicked his tongue on the nipple eliciting another gasp, ¡°When you f**k me.¡± He wrapped his hands around my neck, not tight enough to cut off my airflow but hard enough to make me focus solely on him. ¡°Alex, please¡± The words were cut short when he mmed into me hard. I gasped, jolting awake. It was just a dream. A dream. Why then did it feel so real?¡± I let out a low curse when I felt the wetness between my legs. Really? What was this obsession I had with him?As if it wasn¡¯t enough that he was screwing with my reality, now he had managed to work his way into my dreams. Throwing off the nkets, I made my way my room. The room Ivan had given me. I would admit it was hard adjusting while trying to exin to the twins that we would be staying with a man now. A stranger who they did not know. out The light in their room glowed faintly just the way Ivy liked it. She had always been afraid of the dark, unlike Nate who seemed to like it but like the protector he had always been, he adjusted his preferences so his little sister wouldn¡¯t have to hide in fear. Peeping in a little, they were fast asleep. I had ced them in their respective beds but now Nate had his hands wrapped around his little sister. Her protector. Just like I thought he was to me. ¡°Can¡¯t sleep?¡± Ivan¡¯s voice cut in. I closed the door and shot it gently before turning to him. He had a tired smile on his face,N?velDrama.Org is the owner. something I knew was mirrored on my face. I hadn¡¯t been having any sleep at all ofte. Maybe it had something to do with the fact that I have still not been able to see my father, to hear his own exnation of things. I hoped with everything I had that it wasn¡¯t true but then again, he was Daniel Stone. He had been the viin in my story for the longest time, he was to say he wasn¡¯t the viin in real life? Then again, maybe myck of sleep has something to do with the fact that Natalia¡¯s words hadn¡¯t stopped ying in my head. ¡°Adrian is getting out.¡± There was a time when it had been the four of us. That cliche tale of the best friends getting together but for Natalia, it had always been Nathan, no matter how hard she tried to fight it. Things had gottenpleted after that¡¯s another tale on its own. Chapter 39 ¡°Come on, I want to show you something His voice snapped me back to reality and a guilty smile graced my face, ¡°I am sorry. I just have a lot going on in my head.¡± ¡°I understand. I would be scared if you didn¡¯t.¡± O He stretched his hand towards me and I took it without a second thought. Whether I liked it or not, this man had managed to gain my trust, not only that was slowly creeping into my heart. That scared me more than I cared to admit. What happens when he decides that I am too much of a burden? When he gets tired of my never ending drama? With everything that has been going on, we haven¡¯t had time to sit down and have the hard conversations. Like when he said after all this was over, he was going to im me or the fact that I was still bearing my father¡¯s name. Even though he hadn¡¯t said it, his eyes conveyed the message. I was both relieved and apprehensive about it. ¡°Where are you taking me?¡± I broke the silence between us. ¡°Somewhere I go when I need to be at peace. You look like you could use to a dose of it.¡± I sighed, ¡°I crave it more than anything.¡± He led me to an open field. Ivan basically lived in a mansion. He was a multimillionaire but he had alwayse across as subtle to me. His house had been unexpected. Land stretched far across the field. It was one of those nights, not too warm, not too cold. Just breezy. ¡°What are we doing out here?¡± Letting go of my hand, he kicked off his shoes and walked barefoot deeper into the field. The moon cast long shadows, turning the tall grass into a rippling sea of silver. He unbuttoned his shirt with a slow, deliberate movement, the crisp cotton falling away to reveal the broad expanse of his chest, the moonlight highlighting the well-defined muscles beneath. My breath caught in my throat, a warmth spreading through me despite the cool night air. Sensing my gaze, he turned back with a knowing smile ying on his lips. ¡°Like what you see?¡± he teased. Embarrassment flooded my cheeks. This man was my husband, and yet, seeing him like this- so raw, so powerful-stirred a response within me that felt both unfamiliar and thrilling. Quickly, I looked away, remembering something important, ¡°I can¡¯t shift,¡± I whispered, staring down at my clenched fist. Surprise flickered across his face, quickly reced by concern. He crossed the distance between us in a few long strides, his hand reaching out to cup my chin, gently forcing me to meet his gaze. ¡°What do you mean you can¡¯t shift?¡± he asked, his voiceced with worry. ¡°Are you injured?¡± I shook my head, the weight of the confession making my voice heavy. ¡°No, it¡¯s not that. It¡¯s¡­¡± I hesitated, struggling to find the right words. ¡°Ever since Alex¡­ well, after things ended between us, I haven¡¯t been able to shift fully.¡± He frowned, his brow furrowing in concentration. ¡°You haven¡¯t been able to shift at all?¡± ¡°No,¡± I admitted, the truth a bitter pill to swallow. ¡°I can feel it, Ivan. I can feel my wolf rising to the surface, especially when I¡¯m stressed or angry. But it¡¯s like there¡¯s a wall there, holding her back. I try, I truly do, but I can¡¯t seem to break through.¡± Chapter 39 610 He took a deep breath, his expression thoughtful. ¡°Maya,¡± he began, his voice patient, ¡°sometimes emotional trauma can manifest in physical ways. Maybe this is your body¡¯s way of coping with what happened with Alex.¡± ¡°Maybe,¡± I conceded, a flicker of doubt creeping into my voice. But a part of me rebelled against the idea. Ivan cupped my face in his hands, his touch warm and soothing. ¡°The mind works in mysterious ways,¡± he said gently. ¡°It¡¯s possible the stress of everything that has happened.¡± His words held a ring of truth, but a stubborn part of me refused to ept it entirely. ¡°Even if that¡¯s true,¡± I argued, my voice firm, ¡°it doesn¡¯t change the fact that I can¡¯t shift. It¡¯s a fundamental part of who I am, of who we are. What if I¡¯m broken?¡± ¡°You¡¯re not broken, Maya. You¡¯re just¡­ blocked. Think about it. You can still feel your wolf, right? She¡¯s still there, a part of you. Maybe it¡¯s not about forcing your way through, but about finding a way to heal, to let go of the emotional baggage that¡¯s holding you back.¡± ¡°But how?¡± I asked, a flicker of desperation in my voice. ¡°How do I just let go of something that feels so raw?¡± Instead of an answer, he pulled me into a tight embrace, his strong arms a haven offort. ¡°One step at a time,¡± he murmured into my hair. ¡°We¡¯ll figure this out together. You¡¯re not alone in this. I¡¯m here for you, every step of the way.¡± His words washed over me, offering a much-needed anchor in the swirling sea of uncertainty. Just as I felt a sliver of hope bloom, he pulled away abruptly. Startled, I blinked at him, a question hanging in the air. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Instead of answering, a slow smile spread across his face. It wasn¡¯t his usual charming grin; this one held an undercurrent of something else entirely. A primal glint flickered in his eyes. Before I could voice my unease, a series of deep pops and cracks echoed through the night. Within seconds, a brown wolf stood before me, its powerful muscles rippling with each breath. He was simply beautiful but his eyes were the most enchanting pair I had ever seen. They glowed with an intensity that sent a thrill through me. His wolf tilted its head, a low growl rumbling deep in its throat. Then, in a sh of telepathic communication that seemed to b y p a s s my ears andnd directly in my mind, a single word echoed ¨C ¡°Run.¡± Without a single conscious thought, my feet were pounding against the earth. The wind whipped past my ears, tearing at my clothes, but I didn¡¯t dare slow down and in those few seconds before his wolf would catch me because I knew I could outrun it. I felt it¡­ A taste of a new life, a taste of freedom. S Chapter 40 -Alex¡¯s POV- My hands wrapped around her neck, caging her against the wall. Her lust filled out stared back at me and it took everything in me not to tear her pretty li the wall but she had always been my temptation, my weakness. ¡°Fuck me, Alex. I let out a growl grinding my teeth, ¡°Silver.¡± It came out as a warning but I knew she wouldn¡¯t listen, ¡°I dare you. You know you want to. Fuck me Alex.¡± Like that, every restraint slipped and I smashed my lips on hers. My ws extended, ripping her dress off her and she let out a gasp as my lipstched to it. ¡°Alex please.¡± ¡°Please what, Silver?¡± My lips moved to the seconds, drawing the second bud into my hungry mouth, ¡°Say it. Tell me exactly how you want it.¡± ¡°I want you to¡­ Fuck.¡± She gasped out when my second hand slipped between her legs. ¡°Use your words, Silver.¡± ¡°Fuck me. Please. I want you to fuck me.¡± I released her, turning her around. She arched her back towards me and then without warning, pulled out my dick and mmed into her. A bone¨Crattling crack of thunder split the sky, the sound echoing through the mansion like a gunshot. Rainshed against the windows, the wind howling like a banshee outside. I flinched, the sudden noise jolting me out of the uns Those fragmented visions of Maya, the way she used to look at me- they¡¯d been guing me for days ever since my visit to Adrian. His threats,ced w Taking a swig of my whiskey, I stared out the window at the relentless downpour. The Adrian I knew was long gone, consumed by a darkness that I woke up and walked with every single day of my life. His threats held no weight with me. He was getting exactly wh life he took from me, the life he shattered. Letting out a long sigh, I slumped deeper into the plush armchair closing my eyes then I felt her presence, ¡°I was actually going to say a prayer of thanks to the Moon Goddess. I thought you had finally given me a helping hand and rid the world o ¡°If that¡¯s your way of saying you missed me, you aren¡¯t scoring any points,¡± she sniped, her voice dripping with sarcasm. I turned slowly to face her, a weary sigh escaping my lips. Getting rid of her wouldn¡¯t be difficult ¨C I had that power. But Miranda, despite her sharp tongue and maniptive ways, had proven to be a valuable asset in certain situations. 19419 -61% ¡¤ T She sashayed towards the liquor cab, her high heels clicking rhythmically against the polished marble floor. Without asking. she poured herself a gen the bed with an air of entitlement. ¡°What brings you here, Miranda?¡± ¡°Can¡¯t a womane see her fianc¨¦?¡± she countered, her voiceced with a sweetness that didn¡¯t reach her eyes. The way she said ¡°fianc¨¦¡± sent a jolt We locked eyes for a moment, a silent battle of wills. My bored stare met hers, as cold and calcting as a cier. ¡°I heard your little mate went to jail,¡± she finally said, breaking the silence. ¡°If you ask me, they should¡¯ve never let her out in the first ce. Trash like her Her words were clearly designed to get a reaction, but today, I wouldn¡¯t give her the satisfaction. I simply took another sip of my whiskey, the amber liqui Sensing my disinterest, she dropped the ss on the nightstand with a sharp crack. Her yful demeanor vanished, reced by a steely seriousness. ¡° The mention of Ivan piqued my curiosity, but only slightly. The tangled web of rtionships between Miranda and her brother had always been a mystery hate, their bond as vtile as the thunderstorm outside. ¡°And?¡± I asked, my voice monotone. She sat up straighter, her posture rigid. ¡°You¡¯re going to help him.¡± Now this, this was interesting. A slow smile spread across my face, genuine amusement recing my earlier boredom. ¡°Why in the world would I involve N?velDrama.Org owns this text. Her eyes narrowed, ¡°You¡¯ll help him because he¡¯s married to Amaya. A hurt to Ivan hurts Amaya too. Last I heard, Daniel Stone¡¯spany was on the ve Amaya had always been smart enough to stand on her own. That was one of the reasons I liked her. It didn¡¯t matter that she was the daughter of a multi A slow smile,ced with a hint of malice, spread across my face. ¡°No?¡± She echoed, the single wordced with disbelief. For a moment, her carefully con ¡°Why wouldn¡¯t you care?¡± she pressed, her voice a low growl. ¡°Only a blind person wouldn¡¯t see that you still have affection for her.¡± I raised an eyebrow, taking a deliberate sip of my whiskey and savoring the way it burned a warm path down my throat. ¡°Affection? Like I have told you b what happens to her.¡± The words burned in my own throat like they were stinging me from the inside but I enjoyed watching as the color drained from her face. I set the ss d comfortable with it. ¡°Look, Miranda,¡± I said, my voice low and dangerous, ¡°let¡¯s get one thing straight. Your little games, your maniptive tactics- they don¡¯t work on the. I see through them clearer than the rain outside.¡± I stopped mere inches in front of her, towering over her petite frame. My gaze met hers, a cold challenge that sent shivers down her spine, I could see it in her eyes. Caging her with my body, I reache Leaning closer, I spoke directly into her ear, my voice barely a whisper. Warm breath tickled her cheek, sending a tremor through her body. ¡°I, Alex, move Her face contorted in a mixture of fear and defiance. Her hands balled into fists at her sides, the urge tosh out evident. But she knew, as well as I did, Only then did I release my hold, a satisfied smirk ying on my lips. Miranda stumbled back, gasping for breath and clutching at her throat. ¡°Good,¡± I said, my voice returning to its usual calm. ¡°Now, if you¡¯ll excuse me, I have a business empire to run but first lie back and spread your legs.¡± Her gaze snapped to mine, ¡°What?¡± I had to remember this one of the reasons I kept her around and my memories of Anaya had been leaving me so much on edge. I needed a release and ¡°I do not like to repeat myself.¡± Instantly hers switched from fear to desire at my tone and sheid back, spreading her legs. A smile graced my face as I stared down at her. This was going to be a really long night. 0 -61% The words burned in my own throat like they were stinging me from the inside but I enjoyed watching as the color drained from her face. I set the ss d in the sudden silence. Rising from the armchair, I took a slow, deliberate step towards her, my movements measured and predatory. She instinctively bac ¡°Look, Miranda,¡± I said, my voice low and dangerous, ¡°let¡¯s get one thing straight. Your little games, your maniptive tactics they don¡¯t work on me. I se I stopped mere inches in front of her, towering over her petite frame. My gaze met hers, a cold challenge that sent shivers down her spine, I could see it tight enough to restrict her breathing and send a clear message. Leaning closer, I spoke directly into her ear, my voice barely a whisper. Warm breath tickled her cheek, sending a tremor through her body. ¡°I, Alex, move the pieces on this chessboard,¡± I said, each word dripping with icy dominance. ¡°And Amaya, for all her supposed importance, is nothing more than a paw stop pretending to be a queen. You are wearing my wolf thin, you know what happens when I let him out.¡± Her face contorted in a mixture of fear and defiance. Her hands balled into fists at her sides, the urge tosh out evident. But she knew, as well as I did, fight here wouldn¡¯t benefit her. Not against me. With a strangled gasp, she nodded curtly, her voice hoarse as she managed a weak, ¡°I understand.¡± Only then did I release my hold, a satisfied smirk ying on my lips. Miranda stumbled back, gasping for breath and clutching at her throat. ¡°Good,¡± I said, my voice returning to its usual calm. ¡°Now, if you¡¯ll excuse me, I have a business empire to run but first lie back and spread your legs.¡± Her gaze snapped to mine, ¡°What?¡± I had to remember this one of the reasons I kept her around and my memories of Anaya had been leaving me so much on edge. I needed a release and ¡°I do not like to repeat myself.¡± Instantly hers switched from fear to desire at my tone and sheid back, spreading her legs. A smile graced my face as I stared down at her. This was going to be a really long night. Chapter 41 Chapter 41 -Maya¡¯s POV- My foot tapped against the wooden floor, a nervous counterpoint to the tense silence gripping the room. The power struggle that had simmered ever since my father¡¯s imprisonment had finally erupted, reaching its boiling point after two humans ended up dead. The wolves of the Crescent Pack, my pack, were spiraling out of control. As my father¡¯s only child, the mantle of leadership now rested uneasily on my shoulders. My gaze swept over the gathered crowd. Modernity had forced us to abandon themunal living arrangements of old. But during times of crisis like this, we still assembled in a secluded building deep within the woods, away from the prying eyes of the human world. Ivan sat beside me, a silent pir of support. I knew every eye in the room was fixed on me, waiting for me to speak. The high- ranking members, some of whom harbored their own ambitions for the Alpha position, were seated on a raised tform surrounding me. Public speaking had never been my weakness, but in this charged atmosphere, words seemed to desert me. Suddenly, a warm hand settled on my leg, a silent reassurance from Ivan. Squeezing his hand back, I drew in a deep breath and rose to my feet. Clearing my throat, I began, ¡°First of all, I want to thank each and every one of you foring here today. I know we all have busy lives, and I truly appreciate you taking the time to be here.¡± A beat of awkward silence followed, then I continued, my voice gaining strength with each word. ¡°Let¡¯s not pretend otherwise. My father is currently incarcerated, facing investigations that render him unfit to lead the pack. That¡¯s why I¡¯ve decided to step in and take charge until his situation is resolved.¡± Before I could borate, a gruff voice cut through the room. ¡°Step in?¡± boomed a burly man from the gathered wolves. ¡°What you the right? Last we heard, you threw away your position when you ran off with that bastard.¡± gives My jaw clenched, and my wolf lunged to the surface to make him pay for the insult. But I forced myself to remain calm. ¡°I faced the consequences of my actions,¡± I replied, my voiceced with steel. ¡°My father forgave me and weed me back into the fold. Don¡¯t sit there and question it. And the next time you interrupt me while I¡¯m speaking, you will face consequences of your own.¡± A flicker of fear crossed the man¡¯s eyes, and he bowed his head in a grudging submission. It wasn¡¯t aplete victory, but it was a start. At least I¡¯d established my boundaries. ¡°Does anyone else have anything to say before I address the situation with the humans?¡± I asked, scanning the room. A throat cleared beside me. Of course, it was him. Petrov. He¡¯d always seen himself as the rightful heir apparent, constantly vying for my father¡¯s favor even though he was never officially named second-inmand. And he never missed an opportunity to assert his dominance, especially when he saw a chance to undermine me. I stered a smile on my face, masking the annoyance churning in my gut. ¡°Petrov, you seem to have something on your mind?¡± He leaned back in his seat, his eyes gleaming with a dark challenge. ¡°Just a rification, Alpha,¡± he drawled, deliberately using the title. ¡°Nichs raised a valid point.¡± Of course, he did. I wouldn¡¯t be surprised if Petrov had been the one whispering in Nichs¡¯ ear, encouraging him to question my authority. ¡°Valid?¡± I repeated, my voice dripping with skepticism. ¡°Or simply convenient for your agenda?¡± Petrov continued, unfazed by my jab. ¡°When you abandoned your pack to run off with the Nightshadow Pack, your father disowned you. As far as anyone knows, he never officially reinstated you.¡± A murmur of agreement rippled through the crowd. His words stung, but I wouldn¡¯t give them the satisfaction of seeing me sweat. ¡°My reinstatement wasn¡¯t a public ceremony,¡± I exined, my voice calm but firm. ¡°It was a private matter between my father and me. And trust me, he is fully aware of his responsibilities to the pack, and he has full faith in my ability to lead in his absence.¡± When I was done, I¡¯d pray to the Moon Goddess to forgive me for lying but there was no way I was letting this a s e get the better of me. Another wave of murmurs arose, this time tinged with uncertainty. ¡°Look,¡± I said, my voice rising above the din. ¡°I understand your concerns. My actions in the past were reckless, and I ept full responsibility for them. But I¡¯ve learned from my mistakes, and I¡¯m here now, ready to serve the pack. We can¡¯t afford to be divided. Those humans who died ¨C that was a tragedy, a direct result of the chaos that¡¯s erupted since my father¡¯s absence. We need a strong leader, someone who can unite us and restore order.¡± A few heads nodded in agreement, but a skeptical frown remained etched on Petrov¡¯s face. He rose from his seat, his imposing stature casting a shadow over me. ¡°Strong leadership,¡± he scoffed. ¡°That¡¯s easy to say, but where were you when this pack truly needed you? The past seven years, while your father and I toiled day and night to hold things together, you were off ying house with the Alpha of the a pack that has rivaled outs for years. Did you even spare a thought for the wolves who remained loyal?¡± His words struck a chord. Shame red within me, a potent reminder of the hurt I caused by leaving. I opened my mouth to speak, but Petrov cut me off before I could get a word out. ¡°We all know the story,¡± he continued, using my old title with a mocking emphasis. ¡°Blinded by love, you abandoned your pack, your duties, everything. Now, suddenly, you reappear and expect to waltz in and take charge? It doesn¡¯t work that way.¡± I forced myself to meet Petrov¡¯s gaze, refusing to back down, ¡°That¡¯s just your option.¡± ¡°My opinion,¡± Petrov sneered, ¡°is that the pack needs a leader who¡¯s been here, through thick and thin. Someone who understands the struggles we¡¯ve faced, not someone who waltzed in after years of gallivanting around with strangers.¡± He nced around the room, his gaze connecting with various pack members. Heads were nodding in agreement, whispers. erupting amongst the crowd. The tide was turning against me, doubt clouding their faces. ¡°I understand your frustration, Petrov,¡± I said, trying to regain some control. ¡°But the past is the past. I¡¯m here now, and I¡¯mmitted to doing what¡¯s best for the pack.¡± ¡°Committed?¡± He barked a humorlessugh. ¡°Commitment is staying by your pack¡¯s side, not abandoning them for some romance with a rival Alpha. Commitment is putting the needs of the Crescent Pack above your own happiness. fleeting My face burned with anger, but I forced myself to remain calm. Raising my voice wouldn¡¯t help. I needed to find a way to reason with him, to prove my loyalty andmitment. Chapter 41 ¡°Petrov, you¡¯re twisting the narrative,¡± I said, my voice tight. ¡°I left because¡­¡± ¡°Because you were in love,¡± he finished, his voice dripping with sarcasm. ¡°A perfectly eptable reason to abandon your pack in their time of need.¡± ¡°It wasn¡¯t that simple,¡± I stammered, frustration building. ¡°There were¡­ extenuating circumstances.¡± ¡°Extenuating circumstances?¡± He threw his hands up in the air. ¡°What could possibly justify abandoning your pack during a critical time?¡± I opened my mouth to exin but the words wouldn¡¯te. Petrov continued his tirade, his voice gaining volume with each sentence. With each passing moment, the room tilted further in Petrov¡¯s favor. Doubt and uncertainty clouded the faces of the pack members, their initial tentative support for me crumbling under his relentless attack. I stammered, searching for words to counter his usations, to remind them of my loyalty, of my love for the pack. But Petrov wouldn¡¯t let me get a word in edgewise, his voice drowning mine out. He spoke of the strength and unity they needed, qualities he clearly believed Icked. By the time he finished, the room was filled with a tense silence. The wolves looked at me with a mixture of disappointment and anger. Just as I felt the weight their disapproval pressing down on me, Ivan¡¯s voice boomed through the room, ¡°Petrov, that¡¯s enough!¡± He rose to his feet, his posture radiating a quiet power. Waves of alpha energy rolled off him, momentarily silencing the room. ¡°We can all agree that Amaya has made mistakes in the past,¡± he acknowledged, his voice steady andmanding. ¡°But here she stands now, willing to face the consequences of her actions and work towards making things right. That¡¯s exactly what she¡¯s been doing ever since she returned. However,¡± he continued, his gaze sweeping across the room, ¡°what truly matters right now isn¡¯t dwelling on the past.¡± A beat of silence followed, then he locked eyes with Petrov, his voice hardening. ¡°I¡¯m sorry to burst your bubble, Petrov, but you¡¯re not going to be the Alpha of the Crescent Pack. I am.¡± SN?velDrama.Org is the owner. Chapter 42 -Maya¡¯s POV- My head snapped towards Ivan, surprise coursing through me. His deration hung in the air, a bombshell that left the room stunned. A low murmur eru Petrov, his face contorted in disbelief, sputtered, ¡°What are you talking about, Ivan? You can¡¯t just waltz in and dere yourself Alpha. There are rules, tr ¡°Traditions? Yes, there are traditions, Petrov. And one of those traditions is respecting the wishes of the Alpha, especially when those wishes are docume ¡°These,¡± he dered, holding the papers up, ¡°are the official merger agreements between the Crescent Pack and the SilverCrest Pack, signed by none o A collective gasp arose from the assembled wolves. Petrov lunged forward, his eyes wide with a mixture of disbelief and dawning dread. ¡°Let me see those!¡± Ivan held the documents just out of reach, a steely glint in his eyes. ¡°Not so fast, Petrov. There¡¯s more.¡± He flipped through the pages, his gaze fixed on a specific section. ¡°Here it is,¡± he announced, his voice resonating with quiet authority. ¡°The agreement clearly states that in the event of Daniel¡¯s ¡°But¡­but Daniel never mentioned this,¡± Petrov stammered. ¡°Perhaps,¡± Ivan countered, his toneced with a hint of amusement, ¡°because he didn¡¯t think it would happen this soon. But as these documents clearly progress for quite some time. Daniel simply wanted to ensure the future of both our packs.¡± Petrov shook his head, a desperate edge creeping into his voice. ¡°This can¡¯t be right. There must be some mistake. This is all a setup, some borate s A wave of anger surged through me, but before I could voice my outrage, Ivan cut in, his voice hardening. ¡°Why would she want to steal a position that is Petrov hesitated, his bluster fading further. He darted a nervous nce towards me, his eyes flickering with a flicker of guilt that quickly morphed back in ¡°Regardless of that,¡± he argued, grasping at straws, ¡°these documents could be forgeries. We need to verify their authenticity before we blindly ept th A smirk yed on Ivan¡¯s lips. ¡°Of course, due diligence is important. But fear not. I¡¯ve already taken the liberty of having these documents verified by a third party, apletely neutral source outside both our packs. Here¡¯s the conf He produced another document, this one thinner, and tossed it onto the table in front of Petrov. The room held its breath as Petrov hesitantly picked it up ¡°So,¡± Ivan continued, his voice low and dangerous, ¡°do you still question the legitimacy of these documents? Or are you finally ?.61%ÐÄ: ready to ept the will of your Alpha?¡± Petrov slumped back in his chair, defeated. The fight had seeped out of him, reced by a dull resignation. ¡°I¡­I suppose not,¡± he mumbled. A triumphant glint lit up Ivan¡¯s eyes. He swept his gaze across the room, taking in the stunned faces of the pack members. ¡°Then,¡°¡± he boomed, his voice Alpha of this newly formed pack.¡± A stunned silence descended upon the room, broken only by the soft rustle of movement. I had watched the exchange in silence, my mind flying everywhere. My father seemed like the type to just relinquish his power, no matter what the circum that was the whole reason behind my father¡¯s marriage proposal with Ivan. But the way Ivan had just blindsided me, turning the tide of the entire power scales in mine moments before¡­it left me feeling utterly disoriented. As Ivan delivered his final pronouncement, his gaze swept across the room, taking in the stunned faces of the pack members. My own expression, howe itself, trying to reconcile the Ivan I thought I was getting to know with the man who had just orchestrated this borate power y. ¡°Amaya,¡± Ivan¡¯s voice finally cut through the fog in my head, his tone gentle as he addressed me with a smile. ¡°We did it.¡± I blinked, momentarily brought back to the present moment. ¡°What?¡± A flicker of surprise crossed his face, then a hint of amusement crept into his eyes. ¡°You¡¯re supposed to acknowledge what I just said, Co¨C Alpha,¡± he teased softly. ¡°Co¨CAlpha?¡± I repeated. My mind raced. Co¨C Alpha. Merger. All these words swam before my eyes, a dizzying concoction of emotions threatening to boil over. I forced myself to nod, the gesture stiff The words felt hollow on my tongue. My stomach churned with a cocktail of confusion, betrayal, and a flicker of something else¡­ was it fear? Without another word, I turned on my h He followed close behind, a heavy silence settling between us as we walked outside. We reached his car, and I climbed in without a word, the leather se Finally, unable to hold back any longer, he broke the silence,his voiceced with a hint of caution, shattering the suffocating quiet. ¡°You are upset with me, I remained silent, refusing to acknowledge his question. It wasn¡¯t a matter of being ¡°upset.¡± It was a full¨C blown maelstrom of emotions threatening to erupt. He let out a sigh, the sound heavy with resignation. ¡°Alright, I understand. I¡¯m sorry, Amaya. I truly am.¡± 23 11:36 Fri, 21 Jun er $61% ¡°Sorry?¡± I finally snapped, my voice sharper than I intended. ¡°Sorry doesn¡¯t even begin to cover it, Ivan. Youpletely blindsided me in there. How coul He flinched slightly at the harshness in my tone, but his gaze remained steady. ¡°I¡­ I didn¡¯t expect Petrov to react the way he did. Honestly, I had no n ¡°No ns?¡± I repeated, incredulous. ¡°It looked like you thought about the whole thing ahead. Documents and all, and you¡¯re telling me you had no ns ¡°The merger was always going to happen. Daniel approach the whole co¨CAlpha thing with you. I didn¡¯en working on it for months. But I admit, I wasn¡¯t sure how to to think I was trying to overstep or take away your authority.¡± I scoffed. ¡°Well, you did a fantastic job of achieving exactly that, didn¡¯t you?¡± He winced. ¡°I understand why you¡¯re upset, Amaya. I should have talked to you about it beforehand. Exined the whole n but things got so heated w leading the pack, merging with another pack, it¡¯s a big change. But trust me, Amaya, this is the best thing for the pack. It will strengthen us, give us a better chance against anyone who dared question us.¡± ¡°Maybe,¡± I conceded grudgingly, the anger simmering down to a low hum. ¡°But you could have included me in the conversation, Ivan. Made me feel like His shoulders slumped. ¡°I know. I just.. Well reacted and I¡¯m really sorry. I thought it would be a good thing.¡± A part of me understood his reasoning. The merger would undoubtedly bring challenges, and having an experienced leader like Ivan on board could be b ¡°Maybe,¡± I said finally, a hint of a smile tugging at the corner of my lips. ¡°Maybe you have a point. But next time, Ivan,¡± I leaned forward, fixing him with a yful re, ¡°try including me in the gr A genuine smile broke across his face, erasing the tension that had been hanging heavy between us. ¡°Deal,¡± he chuckled, the sound warm and genuine Despite the forced lightness of the moment, a pit of unease settled in my stomach. The smile I wore felt brittle, a mask I donned to hide the lingering app N?velDrama.Org owns this text. Had I just made a big mistake? Chapter 43 Chapter 43 -Maya¡¯s POV- The soft hum of conversation drifted from the phone pressed against my ear, momentarily pulling me away from the half-finished sketch on my desk. Natalia¡¯s voice, usually a source offort and calm, held a tinge of concern that sent a jolt through me. ¡°Earth to Amaya,¡± she repeated, her voiceced with amusement. ¡°S h i t, I¡¯m so sorry,¡± I blurted out, snapping back to attention. ¡°I wasn¡¯t listening to you.¡± The apology tumbled from my lips before! could even process the fact that I had zoned out in the middle of our conversation. I couldn¡¯t see her, but I could practically picture her rolling her eyes on the other end of the line. ¡°Of course you weren¡¯t,¡± she replied, a yful scold in her voice. ¡°As I was saying, I don¡¯t know, but I have a bad feeling about this whole thing. I know your father, Amaya. He¡¯s a ruthless businessman, through and through but also an s l e. I don¡¯t see him willingly signing away power like that.¡± It was as if she was peering directly into my mind, reading the doubts and anxieties that had been swirling there for days. Natalia had always possessed an uncanny ability to understand me, to anticipate my thoughts and feelings. It was one of the things! cherished most about our friendship. ¡°It almost feels like he strong-armed you into it,¡± she continued, her voice turning serious. ¡°Think about it. He stands to gain everything from this merger ¨C leading two of the most powerful packs in the entire city. The influence, the resources¡­¡± Her voice trailed off, but the unspoken implication hung heavy in the air. I let out a long sigh, the sound echoing in the sudden silence that followed her words. The truth was, I had been kicking myself ever since I agreed to the merger and I couldn¡¯t help but wonder why, Ivan had proven himself time and again, standing by me through thick and thin. ¡°I don¡¯t know, Nat,¡± I admitted, frustration creeping into my voice. ¡°He hasn¡¯t given me any reason to doubt him. He¡¯s been nothing but supportive, helpful but still¡­¡± My voice trailed off. ¡°And thewyer, still nothing?¡± Natalia asked. I huffed out a breath. ¡°Still nothing. Which isn¡¯t exactly helping my paranoia levels. I mean, how am I supposed to have a conversation with my father about all this when I can¡¯t even see him?¡± A beat of silence followed, then she spoke, her voice calm and measured. ¡°Listen, Amaya, I understand your doubts. This whole situation is suspicious as hell. But still Ivan has consistently proven himself to be trustworthy, reliable. I think we are both just overthinking it.¡± I chewed on my lower lip, a small spark of guilt flickering to life within me. She was right. Ivan had been nothing short of amazing these past few weeks. He had helped me navigate the chaos surrounding my return, provided unwavering support during the whole Petrov debacle, and had even taken in my children. He just seemed too good to be true. ¡°He has, hasn¡¯t he? Maybe it¡¯s really all in our heads, ¡°I conceded, the words tumbling out in a soft murrnur. ¡°Exactly. Look, I¡¯m not saying you should blindly trust everyone. That would be foolish. But in this case, give Ivan the benefit of the doubt. He¡¯s earned it, wouldn¡¯t you say?¡± 1/3 Join Chatroom 61% Chapter 43 1 thought back to all the times Ivan had been there for me, the way he had looked at me with genuine care and concern in his eyes. The evidence, I had to admit, pointed towards his sincerity. ¡°Yeah, I guess he has,¡± I finally admitted, a hint of a reluctant smile ying on my lips. ¡°There you go.¡± She said, a triumphant lilt in her voice. ¡°Now, how about we get you back to focusing on those fabulous designs of yours? The world needs your creativity, Amaya, not your worries.¡± ¡°Alright, alright,¡± I conceded with a sigh, pushing away from the desk and rolling my shoulders back. The tension had been knotting my muscles, and Natalia¡¯s voice,ced with reason, had finally managed to loosen the grip. ¡°You¡¯re right. Maybe I am letting the past color my judgment a little too much,¡± Suddenly, a light, teasing voice cut in. ¡°Personal calls aren¡¯t allowed during work hours, are they?¡± I jolted upwards, the phone nearly tumbling from my grasp. Startled, I met the gaze of a woman, the same person who had ushered me the day I interviewed standing in my doorway, a mischievous smile ying on her lips, her bright green eyes sparkled with amusement. ¡°Oh!¡± I stammered, quickly ending the call and shoving the phone into my pocket. ¡°I, uh, I didn¡¯t realize anyone was there.¡± I scrambled topose myself, trying to project a more professional air. The woman chuckled, a friendly sound that instantly put me at ease. ¡°No worries,¡± she said, waving a dismissive hand. ¡°I¡¯m not here to y hall monitor. Honestly, this whole ¡®no personal calls thing is a bit ridiculous. Everyone sneaks in a chat here and there.¡± She sauntered further into the room, extending a hand towards me, ¡°We haven¡¯t had the opportunity to properly meet. I¡¯m Sarah O¡¯Brien, and let me be the first to officially wee you to Lunar Designs.¡± A genuine smile spread across my face as I grasped her hand. Her grip was firm, and her eyes held a warmth that was both disarming and inviting. ¡°Seeing that you gave me a boost of confidence when I interviewed, I am guessing you already know my name,¡± I replied, returning her greeting. ¡°And thanks, it¡¯s good to be here.¡± ¡°Really good to have you on board,¡± She dered, her voice brimming with enthusiasm. ¡°We¡¯ve been needing a fresh set of eyes in the design department for ages. Ms. Edwards can be a bit¡­ stuck in her ways sometimes.¡± She winked conspiratorially. Intrigued, I leaned back in my chair. ¡°Really? She seems nice enough.¡± Sarah¡¯sment piqued my curiosity about thepany dynamic. She snorted. ¡°You don¡¯t need to sugar coat it. She is a force to be reckoned and sometimes she is scary, not only that, it¡¯s hard for her to embrace change but don¡¯t worry,¡± she said with a sly grin. ¡°That¡¯s where wee in, the creative rebels. And with you on our team, we might just be able to finally shake things up a bit. She went on and on how your designs were different from what she expected, she wasn¡¯t eager but even she couldn¡¯t deny that your creativity wowed her.¡± Her infectious enthusiasm sparked a flicker of excitement within me. The idea of coborating with a team of passionate designers, even if it meant navigating some corporate politics, suddenly seemed like a thrilling challenge. ¡°So, tell me everything.¡± I said, leaning forward in my chair. ¡°How do things work around here? Who are the key yers I need to know about? And most importantly, who should I be¡­ mindful of?¡± Her eyes gleamed with mischief. ¡°Ah, now you¡¯re asking the real questions,¡± she said, e N?velDrama.Org owns this text. up, because you¡¯re about to get a crash course in Lunar Designs 101.¡± 6180 And with that, sheunched into a detailed exnation of thepany hierarchy, peppering her narrative with juicy tidbits about the different personalities, unspoken rules, and hidden power dynamics within the design department. By the time the clock struck lunchtime, I had a much clearer picture of thendscape I was navigating. More importantly, I had found an unexpected ally in Sarah. As we headed out for lunch together, a newfound sense of confidence surged through me. Sure, there would be challenges, but with Sarah by my side, I felt ready to face them head-on. And who knows, maybe together, we could even shake things up a bit at Lunar Designs but my stomach lurched as her yful demeanor vanished, reced by a sudden seriousness. She stopped me right before the doorway, her hand reaching out to sp my arm. ¡°There¡¯s something else you should know, Amaya,¡± she said, her voice low, ¡°The reason I¡¯m so happy you got this job¡­ well, it¡¯s not just about your amazing designs.¡± My brow furrowed in confusion. ¡°There¡¯s more?¡± She offered a smile. ¡°We don¡¯t get many like us here at Lunar Designs. My confusion deepened. ¡°Like you?¡± I asked, hesitantly voicing the question that hung heavy in the air. Her eyes, a bright emerald green just moments ago, flickered then turnedpletely to ck. The gasp escaped my lips before i could stop it. They returned to normal, ¡°I¡¯m just like you, Amaya,¡± she said, her eyes locking with mine. ¡°I am a werewolf.¡± Chapter 44 -Alex¡¯s POV- I slumped back in my chair, the weight of the morning¡¯s news settling heavily on my shoulders. Miranda, with her usual brand of twisted amusement, had informed me of the merger between Amaya¡¯s and Ivan¡¯s packs. Individually, h What bothered me most was how smoothly things seemed to be progressing between them. My wolf growled in frustration, a primal echo of the anger si ¡®She doesn¡¯t matter anymore, I repeated to myself, a mantra I¡¯d been chanting for weeks now. Amaya had hurt me, betrayed me, and I wouldn¡¯t allow my Just then, the soft tap¨Ctap¨Ctap of heels on the hardwood floor broke through my reverie. ¡°Sir?¡± My head snapped up to meet the concerned gaze of Ruth, my ever¨Cpatient personal assistant. ¡°What?¡± I barked, the harshness of my tone surprising even me. Truth be told, I¡¯d been on edge all morning, and Amaya¡¯s name hanging in the air hadn¡¯t Why did she have toe back and disrupt everything? Ruth flinched slightly. She was a master at navigating my moods, but even her calm demeanor seemed to falter under my re. ¡°I was just reminding yo Appointment? My brow furrowed in irritation. What appointment could possibly be important enough to tear me away turmoil brewing within me? ¡°Appointment with who?¡± I asked, forcing myself to sound somewhat professional. ¡°The interior designer, sir,¡± She replied. from the The reminder sent another wave of annoyance crashing through me. The whole redesign project felt trivialpared to the sanity struggle brewing in my head. Couldn¡¯t it wait? ¡°Can¡¯t it be rescheduled?¡± I grumbled, the words tumbling out before I could stop them. She hesitated for a beat, her brow creasing slightly. ¡°I did check, sir,¡± she said carefully. ¡°But the interior designer said she wouldn¡¯t be avable any othe Her words were like a match to a tinderbox. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t be avable?¡® The implication that the designer, whoever she was, had the audacity to dictate my With a defeated sigh, I ran a hand through my hair. ¡°Fine,¡± I muttered, the anger still clinging to my voice. ¡°Tell her I¡¯ll be here.¡± ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org . 61%•þ Her lips curved into a faint smile, a small victory in the face of my obvious frustration. ¡°Of course, sir,¡± she said, her voice regaining its usual calm efficiency. ¡°Is th I shook my head, unable to muster the energy for any further conversation. The weight of the day, the simmering anger, and the unwee resurgence of Amaya in my life, all pressed down on me, leaving me feeling drained and out of sorts. ¡°No, that¡¯s all, Ruth,¡± I mumbled, dismissing her with a wave of my hand. ¡°Just let me know when it¡¯s time.¡± As Ruth exited the room, I closed my eyes, the silence amplifying the storm raging within me. Dealing with the interior designer could wait. Right now, I needed a way to quell the relentless anger that threatened to consume me. The rest of the morning crawled by in a blur of paperwork and forced cheer. Just as I was about to call it a day and drown my frustrations in a stiff drink, my phone buzz call from Christian. A flicker of irritation shot through me. Today of all days, I was not in the mood for him. With a deep breath, I answered the call. ¡°Christian,¡± I growled, the ¡°Alex,¡± he replied, his tone cool and detached. ¡°Just giving you a heads¨Cup.¡± ¡°A heads¨Cup about what?¡± My gut clenched, a premonition of bad news sending a jolt through me. ¡°About Daniel,¡± He said, a hint of amusement creeping into his voice. ¡°He¡¯s getting out.¡± The words mmed into me like a physical blow. I shot up from my chair, knocking it over in the process. ¡°What? How is he getting out?¡± My voice rose a Christian¡¯s amusement morphed into a sigh of exasperation. ¡°By stepping out of jail, Alex. Seems hiswyers managed to find some technicality, some lo I ground my teeth together, the sound grating in my ear. ¡°This can¡¯t be happening,¡± I snarled. ¡°I thought¡­ I thought we had him locked up for good.¡± ¡°Apparently not,¡± He replied, his voice devoid of sympathy. ¡°Look, I just wanted to let you know. Not exactly breaking news, but figured you should hear it from me.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t need your damn breadcrumbs, Christian,¡± I roared, my frustration boiling over. ¡°I¡¯m not in the mood for your attitude today!¡± A tense silence followed, heavy with unspoken tension. Finally, Christian spoke, his voiceced with a dangerous edge. ¡°Neither am 1, Alex. I just called to be your personal punching bag.¡± ¡°Message received, loud and clear,¡± I spat back, my anger mirroring his own.¡± ¡°Mistake? He damn near destroyed everything I built!¡± I bellowed, every wordced, ¡°I pay you good money to just let him work.¡± ¡°Let him?¡± Christian¡¯s voice crackled with disbelief. ¡°Alex, I did what you asked me to. Daniel Stone was a thorn at your side. I had him removed for you. decision. There¡¯s nothing I can do.¡± ¡°There¡¯s always something you can do, Christian,¡± I shot back, fueled by a potent amount of anger, ¡°That¡¯s why you are you. That¡¯s 11:37 Fri, 21 Jun i what you do. You have connections, influence. I will not have him work free!¡± ¡°And what, exactly, do you suggest I do?¡± Christian challenged, his voiceced with a dangerous calm. ¡°I don¡¯t care what you do!¡± I roared, my control slipping further away. ¡°Just stop him! Don¡¯t let him get away with this!¡± The silence on the other end of the line was deafening. Finally, Christian spoke, ¡°Listen,¡± he said, his voiceced with a weary resignation ¡°I¡¯m tired of going around in circles with you, Alex. Believe me, I tried. I looked for loopholes, for ways to keep him locked up. But Daniel¡¯s a powerful man, with resources we underestimated. Th yed out in his favor, and that¡¯s that.¡± A bitterugh escaped my lips. ¡°Powerful? I fucking know that but that simply sounds like a convenient excuse. Perhaps this is you trying to get back at me for threatening you.¡± A dangerous edge crept into Christian¡¯s voice. ¡°Don¡¯t make this about me, Alex. Daniel¡¯s a force to be reckoned with, and pretending otherwise won¡¯t cha conversation. And never, ever threaten me again.¡± Before I could retort, the line went dead. I stared at the phone in my hand, the silence on the other end a physical weight pressing down on me. With a ro My breath came in ragged gasps, the anger threatening to consume me. I couldn¡¯t stay in this office another minute. I needed to get out, to clear my head. Let my wolf out. Grabbing my keys, I stormed out of my office, the m of the door echoing through the empty hallway. As I rounded the corner, I nearly collided with Ruth who jumped back in surprise. ¡°Mr. Thorne,¡± she stammered, her eyes wide with rm. ¡°I was justing to get you. The interior designer¡­ She¡¯s here for your two o¡¯clock appointment.¡± ¡°Reschedule it!¡± I barked, the words ripping out of me before I could stop them. ¡°I don¡¯t have time for this right now.¡± The frustration in my voice hung heavy in the air, and I saw a flicker of hurt sh across Ruth¡¯s face. Before I could apologize, however, a cool,pose ¡°I¡¯m afraid I can¡¯t,¡± the voice said, smooth and professional. My gaze snapped up to find myself face¨Cto¨C face with an elegant woman in a sharply tailored pantsuit. She exuded an aura of quietpetence, but it wasn¡¯t her that sent a jolt through me. It was the woman standing beside her. Our eyes met, and my wolf growled in my head, a sound that only her could stir. Amaya was here. Chapter 45 -Maya¡¯s POV- Sarah waltzed away, leaving me staring after her with a mind blown wide open. Her revtion hung heavy in the air, the weight of her secret werewolf id How had she figured it out? Did my wolf scent give me away somehow? These questions swirled in my head as I mechanically went through the motions of lunch, barely tasting the foo By the time I returned to the office, the initial shock had begun to settle, reced by a cautious curiosity. Ms. Edwards was perched on the edge of my de Tentatively, I cleared my throat. ¡°Ms. Edwards?¡± She finally lifted her head, her gaze sweeping across the office. ¡°Ah, Ms. Stone. Back so soon.¡± A faint smile yed on her lips. ¡°Yes,¡± I replied, still trying to gauge her reason for being in my office, ¡°I went for lunch and-¡± ¡°These are some pretty impressive designs,¡± she interrupted, her voice devoid of any form of sternness. There was even a hint of genuine appreciation i ¡°Thank you,¡± I managed, a flicker of relief washing over me. She stood up gracefully, her posture radiating an aura of power. ¡°I see you¡¯ve made yourself discuss with you.¡± ¡°Of course,¡± I said, eager to hear what was on her mind. ¡°Look,¡± She began, her voice turning serious, ¡°given everything that happened with your father¡­ thepany scandal, his arrest, and the negative publ I braced myself, already anticipating her next words. ¡°I have to admit,¡± she continued, her gaze unwavering, ¡°there were a lot of voices urging me to let y I swallowed hard, the truth of her words stinging. She had waved dismissively at it before after saying she wasn¡¯t letting me go after I had exined the s Designs had been a lifeline for me, and the thought of losing it so soon filled me with dread. She seemed to sense my anxiety, a flicker of something akin to understanding crossing her face. ¡°At the interview, there was a spark in your eyes, a raw ¡°The point is,¡± She continued, her voice firming up again, ¡°I took a chance on you, Ms. Stone. But that chancees with a price. You have to prove you end hotel renovation project ¨C the one I mentioned during your callback- 11:37 Fri, 21 Jun ti o U N?velDrama.Org is the owner. is a make¨Cor¨C break opportunity for you, for me, and frankly, for the entire design team, I extended the time for your submissions because I understood your situation b I nodded, the weight of her words settling on my shoulders. The excitement I felt earlier about the project was now tempered with a heavy dose of pressu ¡°There¡¯s no room for mistakes here,¡± She added, her voice leaving no room for argument. ¡°This client is demanding, and their expectations are sky¨C high. You¡¯ll be working long hours, facing tight deadlines, and dealing with constant scrutiny. Are you up the challenge?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± I said, my voice surprisingly steady. ¡°I am.¡± A satisfied smile spread across her face, ¡°Good. That¡¯s by the way. I need you to grab your things. We have a meeting with a very important and new client in an hour.¡± Before I could ask any questions about the meeting or where we were headed, she was already striding towards the door. for The car ride was a tense silence. We sat on opposite sides of the plush leather seats. Ms. Edwards was a whirlwind of activity, her fingers flying across t Finally, after what felt like an eternity, her sharp gaze met mine through the rearview mirror. ¡°I can feel your eyes on me, Ms. Stone. Do you have a quest Heat rushed to my cheeks, caught red¨C handed in my act of silent observation. ¡°I, uh, yes,¡± I stammered. ¡°I was just wondering where we¡¯re going for this client meeting. Knowing the location m A hint of a smile yed on her lips. ¡°Not a fan of surprises, are you?¡± she inquired, amusement flickering in her eyes. ¡°Not particrly,¡± I admitted with a sigh. The uncertainty of the situation gnawed at me. Having some information beforehand would allow me to feel more in control, prepared for whatever the client She chuckled softly, a sound that surprised me with its rarity. ¡°Then I guess I can¡¯t tell you just yet,¡± she teased. ¡°Part of this is seeing how you handle situations you¡¯re not entirelyfortable with.¡± My shoulders slumped in defeat, I had a feeling this car ride wouldn¡¯t be revealing any secrets about the client or the project. Just as I resigned myself to silence, she took me c ¡°Speaking of surprises,¡± she began, her voice turning serious, ¡°after the news broke about your father¡¯spany¡­ well, let¡¯s just say it caused quite a stir. During that whole mess, I realized who you were, Amaya Stone. I was impressed you hadn¡¯t added that. I like people like you that want to make a name for themselves away from their parent¡¯s shadows. She paused, her gaze holding mine in the My jaw dropped. This was thest thing I expected her to bring up. ¡°Yes, Ivan and I¡­¡± I stammered, unsure how to respond. She seemed to sense my hesitation, ¡°Forgive me,¡± she said, a hint of apology in her voice. ¡°Perhaps this is too personal, and it¡¯s none of my business. But I noticed you haven¡¯t taken hisst name yet. Is there a reason for that?¡± 11:37 Fri, 21 Jun Yi Her question was unexpected, yet oddly intriguing. I hesitated for a moment, torn between keeping things professional and the strange sense of trust tha ¡°Well, Ivan and I¡­¡± I started, then faltered. How could I exin theplicated web of contracts and papers that led to our marriage? Ms. Edwards must have sensed my struggle. ¡°Look, Ms. Stone,¡± she said, her voice softening, ¡°you don¡¯t have to tell me anything you¡¯re notfortable I appreciated her understanding. Perhaps keeping my personal life separate from work was the safer option. Just as I was about to deflect the question, employee dynamic. I ¡°It¡¯s not that I don¡¯t want to answer,¡± I began cautiously. ¡°It¡¯s just¡­ the marriage, it was unexpected. Taking his name, well, it just hasn¡¯t felt right yet.¡± I felt a weight lift off my chest as I spoke the words aloud. It was a small confession, but it felt significant in the tense silence of the car. Ms. Edwards gave a curt nod, her gaze softening then she went back to her phone After what felt like an eternity, the car jerked to a smooth halt. I jolted away. ¡°Looks like we¡¯re here.¡± I nced out the window, my breath hitching in my throat. ¡°Are we going in there?¡± She turned towards me, ¡°Yes,¡± she answered smoothly, picking up her sleek leather briefcase. ¡°We have a meeting with Mr. Alex Thorne.¡± Chapter 46 Chapter 46 -Alex¡¯s POV- The air in my office hung heavy with a silence so thick it felt tangible. The three of us- myself, Amaya, and the woman who had introduced herself as Ms. Edwards-sat across from each other, an awkward tableau of simmering emotions and unspoken tension. My gaze was locked on Amaya, who studiously avoided my eyes, flitting her attention around the room as if desperately seeking an escape route. I knew her well enough to recognize the telltale signs. She hadn¡¯t wanted to be here. In fact, if she had her way, she wouldn¡¯t have stepped foot inside this building, let alone my office. Ms Edwards broke silence. ¡°So¡­¡± she began, ¡°did you have a chance to go over the designs I sent you already?¡± My eyes flickered away from Anaya¡¯s face. Truth be told, the redesign project hadn¡¯t even registered on my radar. It was something the board had deemed necessary, a bureaucratic hurdle I hadn¡¯t bothered to invest any emotional energy in. I hadn¡¯t been interested in anything. Not since she left. But the project had to be done, a formality to be addressed. ¡°No,¡± I admitted bluntly. There was no point in pretending. I wasn¡¯t interested in wasting time with polite lies, she didn¡¯t look like she would appreciate it either. Ms. Edwards seemed surprised by my honesty. A hint of a smile yed on her lips. ¡°Well, Mr. Thorne,¡± she said, her voice betraying a hint of amusement, ¡°at least you¡¯re being honest. No need for pretense, I appreciate that.¡± I had guessed.correctly then. Pretenses were not part of her agenda. She preferred frankness, a quality I found oddly refreshing in this tense situation. I leaned back in my chair, the leather creaking beneath me. ¡°There¡¯s no point in wasting either of our time.¡± My gaze drifted back to Amaya, lost in thought, a frown etching lines on her forehead. For a moment, the anger simmering within power she me almost subsided. The sight of her, even her annoyance, had an inexplicable calming effect on my wolf. That was the had over me, a power that both terrified and intrigued me. As if sensing my shift in focus, Ms. Edwards cleared her throat, bringing my attention back to her. ¡°Oh, forgive me,¡± she said, a touch of apology in her voice. ¡°I was so eager to get down to business that I neglected proper introductions. Mr. Thorne, allow me to introduce Ms. Stone here.¡± There was a flicker of something in my chest ¨C a strange mix of satisfaction and irritation, perhaps ¨C satisfaction at the fact that she hadn¡¯t taken Ivan¡¯s name and irritation at the realization that she still carried her father¡¯s name no matter how much hate I had for the man. Ms. Edwards continued, her voice smooth and professional. ¡°Ms. Stone is a raw new talent, and I felt it would be beneficial to have her involved in this project from the very beginning. Once we have finalized this initial stage, Amaya will be leading the charge on the redesign.¡± ¡°Amaya would be what?¡± We both turned to stare at her, my lips twitching with a near-smile at her unguarded reaction. I knew what had happened. It was something she always did, talked to herself in her head and it had slipped out before she could hold it. 1/3 Chapter 46 Ms. Edwards, however, seemed oblivious to the momentarypse. Ignoring the interruption, she simply turned the conversation back towards the project at hand. ¡°So, shall we proceed with reviewing the designs, Mr. Thorne?¡± A slight tip of my head was all I gave, and that was all she needed. ¡°You mentioned the board pushing for this redesign, but ultimately, this is yourpany, your vision. What do you envision for this space? How do you want it to reflect your brand and yourpany culture?¡± I ran a hand through my hair, the weight of the decision settling on my shoulders. It was true, I hadn¡¯t given much thought to the redesign before. But as she phrased it, the idea of creating a space that embodied the essence of mypany, a space that resonated with my vision, sparked a flicker of interest within me. N?velDrama.Org owns this text. ¡°Well,¡± I started slowly, choosing my words carefully, ¡°I built thispany from the ground up. We¡¯re a techpany, at the forefront of innovation, but we¡¯re also a team. Coboration is key. So, I guess I want the space to reflect that. Open floor n, something that encourages interaction and communication. But also, there needs to be a focus on functionality. Clean lines, sleek design, nothing too shy or distracting.¡± Ms. Edwards nodded, jotting down notes on her tablet. ¡°Functionality and coboration,¡± she echoed, her voice thoughtful. ¡°Those are excellent starting points. Is there a specific color palette you have in mind? Perhaps some materials you prefer to work with?¡± I pondered for a moment. Color had never been a strong suit of mine, but certain things came to mind. ¡°I like the idea of a modern feel,¡± I said finally. ¡°Something clean and professional. Maybe a mix of grays and cks, ented with pops of color here and there. And for materials, definitely a focus on high-quality finishes, Metal, ss, maybe some wood ents for warmth.¡± Ms. Edwards¡¯ eyes lit up with a spark of enthusiasm. ¡°I see,¡± she said, her voice taking on a more animated tone. ¡°A modern aesthetic with pops of color to add personality. And a blend of materials for both functionality and warmth. This is all very interesting, Mr. Thorne. I can definitely work with this.¡± We continued in this vein for a while, bouncing ideas back and forth. Ms. Edwards was an excellent listener, prompting me with insightful questions that helped me articte my vision more clearly. There was a sense of creative energy in the room, a coborative effort that surprised me. I hadn¡¯t expected to enjoy this process so much, Suddenly, a voice broke through our conversation. ¡°Excuse me,¡± Amaya said hesitantly, ¡°but wouldn¡¯t apletely open floor n be a bit distracting for focused work?¡± I nced at her, surprised to see her involve herself. Her brow was furrowed in concentration, a hint of her passion for design evident in her voice. Despite myself, a small spark of satisfaction flickered within me. ¡°That¡¯s a valid point,¡± Ms. Edwards acknowledged, turning towards Amaya. ¡°Perhaps you could borate on your suggestion? Mr. Thorne mentioned the importance of coboration, but also the need for focused work areas.¡± Amaya shifted in her seat, a hesitant smile ying on her lips. ¡°Well,¡± she began, ¡°what if we incorporated designated quiet zones into the open floor n? Maybe soundproofed pods or private meeting rooms for when employees need to concentrate. That way, we can still maintain a sense of openness while also providing spaces for focused work.¡± I listened intently as Amaya borated on her idea, outlining specific design elements andyouts. Her voice was confident, her knowledge of design principles undeniable. While there was a part of me that still bristled at her presence, I couldn¡¯t deny the merit of her suggestions. 11:37 Fri, 21 Jun Chapter 46 June ¡°That¡¯s actually a great idea,¡± I admitted, surprising myself with the words. Amaya¡¯s eyes widened in surprise, a flicker of something akin to gratitude crossing her face before she quickly schooled her expression. Ms. Edwards beamed, clearly pleased with the direction the conversation had taken. From that point on, Amaya became a more active participant in the discussion. We debated material choices, lighting options, and even the incorporation of natural elements into the design. I couldn¡¯t stop staring at her. When we were married, whenever she was excited, her eyes sparkled, just like it was sparkling now. She had never wanted to be involved in mypany because she believed in us having our own space but this was a side of her I hadn¡¯t seen in a long time, a reminder of the woman who had once stolen my heart. I think in this moment, she had forgotten about who we were. Right now, I was just a client and she was excited about bringing a vision to life. Suddenly, the pleasant hum of conversation was disrupted by a sharp ringtone. Ms. Edwards reached into her purse, her brow furrowing slightly as she nced at the caller ID. ¡°Excuse me, gentlemen,¡± she said, her voiceced with a hint of apology, ¡°that appears to be an urgent call.¡± We both fell silent as she answered the phone, her voice dropping to a low murmur. She listened intently for a moment, her expression growing increasingly grave. ¡°Alright,¡± she finally said, her voice firm butced with a hint of concern. ¡°I¡¯ll be there as soon as possible. Thank you for letting me know.¡± With that, she ended the call, a deep sigh escaping her lips. ¡°I truly apologize for this,¡± she began, turning back to us with a strained smile. ¡°Something unexpected hase up, and I need to handle it immediately. Amaya, you take over from here.¡± Amaya opened her mouth to speak, perhaps to protest, but Ms. Edwards was out of the door with a final apologetic nce in my direction leaving me and Amaya in the same space with the door shut behind us. Chapter 47 -Maya¡¯s POV- The door clicked shut behind Ms. Edwards, leaving a heavy silence in its wake. Relief washed over me, momentarily pushing aside the tangled emotions his face ever since i sat in this office. Wipe that smug grin off your face. There¡¯s nothing funny about this situation.¡± I crossed my arms and red at him. Now, with just the two of us in the room, the weight of the situation settled on my shoulders. The initial shock of seeing Alex had given way to aplex here, I had let it be but now? I was eager, maybe a little bit too eager. ¡°I wasn¡¯t smiling,¡± Alex replied but he still had that smug look on his face. I knew he was somehow responsible for it. This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org. ¡°This was your doing wasn¡¯t it?¡± I pointed between the two of us, ¡°Hiring thepany I just got a job in to redesign yourpany.¡± He scoffed in his usual arrogant manner, ¡°Don¡¯t tter yourself Amaya. Not everything revolves around you.¡± His arrogance had been one of my favorite things back then but now, it just grated in my nerves. What annoyed me even more was that my wolf was purring, very happy to be near him again, acting like he had not been an asshole to us over thest four years and then what he did when I got arrested. ¡°Look,¡± I said, pushing the jumble of emotions aside for now. ¡°Let¡¯s just get back to why I¡¯m here. The redesigns.¡± I forced myself to focus, arranging the He stood abruptly, his movement so sudden it took me by surprise. ¡°Where are you going?¡± I blurted out, momentarily thrown off bnce. ¡°Out,¡± he replied curtly, a bored undertone to his voice. ¡°What do you mean out?¡± My voice rose in disbelief. ¡°We¡¯re in the middle of a meeting!¡± ¡°I have ces to be,¡± he continued, his tone dismissive. ¡°And I¡¯m not in the mood to continue talking to you if you¡¯re just going to use me of things.¡± He paused, a flicker of something dark crossing his face. Then, under his breath, he muttered, ¡°Maybel should have let you stay in that prison ce Perhaps it would have fixed your attitude.¡± My breath hitched. His words were a p in the face. The anger that had been simmering within me erupted in a fiery ze. I shot up from my chair, kno ¡°What did you just say?¡± My voice was a low growl,ced with a dangerous edge. My fists clenched at my sides, and my wolf thrashed. He had said the wrong thing, she couldn¡¯t lie still for that. He met my gaze, his expression devoid of any remorse. Instead, his jaw tightened, his features hardening into an emotionless mask. ¡°You heard me. Ev His words felt like a physical blow, the air knocked out of my lungs. ¡°Three years!¡± I roared, my voice hoarse with barely restrained emotion. ¡°You threw away three years just like that? For what reason? Couldn¡¯t you even I was in his face now, the bridge between us practically nonexistent. He didn¡¯t flinch. His gaze remained fixed on mine, a cold indifference radiating from ¡°I didn¡¯t bomb your wedding,¡± he finally said, the words clipped and curt. ¡°Why would I waste my time on something so¡­ beneath me? The wedding of tw The shock on his face mirrored my own after the sound of the p. I pped him. I hadn¡¯t known my ws had extended and there was an imprint where blood was flowing down his cheeks but he didn¡¯t touch me, didn¡¯t retaliate. He simply stared at me, the shock slowly giving way to I stumbled back, putting some distance between us. ¡°You are a bastard, Alex,¡± I choked out, my voice thick with emotion. ¡°I should have listened to my fa Tears welled up in my eyes, blurring my vision. My hands trembled uncontrobly, ¡°And you know the worst part?¡± I whispered, my voice barely above a what we built for three years?¡± Silence. The only sound in the room was the ragged rhythm of my breaths and the soft thud of a blood droplet hitting the carpeted floor. He held my gaze, his face an unreadable mask. The usation hung heavy in the air, a question th Time seemed to lose all meaning as we stood there, locked in this agonizing stalemate. Minutes stretched into an eternity, punctuated only by the frantic ¡°Alex,¡± I finally whispered, ¡°Please. Just say something.¡± The silence continued, an invisible wall separating us. His icy stare held a depth I couldn¡¯t decipher,il of emotions that left me feeling utterly lost. Was it re A choked sob escaped my lips, a raw expression of the despair that threatened to consume me. The love I had once held for him, the dreams we¡¯d shared, all felt like a cruel joke in the face of his silence. How could someone I knew so intimately suddenly be such a stranger? ¡°Don¡¯t you dare cry,¡± he finally spat, his voiceced with a barely concealed anger, ¡°You don¡¯t get to y the victim here, Amaya. wasn¡¯t the one who thre ¡°What do you mean I threw away what we had? You came back and tossed divorce papers in my face, rejected me then threw me out. How dare you sta His silence returned and all he did was stare at me. Frustration boiled over within me. ¡°You know what? Fuck you, Alex With a resolute turn, I grabbed my bag and the scattered design documents, shoving them haphazardly back into their folders. Every fiber of my being ye get out of this suffocating room, to escape before this man destroyed whatever fire I had in me. I took a purposeful stride towards the door, determined to put as much distance between us as possible. But before I could take another step, a hand contact sent a jolt through me, momentarily shattering my focus. ¡°Wait,¡± he rasped, his voiceced with a desperation that caught me off guard. I whirled around, my temper ring anew. My mouth opened, ready to unleash a torrent of words, a demand to be released. However, the words died on my lips as he moved forward, leaving me no time to react. One hand shot up, cupping my The next, his lips crashed down on mine in an explosive, unexpected kiss. Chapter 48 Chapter 48 -Alex¡¯s POV- I don¡¯t know the specific ce werewolves go when they leave this earth. Humans believed in heaven and hell. Werewolves, unlike humans, believed our creation came from the moon goddess. She was written in stories to be a kind and gentle soul but if there was a ce like hell that was created for our kind, I was definitely going there for kissing her. The moment my lips touched hers, I felt it all. Was it possible to be dead and still be living? I was sure that was what had happened to me in thest four because right now? All I felt was life, like a rekindled fire burning inside me. Her lips were as soft as I remember, her soft body molded into my hard frame. We were made for each other. I had known this from the moment I first saw her. My hands wrapped around her waist pulling her into me. I wanted to consume her, bury whatever distance existed between the two of us. I deepened the kiss and that was why it all came crashing down. I was suddenly shoved off her, then a p followed. At least her ws were tout this time. She stared at me with different emotions coursing through her face but the most dominant was shock. Shock because she had kissed me back. I could still taste her, my body hummed with anticipation. My wolf paced relentlessly in my head growling the same word that had haunted me since I saw her: Mate. He wanted her but we couldn¡¯t have her, not after everything that had happened. Not after what she did. She continued to stare at Alex. me then as if she was suddenly yanked out back to reality, hee eyes narrowed, ¡°Fuck you, ???? ?? ?. Her hands trembled as she gathered the papers then grabbed her bag before heading out of my office. She gave me onest nce, her eyes conveyed the message that I already told myself. I shouldn¡¯t have kissed her then she was gone, the door shutting behind her leaving me how I had been thesest four years since I drove her out of my life. N?velDrama.Org owns this text. Alone and Empty. My hand instinctively reached for my phone and with a few taps, I sent a terse text to Christian: ¡°At The Den. Now.¡± Grabbing my keys, I practically bolted out of the office. My head was spiraling with conflicting emotions- anger, regret, a primal urge to possess ¨C but one thought echoed louder than all others: I shouldn¡¯t have kissed her. The Den was an exclusive haven for the city¡¯s elite, a ce where whispered deals solidified empires and fortunes were gambled away with nonchnce. As I strode through the mahogany doors, the murmur of conversation dipped momentarily, then resumed its steady flow. A well-trained waiter materialized before me, a knowing smile ying on his lips. He didn¡¯t need to be told my usual ¨C a double Scotch, neat. The amber liquid burned down my throat, a temporary escape from the fire burning within me. In my loneliness, I was starting to think Christian was the only one I still had in my corner. My parents. My wolf growled at that 11:37 Fri, 21 Jun ti Chapter 48 thought. I was already angry, there was no need to fuel the anger by having thoughts of them. 61% Closing my eyes, I tried to find peace in the familiar sting of alcohol, but it was futile. My mind had already drifted back, back to a time before betrayal had poisoned the well of trust. A frown creased my forehead as I stared at the brightly colored ice cream truck parked at the edge of the park. ¡°What are we doing here?¡± I growled, the irritation evident in my voice, Amaya¡¯s smile, radiant and carefree, could have rivaled the summer sun. ¡°Getting ice cream, silly,¡± she chirped, her voice brimming with mischief. ¡°Didn¡¯t you get the memo?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t eat ice cream,¡± I muttered, feeling inexplicably defensive. It was a childish treat, and even when I was a child, I had never tasted it. I was not allowed to. Her bright eyes widened in mock horror. ¡°What? How can you not like ice cream? It¡¯s the perfect summer treat! Come on,¡± she pleaded, taking my arm before I could protest. ¡°I¡¯ll even let you pick the vor.¡± A dark look crossed my face at the word ¡°vor¡± ¨C a subtle reminder of the double meaning of the word. She knew exactly where my mind was headed, a blush creeping up her cheeks as if to confirm my suspicions but still, that didn¡¯t help the frown on my face. Exclusive clubs and high-end restaurants were more my scene, ces that exuded power and control. This was thest ce! thought I would ever be caught dead in. Despite being her mate, despite the electrifying connection we had, she had insisted that I court her then she would decide if she wanted to be imed by me or not. That was a bull story because we both knew how it was ending, now that I had found her, I was not letting her go. I agreed to her wishes because I realized that I would do just anything for her which was why I allowed her to drag me to a park and we were currently standing in front of an ice cream truck, because the alternative, the thought of losing her, was simply unbearable. Unbearable-that was the headline of my present tale. ¡°If you¡¯re nning on crying your heart out,¡± a voice drawled,ced with a hint of amusement, ¡°tell me now so I can turn around and find a more stimting afternoon. I snapped back to reality at the voice, squinting through the haze of alcohol and swirling emotions, to see Christian standing before me. His usual stoic expression was reced by a look of mild curiosity, a rare sight on his face. He slid into the seat opposite me. ¡°I shouldn¡¯t have threatened you. I apologize for that.¡± Those were the first words that left my lips. His eyes flickered with surprise, a rare sight for Christian. Nothing ever surprised him but I too never apologized. ¡°Since when does the almighty Alex Thorne apologize?¡± I ignored his jibe, ¡°I know you do what you can, more than I could ever ask and you shouldn¡¯t be on the receiving end of my anger.¡± He frowned, the amusement fading from his expression. ¡°What the hell is going on with you? Are you dying? Because that¡¯s the only exnation I cane up with for this bizarre disy of self- awareness.¡± Chapter da I clenched my fists, the urge tosh out threatening to consume me. But I held my tongue, forcing myself to breathe deeply. Now wasn¡¯t the time for a pointless brawl. ¡°I kissed her,¡± I finally admitted, the words scraping raw against my throat, Silence stretched between us, punctuated only by the clinking of sses and the murmur of conversations from nearby tables. Then, to my utter astonishment, Christian threw back his head and burst into laughter. ¡°Oh, Alex,¡± he wheezed, hisughter subsiding into breathless chuckles. ¡°You finally did it, didn¡¯t you? You couldn¡¯t resist the forbidden fruit any longer.¡± ¡°It was bound to happen, I suppose,¡± Christian continued, his voice regaining its usual sardonic tone. ¡°It was only a matter of time before you cracked. It was fun watching you pretend like you didn¡¯t want her.¡± ¡°What now?¡± He continued, his voice devoid of amusement now, reced by a sharp edge of curiosity. ¡°Are you nning on some grand gesture of reconciliation? Because I hate to break it to you, but your little fairytale might have a snag. She¡¯s married, Alex and there is nothing you can do to change that. You ended whatever you two had whee when you threw her out of your house. When you kicked her out of your life.¡± My eyes darkened, ¡°She broke my trust. After everything I had done for her, she went behind my back, stabbed me in the back then twisted the knife.¡± ¡°So what?¡± He leaned forward meeting my gaze head on, ¡°You hate her but you still want her because she was a good f c k? Miranda isn¡¯t doing it for you anymore?¡± My eyes turned to ckpletely and my wolf lunged o the surface, ¡°Don¡¯t ever talk about my mate like that again. There was not a single flinch from him. Christian had seen me at my worse. He faced me squarely knowing my wolf could break free any second, ¡°You just called her your mate. Why don¡¯t you stop your b u l l s t ecause I am so d a m n tired of it. You want her so stop fighting it and go and get her. Oh wait, you can¡¯t? Because you picked her away and now she is bound to someone else.¡± His words, each one that kept leaving his mouth only aggravated me further, ¡°Christian,¡± I growled, ¡°Shut up.¡± ¡°No Alex, I am not going to. You lost her and now there is no getting her back. You did it and there is no one else to me but you.¡± At that moment, I lost all control, my hands shed against his skin and I roared, ¡°She is to me because she cheated on me with him!¡± Chapter 49 Chapter 49 -Maya¡¯s POV- My head spun as I stumbled out of Alex¡¯s office. The unexpected kiss hung heavy in the air, a phantom touch that sent shivers down my spine despite the anger that still burned within me. How could he have done that? After everything, after his callous disregard for my pain, he dared to kiss me? The audacity of it all fueled a fresh wave of fury. Yet, beneath the anger, a traitorous warmth lingered, a flicker of something I couldn¡¯t quite define. You had kissed him back, a tiny voice filtered through my thoughts. I immediately shut it down refusing to let it y in my head. The kiss itself had been a brutal collision, devoid of the tenderness that had once infused our touches. But there was an undeniable spark there, a raw energy that both repelled and attracted me. It was confusing, maddening, and utterly inappropriate. Lost in the tangled mess of my emotions, I barely registered the bustling office around me as I made my way back to my desk. The kiss reyed in my mind. I could still feel it. His taste. His touch. I could feel him everywhere and I knew it wasn¡¯t going away anytime soon. No one kissed like Alex. No one made me burn like Alex. Slipping into my chair, I tried to focus on the work in front of me, the design ns blurring into an iprehensible mess. The image of Alex¡¯s face, etched with a mixture of anger and something else-something more intense than lust kept shing before me. I mmed the folder shut, the sound echoing in the sudden silence. This was ridiculous. I couldn¡¯t allow myself to be distracted by him, not anymore. My father was still in jail, my life was in shambles, and Alex¡­ Alex was simply anotherplication I didn¡¯t need. Taking a deep breath, I forced myself to focus on the task at hand. Ignoring the insistent tug of emotions, I opened theptop and started typing, determined to drown out the confusion and the lingering taste of betrayal with the cold logic of work. The insistent tap-tap-tap of Sarah¡¯s manicured nails on my desk jolted me back to reality. My head throbbed, a dull ache radiating from the remnants of anger and confusion swirling within me. ¡°Amaya, you¡¯re back,¡± Her voice broke through the fog clouding my mind. ¡°I¡¯ve been calling you. You okay?¡± I blinked, finally focusing on her concerned face, the missed call notification on myphone screen re at me. Nothing seemed to register. The world felt muted, the sharp edges of reality dulled by the emotional rollercoaster I¡¯d just been through. ¡°Look, Sarah,¡± I began, forcing the words past the lump that had formed in my throat, ¡°if this is about the fact that-¡± ¡°No, it¡¯s not about that,¡± she interjected, a note of urgencycing her voice. ¡°You have a visitor. I mean had a visitor. That¡¯s why I was trying to reach you. He said it was pretty urgent. Something about your father. He got out.¡± Thest sentence mmed into my brain breaking through all the fog, ¡°What? When? How?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know the specifics,¡± She continued, ¡°but he said he had to go. Apparently, he¡¯d been calling you too.¡± Chapter 49 Fri, 21 Jun tie 3.61%2 As if on cue, my phone buzzed, the screen lighting up with a notification of fourteen missed calls. I had put my phone on silent and missed all of Ivan¡¯s calls. ¡°By the way,¡± Sarah added, a hint of a yful smile gracing her lips, ¡°I didn¡¯t know you know Ivan McCall. He is extremely hot. I have always fancied him and I have a specific thing for hot men in expensive suits.¡± The teasing lilt in her voice cut through my emotional paralysis, a much-needed jolt that brought a sharp retort to my lips. ¡°We¡¯re married, Sarah,¡± I snapped, the harshness of my tone surprising even myself. She flinched at the unexpected aggression, her smile faltering. Shame washed over me, a bitter aftertaste in my mouth. I hadn¡¯t meant tosh out at her, not when she was simply trying to be friendly. Taking a deep breath, I forced myself to apologize. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, Sarah,¡± I mumbled, my voice thick with remorse. ¡°That was out of line. You didn¡¯t know, and I shouldn¡¯t have snapped at you like that.¡± She offered a slow, understanding nod. ¡°It¡¯s okay, Amaya. I get it. I wouldn¡¯t have said it if I knew. You never mentioned being married. By the way he said your father was taken back home. He ¨C your husband, I mean ¨C mentioned if I saw you, to tell you that¡¯s where he would be.¡± Relief washed over me, ¡°Thank you. I really need to get going. If Ms. Edwardses back-¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry about Ms. Edwards,¡± She chimed in, a mischievous glint in her eyes. ¡°I¡¯ll handle her. Just focus on your family right now.¡± With a final goodbye, I practically sprinted out of the office, the urgency of the situation pushing all thoughts about Alex and the lingering kiss to the back of my mind. I hadn¡¯t gotten around to acquiring a car since returning to the city, so I hailed a taxi and ryed the address to the driver, my heart pounding a frantic rhythm against my ribs. The ride to my father¡¯s house felt like an eternity. Every passing streemp, every screech of brakes seemed amplified, a physical manifestation of the nervous energy churning within me. A million questions swarmed my mind: how had he gotten out? And most importantly, was he alright? The taxi finally pulled to a stop in front of the familiar house. The air itself seemed charged with a tense silence as I paid the fare and hurried towards the porch. Hesitantly, I pushed open the door, bracing myself for the unknown. I The house had been fixed up since the day of my arrest. It looked how it had always been in the tears I spent growing up in it. Everything ced to perfection. Suddenly, a voice startled me. ¡°Amaya. Where did you keep your phone? I¡¯ve been calling you.¡± Ivan emerged from the hallway, his face a mask of worry. ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± I stammered, momentarily flustered. ¡°I had a meeting and had to silence it.¡± You had a meeting with Alex. You¡¯re leaving that part out. The voice in my head nagged again but I pushed it back still. ¡°I really am sorry,¡± I repeated, my voice softer now. ¡°Where is he?¡± ¡°He¡¯s resting.¡± Ivan replied, his gaze lingering on me for a beat too long. ¡°Exhausted from the¡­ ordeal.¡± Chapter 49 ¡°Is my mother with him? Can I see him?¡±. As if summoned by my question, my mother stepped out from the hallway, her face etched with worry. But as soon as she saw me, a flicker of relief sparked in her eyes. Without a word, she reached out and wrapped her hands around me in a tight embrace. I froze, caught off guard by the sudden gesture. Physical affection wasn¡¯t something we readily shared. This was the second time she was hugging me now and I was still trying to wrap my head around it. ¡°I am so sorry, Amaya,¡± she murmured, her voice thick with emotion. ¡°I should have called you, but I was just so¡­ consumed.¡± Logically, a part of me should have felt a pang of resentment that it was Ivan, not her, who had informed me of my father¡¯s return. But right now, bigger concerns overshadowed that. ¡°Can I see him?¡± I finally managed, pushing away the extraneous thoughts. She nodded, her face softening. ¡°Yes, of course,¡± she said, gently guiding me towards the familiar hallway. There was an unspoken understanding in her touch, a recognition of the need for family time. I almost scoffed at the sentiment. ¡°Family time¡± hadn¡¯t exactly been a staple in our household, but under the current circumstances, it seemed there were unspoken rules that even Ivan understood. We reached the familiar double doors of my father¡¯s study. Taking a deep breath, I followed my mother inside. He was seated behind his desk, his back straight, his features an unreadable mask. There was no sign of the ordeal he¡¯d supposedly endured. No weariness, no physical toll. He looked exactly the same ¨C powerful, imposing, and utterly intimidating. He raised his head as we entered, his gaze locking onto mine. For a moment, we simply stared at each other. What did I feel? Relief? Confusion? Maybe a sliver of happiness at seeing my father out and well? ¡°Amaya,¡± he finally spoke, his voice t and emotionless. As usual. ¡°Father,¡± I breathed out. ¡°You¡¯re out. I tried toe see you, but they wouldn¡¯t let me have anN?velDrama.Org is the owner. appointment.¡± ¡°Because I told them not to,¡± he replied simply, his voice devoid of apology. The bluntness of his statement caught me off guard. I blinked back a surge of surprise, my mouth opening to question his motives. But before I could utter a word, he cut me off, his tone hardening. ¡°I am not interested in whatever you have to say regarding my arrest,¡± he stated dismissively. ¡°What I would like to know is who gave you the right to sign off as co-alpha to my pack?¡± Chapter 50 -Maya¡¯s POV- The air crackled with a tense silence after my father¡¯s words. Blinking rapidly, I struggled to process the usation hanging heavy between us. ¡°That¡¯s w My mother, sensing the impending storm, had already excused herself, leaving me alone with the man who seemed determined to make this reunion as as if he was searching for some hidden motive. ¡°I asked you a question, Amaya,¡± he repeated, his voice firm andced with an undercurrent of anger. ¡°One that requires an answer.¡± What was wrong with this man? Seriously. Frustration bubbled up within me, threatening to spill over into a full¨C blown explosion. Taking a deep breath, I forced myself to push down the rising anger. ¡°You were in jail,¡± I stated, enunciating each word carefully. ¡°The p ¡°And what exactly did you do?¡± he countered, his tone dripping with sarcasm. ¡°Dere yourself co¨CAlpha? Who gave you the right to do so?¡± N?velDrama.Org is the owner. ¡°Besides,¡± I continued, ignoring his derision, ¡°Ivan said you already signed off on the merger.¡± His eyes widened momentarily, a flicker of surprise betraying his carefully constructed mask of fury. Then, just as quickly, the surprise morphed into something far more dangerous ¨C a cold, calcting anger. ¡°I signed off on the merger,¡± he began, his voice low and menacing, ¡°with me as the leader. As the sole Alpha of the Crescent P dropping to a barely audible growl, ¡°told you it was anything different?¡± 1 recoiled under his fierce gaze, a wave of incredulity washing over me. With everything that had happened, with the pack teetering on the brink of copse, the thing that bothered him most wa Alpha? Did he honestly despise me that much? The anger I had fought so hard to suppress threatened to boil over. Taking another deep breath, I forced myself to remain calm. There was no point in ge ¡°Good. And don¡¯t even entertain the thought of attempting something like that again.¡± He waved his dismissive hand, the gesture a clear indication that our conversation was over. I stood there for a moment, my teeth grinding together in fru even try to love me? The image of his dismissive hand shed before my eyes, and the anger I had pushed down surged back with renewed intensity. My voice, when I finally spoke, wasced with a steely edge. ¡°Look,¡± I said, staring him down, ¡°I spent weeks trying to get you out of jail, facing Petrov¡¯s His head snapped up, his surprise morphing into a fury that mirrored my own. ¡°What did you just say to me?¡± he roared, his voice booming through the s 11:38 Fri, 21 Jun ti My voice trembled with barely contained rage as I met his gaze head¨C on. ¡°I got arrested because they thought I was involved in moneyundering. Moneyundering that you were being investigated for. You didn¡¯t even car ¡°Evil?¡± he spat back, his nostrils ring in anger. ¡°You dare call me evil, child? After trying to take my position?¡± ¡°I wouldn¡¯t have had to if you hadn¡¯t gotten yourself thrown in jail and left the pack in shambles!¡± I retorted, my voice rising a notch with every word. ¡°Petrov was circling like a vulture, waiting to snatch the Alpha position. The pack was o A vein pulsed in his temple, and I could see the anger simmering beneath the surface. ¡°And who,¡± he thundered, his voiceced with a dangerous edge, A bitterugh escaped my lips. ¡°Apparently,¡± I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm, ¡°no one! Because ording to you, the only one fit to lead this pack second phone call to check on her after he gets out of jail! Or apologize for involving. I got thrown in jail because of you!¡± ¡°Jail?¡± he scoffed, his tone dismissive. ¡°You call that a jail? You were barely there a week.¡± ¡°A week that could have turned into a lifetime!¡± I shouted, my voice cracking with raw emotion. ¡°While you satfortably in your cell, I faced Petrov¡¯s relentless attacks. And the first thing you do when you get out is throw a tantrum about My voice broke, the anger giving way to a wave of despair. ¡°How dare you?¡± I whispered, tears stinging my eyes. ¡°How dare there and me me when I you sit The silence in the room stretched on, heavy and suffocating. His face remained a mask of cold fury, devoid of any flicker of remorse or understanding. That was it. This wasn¡¯t anger anymore. This was a deep, soul¨C crushing pain that threatened to drown me whole. ¡°So yes, Father,¡± I choked out, the words thick with tears, ¡°I wish you would have rotted in jail.¡± Suddenly, with a swiftness that startled me, his hand shot out, wrapping itself around my throat in a vice¨C like grip. The air left my lungs in a whoosh, my vision blurring at the edges. ¡°I will reach you to show respect.¡± He growled in my face tightening his grip. Panic surged through me, but before I could react, a feral snarl ripped throug My vision swam in and out of focus as I saw Ivan appear in a blur of movement. With a force that seemed impossible, he mmed into my father, sending him crashing to the floor with a startled yelp, ¡°Don¡¯t. You, Ever. Touch. Her. Again.¡± The pressure on my throat eased, and I gasped for air, my lungs burning. Ivan scooped me into his arms, his eyes softening, ¡°I¡¯m so sorry.¡± We passed by my mother, who stood frozen in the doorway, her face etched with a mixture of fear and something that could have been regret. But the pain was too raw, too fresh to process anything else. We exited the house and walked towards Ivan¡¯s car, a numb silence enveloping us. As soon 11:38 Fri, 21 Jun Ei I didn¡¯t sob, there were no dramatic wails. Just a steady stream of silent tears, a physical manifestation of the emotional agony tearing me apart. Ivan didn¡¯t try to talk, didn¡¯t offer e Tears had finally dried up, leaving behind a dull ache in my throat and a raw emptiness in my chest. Exhausted from the storm of emotions, I leaned aga like state. Suddenly, Ivan¡¯s voice broke the silence, his tone cautious. ¡°Has it always been like this? Did he¡­ did he often put his hands on you? The question jolted me back to reality. I shook my head slowly, the memory of his hand around my throat still sending a shiver down my spine. ¡°No,¡± I wh ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, Amaya,¡± he murmured, his voice sincere. I offered a weak smile, the sadness clinging to me like a shroud. ¡°It¡¯s not your fault,¡± I whispered. ¡°I guess my family puts the dys in dysfunctional. Ever s ¡°Like you were the wrong¡­ recement,¡± Ivan added thoughtfully, more to himself than to me. My head snapped up, the words jolting me awake from my daze. ¡°What did you just say?¡± He sighed again, ¡°There¡¯s something you should know, Amaya,¡± he began, hesitating for a moment. ¡°Something that might exin your father¡¯s¡­ animo My heart pounded in my chest, a sense of anticipation warring with the lingering pain. ¡°What is it?¡± Taking a deep breath, he met my gaze, ¡°You have a brother, Amaya.¡± Chapter 51 -Maya¡¯s POV- N?velDrama.Org is the owner. ¡°Brother?¡± The question tumbled out of my mouth that echoed in the deafening silence of the car. ¡°You had a brother, Amaya,¡± Ivan rified, his voiceced with a sadness that mirrored the turmoil swirling inside me. ¡°He died before you were even bor describe it.¡± ¡°Dead? But how do you know? And why didn¡¯t my father ever mention him?¡± Suddenly, a memory from the hospital flickered in my mind. My father¡¯s harsh words,ced with a bitter sadness: ¡°Because they took him away from me. Could it be? Was this brother the one ¡°taken away¡°? The thought sent a shiver down my spine. ¡°When I became Alpha,¡± Ivan continued, his voice low, ¡°I had to learn about all the other packs in the city, their histories, their rivalries. That¡¯s how I found out about your brother. Apparently, he almost burned down the entire city in a rage, seeking revenge on the one responsible for his death.¡± He hesitated for a moment, then added, ¡°Alex¡¯s father¡± My eyes snapped to his face, searching for any hidden meaning, any deception. Suddenly, everything clicked into ce. The animosity between my fath ¡°Alex¡¯s father? I could have had a brother,¡± I whispered. Ivan reached over, his hand gently squeezing my knee. I hadn¡¯t realized how badly it was trembling ¡°I can¡¯t speak for your father, Amaya,¡± he said softly. Pity? Anger? The emotions churned inside me, a confusing cocktail it wasn¡¯t my fault he¡¯d lost his son. Yet, for all these years, he¡¯d turned his cold anger on me, the innocent bystander in this tragedy. What about Alex? Did he know about his father¡¯s past? There was no way he could bepletely oblivious. Whenever I¡¯d men ¡°Amaya,¡± Ivan¡¯s voice broke through my spiraling thoughts. ¡°Look at me.¡°His touch, gentle yet firm, brought my attention back to him. His fingers brushed down my face. ¡°Why?¡± I choked out, ¡°Why did things have to be soplicated?¡± His hands left my knee, and he gently pulled me into a loose hug. The car was cramped, but he managed to create a pocket offort amidst the overw After what felt like an eternity, the intensity of the sobs subsided, leaving behind a hollow ache and a raw exhaustion. I leaned into his embrace, drained ¡°Let¡¯s get you home,¡± he whispered softly, his voice a soothing balm against the storm. He carefully shifted me back to my seat, then reached for the ignition. Apparently, the car had been turned off at some point during my breakdown, a detail that hadplete My eyelids fluttered closed, overwhelmed by a wave of fatigue. Thest thing I registered before sumbing to sleep was Ivan¡¯s murmured ReelShort Google y INSTALL promise, a vow woven with determination. ¡°I won¡¯t let them take anymore from us.¡± A sliver of light pierced through my eyelids, rousing me from sleep. I blinked a few times, my vision adjusting to the familiar surroundings of my bedroom There, in the middle of the bed, stood a tangled mess of limbs and dark hair¨C my twins, Ivy and Nate, locked in a yful battle, Ivy was reaching with chubby arms for something Nate clutched tightly in his tiny hand. ¡°No! Mine!¡± Nate screeched, his brow furrowed in fierce concentration as he tried to shield the object from his sister¡¯s grasp. ¡°Give!¡± Ivy demanded, her voice a high pitched squeal. She lunged forward, her entire body weight thrown behind the grab and the bnce they maintai was quickly disrupted: A yelp escaped Nate¡¯s lips as he lost his footing, sending both of them tumbling in a giggling heap onto my stomach. The sudden weight startled me, but a smile tugged at theers of my lips despite the lingering exhaustion. This¡­ this was home. The i chaos, the noise, the love¨Call of it, a beautiful mess that filed a void I hadn¡¯t even realized existed. I ¡°Woah, woah, easy there, champions,¡± I chuckled, gently untangling them from each other. ¡°What¡¯s all themotion about?¡± Ivy, momentarily distracted, pointed a stubby finger at the object still firmly clutched in Nate¡¯s hand. ¡°He took my dolly!¡± she dered, her voice thick with i Nate, emboldened by a mischievous glint in his eyes, peeked out from behind my arm. ¡°No, it¡¯s mine now!¡± he countered, his voice muffled by my shirt. With a sigh, I reached for Nate¡¯s hand and pried it open, revealing a tiny, misshapen ydough creation that vaguely resembled a doll. ¡°Well, it doesn¡¯t lo ¡°That¡¯s cuz it¡¯s a mermaid dolly she dered, snatching the creation from my hand The bickering resumed as soon as I disentangled them, ¡°Mine¡± vy shrieked, reaching for the ydough doll in Nate¡¯s hand. ¡°No!¡± he countered, squeezin A tired smile curved my lips as i watched them. Just then, the bedroom door creaked open. Ivan stepped inside, his gaze immediatelynding on the squabbling ¡°I thought you left,¡± I managed, a hint of appreciation coloring my voice He offered a reassuring smile. ¡°I needed to make sure you were alright.¡± His eyes then shifted to themotion unfolding on my stomach. ¡°Looks like so needs a referee¡± He chuckled, crouching down to their level. ¡°So, what seems to be the problem here?¡± ¡°She took my dolly!¡± Nate dered, pointing an using finger at his sister. by scoffed. ¡°It¡¯s not a dolly, ? a mermaidi¡± han tilted his head, feigning confusion ¡°A mermaid, huh? Can you show me what kind of mermaid it is?¡± bry, wager to share her creation adily handed him the ydough blob. He took it gingerly inspecting with mock seriousness. ¡°Hmm, I see the tail,¡± he mused, poking the misshapen appendage. ¡°But where¡¯s the pretty hair?¡± Both twins frowned in contemtion. ¡°Hair?¡± Nate echoed, scratching his head. Ivan grinned. ¡°Exactly! Mermaids have beautiful long hair, don¡¯t they?¡± Ivy and Nate exchanged a nce, their brows furrowed in thought. ¡°Hair,¡± Ivy repeated, the word clicking in her mind. Suddenly, her eyes darted towards With a triumphant squeal, she scrambled and dashed towards the nightstand. Momentster, she returned clutching a tattered pink bunny with yarn hair He chuckled. ¡°Perfect! Now, where do we put this hair on our mermaid?¡± He held the bunny up next to the ydough creation, demonstrating for them. Ivy and Nate huddled together, pointing and giggling. Together, they decided on the best cement for the bunny¡¯s hair, giggling as ivan carefully attach the misshapen doll. Just then, a delicious aroma wafted into the room. Ivan sniffed the air. ¡°Mmm, what smells so good?¡± ¡°Cookies!¡± Ivy shrieked, her eyes lighting up. She bounced in ce, barely able to contain her excitement. Nate, catching on, started mimicking his sister. ¡°Cookies! Cookies!¡± he chanted, bouncing on his toes. Before I could even respond, Ivy was already mbering out of bed, eager to reach the source of the delicious scent. But before she could dash out of the room, she paused, a thoughtful expression She turned back towards Ivan, who was kneeling on the floor putting away various toys the twins had scattered during their y. She walked up to him, surprise, she leaned down and wrapped her tiny arms around his legs in a quick hug. ¡°Thank you, daddy,¡± she whispered before sprinting out of the room towards the kitchen, her excited shouts of ¡°Cookies¡± echoing down the hallway. Ivan straightened up, a stunned expression on his face. A warmth bloomed in my chest as I watched him. ¡°She called you daddy,¡± I said softly. He chuckled, a touch of nervousness lingering in his eyes. ¡°I guess she did, didn¡¯t she?¡± He looked down at his hand, a slight smile ying on his lips. ¡°M I smiled in return. He has been nothing less than perfect with them, taking time out to y when Maria, his housemaid, was busy with chores. Ivan was perfect and i guess it wouldn¡¯t be so bad if he became the But why did a part of me mirror my wolf¡¯s growl of disapproval at that? Why did he bing their father feel so right yet so wrong at the same time? Chapter 52 -Alex¡¯s POV- I left Christian after my outburst without another word and drove around aimlessly trying to get the pictures out of my head. No matter how many years had gone by. Ho The anger, a hot coal in my gut, refused to be banked. I drove aimlessly, the city lights blurring into streaks of color as I tried to outrun the memories. Da Pulling into my driveway, I saw the two familiar cars parked in front of the mansion. My wolf stirred awake within me, a low growl rumbling in my chest. I¡¯d With a clenched jaw, I stormed through the front door. The picture that greeted me did little to quell the rising tide of fury within. There, sprawled on the p suits. Her eyes snapped towards me the moment I entered, the smile morphing into something mischievous. ¡°Well, well,¡± she drawled, her voice dripping with The two men, their expressions unreadable, turned their gazes towards me. Ignoring Miranda, I held their stare, my voiceced with ice as 1 uttered a si A flicker of something, perhaps annoyance, crossed Miranda¡¯s face, but she recovered quickly. Standing with a practiced grace, she swayed her hips as The two men remained standing, unfazed by Miranda¡¯s departure. Now, with her gone, I could focus on them fully. The one on the left was older, in his On his right stood a man who didn¡¯t bother with such pretense. His build was imposing, his bodynguage exuding a sense of barely contained power. There was no mistaking the darkness that simmered beneath the surface, a darkness he wore like a badge of honor. ¡°Vargas,¡± I said, addressing the man with the scar. His name, like him, was a reflection of his nature ¨C ruthless and cold. ¡°Raze,¡± I turned to the other man, his name evoking images of destruction and chaos. There was no warmth in my voice as I finally addressed them both pleasure?¡± I emphasized thest word, dripping with sarcasm. We all proceeded to take our seats. Vargas regarded me with a cold, calcting stare. ¡°I think you¡¯re well aware of why we¡¯re here, Alex.¡± His voice was a low rumble, devoid of warmth. I raised an eyebrow, feigning ignorance. ¡°Enlighten me, Vargas. What grand news brings you to my humble abode at this ungodly hour?¡± Inside, I fumed. Unlike some Alphas who craved more power and territory, I never desired this role. It had been thrust upon me by circumstance, a heavy something I had zero patience 10:21 Sat, 22 Jun U for. ¡°News?¡± Vargas scoffed. ¡°It¡¯s not news, Alex. It¡¯s a matter of concern. The Stone and McCall packs have finalized their merger.¡± I ground my teeth together, a low growl emanating from deep within my throat. This was exactly what I didn¡¯t want to hear. I already knew that and I figured it was just about time they came. Their packs were formidable on a significant threat but that was not what annoyed me, it was thinking of her and him together, Sensing my displeasure, Raze, the more vocal of the two, decided to borate. ¡°They¡¯re strong, Alex. Individually, they were forces to be reckoned with ¡°Nearly.¡± I echoed, emphasizing the word. While I acknowledged the danger they posed, I wasn¡¯t one for hyperbole. ¡°Nearly isn¡¯t good enough,¡± Raze countered, his voiceced with a dangerous edge. ¡°We need to act before they decide to test their newfound strength on our borders.¡± I leaned back in my chair, steepling my fingers in front of me. ¡°And what exactly do you propose we do, Raze? Launch a preemptive strike based on¡­ ¡®n I was done with this conversation: Vargas shifted in his seat, his gaze flickering to the window and back again. ¡°There¡¯s more than whispers, Alex. Our intel suggests they¡¯re actively recruiting. Their numbers are growing, and their influence is spreading.¡± ¡°So they¡¯re¡­ popr?¡± I couldn¡¯t help but jab at their exaggerated concern even though I knew it was valid. Vargas¡¯s lips twitched with suppressed irritation. ¡°Poprity is irrelevant. Strength is what matters, and they¡¯re amassing it at an rming rate especially N?velDrama.Org owns this text. My jaw clenched at that as a tense silence descended upon the room. I knew they expected a reaction, a deration of war perhaps. But! wouldn¡¯t be b Vargas¡¯s carefully constructed facade finally cracked. His eyes shed with anger, a flicker of something more primal lurking beneath the surface. ¡°Hone My world went cold. The room temperature seemed to plummet along with my mood. My vision narrowed, and a familiar darkness bled into my eyes. Th tension as my wolf surged to the forefront, a low growl rumbling deep in my chest. ¡°Repeat that,¡± I said, my voice a dangerous rasp. It wasn¡¯t a request; Raze stepped in before things escted further. ¡°There¡¯s no point in posturing here,¡± he interjected with a bored sigh. ¡°We all know you¡¯re both powerful The raw power of my wolf receded slightly, but I kept Vargas in my sights, my anger simmering just beneath the surface. ¡°Fine,¡± I conceded, the word tasting like ash in my mouth. ¡°I¡¯ll look into it. I¡¯ll handle it the way I see fit.¡± The truth was, the thought of Daniel Stone being part of this new super¨C pack grated on me like nails on a chalkboard. The man was pure trouble, a slippery eel who had somehow managed to wriggle out of jail. Clearly, I had Raze seemed satisfied with my response. He was the more reasonable of the two, surprisingly. He nodded curtly. ¡°That¡¯s all we¡¯re asking. Alpha.¡± A brief Vargas rose, the mask slipping back into ce. His cool stare held mine for a beat longer than necessary. He knew, as well as I did, that any sign of weakness would be an invitation for a challenge. Maybe I didn¡¯t crave the Alpha role, but it was mine, and nobody took wha to me. He was almost out the door when he turned back, a triumphant smirk twisting his lips. ¡°By the way, Alex,¡± he drawled, his voice dripping with veiled meaning. ¡°Damon sends his regards.¡± The blood drained from my face. Hearing that name, especially from Vargas, sent a jolt of ice through my veins. But I wouldn¡¯t give him the satisfaction o He exited with Raze, the front door closing with a final thud. Silence descended once more, heavier than before. It was as if the mere mention of his name had summoned him. My phone buzzed on the table, a sin screen. A single text message stared back at me, the words burning into my retinas: ¡°I think it¡¯s high time you and I had a talk, son.¡± Chapter 53 -Alex¡¯s POV- Eight years old. That was the first time the crimson color of blood stained my world. It wasn¡¯t a scrape from a fall, a burst lip from a careless tumble. No, this blood flowed win I wasn¡¯t supposed to see it. Tucked away in a forgotten corner of my father¡¯s study, hidden amongst towering bookshelves and leather¨C bound tomes, I became an unwilling witness. The man on the floor wasn¡¯t fighting back. There was no struggle, no desperate pleas for mercy. Just a loo utter defeat etched on his face, his eyes wide and vacant, staring sightlessly into the distance. My father stood over him, his chest heaving, ws dripping with a crimson stain that mirrored the spreading pool beneath the man¡¯s body. A guttural growl ripped from his throat, a sound primal and terrifying. ¡°Get him out of my sight!¡± Two hulking figures materialized from the shadows, their faces obscured by the gloom. Without a word, they grabbed the now lifeless body. the man¡¯s lim Fear, you might think, would have been my first reaction. But as I huddled in my makeshift hiding ce, a strange calmness washed over me. Curiosity, before my eyes. My father¡¯s voice, stillced with raw anger, echoed as he addressed someone unseen. ¡°Where is Alex?¡± They wouldn¡¯t find me. Not here, hidden in this dusty corner, the musty scent of old paper the only witness to my presence. It might be considered stupid nose but even at my age, I understood the term, keep your friends close and my enemies closer. Damon Thome was a man I considered my enemy righ the moment heid his hand on her. I almost smiled at just remembering my mother¡¯s eyes. The color of a deep sapphireke, held a warmth my father it even h his thunderousmand failed to elicit a flinch. I knew what awaited me when My father¡¯s voice boomed once more, ¡°Find him!¡± But they did. T ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org . Just as I rose to melt back into the shadows, a new conversation snagged my attention, anchoring me to my spot. my m ¡°Mr. Thorne?¡± A soft voice startled me. A petite nurse with a dazzling smile and a blush creeping up her cheeks stood in front of me. I hadn¡¯t even realize I nodded mutely, my mind still trapped in a loop, reying that day all over in my head. We walked in silence but as we passed by a narrow corridor, I co mounted mirror. I had tried. Really tried not to be like what he trained me to be but sometimes when I looked in the mirror, I saw it. My failure because in the end I turned out to be just like him- a monster Chapter 54 -Maya¡¯s POV- Life felt like it was slowly regaining a semnce of normalcy. The twins were getting along with Ivan and it tugged my heartstrings whenever hy cuddled He was simply just perfect. As for me, I¡¯d managed to maintain a delicate dance of avoidance with my father. A part of me itched to confront him about what van had revealed about the brother! never had a chance to meet but I knew a collision was inevitable and frankly, thest thing I needed was another explosion. The pas I threw myself into work, using design as an escape. Ironically, most of my efforts were currently focused on the redesign project for the very ¡®person who Alex¡¯spany. Thankfully, Ms. Edwards hadn¡¯t officially handed it over to me, so she remained the one in contact with him. One lessplication, at l Tonight, I was out with the girls¨C Natalia, Riley, and Sarah. We¡¯d decided to explore new territory for drinks, avoiding the Rusty Compass after the chaotic show we¡¯d put onthest time N and I were there. Riley was extremely grateful and it was good to see her slowly warming up to us. As for Sarah, we¡¯d be surprisingly close. She ha spoke and she had been present at our wedding. ¡°Earth to Amaya,¡± Sarah snapped her fingers in front of my face, her voiceced with amusement. I flushed, caught red¨C handed zoning out. Natalia rolled her eyes dramatically. ¡°We should rename you ¡®Space Woman,¡± she dered, her voice dripping with mock seriousness. ¡°Always staring off into space, lost in your own little w We all turned to stare at her, a mixture of amusement and exasperation on our faces. Natalia, seemingly oblivious to the effect, simply shrugged. ¡°What? I know I¡¯m horrible at making jokes,¡± she muttered, taking arge swig of her drink. Then, her expression turned mischievous. ¡°Speaking of stress and things worthy of being stared at¡­ how is Ivan?¡± The question hung in the air, the pointed tone making my stomach clench. I knew exactly what she was implying. She used thesame tone whenever I ca I red at her, my annoyance evident. ¡°Why do you have to say it like that, Natalia?¡± I grumbled. Sarah seized the opening. She leaned in conspiratorially, her eyes sparkling with curiosity ¡°Come on, Amaya,¡± she pressed. ¡°We¡¯ve all been dying to know. Is he as hot without the suit as he is with it?¡± I narrowed my eyes at both of them, then flicked a nce towards Riley. She, the calm observer of the group¨C likely a product of her barkeep training. But even she seemed to be wrestling with a flicker of curiosity in her gaze. This was exactly what I got for introdu A blush crept up my checks, a traitorous warmth that I couldn¡¯t quite control. The truth was, I hadn¡¯t allowed myself to think of ivan in that way. Or maybe ¡°Oh my god,¡± Natalia practically whisper¨Cshouted, her voice filled with mock horror. ¡°You guys baven¡¯t fucked yet?¡± INSTALL By now, now, I was sure my face rivaled the color of a ripe tomato. ¡°Knock it off, Nat,¡± I mumbled. ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org . Áã90% Undeterred, Sarah jumped in. ¡°But why not?¡± she persisted, her head tilted inquisitively. ¡°He is extremely extremely hot. You two are married. The man is up? And don¡¯t tell me you are still hung up on that bastard that shall not be named.¡± I had told them everything from the beginning to the end, from how I went against my family only to end up rejected, then the istion and how Alex was that they existed. Yes, my life was a hell of a lotplicated. Fran a hand through my hair, frustration mingling with the blush that still burned on my cheeks. ¡°It¡¯s not that simple and no it doesn¡¯t have anything to do with Alex. He is the past and I am done with him.¡± Natalia eyed me like she could smell my lie because it was a lie and I kept telling myself that over and over. One day, I hoped I would finally believe it. I had tried to cancel that kiss from my thoughts but it kep ¡°I bet he would be a monster in bed and the size of his dick will be attuned to that monstrosity. He gives me this quiet vibe of a psycho that will kill but yo Riley choked on her drink then started coughing ¡°There, there honey.¡± Sarah rubbed her back, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, you will used to being vulgar soon enough.¡± I shook my head, a wry smile ying on my lips despite myself. These two were going to be a force of nature together, and a chaotic one at that. But a s ¡°Alright, alright,¡± I conceded, rolling my eyes yfully. ¡°You two definitely need to get your minds out of the gutter. And for the record, what happens ¨C or doesn¡¯t happen¨Cbetween Ivan and me is none of your business. Now, can we please move on to a less¡­ personal topic? And also, you two are morons.¡± Riley burst outughing while Natalia and Sarah red at the two of us. Natalia pouted yfully, ¡°You used to be so fun, not anymore. We were just trying to lighten the mood.¡± I knew I wouldn¡¯t win this argument. These women were relentless when they set their minds to something. Just as I opened my mouth to formte a wi Riley and I exchanged skeptical nces. While the prospect of escaping the relentless questioning about Ivan was tempting, venturing out into the unkn Sarah, however, seemed to have already made up her mind. ¡°Great idea, Natalial¡± she eximed, her enthusiasm infectious. Before either Riley or I cou ¡°Come on, you two slowpokes,¡± she called over her shoulder, a mischievous grin stered on her face. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re getting too old for a little adv With a sigh, I knew there was no point in resisting. Riley simply shrugged and followed Sarah¡¯s lead. Thankfully, we¡¯d all only had one drink each, so our motor skills were still rtively intact. exactly are we going?¡± I asked Natalia as we squeezed past the other patrons and out of the bar. ¡°Where ex Natalia winked at me conspiratorially. ¡°That,¡± she dered, her voice filled with a hint of mystery, ¡°is a secret for now. Just trust me, it¡¯ll be fun.¡± Fun. That was one word I wouldn¡¯t have used to describe my current situation. But as we piled into a taxi, the three of us crammed together in the backseat, a strange sense of anticipation fluttered in my stomach. Maybe, just maybe, a night of unexpected adventure was exactly what I needed I couldn¡¯t help it, the s Chapter 55 -Maya¡¯s POV- N?velDrama.Org is the owner. A wave of nausea rolled over me threatening to pull me under. The room spun, a dizzying carousel of white walls and blurry shapes. A cool hand settled on my forehead, aforting My eyelids fluttered open, battling the heaviness that threatened to keep them shut. Slowly, the blurry shapes merged into a face ¨C Ivan¡¯s face, filled with worry and a hint of relief. Relief washed over me, momentarily eclipsing the fear and pain that gnawed at the edges of my consciousness. ¡°Ivan?¡± My voice was a dry rasp, barely audible even to my own ears. The memories, fragmented and terrifying, began to flood back¨C the crowded bar, Natalia¡¯s mischievous grin, the squeal of tires, then¡­ darkness. Panic wed its way up my throat. ¡°What happened?¡± I croaked, the question a desperate plea for answers. He held his hand up in a cating gesture, his grip firm yet gentle as he pushed me back down onto the bed. ¡°Calm down, Amaya. It¡¯s okay. You¡¯re safe Safe? That word felt foreign in my current state. ¡°No, it¡¯s not okay,¡± I insisted, my voice rising with a tremor. ¡°Natalia¡­ Sarah¡­ Riley. What about them?¡± Sarah¡¯s infectiousughter, Riley¡¯s calm demeanor, Natalia¡¯s fiery spirit. ¡°They¡¯re fine,¡± He assured me, his voice a steady counterpoint to the storm brewing within me. ¡°Everyone¡¯s okay. Just rx. You need to rest¡± Rx? How could I possibly rx when my friends could be lying in simr beds, their bodies broken and bruised? The fear morphed into anger, a hot c He reacted swiftly, his hand pressing against my shoulder. ¡°Whoa, there. The doctor said you need to stay in bed for observation. They¡¯ll be fine. They¡¯re His words did little to quell the frantic energy coursing through me. ¡°But what happened?¡± I demanded, my voiceced with a desperation! couldn¡¯t contro Ivan sighed, a deep breath that spoke volumes about the worry he was trying to mask. ¡°You got hit by a truck,¡± he admitted, his voicew. ¡°Drunk driver. The cops are still piecing th My breath hitched in my throat. A drunk driver? The image of a car careening out of control filled my mind, the screech of metal on metal echoing in my ears. Relief battled with a fresh wave of terror. We were lucky- incredibly lucky ¨C to be alive. ¡°Oh my god,¡± Images of mangled metal and shattered ss flickered behind my closed eyelids. The memory of the crash was a terrifying void, but the fe A heavy silence de Chapter 56 Chapter 56 -Alex¡¯s POV- My paws pounded against the damp earth, the familiar sensation grounding me. It was one of the reasons I loved letting my wolf out-the exhrating release of pent-up energy. This morning, especially, I had woken with a restlessness that wouldn¡¯t be ignored So, the moment! crawled out of bed, I found myself outside, in thendscaped expanse behind the mansion, shifting With the wind whipping through my fur and the scent of damp grass filling my nostrils, I was free. No walls could confine me, no thoughts could intrude on the raw, instinctive joy of running. Not her, not Adrian, and definitely not the conversation I¡¯d had with my father. I pushed myself harder, letting every frustration and worry dissipate with each powerful stride. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the need to return to human form asserted itself With a loud whoosh, I shifted back, the world solidifying around me, Grabbing a set of clothes I kept at a discreet location specifically for these asions, I pulled them on and began the walk back towards the house. The hush of the early morning was broken only by the crunch of gravel beneath my feet. As I entered the house, the maids bowed their heads respectfully as they always did. I gave a curt nod in acknowledgement, my mind still preupied with the events of the past few days. My steps carried me towards my room, a haven I desperately needed. The moment I pushed open the door, however, my haven shattered. My wolf let out a low growl, the air thick with an unwee presence. Even before I saw her, I recognized the cloying scent of Miranda clinging to the air like an irritating perfume. Perched precariously on the edge of my bed, eyes glued to her phone, she looked up the moment she sensed me. A smile stered itself on her face ¨C a smile I knew held no warmth or sincerity. Ignoring herpletely, I strode towards the closet, intent on getting ready for the day. The smile faltered, reced by a narrowed gaze that was far more representative of the woman she truly was. ¡°Aren¡¯t you even going to acknowledge me?¡± she purred, her voice dripping with feigned sweetness. I gave her a withering look, barely a flicker of my annoyance escaping. ¡°You can ignore me all you want,¡± she continued, her voice gaining a hint of defiance, ¡°but the truth is, you¡¯re stuck with me.¡± She tossed her hair dramatically, a move I was sure she¡¯d practiced in front of a mirror countless times. ¡°But that¡¯s not what I came to tell you about,¡± she added quickly, seeing the steely glint in my eyes. ¡°It¡¯s about Ivan¡¯spany.¡± Now I did stop, turning to face her fully. My eyes narrowed, a silent warning. ¡°I already told you no. Now get out of my room.¡± ¡°You know you don¡¯t have to be so hostile all the time,¡± she pouted, her voice taking on a childish whine. ¡°And I¡¯m not leaving until you agree to help him.¡± She straightened up, puffing out her chest in a pathetic attempt to appear assertive. movement Leaving the clothes I¡¯d been holding, I stalked towards her, my measured and deliberate. She flinched back slightly, her bravado momentarily dissolving. Good. ¡°Then you¡¯ll be spending an eternity here,¡± I growled, my voice low and dangerous. ¡°Or maybe I¡¯ll just throw you out.¡± The threat hung heavy in the air. Her eyes widened a fraction, and a tremor ran through her carefully manicured facade. For a moment, i thought she might actually back down, but then she squared her shoulders, a flicker of defiance returning to her gaze. Chapter 56 ¡°You wouldn¡¯t dare,¡± she hissed. I clenched my fists, the anger simmering just beneath the surface. Dealing with Miranda was like trying to reason with a stubborn child then she let out a frustrated huff, ¡°Whatever. I have to be at the hospital anyway.¡± Against my better judgment, the words left my lips, ¡°Why are you going to the hospital?¡± My voice was clipped, but there was a hint of curiosity that even I couldn¡¯t disguise. A triumphant smirk bloomed across her face, and a surge of regret washed over me for even entertaining the idea of engaging with her. But. before I could turn away, her voice,ced with a hintN?velDrama.Org owns this text. of satisfaction, sliced through the air. ¡°I¡¯m going to check on my sister-inw,¡± she announced, her words dripping with a calcted sweetness. Everything in me froze. My breath hitched in my throat, and the room seemed to shrink, the air growing thick with suffocating silence. Her smile widened. She knew she had me cornered. As much as I loathed giving her the satisfaction, the question tumbled out of my lips before I could stop it. ¡°What happened to Amaya?¡± She shrugged nonchntly, feigning disinterest, and turned towards the door as if to leave. But the glint in her eyes betrayed her act. She thrived on drama, on having the upper hand. in a sh, I was across the room, my hand shooting out to grab hers before she could disappear ¡°What. Happened. To. Amaya?¡± Each word was a growl,ced with a dangerous edge. Miranda¡¯s facade crumbled. Her eyes shed with anger, and she yanked her hand free with surprising force. ¡°Get your hands off me!¡± She hissed, her voiceced with venom. ¡°If you want to know,¡± she continued, her voice regaining a semnce of control, ¡°go to the hospital and find out yourself.¡± with that, she turned on her heels and swept out of the room, her victory complete. The moment the door mmed shut behind her, my wolf erupted within me. He paced a mental cage, his frustration and fear palpable. It didn¡¯t matter that I rejected her, he still considered her as his mate. The rejection may have severed some of the connection, but the bond remained, a tethered lifeline that pulsed with a primal urgency. Taking a deep, shuddering breath, I forced myself to focus and calm down then I prepared, got into my car and drove off. It had taken everything in me to turn the car in the direction of mypany.Every fiber of my being screamed at me to get back in the car and race to the hospital. The information I¡¯d gleaned with a single phone call felt branded onto my brain-Amaya¡¯s name, the hospital room number echoing in the empty space of my skull. But instead of following that primal urge, I found myself back in the sterile confines of my office, the silence broken only by the rhythmic hum of theputer and the asional squeak of my pen across paper. Focusing on work was an uphill battle. The spreadsheets on the screen blurred, the reports swam before my eyes. Every notification, every chime, sent a jolt of restless energy through me, making my already jumpy nerves even more on edge. My wolf continued to growl pushing against the confines of head to go to her. To make sure that she was okay but I managed to push him down. Three hours passed in a blur of forced concentration. I¡¯d buried myself in work, throwing myself into a maelstrom of activity, anything to silence the frantic chatter in my head. Finally, with a sigh of exhaustion, I leaned back in my chair, rubbing the tension from my temples when Ruth walked through the door, ¡°Mr. Thorne,¡± she began but her eyes held the surprise, ¡°I managed to schedule as many meetings as you requested for the rest of the day, is there anything you need me to do?¡± The surprise was still evident in her gaze. I understood why 90% Chapter 56 She knew my aversion to unnecessary human Interaction. Keeping my dealings with others to a minimum was what I did so as to avoid human interaction. Yet, here I was, overloading myself with meetings, a clear sign that something was off bnce. I let out a slow nod, ¡°Thank you for handling that. That will be all,¡± She lingered for a moment, her gaze searching my face. There was a question hovering on her lips, but she held her tongue but with a nod, she retreated, closing the door softly behind her. The sterile silence returned, but the disquiet within me remained. I was a man divided. Part of me yearned to be at the hospital to make sure she was okay. The other part, the more logical side, knew that my presence would be unwanted. Besides, there was the risk of bumping into my fists. Miranda, of having to deal with her smug satisfaction. The thought was enough to make me clench I rose from my chair and paced the length of the office. Every instinct told me to act, to go to the hospital, but a nagging doubt held me back. My presence would onlyplicate things. My wolf let out another low growl that vibrated through my bones. This time, there was no second guessing. I snatched my keys, the metal icy against my mmy palm, and sprinted towards the car making my way to the hospital. Immediately I got of the car, the air went still and I immediately knew why. Before I even saw him, I felt his presence. I tuned my heading father. face to face with the only man I hated more than my Daniel Stone. END GIFT SEND Chapter 57 -Alex¡¯s POV- We locked eyes in the expanse of the hospital parking lot. The air crackled with unspoken hostility then a slow, infuriating smile stretched across his face that sent a fresh wave of anger surging through me. My wolf snarled within, itching to rip into the man, Power radiated off him, but I knew mine ran deepe My fingers itched to wrap around his throat, to snuff out the smug amusement in his eyes. Images of burying his body in some forgotten corner of the city I quickly told myself that I didn¡¯t care but that was a lie that had be a constant in my head for the past weeks. With a deep breath, I forced my feet to move past him. Engaging with him was thest thing I wanted, but he wouldn¡¯t let it go that easily. ¡°Respect for elders, huh?¡± he scoffed, his voice dripping with mock sympathy. ¡°Seems your precious father neglected that lesson in his little horror schoo I stopped dead in my tracks, the muscles in my jaw clenching, Anger, already simmering, threatened to boil over. One wrong word, one wrong y actions. But a sliver of reason held me back. Amaya. He was her father, and for her sake, I had to move, and I wouldn¡¯t be responsible for my swallow He continued, a sly glint in his eyes. ¡°I wish I could have seen the expression on your face when you found out I had been released. I bet that news cam closer, his voice dropping to a low growl. ¡°You underestimated me, Alex. Prison was a mere inconvenience, a fly swatted away. Mypany will rise aga His words struck a raw nerve. My entire face hardened into a mask of icy indifference. He saw it, the carefully constructed facade, and a triumphant smir He knew he¡¯d gotten under my skin. ¡°Didn¡¯t have anyone to talk to as a child, is that it?¡± I drawled, my voiceced with exaggerated boredom. ¡°Exins the excessive need to chatter about n The smugness vanished from his face, reced by a flicker of something akin to hurt. He narrowed his eyes, searching for another angle. ¡°Interesting choice of words considering the state of your pathetic life. Still pining after Amaya, are we? Stuck watching from the sidelines as she lives a He leaned in further, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper, ¡°Tell me, Alex, does it ever gnaw at you? The knowledge that she is gone. even after He paused, letting his words sink in. The air grew thick with tension, the only sound our ragged breaths. My hand instinctively twitched towards my pocket, where my ws were already extending. I could shut him up right here. Right now, permanently. N?velDrama.Org owns this text. But something held me back. A morbid curiosity, perhaps. How far would he go to twist the knife? How low could he sink to provoke a reaction? The cha ¡°Honestly, Daniel,¡± I said, my voice t and devoid of emotion, ¡°your attempts at emotional maniption are as predictable as they are pathetic. Did you A flicker of surprise crossed his face, quickly reced by a cold fury. This wasn¡¯t the reaction he¡¯d expected. He¡¯d aimed for a fiery rage, not this unsettlin ¡°You think you can¡¯t pretend? You think I don¡¯t see past your facade?¡± He was working himself into a frenzy, his face flushed with a mixture of anger and It was tempting to react, to let him see the fire burning beneath the surface. But I knew that¡¯s what he wanted, a rise out of me. So instead, I offered a slo The effect was instantaneous. His face contorted in fury, the vein on his temple pulsing like a live wire. He took a deep breath, trying to regain hisposure. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter,¡± he finally spat, his voice tight with contained rage. ¡°You are nothing but a fly buzzing around my head. A minor annoyance soon to be ¡°Really?¡± I drawled, keeping my voice t. ¡°Because from where I¡¯m standing, you seem to be the one buzzing around, all worked up about a little merger.¡± He scoffed, a harsh, humorless sound. ¡°A little merger? Don¡¯t be ridiculous.This is a game changer. With Ivan¡¯s pack joining forces with mine, we¡¯re unst In that moment, I finally thought about it. They couldn¡¯t be able powerful with Ivan begging me to help with hispany falling apart. And the question st He took a menacing step closer and I realized he had been speaking, his voice dropping to a low growl. ¡°And that¡¯s just the beginning. We can make life very difficult for you and your pack. We can squeeze you out, inch by inch, until you have nothing left.¡± My wolf roiled within me, urging me tosh out, to rip into his smug self¨C importance. But I held him back with an iron grip. This wasn¡¯t about dominance or territory. This was about Amaya, and I wouldn¡¯t give him the satisfacti ¡°So?¡± I shrugged, trying to appear nonchnt. ¡°Sounds like a lot of hot air, Daniel. Threats and empty promises. You think fear tactics will work on me?¡± His face contorted further, if that were even possible. ¡°Don¡¯t underestimate me! I¡¯m not ying games here. This is about power, about who controls the He leaned in even closer, his voice a dangerous hiss. ¡°And let¡¯s not forget Amaya. With our packs united, her future is secure. But if you keep interfering Of course he would use her. If they were giving the award for the worst father of the year, he would definitely win without a struggle. Anger red in my gut, hot and primal. But I shoved it down, refusing to give him an inch. In ¡°Honestly, Daniel,¡± I said, my voiceced with a carefully measured dose of sarcasm, ¡°you¡¯re starting to sound like a broken record. This whole ¡®pack dom He opened his mouth to retort, but I cut him off. ¡°Look,¡± I continued, my voice low and dangerous, ¡°we both know why you¡¯re still here trying to give me a you form, I will always be stronger than you.¡± Sat, 22 Jun U ? A tense silence descended between us. The air crackled with unspoken threats and a hostility so thick it was almost tangible. He seemed to shrink under my gaze, his bluster reced by a cold, calcting glint in his eyes. ¡°We¡¯ll see about that,¡± he finally said, his voiceced with a dangerous promise. Then, with a final re, he turned and stalked away but before he did, I My wolf bristled, confused by the sudden shift in his demeanor. Watching him disappear into the distance, I turned to head back towards the hospital ent The reason for Daniel¡¯s fleeting smile became crystal clear. Standing right there, at the entrance, was a sight that sent a jolt through me. It wasn¡¯t just on And sandwiched between them was Amaya. Chapter 58 -Maya¡¯s POV- One day. Just one measly day in this sterile white prison, and already I felt like a deted balloon. Ms. Edwards could only handle so much of my ¡°never- ending drama¡± as she so delicately called it. Especially not when it involved dragging one of her precious staff members into the mess even though it had beenpletely out of our control. The others waltzed out of here earlier today, leaving me stuck in this cage of white sheets and scratchy nkets. I specifically told van not to bring the tw But that was going to change. First things first, though¨Cescape from this hospital. Across from me, Ivan sat hunched over hisptop, his brow furrowed in a deep concentration. Now that I paid attention, I could see the exhaustion etche slumped with a fatigue that hadn¡¯t been there before. Stupidly, it hadn¡¯t registered until just now. ¡°Are you okay?¡± I finally asked, breaking the silence that had stretched between us like an unwee guest. He looked up with a start, as if startled from ¡°Yeah, just some work stuff,¡± he mumbled, tapping away at the keyboard again. I nodded, forcing a smile of my own. It felt weak, even to me. ¡°The doctor said you might be discharged soon,¡± he added as if he was trying to change the conversation.. ¡°Do you think they have decaf coffee here?¡± I blurted out, desperate to break the tension¨Cboth internal and external. Ivan finally looked up at me, a flicker of amusement dancing in his eyes for a brief moment. ¡°Decal? In a hospital? You¡¯re a dreamer, Maya.¡± A genuineugh bubbled up from my chest, the first real one in since yesterday. Another things that added to it was the fact that I hadn¡¯t stopped thinking was what I needed. It wouldn¡¯t fix everything, but it was a start. ¡°Alright, alright,¡± I conceded, a yful smile tugging at my lips. ¡°ck tea then? Anything to fuel this caffeine¨Cdeprived engine.¡± He chuckled, finally rxing in his chair. ¡°Now that¡¯s a request i can handle.¡± We sat infortable silence for a while, the only sound the rhythmic tapping of his fingers on the keyboard. Outside the window, the sun began its descent, painting the sky i ¡°Hey,¡± I said softly, breaking thefortable silence. ¡°Thank you. For staying He nced up, a question flitting across his features. ¡°For being here,¡± I rified, forcing myself to meet his gaze. ¡°Even with all the craziness.¡± +G A corner of his mouth twitched upwards. ¡°It wouldn¡¯t be you if it wasn¡¯t crazy, Maya. That¡¯s just who you are. Something that I havee to realize but do I smiled not exactly knowing what to say and we just stared at each other for a moment in silence then the moment of fragile peace shattered like a drop Ivan and I both swiveled our heads towards the doorway, where Miranda stood framed in the harsh fluorescent light. A picture of forced joviality, her face was stered with a smile that didn¡¯t quite reach her eyes. ¡°What are you doing here?¡± Ivan demanded, his voiceced with a barely contained irritation. Miranda, with the practiced case of a seasoned viin, ignored him entirely. Her gaze, sharp and predatory, locked onto me. ¡°Are you alright. Maya? I he My fingers instinctively curled into fists. Every fiber of my being screamed at me to wipe that infuriating smirk off her face. ¡°Devastated, huh?¡± I countered The smile faltered for a split second, a flicker of annoyance crossing her features before it was expertly masked. ¡°Don¡¯t be dramatic,,¡± she chided, her vo I don¡¯t even know why she keeps on doing this. Or what gave her the right to. ¡°Have you recovered from thest beating I gave you?¡± I pressed, savoring the way the forced smile strained on her face. ¡°Because from the sound of it, you seem to be itching for another one.¡± The carefully constructed facade finally crumbled. The smille vanished, reced by a grimace that spoke volumes of her simmering rage. ¡°You wouldn¡¯t ¡°Wouldn¡¯t 17 Try me, Miranda.¡± She turned to Ivan finally, ¡°You are going to stand here and watch her threaten me?¡± He waved her dismissively, ¡°Someone¡¯s always threatening you because you do things that make people want to threaten you.¡± ¡°I can¡¯t believe you,¡± she sputtered, her voiceced with wounded pride. ¡°I¡¯m your sister! Shouldn¡¯t you be showing some concern for your family?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t y that card, Miranda,¡± I cut in sharply. ¡°We all know how you operate. You wouldn¡¯t be here if you didn¡¯t have some ulterior motive.¡± ¡°Ulterior motive?¡± she echoed, her voiceced with mock offense. ¡°I simply came to check on my dear sister¨Cin¨C law. Wouldn¡¯t want to miss them announcing your official time of death, would we?¡± The statement hung in the air, heavy and spiteful. For a moment, a suffocating silence descended upon the room. My breath hitched in my throat, and a hot, threatened to consume me. Before I could unleash a verbal tirade, Ivan spoke, his voice low and dangerous. ¡°Leave, Miranda. Now. Or I will have security throw you out.¡± A defiant glint entered her eyes. ¡°You can¡¯t throw me out,¡± she dered, her voiceced with a dangerous edge. ¡°After all, I¡¯m just a concerned visitor, h inw.¡± Suddenly, the door creaked open, and a tal figure in a white coat stepped into the room. INSTALL ¡°Everything alright in here?¡± The Doctor inquired, his gaze flitting between the three of us. Miranda and I remained locked in a silent stare down, neither han sighed heavily. ¡°Yes, Doctor,¡± he replied wearily. The Doctor cleared his throat, the sound cutting through the thick tension. ¡°Alright then,¡± he said, his voiceced with a hint of forced cheer. ¡°Maya, I hav Relief washed over me in a tidal wave. I let out a shaky breath, the air suddenly feeling lighter, less suffocating. ¡°Thank goodness,¡± I murmured, a genuine smile tugging at the corners of my lips. He offered a reassuring smile in return. ¡°Just take it easy for a few days,¡± he instructed, his voice gentle. ¡°Plenty of rest and fluids. We don¡¯t want any set ¡°Absolutely, Doctor,¡± I promised, nodding eagerly. After a few more instructions and a final check¨C up, he excused himself, leaving us alone once more. Ivan immediately rose from his chair and moved towards me, ¡°Alright, let¡¯s get you packed up, he s I watched as Ivan began to gather my belongings, folding clothes and cing them in the duffel bag he had brought. Miranda,however, remained rooted would cross her features, betrayed by a subtle eye roll directed at me. Ignoring her entirely, I offered minimal assistance, mostly directing Ivan where to find certain items. Packing wasn¡¯t exactly a difficult feat, considering the Finally, after what felt like an eternity but was probably only ten minutes, we were ready to leave, Ivan shouldered my bag, and with his arm wrapped aro chagrin, trailed behind us. ¡°What are you doing?¡± Ivan demanded, his voiceced with a barely concealed annoyance. ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org . Miranda, however, remained unfazed. ¡°Escorting you you two o out, what does it look like?¡± she retorted, her voice dripping with sarcasm. I shook my head, sending Ivan a reassuring nce. ¡°Just ignore her,¡± We continued walking out of the sterile confines of the hospital. Just as we reached the automatic doors and stepped into the bustling parking lot, something made me I turned slowly, my gaze scanning the rows of parked cars until itnded on the figure leaning against a sleek ck SUV. Alex. Çú Chapter 59 -Maya¡¯s POV- The silence was almost dealening as the three of us stared at him. Ivan spoke up first, his voiceced with a cold edge I¡¯d rarely heard before. ¡°What is h Miranda¡¯s smile didn¡¯t falter. ¡°Why don¡¯t we go and find out?¡± she suggested, her voice dripping with sarcasm. She sauntered towards him, her hips sway Alex didn¡¯t even nce at her. His eyes remained fixed on me, his gaze piercing through me like a knife. I felt a shiver run down my spine as the memory the kiss¨Ccame rushing back. I tugged on Ivan¡¯s arm, trying to pull him away. ¡°Let¡¯s just go,¡± I whispered urgently. But Ivan wasn¡¯t having it. ¡°No,¡± he said, his voice firm and resolute. ¡°I want to know why he¡¯s here.¡± His grip on my arm tightened, and I knew I wasn¡¯t going anywhere. Miranda reached Alex¡¯s side and began talking, her voice a steady stream of chatter. Alex listened, his expression bored, but his eyes never left mine, Iv over me. This wasn¡¯t going to end well. As we approached the SUV, Ivan spoke up again. ¡°What are you doing here, Alex?¡± he asked, his voice firm. N?velDrama.Org owns this text. Alex regarded him with a disinterested expression before turning back to me. ¡°You¡¯re okay,¡± he said, his voice in, but his eyes flickered with relief. I didn¡¯t respond. I just kept staring at him, my mind racing with questions. Why was he here? What did he want? ad hee to see me? Why had Miranda fanned herself dramatically. ¡°Why is it so hot outside? Maybe we should go inside. Amaya looks like she might have a heart attack.¡± She batted her eyshes at Alex, but he wasn¡¯t having it. ¡°She¡¯s fine,¡± he said curtly, his eyes never leaving mine. At the same time, I spoke up. ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± Our eyes met, and I felt a jolt of electricity run through me. Ivan stiffened beside me, his grip on my arm tightening. Quickly trying to salvage the situation Ivan didn¡¯t budge. He just stood staring at Alex with the most hateful expression I had ever seen him wear. I needed to get out of here because I knew if ¡°Ivan, please take me home,¡± I tried again, my voice a little louder. Alex¡¯s eyes darkened immediately, and the atmosphere seemed to thicken. I felt a sense of foreboding wash over me. Talk about never ending drama. ¡°I want to know why he is here,¡± Ivan replied, his voice firm and unyielding, his eyes fixed on Alex with an intensity that made me shiver. I cursed internal ¡°I came to see Amaya,¡± he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm, ¡°I was married to her, after all.¡± The words hung in the air like a challenge, and I felt my heart skip a beat. Everything seemed to stop working at that point ¨C the air on my skin froze, and I couldn¡¯t breathe. Miranda looked shocked, her eyes darting between Alex and Ivan as if she couldn¡¯t believe that Alex had Ivan¡¯s expression didn¡¯t change, but his voice wasced with a cold anger. ¡°As you can see, she¡¯s fine. So you can go.¡± He dismissed Alex with a wave o ¡°You¡¯re keen on acting like the powerful alpha here,¡± Alex sneered, his voice dripping with contempt. ¡°So different from how you came to mypany we Hispany was failing? Was that why he looked so tired all the time? Alex wasn¡¯t done, and he continued to taunt Ivan, his voiceced with venom. ¡°Or sending Miranda to beg me to help,¡± he added, his eyes flicking towards Miranda, who looked like she wanted to sink into the ground. Ivan¡¯s face wa ¡°You¡¯re so damn hateful, you know that?¡± Ivan spat, his voice low and menacing. ¡°But you know what? Amaya is with me, married to me. It doesn¡¯t matte challenge, a deration of ownership that made my skin crawl. I felt like I was a prize to be won, a possession to be fought over. The mask of indifference fell from Alex¡¯s face, and he looked like he was ready to kill. His eyes zed with anger, and his fists were clenched at his side Why did Alex look like he wanted to own me? Like I suddenly meant something to him. Without thinking, I started to back away from the two men, my eyes fixed on the parking lot behind me. I couldn¡¯t stand there anymore, listening to them echoed in my mind ¨C ¡°she is mine, and you will never have her¡± and I felt a surge of anger and humiliation. I didn¡¯t belong to either of them, and I certainly wasn¡¯t going to sta As I took a step back, both men¡¯s attention snapped to me, their faces frozen in surprise. Alex¡¯s eyes narrowed, his gaze piercing through me like a knife ¡°Amaya, wait,¡± he said, his voice low and soothing ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to-¡± But I wasn¡¯t having it, I kept backing away, my eyes fixed on the parking lot behind me. I just wanted to get out of there, to get away from the tension. Mi quiet seeming out of her element. ¡°Amaya, stop,¡± Ivan tried to touch me, his voice a little louder now. ¡°Please, just listen to me.¡± 10:22 Sat, 22 Jun M 90%•þ But I didn¡¯t stop. I kept backing away, my heart pounding in my chest. I could feel Alex¡¯s eyes on me, boring into my skin like a cold wind. I didn¡¯t dare look at ¡°Amaya, damn it,¡± Ivan said, his voice sharp now. ¡°Stop right there.¡± I could see the cars, the people milling around. Finally, I turned and ran, my feet pounding the pavement as I sprinted, I could hear Ivan¡¯s voice behind me, calling out my name, but I didn¡¯t stop. My feet burned, and I hated more than ever how I felt so disconnected from my wolf. Before the rejection, I would have healed from the ident almost immediately, or maybe not even been injured at all. But now, my wound As I ran, the parking lot blurred around me, a sea of cars and people that I barely registered. I didn¡¯t dare look back, fearing what I might see. I pushed the thoughts away, focusing on the burn in my legs and the ache in my chest. I had to keep moving, had to get away from the tension and the a Finally, after what felt like an eternity, I slowed to a stop, my chest heaving and my legs trembling. I looked around, taking in my surroundings. I was in an unfamir neighborhood, one that seemed quieter and more residential than the bustling streets I had left behind. I didn¡¯t recog Where was I? And then I heard a voice I didn¡¯t think I would ever hear again. My entire body froze but I managed to turn my heading face to face with him. He looked so different. so different from the man I knew. A slow chilling smile tilted his lips, ¡°Long time no see Amaya.¡± I gulped, managing only a single word, his name, ¡°Adrian.¡± Chapter 60 -Maya¡¯s POV- We stood there, locked in a silent stare¨C down, the air thick with unspoken words and unresolved issues. Adrian¡¯s eyes, once bright and mischievous, now seemed dull and empty, like two cold s staring back at me. I felt a shiver run down my spine as I look in the changes in him. I finally broke the silence. ¡°What are you doing here, Adrian? How did you find me?¡± He took a step closer, his long strides eating up the distance between us. I retreated, my back pressing against the rough wall of the building behind me. ¡°That¡¯s not the question you should be asking, Amaya,¡± he said, his voice low and menacing. ¡°You should be asking how I am, after being thrown in jail, abandoned by everyone I tho I shook my head, trying to defend myself. ¡°I did try to visit you, Adrian. I swear it¡¯s the truth.¡± It wasn¡¯t a lie. After Alex kicked me out, my life spiraling out of control, I had tried to reach out to Adrian, hoping he could help me make sense of the cha His expression didn¡¯t change, his eyes still cold and hard. ¡°Did you now?¡± he repeated, his tone dripping with mockery¡­ I nced around, trying to escape the intensity of the moment. That¡¯s when I realized my legs were throbbing, my feet aching from the long run. I had no from Adrian and his suffocating aura. 1 faced him, trying to sound calm. ¡°I¡¯m d you got out, Adrian, I really am.¡± Then, with a burst of courage, I turned to leave, but it was too In a sh, his hands wrapped around my waist, yanking me back against the building. All the air was knocked out of my lungs as he mmed. me again intensity. ¡°You¡¯re not going anywhere until I have the answers I need,¡± he growled. I was trapped, pinned against the wall, with no escape in sight. Adrian¡¯s grip tightened, and I felt my vision blurring, my thoughts racing with fear and con ¡°Adrian, let go of me!¡± I gasped, my ws extended in a desperate attempt to defend myself. My wolf was stirring, sensing danger, but I knew I couldn¡¯t s ¡°I know you heal fast, Amaya, but I¡¯m pretty sure even werewolves can¡¯t heal from a bullet straight to the brain,¡± he sneered, his eyes glinting with a sinis One wrong move, and I¡¯d be dead, ¡°Good decision,¡± he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm, as he released some of the pressure on my neck. But he didn¡¯t let me go, no, hel just adjusted I swallowed hard, trying to find my voice. ¡°What do you want from me?¡± ¡°Answers,¡± he replied, his tone cold and detached. ¡°About everything that¡¯s been going on in the world since I was locked up and my entire life ripped fro Revenge. That¡¯s what this was about. Adrian¡¯s desire for revenge was evident, like a living, breathing thing. I felt a shiver run down my spine as he released me, hi He stepped back, his eyes never leaving mine, as he reached down to pick something off the floor. A half¨C smoked cigarette. He pulled out a lighter and lit it up, the me casting eerie shadows on his face. Two thoughts crossed my mind: first, that was disgus ¡°You pick up a lot of things in there,¡± his voice cut in, as if reading my mind, ¡°habits, when you¡¯re in jail, you do what you have to do to survive. Kill or be killed.¡± His voice was matter¨C of¨C fact, but his eyes told a different story. The Adrian I knew was dead, and in his ce was a stranger, a man hardened by the harsh realities of prison life. I felt a wave of nausea wash over me as he continued talking, his words dripping with malice. ¡°I got out two weeks ago, and since then, I¡¯ve watched. Ev destructive ways¡­ there¡¯s no difference there. The man you married, Ivan McCall, is it? You¡­ but you know what fascinated me the most? Those two b Everything in me froze, my instincts kicking in. My wolf growled, a low, menacing sound, as I snarled, ¡°If you go anywhere near my children, I¡¯ll make you beg for death.¡± But Adrian just ignored the threat, his eyes glinting ¡°With the way things are, I¡¯m sure he doesn¡¯t know he¡¯s their father. I¡¯m not even sure he knows they exist. Something tells me you want to keep it that w My heart raced as I continued staring at him, my mind racing with thoughts of my children, my family, my life. How much did Adrian know? And what would he do with that knowledge? His eyes narrowed, his gaze piercing as he continued. ¡°I know all about it, Amaya. I know Alex kicked you out of his life on the same night. I was thrown My eyes widened in horror. ¡°You¡¯re sick, Adrian. I¡¯ll never help you or y your twisted games.¡± Hisughter was like a cold wind, sending shivers down my spine. ¡°You¡¯re so naive. You think you have a choice? You think you can just walk away from this? I¡¯ve been watching you, Amaya. I have done nothing but watch. You value your children the most and I¡¯ll use them too, if ! have to.¡± I felt a surge of fear, my heart racing with panic. ¡°You¡¯ll never touch them, Adrian. I¡¯ll die before I let you hurt them.¡± His smile grew wider, his eyes glinting with a madman¡¯s intensity. ¡°Oh, I¡¯m not going to hurt them. At least, not yet. First, I¡¯m going to use you to destroy Alex. And then¡­ well, we¡¯ll see. Maybe I¡¯ll let you join me in my revenge. Maybe I¡¯ll even let blow.¡± Chapter GO ¡°Good decision,¡± he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm, as he released some of the pressure on my neck. But he didn¡¯t let me go, no, he just adjusted his grip, his fingers digging deeper into my skin. I swallowed hard, trying to find my voice. ¡°What do you want from me?¡± ¡°Answers,¡± he replied, his tone cold and detached. ¡°About everything that¡¯s been going on in the world since I was locked up and my entire life ripped fro make Alex pay for what he did to me.¡± Revenge. That¡¯s what this was about. Adrian¡¯s desire for revenge was evident, like a living, breathing thing. I felt a shiver run down my spine as he released me, hi a deep breath, coughing, my throat sore from the pressure. He stepped back, his eyes never leaving mine, as he reached down to pick something off the floor. A half¨C smoked cigarette. He pulled out a lighter and lit it up, the me casting eerie shadows on his face. Two thoughts crossed my mind: first, that was disgus ¡°You pick up a lot of things in there,¡± his voice cut in, as if reading my mind, ¡°habits, when you¡¯re in jail, you do what you have to do to survive. Kill or be k of¨Cfact, but his eyes told a different story. The Adrian I knew was dead, and in his ce was a stranger, a man hardened by the harsh realities of prison life. I felt a wave of nausea wash over me as he continued talking, his words dripping with malice. ¡°I got out two weeks ago, and since then, I¡¯ve watched. Ev destructive ways¡­ there¡¯s no difference there. The man you married, Ivan McCall, is it? You¡­ but you know what fascinated me the most? Those two b Everything in me froze, my instincts kicking in. My wolf growled, a low, menacing sound, as I snarled, ¡°if you go anywhere near my children, I¡¯ll make you ¡°With the way things are, I¡¯m sure he doesn¡¯t know he¡¯s their father. I¡¯m not even sure he knows they exist. Something tells me you want to keep it that way.¡± My heart raced as I continued staring at him, my mind racing with thoughts of my children, my family, my life. How much did Adrian know? And what would he do with that knowledge? His eyes narrowed, his gaze piercing as he continued. ¡°I know all about it, Amaya. I know Alex kicked you out of his life on the same night I was thrown i My eyes widened in horror. ¡°You¡¯re sick, Adrian. I¡¯ll never help you or y your twisted games.¡± Hisughter was like a cold wind, sending shivers down my spine. ¡°You¡¯re so naive. You think you have a choice? You think you can just walk away from this? I¡¯ve been watching you, Amaya. I have done nothing but watch. You value your children the most and I¡¯ll use have to.¡± I felt a surge of fear, my heart racing with panic. ¡°You¡¯ll never touch them, Adrian. I¡¯ll die before I let you hurt them.¡± His smile grew wider, his eyes glinting with a madman¡¯s intensity. ¡°Oh, I¡¯m not going to hurt them. At least, not yet. First, I¡¯m going to use you to destroy A then¡­ well, we¡¯ll see. Maybe I¡¯ll let you join me in my revenge. Maybe I¡¯ll even let you be the one to deliver the final blow.¡± Ask Al Chapter GD I shook my head, my mind racing with thoughts of escape, of protecting my family ¡°You¡¯re crazy I¡¯ll never help you. And even if I did, Alexis not the same man you knew. He¡¯s changed, Adrian,¡± Adrian¡¯sughter grew louder, more maniacal. ¡°You really are naive, You think you know Alex? You think you know what he¡¯s capable of? | know him. Am maniptive, power¨Chungry bastard he¡¯s always been. Nothing has changed there, he just hid it well enough from you.¡± I felt a surge of anger, my ws extending, my wolf growling ¡°You¡¯re not going to use me. And you¡¯re not going to hurt my family. I¡¯ll kill you first.¡± ¡°You¡¯re so predictable. You think you can threaten me? I¡¯ve been in jail.. I¡¯ve seen things you can¡¯t even imagine. I¡¯ve done things you can¡¯t even imagine The air was thick with tension, the silence between us like a living, breathing thing. I knew I had to get out of there, had to protect my family. But Adrian¡¯s And I knew one thing. A war wasing N?velDrama.Org is the owner. And I wasn¡¯t sure I was going to walk out of it alive. Chapter 61 -Maya¡¯s POV- ¡°I¡¯ve had enough of this, I¡¯m leaving,¡± I said, breaking from his gaze and turning away from to leave. He didn¡¯t try to stop me physically but his next words stopped me in my t mind like a challenge. ¡°He took everything from you, Amaya. From us. In a single night, he ripped our whole life apart. Don¡¯t you want him to pay?¡± I turned back to face Adrian, my heart racing with a mix of emotions. Hatred had filled my heart for the better part of four years, and I wanted to make Ale Every single moment since then has only proved it to be true. His eyes seemed to bore into my soul, his voice dripping with venom. ¡°He destroyed your marriage, your bond, everything you had built together. And for I felt a surge of anger, my ws extending involuntarily. Adrian¡¯s words were like fuel to the fire that had been simmering inside me. I had asked myself t Why? After everything, why? ¡°Think about it,¡± he continued, his voice low and menacing. ¡°Alex took everything from us. Don¡¯t you want him to suffer like we suffered?¡± I took a step forward, my eyes locked on his, my mind racing with thoughts so many thoughts. My wolf growled in resistance. She wanted. nothing more than to w out Adrian¡¯s throat for daring to directly threaten the man she still findisrter her mate but ev he ripped my heart apart was enticing ¡°He thinks he¡¯s so powerful, so invincible,¡± Adrian sneered. ¡°But we can bring him down. We can make him pay for what he did to us. And I know just how to do it.¡± His words were like a poison, seeping into my mind, filling me with a desire for revenge. I felt myself getting drawn into his web of hatred and anger, and ¡°Come on, Amaya,¡± he said, his voice dripping with persuasion. ¡°Let¡¯s make Alex pay for what he did to us. Let¡¯s show him that he¡¯s not as powerful as he thinks he is.¡± I took a deep breath, trying to control my breathing, ¡°No, Adrian. I know what happened to you, and I really do hate Alex for what he did to you, to me. Bu He shook his head in pity, but it looked like he was mocking me. ¡°And how many times have you told yourself those fake words to make you believe them empty?¡± I That word. Emptiness. I felt it every day I opened my eyes. Having the twins filled a part of me, but the hole Alex put in my soul was still there, like one th ¡°You¡¯re not even convincing yourself,.¡± He sneered. ¡°You¡¯re just hiding behind a mask of forgiveness to avoid the pain.¡± I felt a surge ree of an fanger, but I tried to keep my calm. ¡°I¡¯m not hiding. I¡¯m choosing to move on. I¡¯m choosing to live.¡± 90%%% He snorted. ¡°Live? You call this living? You¡¯re just existing, Amaya. You¡¯re letting him win.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not letting him win. I¡¯m taking back control. I¡¯m choosing to focus on the good things in my life, like my children, like my family.¡± Adrian¡¯s expression turned cold. ¡°Your family? You mean the man you pretend you want when Alex is all you think of? Your children that are constant reminder of him? Or is it your father that doesn¡¯t care if you live or die? ou say. I¡¯m just trying to move on. And I¡¯m I felt a sting from his words, but I knew he was just trying to provoke me. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter what you not going to let you drag me back down into the da Adrian¡¯s face twisted in anger. ¡°Fine, Amaya. If you want to be a coward, that¡¯s your choice. But know this: Alex will always be the one who broke you. And you¡¯ll never be whole again.¡± I felt a shiver run down my spine, but I stood my ground. ¡°I may not be whole. But I¡¯m not broken either. And I¡¯m not going to let you or anyone else make me feel like I am.¡± With that, I turned and walked away, leaving Adrian¡¯s venomous words behind. I knew I had made the right choice. I wasn¡¯t going to let hate fuel my life. to focus on the love and the good things that surrounded me. ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org . As I walked away, I could feel his eyes on me, burning with anger and resentment then he spoke again, ¡°You try to pretend but it¡¯s there. You want to watch him feel what you felt when he ripped your heart ap more subtle than others. You try to hide it but I see it, your demons and the more you try to suppress them, the more they grow until one day,¡± He paused and I felt the air on my body rise, ¡°They consume you.¡± But I didn¡¯t look back. I just kept walking. I somehow managed to get back to the house. Ivan¡¯s house, and I immediately started packing my clothes. When I was done, I went to pack some of Ivy of it when the twins came rushing in, arguing about something with the person we hired to babysit, Mrs. Jenkins, on their tail. ¡°Mommy, Mommy, he took my toy!¡± Ivy eximed, pointing at Nate. ¡°No, I didn¡¯t!¡± Nate shouted back. Mrs. Jenkins stopped in surprise, looking at the bags, then recovered quickly. ¡°Amaya, I didn¡¯t know you were home. Uhmm¡­ are you going somewhere?¡± I forced a smile. ¡°Yes, I¡¯m taking Ivy and Nate to visit a friend. We¡¯ll be there for a while. Can you help me pack some of their stuff?¡± She looked unsure but then moved to to help me while the twins were still struggling over the toy. When I was done done, I faced the twins. ¡°Okay, kids, we need to go.¡± ¡°Why?¡± Ivy asked, crossing her arms. ¡°We¡¯re going to visit a friend,¡± I replied. ¡°I don¡¯t wanna go,¡± Ivy said, pouting. ¡°I like it here.¡± ¡°We¡¯ll only be gone for a little while,¡± I assured her. ¡°And we¡¯ll have fun with our friend.¡± ¡°But why do we have to go?¡± Nate a asked, looking up at me with curious eyes. Chapter GJ ¡°Because¡­ because we need to,¡± I said, trying to think of a simple exnation. ¡°I don¡¯t wanna leave my toys,¡± Ivy said, starting to whine. ¡°We¡¯ll take some of your toys with us.¡± I promised. ¡°And we¡¯ll y with new toys at our friend¡¯s house.¡± Nate looked unsure, but Ivy was still arguing. ¡°But i don¡¯t wanna gol I wanna stay here!¡± ¡°Okay, let¡¯s take a break,¡± I said, kneeling down to their level. ¡°We¡¯ll sit down for a minute, and then we¡¯ll go The twins nodded, and we sat down on the ground together. I tried to distract them with a story, but Ivy was still resistant. ¡°I don¡¯t wanna go, Mommy,¡± she said, her voice trembling ¡°I know, baby,¡± I said, hugging her tight. ¡°But we¡¯ll be back soon. And we¡¯ll have so much fun with our friend.¡± Nate looked up at me, his eyes wide with curiosity. ¡°Who¡¯s our friend, Mommy?¡± ¡°Someone special,¡± I said, smiling. ¡°And we¡¯ll get to y with them soon.¡± Alter a few minutes, I stood up, and the twins followed me reluctantly. I knew it was hard for them to understand, but I hoped they would adjust soon. I ju ¡°Let¡¯s go, kids,¡± I said, trying to sound cheerful. ¡°We have a fun adventure ahead of us.¡± As we walked out of the house, Ivy looked back at the door, her eyes welling up with tears. ¡°I don¡¯t wanna leave, Mommy.¡± I hugged her tight, trying tofort her. ¡°We¡¯ll be back soon, baby. I promise.¡± ¡°What do I tell Mr McCall when he gets back?¡± Mrs Jenkins¡® voice suddenly cut in and I had almost forgotten she was there, I struggled to ¦£ carry the bags while holding both their little arms before turning back to face her, ¡°Tell him I am not a prize to be won.¡± I walked forward tugging them along but stopped on my feet to look at her again, ¡°And tell him¡­ I am done being told what to do.¡± Chapter 62 -Alex¡¯s POV- I stood there, watching Amaya flee the scene, my wolf surged forward, urging me to chase after her. But I knew better. I knew I shouldn¡¯t have been ther Ivan¡¯s eyes narrowed, his gaze burning with a fierce intensity as he turned his attention back to me. His mask was slipping, revealing a glimmer of the darkness beneath. I almost smiled, knowing that no one could be that And Ivan was definitely hiding something. ¡°Why won¡¯t you leave her the fuck alone?¡± he snarled, his voice low and menacing. I met his gaze, my expression neutral, but my wolf seething beneath the surface. He must really have a death wish, I thought, to challenge me like this. I was lunging against the surface, eager to break free and defend me, but I kept him in check. Ivan¡¯s eyes darkened, and his alpha aura hit me like a wave. It was a dark, tainted energy, one that made me question my previous assessment of him a Almost. Miranda¡¯s voice broke through the tension, her tone tiny and fragile. ¡°Ivan,¡± she whispered, her hand on his arm. ¡°Let¡¯s just go.¡± ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org . She sounded like a scared little girl, her usual maniptive demeanor reced by a quivering uncertainty. I allowed myself to look at her, and she looke ¡°Stay away from Amaya,¡± he growled, before turning and walking away, leaving me and Miranda in an awkward silence. I thought it was rather ironic how we were engaged, yet so distant. The only connection we would ever have was when I fucked her. I expected her to say something, anything, in her usual calcting manner, but she did It was sealed. I had to know what the fuck just happened. I needed to know what Ivan was hiding, what he was capable of. The questions swirled in my head, making my wolf restless. I pulled out my phone and dialed Christian¡¯s number, my mind still reeling from the encounter with Ivan and Miranda. He answered on the first ring, his s I narrowed my eyes, my gaze fixed on some point in the distance. I had almost forgotten about ourst encounter, what with everything that had been happening, Christian had a habit of provoking m had taken it a little too farst time. But I wasn¡¯t in the mood for his games right now. ¡°Where are you?¡± I said instead of answering his question, my voice firm andmanding. BeelShort He let out an irritated sigh, the sound carrying clearly over the phone line. ¡°Italy.¡± ¡°Okay,¡± I said, my mind already racing with the logistics of getting to him. ¡°Okay what?¡± ¡°I¡¯m on my way. I ended the call without another word, my mind already moving on to the next step. I made another call, this one to my pilot, instructing him to prepare my private jet for takeoff. Less than thirty minutester, I was boarding the ne, Rut I took off my suit, feeling a little more at case in my casual clothes. It was just me on the ne, which was exactly how I liked it. I couldn¡¯t stand the air ho I went to the bar and poured myself a drink, the amber liquid glowing in the dim light of the ne. I sat down, swirling the liquid in the ss as the pilot announced it was time to take ss to my lips, feeling the coolness of the ss against my skin, then tipped it back, letting the liquid burn down my throat. As the ne lifted off the ground, I closed my eyes, letting the memories I tried not to remember flood my mind. Amaya¡¯s smile, herughter, the way she used to look at m a pang in my chest, a familiar ache that I had been trying to ignore for months now. But it was no use. She had imnted herself under my skin, I tried to act like I could tear myself away from me but I couldn¡¯t. But when I rested my head against the seat, Amaya¡¯s face vanished, reced by another woman¡¯s face. This woman still had a smile on her face, but it My mother¡¯s. I was transported back to a memory from my childhood, one that I had long suppressed. I was eight years old, holding up a crude drawing for her to see. ¡°What is this?¡± she asked, her voice gentle, butced with a hint of wariness. I beamed with pride, ¡°It¡¯s a picture of you and me. My family.¡± I had drawn us the best way any eight¨Cyear¨Cold would¨C like stick figures. But my mother¡¯s face fell, a frown immediately growing on her face. She gently pushed my hand down, the painting going along with it, around nervously to see if anyone had noticed. There were some of my father¡¯s men lurking in the background, pretending not to pay attention, but I knew they were watching us, watching my mother particrly, to make sure she didn¡¯t escape. ¡°Where is your father?¡± she whispered. I frowned, feeling a surge of anger and fear. ¡°He¡¯s not a part of my family. He is a monster.¡± My mother quickly co pleading. ¡°Don¡¯t let anyone here hear you say that, Alex. Your father is not a monster. He is just aplicated man.¡± I started to protest, but she cut me off. ¡°No buts, Alex Please, for my sake, don¡¯t ever say that again. To me, or to anyone.¡± Her beautiful eyes were pleading, and there was no way I could say no to her. I nodded silently, feeling a lump form in my throat. She finally smiled, and I loved it when she smile Then she tried to move, but winced in pain. I knew why. She hadn¡¯t fully healed from the lesson my father had taught her for raising me to be ¡°insolent¡°. I A lone tear slid down her face, and she opened her mouth to talk, but before she could say a word, a shadow fell above the two of us, and we 10:23 Sat, 22 Jun 201 both looked up to see a man with a stony expression standing over us. His eyes were cold, his jaw clenched, and his voice was firm andmanding. ¡°T I stood up, instinctively wanting to protect her, but his voice cut in, sharp and authoritative. ¡°Not you.¡± He turned his gaze to my mother, his eyes lingering on her face for a moment before he spoke again. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± She squeezed my hand lightly, a gentle pressure that spoke volumes. She stood up, her movements slow and hesitant, and followed the man out of the room. She turned her head onest time, and she still had that smile on her face when she whispered, ¡°I lo The memory faded, and I was back on the ne, the drink still clutched in my hand. I wish I had told her that I loved her a thousand more times, told her I would have if i had known that that was thest time I would ever see it. I would have held on to her tighter, would have never let her go. Chapter 63 Maya¡¯s POV- I stared at Nate, who was cuddling lvy¡¯s sleep form, and finally let out a sigh. The two of them might be a war zone when they were awake, but they were the sight of them, so peaceful and innocent. I let out another sigh and closed the door gently, not wanting to wake them. As I walked to the sitting room, I there, not after the way he had spoken to Alex, like I was nothing but amon object. As I entered the sitting room, I saw Natalia curled up against Nathan, and I couldn¡¯t help but smile again. They were meant to be. I had always known it. Natalia, attuned to her woll, had almostpletely healed from her injuries, something I was grateful for. Sarah had almost healed by the time they left a Natalia sensed my presence. Without a words she moved away from Nathan, smiling at me then patted the couch, creating space in the middle. There was no hesitation. I sat down between them, and they both hugge college, giving mefort when things got tough with my father. We just stayed. In silence. As we hugged, I couldn¡¯t help but think about my mother¡¯s words. Jeremiah. The brother I never got to meet. The brother who was killed by Alex¡¯s father. I closed my eyes, trying to process it all. It was a lot to take in, and I hadn¡¯t allowed myself to think about it too much. Natalia broke the hug, ¡°You know this is the first ce Ivan wille, right?¡± she asked, her voice soft but serious. I sighed, knowing she was right. ¡°Yes, I know. But I couldn¡¯t stay there. I¡¯ll deal with him when hees.¡± I paused, thinking about Ivan¡¯s words, the. ¡°I mean, he Nathan spoke up, his voice firm and supportive. ¡°We¡¯ll deal with him together, Amaya. You¡¯re not alone.¡± As we sat there, holding each other, the silence that followed was palpable. It was as if we were all lost in our own thoughts, processing the events of the Nathan and Natalia looked at me, their eyes locked on mine, their faces expressionless. I continued, my words spilling out in a rush. ¡°When i left the par I paused, taking a deep breath. ¡°And then he asked me to help. I told him I didn¡¯t want to be part of any vendetta he had against Alex, but i don¡¯t think it¡¯s 1. e. ¡°What is it?¡± Nathan asked, his voice low and even. Natalia shifted ufortably, her eyes darting to Nathan and then back to me. She hesitated before speaking. ¡°I didn¡¯t say anything because I didn¡¯t want to bother you, but¡­I¡¯ve been feeling like there was someone watching me. Shadowing me.¡± She added quickly, when Nathan¡¯s eyes started to darken, ¡°I can take care of myself Nathan¡¯s face darkened, his eyes shing with anger.¡± I know you can take care of yourself, but with everything that happened in the past ReelShort ILINTALI with Adrian, you should have told me. You should have told me the moment you felt like someone was watching you.¡± Natalia flinched, her eyes dropping in shame. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Nathan. I didn¡¯t want to bother you, I didn¡¯t want to add to your stress.¡± I sighed sadly, feeling a weight of guilt settle on my shoulders. ¡°I¡¯m really sorry your lives are unending drama because of me. I mean, if I had Just listene * But Natalia interrupted me, her voice firm and gentle. ¡°Ivy and Nate wouldn¡¯t exist. You would have taken away the chance for the world to know those b I felt a lump form in my throat as Natalia turned to Nathan, looking at him with love and apology in her eyes. ¡°I should have told you.. I really am sorry. Nathan¡¯s face softened, his eyes filling with understanding. He nodded, his voice gentle before fixing his gaze on me. ¡°Daniel Stone is an asshole. Anyon I barked out augh, feeling a wave of relief wash over me. Natalia wiped the tears from my eyes, her touch gentle. ¡°We love you unconditionally, Amaya. Always have and always will.¡± Nathan nodded in agreement, his eyes never leaving mine. ¡°We¡¯re in this together, always. And we¡¯ll face whateveres next, as a family.¡± This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org. Just as we were having a moment of peace, a loud banging sounded at the door, shattering the calm atmosphere. I let out a groan, feeling frustrated tha the door. Nathan stood up to answer it, but I stopped him, my hand on his arm. ¡°This is my problem, Nathan. I don¡¯t want anyone¡¯s blood on my hands. I¡¯ll go talk t I opened it, and Ivan¡¯s handsome features greeted me. He immediately wrapped his arms around me, pulling me close. ¡°I thought something happened t I allowed myself to stay frozen for a moment, feeling a mix of emotions. Part of me was touched by his concern, but another part of me was angry at his audacity. I pushed him off, taking a step back. We both stared at each other for a moment, the tension between us evident. Then, he sighed, running a hand through his hair. ¡°You¡¯re mad at me,¡± he stated, his eyes filled with regret. ¡°I¡¯m not your property, Ivan,¡± I said, my voice firm but calm..¡°I appreciate everything you¡¯ve done for me, but don¡¯t ever think you can own 1. me. He sighed again, his shoulders slumping in defeat. ¡°I¡¯m sorry.. He just got on myst nerve, and I wanted to get back at him.¡± J raised an eyebrow, my anger piqued. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell me yourpany was having issues and you went to him for help? want to burden you. You¡¯ve been through so much already. I He looked at me, his eyes filled with a mixture of shame and regret. ¡°I didn¡¯t w didn¡¯t want to add to your stress. ¡°That¡¯s not how this works, Ivan. You said we were in this together. We don¡¯t keep secrets from each other. I have told you every single dark thing about practically fused packs.. Why did you go to Alex before and not my father?¡± He remained silent, his eyes fixed on mine his expression unreadable. I pressed on, my curiosity getting the better of me. ¡°What is it, Ivan? What¡¯s going on?¡± And then, something suddenly clicked into ce. ¡°Did you go to him because you¡¯re not really okay with the fact that they were both married and you wa I Something shed in his eyes, a fleeting moment of guilt or shame, and it was so quick that I almost missed it. But then, he narrowed his gaze, his expre powerful, all¨C round, and I am. Mypany is just having a little trouble. I didn¡¯t want to give him any reason to take you away because, despite everything, I still want My breathing stopped working. I stared at him, feeling warmth rush through me. I opened my mouth to respond, but the beeping of his. phone beat me to ¡°What is it?¡± His eyes met my gaze, ¡°Alex,¡± he said, his voice low. ¡°He said yes. He wants to invest in mypany.¡± Chapter 64 -Alex¡¯s POV- The stark white light reflecting off theputer screen cast a harsh glow on my face as I scrolled through the files Christian hadpiled. Lines of text b Something wasn¡¯t clicking, a piece of the puzzle stubbornly refusing to fit. This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org. Across the table, Christian sprawled back in his chair, a frown etched into his usually bored face. My gaze drifted back to the file,nding once more on M staring back at me. Then, it flicked to Ivan¡¯s file ¨C a picture of stoic perfection. This wasn¡¯t the first time I¡¯d enlisted Christian¡¯s investigative skills on Ivan and his pack. Back then, I¡¯d brushed it off as simple diligence, gathering all the Was Ivan truly the wless alpha he projected, or was he a master of disguise, expertly concealing a storm of inner demons? My gut churned with a grow Suddenly, Christian¡¯s voice shattered the silence, snapping me out of my internal monologue. ¡°What does it mean when someone doesn¡¯t answer your t I whipped my head up, startled. ¡°What?¡± He deepened the frown, holding up his phone for emphasis. ¡°A text. Specifically, what does it mean when a text is tantly ignored?¡± I blinked twice, staring at him as if he¡¯d sprouted a second head. The urge tough bubbled up but something in his demeanor held me back. Here was Christian Vance, the epito The concept was so oundish that for a moment, I simply stared, speechless. Christian never worried. He breezed through life, leaving a trail of broken hearts and discarded flings in his wake. He simply didn¡¯t care enough to invest emotional energy. Yet, here he was and against my better judgement, curiosity gnawed at me. ¡°Alright, spill it,¡± I finally conceded, a hint of amusement creeping into my voice. ¡°Who¡¯s the mystery woman holding you hostage with silence? Did someo Thest sentence earned me a well¨C deserved re, but it did the trick. A smirk tugged at the corner of my lips as I watched the familiar arrogance flicker back into his eyes. ¡°Can we just focus on this, Alex?¡± he snapped, gesturing towards the files scattered across the table. I raised my hands in mo Chapter 65 -Alex¡¯s POV- Adrian sauntered into the private ro with an air of misced confidence. He pulled out a chair with a flourish,pletely ignoring the tension crackling in the air, and poured himself a generous amount of amber liq As he took a swig, I watched him. He wasn¡¯t the Adrian I knew. The prison visitation has made it clear but seeing him out here only confirmed it. The eas ¡°Well, well,¡± he drawled, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. ¡°Let¡¯s not let my little arrival disrupt the party. We¡¯ll go on. The three of us used to be Christian, ever the picture of stoicism, simply leaned back in his chair, the familiar bored expression back in ce. ¡°Adrian,¡± he began, his voice dry and for you.¡± Adrian scoffed, a harsh, grating sound. ¡°Worked up? You locked me up for four damn years, Alex, and you helped him do it!¡± Afrian¡¯s eyes shed with anger as he narrowed Christian with a re, ¡°Worked up? He threw me in jail and you helped him.¡± ¡°And the reason you followed us all the way to Italy is because?¡± I countered, my voice as dry and emotionless as Christian¡¯s. His eyes, those cold, calcting eyes, narrowed in on me. ¡°I¡¯ve been quite busy since I got out, Alex,¡± he drawled, taking another leisurely sip of his drink. ¡°You know, catching up with old friends. And wouldn¡¯t you know it, I ran into someone quite familiar. Amaya.¡± The name hit me like a physical blow. My wolf surged within me, a primal growl threatening to erupt from my throat. Every fiber of my being screamed at He continued, his voiceced with a sickening sweetness. ¡°She¡¯s looking even more beautiful, radiant even.¡± He stared at me, a smirk ying on his lips But I wouldn¡¯t give him the satisfaction. He wanted a fight, a confrontation, but I wouldn¡¯t give him the satisfaction. No matter how much his words twisted knife in my gut, I would remain silent. I focused on my breathing, slow and measured, trying to calm the raging storm within. The silence stretched, thick and suffocating, Christian watched the exchange with a hawk¨C like intensity, his hand hovering near his phone, no doubt ready to call for security if things got out of hand. Adrian¡¯s eyes lingered on me, searching for a crack in myposure, but I refused to give him the satisfaction. He swirled the remaining liquid in his ¡°I almost didn¡¯t recognize her but you could never miss her scent. It¡¯s one of a kind,¡± he continued, her name rolling off his tongue like a taunt. He drew o ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org . My wolf growled, straining against its restraints as I fought to keep my anger in check. I could feel its power coursing through my veins, urging me tosh His eyes flicked to Ivan¡¯s picture on the table, and a smirk spread across his face. ¡°I see you¡¯re still hung up in her. Stalking the person who she wants to be with. A man close to perfection as I heard. Something you will never be.¡± I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms as I struggled to maintain control. My wolf was snarling, its fury boiling over. Christian¡¯s eyes met mine, a warning glinting in their depths. He knew I was on the edge, knew that one wrong move could send me over the precipice. ¡°Shut up, Adrian,¡± he said, his voice low and even, a calm in the storm. But Adrian justughed, a cold, mocking sound. ¡°Oh,e on, Christian. Don¡¯t be such a spoilsport. Alex here needs to face reality. He¡¯s still stuck in the ¡°Shut up about it, Adrian,¡± I growled, my voice low and menacing, a warning sign that I was on the edge. Christian¡¯s hand closed around my arm, a gentle restrain and Adrian just kept going, his words like a steady drumbeat. ¡°Amaya, Amaya, Amaya. You can The sentence was unfinished, cut short by the raw fury that exploded within me. It was the final push, the spark that ignited the tinderbox of my emotions In a heartbeat, the fragile control I held shattered. My wolf surged forward, a primal force seizing the reins. My vision dimmed at the edges, the world narrowing to a single point of focus ¨C Adrian¡¯s smug face. My body moved on autopilot, fueled by instinct and rage. One moment I was sitting across from Adrian, the next I was a blur of motion. I was across the He hit the floor with a grunt, his carefully constructed facade crumbling. His eyes widened in surprise, momentarily unguarded before a flicker of something dark ig within them. A twisted smile stretched across his face, a chilling contrast to the fear that had momentarily flickered there. I didn¡¯t waste time with words. My hands transformed into ws, honed instincts taking over. I lunged for his throat. My ws sank into his flesh, and a h my hands. But Adrian wasn¡¯t done yet. He struggled against my hold. Despite the pain, a manicugh escaped his lips. ¡°Finally decided to show your true colors?¡± h The sound of hisughter, the sight of his blood, it only fueled my rage further. I tightened my grip, the muscles in my arms screaming in protest. A part of me, a rational sliver fighting t Adrian¡¯s mocking voice echoed in my ears. Everything ¨C the hurt, the frustration, the simmering anger ¨C it all boiled over in that moment. Just as I was about to squeeze my grip one final time, a voice cut through the haze. Christian¡¯s voice, calm butced with a steely urgency, sliced throug look.¡± His words were a bucket of cold water thrown ver my burning rage. Slowly, the red haze began to recede, reced by a chilling realization of what I alm continued. I stared at him, my chest heaving with ragged breaths. The primal hunger within me slowly subsided, reced by a cold, simmering fury. Picking up my p 10:23 Sat, 22 Jun Wed 04 The night air pped me in the face, a wee shock to the system. My enemies were growing in number and I would deal with them, one by one, starting with the one who dared to touch a nerve so raw, the one who held 0 SEND Chapter 66 -Maya¡¯s POV- My gaze locked on Ivan, a strange mix of emotions swirling within me. He sat sprawled on the floor, a giggling Ivy perched precariously on hisp. Her ti face. He left immediately he received the text promising he would be back. He hadn¡¯t even waited for a reply, his hurried departure leaving a knot of unease in my stomach. He kept his promise and came back. But here he was, back and seemingly rxed, his yful interaction with Ivy a stark contrast to his tense demeanor carlier. A part of me, the rational part, knew we still had serious issues to address. The Suddenly, a familiar tug pulled at my mind, a psychic nudge from Natalia. I sighed, the tension momentarily broken, and opened myself to our mental link ¡°He¡¯s really good with her,¡± Natalia¡¯s voice echoed in my head,ced with a hint of surprise. My eyes flickered back to the yful scene before me. Ivy, now giggling uncontrobly, tugged on a strand of Ivan¡¯s hair with surprising strength. He flinc lighter, more carefree than I¡¯d seen him since everything went down. ¡°He really is,¡± I admitted, my voice a soft murmur in our bond. ¡°She called him Daddy.¡± There was a beat of silence, then a sharp intake of breath from Natalia. ¡°That¡¯s a big step for Ivy. Trusting him enough to want him to be her father. I nced back at them. Ivy, now nestledfortably in Ivan¡¯sp, was babbling away incoherently, a content smile stered on her face. He, in turn, wa ¡°Nathan seems to like him too,¡± Natalia added, her voice a low murmur. ¡°And you know what they say someone¡¯s energy is bad. That¡¯s not what¡¯s happe about kids. They can always tell when ¡°You know I love you and I¡¯ll always tell you the truth,¡± She continued, her voice firm. ¡°I get that you¡¯re upset about how he used you to get back at Alex. used you as a pawn.¡± A wave of anger washed over me, a bitter reminder of Ivan¡¯s maniptive tactics. He¡¯d used my feelings, our connection, as a weapon against Alex. ¡°And as for hispany,¡± She pressed on, her voice softer now, ¡°I get it. Men like to feel powerful. That¡¯s probably why he didn¡¯t tell you about Alex. He d less of him.¡± ¡°I know I told you to be careful because he seemed too good to be true,¡± She continued, her voiceced with a hint of regret. ¡°But with everything you¡¯ve his ws? Maybe you should give him another chance. Let your heart have another shot at love.¡± Tears welled up in my eyes, a surprising reaction to her words. Pushing them back, I forced a watery smile. ¡°You know I missed it,¡± I let out a whisper through the bond, my voice thick with emotion. ¡°The Natalia Rant.¡± A surprised bark ofughter erupted from Natalia, the sound momentarily shattering the peaceful atmosphere in the room. Four heads snapped in our di Ivan¡¯s eyes met mine for a fleeting moment before Ivy snagged a strand of his hair with her tiny fingers, pulling his attention back to her. He Sat, un offered a nervous smile, his gaze lingering on mine for a beat longer than necessary. The knot in my stomach tightened. Seeing him interact with Ivy, so rxed and happy, sent a wave of conflicting emotions through me. There was ange something else. Something I couldn¡¯t quite define. ¡°Maya,¡± Natalia¡¯s voice broke through my thoughts, her tone gentle this time. ¡°Look, I know Ivan messed up. But sometimes people do stupid things, esp insecure. Maybe he felt threatened by Alex. No he definitely does. I mean Alex is all powerful both in the corporate and supernatural world and he was m She had that right. Alex, with his alpha arrogance and undeniable charm, could be infuriating at times. ¡°But Natalia,¡± 1 protested, frustration creeping into my tone, ¡°how am I sure he won¡¯t do it again. Say something worse this time.¡± ¡°Okay, okay,¡± Natalia soothed, raising a cating hand. ¡°He messed up, big time. But maybe, just maybe, there¡¯s another way to look at this.¡± I narrowed my eyes, unsure of where she was going with this. ¡°Maybe,¡± she continued, her voice dropping to a whisper, ¡°he went to Alex because he knew it was the only way to save his company. Maybe his pride wouldn¡¯t let him ask you for help, for fear of seeming weak.¡± ¡°Even if that¡¯s true,¡± I argued, ¡°it doesn¡¯t change the fact that he lied to me.¡± Natalia sighed, a frustrated sound. ¡°Look, Maya, I know you¡¯re hurting. You¡¯re still dealing with everything that happened with Alex. But maybe, just mayb Her words struck a chord within me. Moving on. It was something I desperately wanted, but it seemed so out of reach. Alex was everywhere- in my thoug I flinched, the memory sending a jolt through me. Natalia¡¯s sharp eyes narrowed. ¡°What was that?¡± she demanded. ¡°Nothing,¡± I looked away. ¡°Maya,¡± she pressed, her voiceced with concern, ¡°You¡¯re hiding something.¡± I took a deep breath, the weight of the secret pressing down on me. ¡°It¡¯s Alex,¡± I confessed, my voice barely above a whisper. ¡°Just before the ident¡­He kissed me.¡± Her head snapped in my direction, her eyes wide with surprise. ¡°He kissed you?¡± she gasped. ¡°Yes,¡± I whispered, shame burning in my cheeks. ¡°And the worst part is, I can¡¯t stop thinking about it. The more I try to forget, the more it reys in my h ¡°When was this?¡± Natalia demanded, her voice a mixture of shock and anger. ¡°Right before the whole thing went down,¡± I mumbled, avoiding Natalia¡¯s gaze. ¡°He is one of our clients and Ms. Edwards took me to meet with him to tal he kissed me.¡± Chapter GG ¡°And you didn¡¯t tell me?¡°Her voice wasced with hurt. ¡°My psych ¡°¡­ I didn¡¯t know what to think,¡°My psych wobbled, feeling a pang of guilt. ¡°It was so sudden, and then everything happened so fast after that. The ident, ¡°But Maya,¡± She pressed, her voice softening slightly. ¡°That kiss¡­did it mean anything to you?¡± I hesitated, the memory reying vividly in my mind. Alex¡¯s touch, the urgency in his kiss, it was all a confusing jumble of emotions. ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org . ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± I admitted honestly. ¡°Part of me thinks it was just a spur¨Cof¨Cthe¨C moment thing. But then the way he showed up at the hospital, acting all concerned¡­it messed with my head.¡± She let out a frustrated groan, burying her face in her hands. ¡°Maya, honey, you¡¯re so hung up on Alex. He¡¯s bad news, you know that. He rejected you a Suddenly, a loud thump shattered the tense silence. Nate had decided tounch himself off the chair. Before he could hit the ground with a painful thud, Nathan shot out a hand, catching him mid¨Cair with augh. He ruffled Nate¡¯s hair yfully, the little boy giggling in delight. Ivy, however, was not amused. She red at Nate with a frown that mirrored Alex¡¯s own signature scowl, a pout forming on her tiny lips. The resemnce was uncanny, sending a shiver down my spine. For a fleeting moment, I saw a mi in. Reaching out through our mental link, I sent a message to Natalia. ¡°I¡¯ve been thinking. Since I cannot let myself let him go. I will force myself out of it.¡± ¡°How?¡± I nced back at Ivan smiling down at Ivy. A decision, a crazy one perhaps, began to solidify in my mind. It was a decision I¡¯d considered before, but see ¡°I¡¯m going to ask Ivan to mark me,¡± I dered, my voice firm despite the fluttering in my stomach. ¡°To im me as his mate.¡± Chapter 67 -Maya¡¯s POV- The cacophony of construction filled the air ¨C hammering, sawing, drill whines echoing through the uast putted space. Amidst the chaos, I stood frozen, a lone ind of calm in a sea of activity. People scurried around me like busy ants¨Cconstruction workers in hard hats, electricians wrestling with wires, a team of painters meticulously applying a coat of crisp white to the exposed brick wall. I barely registered their presence, my mind lost in a whirlwind of thoughts. ¡°Amaya?¡± Ms. Edwards¡® sharp voice cut through my fog. She stood beside me, her clipboard clutched in one hand, the other resting on her hip. ¡°Come o I blinked, forcing myself back to reality. This was it. The moment of truth. After weeks of nning, mood boards,te nights spent poring over blueprints and fabric swatches, the redesign was finally taking shape. A nervous flutter rose in my stomach. ¡°Right, sorry,¡± I mumbled, forcing a smile. ¡°Sure, what is it?¡± She gestured towards the center of the room, where a team of workers were assembling a massive structure. It looked like a giant metal frame, but the ¡°That.¡± She announced with a flourish, ¡°is the centerpiece of our open floor n ¨C the coboration hub.¡± ¡°Coboration hub?¡± I repeated, peering at the skeletal structure. ¡°Exin?¡± Her smile widened. ¡°Ah, yes! The heart of this new design. It¡¯s a multi¨C level tform, essentially. We¡¯ll have different sections dedicated to different types of coboration ¨C brainstorming zones, breakout areas for smaller meetings, even a quiet zone with soundproofed pods for focused work.¡± My eyebrows shot up. ¡°That¡¯s actually a great idea,¡± I admitted. ¡°I remember suggesting dedicated quiet zones during the initial meeting with Mr. Thorne.¡± A hint of amusement flickered in her eyes. ¡°Indeed you did,¡± she conceded. ¡°And a great idea it was. Mr. Thome was quite impressed with your suggestion, you know.¡± My cheeks flushed a faint pink. ¡°Really?¡± I stammered, surprised, ¡°Absolutely. He specifically mentioned it during ourst call. He even said something about appreciating the bnce between open coboration and focused work areas.¡± My surprise deepened. I mean I didn¡¯t think he would specificallyment on how much he liked my idea. Back then we each did our own thing so we d ¡°So, ¡°She continued, her voice cutting through my reverie, ¡°let¡¯s take a closer look at the different levels. Up here, on the top tform, we¡¯ll have a dedica She pointed to a section of the frame where a tform was taking shape. I could picture it ¨C a clean, minimalist space bathed in natural light, a perfect stage for showcasing ideas. ¡°Moving down a level,¡± She continued, leading me towards another section of the frame, ¡°we have the brainstorming zone. Whiteboard walls, A grin spread across my face. A ping pong table? That was unexpected, but I liked the idea. A touch of fun could go a long way in sparking creativity. ¡°And finally,¡± She concluded, leading me towards the base of the structure, ¡°we have the quiet zone. Soundproofed pods,fortable ergonomic chairs, dive project.¡± We walked around the structure, Ms. Edwards exining the finer detalls ¨C lighting options, soundproofing materials, venttion systems. It wasn¡¯t just about aesthetics; it was about creating a functional,fortable space that c ¡°This is all fantastic,¡± I enthused, genuinely impressed with the level of detail and thought that had gone into the design. ¡°The mix of open space and ded She beamed. ¡°Thank you, Amayal it wouldn¡¯t havee together this well without your input. You have a real eye for design and a great understanding Warmth spread through me at her praise. It felt good to be appreciated then. faint cough cut through our conversation, and I turned to see a young man standing toolbelt, his face streaked with dust. ¡°Excuse me, Ms. Edwards?¡± he asked hesitantly. ¡°The electricians need to know where to run the wiring for the presentation area¡¯s projector screen. H She nodded, a smile still lingering on her face. ¡°Of course, Michael. Let¡¯s see¡­¡± She pulled out a roll of blueprints and began studying them with a pract on the ceiling, right here,¡± she pointed to a specific spot on the ns, ¡°so the wiring needs to run¡­¡± They huddled over the blueprints for a few minutes, discussing wire cement and outlet configurations. I took the opportunity to wander around the res The open floor n felt surprisingly spacious, with floor¨Cto¨C ceiling windows bathing the interior in natural light. Demolished cubicle walls had been reced with sleek ss partitions, allowing for visual connection while maintaining a sense of separation. Over in one corner, a team of workers was busy constructing a small kitchte. Modern stainless steel appliances gleamed under the harsh lights, and countertop. ¡°This is looking great,¡± I said to myself, a satisfied smile curving my lips. It was starting to feel real, this vision we¡¯d meticulously crafted on paper, I could almost picture the employees bustling around, coborating in the open areas, taking breaks in thefortable lounge spaces. Suddenly, a wave of nostalgia hit me. I thought back to a time when this was what I wanted to do for him. Alex had always been impersonal when it came Taking a deep breath, I forced myself to refocus. There was still a lot to be done. We needed to finalize furniture selections, choose color palettes for the As if on cue, Ms. Edwards reappeared beside me, the blueprints now neatly rolled up and tucked under her arm. ¡°So, Amaya,¡± she began, her voice brim I shook my head, a genuine smile gracing my lips. ¡°Honestly, Ms. Edwards, I¡¯m impressed. It¡¯s exactly how I envisioned it. Maybe even better.¡± A pleased smile spread across her face. ¡°Excellent! That¡¯s what I like to hear. Now, let¡¯s talk about the color scheme for the open floor n. 2,3 10:24 Sat, 22 Jun & ** We discussed a mix of grays and cks with pops of color, right?¡± I nodded in agreement. €90% ¡°Oh, that reminds me,¡± She eximed, snapping her fingers with sudden recollection. ¡°Mr. Thorne¡¯s office. He mentioned needing some minor work done in there. I know we¡¯re both wiped after today, but could you poss Before I could voice out a protest she was already dialing Ruth¡¯s number, directing her to show me to Alex¡¯s office. Letting out a mental groan, I knew the inevitable truth. Being cooped up in his space, surrounded by his scent, would undoubtedly trigger my wolf. Nheless, I followed Ruth¡¯s hurried steps, a silent vow forming in my head to get in and out as quickly a The moment I stepped through the doorway, a wave of Alex¡¯s scent hit me, sharp and familiar. It was a potent cocktail of clean cologne, leather from his chair, and the subtle undercurrent of his wolf. My breath caught in my throat, and the primal pull was almost overwhelming. ¡°You can go ahead and take a look around,¡± Ruth said cheerfully. ¡°I¡¯ll be waiting just outside if you need anything.¡± With a curt nod of thanks, I was left alone. My initial intent was a simple sweep of the room- a quick mental note of theyout, furniture arrangements, an His office was the picture of understated elegance ¨C dark wood furniture, clean lines, and muted tones on the walls. Everything felt. impersonal, almost sterile, devoid of any personality. My gazended on his desk ¨C and against my better judgment, I found myself drawn towards it. I sat on his chair then closed my eyes, letting his scent wash over me and then as if something shocked me, I jumped up but in the process hit the desk, This was one of those times when I should have let the rational part take control but I did not. My hand pulled the drawer open even more and there was a single file on it. I picked it out and opened it and a gasp immediately left my throat. It was a picture of me, naked. But that was not the worst part. There was a man sprawled on the bed behind me and it was¡­ N?velDrama.Org owns this text. Adrian. Chapter 68 -Maya¡¯s POV- Sometimes I think I make very bad decisions. An example was looking into thatpartment, another would be taking the files and running. I don¡¯t exac I hadn¡¯t thought. I just took them and ran. There was no way. My head was spiraling and I was seconds away from having a breakdown.. How? Why? Different questions were running through my head. At least I managed to hand Ms. Edwards something we could work onter before bolting out. She had given me so many passes and there were zero ns on doing anything to get on her wrong side. Now, I just needed answers. The silence in Natalia¡¯s office stretched, thick and suffocating. She sat opposite me, glued to the photos spread on the coffee table. Her expression mirrored the look of pure, unadulterated horror that had contorted my face moments ago when I first saw them. ¡°Say something.¡± I finally choked out, my voice hoarse. She hadn¡¯t moved, her eyes still fixed on the incriminating pictures. This was why she was my be worn book, decipher the tangled mess of confusion churning in my head. But this time, even she didn¡¯t have the answers. Slowly, Natalia lifted her gaze, meeting mine. ¡°I know you,¡± she started, her voice hesitant. ¡°Well enough to know you wouldn¡¯t do this. But¡­ how? It loo ¡°Real?¡± I supplied, my voice a ragged rasp. Real. That was the word. Those pictures looked terrifyingly real, depicting a scene that never happened, a betrayal I would nevermit. A a horrifying connection between seemingly unrted events. ¡°The trashed house,¡± I whispered, the pieces clicking into ce. ¡°Adrian¡¯s house. It was trashed when I went there after Alex¡­ after Alex rejected me.¡± T blow. The sudden shift in Alex¡¯s behavior, the cold rejection that had left me reeling¨Cit all made a twisted kind of sense. Before I could fully process the revtion, the words tumbled out, spilling from my lips like a dam bursting, ¡°Oh my god,¡± I breathed, the I words a desperate plea for someone, anyone, to understand. ¡°He thinks I cheated. He thinks I cheated on him with Adrian.¡± The words echoed in the small office, bouncing off the walls and amplifying the tremor in my voice. Tears pricked at my eyes, blurring my vision. Before I could fully copse, Natalia¡¯s handnded on mine, a solid anchor in the st ¡°Shh,¡± she soothed, her voice calm amidst the chaos. ¡°It¡¯s okay. We¡¯ll figure this out. There has to be some exnation. Because I know for a fact, you w Her words,ced with unwavering belief, were a lifeline thrown into the churning sea of despair. Gratitude flooded me, warming the cold dread that had gripped my heart. I clung to her words, a desperate boat clinging to a piece of driftwoo we prove it? How do we exin these pictures? I didn¡¯t do this. And ¡°You¡¯re right,¡± I forced myself to say. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t. I couldn¡¯t. But how do we he never She didn¡¯t have an answer, a fact reflected in the crease of worry etching itself onto her forehead. But her hand remained sped firmly in mine, a silent formed and desperate, but none of them felt substantial enough tobat the fabricated reality staring back at us from the table. ¡°The only exnation is that someone framed you,¡± she broke the silence her voice low and serious. ¡°And whoever it is, they¡¯re damn good at it.¡± She furrowed her brow, frustration etching lines onto her forehead. ut it still doesn¡¯t make sense. Why would Alex just jump to rejection? Why wouldn¡¯t he even try to talk to you, find out if there was any truth to these pictures?¡± I slumped further into the chair, the weight of the situation pressing down on me. A groan escaped my lips. ¡°He¡¯s going to know I took the files,¡± I mumbled, dread creeping into my voice. ¡°He has cameras in that ce. We used to¡­¡± My cheeks burned blush rose up my neck. ¡°He used to you know¡­ and then we would watch.¡± She let out a humorless snort. ¡°Yeah, yeah,¡± she said, waving her hand dismissively. ¡°I¡¯ll get back to how much of a freak you areter. Right now, we need to figure out who the little chat with Alex. Preferably with my ws out.¡± I couldn¡¯t help but crack a small smile at herst statement. Even in this mess, Natalia¡¯s loyalty and fierce protectiveness were a source offort. But t settled back in. Natalia seemed to sense my fear. ¡°Don¡¯t worry,¡± she said, cing a hand on my arm. ¡°We¡¯ll figure this out. We just need to think logically. How did these pictures get created? Who would have ess to them? And most importantly, who would benefit from framing you?¡± Her words echoed in my mind. Who would benefit? The answer, frustratingly, remained elusive. Adrian? It seemed illogical. He got his life torm apart and he ended up in jail. The painful thought crossed my mind. Alex had thrown their friendship away because of a lie and if so, Adrian had every right to want revenge. ¡°What if we can¡¯t prove I¡¯m innocent?¡± I finally asked, my voice cracking slightly. Natalia reached across the table and squeezed my hand tightly. ¡°We will prove you¡¯re innocent,¡± she said with unwavering conviction. ¡°And we are doing ¡°You think I should go put them back?¡± I blurted out, the thought of the missing files adding anotheryer of anxiety to the already precarious situation. She scoffed. ¡°Absolutely not! Let him see that you took them. What¡¯s the worst he c pictures in the first ce.¡± do? He¡¯s already acting like a jerk for believing these She picked up a photo again, scrutinizing it with narrowed eyes. ¡°Do you recognize this location? Where is this even taken?¡± Dread pooled in my stomach as I shook my head. I had scanned the pictures earlier, searching for anything familiar, anything that might jog my memory, but they werepletely foreign. ¡°No, I don¡¯t,¡± I admitted. ¡°I have no idea where that ce could be.¡± Shefrowned, flipping through the rest of the photos. Each one depicted the same scene ¨C a luxuriously furnished living room, me and Adrian in variouspromising positions. But none of it felt real. The furniture arrangement was unfamiliar, t ¡°This is creepy,¡± She muttered, her voiceced with concern. ¡°These pictures are obviously fake, but how did someone manage to fabricate something s Silence descended upon the room once more, thick with unanswered questions. The weight of the situation pressed down on me, suffocating. Every pas We spent the next hour meticulously examining each photo. We checked the background for any recognizablendmarks, the furniture for any brand log ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org . obvious clues. ¡°This is getting us nowhere,¡± Natalia sighed, throwing her hands up in exasperation. ¡°We need a fresh perspective, someone who can approach this obje I nodded frantically, mirroring Natalia¡¯s urgency. Hiring a private investigator felt extreme, but the situation demanded drastic measures. Just as I was ab My breath hitched as I instinctively reached for it. A notification pulsed on the screen, a tiny red icon screaming for attention. With trembling fingers, I unlo A video began to y ¨C a grainy, low¨C resolution clip that sent a jolt of terror through me. It was me, sprinting out of Alex¡¯s office, the stolen files clutched tightly in my hand. But the true horror unfolded d after the video ended. Below it, a chilling message burned into the screen: ¡°I have been watching you, Amaya Stone. Or s A second message followed, each word dripping with malice: ¡°You cannot hide from me.¡± Chapter 69 Chapter 69 -Maya¡¯s POV- The blood drained from my face as I tumed the phone towards Natalia, my hand shaking uncontrobly. Her eyes widened in shock as she took in the video and the messages. The room seemed to shrink, the air thick with a suffocating dread. ¡°What¡­ who sent this?¡± She stammered. I was speechless, unable to tear my gaze away from the horrifying messages on the screen. Someone was watching me, someone who knew my past, my deepest secrets. And they were using that knowledge to terrorize me. Natalia, however, snapped out of her shock much faster than I did. She snatched the phone from my grasp, her eyes scanning the screen with a fierce intensity. ¡°This is serious,¡± she said, her voice low and dangerous. ¡°This isn¡¯t some random prank. This person knows who you are, Amaya. They know your past. And they¡¯re using it to threaten you.¡± Her words were a ssh of cold water in the face of my rising panic. I forced myself to take a deep breath, trying to regain some semnce of control. ¡°Who could it be?¡± I rasped. ¡°Who would know all that about me?¡± Natalia pursed her lips, her brow furrowed in thought. ¡°There abilities, she admitted. ¡°But right now, we need to figure out what this person wants. Are they trying to ckmail you? Expose your past with Alex? We need a n, Amaya. And we need it fast.¡± The weight of the situation pressed down on me, heavier than ever before. Not only was I framed for cheating, but now someone was using my past as a weapon. They knew everything. I didn¡¯t think Alex would do much when he found out I took them but with this message, it showed that someone had ess to his security footage and Alex had the tightest security I knew. ¡°Could it be him?¡± The sound of her voice snapped me back to focus. ¡°Alex.¡± Without a second thought, I shook my head, ¡°I know him well enough to know that he wouldn¡¯t hide behind a screen. Alex is the kind of person that will rip your heart right in front of you.¡± My heart hurt from the double meaning and Natalia let out a sigh, ¡°All of this is bullshit. He made you spend four years hurting, raising kids all by yourself while living in istion for something he could have talked over with you. Even if you did, if he loved you that much, there is something known as couples¡¯s therapy. Ughhhh. Alex is just so¡­ I don¡¯t even knoev he words to use on him.¡± art, I smiled because the truth was that it hurt. So damn much. I gave up so Despite it, I smiled. Despite the pain that was clenching my much god him. I went against my whole pack to be with a rival. I hated how much I still loved him and how much my skin still burned at the thought that he wanted me but that wasn¡¯t important, there was someone watching me. There were no dark secrets that could specifically ruin my life but if they knew all about my past, it only meant that they knew about the twins¡¯ existence. Something I would rather die than let Alex find out. ¡°What are we going to do? About this anonymous texter and the photos?¡± Natalia asked, her brow furrowed with concern. ¡°We could hire a professional to look into the photos, see how they managed to¡­ ¡°I trailed off as something suddenly clicked into ce. My eyes widened in shock. ¡°Oh my goddess. What if whoever sent this text was the same person who framed me? If they had been watching me to know about my marriage to Alex, then it was possible that¡­ ¡°They were responsible for the photos,¡± Nataliapleted, her voice low and serious. ¡°But why now?¡± 10:25 Sat, 22 Jun ¨C G Chapter 69 90% I stayed quiet, unsure of the answer. A reluctant thought popped into my head. Natalia saw the expression on my face and frowned. ¡°What are you thinking about?¡± I hesitated, unsure if I wanted to voice my thoughts. ¡°I know three powerful men. Alex is off the list; I can¡¯t tell Ivan about this he¡¯ll probably believe the photos and think that¡¯s what I¡¯ve been doing with Alex, which just leaves me with¡­¡± Natalia¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°You are not asking Daniel Stone for help. There is no way.¡± I sighed, knowing she was right. ¡°He is still my father,¡± I said, trying to sound convincing. She snorted. ¡°Yeah, right. Like he has ever treated you like a daughter. The name Jeremiah suddenly came back to me. Every time I thought about it, I tried to understand my father¡¯s pain; it must have hurt him so much to lose a child. But that didn¡¯t give him the right to treat me like I wasn¡¯t even a choice all my life. The truth was, I needed help, and he had the power to help me so before I could stop them, the words spilled, ¡°I had a brother.¡± Her expression transformed from anger to shock, her eyes widening in disbelief. ¡°What? You never mentioned a brother. How do you have a brother?¡± she asked, her voiceced with confusion. I took a deep breath, preparing myself for the revtion. ¡°Not have. I had a brother, a brother I never knew, a brother who died before I was born.¡± I paused, collecting my thoughts. ¡°His name was Jeremiah.¡± Her face was a picture of astonishment. ¡°How¡­ how is that possible? Why didn¡¯t you ever mention this?¡± I sighed, the weight of my family¡¯s history bearing down on me. ¡°I only found out recently, when Ivan told me the truth. My mother confirmed it at the hospital, when I asked about my brother¡¯s name. She looked hurt, like the memory still pained her.¡± ¡°I¡¯m so sorry. I had no idea. That exins so much about your family¡¯s dynamics.¡± I nodded, the pieces falling into ce. ¡°It does, doesn¡¯t it? That¡¯s why there is a rivalry between our families. Ivan told me that Alex¡¯s father had somehow been responsible for the death. I guess when my father had me, I was just a reminder of the son he lost, and would never have again. I was a constant reminder of his grief, and he couldn¡¯t bear it then I worsened whatever hate he had when I fell in love with Alex.¡± Her expression turned thoughtful. ¡°That doesn¡¯t give your father the right to treat you the way he did your entire life. You deserved so much better than that and I have a question. Did Alex know about your brother, about his father¡¯s role in his death?¡± I shrugged, the uncertainty still guing me. ¡°I don¡¯t know. I¡¯m not sure I even want to know because it would make the whole thing hurt more but whenever I asked about his family, he shut it down. Thinking about it, I have a lot and it suddenly feels like he gave so little but it¡¯s not important right now. What¡¯s important is finding out who is behind this and stopping them.¡± She nodded, her eyes still filled withpassion then her expression turned determined. ¡°If you¡¯re going to see your father and talk to him about this, then I¡¯ming with you.¡± Natalia, I¡¯ve already disturbed you at work. You don¡¯t need to leave work now because of me.¡± She cut me off, her voice firm. ¡°Don¡¯t even try to fight this, Maya. I¡¯ming with you, and that¡¯s final.¡± I sighed, knowing she was right. ¡°Okay, but I¡¯m only going to ask him to use his connections to see if he can track who sent the message. I¡¯m not going to tell him about the pictures.¡± Natalia¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°Good. Let¡¯s keep that between us for now. But we need to be careful. I honestly don¡¯t like this, I don¡¯t like him.¡± 10:25 Sat, 22 Jun Chapter 69 Chapter 69 -Maya¡¯s POV- The blood drained from my face as I tumed the phone towards Natalia, my hand shaking uncontrobly. Her eyes widened in shock as she took in the video and the messages. The room seemed to shrink, the air thick with a suffocating dread. ¡°What¡­ who sent this?¡± She stammered. I was speechless, unable to tear my gaze away from the horrifying messages on the screen. Someone was watching me, someone who knew my past, my deepest secrets. And they were using that knowledge to terrorize me. Natalia, however, snapped out of her shock much faster than I did. She snatched the phone from my grasp, her eyes scanning the screen with a fierce intensity. ¡°This is serious,¡± she said, her voice low and dangerous. ¡°This isn¡¯t some random prank. This person knows who you are, Amaya. They know your past. And they¡¯re using it to threaten you.¡± Her words were a ssh of cold water in the face of my rising panic. I forced myself to take a deep breath, trying to regain some semnce of control. ¡°Who could it be?¡± I rasped. ¡°Who would know all that about me?¡± Natalia pursed her lips, her brow furrowed in thought. ¡°There abilities, she admitted. ¡°But right now, we need to figure out what this person wants. Are they trying to ckmail you? Expose your past with Alex? We need a n, Amaya. And we need it fast.¡± The weight of the situation pressed down on me, heavier than ever before. Not only was I framed for cheating, but now someone was using my past as a weapon. They knew everything. I didn¡¯t think Alex would do much when he found out I took them but with this message, it showed that someone had ess to his security footage and Alex had the tightest security I knew. ¡°Could it be him?¡± The sound of her voice snapped me back to focus. ¡°Alex.¡± Without a second thought, I shook my head, ¡°I know him well enough to know that he wouldn¡¯t hide behind a screen. Alex is the kind of person that will rip your heart right in front of you.¡± My heart hurt from the double meaning and Natalia let out a sigh, ¡°All of this is bullshit. He made you spend four years hurting, raising kids all by yourself while living in istion for something he could have talked over with you. Even if you did, if he loved you that much, there is something known as couples¡¯s therapy. Ughhhh. Alex is just so¡­ I don¡¯t even knoev he words to use on him.¡± art, I smiled because the truth was that it hurt. So damn much. I gave up so Despite it, I smiled. Despite the pain that was clenching my much god him. I went against my whole pack to be with a rival. I hated how much I still loved him and how much my skin still burned at the thought that he wanted me but that wasn¡¯t important, there was someone watching me. There were no dark secrets that could specifically ruin my life but if they knew all about my past, it only meant that they knew about the twins¡¯ existence. Something I would rather die than let Alex find out. ¡°What are we going to do? About this anonymous texter and the photos?¡± Natalia asked, her brow furrowed with concern. ¡°We could hire a professional to look into the photos, see how they managed to¡­ ¡°I trailed off as something suddenly clicked into ce. My eyes widened in shock. ¡°Oh my goddess. What if whoever sent this text was the same person who framed me? If they had been watching me to know about my marriage to Alex, then it was possible that¡­ ¡°They were responsible for the photos,¡± Nataliapleted, her voice low and serious. ¡°But why now?¡± 10:25 Sat, 22 Jun ¨C G Chapter 69 90% I stayed quiet, unsure of the answer. A reluctant thought popped into my head. Natalia saw the expression on my face and frowned. ¡°What are you thinking about?¡± I hesitated, unsure if I wanted to voice my thoughts. ¡°I know three powerful men. Alex is off the list; I can¡¯t tell Ivan about this he¡¯ll probably believe the photos and think that¡¯s what I¡¯ve been doing with Alex, which just leaves me with¡­¡± Natalia¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°You are not asking Daniel Stone for help. There is no way.¡± I sighed, knowing she was right. ¡°He is still my father,¡± I said, trying to sound convincing. She snorted. ¡°Yeah, right. Like he has ever treated you like a daughter. The name Jeremiah suddenly came back to me. Every time I thought about it, I tried to understand my father¡¯s pain; it must have hurt him so much to lose a child. But that didn¡¯t give him the right to treat me like I wasn¡¯t even a choice all my life. The truth was, I needed help, and he had the power to help me so before I could stop them, the words spilled, ¡°I had a brother.¡± Her expression transformed from anger to shock, her eyes widening in disbelief. ¡°What? You never mentioned a brother. How do you have a brother?¡± she asked, her voiceced with confusion. I took a deep breath, preparing myself for the revtion. ¡°Not have. I had a brother, a brother I never knew, a brother who died before I was born.¡± I paused, collecting my thoughts. ¡°His name was Jeremiah.¡± Her face was a picture of astonishment. ¡°How¡­ how is that possible? Why didn¡¯t you ever mention this?¡± I sighed, the weight of my family¡¯s history bearing down on me. ¡°I only found out recently, when Ivan told me the truth. My mother confirmed it at the hospital, when I asked about my brother¡¯s name. She looked hurt, like the memory still pained her.¡± ¡°I¡¯m so sorry. I had no idea. That exins so much about your family¡¯s dynamics.¡± I nodded, the pieces falling into ce. ¡°It does, doesn¡¯t it? That¡¯s why there is a rivalry between our families. Ivan told me that Alex¡¯s father had somehow been responsible for the death. I guess when my father had me, I was just a reminder of the son he lost, and would never have again. I was a constant reminder of his grief, and he couldn¡¯t bear it then I worsened whatever hate he had when I fell in love with Alex.¡± Her expression turned thoughtful. ¡°That doesn¡¯t give your father the right to treat you the way he did your entire life. You deserved so much better than that and I have a question. Did Alex know about your brother, about his father¡¯s role in his death?¡± I shrugged, the uncertainty still guing me. ¡°I don¡¯t know. I¡¯m not sure I even want to know because it would make the whole thing hurt more but whenever I asked about his family, he shut it down. Thinking about it, I have a lot and it suddenly feels like he gave so little but it¡¯s not important right now. What¡¯s important is finding out who is behind this and stopping them.¡± She nodded, her eyes still filled withpassion then her expression turned determined. ¡°If you¡¯re going to see your father and talk to him about this, then I¡¯ming with you.¡± Natalia, I¡¯ve already disturbed you at work. You don¡¯t need to leave work now because of me.¡± She cut me off, her voice firm. ¡°Don¡¯t even try to fight this, Maya. I¡¯ming with you, and that¡¯s final.¡± I sighed, knowing she was right. ¡°Okay, but I¡¯m only going to ask him to use his connections to see if he can track who sent the message. I¡¯m not going to tell him about the pictures.¡± Natalia¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°Good. Let¡¯s keep that between us for now. But we need to be careful. I honestly don¡¯t like this, I don¡¯t like him.¡± 10:25 Sat, 22 Jun Chapter 69 I nodded, my mind racing with thoughts. ¡°I know. But I have to try. For my sake, and for the twins¡¯ sake. I cannot let Alex know. He will probably try to take them away from me. Yes, I raised them for the past four years but he is still a man with a whole lot of power, I don¡¯t want to find out what it means to be on the losing end of that power.¡± She squeezed my hand, ¡°I¡¯ll make sure that that doesn¡¯t happen. He lost privilege to them the moment he kicked you out when you were pregnant. Nothing is going to change that but don¡¯t get your hopes up. You know how your father is. I took a deep breath, preparing myself for the confrontation ahead. Little did I know, it was only the beginning of a muchrger storm. Çú I nodded, my mind racing with thoughts. ¡°I know. But I have to try. For my sake, and for the twins¡¯ sake. I cannot let Alex know. He will probably try to take them away from me. Yes, I raised them for the past four years but he is still a man with a whole lot of power, I don¡¯t want to find out what it means to be on the losing end of that power.¡± She squeezed my hand, ¡°I¡¯ll make sure that that doesn¡¯t happen. He lost privilege to them the moment he kicked you out when you were pregnant. Nothing is going to change that but don¡¯t get your hopes up. You know how your father is. I took a deep breath, preparing myself for the confrontation ahead. Little did I know, it was only the beginning of a muchrger storm. ÇúN?velDrama.Org is the owner. Chapter 70 -Maya¡¯s POV- I could count the number of times I had seen my fatherugh throughout my life. The numbers were very limited, yet here he was, Daniel Stone himself, like chair¨Cthe one that always seemed to inte his already gargantuan ego ¨C hisingughter echoing through his office. My gaze bounced between him and Natalia, whose re could make someone melt ice. Seriously, what the heck was so funny? We¡¯d managed to finagle our way into hispany headquarters ¨C the same one that had been teetering on the brink of copse just weeks. ago after the whole investigation and moneyundering fiasco. I had to give it to him. My father got back on his feet fast He had almost bitten his secretary¡¯s head off when she let me and as he called her, ¡®my nuisance friend¡® in unannounced. Me, his own daughter and the direction growled at me to ¡®get on with whatever this was So, here we were, the somewhat threatening text messages disyed prominently on his sleek desk, and instead of the expected outrage or concern, m Natalia finally snapped. ¡°Alright, enough! What on earth is so side¨Csplittingly hrious?¡± Her words hung heavy in the air, momentarily silencing the room. My father wiped a tear from his eye, his chest heaving with exertion. A slow, mischievous grin spread acroos hos face. It was a look I didn¡¯t rec a glint of something akin to¡­ enjoyment? Maybe even a hint of respect flickering in those cold, calcting eyes. The boomingughter that had filled the room moments ago died down abruptly, reced by an unnerving silence. My father¡¯s sharp gaze snapped to me, his lips curling into a humorless smirk. ¡°So, you finally decided to follow in my footsteps you?¡± he drawled, his voiceced with a hint of amusement. ¡°Stole something from the bastard?¡± Before I could even formte a response, Natalia jumped in, her voice sharp with indignation. ¡°Seriously? That¡¯s what you find so amusing? The fact tha The amusement vanished from my father¡¯s face like a me doused with water. His eyes narrowed into icy slits, and a vein throbbed prominently on his I have to give Natalia credit; even faced with that kind of chilling threat, she didn¡¯t so much as flinch. Her re remained unwavering, a silent challenge t ¡°Can we please just focus on the issue at hand?¡± I pleaded, my voice betraying a hint of exasperation. My father tore his gaze away from Natalia, his face a mask of irritation. ¡°And what exactly is the issue, Amaya?¡± he inquired, his tone clipped. ¡°The mess unnecessary tension. ¡°I need your help to find out who¡¯s sending them.¡± He cocked his head to the side, steepling his fingers in a gesture that spoke volumes about his arrogance. ¡°And why, pray tell,¡± he drawled, ¡°should I was My jaw nearly hit the floor. Disbelief washed over me, quickly morphing into anger. ¡°Are you serious right now?¡± I eximed, my voice rising in pitch. ¡°Someone is threatening me, y He leaned back in his chair, ¡°Don¡¯t raise your voice at me or I wille and teach you how to show respect,¡± he warned, his voiceced with a barely concealed threat. Natalia immediately opened her mouth to defend me, but I silenced her with a reassuring smile. Taking a deep breath to steady myself, I turned back to face him. ¡°Don¡¯t you ever get tired of this? Every single time we even try to have a conversation, it ends up with us screaming at each other. With threats. With yo part of the cold, uncaring father? Don¡¯t you get tired of being a terrible father?¡± A muscle twitched in his jaw, and I could see a flicker of something akin to annoyance pass through his steely facade. ¡°This isn¡¯t about me ying a part I wasn¡¯t done yet. ¡°Then what is it about?¡± I pressed, my voice gaining strength. ¡°I didn¡¯t ask for any of this. I didn¡¯t ask to be born into a rivalry, or to be treated like a ghost all my life and I will not apologize for it because I never asked to be your daughter and it is not my fault he fucking died!¡± The silence that followed my outburst was unlike anything I¡¯d ever experienced¨C It wasn¡¯t just quiet, it was a thick, suffocating nket that choked the air out of the room. Everything seemed to fade away, the office furnishings, the glint of the city skyline through the window ¨C all of it blurred into insignificance.. All that remained was the raw, naked pain etched on my father¡¯s face. It was a look of such profound hurt, such soul¨C deep agony, that the words I¡¯d spoken lodged themselves in my throat like lead. Regret, sharp and bitter, flooded my system. I hadn¡¯t meant to say them but the anger, the years of unspoken resentment, had alle spilling out with a force I couldn¡¯t control. The silence stretched on, cach tick of the clock on the wall a hammer blow against my already shattered heart. Finally, my father spoke, his voice so low you that?¡± It was so low that I barely heard it then he repeated, ¡°Who told you about Jeremiah?¡± Hesitantly, I stammered out a single name. ¡°Ivan.¡± He lifted his head slowly, his gaze locking onto mine with an intensity that sent shivers down my spine. It was as if he was seeing me for the very first tim It was a look of¡­ despair? ¡°I never tried to love you. I never did, because you could never be him. His voice cracked, betraying the raw emotion he was trying so desperately to sup everything. Everything. And then he was taken away from me. And then what did you do? You chose the son of the man who took the person I loved most in this world.¡± This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org. Tears welled up in my eyes, blurring my vision, I hadn¡¯t realized I¡¯d started crying, but now the sobs wracked my body with a force I couldn¡¯t control. The it all paled inparison to the crushing weight of his words. This wasn¡¯t anger anymore. This was a different kind of pain, a soul¨C sucking emptiness that threatened to swallow me whole. The rejection I¡¯d always known was there, a constant ache in the back of my mind, had finally beenid bare. Join Chatroom 10:26 Sat, 22 Jun K He didn¡¯t just dislike me; he hated me. My own father hated me. The words echoed in my mind: I never tried to love you. 1 clung to the edge of my chair, my chest tightening with each shallow breath. My gaze went back to him but his face was an unreadable mask. The raw The room began to spin, the air growing thin. The world seemed to shrink until all I could see was was the crushing weight of his hatred. the using glint in his eyes, all I could feel Before I could crumblepletely, aforting weight settled on my shoulder. Natalia wrapped her arm around me, her touch a lifeline in the swirling ch As I stumbled towards the door, Natalia¡¯s voice filled the room, ringing with righteous anger. ¡°You are a terrible person, Daniel Stone,¡± she spat, her voice Then the door mmed behind us. I don¡¯t know how i managed to get outside because I couldn¡¯t feel anything other than the excruciating pain like someone had taken out my heart and wa right in front of me. It hurt, so so much and then when Natalia whispered, ¡°I am so sorry, Amaya.¡± The dam finally burst. I fell at the middle of the street and I just cried. Chapter 71 -Alex¡¯s POV- The video reyed on a loop, each cycle twisting the knife in my gut a little deeper. Amaya. Her face filled the screen, her hand reaching for the file in m but the memory of seeing the picture, of seeing her tangled with Adrian, my best friend, of all people, was burned into my brain. Rage, raw and primal, coursed through me. The memory of confronting Adrian, of the brutal fight, barely brought any satisfaction. They both deserved the pain I felt, a pain so deep it threatened to consume me. My father¡¯s voice, cold and unforgiving, echoed in my head, ¡°Trust no one.¡± Then, just as abruptly, Ruth¡¯s voice cut through the fog of anger. ¡°Mr. McCall is here, sir.¡± My wolf snarled in protest at the interruption, but this was something I needed to do. There was something about McCall,something! couldn¡¯t quite put m Ivan entered the room, his gaze flitting around before settling on me. I shut down the video with a click, giving him my full attention. ¡°Ivan,¡± I greeted, my voice neutral. He stood a few feet away, broad shoulders filling the doorway, arms crossed defensively. The silence stretched, thick and heavy. Finally, he spoke, his v ¡°You said you¡¯d help me out with mypany.¡± I leaned back in my chair, mirroring his pose. ¡°I did.¡± The single word hung in the air, a challenge. ¡°Care to tell me the specifics of what¡¯s happening?¡± I asked, my voice light. ¡°Or do you just need my money?¡± His eyes narrowed at the way I emphasized thest word and I almost smiled. He recovered quickly, though. ¡°I took a bad deal,¡± he admitted, his jaw clenching for a moment before rxing. ¡°One that¡¯s putting me underwater. I¡¯m trying to w my way back up, b ¡°If you needed an investor,¡± I said, my voice deceptively calm, ¡°whye to me? Why not someone else? Like Daniel Stone.¡± The mention of Stone¡¯s name was like a physical blow, Ivan¡¯s face hardened, his features morphing into a mask of barely contained dislike. ¡°I think you I did. All too well. He was everything I despised ¨C ruthless, calcting, and with a predatory gleam in his eyes that always made my skin ¡°Yet you merged your pack with his,¡± I pointed out, the words leaving a bitter taste in my mouth¡­.. ¡°That¡¯s different,¡± he countered, his voice firm. ¡°The merger makes us the strongest pack in the city. I put up with Stone for the sake of the pack¡¯s future. It¡¯s a sacrifice.¡± A sacrifice. The word echoed in the vast emptiness of my chest. Maybe that was something we actually had inmon, Ivan and L. Dislike for Daniel St Join Chatroom past betrayal that still left a raw scar on my soul. ¡°So how do you know what I¡¯ll ask for won¡¯t be equally¡­ overwhelming?¡± I challenged him, a flicker of my true emotions slipping through the carefully co He met my gaze head¨Con, his own eyes stormy. ¡°Is it?¡± I almostughed at his audacity. Almost. Instead, I leaned forward, steepling my fingers in front of me. ¡°Let¡¯s hear it, Ivan. Tell me about this bad deal you He took a deep breath, his shoulders slumping slightly. The defiance was gone, reced by a weariness that mirrored the lines etched around his eyes. ¡°It was a new construction project on the outskirts of the city,¡± he began, his voice low. ¡°Prime real estate, perfect for high¨C end apartments. I saw it as an opportunity to expand mypany¡¯s reach, to solidify our position in the market.¡± His exnation wasced with regret, and I couldn¡¯t help but listen intently. Despite everything, despite the tangled mess of our history because of her, Ivan had always been a good businessman. There was a reason hispany had thrived for so long. I knew it because I had He continued, detailing the terms of the deal, the unexpected cost overruns, and the tightening grip of the financingpany that had him teetering on th He finished his exnation, the air thick with unspoken tension. My gaze drifted to the window, watching the city lights wink on one by one as the sun dip looking for?¡± ¡°Investment,¡± he replied simply. ¡°Enough to cover the cost overruns and renegotiate with the financingpany. Enough to buy myself some breathing room.¡± The number he mentioned was staggering. A significant chunk of change but it was nothing for someone like me. Though, my mind calcted the risks a ¡°And what are you offering in return?¡± I asked, my voice devoid of emotion. He hesitated, then met my gaze. ¡°A stake in thepany. A significant one.¡± A partnership. ¡°A stake,¡± I repeated, the word hanging heavy in the air. It wasn¡¯t a question, but an invitation to borate. Ivan cleared his throat, his eyes flickering away for a moment before locking back onto mine. ¡°Yeah, a big stake. Forty five percent.¡± My eyebrows shot up. Fifty¨Cone percent meant giving me controlling interest. It was a bold offer, one that reeked of desperation but also a surprising amount of trust. I did not trust that. ¡°Forty five percent?¡± I scoffed, a hint of disbelief creeping into my voice. ¡°You¡¯re basically handing me the reins, Ivan.¡± ¡°Not handing them,¡± he countered, a flicker of defiance returning to his eyes. ¡°We¡¯d be partners. You bring the cash, I bring the experience. We keep the The logic was sound, but the power dynamic it created sent a shiver down my spine. ¡°And what happens,¡± I pressed, leaning forward, ¡°if things go south 10:26 Sat, 22 Jun 1 ¡¤ °ü90%•þ He held my gaze, his jaw clenching for a moment. ¡°Then we both lose,¡± he said finally. ¡°But I wouldn¡¯t be asking you if I didn¡¯t believe we could turn this around.¡± There was a raw vulnerability in his voice and I took a deep breath, letting the silence stretch for a beat longer. ¡°Alright, Ivan,¡± I said finally, my voice stea A flicker of relief washed over his face, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. ¡°Fine by me,¡± he said, his voice lighter. ¡°Let¡¯s get to work then, partner.¡± A smirk yed on my lips. ¡°Partner, huh? That¡¯s a bit premature, wouldn¡¯t you say?¡± Ivan¡¯s smile faltered slightly. ¡°Look, Alex, I know there¡¯s history between us. But business is business, right?¡± ¡°Always,¡± I agreed, my voice smooth as ice. ¡°But considering the stakes, I wouldn¡¯t befortable jumping into a blind partnership. Let¡¯s call it a trial run He hesitated, his brow furrowing. ¡°Full ess? That¡¯s a lot to ask.¡± ¡°It is,¡± I conceded, leaning back in my chair. ¡°But isn¡¯t that the price of trust, ivan? You¡¯re asking me to inject a hefty sum of money into a sinking ship. A li He remained silent, his gaze locked on mine. The air crackled with unspoken tension, a dance of power and suspicion. ¡°Think of it this way.¡± I continued, my tone turning persuasive. ¡°My team¡¯s a scalpel, not a sledgehammer. We¡¯ll identify the problems, the leaks in your sh A muscle in his jaw clenched and unclenched. I could practically see the gears turning in his head. Finally, he let out a defeated sigh. ¡°Alright, fine.¡± He stood up, his shoulders slumping slightly. ¡°Full ess. But understand this, Alex, if there¡¯s nothing fishy going on, and your team finds five percent, just like we discussed.¡± ¡°We¡¯ll cross that bridge when wee to it,¡± I said, extending my hand. ¡°For now, let¡¯s get your books in order. Consider this an investment in trust, as well as yourpany.¡± He hesitated for a moment longer before taking my hand, his grip firm. A flicker of something akin to gratitude crossed his eyes, but it was quickly maske a steely resolve. ¡°Deal,¡± he said simply. ¡°But don¡¯t think this makes us friends, Alex. This is strictly business.¡± A slow smile spread across my face. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t dream of it, Ivan. Strictly business.¡± And like that I was in but as I shook his hand, it felt like I was touching skin with the devil with a brilliant Prince Charming mask.N?velDrama.Org owns ? this. Chapter 72 -Maya¡¯s POV- Saturday Seventy¨Ctwo hours. Three excruciating days had crawled by since the earth had split open beneath my feet. Three days since the man I was supposed to call Dad. the one w The vibrant chaos of the park swirled around me, a meaningless blur of sound and movement. Laughter, shouts of encouragement, the rhythmic thud of feet pounding the dirt¨C it all blended into a monotonous symphony of noise that did nothing to prate the thick fog clouding my mind. Natalia sat beside me talking endlessly and outlining potential solutions to the text message problem. ¡°We could try a signal blocker. It wouldn¡¯t be foolproof, but it might buy us some time to track down the source.¡± My gaze remained fixed on a distant point on the horizon, a point that stretched into an endless void mirroring the hollowness within me. My chest felt he ¡°Or I¡¯ve been doing some reading. We could use a counter¨Ctrace program. It¡¯s a little risky, but if we¡¯re careful¡­¡± Her voice trailed off, and I finally tore my eyes away from the empty horizon. She was staring at me with a worried frown etched on her face. ¡°Amaya,¡± her voice was gentle. ¡°Are you even listening to me?¡± A flicker of pain crossed Natalia¡¯s face for a fleeting moment before she rposed herself. ¡°Do you want to talk about it?¡± Talk about it? How could I possibly talk about it? How could I put into words the searing pain of rejection that had branded itself onto my very soul? How could I exin the suffocating emptiness that had reced the fragile hope I had clung The very thought of talking felt like ripping open a fresh wound, exposing the raw, bleeding mess underneath. So, I remained silent, my gaze returning to the park ground, Across the field, a blur of ck hair and bright blue eyes darted between Normally, the sight of them ying together would bring a smile to my face, a much¨C needed dose of joy in the often harsh world we lived in. But today, even their yful energy couldn¡¯t break through the shroud of despair that enveloped A loud squeal broke me out of my reverie. Naty, panting and grinning from ear to ear, stood in front of me, his chest puffed out with pride as he wrapped ¡°Gotcha!¡± he eximed, his voice filled with childish triumph. I forced a smile, the movement unfamiliar on my lips. ¡°Good job, Nate,¡± I croaked, my voice hoarse from disuse. He beamed, his pride evident in his wide grin. Before I could say anything else, Ivy managed to shove him off her and leaned towards me, pulling me wit y.¡± I smiled down at her, ¡°Mommy is really tired. But if you give her a minute, she will join you soon.¡± ¡°Yay!¡± They both eximed at the same time. Natalia watched the exchange, her eyes filled with a knowing sadness. She understood, of course she did. She had been my rock, my confidante, the o Ivy and Nate, easily distracted, turned their attention back to the park and darted back towards the other children. Theirughter became clearer as they joined the pack of kids in a game of tag. N?velDrama.Org is the owner. ¡°I don¡¯t know what to say to make you feel better,¡± Natalia finally sighed, her voiceced with helplessness. ¡°I just don¡¯t.¡± Her words were a gentle nudge, pulling me out of my self¨Cimposed istion. I turned to her, my vision blurry with unshed tears, ¡°There is nothing to say.¡± The lump in my throat made speaking a physical effort. ¡°I have a father, and¡­ and he hates me. There is just nothing.¡± Her jaw clenched tight, ¡°Look, I know this hurts, Amaya. It hurts like hell. But you can¡¯t let his words define you.¡± She reached out and squeezed my hand, ¡°I know what it¡¯s like to be hurt by the people you care about. And trust me, letting them win, letting their words define you, that only hurts you in the long run.¡± ¡°But how do I just¡­ turn it off?¡± She took a deep breath, her eyes searching mine. ¡°You don¡¯t turn it off. You feel it. You acknowledge it. But you don¡¯t let it define you. You are Amaya Sto Her voice trailed off abruptly, her gaze snapping towards the edge of the park. Her eyes widened in rm, and a flicker of cold fear washed over her face. She didn¡¯t speak, but the sudden shift in her demeanor sent a jolt of nervous energy through me. ¡°Natalia? What¡¯s wrong?¡± Following her gaze, I scanned the area, searching for whatever had caused her sudden rm. But I saw nothing out of the ordinary, just the usual hustle Without answering my question, she scrambled to her feet, her movements quick and purposeful. ¡°We need to get the twins and go.¡± The confusion that ¡°There¡¯s no time to exin,¡± Natalia snapped, already starting to gather our things scattered around the bench. ¡°We need to get the twins and go. Now!¡± ¡°But what about ¨C¡°I began to protest, but Natalia cut me off again. ¡°Ivy! Nate! Come here, honeybuns!¡± she called out in a bright, cheerful voice that contrasted sharply with the tension that now vibrated around her. 90%•þ The twins, still happily engrossed in their game of tag with a couple of other children, didn¡¯t hear her at first. ¡°Natalia, wait!¡± I pleaded, my voiceced with panic. ¡°What¡¯s going on? Why are we leaving?¡± She ignored me, her voice rising in volume as she called out for the twins again. ¡°Ivyl Natel It¡¯s time to go home now!¡± Finally, the twins spotted Natalia and reluctantly started making their way towards us. Nate tried to bargain for a few more minutes of ytime. ¡°But Mommy, we were just going to y one more round!¡± he whined, dragging his feet in the dirt. ¡°Yeah, can¡¯t we stay a little longer?¡± Ivy chimed in, her bottom lip trembling slightly. Natalia knelt down in front of them before I could even reply, a forced smile stered on her face. ¡°Remember what I told you about those special cook them all gone before we get home, would we?¡± ¡°Cookies!¡± both twins eximed in unison, their disappointment forgotten in the face of sugary treats. ¡°That¡¯s right!¡± Natalia said, a relieved smile flickering across her lips for a fleeting moment. ¡°So,e on, let¡¯s go get those cookies before they disappea She scooped Ivy up in her arms and started walking towards the parking lot at a brisk pace. Nate, still pouting slightly, followed behind, his eyes darting b I remained rooted to the spot, a cold dread settling in my stomach. Natalia¡¯s behavior was unlike her. The urgency in her voice, the way she¡¯d scanned th was wrong. Very wrong. ¡°Natalia, wait!¡± I called out, my voice sharp with sudden panic. ¡°What¡¯s going on? Where are we going? Natalia didn¡¯t break stride. She just tossed a single word over her shoulder. ¡°Trouble.¡± Before I could react further, she reached the car, fumbled with the keys for a moment, and then bundled the twins into the back seat. Buckling them in wi I tried to scan the park for any sign of what might have caused Natalia¡¯s sudden change of heart and then my wolf felt the shift in energy. Suddenly, his voice sliced through the air, ¡°Amaya?¡± It was far off but I still heard it because I was permanently attuned to him but then why didn¡¯t I feel him before? Natalia didn¡¯t wait another second, she zoomed off. If there was an award for the world¡¯s greatest best friend, she would have won it at this very moment because when I turned around, his blue eyes settle ¡°Alex.¡± Chapter 73 -Alex¡¯s POV- We stood there, a tableau of shock and simmering tension. Her eyes, wide and ssy, seemed to stare right through me, threatening to shatter into a m I wasn¡¯t supposed to be here. I hated everything about a park. It reminded me of what I never had as a child. Yet, here I was because even though I had Everything had been going smoothly at the office. Ivan¡¯s books checked out clean, the contract was signed, solidifying my ownership of a perfect 45% st up, just a day to unwind. Well, unwind wouldn¡¯t exactly describe the tense atmosphere with Miranda at home. Not in the mood for another argument, I¡¯d o rumbled through my wolf. Unease prickled my skin. So I went for a drive. It wasn¡¯t like I was following anyone, but my wolf seemed agitated when we passed the park. I instructed my driver to turn around, a sh of bright red hair through the trees. My feet moved before my mind could catch up, and before! knew it, I was almost by her side. A car sped off, The silence stretched, heavy and suffocating and we continued to stand there, rapped in an unspokennguage of stares. Finally, I broke the eye contac lips. She just continued staring at me then after a while, turned around to leave without a single word. ¡°Amaya,¡± I blurted out before she could disappear. Her shoulders tensed at the sound of her name, but she didn¡¯t stop walking. Frustration bubbled up. ¡° It was pointless to fight it. I unleashed a sliver of my alpha aura, a subtle pressure that demanded her attention. She whirled around, her eyes zing wit ¡°Following you?¡± I scoffed, mirroring her irritated tone. you should be here.¡± ¡°You hate parks so I don¡¯t see any other reason yo ¡°I still hate parks.¡± ¡°It¡¯s been four years,¡± she countered, her voiceced with disbelief. ¡°Maybe your tastes have changed.¡± ¡°Oh yeah, huge changes,¡± I said dripping with sarcasm. Her eyes narrowed, her voice tight. ¡°This is pointless. I¡¯m leaving.¡± ¡°Leaving like you left with the files from my drawer?¡± My question hung heavy in the air, a bomb dropped strategically. The effect was immediate. Her face drained of color, eyes widening with a flicker of fear. I could get you arrested,¡± I continued, watching her struggle to regain herposure. She took a deep breath, trying to project strength. ¡°Then get on with it,¡± she snapped. Silence descended once again, thicker and heavier than before. Neither of us spoke, just stared at each other, locked in a battle of wills. Join Chatroom 10:26 Sat, 22 Finally, I couldn¡¯t take it anymore. ¡°You have nothing to say about the pictures?¡± I asked, breaking the tense quiet. The fire in her eyes burned brighter, the anger barely contained. ¡°The pictures? What do you want me to say, Alex? That you¡¯re a coward? If she was angry, I was furious. ¡°Coward? You slept my best friend, and after everything we-¡± ¡°Oh just shut up, Alex. Just fucking shut up. How dare you? You know I always wondered why? Just why? You came home and threw divorce papers in my face then kicked me out. I was.. I was..¡± She trailed off then stepped backwards, Tears welled up in her eyes, threatening to spill. For a moment, her anger faltered, reced by a vulnerability th Then, just as quickly as it appeared, the vulnerability vanished. She stepped back, wiping a stray tear, her voice cold. ¡°You know what? Screw N?velDrama.Org is the owner. you.¡± With that final deration, she turned and started walking away again. This time, I couldn¡¯t let her go. In a heartbeat, I was beside her, grabbing her arm. She reacted instantly. Her eyes shed, fangs snapping out, ws scraping against my skin as she shed out with a feral snarl. ¡°Don¡¯t you ever touch The fire in her eyes mirrored the burning ache in my chest as she continued, her voice tight with barely suppressed emotion. ¡°You didn¡¯t even ask, Alex. divorce papers at me, kicked me out of our home¡­ you didn¡¯t even ask me if I did it. You just believed some fucking papers. Over me. The person you c ¡°They. Were. Real.¡± I bit out. I had Christian check. The moment the photosnded on my desk with a note, I didn¡¯t want to believe it. I had spent days, nights even, poring over those image. They had looked authentic. Too authentic. She wouldn¡¯t do that to me. He wouldn¡¯t do that to me but I had checked and without a doubt, they we A humorlessugh escaped her lips, a harsh, brittle sound. ¡°Real? You think I would do that, Alex? After everything? You know how hard it was for me to My jaw clenched but I didn¡¯t give a reply. ¡°You didn¡¯t even care to ask. You just believed that I was a cheating liar? That I betrayed you for Adrian of all people?¡± She took a deep breath, wiping a ¡°You are a fucking coward, Alex. That¡¯s what you are and I never cheated on you. I loved you with every fiber of my being. I chose you over everything, o everyone and you couldn¡¯t even ord me with just a little faith, just a little to know that I would never do this to you. Someone set me up. Framed me. And you, you didn¡¯t even blink before throwing me away.¡± I scoffed, the sound harsh and grating even to my own ears. Denial, a familiar friend, reared its ugly head. ¡°Framed? Come on, Amaya. Don¡¯t insult my i ¡°Insult your intelligence?¡± She threw her hands up in exasperation. ¡°This is your intelligence, Alex? Jumping to conclusions without even a shred of proof beyon Silence descended, thick and heavy. The usation hung in the air, a suffocating weight on my chest. My mind raced,desperately searching for a counte argument, a shred of doubt to cling to. She was lying. She had to be lying. The pictures, so vivid, so intimate ¨C they screamed betrayal. O She shook her head. ¡°A cruel joke, a calcted lie to tear us apart. And you fell for it, hook, line, and sinker but it doesn¡¯t even matter. anymore.¡± She loo alone.¡± I could only stare. There were so many words I wanted to say but everything was stuck in my throat. She stared at the a moment longer but it felt like she was staring into my soul. ¡°I wish you had fought for us. Even just a little.¡± She turned around, walking away, then as if With those final words, she walked away, her head held high. I watched her go, a cold dread settling in my stomach. The nagging feeling of a colossal m Had I thrown away the best thing in my life based on a lie? Chapter 74 -Maya¡¯s POV- The house smelled like Ivan, a mix of leather polish, wood polish, and something clean and citrusy. It was a familiar scent, safe andforting. In the yroom, the twins were already lost in their own world, glggling as they chased a runaway ball of yarn across the soft carpet. Relief washed over me lik I took a deep breath and padded down the hallway towards his study. It was a converted room, lined with bookshelves and a massive oak desk, Ivan was hunched over hisptop, his brow furrowed in concentration. The muscles in his shoulders, usually so broad and reassuring. were tight, a clock, practically carrying the weight of the entirepany on his own. A small smile tugged at my lips. Maybe a little caffeine boost would help. I peeked into the kitchen, grabbed a steaming cup of coffee I¡¯d made earlier, an Ivan¡¯s head snapped up, startled. Then, a slow smile spread across his face, crinkling the corners of his eyes in a way that always sent warmth. blooming in my chest. ¡°Hey yourself,¡± he said, his voice gruff butced with g He took the coffee carefully, bncing it precariously on hisp as he navigated his way out of his chair. Settling onto the plush armchair next to the desk, I couldn¡¯t help but steal another nce at him. He lo ¡°So,¡± I began hesitantly, ¡°how are things going with thepany?¡± He took a sip of the coffee, letting out a satisfied sigh. ¡°It¡¯s¡­ fine,¡± he said finally. It wasn¡¯t the most forting answer, but I knew him well enough to u Letting out a sigh of my own, I slumped down on the mat opposite him. ¡°I¡¯m tired of this,¡± I admitted, the words tumbling out before I could. stop them. ¡°E ¡°Awkward?¡± he supplied, his voice gentle. I looked up at him, surprised. ¡°Yeah, awkward. And I¡¯m sorry, Ivan. I just¡­¡± My voice trailed off again, the guilt bubbling up inside me. brow furrowed in He reached out, his hand hovering over mine for a moment before gently squeezing it. ¡°It was my fault, Amaya,¡± he said softly. ¡°I shouldn¡¯t have used yo The warmth in his eyes, the sincerity in his voice, melted away thest vestiges of my anger. He was right. I had let my hurt cloud my judgment, and in the process, I¡¯d pushed him away. A smile crept onto my face. ¡°Apology epted,¡± I said, my voice soft. ¡°Now, can we please get past this awkward phase? I miss your charm and everyth He grinned, a genuine, full¨C blown smile that lit up his whole face. It was a sight I hadn¡¯t seen in a white, and it sent a jolt straight to my heart. ¡°I didn¡¯t think you found me charming,¡± The tension that had been hanging heavy between us finally seemed to dissipate. I burst outughing, the sound echoing through the parkour room. ¡°Oh He watched meugh for a moment, his gaze warm and appreciative, before reaching down and shutting hisptop with a decisive click. Join Chatroom ¡°What are you doing?¡± ¡°Trying to fix the awkwardness,¡± he announced with a yful wink. Then, to my surprise, he pulled out a chessboard from a nearby drawer. Myughter redoubled. ¡°Chess? You¡¯re going to fix the awkwardness with chess I asked, disbeliefced with amusement. ¡°Why not?¡± he challenged, setting the board up on the floor between us. ¡°Besides, I think it¡¯ll be fun watching you squirm as I totally kick your ass¡± A snort ofughter escaped me. ¡°Kick my ass? Thest time I yed chess, I won three games in a row.¡± He raised an eyebrow, a yful glint in his eyes. ¡°Maybe you just got lucky that time. Besides you haven¡¯t yed with me. I¡¯m more than prepared.¡± ¡°Oh yeah? Prepared with what, some secret chess strategies you learned online?¡± I teased, taking a seat opposite him on the floor. ¡°Maybe,¡± he said with a smirk, arranging the pieces on the board with practiced ease. ¡°Now, are we ying white or ck?¡± ¡°ck, obviously,¡± I dered, reaching out to im the ck pawns. The cool touch of the ebony pieces felt strangelyforting in my hands. The game began in a tense silence, each move carefully considered. Ivan, true to his word, seemed to be employing strategic approaches. He captured ¡°There goes your lucky streak,¡± he said, a hint of triumph in his voice.. I rolled my eyes yfully. ¡°Don¡¯t get cocky yet, Ivan. The game¡¯s far from over.¡± With renewed focus, Iunched a counteroffensive, maneuvering my queen into a threatening position, Ivan furrowed his brow in concentration, his earl ¡°Nice move,¡± he conceded, stroking his chin thoughtfully. ¡°But I think I can counter that.¡± The game continued in this vein for a good hour, a delightful back¨Cand¨C forth battle of strategy and cunning. We traded pieces,unched surprise attacks, and defended our positions with a mix of determination and amuseme comfortablepanionship that felt as familiar as the worn leather armchair beside us. ¡°Checkmate,¡± I announced triumphantly, a wide grin spreading across my face as I delivered the final blow with my knight. Ivan groaned, feigning exasperation. ¡°Seriously? You won?¡± ¡°Looks like it. Maybe your secret online strategies aren¡¯t so secret after all.¡± He chuckled, shaking his head in mock defeat. ¡°Alright, alright, you win. But next time, I¡¯m definitely going to crush you.¡± N?velDrama.Org owns ? this. ¡°We¡¯ll I see about that.¡± As we began packing up the chessboard, afortable silence settled between us. It wasn¡¯t the heavy, awkward silence of before, but a peaceful quietu ¡°You know,¡± I began hesitantly, ¡°this is nice Just¡­ hanging out, ying chess.¡± We sat there for a moment longer, lost in our thoughts. The sound of the twins¡®ughter drifted in from the yroom, a gentle reminder of the life we wer ¡°Hey,¡± Ivan said softly, breaking the silence. ¡°How about we make this a regr thing? Chess night, just the two of us A warmth spread through me at the suggestion. ¡°I¡¯d like that. Maybe next time, I¡¯ll teach you a few winning strategies of my own.¡± Heughed, a rich sound that filled the room. ¡°We¡¯ll see about that, Amaya. We¡¯ll see about that.¡± With that, we both rose to our feet, the yful banter and the shared victory on the chessboard leaving a lightness in my heart that had been missing for past few days seemed to lift a little, reced by a renewed sense of hope and optimism. For a moment, we just stood there, afortable silence settlin Then, something shifted. The air seemed to crackle with a sudden, unexpected tension. I felt a blush creep up my cheeks, a warmth spreading from my ¡°Yeah, of course.¡± There was a beat of silence, then I took a step back towards the hallway. ¡°Alright, well, see youter,¡± I mumbled, feeling strangely reluctant to leave. ¡°Hey,¡± Ivan called out, his voice stopping me in my tracks. I turned back to face him, my heart pounding a little faster than usual. He hesitated for a moment, then took a tentative e step towards me. The air crackled with unspoken emotions, and I could feel a blush rising higher on m Was he going to say something? Just as I opened my mouth to speak, to maybe ask him what he was going to say, Ivan surprised me. He closed the distance between us in two long stri Then, before I could even think to react, he did somethingpletely unexpected. He cupped my face in his hands and crashed his lips on Chapter 75 -Maya¡¯s POV- ¡°You got fucked, ¡± My head snapped up, meeting Natalia¡¯s eyes sparkling with excitement. Sarah¡¯s face mirrored her enthusiasm, while Riley, behind the bar, pretended to ¡°I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about,¡± I started to say, but Natalia cut me off, nearly jumping out of her seat, ¡°Oh my Goddess, you¡¯re totally blushing! It did happen! Tell u Sarah chimed in, her brow wiggling with mischief. ¡°Was he good? How big is his¡­ you know?¡± She let out a sly giggle, and Riley chuckled, shaking her head. I kept quiet, my face burning, as Natalia grabbed my shoulders and shook me. ¡°Tell us, tell us!¡± Riley finally intervened, her voice firm but gentle. ¡°You two, leave her alone. Let her share if she wants to, otherwise, back off.¡± Natalia pouted, releasing my shoulders, but her eyes still sparkled with curiosity Natalia pouted, releasing my shoulders, but her eyes still sparkled with curiosity. ¡°Come on, Riley. She¡¯s been celibate for four years, and now she¡¯s fina Sarah chimed in, her brow still wiggling with mischief. ¡°Come on Amaya. Don¡¯t be boring. We want all the juicy details!¡± I shook my head, trying to maintain myposure. ¡°There¡¯s no tea to spill, guys. Really, it¡¯s nothing.¡± Natalia¡¯s face scrunched up in disbelief. ¡°Nothing? You¡¯re blushing like a tomato! That¡¯s not nothing! You¡¯ve been married to Ivan for months now, and we I rolled my eyes, trying to deflect. ¡°It¡¯s not a big deal, okay?¡± Natalia¡¯s eyes lit up. ¡°Ooh, so it¡¯s a big deal!¡± Riley tried to intervene again, her voice firm. ¡°Natalia, Sarah, leave her alone. She doesn¡¯t want to talk about it.¡± But Sarah brushed Riley off, her voice persistent. ¡°Just a few details, pleeease? We¡¯re your friends, and we care about you! We just want to know how y I groaned into my hands. Of all the people I could have made friends with it just had to be these two but I could feel my resolve weakening. ¡°Fine¡­ it wa now?¡± Natalia squealed, her eyes sparkling ¡°Amazing? Tell us everything!¡± Sarah chimed in, her voice full of excitement. ¡°Oh my gosh, did he use his hands? And his tongue? Did he make you scream?¡± 1 blushed deeper, trying to maintain myposure. ¡°Guys, stop. It was just sex, okay? Let¡¯s drop it.¡± But Natalia and Sarah continued hounding me, their questions and teasing relentless until I finally relented, sharing a few minor details to satisfy their cu As I spoke, my mind wandered back to that night, remembering the way Ivan¡¯s lips felt on mine, the way his hands explored my body, and the way he ma As the conversation finally died down, Riley shot me a sympathetic nce, ¡°Sorry about those two. They can be a bit much sometimes.¡± I smiled, ¡°I was the one who introduced you to them. I should be the one apologizing. They are¡­ ¡°Chaotic.¡± She finished for me with a huff of augh. Natalia and Sarah had gotten into an argument on all the better ways to enjoy sex while Riley went to attend to another customer. Natalia had invited all at the Rusty Compass where we got perch by a side and still have Riley involved. With the arguments still going on, I let my mind drift off to two nights ago, after the chess game when he had kissed me. It wasn¡¯t the first time. We kisse I froze, trying to make sense of what was happening. My mind had gone nk, unable to process the situation but then it only took a few seconds and I w When we broke apart to catch our breath, he pulled away, ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I shouldn¡¯t¨Chave- I cut him off with another kiss, ¡°I don¡¯t want you to be.¡± Fuck,¡± he swore and then went into a different direction. ¡°Are you sure?¡± I nodded. We kissed again, this time without hesitation. Ivan ran his hand through my hair, making me groan against his lips. ¡°Come with me,¡± he ordered and I followed him, not even questioning what was happening. Without a word, he led me to his bedroom and ced me on top of his bed. Then, he started unbuttoning my shirt. ¡°This has been building up for so long ¡°I want to take you slow, but I just can¡¯t,¡± he confessed, and I smiled at him, knowing what he meant. There was no way I could let him go slow. I needed ¡°Don¡¯t worry about me,¡± I told him, running my nails over his skin, driving him crazy. N?velDrama.Org owns ? this. ¡°You¡¯ve got nothing to be sorry about.¡± I whispered, hoping to calm his nerves. ¡°I want you,¡± I said, leaning forward and cing a soft, gentle kiss on his lips. ¡°Now, can we please get rid of thes faster. But my romantic reverie was abruptly interrupted by Sarah¡¯s snappy fingers in front of my face. ¡°Hello, earth to Amayal¡± she eximed, her voice piercing through my day I blinked, my eyes refocusing on the present moment, and felt my face flush with embarrassment. ¡°Sorry, what?¡± I stammered, trying to y it cool. Natalia¡¯s grin grew even wider, her eyes sparkling with mischief. ¡°It was that good, huh? You¡¯re fantasizing about it right now?¡± she teased, her voice drip My blush deepened, and I tried to protest. ¡°What? I wasn¡¯t¡­ I-¡°But my words trailed off, and I huffed, ¡°Can we just change the subject?¡± Sarah rolled her eyes, her expression yful. ¡°We already did, and we asked you a question. But you were obviously not in thend of the conscious.¡± I blushed even harder, feeling my face burn with embarrassment. ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡­ what were we talking about?¡± Natalia chuckled, her voice warm and friendly. ¡°We were just discussing our ns for the weekend, trying toe up with what to do.¡± ¡°Okayyy¡­ So what do we have so far?¡± Sarah leaned back in her chair, a thoughtful expression on her face. ¡°I was thinking maybe we could hit up that new hiking trail that just opened up.¡± Natalia nodded, her eyes lighting up. ¡°Oh, that sounds amazing! I¡¯ve been wanting to try it out. What do you think, Amaya?¡± I shrugged, considering the idea. ¡°I don¡¯t know¡­ I¡¯ve been feeling a bitzytely. But maybe a hike is just what I need to get out of the house.¡± Riley, who had been quietly observing our conversation, spoke up. ¡°I think that¡¯s a great idea. Fresh air and exercise can work wonders for the mind and Sarah nodded in agreement. ¡°Exactly! And we can make a day of it. Pack a pic lunch and enjoy the scenery.¡± Natalia threw in her suggestion. ¡°Or we could grab brunch at that new cafe that just opened up downtown. I¡¯ve been dying to try their avocado toast.¡± I chuckled. ¡°You and your avocado toast obsession, Natalia.¡± Natalia swatted me yfully. ¡°Hey, it¡¯s a great way to refuel after a hike. Don¡¯t judge me, Amaya.¡± She grinned mischievously. ¡°So, is it a n or what?¡± ¡°Of course,¡± Sarah replied, checking her phone and suddenly packing up her things. ¡°Where are you going?¡± the three of us asked in unison. Sarah chuckled. ¡°I almost forgot I have a date.¡± Natalia raised an eyebrow. ¡°So, you¡¯re ditching us for a guy?¡± Sarah shrugged. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t normally, but this guy is hot. He just got out of prison, and¡­ well, one look from him made mydy parts eager.¡± She winked I rolled my eyes at her antics. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯m not totally ditching you. I asked him toe pick me up here, and then we¡¯ll leave together.¡± She added quickly. As soon as the words left her mouth, outh, my wolf bristled in my head, and I turned my attention to what made her suddenly uneasy. Our eyes shed immediately, and I let out a groan while the tip of his lips curled up then I heard Natalia growl beside me, her eyes narrowed. ¡°What the Chapter 76 -Maya¡¯s POV- Sarah¡¯s eyes darted back and forth between Adrian and us, her brow furrowed in confusion. ¡°Hold on,¡± she finally blurted, her voiceced with concern. ¡° Before I could even consider a response, Adrian swaggered over, a sly smile stered acro his face that sent shivers down my spine. ¡°Amaya, Natalia,¡± he greeted us in a voice that oozed with false charm, ¡°What a stunning coincidence running into you lovelydies here.¡± Natalia¡¯s gaze narrowed to icy slits. Gone was the yful demeanor she¡¯d worn moments ago, reced by a steely re, ¡°Oh, cut the crap out, Adrian. A Adrian chuckled, a hollow sound devoid of any genuine humor. ¡°Following? Now, wouldn¡¯t that be a bit dramatic, Natalia?¡± He leaned back in his chair, h a predator sizing up its prey. The sight of him made a wave of nausea roll through my stomach. It wasn¡¯t just his smug expression or the way he casually inserted himself into our space. It was the memories he brought with him, a tangled mess of betrayal and anger that threatened to unravel the fragile peace I¡¯d built. It was him. T Across the counter, Riley, who¡¯d been quietly observing the scene unfold, mmed a ss down with a force that made us all jump. ¡°Uh¨C uh,¡± she said, her voice firm butced with a hint of weariness. ¡°No fighting here today. I had to pull some serious strings just to get Amaya back in after t ¡°Okay, what the hell is going on here?¡± Sarah demanded, her voice a mix of annoyance and confusion. Everything had been light and fun just moments felt thick with animosity, a stark contrast to the cheerful chatter of the other patrons. Natalia, her voice dripping with venom, spat back, ¡°What¡¯s going on is that this charming gentleman here¡± ¨C she gestured sarcastically at Adrian ¨C ¡°is an absolute jerk who¡¯s been stalking us ever since he got out of prison.¡± ¡°Stalking?¡± Adrian scoffed, throwing his hands up in mock defense. ¡°Come on now, Natalia, that¡¯s a bit of a strong word, wouldn¡¯t you say?¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t it?¡± I challenged, finally finding my voice. The anger simmering beneath the surface threatened to boil over. ¡°Exin to Sarah then, ¡°Adrian,¡± why yo Adrian¡¯s smile faltered for a moment, a flicker of annoyance crossing his features. He cleared his throat and straightened in his chair, as if trying to regainposure. ¡°Well, Amaya,¡± he began, his voice taking on a patronizing tone that eyes, ¡°let¡¯s just say I saw an opportunity to reconnect with some old friends. And besides,¡± he continued, his eyes darting towards Sarah, ¡°whoever said Natalia let out a snort of derision, a harsh sound that echoed in the small bar. ¡°Genuine interest? Please, Adrian. Spare us the act. We all know you¡¯re ju Adrian¡¯s eyes shed with anger, but he quickly schooled his expression into a mask of indifference. ¡°Is that what you truly believe? That I¡¯m incapable of genuine connection? ¡°Considering how things ended between you and me,¡± she countered, her voiceced with bitterness, ¡°I think you¡¯ve forfeited the right to y the innoce Inin Chatroom A tense silence descended upon the table, broken only by the murmur of conversations from other patrons of the bar. Sarah, still bewildered by the exchange, looked between us with a mixture of curiosity and concern, ¡°Okay,¡± she finally said, her voice breaking the silence. ¡°I clearly missed something here. What is going on? How does everyone know each other?¡± Her question hung in the air, demanding an exnation, and I knew I couldn¡¯t avoid it any longer. ¡°Adrian was Alex¡¯s best friend.¡± The words came out simply. His eyes narrowed, a dangerous glint flickering in their depths. ¡°Did you forget something else too, Amaya?¡± he spat. ¡°The reason I was in jail in the first yesterday¡¯s trash, stripped me of everything I had.¡± Silence stretched between us, thick and suffocating. He was right. Alex had stripped him of everything he had because he believed we had an affair. Som Letting out a shaky sigh, I met his gaze head¨Con. ¡°Whatever this borate n of yours is, Adrian,¡± I said, my voice low and steady, ¡°whatever you¡¯re hoping to gain by manipting Sarah, just let it go. It¡¯s not worth it.¡± He didn¡¯t answer. A sardonic smirk just grew on his face. Suddenly, Sarah let out a sharp scoff, her eyes narrowing at Adrian with a newfound intensity. ¡°Did you ask me out because you¡¯ve been following them knew I was their friend?¡± Adrian¡¯s smirk faltered for a moment, a flicker of unease crossing his features. He opened his mouth to speak, but before he could get a word out, Riley ¡°Not. Here,¡± she stated curtly, her voice leaving no room for argument. The tension in the room was palpable, a storm brewing just beneath N?velDrama.Org owns ? this. the surface. ¡°Sarah isn¡¯t going anywhere with you,¡± I finally blurted out, ¡°Just leave.¡± Adrian¡¯s smile faltered for a brief moment, a flicker of annoyance crossing his features. But it was quickly masked by a practiced indifference. ¡°And who e ¡°She can speak for herself,¡± Sarah finally growled, her voice low and dangerous. ¡°And she wants you to leave before she ws your eyes out.¡± Adrian simply smirked, a slow, infuriating twist of his lips. He seemed to revel in the difort he caused, drawing a perverse satisfaction from the chaos he¡¯d unleashed. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he turned his gaze towards ¡°How is being married to your second choice, Natalia?¡± he drawled, his voice devoid of warmth. Natalia¡¯s eyes narrowed, her jaw clenching tightly. For a moment, I thought she might lunge across the table and throttle him. But she took a deep breath ¡°Nathan is not my second choice, Adrian,¡± she finally said, her voice clipped and cold. ¡°If anyone was secondary, it was you. A sh of annoyance crossed his face at that. He clenched and unclenched his jaw, clearly struggling to maintain hisposure. ¡°That¡¯s a convenient story, Natalia,¡± he scoffed, his voiceced with a bitter edge. ¡°But we both know the truth, don¡¯t we?¡± He leaned forward, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. ¡°The truth about why things ended between us.¡± None of us said anything then. Finally, Adrian leaned back in his chair with a theatrical sigh, raising his hand in mock surrender. ¡°Alright, alright,¡± he chuckled, his voice dripping with false amusement. ¡°Since I seem to be so unwanted, I¡¯ll take my leave. No need to make a scene, is carefree chatter and oblivious patrons. ¡°Look at them,¡± he mused, a hint of bitterness creeping into his voice. ¡°So happy, oblivious, going on with their live Natalia scoffed, her arms crossed defensively. ¡°What are you going on about now?¡± He turned his gaze towards her, a flicker of something unreadable passing through his eyes before settling on me. ¡°Just an observation,¡± he replied, his v My breath hitched in my throat. Adrian¡¯s smile widened, a cruel glint dancing in his eyes. He seemed to relish the fear he saw reflected in my eyes. ¡°What do you think would happen,¡± he hissed, his voice sending a tremor through me, ¡°when people found out that Alex, wasn¡¯t quite what they seemed? truth? That their precious billionaire was a werewolf?¡± Chapter 77 -Maya¡¯s POV- I had let myself slip into normalcy. No other text had followed so I pushed it to one corner as Natalia suggested. I tried as painful as it was to move on from the fact that my father hated me if Alex was a fodi for believing it then so be it. Things were good with Ivan. I buried myself in work focusing on heading the project. It wasn¡¯t easy but avo him became a special talent. That fragile peace had shattered in a matter of seconds. My father had bombed Alex¡¯s pack house, essentially dering war. It had been downhill ever since. I watched anxiously as Ivan paced back and forth, phone pressed firmly to his ear. He kept running a hand through his hair, frustration etched on his face. He¡¯d confronted my father, but all he had received in return was a shrug and a dismissal. Things were not good. Not good at all. The different packs had coexisted peacefully amongst humans for years. Sure, there was an underlying rivalry simmering between Alex and my father, b blown war. Not since I was born, at least. This was bad. Very bad. Humans would inevitably get caught in the crossfire, and the chances of their secret b Ivan finally ended the call, and I rushed to his side. ¡°What happened?¡± I asked, concerncing my voice. He¡¯d been tirelessly trying to manage the fallout. The war wasn¡¯t something he wanted, especially considering the way my father had strong armed things with the merger. Th He let out a heavy sigh. ¡°No one¡¯s seen Alex since the bombing, and there have already been attacks. Two wolves are dead.¡± Like I said, this was not good. ¡°What do we do?¡± I pressed, ¡°We can¡¯t risk the entire world finding out. If this continues, it won¡¯t be stopped. People would not understand. They will hun ¡°Okay, okay,¡± Ivan soothed, his voice a gentle counterpoint to the storm brewing inside me. ¡°Let¡¯s take a deep breath, We can handle this.¡± ¡°Humans won¡¯t find out,¡± He continued, his voice firm yet reassuring. ¡°These things happen under the radar. We¡¯ve been living amongst them for centurie His logic was sound, but logic did little to quell the rising panic. Images of news reports, panicked crowds, and government conspiracies shed through ¡°But what if¡­?¡± My voice trailed off, the question hanging heavy in the air. ¡°There are no ¡®what ifs,¡± Ivan cut me off gently. ¡°We need to focus on stopping this before it gets any worse. And the only way to do that is to talk to Alex.¡± My heart hammered against my ribs. ¡°Alex? But¡­ nobody¡¯s seen him since the bombing. He could be anywhere.¡± ¡°He¡¯s most likely at his mansion,¡± He stated with a conviction that surprised me. ¡°Miranda wouldn¡¯t tell me, but it¡¯s the most logical ce.¡± He exined that he¡¯d already tried reaching out to Miranda, but in her usual annoying manner, she¡¯d been dismissive, offering no information about Ale I ¡°We should go together,¡± I blurted out, the words tumbling out before I could stop them. Ivan¡¯s face hardened. ¡°Absolutely not. This is between Alex and me. You stay here, safe.¡± The possessiveness in his voice surprised me, a flicker of warmth battling with the frustration bubbling inside. ¡°Safe? How can you say that when this wh ¡°Amaya, be reasonable,¡± Ivan pleaded, his voiceced with exasperation. ¡°Alex and I are on opposite sides of this. He might¡­ he might not react well to A dark look crossed his face, a fleeting glimpse of something I couldn¡¯t quite decipher. Then, just as quickly, it was gone, reced by a mask of calm. Öà ¡°Besides,¡± he continued, his voice regaining its even tone, ¡°you¡¯ll be more helpful here. You need to watch the twins now more than ever.¡± His words held some truth, but the idea of letting him go alone gnawed at me. My father and Alex had a long andplicated history, a rivalry that predated facing off, fueled by years of animosity. The thought of what Alex might do to Ivan, fueled by anger and betrayal, sent chills down my spine. ¡°No,¡± I said, my voice firm. ¡°I¡¯ming with you. You¡¯re not going to see Alex by yourself. Not after everything that¡¯s happened.¡± Ivan stared at me, his jaw clenched. The air crackled with unspoken tension, a silent battle of wills. Finally, with a sigh that seemed to carry the weight of ¡°Fine,¡± he conceded, his voice defeated. ¡°But you stay out of it. If things get heated, I¡¯ll handle it.¡± Relief washed over me, a tidal wave of emotion that threatened to pull me under. I knew it wouldn¡¯t be easy, staying on the sidelines while a potential con The drive to Alex¡¯s mansion was filled with an ufortable silence. The weight of the situation pressed down on us,suffocating any attempts at casual conversation. Every passing building, every familiar street corner, seemed to hold the potential for danger. Finally, the imposing gates of Alex¡¯s estate loomed into view. I felt a pang of nostalgia. I hadn¡¯t seen this ce since he threw me out. This has been my steering wheel. Two burly guards emerged from the booth, their faces unreadable in the dim glow of the approaching headlights. The scarier one of them spoke, ¡°Mr Thorne is not taking visitors.¡± His eyes went to me and there was a flicker of surprise in his gaze before he masked it turning back to Ivan, ¡°Leave.¡± Ivan¡¯s eyes narrowed, ¡°We are not leaving until we talk to Alex.¡± The second guard spoke this time, ¡°Mr Thorne is unavable.¡± Frustration bubbled up inside me. ¡°This is a matter of life and death. We need to see him.¡± The guard¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°Listen,dy,¡± he said, his voice dripping with condescension, ¡°you don¡¯t get to decide what¡¯s important here. Now, unless yo Anger red in my chest, hot and primal But before I could retort, Ivan ced a calming hand on my arm. 10:27 Sat, 22 Jun vo 88%Š^ ¡°Look,¡± he said, his voice calm but firm, ¡°we understand that Mr Thorne isn¡¯t in the best mood right now. But this is extremely important, it concerns the safety of both our packs.¡± Ivan unbuckled his seatbelt with a sigh, his shoulders slumped in defeat. He pushed open the car door and stepped out, his height making him tower over the two burly guards who approa Just as the scarier¨Clooking guard opened his mouth, a voice sliced through the air, cutting him off mid¨C sentence. ¡°Oh for crying out loud, can we all just drop the tough guy act?¡± We whipped our heads around to see Miranda sauntering towards us, her usual mischievous glint in her eyes amplified by the fact that she was d onl Miranda, with the grace of a cat, walked right up to us,pletely ignoring the guards. ¡°Brother,¡± she addressed ivan, her voice dripping with sarcasm, ¡°w Ivan shot her a withering look, but she simply brushed it off, turning her attention to me with a wide smile. ¡°And isn¡¯t this my favorite sister- inw?¡± My wolf bristled at the mocking tone, a growl forming deep in my throat. Before I could react, however, Miranda pivoted back to the guards, her voice hardening. ¡°Let them in,¡± shem N?velDrama.Org owns ? this. ¡°But Mr. Thome-¡± one of the guards stammered, his voice barely a whisper. Miranda¡¯s eyes narrowed, a dangerous glint recing the amusement that had been there moments ago. ¡°I said let them in,¡± she repeated, her voice low ¡°I¡¯d like to see how this little reunion ys out and-¡± she murmured, a sly smile ying on her lips. Her words were cut short by a sudden, earth¨Cshattering growl that ripped through the air. We turned at the same time to see a powerful ck wolf. Alex¡¯s wolf because my wolf was already pushing me to him, growling viciously in our direction or more specifically at Ivan and he looked like he was seconds a Chapter 78 -Maya¡¯s POV- Adrenaline surged through my veins, overriding any rational thought. Before I could even register what I was doing, I was stepping in front of Ivan, cing myself directly between him and the snarling b It felt instinctive, a primal urge to shield Ivan from whatever danger Alex posed. But my actions only seemed to make things worse. The wolf¡¯s growl inten directed solely at me. Panic wed at my throat. Would he attack me? Ivan reacted quickly, grabbing my hand and pulling me back behind him. He raised his own hand in a cating gesture, his voice calm yet firm. ¡°Alex, we The wolf didn¡¯t respond, only continued its menacing growl. It circled us slowly, its eyes glowing a fiery red in the darkness. The tension in the air was thi Just then, Miranda let out a huff of exasperation. ¡°Oh for crying out loud,¡± she drawled, her voice dripping with annoyance, ¡°just shift back already. Your w terrifying everyone.¡± A beat of silence followed. Then, with a sound like thunder, bones cracked and shifted within the massive form. A momentter, Alex stood before us in a Heat flooded my cheeks as I averted my gaze. The sight of him, so raw and exposed, was flustering. But a flicker of movement caught my eye. I stole a The awkward silence stretched on, broken only by the guards¡® coughs and nervous shuffling as they handed him clothes. Finally Miranda spoke up again, ¡°Well, it¡¯s a bit chilly out here, wouldn¡¯t you say? Shouldn¡¯t we all head inside?¡± Her attempt at lightening the mood fell t. Everyone, it seemed, was focused on Alex¡¯s simmering rage. After what felt like an eternity, Alex spoke. His v low growl, colder than the winter wind itself, ¡°What do you want?¡± Ivan let out a heavy sigh. ¡°There doesn¡¯t n¡¯t have to b to be a war. We can resolve this.¡± Alex¡¯s eyes shed with an anger so intense it took my breath away. ¡°There doesn¡¯t have to be a war?¡± he roared. He took a menacing step forward, towering over Ivan. ¡°I lost wolves, Ivan! Pack members lost their families! And you think there ¡°When I¡¯m done with Daniel Stone,¡± Alex continued, his voice cold and devoid of any warmth, ¡°he¡¯ll wish he was never even born.¡± A cold dread washed over me. The sheer hatred radiating from Alex was palpable. ¡°There won¡¯t just be a war,¡± Alex snarled, his wordsced with a horrify He didn¡¯t seem to care about the consequences, about the potential loss of innocent lives ¨C human for vengeance so deep, so all¨C epassing, that it eclipsed everything else. in or werewolf. He was consumed by a thirst Ivan¡¯s voice was surprisingly steady considering the threat hanging in the air, ¡°look, we can understand your anger. What Daniel did was unprecedented. But a war¡­ this isn¡¯t the answer. Think about the consequences. Think about the lives that will be lost, both human and werewoll.¡± Alex scoffed, a harsh, humorless sound. ¡°Consequences? Lives lost? Do you think my wolves didn¡¯t have lives? Do you think they didn¡¯t have families? T ¡°No. I don¡¯t expect that. But there are other ways. It¡¯s already brewing. More wolves are dying. Unleashing a war¡­ that will only lead to more bloodshed, The scoff that left Alex¡¯s lips was scary then he let out a humorlessugh. ¡°No. I have given him a free pass for way too long. This ends now. One way or ¡°And what about the humans?¡± I finally spoke up, my voice barely a whisper. ¡°If this war spills over, they¡¯ll find out.They¡¯ll find out about us, about everything. It will be chaos.¡± Alex turned his head slightly, his gaze flickering to me for a brief moment before darting away. His eyes were cold, devoid of any warmth or recognition. I ¡°Let them find out. Let the world burn. Maybe then, just maybe, something will finally change.¡± A wave of despair washed over me. It was like talking to a brick wall. Alex was consumed by his rage, his desire for vengeance. Logic, reason, the poten none of it seemed to matter to him anymore. ¡°That¡¯s not the answer, Alex,¡± Ivan cut in, his voiceced with a hint of desperation. ¡°Think about your pack. Think about what they would want. They wou chaos.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t tell me what my pack wants!¡± Alex roared, his voice raw with emotion. ¡°I have lost wolves and many lost families. They want blood. They crave it a A tense silence followed. Miranda, who had been unusually quiet throughout the entire exchange, finally cleared her throat. ¡°Look,¡± her voice wasced with a weariness that belied her usual cunning demeanor, ¡°can we all just take a step back for a second? Maybe a good nigh Alex ignored herpletely. His gaze remained fixed on Ivan, his eyes burning with an icy fury. This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Maybe, his voice low and dangerous, ¡°you shouldn¡¯t have merged with a bastard in the first ce, Ivan. Maybe then, your pack wouldn¡¯t be on the wron rin The words were like a punch to the gut. The anger in Alex¡¯s voice wasn¡¯t just directed at my father; it was directed at Ivan,at me, at our entire pack. It wa For a moment, it felt like we were on the precipice of another confrontation. But then, with a defeated sigh, Ivan raised his hands in a cating gesture. ¡°We didn¡¯te here to fight. We came here to talk, to try and find a peaceful solution. But if you¡¯re not willing to listen¡­¡± He trailed off, leaving the sentence unfinished/We stood there for a beat longer, the weight of the situation hanging heavy in the air. I stood there, staring at Alex, and suddenly it felt like everything that had happened in the past few months didn¡¯t matter. He had reverted back to his default setting, the cold, heartless version of himself I remembered from when he threw me out. L I nced at Ivan, then shaking my head with a defeated sigh, I sighed, ¡°Let¡¯s just go. There¡¯s no point in being here anymore. He¡¯s not going to change his mind, It¡¯s not worth it.¡± My words seemed to have the opposite effect of what I intended. Alex¡¯s entire body tensed, and his gaze narrowed on me but I met his gaze head¨C on this time. We all just stood there. It like an eternity before Ivan finally reacted, stepping forward and pulling me towards him. The movement seemed to aggravate Alex further. His jaw clenched, and a growl rumbled deep in his chest. Ivan pulled me towards the car, ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± I broke the staring battle then pushed my body to move, following Ivan¡¯s lead to the car, then as if Ivan remembered, he turned back, ¡°Whatever happens Alex didn¡¯t even blink. His eyes were fixed on me, his face an emotionless mask. It was as if Ivan¡¯s words hadn¡¯t prated at all. Miranda snapped out whatever spirit of goodness might havee upon her and then waved us off with mock cheer, ¡°Well it was really nice seeing you.¡± We both ignored her but just as I was about to step into the car, Alex called my name. The sound of my nameing from his lips stopped my every mo end. Slowly, I turned to face him. His expression was unreadable, a cold mask that gave away nothing of his thoughts. ¡°What?¡± I managed to choke out. He stared at me for a long, tense moment, his cold eyes boring into mine. ¡°I have let it go many times because of you. But he has gone too far this time.¡± A pause followed before ice cut in for his final words, ¡°Say your goodbyes, Amaya, because you won¡¯t have Chapter 79 -Alex¡¯s POV- The m of the car door echoed in the tense silence, a punctuation mark to the infuriating exchange that had just transpired. Amaya and Ivan were gone, their taillights disappearing into the night like a fading dream. My fists clenched, ws digging into my p of the bombing boiled over, a primal rage that threatened to consume me whole. ¡°That was intense,¡± Miranda drawled, her voice dripping with her usual brand of morbid amusement as she followed me back into the house. Lignored her. Every muscle in my body felt coiled tight, ready to spring. ¡°So,¡± She continued, her voiceced with a sly curiosity, ¡°care to share what that My jaw clenched tighter. ¡°Leave me alone, Miranda.¡± Her smile faltered for a brief moment, a flicker of genuine worry recing the usual mischief in her eyes. But it was fleeting. She recovered quickly, her li I scoffed. Fianc¨¦e. The only thing that wore was a title. I would keep her long enough to fuck her senseless because that was the only thing we could agree on but I¡¯d never marry her. We would bepanions perhaps forever in our shared loneliness and hate. Pushing past the pang of anger, I focused on the present. ¡°This has nothing to do with you, Miranda. Stay out of it.¡± ¡°Oh, but it does,¡± she countered, her voice losing its yful edge. ¡°You¡¯re about to dere war on my brother¡¯s pack, and for all I know this might be a wa I snapped. The simmering rage I¡¯d been holding in check finally erupted. ¡°Shut your mouth!¡± I roared, my voiceced with a dangerous edge. ¡°This isn¡¯t a Miranda flinched at my outburst, but to her credit, she didn¡¯t back down. She squared her shoulders, her gaze meeting mine defiantly. ¡°How do you n to strike back, then? With a bunch of angry speeches and brooding stares? Becausest I checked, a war is won with more than just righteous fury.¡± Tignored her barb. My mind was already racing, formting a n. The bomb had been a calcted move, a brutal disy of dominance meant to intim pack. The first order of business: intel. I needed to know everything about Stone¡¯s defenses, his pack¡¯s movements, his whereabouts. Every detail, every chink his armor, would be exploited. Vargas would be useful here. Despite his annoying self¨C importance, he possessed a cunning mind and awork of informants that could prove invaluable. Once I had a clear picture, then came the strike. It wouldn¡¯t be a frontal assault, a bloody sh of fangs and ws. No, that was a game expected, a gam would be swift, surgical, a strike that would cripple his power base and leave him vulnerable even though all my wolf wanted to do was tear him to pieces ¡°I have a n,¡± I finally growled, the wordsced with a steely resolve. StoneN?velDrama.Org is the owner. She raised an eyebrow, a hint of skepticismy flickering in her eyes. ¡°Oh really? And what exactly is this brilliant n of yours? Because it has been three days since the bombing and all you have done is shift, growl and growl more.¡± I smirked, a cold and predatory smile that sent shivers down her spine, even I could tell. ¡°Let¡¯s just say Daniel Stone will be receiving a little¡­ surprise. A The details of the n remained unsaid, a secret weapon I wouldn¡¯t reveal until the moment of execution. But the image of the devastation I would unleash on Stone¡¯s territory, the fear it would instill in his pack, brought a s ¡°This isn¡¯t going to end well, Alex,¡± She said, her voice softer now,ced with a hint of concern. ¡°There will be casualties on both sides.¡°¡± Her tone caught me off guard for a moment, like she actually cared about what would happen. I knew she was right. War was a brutal game with no winners, only survivors. But the thought of backing down, of letting Stone get away with his attack, was unthinkable. It wasn¡¯t just about rev ¡°There will be casualties,¡± I acknowledged, my voice low and gravelly. ¡°But if I don¡¯t act, there will be more. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but St this is about protecting my pack.¡± She studied me for a long moment, her eyes searching mine and I almost backed away from the intensity of her gaze. She looked normal, not like the m actually capable of caring. ¡°Alright,¡± she finally said, a sigh escaping her lips. ¡°I have always loved an interesting battle. I live for drama and chaos. You know that even though it¡¯s going to be against my brother who has been n to find me.¡± My surprise must have shown on my face because she barked out augh, a humorless sound thatcked its usual falseness. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I am still goi shade at your ex love. Just¡­ try not to get yourself killed, alright?¡± A reluctant smile tugged at the corner of my lips. For the first time, it felt like we were capable of having a normal conversation, ¡°I¡¯ll do my best.¡± We stood there in silence for a moment, the weight of the situation hanging heavy in the air. The tension slowly eased, reced by a fragile understandin don¡¯t burn the whole damn forest down, okay?¡± With a final pointed look, she turned and headed towards her room. I watched her go, a knot of unase tightening in my stomach, Whatever the hell had just happened between us sent a wave of dread washing throu more. I let out a sigh then picked up my keys heading back out of the house, the cool night air filling my lungs. I was logical on most days. It was why I preferre My werewolf side made me want tosh out, draw blood and kill everything in my path. It was the way my father raised me, violence the first answer, not learned habit. This wasn¡¯t just some brawl, this was a war. Daniel Stone would expect me to charge in, fangs bared, but I wasn¡¯t just a mindless beast. T Sliding into the car, I mmed the door and roared the engine to life. Vargas and I were on shaky ground but a truce had been forged in the face of a big then¡­ boom. The smile widened, I hadn¡¯t built it to kill, just to send a message. A loud, clear message. Turning the wheel, I pointed the car towards the facility. It was t he started all those years ago when the war with Stone first began. I would embrace the monster my father had tried to create, the monster I¡¯d spent years fighting and then¡­I was going to kill Daniel Stone. 10:28 Sat, 27¨CJun Chapter 80 -Maya¡¯s POV- The roar of the engine was a dull thrum against the deafening words in my head. Images shed behind my eyelids ¨C Alex¡¯s enraged face, the glowing red of his wolf¡¯s eyes, the chilling finality in his voice as he threatened my father¡¯s life. Each horrifying detail reyed o Ivan drove in a tense silence, his jaw clenched tight, knuckles white on the steering wheel, My attempts to process the events of the evening felt futile. It was like trying to gras the conversation with Alex had devolved into a chaotic mess. ¡°It¡¯ll be okay,¡± Ivan let through a breath, his voice low and gruff. But the words rang hollow, offering littlefort in the face of the impending storm. I scoffed, a humorless sound escaping my lips. ¡°Okay? How can you possibly say that will be okay? He threatened to kill my father!¡± I mean I was thest person who cared about him at this very moment but that didn¡¯t mean I would be happy to see Alex kill him. Well maybe yes it would be nice to not have to deal with him permanently but this wa He sighed, a heavy sound that spoke volumes of his own internal turmoil. ¡°He¡¯s angry. Right now, logic isn¡¯t exactly his strong suit. But once he cools dow ¡°He won¡¯t cool down, Ivan,¡± I interrupted, my voice rising a notch. ¡°Don¡¯t you see? He¡¯s gone too far. He¡¯s consumed by rage.¡± A muscle ticked in his jaw. ¡°Maybe. But we can¡¯t give up hope. We need to find a way to reason with him.¡± ¡°How?¡± I challenged, my voiceced with despair. ¡°We tried talking, and it got us nowhere. He doesn¡¯t care about the consequences, about the potential Silence descended again, heavy and suffocating. The car sped down the deserted highway, the headlights cutting through the inky ckness like a knife ¡°I¡¯ve seen that look on his face before,¡± I whispered, the memory sending a fresh wave of chills down my spine. ¡°Right before he threw me out. That cold Ivan finally turned his head towards me, his brow furrowed in concern, ¡°What do you mean?¡± I hesitated, unsure if I wanted to relive the pain of that night. But the weight of the situation demanded honesty. ¡°He came home, didn¡¯t say anything, just l cared about, had just¡­ disappeared.¡± A flicker of pain crossed Ivan¡¯s face, a fleeting emotion quickly masked by a stoic demeanor. I knew it must hurt him fearing about us and I really wish I d ¡°He was angry,¡± he whispered softly. ¡°We all say things we don¡¯t mean in the heat of the moment.¡± ¡°Maybe,¡± I conceded, the memory still raw. ¡°But that night, it felt different. It felt like a wall had gone up between us, a wall that I couldn¡¯t tear down. And now, seeing him again¡­ he doesn¡¯t care, it¡¯s like an off humanity switch.¡± Ivan reached out and squeezed my hand gently. The gesture, small as it was, offered a much¨Cneeded anchor in the storm even though I couldn¡¯t imagine how it felt for him with me talking about this. ¡°We¡¯ll figure this out, Amaya. Together. There has to be a way to stop him. ¡°What if there isn¡¯t?¡± The question hung heavy in the air, a stark reminder of the precarious situation we were in. ¡°What if he¡¯s truly lost himself in this quest for vengeance? What happens then?¡± Ivan didn¡¯t answer for a long moment, the silence stretching between us like a taut rope. When he finally spoke, his voice wasced with a weariness that mirrored my own. ¡°Then we do what we have to,¡± he said finally, ¡°We protect our pack. We protect our families. Even if it means¡­¡± He trailed off, the unspoken words han Even if it meant fighting against Alex. The thought was a bitter pill to swallow. But the image of his rage¨C filled face, the chilling threat hanging in the air, chipped away at my loyalty. ¡°I can¡¯t believe it¡¯se to this,¡± I murmured, the words catching in my throat. ¡°It feels so¡­ wrong.¡± ¡°It is,¡± Ivan agreed, his voice heavy with regret. ¡°But sometimes, the right thing isn¡¯t always the easiest thing. There are sacrifices to be made, lines that have to be crossed.¡± My stomach churned with a cocktail of emotions¨C fear, anger, and a deep, gnawing sense of betrayal. I shouldn¡¯t feel this way. Everything that had gone wrong was because of him so why didn¡¯t it feel lik ¡°I know. That¡¯s why we need toe up with a n. We need to find a way to stop Alex before things get out of control¡± A tense silence settled between us once more. The rhythmic hum of the engine was the only sound that broke the stillness. My mind raced, searching fo Suddenly, the quiet was shattered by the sharp ring of Ivan¡¯s phone. He fumbled for it in his pocket, his face grim even before he saw the caller ID. With a deep breath, he answered, his voice tight. ¡°Hello?¡± A tense silence followed, broken only by murmurs on the other end. Ivan¡¯s face drained of color, his jaw clenching with each passing second. He listened intently, his body rigid with unspoken fear, Finally He ended the call with a trembling hand, his eyes filled with a haunted emptiness. The phone ttered to the console, a hollow sound that echoed in the ¡°What happened?¡± He let out a tired sigh, ¡°There was an explosion.¡°. My breath hitched. ¡°Another explosion?¡± Where? Is everyone okay?¡± ¡°It was¡­ outside your, father¡¯spany.¡± My blood ran cold. ¡°My father¡¯spany?¡± ¡°His car¡­They said it blew up. He was in it.¡± The world seemed to tilt on its axis. The air whooshed out of my lungs, leaving me breathless then a horrifying scream ripped from that tore through the my throat 10:20 581, 22 Jun shrieked again, my voice raw with a pain so profound it felt like it would shatter me. Ivan reacted instantly, his grip tightening on my hand. ¡°Amaya, calm down.¡± But his words were like whispers lost in a hurricane. My father. Dead. The thought hammered against my skull, a relentless assault that threatened to co threatened to drown me. ¡°Take me there, Ivan,¡± I rasped, my voice hoarse from screaming. ¡°Now!¡± I hated him, sure, but I never wished for him to be gone. Maybe he could have just told me he hated me, it would have been easier to swallow than this. He didn¡¯t argue. He whipped the car around in a tight turn, the screech of tires a harsh counterpoint to the silent scream tearing through me. With every p The closer we got, the brighter the scene became. shing red and blue lights cut through the darkness, painting the street in an eerie glow. A crowd ha The car screeched to a halt, and I was out the door before it even came to aplete stop. Ignoring Ivan¡¯s frantic calls, I weaved through the bewildered Gasping for air, my feet finally came to a halt. There, sprawled on a scorched patch of asphalt, I saw his burnt bodyying on the stretcher. My stomach This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org. listened with my wolf senses but there was nothing. No heartbeat. My father was dead. # Chapter 81 -Maya¡¯s POV- A strong grip mped onto my arm from behind, yanking me back just as I lunged forward. It was van. Dread washed over me for a moment, but then I s Alive I blinked, confused. The dead body on the stretcher, covered in a white sheet, sent a jolt through me. My wolf senses had failed me Shame burned in my throat, acrid and hot. I had assumed wrong. Whoever was on the stretcher must have been someone else. I immediately wanted to nk he didn¡¯t love me, yet here I was, ready to run to him again. Ivan¡¯s grip tightened on my arm and I turned to face the stern expression on his face. ¡°Don¡¯t. You know how this ends. It¡¯s been a long night, let¡¯s just ge I turned back to see my father¡¯s scowl deepening deep in conversation with someone nearby. Ivan sighed, a soundced with frustration. ¡°Come on.¡± His grip firm as he began to lead me away. We walked in a tense silence, the image of my father, alive but uncaring, heavy on my mind. We were almost ¡°Ivan!¡± We both turned to see a man approaching, his face etched with concern. He spoke quickly, his words tumbling over each other. ¡°We need to talk strategy Ivan¡¯s jaw clenched tight. He let out a frustrated huff. ¡°Look, I appreciate youing by, but this isn¡¯t the time. We¡¯ve had a rough night.¡± He cast me a sidelong nce, his expression unreadable. ¡°Besides,¡± he continued, his voice hardening, ¡°this whole mess wouldn¡¯t have happened if som With that, he pulled me to continue walking until we got to the car. I hadn¡¯t noticed my father approaching because my back was turned to him but his vo Ivan¡¯s eyes shed with anger. ¡°Don¡¯t you dare try to turn this on Alex! Your reckless actions are what put Maya and everyone else in danger. 1 formed th My father¡¯s shrug was like a dismissal, ¡°He started it,¡± he said, his voice gruff. ¡°You forgetting the whole wedding thing already? The bomb? Then he goe company, throws me in jail like some criminal. What the hell did you expect me to do? Just lie down and let him walk all over me?¡± ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org . His swords held anger, sure, but there was something else there too. A coldness that made me shiver, Ivan¡¯s jaw clenched so tight I swear I heard his teeth grinding. ¡°There¡¯s a difference, Daniel, between getting even and starting a full¨Cblown warl¡± he yelled, his voice shaking with barely contained rage. ¡°You could have done things differently! Instead, you go behind everyone¡¯s back and bomb his meeting? Now people are dead, Maya¡¯s a wreck, and the whole damn city¡¯s on the verge of exploding!¡± My father scoffed. ¡°War doesn¡¯t care about hurt feelings, Ivan. Alex lit the fire, now someone¡¯s gotta put it out for good.¡± ¡°By starting another, bigger fire?¡± Ivan shot back, disbelief dripping from his voice. ¡°There¡¯s a way out of this, Daniel. We can find a way to settle things th ¡°And what¡¯s your brilliant n, huh?¡± My father challenged, his voiceced with a dangerous edge. ¡°Just sit back and let him walk all over us? Let him ta His gaze flickered to me for a brief moment, but there was no warmth in his eyes. Just a steely glint of determination. ¡°This isn¡¯t just about you anymore, Daniel,¡± Ivan said, his voice low and dangerous. ¡°You dragged all of us into this. These are our people you¡¯re putting at risk. My they¡¯re the ones getting caught in the crossfire.¡± ¡°They¡¯re my wolves now too, aren¡¯t they?¡± My father countered, his voice dripping with a smugness that made me want to punch him. ¡°That¡¯s the whole p He gestured towards the body on the stretcher, its form covered by a white sheet. A cold dread filled my gut as I realized what he was implying. ¡°This is what happens in war, Ivan,¡± my father said with a shrug. ¡°There are casualties. You gonna cry about every single one?¡± My stomach churned. This wasn¡¯t some game, some movie where the hero could just walk away. Lives were being lost, families were being torn apart, a Ivan stared at my father, his eyes burning with a mix of anger and something else ¨C maybe even a flicker of sadness. ¡°I need to take Amaya home. We¡¯ll talk about thister. But one thing¡¯s for sure this ends now. No more attacks, no mo another way, or this alliance is over.¡± My father opened his mouth to retort, but Ivan cut him off with a sharp gesture. ¡°Don¡¯t even think about it,¡± he growled. ¡°This isn¡¯t about your pride or you way.¡± My father scoffed again, a harsh sound that scraped against my ears. ¡°Threats, Ivan? You think that scares me? Alex started this fight, and I¡¯ll be damne ¡°Strength isn¡¯t about reckless attacks, Daniel,¡± Ivan countered, his voice tight with controlled fury. ¡°It¡¯s about strategy, about finding a way to win without s ¡°He already had a weapon,¡± my father shot back, his voiceced with a dangerous glint. ¡°He used it on me, on mypany. He doesn¡¯t y fair, and ne to stop this The tension between them was thick enough to choke on. My heart hammered against my ribs.l wanted to scream, to beg them to stop madn ¡°There has to be another way,¡± Ivan pleaded, his voice softening slightly. ¡°The council, negotiations, anything. We can¡¯t just keep throwing fire at each ot You can¡¯t re reason with a snake.You My father let out a humorless chuckle. ¡°Negotiations? With Alex? The man¡¯s a snake. Just like his father. You just gotta crush it before it bites you. It¡¯s th 10-20 Sat, 22 Jun 88%•þ ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter whose fault it is anymore!¡± Ivan yelled, his voice hoarse. ¡°What matters is that we find a way to stop it!We can¡¯t keep going down this p They locked eyes, a silent battle of wills raging between them. The air crackled with tension, and I felt a cold sweat prickle my skin. A beat of silence stretched between them, heavy and suffocating. Then, my father spoke, his voice low and dangerous. ¡°I won¡¯t back down. Not until Alex Ivan stared at him for a long moment, his face a mask of disappointment and anger. Finally, he seemed to dete, the fight draining out of him. He turned ¡°Enough of this,¡± he said, his voice gruff but gentle. ¡°Let¡¯s just go home.¡± He reached out and took my hand, his grip firm butforting. As he pulled me away from my father, I stole a final nce back. His face was an unread He led me towards the car, and I didn¡¯t resist. I was drained, both physically and emotionally. All I wanted was to escape the suffocating tension, to find a As we climbed into the car, I turned to Ivan, a question burning on my lips. ¡°What are we going to do?¡± Ivan met my gaze, his eyes filled with a deep sadness. ¡°I don¡¯t know, Maya,¡± he admitted. ¡°But they are not going to stop. I¡¯m afraid I can¡¯t stop a war that has already began.¡± Chapter 82 -Alex¡¯s POV- I stood at the entrance of the facility waiting for them to prepare him to be seen. I knew once I stepped into that room and asked for his help. there would -Three days earlier- The news crackled over and over in my head, and I couldn¡¯t stop grinding my teeth in anger. Land im. Mynd. The territory that had been in my pack¡¯s possession for generations, the one bordering his damn forest, was now apparently ¡°up for grabs¡± ording to My fingers tightened around the phone, the stic digging into my palm. This wasn¡¯t some corporate takeover, some hostile bid I could counter withwy and financial maneuvering. This was a primal challenge, and grab rooted in the oldest werewolf traditions. I¡¯d tried the civilized route, the boardroom b ¡°Mr. Thorne?¡± The voice on the other end of the phone, my secretary Ruth¡¯s, cut through the haze of anger clouding my mind. ¡°Are you still there?¡± ¡°I am,¡± I forced out, my voice tight. ¡°Cancel all my meetings for the rest of the day and tomorrow.¡± The silence on the other end stretched for a beat before Ruth spoke again, her voiceced with concern. ¡°Mr. Thorne, are you sure? You have a very important presentation tomorrow with the Miller Group.¡± N?velDrama.Org owns ? this. ¡°Cancel it.¡± I repeated, my tone leaving no room for argument. ¡°Everything. I need to handle something¡­ urgent.¡± There was another pause, then a sigh. ¡°Very well, sir, Will you be back in the office today?¡± I nced out the expansive window of my office. The city skyline shimmered under the soft glow of dusk, the construction that seemed to follow me ever at the pack and I hadn¡¯t stopped thinking about it. The more I did, the more I forced myself to believe that I had made no mistake because if the truth was that they were indeed fabricated then my whole world would be ruined. ¡°No. I won¡¯t be back today.¡± Pushing back from my desk, I grabbed my coat. Stepping out of my office, I found myself drawn towards the renovation zone. The entrance was blocked With a sigh, so turned around and left. The news of Daniel Stone¡¯snd grab hung heavy in the air. No more dys. No more corporate niceties. It was t With a final nce at the construction zone, I turned and headed towards the elevators. The battle was on, and this time, I was not going to suppress my 1:|:??? The city air clung to me, heavy and stale even after the ten¨Cminute drive. Moonlight sliced through the gaps in the old Victorian house¡¯s overgrown hedges, illuminating faces gathered around a crackling fire pit in the backyard. It wasn¡¯t their usual hangout ¨C most nights were spent in their own apartments, plugged into the digital world. But tonight, the vibe was different. Noughter, no takeout boxes scattere Join Chatroom around. Just worried faces flickering in the firelight. They weren¡¯t expecting me. Pack meetings these days were a sterile exchange of texts and video calls, a far cry from the old days of smoky dens and fa to¨Cface meetings. Something that imitated me more than anything else in the world. Being Alpha wasn¡¯t a job description 1 ever signed up for, but some nights, the responsibility mmed into you harder than a car door, And tonight was one of those nights. I had sent out word asking everyone within the city to be present at the pack house. Some wolves still liked to embrace the old ways, living amongst them I scanned the faces searching for two people specifically, the most likely to undermine my authority but Vargas and Raze were seated amongst the high ranking members of the pack. Clearing my throat, I forced myself to focus on the task at hand. ¡°Alright everyone,¡± I began, my voice cutting through the tense silence. ¡°Thanks foring here on such short notice. You all Murmurs rippled through the pack, a low growl echoing from the side. I recognized the source ¨C Vargas.. His smug smirk ignited a fresh wave of anger within me. ¡°But tonight,¡± I continued, my voice rising a notch, ¡°I have news of a different kind. News that should concern us all.¡± I paused, letting the silence stretch f im to a portion of our bordends.¡± A collective gasp escaped the pack. ¡°This,¡± I stated, my voice firm, ¡°is uneptable. Thisnd has been ours for generations. Stone¡¯s im is baseless and reeks of opportunism.¡± A low growl rumbled through the pack, a chorus of agreement. Good. The anger was raw, the need to defend what was rightfully theirs burning bright in t could boil over, Vargas voice cut through, ¡°Perhaps,¡± he drawled, his voiceced with a smugness that grated on my nerves, ¡°this could have been avoid He didn¡¯t need to say my name but it was implied and wanted everyone to know that he hade to me with the way his eyes danced around. I chose t A ripple of agreement ran through a section of the pack, mostly the younger wolves who craved battle glory, pressure was immense. My wolf stirred within me, its primal instincts urging me to meet force with force. the thrill of the hunt. The 1. pl. assess our ¡°We will not surrender what¡¯s rightfully ours,¡± I dered, ¡°But we will not be provoked into a reckless fight. We¡¯ll gather intel, options, and strike when the time is right but if they do much as make another y, th My words were met with a mixture of growls and nods. One of the high ranking members stepped forward, her gaze steady. ¡°We trust your judgment, Alp A smug smile graced my lips when I saw Vargas¡® re and then suddenly, the clearing was bathed in an eerie red light. A high¨C pitched beeping sound filled the air, growing louder by the second and before I could react, a deafening explosion ripped through the night. The force of the st sent me flying backward. My head mmed against the rough bark of a nearby tree, stars exploding behind my eyes. A ringing fille my ears, drowning out the screams and howls around me. vision. The once lively clearing was now a scene of utter chaos. Gasps and whimpers filled Disoriented, I blinked away the spots clouding my the air, a h burnt flesh and gunpowder hung heavy in the air. My wolf surged to the surface and a primal growl ripped from my throat, a sound raw with rage and despair. Men were trying to protect the women while some were shifting to heal. It was a sea of chaos. Dazed and injured, I scrambled to had a look of agreement. There was no second guessing who was responsible for this. I looked around the bleeding bodies and my wolf let out an angry growl in my head. I had let it slide over. No more corporate battles. It was a werewolf fight and as of this moment¡­ We were at war. Chapter 83 -Alex¡¯s POV- e way. Damon Thorne was a force of nature. He wasn¡¯t just powerful, he used that power to make people scared. He wanted me to be the same but I never wanted that. Not for a second. After my mom died, it was like living in a constant nightmare. I was young, but knew I had to ge So, I ran, Iran as far as I could, burying myself in work, in building apany, in the normalcy of the human world. It was a constant battle, though. Every full moo Five years. It took five years to reach my first real milestone, a multi¨C million dor deal. It should have felt amazing, but all I could think about was the news that hit right after. Damon Thorne was sick. Very sick. There wasn¡¯t an ounce of pity in me. He was Damon Thorne. He didn¡¯t deserve sympathy. Not after what he did to my mom. Not after everything else. H the money in the world, but even that couldn¡¯t buy him a cure. The only thing keeping him alive was this special facility, a ce designed to slow down w I¡¯d only seen him five times since he ended up there. Each visit was the same. A tense walk through sterile hallways, the constant beeping of machines i force on me.. But no more. A voice broke the silence, a nurse I vaguely recognized. ¡°Mr. Thorne. He¡¯s ready for you.¡± I took a deep breath, the sterile smell of the facility filling my lungs. It wasn¡¯t a pleasant ce, but for the first time, I wasn¡¯t there out of obligation. I was The double doors at the end of the hall slid open with a hiss, revealing a sterile room bathed in a soft, artificial light. My fathery in a bed, a tangle of tub For a moment, I just stood there, watching him. Part of me wanted to turn and walk away, to leave him to rot in his self¨C made prison. But another part, a primal instinct I couldn¡¯t ignore, urged me closer. I took a step forward, the sterile floor tiles squeaking under my shoes. He stirred at the sound, his eyelids fluttering open. It took him a moment to focus, his gaze hazy and unseeing for a beat beforending on 1. me. ¡°Alex,¡± he rasped, his voice weak and barely audible. ¡°You came A weird mix of emotions bubbled up inside me as I stared at him. Here he was, a broken shell of the powerful, terrifying man who used to control every a The silence stretched, thick and heavy. We just stared at each other, two strangers bound by blood and a twisted history. Finally, I broke the tension. 10:28 Sat, zz Jun ¡°Last time I saw you,¡± I started, my voice low and controlled, ¡°you were all about striking first. Protect your legacy and the legacy of the pack.¡± The words hung in the air for a moment, then something shifted in him. It was like watching a deted balloon slowly regain some air. A flicker of life retu ¡°I have been informed about the bomb,¡± he rasped out, his voice weak but surprisingly steady. I almost snorted. Of course he had been. Even here, hook I gave a curt nod, acknowledging the obvious. ¡°Daniel used the power of the merger to hit us hard. I tried to take him down the corporate way, but now¡­ A predatory glint entered his cloudy eyes, a flicker of the old Damon Thorne momentarily breaking through the haze of illness. ¡°Now you need my help,¡± cracked lips. ¡°You need to learn how to be a force to be reckoned with in the werewolf world. You¡¯ve finallye to your senses and decided to take me I didn¡¯t answer him right away. The part of me that still hated him, the part that yearned for independence from his shadow, balked at the idea of needing his help. But another, more pragmatic part, knew he was right. He might b So, I swallowed my pride and met his gaze head¨C on. ¡°Maybe,¡± I conceded, the word tasting bitter on my tongue. ¡°Maybe you can teach this ¡®corporate wolf a thing or two about the real world.¡± A genuine smile, devoid of malice for the first time in my memory, spread across his face. It was a weak smile, the smile of a dying man, but it held a hint ¡°I didn¡¯te here for one¨Con¨Cone werewolf lessons,¡± I snapped. ¡°I already had a bomb nted in Stone¡¯s car. The n wasn¡¯t to kill him quickly ¨C he¡¯ll suffer a slow and agonizing death at my hands, mark my words. What I need from you is how to cripple his pack, to weaken it from the inside out.¡± A harshugh escaped my father¡¯s lips. It was unsteady, weak, but it held a disturbing edge of amusement. ¡°Maybe I already taught you more than you realize, Alex. You weaken a pack by striking at its strongest link. Once the alpha is broken, the rest will crumb I red at him, my anger simmering. ¡°So what am I doing here then? If the bomb works, the fear will do the rest. What good is your outdated. pack warfa I started to stand up but before I could take a step, a violent coughing fit seized him. He doubled over, his frail body wracked with spasms, his face conto Despite my anger, a sliver of something akin to pity stirred within me. Moving on autopilot, I grabbed the ss of water resting on the bedside table and I watched him, a strange mix of emotions swirling within me. When the coughing finally subsided, he slumped back against the pillows, his breaths shallo mes from ¡°Sit down, Alex. There¡¯s more to this than just fear. Fear can be a powerful weapon, but it¡¯s a fleeting one. True victoryes understanding y 10.20 BUT ¡°Last time I saw you,¡± i started, my voice low and controlled, ¡°you were all about striking first. Protect your legacy and the legacy of the pack¡± The words hung in the air for a moment, then something shifted in him. It was like watching a deted balloon slowly regain some air. A flicker of life retu ¡°I have been informed about the bomb,¡± he rasped out, his voice weak but surprisingly steady. I almost snorted. Of course he had been. Even here, hook I gave a curt nod, acknowledging the obvious. ¡°Daniel used the power of the merger to hit us hard. I tried to take him down the corporate way, but now¡­ unspoken words hang heavy in the air. A predatory glint entered his cloudy eyes, a flicker of the old Damon Thorne momentarily breaking through the haze of illness. ¡°Now you need my help,¡± I didn¡¯t answer him right away. The part of me that still hated him, the part that yearned for independence from his shadow, balked at the idea of needing his help. But another, more pragma monster, a twisted caricature of a father, but he was also the alpha of the Nightshade pack for decades. He had built alliances, waged wars, and ruled w So, I swallowed my pride and met his gaze head¨C on. ¡°Maybe,¡± I conceded, the word tasting bitter on my tongue. ¡°Maybe you can teach this ¡®corporate wolf¡± a thing or two about the real world.¡± A genuine smile, devoid of malice for the first time in my memory, spread across his face. It was a weak smile, the smile of a dying man, but it held a hint ¡°I didn¡¯te here for one¨Con¨Cone werewolf lessons,¡± I snapped. ¡°I already had a bomb nted in Stone¡¯s car. The n wasn¡¯t to kill him quickly¨C he¡¯ll suffer a slow and agonizing death at my hands, mark my words. What I need from you is how to cripple his pack, to weaken it from the inside out.¡± A harshugh escaped my father¡¯s lips. It was unsteady, weak, but it held a disturbing edge of amusement. ¡°Maybe I already taught you more than you realize, Alex. You weaken a pack by striking at its strongest link. Once the alpha is broken, the rest will crumb ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org . I red at him, my anger simmering. ¡°So what am I doing here then? If the bomb works, the fear will do the rest. What good is your outdated pack warfa I started to stand up but before I could take a step, a violent coughing fit seized him. He doubled over, his frail body wracked with spasms, face contorted Despite my anger, a sliver of something akin to pity stirred within me. Moving on autopilot, I grabbed the ss of water resting on the bedside table and I watched him, a strange mix of emotions swirling within me. When the coughing finally subsided, he slumped back against the pillows, his breaths shallo ¡°Sit down, Alex. There¡¯s more to this than just fear. Fear can be a powerful weapon, but it¡¯s a fleeting one. True victoryes from understanding your e his TU:28 Sat, 22 Juni 88%%% There was a pause, a beat of silence filled only by the beeping of the machines monitoring his failing body. ¡°Stone may be an arrogant fool,¡± he continue ¡°So tell me everything there is to know.¡± My father nodded, sitting up straighter and a dark gleam crossed his eyes, ¡°But first, there is something you need to know about the rivalry. How it started and what I took from him.¡± Chapter 84 Alex¡¯s POV The sterile smell of disinfectant was a constant assault on my senses, blending with the metallic tang of blood that seemed to linger in the air despite th of the past, a spark of his former self ignited in his eyes- a chilling mixture of pride and something akin to amusement. ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org . ¡°We were young and foolish then,¡± he rasped, ¡°Ambition burned bright in both our bellies, Daniel Stone and I. We craved power, influence, dominance that stretched across both worlds- the human and the werewolf¡± A humorless short escaped his lips, a dry rasp that echoed in the sterile silence. ¡°There was a constant struggle, skirmishes along the borders, tests of s was also a¡­ respect. We understood the boundaries, the lines that shouldn¡¯t be crossed.¡± He closed his eyes for a moment, his weathered face etched with a weariness that went beyond illness. When he opened them again, they glinted with a ¡°Then came the opportunity. A chance to cripple Stone¡¯s hold on a crucial exchange route, a power move that would solidify my position as the alpha with the most influence.¡± My throat tightened. This was it, the moment he would exin the attack, the one that had fractured the fragile peace between the packs. But as he spok one devoid of remorse, painted solely with ruthless ambition. ¡°The n was simple,¡± he continued, his voice gaining a sliver of strength. ¡°A swift raid, a disy of force, a message to the other packs. Nothing more.¡± A cold dread settled in my stomach. ¡°But it went wrong, didn¡¯t it?¡± He gave a curt nod, his expression unreadable. ¡°There was a fight, of course. It was brutal, fangs and ws bared. But then¡­ chaos. A stray bullet, a pa The silence in the room felt even heavier now, ¡°Daniel¡¯s son, a young boy barely out of his pup year just like you, he was caught in the crossfire. Dead an ¡°The details are unimportant,¡± he continued, his voiceced with a dismissive arrogance. ¡°Coteral damage is inevitable in any war. You wille to understand.¡± I stared at him, incredulous. Coteral damage? As if the death of a child was a mere statistic in his quest for power. ¡°How can you say that?¡± My voice was shaking with a mix of anger and disgust. ¡°A child died! Someone¡¯s son.¡± He scoffed, a harsh, grating sound. ¡°Sacrifices are made. It¡¯s the price of power.¡± His voice hardened, a cruel edge creeping in. ¡°Besides, Stone wasn¡¯t meless either. He retaliated, striking at our pack with equal ferocity. It was a war, a g loses.¡± The air crackled with tension. My father¡¯s words hung heavy in the sterile silence, his justifications hollow and empty. He spoke of war, of a game, but all a brother she never got to know. Did she know? This was why Daniel Stone hated me so much. If Amaya had known why did she still mate with me. Fuck, this was so messed up. ¡°And then,¡± he continued, a hint of satisfaction creeping into his voice, ¡°the Moon Goddess decided to y a cruel joke. She blessed Stone with a daughter, and she turned out to be your mate.¡± A wave of nausea washed over me. ¡°You killed her brother,¡± I whispered, the words catching in my throat. ¡°And from what you¡¯re saying. I must have been around three years old at the time. That¡¯s why I don¡¯t remember. I was the same age as the boy you had killed.¡± The realization hit me like a physical blow. The reason for the constant tension between our packs, the unspoken hatred simmering beneath the surface it all stemmed from this single, horrific event. My entire life had been shaped by a war that wasn¡¯t mine, a rivalry fueled by my father¡¯s insatiable greed. He looked at me, his face devoid of any emotion. ¡°So what? It is a harsh world, Alex. The strong survive, the weak perish.¡± I shook my head, unable to believe his callous disregard for human life. ¡°No,¡± I whispered, my voice firm despite the tremor running through me. ¡°You don¡¯t get it, do you? This isn¡¯t a game. It¡¯s real life, and real lives were destroyed because of your ambition.¡± ¡°There¡¯s always a cost,¡± he coughed out, his voiceced with a weary resignation that seemed at odds with his earlier arrogance. ¡°Every victoryes w His words hung in th air,ced with a truth I couldn¡¯t deny. The responsibility of leading a pack was immense, the decisions life or death. But for him, it seemed, that responsib ¡°But a child?¡± I pressed, ¡°How can you justify taking an innocent life?¡± He remained silent for a long moment, his gaze fixed on a point on the sterile white wall. Finally, he spoke, his voiceced with a bitterness that sent shiv ¡°You think Stone cared about coteral damage when he retaliated? My right hand man, who was like a brother to me died. We all have scars, Alex, both His words were a harsh truth, a reminder of the brutal reality of the werewolf world. But even as I acknowledged the inherent dangers, a line had been crossed that I couldn¡¯t ignore. The death of a child, regardless of the perpetrator, was a tragedy that couldn¡¯t be justified by power struggles or the weight of leadership. It was wrong and he hardly s ¡°There¡¯s a difference between epting the dangers and actively courting them. You didn¡¯t just walk into a warzone, you orchestrated it! And for what? A A flicker of anger sparked in his cloudy eyes. ¡°It wasn¡¯t flimsy, Alex! It was about control, about securing a future for our pack. Don¡¯t be naive. In this worl His outburst wasced with a desperation that surprised me. Was this the fear of death talking, or a genuine belief in his actions? ¡°But at what cost?¡± I challenged, my voice steady. ¡°You built your empire on bloodshed, and now it¡¯s crumbling around you. Look at yourself, a shell of the man you once were. Was it all worth it?¡± He fell silent again, his frail chest rising and falling with eachbored breath. The defiance drained from his face, reced by a profound weariness, a ho In that moment, I saw him not as the ruthless alpha, but as a broken man burdened by the weight of his past. The cost of his ambition had Indeed been high, a truth mirrored in his own declin The silence stretched between us, thick with unspoken emotions. Part of me still yearned for a flicker of remorse, a genuine apology for the life lost on hi was a chilling realization. This wasn¡¯t just about the past, about a rivalry fueled by a single tragic event. It was about the present, ahout the tangled web of consequences that had both cruel and inevitable. The revtion sat heavy in my stomach. The war between our packs, the unspoken animosity¨C it all stemmed from this one horrific incident. And now, here we were, the children of those consequences, bound together. His gaze flickered towards me, a flicker of something akin to pain crossing his face before he schooled his features back into a mask of indifference, ¡°There is more. The attack I had ordered had more than just one casualty.¡± I hated the way he said casualty like taking the life of an innocent child meant nothing to him, I wanted to stand up, to leave. I wanted to find her and ask He coughed, snapping my focus back to him, ¡°There was another powerful pack. The Alpha and Luna lost their lives.¡± My eyes narrowed, ¡°So you killed more people.¡± ¡°No, that¡¯s not what I¡¯m trying to tell you. They had two children, kept their existence hidden I am guessing to protect them and it wasn¡¯t until recently I fo The way he said the words made me know that whatever next he would say. ¡°The two children are Ivan and Miranda McCa Chapter 85 -Maya¡¯s POV- A gnawing unease wed at my gut, twisting and churning with every passing day. It felt like the calm before a storm, a suffocating silence that pressed in on me from all sides. Officially, things had gone quiet. No more news of bombings, no more People whispered in hushed tones, their eyes flickering nervously whenever they thought I wasn¡¯t looking. The news was a constant barrage of spection and usations, each report a fresh stab of anxiety. Ivan was working tir name that hung heavy in the air but never materialized. The silence was deafening, a stark contrast to the whirlwind of emotions swirling inside me. Fear, anger, confusion ¨C they all tangled together in a knot that tightened with each passing hour. It was all too easy to pretend everything was fine, to ster on a smile and go t shatter with the slightest touch. The worst part? I was trapped, ying a role in the den of the enemy ¨C or at least, that¡¯s how it felt. Here I was, in the heart of Alex¡¯spany, tasked with finishing the interior design project I¡¯d started before everything went south. It felt surreal, walking through these familiar halls, surrounded by the ghosts of normalcy. Everywhere I turned, I felt his presence, a phantom pressing down on me. It wasn¡¯t like I saw him, not physically. But his absence was a presence all its Every creak of the floorboard, every rustle of paper, sent a jolt through me. Was it him? Was he watching me? The paranoia gnawed at me, turning every shadow into a potential threat. The questions echoed in the vast emptiness of my mind, unanswered and terrifying. I longed for thefort of the girls, for the familiar faces and the wa of uncertainty. Each day was a battle, a constant struggle to maintainposure amidst the swirling chaos. A part of me craved answers, yearned to confront Alex directly without Ivan this time. But another, more cautious part, held me back. The thought sent a fresh wave of nausea washing over me. The Alex I knew, the thoughtful, kind man I¡¯d fallen for, seemed to be a distant memory. In hi the eye of the storm, a temporary As the days bled into one another, the silence began to morph into something more sinister. It felt like th reprieve before the real blow hit. And as I sat alone in the empty office, surrounded by the remnants of a life that seemed to be slipping away. I couldn¡¯t help but wonder: when the storm finally broke, would any of us be left standing? A jolt of surprise ripped me from my spiraling thoughts as a voice cut through the tense silence. 10:29 Sat, 22 Jun d ¡°Amaya? Everything alright in here?¡± I looked up to see David, the man in charge of the crew standing awkwardly in the doorway. ¡°Oh, hey David,¡± I managed a smile, forcing myself to appear calm. ¡°Yeah, everything¡¯s fine. Just¡­ finalizing some details.¡± :B8%”à He shuffled his feet slightly, his normally confident demeanor tinged with a hint of hesitation. ¡°Actually, there was something I wanted to ask N?velDrama.Org is the owner. I you about.¡± Here ites, I thought, bracing myself. Somest¨Cminute change, some oundish request that would push my already stretched patience to the breaking point. Anything but going back into Alex¡¯s office. The very thought sent a tremor through me. The lingering scent of his cologne, the stark emptiness of the space that felt like a constant reminder of his absence ¨C it was all too much to bear. But before I could voice my reservations, David continued. ¡°Mr. Thorne wanted to get your opinion on the progress of his office renovation. Would you mind taking a look?¡± My stomach lurched. This was how it had been. I knew he came here but I never saw him which was what made me even more uneasy. He spoke to the ¡°Actually,¡± I began, searching for an excuse, ¡°I was just about to leave for the day. Maybe we could schedule a look¨Cthrough for tomorrow?¡± His brow furrowed slightly. ¡°I understand,¡± he said, his voice polite but firm. ¡°But Mr. Thorne specifically requested to see it today. He¡¯s¡­ well, he¡¯s been David gave me a pleading look, and I sighed inwardly. Part of me just wanted to run, to escape the suffocating pressure and the constant feeling of being watched. But another part, the professional part, knew I couldn¡¯t just abandon my responsibilities. ¡°Alright, fine,¡± I conceded with a defeated sigh. ¡°Let¡¯s go take a look.¡± David¡¯s face broke into a relieved smile. ¡°Great! Follow me.¡± He led the way down the familiar hallway, the silence punctuated only by the rhythmic click of his shoes against the polished floor. With each step, my an Finally, we reached the end of the hall and stopped before the imposing mahogany door that marked the entrance to Alex¡¯s office. My stomach lurched, and for a moment, I thought I might be sick. David ced a hand on the doorknob, his flickering briefly towards me. ¡°Ready?¡± he asked gently. Eate In I took a deep breath, forcing myself to appearposed. ¡°Ready as I¡¯ll ever be,¡± I muttered, the words tasting like ash in my mouth. ra David pushed the door open, revealing the familiar interior. Sunlight streamed through therge windows, illuminating the space in a soft glow. The room ¡°So, what do you think?¡± David asked, gesturing towards the room. I scanned the space, forcing myself to focus on the details. The clean lines, the muted color scheme. ¡°It¡¯sing along nicely. Theyout works well, and the lighting in from the windows is great.¡± i David nodded, a hint of satisfaction in his eyes. ¡°Mr. Thorne was particrly interested in the lighting. He wanted to make sure there would be enough natural light for reading and working o Of course, I thought wryly. Because apparently, amidst the city wide chaos, Alex¡¯s biggest concern was the amount of natural light in his office. ¡°Yes,¡± I replied, forcing a smile. ¡°The skylights will definitely help with that.¡± Just as David started talking again about something else, a prickling sensation crawled up my spine. It was that feeling again, like unseen eyes were bo sentence, his gaze snapping towards the doorway. I didn¡¯t even need to turn to know who it was. ¡°Leave,¡± a cold voice echoed from the entrance. The single word hung heavy in the air,ced with an icymand that left no room for argument. I could see the blood drain from David¡¯s face. He offered me a weak, unconvincing smile and scurried o ¡°Amaya,¡± the voice came again, this time softer but no less insistent. ¡°Look at me.¡± My body remained frozen in ce, a statue unwilling to acknowledge the presence behind me. But then, I felt a shift in the air pressure, a subtle movem Slowly, reluctantly, I turned around. There he stood, Alex, his face an unreadable mask. For a moment, our eyes locked, and I felt myself drowning in the regret, maybe, or anger. But then, as quickly as it appeared, the emotion vanished, reced by a steely glint. ¡°We need to talk about what happened to your brother,¡± he said, his voice low and serious. 0 SEND GUES Chapter 86 -Maya¡¯s POV- The trance he¡¯d somehow woven around me shattered and anger surged through pushing aside whatever bewilderment had kept me rooted to the spot. I ¡°You knew? You knew your father killed my brother before I was even born, before I even had a chance to meet him?¡± He blinked twice, a flicker of something crossing his features that was gone too quickly for me to decipher. ¡°I didn¡¯t. My father just told me. I would have right through me. ¡°If you knew what my father did to your family, why did you ever agree to mate with me? You should have hated me too.¡± ¡°I just found out that I had a brother,¡± I forced out, my voice trembling slightly. ¡°Even if I had known¡­ I loved you, I would have chosen you still.¡± He opened his mouth to speak, but I cut him off before he could utter another word. ¡°I don¡¯t want to hear it, Alex. Whatever you have to say, I don¡¯t. I am done with this conversat you need to stop whatever it is you¡¯re nning against my father. People will die.¡± ¡°People already died,¡± he shot back, his voice tight with its own brand of anger. ¡°My wolves died.¡± eath, the exhaustion of it all settling in my bones. ¡°Aren¡¯t you tired of this? This endless cycle of drama, violence? Can¡¯t we I let out a shaky breath, just¡­ stop?¡± He didn¡¯t respond, leaving me staring at him in a tense silence. A wave of frustration washed over me. ¡°You know what?¡± I finally said, shaking my head. My words hung heavy in the air, the unspoken threat clear. But instead of the contrition I craved, his eyes red with unexpected anger. ¡°Ivan? That¡¯s all you care about now?¡± he snapped. A bitterugh escaped my lips. ¡°Shouldn¡¯t I?¡± Lretorted. ¡°He¡¯s my husband, after all,¡± His eyes narrowed, the anger seeming to simmer just beneath the surface. He clenched his jaw shut, then seemed to force himself to calm down. ¡°I¡¯m leaving.¡± I announced, turning towards the door. ¡°I¡¯m sure everything is fine with your office renovation.¡± As I reached for the doorknob, his hand mped down on my wrist. A jolt of electricity ran through me at his touch, a confusing mix of anger and someth ¡°I¡¯m not done talking to you,¡± he growled, his grip tightening. I yanked my hand free, my own anger rising to meet his. ¡°Well, I am done talking to you, Alex. The time for talking is over. We could have talked about th ¡°And I don¡¯t have anything to say to you now.¡± continued, my voice firm despite the tremor in my heart. ¡°Just leave me the hell alone.¡± He took a step tow 10:29 sat, zzJun ¡°It¡¯s hard to do that,¡± he said finally, his voice low, ¡°when youe here every day. You¡¯re the one who¡¯s in my existence, Amaya. Maybe you should be the one to leave.¡± His words hit me like a physical blow. Here he was, the one who kept secrets, the one who lied and manipted, the one whose actions had caused so A wave of hot fury washed over me, momentarily pushing aside the hurt and confusion. ¡°You know what? I spat, my voice dripping with sarcasm. ¡°Screw you, and screw this project. I¡¯m done.¡± He gave a humorless scoff. ¡°You still have another two weeks left on your contract.¡± N?velDrama.Org owns ? this. ¡°Two weeks?¡± I scoffed, the anger fueling a reckless defiance. ¡°Like hell I¡¯m staying here for two more weeks. I can find another job, another design firm A flicker of surprise crossed his face, quickly reced by a stubborn set to his jaw. ¡°You¡¯re overreacting,¡± he said, his voice clipped. ¡°This doesn¡¯t have to ¡°Professional?¡± I echoed, my voiceced with disbelief. ¡°There¡¯s nothing professional about any of this, Alex. You betrayed me. You didn¡¯t trust me enoug ¡°I¡¯m not holding you hostage,¡± he countered, his voice tight. ¡°You¡¯re free to leave. But if you do, you¡¯ll be walking away from a job you haven¡¯t finished.¡± The silence stretched on, thick with unspoken words and a tangled web of emotions. Finally, with a defeated sigh that seemed to escape from the very depths of my soul, I stared right at him. This bac usations and hurt¡­ I was done. I was tired. Physically, my body ached with exhaustion. Mentally, I felt drained. And emotionally? My heart felt like it h ¡°I¡¯m going to Ms. Edward¡¯s office. I¡¯ll ask her to take me off the project. I can¡¯t deal with you anymore, Alex. I am so done with you.¡± He opened his mouth to speak, but I cut him off before he could utter another word. ¡°And when all this is over,¡± I continued, my voice dropping to a low growl, ¡°you will be dead to me.¡± It was a cruel thing to say, I knew that, but in that moment, it was the only way I could protect the fragile pieces of my heart that remained. My tone wasced with such icy finality that I watched him physically take a step backwards. A flicker of hurt, a physical manifestation of pain, crossed h I moved towards the door again but he didn¡¯t try to stop me this time. As I walked towards the door, a part of me expected him to call out, to plead, to try and salvage what was left between us. But the s suffocating, a heavy weight that seemed to press down on my chest with each step I took. Just as I reached for the doorknob, his voice cut through the oppressive silence. It was a quiet voice, almost hesitant, a stark contrast to the imanding tone he usually used. ¡°Do you love him?¡± he asked, the simple question hanging heavy in the air. I stopped, my hand hovering over the cool metal of the doorknob. The question caught me off guard, a sharp jab that sent a fresh wave of confusion swi Love Ivan? The truth was, I didn¡¯t know. After everything that had happened, the whirlwind of emotions I felt towards Ivan was a tangled mess. Gratitude, for the unw But love? Real, honest¨Cto¨Cgoddess love? Taking a deep breath, I turned back to face him. We stood there for a moment just staring at each other. ¡°No,¡± I whispered, the word escaping my lips. Relief flickered across his face, a fleeting emotion so quickly masked by a steely glint in his eyes that sen But even as I offered that single word of sce, a rebellious part of me wanted to take it back. Because the truth was, love was aplicated thing. It w on shared experiences and unwavering loyalty. ¡°But I will learn to.¡± I added. ¡°And when this is over,¡± I continued, my voice firm despite the tremor in my heart, ¡°I¡¯ll ask him to im me as his mate.¡± Chapter 87 -Maya¡¯s POV- The disbelief in Natalia¡¯s voice echoed in the small cafe, shattering the fragile peace I had found in a steaming cup of tea. ¡°She fired you?¡± I flinched, the usation stinging even though I knew it wasn¡¯t meant that way. Raising my head slowly, I met her gaze, a storm brewing in her usually c ¡°You quit?¡± This time, her voice wasn¡¯t questioning, it was a low growl that sent shivers down my spine. I winced again, feeling like a child being scolded ¡°I had a run¨C in with Alex,¡± I started, needing to exin the whirlwind of emotions that had led me here. ¡°It was bad. Really bad. And I just¡­ just wanted him to leave that moment. ¡°Fucktard,¡± She offered, a ghost of a smile ying on her lips. ¡°Yeah, the fucktard!¡± I eximed, relief washing over me at finding the right word, ¡°He twisted everything around, like it was my fault I was in charge of the interior design project. ¡°You¡¯re the oneing into mypany, be said, like I was s Anger red back up, hot and fresh, pushing aside the guilt. ¡°So I told him,¡± I continued, my voice rising a notch, ¡°Screw him and screw the project! I was done.¡± Natalia¡¯s re intensified, making me raise my hands in surrender. ¡°I was angry, okay?¡± I confessed, the anger morphing into a deep sense of shame. ¡°S ough,¡± settling in my stomach. ¡°So yes, I mumbled, the words scraping against my throat, ¡°I quit out of anger when Ms. Edward¡¯s said if I wanted to be taken off the project and not abl Silence descended between us, thick and suffocating. Her gaze held a mix of disappointment and concern, and I knew she was right. ¡°I worked really hard to get you that interview,¡± she finally said, her voice soft but firm. Shame burned in my cheeks. ¡°i know,¡± I croaked, the guilt returning with a vengeance. ¡°I know, and I am so sorry, Nat. I really am.¡± N?velDrama.Org is the owner. She shook her head slowly, the movement conveying more than words ever could. ¡°It isn¡¯t even about the job right now,¡± her voice wasced with a wea Her words were a punch to the gut, a harsh reality I couldn¡¯t ignore. Natalia was my best friend, the one person who knew me better than anyone. And th ¡°I know that, Natalia,¡± I whispered, my voice thick with unshed tears. ¡°And I am truly sorry for dragging you into this with me. Believe me, I am equally tired.¡± The cycle of anger, hurt, and betrayal with Alex had taken its toll. I was exhausted, emotionally drained, andpletely over it. ¡°I don¡¯t want anything to do with him anymore,¡± I dered, surprising even myself with the fierceness in my voice. ¡°I told him that much. He can go ahead with his war with my father, they can tear each other to pieces for all I care. I am tired of the toxic cycle we¡¯ve been trapped in Join Chatroom ever since i came back. I¡¯m done.¡± The words hung heavy in the air, a vow not just to Natalia, but to myself. This time, I meant it. I was done letting Alex control my life, my happiness. It wa Her gaze softened, a hint of understanding recing the disappointment. ¡°Are you sure?¡± she asked, her voice gentle. I met her gaze, a newfound determination burning in my eyes. ¡°Yes. I am sure.¡± Her lips curved into a thin smile, a flicker of relief chasing away the worry lines that had etched themselves on her forehead. ¡°Good.¡± We sat there infortable silence for a while, sipping our tea. Finally, she broke the quiet, her voiceced with a hint of nostalgia. ¡°You know,¡± she mused, ¡°I miss college days sometimes. Freshman year. Things were so much easier then.¡± A smile tugged at my lips as the memories came flooding back, a wee escape from the present turmoil. ¡°Freshman year,¡± I echoed, a lowugh escaping my lips. ¡°Remember how terrified we both were?¡± It felt like a lifetime She chuckled, a soft sound that echoed my own amusement. ¡°Absolutely terrified,¡± she admitted. ¡°I swear I must have packed enough clothes for a year ¡°And don¡¯t even get me started on the dorm room situation,¡± I added, shaking my head. The image of two nervous freshmen staring at each other across ¡°We were assigned as roommates,¡± She continued, her smile widening. ¡°Twoplete strangers thrown together, hoping we wouldn¡¯t end up hating eac ¡°And here we are,¡± I finished her sentence, a wave of gratitude washing over me. ¡°Best friends all these yearster.¡± We fell silent again, lost in the shared memory, Freshman year had been a whirlwind of emotions ¨C the excitement of newfound Independence, the terror of being far from home, the constant struggle to navigate theplexities of college life. My thoug freshman year, the day I met her. The dorms were a cacophony of noise as we moved in. Nervousughter mingled with shouts of greetings and the constant thump of furniture being dra Lost and overwhelmed, stood in the doorway of my assigned dorm room, wondering what awaited me inside. Taking a deep breath, I pushed the door open, bracing myself for the unknown. And then I saw her. Natalia was sprawled on the floor, surrounded by a sea of brightly colored clothes. She had one leg in a pair of jeans that looked like they wouldn¡¯t button, and h pinned up in a haphazard bun. She looked up as I entered, her face breaking into a wide grin.. ¡°Hey there,¡± she basically shouted, her voice surprisingly chipper considering the chaos surrounding her. ¡°You must be my roommatel¡± I simply smiled at her somehow knowing unconsciously that I would love her. Over the next few hours, we unpacked our belongings, slowly transforming shared space. We discovered a mutual love for cheesy pop music and a shared hatred of early morning sses. We learned about each other¡¯s families 1 As the weeks turned into months, our friendship blossomed. We explored the campus together, discovering hidden cafes and quirky bookstores. We spe The cafe slowly emptied as the day wore on, but we lingered, lost in thefort of our friendship. As the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the street ¡°Wow, I had no idea it was sote. We should probably get going.¡± I nodded, a flicker of sadness creeping into my heart. The carefree days of reminiscing couldn¡¯tst forever. There was still the reality of my situation to d ¡°Thanks, Nat,¡± I smiled sincerely, reaching across the table to squeeze her hand. ¡°For everything. I don¡¯t know what I would have done without you today Chapter 88 Alex¡¯s POV The days blurred together. I¡¯d park across the street from the office building, hidden in the shadows. From there, I could watch her flit around inside, a sm Part of me wanted to walk right in, tell her I was there, but another part, a louder part these days, held me back. There was still much that needed to be d again and there was no history of his parents being killed in a violent encounter which my father had gone on to tell me about, everything about his file had been scrapped to perfection, same with Miranda¡¯s. That¡¯s why I couldn¡¯t find any dir The anger over Daniel simmered down a notch after that revtion. Didn¡¯t mean it went away entirely, not a chance. But at least the burning need to tear him limb from limb wasn¡¯t quite so intense. I¡¯dunched another attack, a calcted one, meant to send a message ¨C I wasn¡¯t backing down. But I¡¯d also made sure casualties were minimal. Looking back, I didn¡¯t want to turn into the monster my father became, consumed by hate and utterly alone. Stepping out of the car, I blew out a long breath. The weight of everything pressed down on me. The rejection, raw and fresh, still stung. It wasn¡¯t just wo There was noing back from this. The truth was, even if things hadn¡¯t gone down the way they did, our story was probably doomed from the start. All I did was speed up the inevitable. The my phone. The originals were gone, she had taken them, but I¡¯d kept digital copies. Maybe to punish myself, to keep the pain fresh. N?velDrama.Org is the owner. Why? That question echoed endlessly in my mind. Why hadn¡¯t I confronted her? Maybe pushing her away, burying my emotions deep, would¡¯ve been ea Adrian. Throwing him in jail. My best friend. He¡¯d sworn he wouldn¡¯t do that to me, but the words rang hollow now. No point in dwelling on regrets, I told m guessing everything I¡¯d done for the past four years. I clung to that belief, the belief that the woman I loved most had betrayed me with my closest friend. But the doubt, the nagging ¡°what if,¡± wouldn¡¯t be silenced. The mansion loomed in front of me, a monument to a life that felt increasingly hollow. Inside, the silence was deafening. It used to be filled with the soun I poured myself a drink, the amber liquid burning a familiar path down my throat. It didn¡¯t numb the pain, not really, but it gave me a brief illusion of contro whispered promises, now a constant reminder of what I¡¯d lost. The bedroom door creaked shut behind me, the sound echoing in the demeaning silence. Everywhere I looked, there were ghosts ¨C it was like she was suddenly everywhere. I could almost still smell her perfume. Four years had passed and it was like she finally just started existing ag A sharp knock on the door startled me out of my reverie. ¡°Come in,¡± I mumbled, my voice hoarse. The door creaked open again and Miranda stepped inside. She was dressed in a sleek ck dress that clung to her curves, but for once, her usual confident swagger seemed muted. Her eyes flickered around the room,nding on the settling on me. ¡°Well, isn¡¯t that a lot on your mind for one lonely night?¡± I ignored her statement. Since I couldn¡¯t find whatever it was I thought I was looking for from digging, I might as well learn from one of the sources itself. ¡± need to talk.¡± She paused in the doorway, her gaze sharp. It was like she was trying to see right through me, to decipher the tangled mess of emotions chuming benea the surface. Finally, with a sigh, she walked further into the room and perched on the edge of the armchair opposite the bed. We sat there in silence for a beat. Maybe this was why I didn¡¯t want to end this charade of a marriage, she somehow made me less lonely. ¡°Well?¡± she finally snapped, her voiceced with impatience. ¡°What is it you want to talk about?¡± ¡°Your parents, I blurted out, the words tumbling out before I could stop them. The change in her expression was instantaneous. The irritated scowl in her eyes vanished, reced by a coldness that I didn¡¯t expect.The color drained ¡°My parents? What about them? Why are you suddenly interested in dead people?¡± I ignored the bitterness in her tone, the way it seemed to drip with hidden meaning. ¡°How did they die?¡± I asked, my voice low and steady. She let out a humorlessugh. ¡°Like everyone else, I suppose. They stopped breathing, their bodies decayed, and now they¡¯re pushing up daisies.¡± I narrowed my gaze at her. ¡°Don¡¯t y dumb, Miranda. You know that¡¯s not what I¡¯m asking.¡± ¡°You invested a ton of money in Ivan¡¯spany. Now you¡¯re suddenly curious about our family history? What¡¯s the game, Alex?¡± I held her stare, refusing to back down. ¡°Just answer the question. How did they die?¡± The silence stretched on, thick with unspoken tension. Miranda seemed to be battling an internal war, her eyes flickering with a mix of defiance and something else I couldn¡¯t quite ce. Finally, she spoke. ¡°it was an ident. A car crash. They were gone just like that.¡± Her words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken truths. There was something in her eyes, a flicker of something hidden that told a different story. ¡°Are you sure?¡± I pressed, my voice low and dangerous. ¡°Because from what I¡¯ve heard, it might not have been so idental after all.¡± Her voice snapped like a whip. ¡°An ident! That¡¯s what happened! They were driving home one night, rain slick roads, bad turn¨C boom! Gone. Now you happy? You satisfied dredging up all this painful crap for me?¡± Her words stung, the anger in her voice raw and real. A part of me flinched, guilt twisting in my gut. TU¨C29 | SUL, 22 JUN Was 1 being a jerk? Was I just piling on when she was clearly hurting already? But the suspicion gnawed at me, relentless. ¡°Cut the crap. You and I both know it wasn¡¯t an ident.¡± O Her eyes widened, a flicker of something like panic crossing her features before she mmed them shut, taking a deep,shaky breath. ¡°What are you talk I had to give it to her. She was a really good actress. My gaze bore into hers as I forward in my chair. ¡°You know that their death wasn¡¯t an ident. And you know my father was responsible for their death.¡± SEND G Chapter 89 -Maya POV- I thought I¡¯d gotten used to surprises with everything that had happened. The unexpected call came while I was drowning myself in job applications. I ha Mom I could count on one hand the number of times she¡¯d called me in my entire life. The only genuine connection we ever shared was that brief mome her, a silent shadow by his side and having no voice of her own. So yeah, when the call came, surprise was an understatement. But what truly shocked me was her request. She wanted to meet, and not just me ¨C the twins. Here I was, perched on a dusty bench in the manicured garden of my childhood home, watching Nate and Ivy chase butterflies, theirughter echoing th and suffocating, Finally, unable to bear it any longer, I cleared my throat. Just as I opened my mouth to speak, she did, ¡°They look happy,¡± Her gaze fixed on the twins I turned my head slightly, watching her watch them. A fleeting sadness flickered across her face, the emotion she mostly wore. I shifted my gaze back to the twins ¨C Nate, covered in dirt after a triumphant roll in a patch of mud, and Ivy, chasing a butterfly with the single¨C minded determination of a seasoned hunter. A genuine smile tugged at the corners of my lips. ¡°They are happy,¡± I confirmed, the words soft yet filled with a fierce protectiveness. Silence descended once more, heavy andden. Then, after a moment that felt like an eternity, she spoke again. ¡°They look just like him,¡± she murmured My shoulders tensed involuntarily. I took a deep breath, trying to push down the anger that threatened to bubble up. Saying nothing, I let the air hang hea Her gaze flickered away, avoiding mine. A flicker of something akin to fear crossed her features before she forced a smile, weak and unconvincing ¡°I just I scoffed, a humorless sound escaping my lips. Anger surged through me suddenly, hot and vtile. ¡°Why? You¡¯ve never cared about me, never cared a My words hung in the air, a harsh indictment. She flinched under my gaze. A flicker of regret shed in her eyes, quickly masked by a defensive posture. ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to snap at you,¡± I mumbled, feeling a wave of guilt wash over me. ¡°I just¡­¡± Frustration choked my voice. I squeezed my eyes shut, the sou ¡°I just want to know why,¡± I continued, my voice quieter now but no less determined. ¡°Why the sudden change of heart? Why after all these years, do yo She didn¡¯t give an answer. Her eyes just went back to the twins. My gaze followed hers,nding on them once more. Nate had abandoned his mud¨C wrestling match and was now chasing a bright blue butterfly with single¨C minded determination, while Ivy, triumphant, held a crumpled yellow one in her tiny hand. A bittersweet pang shot through my heart. They were so full of life, so innocent, so blissfully unaware of the darkness that swirled around them ¡°Jeremiah used to love ying in the dirt too,¡± she whispered suddenly, ¡°He¡¯d get so filthy, his clothes would be ruined, but he wouldn¡¯t care. L Chm He¡¯d justugh andugh¡± O I turned toce her then, truly seeing her for the first time. The carefully applied makeup couldn¡¯t hide the weariness etched around her eyes, the lines th There were no words, not yet. So I just sat there, watching her, waiting for her to continue. ¡°Your Ether,¡± she began, her voice catching slightly. ¡°he used to get so mad about it. He¡¯d say a future Alpha should always stand tall, never roll around i ¡°I used to watch them, you know,¡± she continued, ¡°A smile on my face, but a pang of longing in my heart. He was so happy, Jeremiah. They were both so She paused then, the silence stretching between us. For once, it wasn¡¯t an ufortable vold, but a space filled with unspoken emotions. The gentle br ¡°We used to be happy. Your father, yes, he craved power, always had. But he wasn¡¯t a monster, not then. Jeremiah was his legacy, his pride and joy. He A chokedugh escaped her lips, a dry, humorless sound. She brushed a stray tear from her cheek, her eyes filled with a profound sadness. ¡°When he w away from us in a blink of an eye.¡± Tears welled up in my own eyes, blurring my vision. Her words struck a chord deep within me, a glimpse into a life I never knew existed. ¡°Your father,¡± she continued, her voice trembling slightly, ¡°he lost his legacy that day. And I lost my son. Our world shattered, and all that was left was a g She choked back a sob, the sound raw and heartbreaking. My heart ached for her, for the woman she was, the woman she could have been Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g ¡°Everything changed after that. Daniel became consumed by vengeance. Blood for blood, that¡¯s all he craved. He nearly started a war with Damon Thorne, a war that would have destroyed everything She ran a hand through her hair, a gesture of exhaustion and despair. ¡°His heart turned to ice, Amaya. He couldn¡¯t feel anything anymore, only hatred fo ¡°And then I found out I was pregnant. Daniel, he was hurting, yes, but there was a flicker of happiness in his eyes too. Finally, someone to carry on his legacy, someone to fill the void left by Jeremiah.¡± She paused, taking a deep, shuddering breath. ¡°But then¡­¡± ¡°I turned out to be a girl,¡± I finished the sentence for her. She gave a slow nod, her eyes filled with a thousand unspoken apologies. There were no justifications, no excuses. Just the raw truth of a life shaped b ¡°And he hated me for it,¡± I continued, the words tasting like ash in my mouth. ¡°Hated that I was a constant reminder of everything he¡¯d lost. A symbol of h A tear escaped her eye, tracing a glistening/path down her cheek. ¡°Then you fell in love with the son of the man who shattered our family.¡± 10:29 SB1, 22 JUN *.88%ÄÒ We sat there in silence for a beat, the weight of unspoken words hanging heavy between us. Tears streamed down my face now, a mixture of anger and a strange, newfound understanding. ¡°Then you chose him over us,¡± she whispered. We were both crying now, tears falling from our cheeks for different reasons. Mine because I never had a chance to be loved. I was the recement they warmth that had been forcefully taken away from her by the father of the man I loved. The man I chose and before I knew it, the words were spilling out. ¡°Do you hate me?¡± She flinched as if I had physically pped her then she stared at me but she didn¡¯t say anything. I sucked in a deep breath, steeling my heart as hard as I could, my eyes boring into hers, ¡°Answer the question. Do you hate me, Mom?¡± BB%•þ Chapter 90 -Maya POV- The air hung heavy, thick with the unspoken weight of years. To be hated by both of your own parents- the very thought sent a fresh wave of pain crashin crushing? ¡°No. I don¡¯t hate you, Amaya.¡± The words washed over me, a gentle wave breaking through the storm raging within. I stared at her, searching her eyes, desperately seeking confirmation of what I hoped was the truth. And I found it. There was no pity, no condescension, just a deep, raw honesty that resonated deep within my soul. She didn¡¯t hate me. She didn¡¯t and the words tumbled out of me in a rush, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, sorry I was a constant reminder of what you¡¯d never have. Sorry that father¡¯s heart was starting to thaw and then I came along and f She opened her mouth to speak, but I held up a hand, silencing her for a moment. ¡°I¡¯m not finished. I¡¯m sorry I chose him, but I will not apologize for cho meant to be cherished when I was treated like an afterthought in my own home.¡± Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g My voice shook with anger now. ¡°You were never there for me, Mom. The maids practically raised me. You never stood up for me, never had my back. I¡¯m Her eyes shed with hurt, a flicker of anger briefly recing the sadness. But then, just as quickly, it subsided, reced by a weary eptance. ¡°I know. That¡¯s why I called you. That¡¯s why I asked you to bring the twins.Because I¡¯m tired of this charade. Tired of living a life filled with regrets. I want to know what it feels like to be a mother,a grandmother, to these beautiful children.¡± She reached out a hand, hesitantly hovering in the space between us. I stared at it, a fragile offering of peace after years of unspoken war. Looking into eyes, I saw a reflection of myself, a woman yearning for connection, for a family. The anger slowly receded, reced by a cautious hope. Taking a deep breath, I reached out and took her hand. It was cool and trembling slightly, but the touch sent a spark of warmth through me. Maybe, just maybe, there was a chance to heal the wounds of the past, to build a bridge between us. For the sake of the twins, for myself, and maybe, j ¡°I don¡¯t know if it will be easy. So much time has passed and i don¡¯t just know,¡± I admitted, my voice thick with emotion. ¡°But for the sake of the twins, for my sake, I¡¯m willing to try.¡± A small smile touched her lips, ¡°Thank you, Amaya,¡± she whispered, her voice trembling. That¡¯s all I ask.¡±¡± A long silence stretched between us. The only sound was the distant chirping of birds and the faint hum of Insects in the warm afternoon sun, alongside Suddenly, a blur of pink and yellow darted across the grass, a tiny figure squealing with delight. Ivy, her dark curls bouncing, raced towards 8820 us, a triumphant grin stered across her face. In her outstretched hand, she clutched a crumpled butterfly, its wings slightly damp and disheveled. ¡°Look, Mom!¡± she shricked, stopping right in front of me, her eyes sparkling with excitement. I crouched down to her level, ¡°Wow, Ivy! That¡¯s a beautiful butterfly,¡± I eximed, reaching out a finger to gently touch its delicate wing. She giggled, ¡°Can you hold it?¡± she asked, tilting her head inquisitively. ¡°Of course, sweetie,¡± I replied, carefully cradling the butterfly in my palm. ¡°See how gentle you need to be with it?¡± She nodded solemnly, her brow furrowed in concentration as she watched the butterfly flutter against my skin then surprisingly she turned to my mother, A flicker of uncertainty crossed my face. As if my hesitation, Ivy reached out, tugging my hand towards my mother. ¡°Seel¡± she insisted, her voiceced w My mother said she wanted to get to know them but I still wasn¡¯t sure. We had only met in the middle barely minutes ago so I still wasn¡¯t sure but with deep breath, I turned to my mother who was staring like she was seeing us for the first time. ¡°Ivy wants to show you the butterfly,¡± I said softly, extending my hand holding the delicate creature. Sne smiled reluctantly, not looking at the butterfly I st ¡°It is,¡± Ivy¡¯s lower lip trembled, tears welling up in her eyes and her mood changing in a span of seconds, ¡°But it wants to leave.¡± A smile grazed my mother¡¯s lips, ¡°Butterflies don¡¯t like to be held. They need to be free to fly in the garden.¡± Ivy stared at her, her brow furrowed. ¡°Free?¡± she asked, a hint of curiosity recing her sadness. My mother nodded. ¡°Yes, free. Just like you, they need to fly around and y in the sunshine.¡± ¡°So I need to let it go even though I don¡¯t want to?¡± ¡°Everyone deserves to be free.¡± Like she had a newfound understanding, Ivy slowly pushed my hands open, watching as the butterfly, freed from its temporary prison, fluttered its wings Her followed its trajectory with her eyes, a bittersweet smile gracing her lips. ¡°Bye¨C bye, butterfly,¡± she whispered, waving a tiny hand. ¡°Go y in the sunshine.¡± As thest glimpse of the butterfly vanished over the trees, I looked at my mother. I could help the smile that had registered itself in my face. I wanted thi The warmth that had bloomed in my chest at my mother¡¯s somewhat connection with Ivy and the innocent joy of the butterfly¡¯s release vanished in an instant. It was like someone had thrown a bucket of ice water over me. My father¡¯s v ¡°What are the bastard¡¯s children doing in my house?¡± Ivy, who had been engrossed in watching the butterfly disappear into the sky, flinched violently. Her bright smile vanished, reced by al look of pure fea motion, his head snapping up as if sensing the shift in the atmosphere. My mother was on her feet in a sh, her back stiff with sudden defiance. ¡°Don¡¯t you dare call them that in front of them,¡± she snapped, her voice surpris Her words seemed to hang in the air, a challenge thrown down. My father turned on her, his re icy andced with disbelief. ¡°You invited them? To my His voice was a low growl, menacing and dangerous, Ivy buried her face in my stomach, her tiny body trembling. I expected my mother to crumble unde ¡°Yes. Because they are my grandchildren, and I want to get to know them. And stop using that tone, Daniel. You¡¯re scaring them.¡± Ivy burrowed deeper into me, her small hand clutching my shirt as if it were a lifeline. Nate, still perched on the grass, watched the tense. exchange with there, but I couldn¡¯t move. My father, seeing his initial shock giving way to defiance in my mother, snorted. ¡°They are the bastard¡¯s children,¡± he spat, his voice dripping with disdain. ¡°They will never be my grandchildren.¡± He leaned forward, his words aimed at me like a physical blow. ¡°I want them out,¡± he growled. They stared each other down, their gazes locked in a silent battle of wills. Finally, my mother spoke, her voice quiet but resolute. ¡°No. They are not leaving. Neither is Amaya.¡± My father¡¯s eyes narrowed, his face contorted in fury. ¡°Don¡¯t make me throw them out.¡± I held my breath, watching the scene unfold like a slow-motion car crash. My mother held his gaze, ¡°Try it. And I¡¯ll end this marriage. Touch them, and I will leave you, Daniel.¡± her jaw set in a a determined line. i Chapter 91` Chapter 91` -Maya¡¯s POV- I couldn¡¯t stay. Not after what my mother said. The thought of being the reason my father lost his wife, the fear of what he might do to me if that happene ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org . My mother¡¯s face was etched with sadness as we walked past her, still locked in a tense stand¨C off with my father. He red at the children, making by clutch my hand so tightly her knuckles turned white. Even for Daniel Stone, scaring little kids was a new low. By the time I got back to Ivan¡¯s house, I was already knee¨Cdeep in job applications again. Just another day in my life. That¡¯s when Iwan walked 1. in. He looked rough. Dark circles hung under his eyes, and his usual charm was missing. I sighed. ¡°What happened this time?¡± He tossed his tie on the nearest chair and started unbuttoning his shirt. My heart hammered in my chest as his toned back came into view. He turned around, a yful smile shing across his face when he saw the blush creep up my cheeks. But then, as if remembering my q his smile vanished. ¡°There was a fight. My wolves and Alex¡¯s pack. We lost five men today. Don¡¯t know how many they lost.¡± A knot formed in my stomach, I thought things had calmed down. Guess I was wrong. This wasn¡¯t what Ivan signed up for. He always said he wanted no part of my father¡¯s war. I shoved theptop aside and walked over to him. ¡°You look beat. Sit.¡± He hesitated for a moment, then sank onto the bed with a tired sigh. I climbed up behind him, my hands finding the tense muscles in his shoulders. He groaned as I applied pressure. The tension slowly started to seep out of him. ¡°What if¡­¡± I started, ¡°What if you broke the merge with my father? You and your wolves could walk away. Let them destroy each other if that¡¯s what they He let out another groan, and I dug my fingers a little deeper. Finally, he spoke. ¡°Tried that already. Daniel won¡¯t let the merge go, and my wolves¡­ well, they¡¯re not exactly peaceful creatures. They love a good fight. Getting primal, letting the beast out, feels good to them.¡± ¡°There¡¯s gotta be another way,¡± I mumbled, more to myself than to him. Ivan chuckled, a dry, humorless sound. ¡°Maybe. But right now, I just want some sleep.¡± I stopped kneading his shoulders and leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to the exposed skin just above his corbone. He tilted his head back slightly, su ¡°What was that for?¡± he asked, his voice husky. I offered him a shy smile but didn¡¯t answer. Instead, I climbed off the bed and moved to stand in front of him. Taking a deep breath, I knelt before him, my His eyes darkened noticeably, the exhaustion momentarily reced by a flicker of something else. Desire. It was a spark, a tiny me amidst the storm h My own heart hammered a little faster in my chest. This wasn¡¯t something I usually did. I almost never initiated sex. I would give a subtle look and Alex would understand, it also helped that he liked being in control and why was I thinking abo My fingers, emboldened by a newfound boldness, slowly found their way to the buckle of his belt. It was warm beneath my touch. He watched me, his ex ¡°Helping you get some sleep,¡± I finally whispered a reply. A slow smile spread across his face, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes but there was a weariness that followed. ¡°You sure about that?¡± Was I sure? Did I know what I was doing? Could I handle it if he did nothing to prevent me from taking what at I wanted? I needed to get out of my head so I tugged on the belt and then released it from the loop of his jeans. Then I reached for the button at the waistband, not shake so much that I ruined my resolve. The sound of his breathing deepened as I pulled back the denim to expose him.- The only time we had had sex, I hadn¡¯t allowed myself to focus on the size but right now that it was in front of me, I physically swallowed. He was big, ve He let out an audible growl, which encouraged me to continue. His muscles tightened beneath my fingertips, and his hips moved slightly toward me. Enc When I touched him again, I felt him pulsate once more. ¡°You don¡¯t have to do this.¡± His hoarse voice sounded in the room suddenly. I raised my head to meet his gaze. His eyes were wild, zed with desire, yet they looked like he was having an internal battle with them. ¡°I want to,¡± I said softly. And I meant it. I wanted to. I wasn¡¯t sure what that would mean or where it might lead but I needed to be certain I could take control. To do so, I had to know just how m I took hold of him once more and stroked him gently. I heard a choked groan. I looked up and found his face strained, his lips parted, his eyes wild and d out as he clenched his jaw. I closed my mouth around the tip of him and licked lightly. He swore and grabbed my hair. I went down on him harder, sucking him into my mouth until I c Then, to my surprise, he let out a low groan and began to thrust into my mouth. One of his hands came up and gripped my head while the other held onto my ponyta my mouth roughly. My throat burned with each pass, but I continued to hold him fast, reveling in his pain, feeding off his strength. I felt his thighs tighten and knew he was close toing. He made a strangled noise and then stilled. I kept going, wanting to make him explode in my m Then he reached down and grasped my chin. In one swift motion, he brought me up and kissed me, his tongue filling my mouth and devouring mine. ¡°St I withdrew, gasping for air, his taste still lingering on my lips. I shook my head. I wanted more. I wanted to make hime for me. ¡°Let me finish,¡± I rasped. He shook his head. ¡°No.¡± He looked at me with so much desire in his eyes, ¡°Fuck you are so beautiful.¡± I felt the wetness gather between my legs, a reminder of how turned on I was. Before I knew what was happening, my clothes were off me, my back hit t He cursed and bit his lip as he pushed himself deeper inside me. ¡°So fucking good,¡± he groaned. He began to move, his pace increasing with every strok He reached over and squeezed my breast and pinched my nipple. A sharp sting shot through me and I arched my back, crying out then he flipped me ov The sounds that left my mouth were almost indistinguishable from those that escaped his. He pped my ass hard, punctuating his paint. I shuddered a He pped it again. ¡°More,¡± he ordered. I moaned and lifted my butt higher, inviting him in. As if to punish me, he gripped my hip and pulled outpletely, giving me a moment¡¯s respite. He san helped me keep my bnce. His fingers brushed my clit. ¡°Come for me.¡± The words were a trigger. I arched my back and screamed out in ecstasy as I came. He roared and exploded inside me, sinking his teeth deep into my s Then when the seconds passed and my head focused, the realization set in¨CIvan had marked me. 0 Chapter 92 -Maya¡¯s POV- We stared at each other, the air thick with a silence that stretched on for what felt like an eternity. His eyes were now focused entirely on the mark that m ¡°Amaya,¡± he finally managed, ¡°¡­¡± The sentence trailed off unfinished, hanging heavy in the air. My own hand instinctively reached up to touch the mark, my fingers traced the mark. The memory of Alex¡¯s mark, once vibrant in the same spot, flickere ¡°You marked me,¡± I whispered, the words catching slightly in my throat. The silence returned, heavy and oppressive. He ran a hand through his hair, ¡°I didn¡¯t¡­¡± he started, but I cut him off. A grin, genuine and unexpected, split my face open. ¡°You marked me,¡± I repeated, this time with a hint of amusement dancing in my voice. His brow furrowed in confusion. ¡°You¡¯re not¡­ angry?¡± he stammered, clearly surprised by my reaction. I shook my head slowly, letting my hand linger on the mark once more. ¡°No,¡± I smiled, a blush creeping up my cheeks that I couldn¡¯t quite control. ¡°Actua He held my gaze for a long moment, his eyes searching mine as if trying to decipher the truth behind my words. Then, a smile, slow and hesitant at first, spread across his face. In a swift movement, he pulled me towards him, his arms wrapping tightly around my body. I melted into his embrace, the warmth of his touch a weefort. He rested his forehead against mine, his breathing ragged and uneven. ¡°Thank you,¡± he murmured into my ear, his voice thick with emotion. Those were thest coherent words I heard before sleep imed me, pulling me int When I finally opened my eyes, the room was bathed in the soft glow of dusk. The warmth of his body was no longer next to me, and a wave of disappoi bathroom. Standing in front of the mirror, I took stock of myself. My reflection showed me messy hair, tangled from sleep, and bright eyes that sparkled with a newfo heal quickly,pletely, if my wolf side wasn¡¯t so weak. But even with the dyed healing, the mark would eventually be a permanent brand on my skin, a constant reminder of the bond I now shared with Ivan. But a nagging thought followed. For us to fully form the bond, I needed to do the same but my wolf would have toe to terms with it first. She had been eerily quiet. It wasn¡¯t a surprise ¨C I knew she wouldn¡¯t agree with Ivan marking me. She was still attuned to Alex, forever marked by his rejection. But I also knew, with a deep certainty, th The hurt and pain of Alex¡¯s betrayal was fading, reced by a burgeoning hope for the future. Ivan, with his kindness and strength, was bing more ¡°Thinking about ways to remove the mark already?¡± His voice startled me, cutting through the silence of the bathroom. There was a teasing Lit to his ton Join Chatroom I turned around, ready to yfully scold him for sneaking up on me, but the yful banter died on my lips. He stood there, casually leaning against the d ¡°No,¡± I whispered, my voice surprisingly steady. ¡°Just admiring how beautiful it¡¯ll look when it¡¯s fully healed.¡± He pushed himself off the door frame and walked towards me, his movements slow and deliberate. He stopped just a hair¡¯s breadth away, his eyes searching mine. Then, with a tendemess that took my ¡°You Wer were gone when I woke up.¡± I whispered, the question tumbling out before I could stop it. He leaned back slightly, a flicker of apology crossing his face. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. Something came up that needed my attention.¡± ¡°Is everything okay?¡± I couldn¡¯t help but ask, a sliver of worry creeping into my voice. He gave me a reassuring smile. ¡°Everything¡¯s under control. For now, at least.¡± He didn¡¯t borate, and I knew better than to push. There were things he Instead, I changed the subject. ¡°What is going to happen now?¡± He didn¡¯t answer right aw away. His gaze drifted back to the mark on my shoulder, a silent conversation taking ce between him and the symbol etched onto my skin. ¡°This changes things, Amaya. Marking you¡­ it ties you to me, to the pack, to this war even if you have somehow been the center of it, now more than ever, you are a part.¡± ¡°I know,¡± I met his gaze head¨C on. ¡°But I also know I don¡¯t want to be anywhere else.¡± The words tumbled out, honest and raw, a confession of my growing feelings for him. He stared at me for a long moment, his eyes searching mine as if looking for any sign of doubt or hesitation. Finding none, a slow smile spread across h ¡°I don¡¯t want you anywhere else either,¡± Then, he cupped my face in his hands, his thumbs gently stroking my cheekbones. ¡°But I won¡¯t lie to you, Amaya ¡°We¡¯ll figure it out,¡± I leaned into his touch. ¡°Together.¡± He leaned down then, his lips brushing hesitantly against mine. The kiss was slow, tender, a promise whispered on the skin. I felt him harden as he deep He turned me around to face the mirror, I caught our reflection in it. He stood behind me, his hungry eyes stared back sending shivers down my skin. His N?velDrama.Org is the owner. He dropped to his knees suddenly, spreading my legs and then running his tongue up my thigh from behind. His fingers brushed my fold and I let out a m haze. I opened my eyes, staring into his hot gaze, our reflections red at us. He dipped his tongue into my folds, he sucked my clit softly and! shivered at the 10:31 Sat, 22 Jun G His fingers slipped inside of me slowly, stretching me open. My fingers dug into the countertop as I held on, leaning forward, bracing myself for what was He slid his finger in and out of me slowly, gently pulling me closer to the edge. He added another finger, stroking me deeper inside. My head spun, my heart raced faster. I was close. I could feel it. ¡°Please,¡± I pleaded. ¡°I need you.¡± His fingers moved faster, dipping in and out, one by one. Then he stopped abruptly, causing me to cry out in frustration. His hand left me, leaving me cra He rose, moving around the counter. He ran his fingers through my wet folds before grabbing my hips, lifting me off the ground until my legs were on either side of his waist. Before I had time to realize what was happening, he pushed himself inside of me in one thrust. ¡°Holy fuck!¡± I screamed out in ecstasy, my walls gripped h He mmed into me with such force, pushing me closer to the edge. His hard thrusts forced me to grip the counter top, holding on as tight as I could. My body tensed as the orgasm hit me, waves after waves of pleasure coursed through me.I couldn¡¯t catch my breath, my mind swam with lust, all I could My walls contracted around his dick and he groaned, releasing himself inside of me. We both stayed like that, our bodies still locked together. ¡°Fuck,¡± he whispered, nting his forehead ag Chapter 93 -Maya¡¯s POV- The surprise must have been clear on my face, because the word exploded out of me in a surprised gasp. ¡°What?¡± Ivan chuckled as he pulled out and I had to stop myself from letting out a moan, his eyes holding mine. ¡°I know it¡¯s out of the blue,¡± he admitted, ¡°but hea He leaned down then, pressing a quick kiss to my lips. It was a chaste peck, a yful tease that left me wanting more. ¡°Go get cleaned up,¡± he whispered, his voice husky. ¡°I will use another bathroom down the hall because,¡± he added, a glint of amusement in his eyes, ¡°I can¡¯t promise I won¡¯t take you again if we get in the shower together.¡± With that, he turned and walked out of the bathroom, leaving me standing there speechless. It took a moment for my brain to catch up with what just hap Ivan wanted me to work for him? A mix of emotions swirled inside me ¨C confusion, surprise, and a flicker of something else, something deeper and more unexpected. Happiness? Maybe. Taking a deep breath, I finally tore myself away from the spot and stumbled towards the shower. The cool water cascaded down my skin, washing away As the water massaged away the tension in my muscles, I reyed Ivan¡¯s words in my mind. Working for him¡­ it was a tempting offer, especially after weeks of fruitless job hunting. But there wereplications, of course. The biggest one being A His investment had given Ivan¡¯spany a much¨C needed boost, propelling it back onto its feet. The irony of it all wasn¡¯t lost on me. The man who rejected me, who broke my heart, was now indirectly he The thought left a bitter taste in my mouth. I didn¡¯t want to be beholden to him in any way, not even through Ivan. But then there was the other side of the coin. Working for Ivan meant being close to him, spending more time together. The idea sent a thrill through me, By the time I stepped out of the shower, towel wrapped around my body, I knew I had to hear him out. This wasn¡¯t just about a job; it was about something more, something deeper that was starting to bloom between I dried myself off quickly, the nervous energy buzzing under my skin. When I emerged from the bathroom, Ivan was already sitting on the bed, d only He gave me a slow smile, his eyes lingering on my form for a beat too long before he gestured to the empty space beside him. ¡°Come here,¡± he smiled, I walked over and sat down next to him, leaving afortable distance between us. He cleared his throat, seemingly gathering his thoughts. ¡°Look,¡± he began, his voice sincere, ¡°I¡¯ve seen you running yourself ragged trying to find a job. It¡¯s not easy out there, especially with everything that¡¯s go He hesitated for a moment, then continued. ¡°As much as I hate to even mention his name,¡± he said with a grimace, ¡°Alex¡¯s investment has 31031 Sat, 22 Jun been a lifesaver for thepany. Business is booming again, and I¡¯m finally back on my feet.¡± I already knew this. He reached out and took my hand in his, his fingers intertwining with mine. The warmth of his touch sent a jolt through me, a silent reassurance in the face o ¡°You don¡¯t need to be out there struggling. I can offer you a job. A good job, with a decent sry and benefits.¡± I squeezed his and back, a silent acknowledgment of his offer. The truth was, it was tempting. The financial security, the chance to be close to him¡­ it was all very app But the voice of reason, the oneced with a healthy dose of skepticism, piped up in my head. ¡°Ivan,¡± I started, my voice cautious, ¡°I appreciate the offer, I really do. But working for you¡­ it wouldn¡¯t be easy.¡± He raised an eyebrow, a question hanging in the air. ¡°Why not?¡± ¡°Because of Alex,¡± I said bluntly. ¡°He¡¯s a part of thepany now, and the thought of working in the same ce as him when it was the fact that I didn¡¯t want anything to do with him that made me quit a job I really loved and after everything that happened¡­¡± My voice His expression softened in understanding. ¡°I know. Look, I get it. The whole Alex situation is a mess, and I wouldn¡¯t me you for wanting nothing to do w but I¡¯m proposing this because you are stressed out, especially after having to let go of something you love and I hate seeing you unhappy.¡± A wave of gratitude washed over me. He understood. He saw the hurt and the pain I tried to hide. ¡°So what kind of job would I even be doing?¡± The question tumbled out, a mix of curiosity and lingering hesitation still battling within me. He leaned back slightly, a thoughtful look on his face. ¡°Honestly, Amaya,¡± he began, ¡°you have a lot of options. You¡¯re smart, capable, and you have a great eye for detail. You could be my personal assistant, handling my schedule and paperwork. Or,¡± he continued, seeing the flicker of doubt in my eyes, ¡°you could choose something else entirely. We¡¯re expanding thepany, and there are openings in marketing, human resources, even event nning. Anything you want to do.¡± His words sparked a flicker of excitement within me. The idea of having some control over my role, of choosing something that actually Interested me, w were slim, still made me uneasy. ¡°I don¡¯t know, Ivan. It¡¯s all a bit overwhelming. And the thought of even being in the same space¡­¡± He cut me off gently. ¡°I understand you and believe me, I¡¯m thest person that wants you near him but he is almost never physically present at the office to¨Cday operations to me. You wouldn¡¯t have to interact with him directly.¡± He paused for a moment, his gaze searching mine. ¡°And honestly, Amaya,¡± he continued, his voice low and serious, ¡°I hate seeing you this. stressed about a job. We both know you deserv end interviews. This is a chance for you to use your skills, to build a career, and to be close to me. I know interior design was your major but we can mak He reached out and brushed a stray strand of hair from my face, his touch sending a shiver down my spine. ¡°Think about it, okay? No pressure. But if you¡¯re intereste I met his gaze, the warmth in his eyes battling with the lingering apprehension in my own. Working for Ivan, being close to him, was a tempting prospect. The decision, I realized, wasn¡¯t going to be an easy one. N?velDrama.Org owns ? this. 301, 22 JULI Taking a deep breath, I forced a smile. ¡°Thank you for offering. I really appreciate it. I¡¯ll definitely think about it.¡± I started to rise from the bed, but Ivan¡¯s hand shot out, grabbing my wrist gently. His eyes traveled down my body for a fleeting moment, a flicker of desir soft chuckle that bubbled up from within me. ¡°Nope,¡± I shook my head yfully. ¡°That¡¯s enough for one night. Pretty sure I¡¯m going to be sore for days already,¡± His brow furrowed in concern. ¡°Did I hurt you?¡± I leaned back down and pressed a quick kiss to his lips. ¡°It¡¯s a good kind of sore, don¡¯t worry about it. Now, I should probably get dressed and go check o The yful banter died on my lips as both our phones chimed in unison, breaking the peaceful silence of the moment. Ivan¡¯s phone was closer, so he re I braced myself mentally, already preparing for the news of another attack or some new development in the war with Alex¡¯s pack. But the words that gree He looked up at me, his expression a mix of surprise and something else I couldn¡¯t quite decipher. ¡°Just saw a breaking news headline. Alex just announ married in two months.¡±¡± Chapter 94 -Alex¡¯s Po POV- The ring headline on my phone screen mocked me. Billionaire Tycoon Alex Thorne Announces Wedding Date to Miranda McCall Reality was a bitter We¡¯d made a deal. A twisted, soul¨C sucking deal. The truth for a public wedding announcement. Truth, a word that left a metallic tang in my mouth. The truth about her parents¡® death, the tr up childhood, the truth about why she was the way she was. A broken doll, forever haunted by a past she couldn¡¯t escape. Her parents¡® deaths hadn¡¯t been an ident. My father, the monster who haunted my every waking moment, was responsible. A revtion that should h but all I felt was a hollow echo. Maybe because deep down, a part of me already knew. My father leaving a trail of destruction wherever he went wasn¡¯t exactly a secret. But Miranda, she¡¯d witnessed it all. The blood, the mangled metal, the terror in her parents¡® eyes ¨C a nightmare she could never wake up from. And Ivan? The perfect older brother, the shining star, the embodiment of everything good, ording to Miranda. He¡¯d had their past scrubbed c of my own fractured reality and as much as I hated to admit it, there was nothing I could find on him. He was truly just a knight in shining armor. So here I was, staring at the wedding announcement. Pushing the phone away, I tried to focus on work. Paperwork blurred before my eyes, the scent of a game I was supposed to care about. But it all felt so hollow, so pointless but would I stop? No. My wolf needed his pound of flesh and this was the onl A knock on the door shattered the silence. ¡°Mr Thorne, there is someone here to see you,¡± Ruth¡¯s voice,ced with a hint of trepidation, filtered through.. ¡°I told you I wasn¡¯t seeing anyone,¡± I growled, the words rough on my throat. The door creaked open a fraction, revealing a sliver of Adrian¡¯s face. ¡°I think you can make an exception for an old friend,¡± he said, a smirk twisting his lip Ruth¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, Mr. Thorne. I asked him to wait outside.¡± ¡°Just go,¡± I muttered, waving her off. Thest person I needed to see right now was Adrian, a walking reminder of betrayal and shattered trust. Ruth shot me an apologetic look before scurrying out, leaving me alone with the ghost of our past. Ignoring him, I buried myself back in the paperwork, a futile attempt to silence the storm brewing inside.. ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to offer me a seat?¡± Adrian¡¯s voice cut through the tense silence. Silence. My weapon of choice. Maybe if I ignored him long enough, he¡¯d just disappear. He let out a frustrated sigh, followed by the unmistakable scrape of a chair against the floor. He knew me well, knew exactly how to get under my skin. B ¡°Heard you¡¯re getting married, his voiceced with something that sounded suspiciously like¡­ mockery? 10:31 Sat, 22 Jun ko ¡°Married again.¡± I corrected, my voice devoid of emotion. Amusement danced in his eyes at my tone. ¡°So, you came all the way here to congratte me?¡± I asked, my voice dripping with sarcasm. ¡°Or are you just that jobless?¡± A flicker of anger sparked in his eyes, a fleeting emotion quickly masked by a chilling coldness. ¡°You haven¡¯t changed a bit, Alex,¡± he spat, his voice low and dangerous. ¡°Still the same cold, heartless bastard you¡¯ve always been a did?¡± My jaw clenched. Cold? Heartless? Coming from the man who betrayed our friendship, who chose to sleep with the woman I loved, his words. felt like a ¡°And what exactly did I do to you?¡± I asked, feigning ignorance. He threw his head back andughed, a hollow, ¡°You know exactly what you did,¡± he spat. ¡°You know what I find rather amusing? You spent years running His words stung, more than I wanted to admit. ¡°So you came here to y therapist?¡± I asked, my voiceced with a bitter edge-¡°Analyze my daddy issues?¡± He shook his head, a flicker of something akin to pity crossing his features before he schooled his expression back into a mask of indifference. ¡°No, Alex The world stopped. Amaya¡¯s name, hanging heavy in the air, ripped through the carefully constructed walls I¡¯d built around my emotions. ¡°Don¡¯t you dare speak her name,¡± I growled, a low rumble emanating from my chest. Every muscle in my body tensed, my wolf straining at the leash. A slow, sadistic smile spread across his face. ¡°Oh, I think I will,¡± he smiled even bigger, his voice dripping with malice. ¡°Especially since it concerns the lit My blood ran cold. imed? She had let herself be imed by him? They were married but I didn¡¯t think. She wouldn¡¯t. My mark, the spot where she had cemented our bond, a bond that I broke throbbed suddenly. Adrian had to be lying ¡°You¡¯re lying,¡± I spat, my voice a dangerous growl. ¡°There¡¯s no way Amaya would ever¡­¡± But the glint of twisted amusement in his eyes sent a tremor of doubt through me. He knew something. Something I didn¡¯t. And the thought of Amaya bei I ¡°You think I¡¯m lying?¡± Adrian taunted, his voiceced with a cruel edge. ¡°Well I guess you will find for yourself eventually. Just thought i should do you a s The suggestion hung heavy in the air, a challengeced with venom. ¡°Get out,¡± I snarled, the wordsced with a dangerous edge. ¡°Before I beat t all.¡± the living crap out of you and end your miserable life once and for 10:31 Sat, 22 Jun ¡Þ A slow smile spread across his face, a smile devoid of warmth. He had achieved what he came to do, ¡°No need to get violent. I was just about to leave.¡± He stood up, his movements slow and deliberate, like a predator stalking away from its prey. I watched him go, my head already spinning. The world see ¡°Damn it, Alex,¡± he growled, his voice strained with frustrationing through the speaker. ¡°We¡¯re losing wolves faster than we can blink. This isn¡¯t lookin Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g His words were a jumble of noise in my head. I tried to focus, to respond, but my body was betraying me. My vision blurred, and the phone felt like a lead weight in my h stumbled to my feet, the phone ttering to the chrome floor as Vargas continued to rant on the other end. ¡°Something¡¯s wrong,¡± I mumbled, more to myself than to him. My breath hitched in my throat, and a cold sweat broke out across my skin. Panic wed a Ignoring Vargaspletely now, I pushed myself towards the bathroom, the world a swirling mass of colors. The cool tile floor of the bathroom felt like a wee relief as I stumbled through the door. I ripped off my suit jacket, the fabric suddenly suffocating. My skin felt like it was on fire, prickling with a th My ws ripped through the fabric, leaving ragged edges in their wake. Through the haze of panic, I caught a glimpse of my reflection in the mirror. My b The burning intensified, a searing pain that ripped through me. I doubled over, gasping for breath, wing at the burning flesh. Then, just as abruptly as But the moment of relief was short¨Clived. As my ragged breaths subsided, I looked back at the mark in the mirror with a growing sense of dread. It was gone, Not faded, not scarred ¨C it was simply¡­ absent. The mark that signified our bond, broken as it may have been, had just vanished without a trace like it was never even there. Chapter 95 -Maya¡¯s POV- The news of Alex¡¯s wedding had hit me like a physical blow. I knew they were engaged but still. He was marrying her? Even as I mumbled my agreement to Ivan¡¯s job offer, the words echoed in my head, a relentless drumbeat drowning out everything else. Here I es, Ivan, oblivious to the turmoil within me, continued the tour, his voice a soothing murmur as he introduced me to various departments. Everywhere we we ¡®Alex is getting married to Miranda, the thought repeated on a loop, a cruel reminder of the rejection that still stung. The image of them together, a happy ¡°Amaya?¡± Ivan¡¯s voice cut through my fog. ¡°Are you okay? You seem a million miles away.¡± Startled, I tore my gaze away from the window and forced a smile. ¡°Yes, I¡¯m fine,¡± I lied. ¡°Just taking it all in.¡± My voice sounded hollow even to my own cars. He scrutinized me for a long moment, his brow furrowed in concern. Then, a slow smile spread across his face. ¡°Maybe I am badgering you with too muc I hesitated. A selfish part of me wanted to grab onto this new information, to soak up everything about Ivan¡¯spany, thepany I was about to beco ¡°No,¡± I blurted out, surprising myself ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Ivan. I really do want to know. Please, continue.¡± Relief washed over his face, chasing away the flicker of worry. ¡°Alright,¡± he cleared his throat, a hint of amusement in his voice. ¡°But be warned, it can ge He gestured for me to follow him as he continued down the hallway, his voice resuming its informative tone. ¡°So, as I was saying, we¡¯re a construction an bricks¨Cand¨Cmortar kind. We specialize in what¡¯s called ¡®sustainable development¨Cbasically, using innovative technologies and practices to design and build structures that are environmentally friendly and energy¨Cefficient.¡± My curiosity piqued. Sustainable development? It sounded cutting¨Cedge and important. ¡°Environmentally friendly and energy¨C efficient structures?¡± I repeated, trying to grasp the concept. ¡°Exactly,¡± he smiled, grinning, ¡°We develop things like green building materials, renewable energy integration systems,and even smart home technology He stopped outside a door with a sleek, silver namete that read ¡°Project Development.¡± ¡°This is where the magic happens,¡± he announced with a flou The room buzzed with activity. Architects hunched over blueprints, engineers debated designs on holographic disys, and 3D printers whirred in the co ¡°This is Omar Khan,¡± Ivan introduced me to a man with a neatly trimmed beard and a warm smile. ¡°He¡¯s the lead architect on ourtest project.¡± ¡°Wee aboard, Amaya,¡± Omar greeted me warmly. ¡°We¡¯re always excited to have fresh talent on the team, especially someone with your design skills whatc A blush crept up my cheeks. Design skills? My experience in interior design wasn¡¯t exactly what came to mind, but a smile found its way onto my lips nheless. As Ivan continued to introduce me to other members of the project development team, their passion for their work was contagious. They talked about en efficient skyscrapers, self¨Csustainingmunities, and even disaster resistant infrastructure with a casualness that sent a thrill through me. However, despite the fascinating information and the positive energy surrounding me, the echo of Alex¡¯s uing wedding still lingered in the back of my mind. It was like a discordant note in a beautiful symphony, a constant reminder of a past I co Suddenly, Ivan¡¯s voice snapped me back to the present. ¡°And this,¡± he gestured towards arge table covered with architectural models and blueprints, ¡° The Green Horizon. It¡¯s highly confidential, so mum¡¯s the word, okay?¡± Intrigued, I leaned closer to examine the ns. The models showcased a sprawlingplex with innovative green features like rooftop gardens and s ¡°It¡¯s our most ambitious project yet,¡± Ivan exined, his voice filled with pride. ¡°We¡¯re aiming to develop a mixed¨C use development that integrates cutting¨Cedge sustainability practices to create a thriving, eco¨Cconsciousmunity.¡± My breath hitched in my throat. The idea of creating a sustainablemunity resonated with a deep desire I hadn¡¯t even realized I possessed. But before I could d it was all a bit overwhelming. Sensing my difort, Ivan ced a hand on my shoulder, his touch sending a jolt through me. ¡°Hey, are you alright?¡± he asked, his voice. ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± I stammered, forcing a smile that felt weak even to myself. ¡°Maybe a bit much for the first day, huh?¡± Ivan chuckled, his hand lingering on my shoulder for aforting beat before he removed it. ¡°Come on, let¡¯s grab some coffee. There¡¯s a great little cafe across the street with th The mention of food settled my stomach a little, and the promise of a break from the overwhelmingb environment was tempting. ¡°Coffee sounds good,¡± I agreed, trying to sound enthusiastic. ¡°As for the cinnamon buns,¡± Ivan continued with a yful wink, ¡°they¡¯re legendary. But be warned, they disappear faster than you can say ¡®sustainable development.¡°¡± A weakugh escaped my lips. ¡°A challenge, then?¡± I countered, forcing a lightness I didn¡¯t quite feel ¡°A delicious one,¡± he promised, leading the way out of the bustling Project Development room. The weight of Alex¡¯s news still hung heavy in the air, a sha it was inspiring. As we walked down the brightly lit hallway, I stole a nce at Ivan. His profile was etched with a quiet determination, a reflection of the passion he poure ¡°So, Project Green Horizon,¡± I ventured, hoping to shift the focus and learn more about the project that had sparked a flicker of excitement within me. ¡°It ambitious.¡± ¡°It is,¡± Ivan agreed, a glint of pride in his eyes. ¡°We¡¯re talking a self¨C sufficientmunity, integrated with renewable energy sources, vertical gardens for local food production, the whole package. Imagine a ce where pe His words painted a vivid picture, a vision of a future that felt both hopeful and attainable. ¡°It¡¯s incredible,¡± I admitted, a genuine smile finally gracing my l He stopped in front of a sleek ss elevator, the city skyline shimmering through the windows. ¡°We¡¯re still in the early stages,¡± he exined, pushing the the usual hurdles. But we have a strong team, and the interest is there. People are hungry for change, Amaya. They¡¯re ready for a future that¡¯s kinder to The elevator doors whooshed open, revealing a panoramic view of the city. N?velDrama.Org owns ? this. ¡°So, what made you get into sustainable development?¡± I asked, stepping into the elevator with him. flicker He hesitated for a moment, a flicker of something crossing his face before he gave a small shrug. ¡°Honestly? It started with a realization. We only have o The elevator doors opened onto a bustling lobby, and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air. Ivan led the way out of the building. the weight of t I felt a glimmer of hope, a sense of purpose that transcended the turmoil within me. Maybe, just maybe, a new chapter was truly beginning. Chapter 96 -Maya¡¯s POV- The cinnamon buns were amazing, just like Ivan promised. But the delightful sweetness couldn¡¯t quite erase the bitter aftertaste of reality waiting for me back at his office. Stepping through the door, my good mood vanished faster than a sprinkle on a hot pastry: Miranda sat there, casually scrolling through Ivan was the first to react, his voice tight with annoyance, ¡°Miranda, what are you doing here? And how many times do I have to tell you not to just waltz She looked up, her eyes flickering between Ivan and me before a slow, smug grin spread across her face. I might have known her for only a few months, well hardly knew her but I knew I would never like her. Everything about her rubbed me the wrong way and I wanted to p the grin off her stupid face.. Pushing herself out of the chair, she walked towards us, arms outstretched. I watched with a mixture of apprehension and annoyance as Ivan visibly stiff wanted to tell my big brother in person.¡± Her hands remained firmly wrapped around Ivan while her eyes drilled into mine. The smugness on her face only intensified the urge to wipe the smile off with the back of my hand. ¡°So,¡± she continued, finally pulling away, still managing to keep her gaze locked on me, ¡°how have you been?¡± Ivan let out a tired sigh. ¡°Miranda, I¡¯m not in the mood for your games today. We have work to do. Congrattions on the wedding.¡± He then turned to me, a genuine smile warming his features. ¡°Come on, Amaya, let Miranda¡¯s yful facade faltered for a second, reced by a sh of imitation. Her arms crossed tightly, and the smugness morphed into at scowl. ¡°That¡¯s all you have to say?¡± she huffed, her voice dripping with disappointment. He shot her a pointed look. ¡°Is there anything else I need to say? Anything specific you expect from me?¡± ¡°You know exactly what I mean, Ivan,¡± she retorted, her voice rising a notch. ¡°You¡¯re being so annoying! And then you add her to the mix? Now you¡¯re just in irritating!¡± ¡°Mirandal¡± Ivan¡¯s voice boomed, a warningced with his exasperation. She ignored him, turning back to me with a pointed question, ¡°Aren¡¯t you even going to congratte me?¡± I stared at her, my jaw clenched tight. The question hung heavy in the air, a challenge I refused to acknowledge. Ignoring herpletely felt like the mos The silence stretched on, thick and ufortable. She tapped her foot impatiently, her smugness slowly giving way to frustration, Ivan, caught in the middle, pinched the bridge of his nose, clearly at his wit¡¯s end. Finally, unable to handle the silence any longer, She huffed dramatically. ¡°Finel Be that way. I don¡¯t even want the two of you at the wedding anyway. With that parting shot, she stormed out of the office, mming the door shut behind her with a bang that rattled the windows. Ivan let out a long breath, t ¡°Wow,¡± I finally managed, the word barely a whisper. ¡°That was¡­ intense.¡± Ivan chuckled, a dry humorless sound. He gestured towards his chair. ¡°Come on, sit down. Let¡¯s try to get some actual work done before she decides to I sank into the chair, the events of thest few minutes swirling through my head. Neither of us said anything and he went on exining what I would be doing as his personal assistant but i could tell his head was somewhere else. I stopped him, cing my hand on his. He looked up at me, clearly not expecting the touch. I gave him a small smile. ¡°Let¡¯s talk about it.¡± He let out a sigh running a hand through his hair, ¡°Okay.¡± ¡°Has she always been like this? I mean after what happened with your parents.¡± I paused a bit when I saw the pain sh in his eyes, ¡°It¡¯s okay if you don He smiled sadly, ¡°I want to.¡± ¡°Did you see it too?¡± asked softly, ¡°You told me Miranda witnessed it, but did you see it too? See them die?* His eyes shed with pain, and he nodded slowly. His body trembled, and I could see the grief and trauma etched on his face. I got up from my chair, my heart aching for him, I moved towards him, my legs feeling heavy, as if I was walking through quicksand. I climbed onto hisp, molding my and his pain. He pulled me closer, his arms wrapping tightly around me. We stayed like that for a long time, the only sound being our ragged breathing. Finally, he star ¡°I was six¡­so small, I didn¡¯t understand what was happening. Our pack was under attack. I remember the sounds, the growling, the screams¡­ my parents, they were trying to protect us, but there were too many.¡± He paused, taking a deep breath, his body trembling. ¡°I hid behind a crate, watching¡­watching as they¡­.as they¡­ His voice cracked, and he couldn¡¯t finish the sentence. I held him closer, my tears falling onto his chest. ¡°They killed them, Amaya. They killed our parents in front of us. Miranda was¡­she was so traumatized. She didn¡¯t speak for months after. that. And I¡­I was left with the guilt of surviving, of not being able to protect them.¡± His voice wasced with pain and regret. ¡°I remember the smell of blood, the feeling of being so small and helpless. And the sounds¡­ the sounds still haunt me. Miranda and 1, we were all each other had left. We clung to each other, trying to make sense of it all.¡± His body shuddered, and I held him tighter, my heart aching for the little boy who had witnessed such horror. ¡°As we grew older, Miranda became more and more withdrawn. She couldn¡¯t cope with the trauma, and I¡­I tried to be strong for her, but it was hard. So hard. And then she started acting out, seeking attention in all the wrong ways.¡± His voice cracked again, and he paused, taking a few deep breaths. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, Amaya. I¡¯m so sorry you have to deal with her, with all of this. But I can¡¯t help it. She¡¯s my sister, and I love her, no matter how much she hurts me but sometimes it gets tiring¡± As I held him, I couldn¡¯t help but think about Miranda. I knew I would never understand or like her. She had been hurt, traumatized, but that didn¡¯t justify ¡°How did you do it? How did you manage to get through it, toe out the other side?¡± He looked at me, his eyes searching mine. ¡°I just learned to let the past go, Amaya. I had to. I couldn¡¯t change what happened, but I could change how I reacted to it.¡± ¡°But how?¡± I pressed. ¡°How did you learn to let it go? He sighed, his body rxing into mine. ¡°It wasn¡¯t easy. It took a long time, a lot of therapy, a lot of support from people who cared about me. But eventua only keeping me stuck in the same ce, reliving the same trauma over and over again.¡± Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g I nodded, my mind racing with understanding. ¡°And what about your parents¡® attackers? Did you ever find out who they were?¡± There was a beat of silence before he answered, ¡°No. I never found out. I never wanted to know.¡± I looked at him, my eyes searching his face. ¡°Why not?¡± He shrugged, his shoulders barely moving. ¡°I don¡¯t know. I just didn¡¯t want to know. I didn¡¯t want to give them any more power over me than they already I nodded, my heart aching for him. I knew that I would never fully understand what he had gone through, but I was grateful that he was willing to share it with me. I was grateful that he trusted me enough to be vulnerable with me. I looked up at him and smiled, ¡°Ivan?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± I leaned towards him, cing a kiss on his lips and then whispered, ¡°I think I am falling in love with you.¡± Chapter 97 -Maya¡¯s POV- Everything felt different after that moment with Ivan. I meant what I¡¯d said. When he first confessed his feelings, I never imagined we¡¯d be here. Sure, my And it wasn¡¯t just my personal life that was blossoming. I was thriving as his PA. Okay, there were certain activities that made me blush in hindsight, espe and thankfully Alex, who I had realized I was finally moving on from, had disappeared. No physical sightings in over two weeks. But the city was abuzz w in my own world, happy for the first time in a long time. The twins were doing great. I still couldn¡¯t believe I let them go to school, thanks to Ivan¡¯s convincing. Part of me hated seeing my babies grow up so fas their y ss. My friendships with Sarah, Riley, and Natalia had blossomed too. Everything was clicking into ce, and then the unexpected happened While my life was finally peaceful, the war between my father and Alex had escted to a whole new level. Humans had died. Finally, Ivan stepped in. As the mediator between the two, he pushed them to actually t both my father and Alex to attend. I was ecstatic. A g was something I¡¯d always dreamed of experiencing. That¡¯s why I was currently on a shopping spree with the girls- Sarah, Riley, an Now, finding a dress that wasn¡¯t ridiculously expensive orpletely impractical for a werewolf was proving to be a challenge. We¡¯d hit five stores alread ¡°Ugh,¡± I groaned, copsing onto a plush velvet chair in thetest boutique. ¡°This is hopeless. Maybe a g isn¡¯t such a good idea after all.¡± Sarah knelt beside me. ¡°Don¡¯t give up yet. There has to be something in here that works.¡± Natalia chimed in, ¡°Maybe we should expand the search. Have you tried the high¨Cend stores downtown?¡± Riley added, ¡°And maybe consider something a little less¡­restrictive? We don¡¯t want you tripping over your dress during the night.¡± I sighed. They all had good points. Maybe my dream of a flowing, elegant gown wasn¡¯t exactly practical for a werewolf g. ¡°Okay, new n,¡± Iannounced, a determined glint in my eyes. ¡°High¨Cend stores downtown, and we¡¯re keeping an open mind. No more Cindere fantasies. We¡¯re going for something functional and fabulous.¡± The girls grinned, their shopping spirits rekindled. We piled out of the boutique, ready to conquer the next stop. This g might be a gamble, but I was d and maybe even have a little fun along the way. N?velDrama.Org owns ? this. We left the boutique feeling a bit defeated but not discouraged. The high¨C end stores downtown were our next target, a fresh battlefield in the war against unpractical gowns ¡°Alright, I think we have held it in long enough,¡± Sarah started as we walked, ¡°spill the beans. What¡¯s really going on with you and Ivan?¡± A blush crept up my cheeks, a traitor giving away the secrets my lips were trying to hold. It had been like this for weeks now. Ever since things had shifted betwe particrly interested in the¡­aftermath, shall we say. Just as I opened my mouth to deflect their questions, a voice chimed in from behind us. ¡°Can I help youdies find something special today?¡± We turned to see a tall, Impably dressed woman with a dazzling smile. Her nametag read ¡®Evelyn, and she exuded art aura of quiet confidence that put me at ease instantly. ¡°Actually, yes,¡± Sarah said, stepping forward. ¡°We¡¯re looking for a dress for a g.¡± ¡°A g, how exciting!¡± Evelyn eximed, her smile widening, ¡°What kind of g is it?¡± ¡°It¡¯s a werewolf themed g,¡± I blurted out before I could stop myself. Of course I knew she wouldn¡¯t actually think werewolves. Her smile didn¡¯t falter. ¡°Interesting,¡± she said, raising an eyebrow. ¡°Not something you see every day. But that just makes it all the more special, wouldn¡¯t I nodded, surprised by her calm eptance. Maybe this wasn¡¯t such a bad idea after all. ¡°Do you have any specific styles in mind?¡± Evelyn asked, gestu ¡°Well,¡± Natalia started, ¡°we were hoping to find something elegant but also practical. You know, something that moves well.¡± ¡°Ah, I see,¡± Evelyn nodded thoughtfully. ¡°Perhaps a cocktail dress could be a good option? They offer the elegance you desire with the freedom of movement you need.¡± Relief washed over me. Cocktail dress? Now that was an idea I hadn¡¯t considered. Maybe it wasn¡¯t the flowing gown of my dreams, but it could definitely ¡°That¡¯s a great suggestion,¡± A genuine smile spread across my face. ¡°Can we see what you have in mind?¡± Evelyn¡¯s smile mirrored mine. ¡°Absolutely. Follow me,dies. I have just the thing for a night of werewolf revelry.¡± The next hour was a whirlwind of fabrics, sequins, and stifled sighs. We tried on everything from sleek ck cocktail dresses that clung to our curves a little too tightly to flow worthy. Each dress felt like it belonged on someone else, failing to capture the essence of who I was or what I wanted to project. Discouragement started to settle in. Maybe the whole ¡°dress for a werewolf g¡± concept had been a bad idea. Maybe there was no such thing as a dre Just as I was about to throw in the towel and dere defeat, my gaze drifted towards a secluded corner of the store. There, tucked away amongst a sea of jewel tones, hung a dress that seemed to call out to me. It wasn¡¯t on a han ¡°What about that one?¡± I blurted out, pointing towards the corner. Evelyn, who had been patiently shuttling dresses back and forth, turned to follow my finger. Her gaze lingered on the green dress for a moment before she gave a small shrug. ¡°Oh, that one,¡± she muttered dismissively. ¡°It¡¯s nothing special, really. Just a leftover from a previous season.¡± There was something about the way she said it, so nonchnt, that piqued my curiosity. Leftover or not, the dress held a certain allure. 10:32 Sat, 22 Jun J ¡°Can I try it on anyway?¡± I asked, a flicker of hope igniting in my chest. She hesitated for a moment, then sighed. ¡°Alright, fine. But I wouldn¡¯t get your hopes up. It might not be your style.¡± A few minutester, I stood in the dressing room, the emerald green dress sped loosely in my hands. It was lighter than I expected, the fabric a soft, lu itself was simple yet elegant, with a fitted bodice that entuated my curves and a flowing skirt that fell just below my knees. But what truly stole the show was the color. The emerald green was unlike anything I¡¯d ever seen before, rich and vibrant with a subtle hint of gold that seemed to catch the light and dance. Hesitantly, I slipped the dress on. It fit like a dream, hugging my figure in all the right ces without being restrictive. As I looked at myself in the mirror, a The emerald green somehowplemented my coppery hair perfectly, drawing out the warm highlights and making my eyes appear brighter. It exuded ¡°Wow,¡± I breathed out, running my hands over the soft fabric. ¡°This is it. This is the dress.¡± A smile bloomed on Evelyn¡¯s face, genuine and warm. ¡°Sometimes, the most unexpected things turn out to be exactly what you were looking for.¡± ¡°This is amazing.¡± I swirled. Relief and excitement washed over me. After all that searching, all those failed attempts, I had finally found it. The perfect dress for a night unlike any other. Chapter 98 Maya¡¯s POV- The grand hall buzzed with a nervous energy that sent shivers down my spine. The g was meant to be a neutral ground for my father and Alex to fina The vast space had been meticulously arranged to amodate the expected influx of wolves. Alex¡¯s pack, several thousand strong by some estimates of unity that felt more hopeful than real. In the center, a raised tform awaited the main yers. Ivan, the architect of this fragile truce, had a n. He intended to address the entire gathering, Despite the festive decorations and the upbeat music ying in the background, a knot of apprehension tightened in my stomach. A primal instinct, a wo Then, the entrance doors swung open, and a hush fell over the crowd. Alex entered the hall, nked by two older men. Their confident strides, their pred battle of wills. There was no remnant of warmth in his gaze, no flicker of recognition. It was as cold and hard as the day he¡¯d rejected me, a stark contrast to the smug smile ying on Miranda¡¯s lips as she walked beside him, their hands linked possessively Ivan greeted them both with a courtesy that felt strained even from a distance. He ushered them towards Alex¡¯s designated area, where the alpha took a A momentter, the doors opened again, and my father entered, a grim expression etched on his face. Petrov shadowed him closely. The air crackled wi Ivan, with a forced smile, approached my father, extending a greeting. But even from here, I could see the tension radiating off him. My father¡¯s response The interaction left me feeling strangely detached, pushed further into the background. I turned around to find Natalia and Sarah watching. me with conc minute shift she couldn¡¯t get out of A part of me, a selfish part, couldn¡¯t help but feel relieved. This wouldn¡¯t be a safe environment for a human if things w ¡°Are you oka ¡°Are you okay?¡± Natalia asked, her voiceced with worry. I blinked, pulled back from the scene unfolding in the hall. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m fine. Why wouldn¡¯t I be?¡± Sarah snorted. ¡°Because you¡¯re practically glued to that curtain, and your body is as tense as a coiled spring. That¡¯s why.¡± ¡°I¡¯m good. I¡¯m good,¡± I repeated, more for my own benefit than theirs. ¡°I just¡­ I just need this night to go well. I¡¯m tired of the fighting, the senseless deat Natalia reached out and squeezed my shoulder gently. ¡°I know, Maya. We all are. But tonight will be okay. You¡¯ll see.¡± Sarah offered a reassuring smile. ¡°Yeah, it will. Now, I have to go mingle with the pack. See you inside.¡± She leaned down and nted a quick kiss on m Left alone with Natalia, a wave of doubt washed over me. ¡°I don¡¯t know why I was ever excited about this g,¡± I confessed, ¡°There¡¯s just this bad feeling in my gut, like something terrible is about to happen.¡± She squeezed my hand again, her touch conveying a strength that calmed my racing heart. ¡°It will be alright. Now,e on. Ivan needs yo by his side to With a deep breath, I stepped out of the curtained alcove, the emerald green dress shimmering like a captured oasis under the bright lights. The murmu I felt the weight of their stares, the intensity of Alex¡¯s cold gaze boring into me from across the hall. My father¡¯s re was no less unsettling. but I refused expectantly on the raised tform. Natalia, her eyes filled with silent encouragement, gave me onest reassuring smile before slipping away to find a seat among the crowd. Ivan¡¯s gaze met mine as I approached, and for a moment, the entire world seemed to fade away. Appreciation flickered i Then, as if suddenly remembering the gravity of the situation, he turned back towards the assembled wolves and raised his voice to address them. ¡°Tha to find a way to end the conflict that has ravaged our city for far too long.¡± He scanned the crowd, his gaze lingering on my father and Alex for a beat longer than necessary. ¡°The fighting, the deaths- they benefit no one. Our packs are dwindling, our strength is waning A low murmur of agreement rippled through the hall. Even among the most hardened warriors, a flicker of doubt could be seen. Ivan¡¯s words. resonated they couldn¡¯t deny. My father, however, remained unmoved. A scoff escaped his lips as Ivan finished his opening statement. ¡°Why should we stop?¡± Interjected, his voicec he I almost facepalmed myself at his question. Did he not see the devastation they were causing? Did he not care about the lives being lost? Ivan locked eyes with my father, his expression hardening. ¡°You just answered your own question, Daniel. We need to stop because it is leading to our d My father scoffed again, this time louder. ¡°Destruction? We are winning this war, Ivan. Alex started this, and he needs to apologize before any talks of pe A tense silence descended upon the hall. All eyes turned towards Alex, who remained seated, his face a mask of indifference. He hadn¡¯t spoken a word since entering, and his silence spoke volumes. Was it arrogance? Defiance? The pressure in the room grew with each passing second, Ivan seemed to take a deep breath, trying to maintain hisposure. A low growl rumbled through Alex¡¯s section of the hall. Some of his wolves shifted in their seats, their eyes shing with anger. But Alex himself remained noise. N?velDrama.Org owns ? this. Ivan, his jaw clenched tight, watched my father with a mixture of anger and disappointment. ¡°We are not here to rehash old grievances. We 713 10:32 Sat, 22 Jun G are here to find a solution.¡± My father opened his mouth to retort, but before he could get a word out, a sudden movement from Alex¡¯s section drew everyone¡¯s attention. Alex, who had been the very picture of nonchnce moments ago, rose slowly to his feet. A collective gasp rippled through the hall. The air crackled with anticipation and then a series of sharp cracks echoed through the hall, the unmistakable In that instant, the fragile peace that had held for the past hour shatteredpletely. My heart pounded in my chest, a frantic drum against my ribs. My w Then, with a voice that seemed to emanate from the very depths of his being, he spoke a single word. A word that hung heavy in the air, a death knell to any hope of d Chapter 99 -Maya¡¯s POV- The world erupted into a cacophony of snarls, growls, and the sickening thud of flesh on flesh. Alex¡¯smand echoed in my ears, a death knell shatter Before I could even blink, his wolves were a blur of fur and fangs,unching themselves towards the center tform where my father stood, his own wolv A guttural roar ripped from Alex¡¯s wolf, a sound that sent shivers down my spine and echoed the primal fear rising within me. My father¡¯s pack didn¡¯t hesi tide. The sh was instantaneous, a whirlwind of snapping teeth and thrashing ws. The air grew thick with the stench of fur and blood, the polished floor o Then, a cold realization washed over me, sharp and undeniable. This wasn¡¯t a show of force, a fight for dominance. This was a massacre. Alex hadn¡¯te here to negotiate peace; he¡¯de here to destroy. A frantic voice broke through the haze of terror clouding my mind. ¡°Amaya!¡± I whipped my head around, searching for the source of the shout. Relief flooded me as I saw Ivan pushing his way through the throng of fighting wolves, his face etched with concern. Instinct took over. I needed to find Natalia and Sarah, get them out of this madness. ¡°Ivan,¡± I shouted, my voice barely audible over the growing chaos, ¡°Natalia and Sarah! I need to find them!¡± He reached me, his grip firm as he pulled me towards a side door leading out of the hall. ¡°We need to get you out of here first,¡± he yelled, his voice strain Panic gnawed at me. I understood his logic, the need to get me out of harm¡¯s way. But I couldn¡¯t just abandon them. ¡°No! I can¡¯t leave them!¡± ¡°Amaya, this is not up for debate!¡± Ivan¡¯s voice held a steely edge I hadn¡¯t heard before. He grabbed my arm and began dragging me towards C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org. the exit. My eyes darted frantically around the hall, searching for any sign of Natalia or Sarah amidst the swirling mass of fur and fangs. Then, in the distance, I saw them. My father and Alex, locked in a vicious light, their wolf forms a tangle A primal scream ripped from my throat. They were going to kill each other. In that moment, everything else faded away- the chaos, the fear, the need to escape. All I saw was my father, the man who raised me even thoug everything, locked in a deadly struggle. Before Ivan could stop me, I ripped my arm free from his grasp and bolted towards them. ¡°No!¡± he roared after me, but I was already in the desperate ne running, My sprint across the blood¨Cslicked floor felt like running through an adrenaline¨C fueled dream. The snarls and growls intensified as I got closer, punctuated by the sickening crack of bone on bone. Each step felt like wading through mud, my breathing in ragged gasps that tore at my lungs. Just as I reached the outskirts of the fighting frenzy, a massive brown wolf, easily twice the size of any I¡¯d ever seen, mmed into my father, sending him sprawling across the ground. My heart lurched, dread twisting in my gut. A strangled cry escaped my lips as I saw my father trying to scramble to his feet, his wolf form diminished, ragged gashes marking his gray fur. Suddenly tumbled across the floor in a whirlwind of snarling fury, the sound of teeth snapping and ws ripping echoing through the hall, my father forgotten. I wondered why Alex was helping my father but fear didn¡¯t let me focus on it and it threatened to consume me, but something else, a flicker of my wolf with by and watch him be ripped to shreds. With a deep breath that did little to calm the frantic pounding of my heart, I felt my wolf finally break through the cage that had bound her in my head and I did the one thing I hadn¡¯t done in four years. I shifted. The transformation was instantaneous, a wave of searing pain followed by a rush of power surging through my body. My vision sharpened, the world nar Without hesitation, Iunched myself towards him, aiming for his side. With a primal roar, I mmed into him, driving him back a few steps. He whipped The massive brown wolf let out a surprised yelp as I collided with him. His momentum faltered, giving Alex¡¯s wolf a vital edge in their fight But whoever h Instinct took over. I twisted away from his attack, my wolf¡¯s agility giving me an advantage against his brute strength. We danced around each other, a deadly ballet on the blood¨C soaked floor. I darted in and out, nipping at his nks, trying to draw his attention away from the fight with Alex However, the wolf was no fool. He anticipated my attacks with surprising speed, his yellow eyes gleaming with predatory intelligence. Each missed attac growing pain in my leg, a result of a swipe from his paw earlier in the chaos, made my movements sluggish A thunderous roar echoed through the hall, drawing my attention back to the central brawl. My father¡¯s wolf, fueled by rage and desperation, had manag sprawling The sight of my father fighting Alex, the two alphas locked in a deadly struggle, ignited a fresh wave of fear and confusion within me. My wolf whined in protest, tor affection she held for Alex. But before I could act, the wolf seized his opportunity. With a powerful lunge, he knocked me to the ground, his massive weight pinning me down. A shar A sh of ck fur caught my eye. Alex, having fended off my father¡¯s attack, was now charging towards me. Just as the wolf was about to deliver another punish into him with the force of a battering ram. The impact sent them both tumbling across the hall, a tangle of snarling fury. Taking advantage of the distraction, I scrambled to my feet. My shoulder throbbed with pain, and blood dripped from the wound. But the adrenaline cours The battlefield was pure pandemonium. Wolves from both sides were locked in a brutal fight, the air thick with the stench of blood and fur. My father and reason. 10-32 301, 22 JUNI Ignoring the searing pain in my leg and the throbbing wound on my shoulder, Iunched myself back into the fray. My wolf yowled in defiance, her prima Time seemed to slow as I tore towards them, the raw power of my wolf surging through me. But before I could reach them, a blinding sh tore through the hall. A deafening crack of thunder split the air, and the gro The massive chandelier above us, caught in the crossfire of the battle, came crashing down. Shards of ss rained dowit like deadly arrows, the wolve The world seemed to disintegrate around me as I dove for cover, bracing myself for the inevitable impact. Chapter 100 -Alex¡¯s POV- Something inside me shifted the moment the mark vanished. It wasn¡¯t a physical feeling, more like a presence that had always been there, a constant h ache. My wolf went silent. It was an unsettling quiet, a stark contrast to the usual rumble of instincts and desires. It felt like he was trying to understand th seeped into my core. It wasn¡¯t just ack of warmth, it was a chilling indifference, a detachment from everything around me. It was like a tether, the one t When Ivan¡¯s invitation arrived, proposing a grand g to negotiate peace, I knew peace was thest thing on my mind. Maybe there was a flicker of dou move, not a calcted decision based on military tactics. It was pure, unadulterated rage, a primal urge to tear everything down, to mirror the destruction Chaos erupted in an instant. The air crackled with snarls and growls, the polished floor of the hall slick with blood within seconds. I barely registered the But amidst the carnage, a single image pierced through the fog of violence. Amaya¡¯s wolf. She was running straight into the heart of the battle, a slender figure dwarfed by therger wolves surrounding her. It was like I took a strike distracting me from her as she tackled a brown wolf but then I caught sight of the swaying chandelier and then, with a sickening crack, it b beneath the falling debris. Panic wed at my throat. I didn¡¯t think, I reacted. With a surge of adrenaline that ignored the throbbing pain in my shoulder, Iunched myself forward. the snarling wolves, the stench of blood, the impending rain of ss. My only focus was Amaya, the need to get to her before the chandelier crushed her beneath its weight I mmed into Daniel¡¯s wolf with a force that sent both of us tumbling backwards. He snarled in surprise, momentarily thrown off bnce by the unexpec hall, a that shot up my leg with each stride. My woll roared, a primal sound that echoed through the desperate plea for her to move. Just as I reached her, a wave of brown fur mmed into her side, sending her flying. It was a blur, a tangle of fur and teeth, but I recognized the hulking With a single¨Cminded focus, I mmed into with a single¨C minded focus, I mmed into the brown wolf with the force of a battering ram. The impact sent him sprawling, his surprised yelp drowned out by the deafening crash of the chandelier above. A million shards of ss rained down around us, some cl embedding themselves with sickening thuds in the flesh of nearby wolves. Dust swirled in the air, momentarily obscuring the scene. When it settled, I saw Amaya lying motionless beneath the brown wolf, his own body twitching Pushing myself off the dazed wolf, I scrambled towards her, my heart a frantic drum solo in my chest. Each breath felt like sandpaper scraping against m stain spreading across her stomach forgetting the battle happening all around us, nothing else mattered. ¡°Amaya,¡± I whimpered, nudging her gently with my snout. Come on, Silver. Wake up.¡± Desperate, I nudged her again, harder this time. Suddenly, a low moan escaped her lips, and her eyelids fluttered open. Reffef washed over me in a tida ¡°Alex?¡± Her voice was weak, barely a whisper. ¡°It¡¯s okay,¡± I rasped, the words rough with emotion through our psych. ¡°I¡¯m here.¡± Carefully, I shifted back into my human form, the transformation a painful process after the exertion of the fight. Ignoring the throbbing ache in every muscle, I knelt beside her, my gaze scanning her injuries. The bite on her shoulder looked nasty, a deep puncture wound already blooming with a dark purple bruise. Blood trickled down her shoulder. ¡°We need to get you out of here.¡± I tried to touch her but she backed away and then winced as she tried to push herself up, but she sank back down with a groan. ¡°My leg,¡± she breathed, her face pale with pain. ¡°I think it¡¯s broken.¡± Frustration bubbled up inside me, but I forced it down. There was no time for a tantrum. ¡°Hold on,¡± I instructed, gently scooping her up in my arms. She was lighter than I expected, worryingly so. The hall was a scene of utter chaos. Wolves snarled and snapped at each other, oblivious to the destruction around them.The pungent smell of blood hu Picking my way through the carnage, I dodged iling limbs and snarling faces. Every step was an agonizing ordeal, my own body screaming in protest Finally, I reached a doorway at the back of the hall. Pushing through the door, I found myself in a dimly lit corridor, lined with closed doors. With a grunt of effort, I flung open the first door and peered inside. Relief flooded me as I recognized the familiar white metal cab of a first¨C aid kit hanging on the wall. cing Amaya gently on a nearby plush armchair, I rushed over to the cab and ripped open the door. She should be heal Inside were bandages, antiseptic wipes, and various pain medications. Grabbing what I needed, I returned to her side. ¡°What were you thinking, running into the middle of a fight like that?¡± I snapped, unable to hold back the question any longer. She winced as I tightened the bandage around her shoulder. ¡°L¡­¡± she began, then stopped, biting her lip. Finally, she met my gaze, a flicker of defiance I narrowed my eyes at her, my jaw clenching tight. Ignoring the sting of her usation, I growled, ¡°You could have ended up dead. Did you even think ab Her gaze met mine, her own eyes hardening in defiance. They narrowed to slits, mirroring my own scowl. Her breathing was shallow, each Inhale a ragg seemed to hitch in her throat. For a horrifying moment, I thought she might faint again, but then a change flickered across herce and I watched her wo 10-33¨C381, 22 ¡°You caused it all, Alex, so don¡¯t stand there and act so judgy. In fact, move away. I don¡¯t want to talk to you anymore. Thank you for getting me out of that mess, but I need to find my friends.¡± With a determined glint in her eyes, she pushed herself out of the plush armchair, ignoring the obvious pain in her leg. As she rose, my eyes caught it. The mark. A faint, intricate tattoo etched onto her flesh. It was positioned in the exact same spot where my own mark had resided before it. vanished, a swirling symbol that seemed to pulse with an internal energy. Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g My wolf erupted in a ferocious snarl within my head. Instinct took over, propelling me forward before I could even think, I grabbed her hand with a vice¨C like grip, the bones in her wrist protesting under my hold. ¡°You are not leaving here until you tell me why you let him mark you!¡± Chapter 101 -Maya¡¯s POV- Alex¡¯s grip tightened on my wrist, his knuckles tuming white with the force. The surprise in his eyes was quickly reced by something else, a primal pos But it was a fleeting emotion. Squaring my shoulders, I met his gaze head¨C on. ¡°Let go of me, Alex!¡± I hissed, yanking my hand back with surprising strength. The pain in my leg shot up again, a searing reminder of my vulnerabilit ¡°It¡¯s none of your business!¡± I snapped. His eyes narrowed further, his jaw clenching tight. ¡°It is my business,¡± he countered, his voice a low growl. ¡°You are beating his mark right where mine us I stared at him, incredulous. Was he seriously asking me this right now? The fight outside raged on, the sounds of snarls and crashes echoing through th were, in a dimly lit back room, and he was fixated on the mark Ivan had ced on my shoulder. ¡°Are you being serious right now?¡± I spat, my voiceced with anger. ¡°There¡¯s a battle outside, one you started with your reckless order! Wolves are prob ¡°I just saved your life,¡± he muttered, his voice gruff. ¡°I didn¡¯t ask for your help!¡± I shot back, my temper ring. ¡°Now let go of me! I need to find ivan and the others, see if they¡¯re alright.¡± Ignoring the throbbing pain in my leg, I pushed myself to my feet. The world tilted slightly, and I grabbed onto the nearest armchair for support. The fact t He stared at me, his expression unreadable. ¡°You¡¯ll get yourself killed out there,¡± he warned. ¡°Then call it off!¡± I countered. ¡°You gave the order, call your wolves off!¡± The anger in my voice surprised even me. But the thought of Ivan and the others, caught in the middle of this chaos Alex had unleashed, filled me with a He hesitated, his gaze flickering towards the closed door. The sounds of the fight seemed to intensify for a moment, then recede slightly. ¡°They won¡¯t listen to me now,¡± he muttered, his voice defeated. ¡°It¡¯s toote.¡± Frustration bubbled up inside me. ¡°Toote for what?¡± I snapped. ¡°Toote to stop the fight you started? Toote to apologize for the way you treated me?¡± My words hung heavy in the air, a challenge and an usation rolled into one. Alex flinched, his jaw clenching tight. For a moment, I thought he might argue, but then he let ou ¡°There¡¯s a lot we need to talk about, Amaya,¡± he said finally, his voice softer now. ¡°But right now, you can¡¯t go back out there. Your leg is injured.¡± He gestured towards the armchair where I had been sitting moments ago. There was a flicker of concern in his eyes but I wasn¡¯t ready to let 13:00 Mon, 24 Jun m ºÅ:62%Á¿ down my gu guard. The anger and hurt from his rejection were still raw, and the situation we found ourselves in was far from ideal. ¡°I can take care of myself, Alex,¡± I said coolly. ¡°Thank you for the, uh, medical attention. But I think I¡¯d rather take my chances out there with my friends th With a determined glint in my eyes, I took a tentative step forward. The pain shot up my leg again, sharper this time, but I gritted my teeth and pushed on He moved to grab my arm, but I swatted his hand away. ¡°Don¡¯t touch me,¡± I warned, He froze, his hand hovering in mid¨Cair for a moment before slowly retracting. A flicker of something akin to shame crossed his face, but it was quickly reced by a look of stubborn determination. ¡°Fine,¡± he said through gritted teeth. ¡°But you¡¯re not going anywhere in that condition. Here, sit.¡± He didn¡¯t wait for my response, but instead moved with surprising gentleness, pushing the armchair closer to me. I hesitated for a moment, torn between my anger and the throbbing pain in my leg. Finally, with a sigh of defeat, I lowered myself onto the plush cushion. The cool fabric felt soothing against my hot skin. Alex watched me with an unread ¡°Look,¡± he began, his voice calmer now, ¡°I know you¡¯re angry. And you have every right to be. I messed up, big time. Rejecting you was a mistake, the bi His words hung heavy in the air and I froze for a moment. Did he just apologize? After all these time, after everything, he was apologizing? ¡°But exining that now isn¡¯t going to change anything,¡± he continued, his voice low. ¡°Right now, we need to focus on getting you out of here safely.¡± I stared at him, unsure of how to respond. The anger still simmered within me, but it was starting to be overshadowed by a wave of confusion. What exac ¡°How did you even know about the mark? How did you know he marked me?¡± I finally asked, ignoring the other other million questions going through m N?velDrama.Org owns ? this. He hesitated, then ran a hand through his already messy hair. ¡°Let¡¯s just say I have my ways.¡± His answer wasn¡¯t satisfying, but I knew pushing him wouldn¡¯t get me anywhere right now. I had bigger problems to deal with, namely the battle raging o ¡°Can I at least get you some water?¡± he asked hesitantly, his voice almost sheepish. I looked at him, surprised by the simple request. He looked genuinely concerned, a stark contrast to the domineering Alpha I was used to. ¡°Sure,¡± I finally said after a moment¡¯s hesitation. ¡°Water would be good.¡± A small smile flickered across his face, a fleeting glimpse of the Alex I had known before. He turned and moved towards a small sink tucked away in a co What the fuck was happening? Did I wake up in some kind of alternate universe? 13:00 Mon, 24 Juno Why was he apologizing after everything?, Why was was he suddenly being not cold? Amd water? Really water? U24 As he filled a ss with water, I couldn¡¯t help but take a moment to really look at him. He was covered in dust and blood from the fight, naked. It was uns For a moment, our eyes met, and I saw a flicker of something in his gaze, something that mirrored the turmoil within me. Was it regret? Hope? Whatever The anger, the hurt I had been pushing down, surged back to the surface, fueled by a fierce protectiveness for my pack, ¡°Your apologies aren¡¯t going to c The anger in my voice seemed to surprise him, momentarily wiping the concern from his face. ¡°They won¡¯t listen to me now. The fight¡¯s gotten out of con ¡°Then find a way to make them listen!¡± I roared, my own frustration boiling over. ¡°You¡¯re the Alpha, aren¡¯t you? Act like onel¡± A tense silence descended upon the room, broken only by the distant sounds of the battle. We locked eyes, a storm of emotions swirling within them- anger, hurt, confusion. Just as I was about to break the silence, a low rumble echoed through the room, followed by a sickening creak. A piece of ster from the ceiling rained His eyes widened in horror. ¡°The building¡­¡± Another rumble, louder this time, sent a tremor through the floor. Dust motes danced in the dim light, swirling around us like miniature phantoms. ¡°It¡¯s copsing!¡± I yelled, scrambling out of the armchair. Panic wed at my throat, momentarily erasing the anger that had fueled me moments before. Alex lunged towards me, his hand outstretched. ¡°We need to get out of here, now!¡± Chapter 102 -Maya¡¯s POV- Blood. Blood was everywhere. It smeared across the concrete floor, staining my feet, clinging to my skin in a cold, metallic sheen. The metallic tang filled my no Alex had pulled me out, his grip on my arm bruisingly tight. The building shuddered around us, the air thick with dust and the ominous groan of buckling So many people had died, caught in the crossfire of a war Alex had instigated. And I, consumed by my own emotional turmoil, had barely given them a t As soon as Ivan had gotten me clear, Alex had vanished. No surprise there. He was probably back at his mansion, basking in the aftermath of his victory absorption, wouldn¡¯t be caught dead sacrificing himself for anyone but himself. ¡°Are you okay?¡± Ivan¡¯s voice broke through my spiraling thoughts. I was wrapped in a nket, the world around me a blur as I shivered uncontrobly. ¡°Natalia and Sarah got out before things got too messy,¡± he continued. ¡°Natalia said she tried to find you, and apparently, you vanished the moment you shifted.¡± He said it with a forced lightness, but I could hear th My wolf After four agonizing years, she was back. Notpletely gone, I knew that now, but dormant, a flicker buried deep within me. A small, defiant smile tugged at the corner of my lips. My wolf was back, a part of me I¡¯d feared was lost forever. ¡°Amaya?¡± Ivan¡¯s voice,ced with concern, yanked me back to the present. I realized I hadn¡¯t answered him. ¡°Yes,¡± I stammered, forcing the words past the lump in my throat. ¡°Yes, I¡¯m fine.¡± He wasn¡¯t convinced and I knew what he must be thinking. That would exin the storm brewing in his eyes. I opened my mouth, ready to offer some ¡°I¡¯m d you are,¡± he said, his voice tight. Silence descended upon the room, thick and suffocating. The only sound was the frantic hammering of my heart against my ribs. ¡°Miranda?¡± I blurted out suddenly. The question hung in the air, unexpected even to me. ¡°I saw her leaving just before he gave the order,¡± He replied. ¡°She must have known what he was nning. In her usual Miranda way, she¡¯ll be fine.¡± I nodded, but the weight of his words settled heavily on my chest. He stood up abruptly. ¡°Get some rest,¡± he sighed, his voice clipped. ¡°I need some fresh air.¡± He turned to leave, but I called out to him, my voice choked with guilt. ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± He stopped, his shoulders rigid. He turned slowly, his eyes filled with a hurt that mirrored the ache in my own heart. ¡°I don¡¯t understand you, Amaya. You just ran into the middle of that battle. Why? For him? His voice rose with each word, and i flinched under the weight of his anger. But I knew I deserved it. He was right. While he¡¯d been there for me, picking ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± I whispered, the words a hollow echo in the vast emptiness of the room. ¡°You¡¯re always sorry, Amaya,¡± he snapped, his voiceced with frustration. ¡°How do you think that makes me feel? I do everything to show you that I car His words were harsh, each one a searing indictment of my actions. Tears welled up in my eyes, blurring my vision. Shame burned in my gut, a white¨C hot inferno that threatened to consume me whole. ¡°I know,¡± I croaked, my voice barely a whisper. ¡°I know you¡¯re right. I shouldn¡¯t have run right into the middle of it. I should have trusted you, let you prote A flicker of something akin to pain crossed Ivan¡¯s face, momentarily recing the anger. He took a deep breath, his shoulders slumping slightly. ¡°It¡¯s not about protecting you, Amaya,¡± he sighed, his voice softer now. ¡°It¡¯s about you seeing me. Seeing what I can offer you. A love that¡¯s fierce and tru He reached out, his hand hovering hesitantly over mine. I didn¡¯t move away, a tiny spark of hope flickering to life amidst the ashes of my guilt. ¡°But how can I expect you to see that,¡± he continued, his voiceced with a bitter truth, ¡°when you¡¯re too busy chasing shadows?¡± His hand withdrew, leaving a cold emptiness in its wake. The weight of his words settled heavily upon me, a crushing realization of the depth of my betra Silence stretched between us, thick with unspoken emotions. I longed to bridge the chasm that had opened between us, to somehow express the remor my throat, choked by the weight of my actions. Finally, unable to bear the silence any longer, I spoke, my voice thick with emotion. ¡°Ivan, I¡­¡± ¡°Just get some rest,¡± he interrupted gently, his gaze flickering away from mine. ¡°We can talk about thister. Right now, you need to heal.¡± He turned and walked towards the door, his steps heavy with unspoken disappointment. As he reached for the knob, he paused for a moment, his back to me.. ¡°And Amaya,¡± he whispered, his voice barely a murmur, ¡°think about what you truly want. Because chasing after something that can never be will only leave you forever lost.¡± With that, he left the room, the click of the door shutting behind him echoing in the stark silence. I was alone with my thoughts, the enormity of my choice Tears streamed down my face, unchecked and unforgiving. I had hurt the one person who had always been there for me, the one person who loved me unconditionally. ?? Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g IVIUNI, 24 JUI How could I have been so stupid? As the weight of my actions pressed down on me, a new fear began to gnaw at the edges of my consciousness. In my blind pursuit of Alex, had I pushed Ivan away for good? I sat there for a while just letting time pass and then with a sigh, I wrapped the nket tighter around me and went out to check on the twins. They would be asleep cuddled together, arms and legs tangled in a mess of peaceful slumber. The sight brought a small smile to my face. I watched them for a little while, won With another sigh, I turned away, shutting the door behind me and going back to the room which I now shared with Ivan.The space felt colder and emptier without him. I climbed into the empty bed and pulled the covers over myself, seeking sce in the familiar warmth. The world seemed to fade away I sharp click sliced through the silence, making me jolt upright. My heart hammered in my chest as my eyes darted towards the source of the sound. $ surrendered to the exhaustion, my body craving sleep more than anything else. Just as I drifted off, a There, in the corner of the room, sat Ivan¡¯sputer. It was odd. He usually shut it downpletely. A sliver of light emanated from the screen, pulsing f The faint light resolved itself into a moving image. My breath caught in my throat. The video ying on the screen wasn¡¯t some random inte clip, or a movie left paused. It was me from a few minutes ago. In the twins¡® room. Watching them. .62%Ãæ Chapter 103 -Alex¡¯s POV- ming it all on my wolf, on the heightened emotions that had turned my insides into a churning mess, didn¡¯t make the sting of my words to Amaya any less sharp. The moment I wa Watching Ivan appear at her side, his arm wrapped protectively around her as he steered her away, solidified the reality in my gut. She was gone. I had burned. Picking up the ss of amber liquid in my hand, I took a long, slow drink, the liquor burning a familiar path down my throat. My gaze drifted out the windo my eyelids was far more vivid ¨C the dead wolves sprawled across the cold concrete floor, their fur matted with blood. The metallic tang of blood filled my nostrils, a phantom sensation that refused to fade. Yet, amidst the carnage, there was no flicker of satisfaction. Daniel was still alive. He was out there, breathing, plotting his next move, while loyal wolves ¡°That was a very considerate move, dering war when I was still in the room, fianc¨¦.¡± Miranda¡¯s voice, dripping with disdain, sliced through the silence of the room. I didn¡¯t bother turning to face her. Dealing with her right now was thest thing I needed. ¡°Not now, Miranda,¡± I growled, the words rough in my throat. But she was never one to back down from a fight. It simply wasn¡¯t in her nature. ¡°You could have at least told me you were nning on giving that order Anger red within me, hot and sudden. Turning towards her, I met her gaze head¨C on, my jaw clenched tight. ¡°I saw you leave before it even started,¡± I snapped. ¡°Don¡¯t add to this, Miranda. I¡¯m not in the mood for your games.¡± She rolled her eyes dismissively, but instead of pushing the issue, she simply settled into the chair across from me. ¡°Well at least pour me a drink. Our gazes shed for a moment and then, I walked towards the bar, and the only sound in the room was the clinking of ice against ss as i poured he She took the ss from me with a surprised blink, a rare vulnerability flickering across her usuallyposed face. Then, as quickly as it appeared, it van We stayed there for what felt like hours, both of us staring out the window at the world outside. The first fat raindrops began to stter against the ss, quickly escting into a heav Suddenly, a memory surfaced, a fragment from a long¨Cforgotten past. I stared up at the sky as the first drops of rain sshed against my face. Turning to my mother, I pointed a finger upwards. ¡°Where does the raine fr voice filled with childish wonder. A smile tugged at the corner of her lips, despite the dark circles that shadowed her eyes. ¡°Where do you think ites f ¡°Someone is upset and crying from the sky?¡± I offered, my brow furrowed in concentration. Despite the exhaustion etched on her face, a genuineugh escaped her lips, the sound warm andforting. She knelt down to my eye level, her smile My brow furrowed in concentration. ¡°The sun and the ocean?¡± I repeated, trying to wrap my head around this new information. ¡°But the sun is way up in t sky, and the ocean is all the way over there,¡± I protested, gesturing vaguely towards the distant horizon. She chuckled, a soft, melodic sound that seemed to carry on the gentle breeze. ¡°That¡¯s true,¡± she admitted, ¡°but they¡¯re still friends, you see? The sun shines down hot on the ocean, making the water want to jump up and touch him.¡± I gasped, my imagination sparked. ¡°So the water jumps up?¡± ¡°Exactly!¡± she said, her voice filled with amusement. ¡°But the sun is too far away for the water to reach him, so it gets a little frustrated. It keeps trying an My eyes widened. ¡°Like me trying to jump and touch the ceiling?¡± ¡°Just like that!¡± she confirmed, her smile widening. ¡°But all those tiny drops of water jumping together, they make a big difference. They rise up high in th ¡°Like cotton candy?¡± I interrupted, my eyes sparkling with delight. Sheughed again. ¡°Sort of like cotton candy,¡± she agreed. ¡°But these clouds are full of all that water that jumped up from the ocean. And then, somethin I leaned in closer, captivated by her story. ¡°What happens?¡± ¡°The clouds get so full of water, they get too heavy to hold it all in anymore,¡± she exined. ¡°So the water starts to spill back down to the earth, and that¡¯s when it rains!¡± My head bobbed up and down in understanding. ¡°So the rain is like the ocean crying because it can¡¯t reach the sun?¡± My mother shook her head gently. ¡°Not exactly crying¡± she corrected. ¡°The ocean isn¡¯t sad, it¡¯s happy to share its water with the earth. The rain helps the nts grow We sat infortable silence for a moment, listening to the pitter¨Cpatter of the rain on the leaves around us. The gentle breeze ruffled my hair, carrying the sweet scent of wet earth. As the rain picked up its pace, drumming a steady rhythm Suddenly, an urge to be closer to my mother overwhelmed me. I scrambled off the bench and into herp, burying my face in the crook of her neck. Her A sniffle reached my ears, a wet sound that seemed to mingle with the drumming of the rain. I lifted my head slightly, peering up at my mother¡¯s face. He Even at my young age, there was something about her expression that tugged at my heartstrings. Without fully understanding why, I knew she was sad. up kind of sadness that I couldn¡¯t quite grasp. ¡°Mommy, are you crying?¡± I asked softly, my voice barely audible over the sound of the rain. She blinked, a tear rolling down her cheek and mixing with a raindrop thatnded there. She wiped her face quickly, forcing another smile. ¡°No, honey,¡± s Even though I didn¡¯t quite believe her, I didn¡¯t push it. Instead, I leaned in closer, nuzzling my head against her chest. ¡°Whenever it rains,¡°i whispered, my voice barely above a murmur, ¡°I¡¯ll thin The image faded as quickly as it appeared, leaving behind a bittersweet ache in its wake. The rain continued to pour outside, a relentless curtain washing away the world. N?velDrama.Org owns ? this. ¡°The hurt never goes away and even the rain cannot wash away just how hateful the world is.¡± Miranda whispered behind me. It was so soft, like she wasn¡¯t even talking to me. I had almost forgotten she was even there. I stood there for a moment, then turned around, But the room was empty. Just like everyone else in my life, she was gone. Simply gone. Chapter 104 -Maya¡¯s POV- Adrenaline surged through my veins, my gaze darted back to theputer screen, the image frozen on a shot of me watching the sleeping the twins. Panic wed at my throat, Who was watching me? And how long had they been doing it? Throwing the covers back in a single, frantic motion, I scrambled out of bed. My bare feet pped against the cold floor as I raced towards the door, the chilling image on the screen burning into my memory. I had to get to the twins, see if they were alr Were they safe? Had whoever was watching me done anything to them? Reaching their room, I flung the door open with a force that sent it mming against the wall. Relief washed over me in a tidal wave as I took In the scen me. Nate and Ivyy nestled together still, fast asleep, their breathing soft and even. The sight of them, safe and sound, calmed the frantic storm raging inside me for a moment. But the image on theputer screen kept shing through my mind, a constant reminder of the threat that lurked in the shadows. Someone had been w I had forced myself to forget about the text, everything had been fine. It was a one time thing like Natalia said, someone thought pulling a prank would b I found Ivan outside, standing on the porch, his back to me. He was staring out at the star¨Cdusted night sky. ¡°Ivan!¡± I called out, my voice ragged with panic. He turned at the sound of my voice, his face etched with surprise. His gaze flickered over my dishevelled appearance, taking in the way my hair hung loose around my shoulders and my clothes were rumpled from sleep. Concern clouded his eyes. ¡°Amaya? What¡¯s wrong?¡± he asked, his voiceced with urgency. He took a few quick steps towards me, his brow furrowed in worry. Before I could answer, a wave of nausea washed over me. My vision blurred, and I stumbled back a step, my hand flying out to grip the railing for suppo ¡°Whoa, whoa, easy there,¡± He said, reaching out to steady me. His touch was gentle, sending a spark of warmth through the growing coldness that had Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g I shook my head, forcing myself to focus. This wasn¡¯t the time to be copsing. ¡°No, it¡¯s not a nightmare,¡± I stammered, my voice barely a whisper. ¡°It¡¯s worse.¡± Taking a deep breath, Iunched into a frantic exnation, the words tumbling out in a jumbled mess. I told him about theputer screen, 24 JUN the frozen image on the screen, the realization that someone had been watching me. I ¶à62%ýX As I spoke, I could feel the color draining from my face. Shame burned in my gut, a hot inferno fueled by the knowledge that I had put the twins at risk. Iv By the time I finished, I was breathless, my entire body trembling. Tears welled up in my eyes, threatening to spill over. I felt so stupid, so careless. How ¡°Are you sure?¡± Ivan asked, his voiceced with a hint of doubt that sent a fresh wave of panic through me. ¡°Maybe it¡¯s the adrenaline from what happen I shook my head vehemently, my throat tightening with a fresh wave of fear. ¡°Yes, I swear,¡± I stammered. ¡°It was a live feed of me watching the twins. Fro Panic gnawed at me, a hungry beast devouring any sense of reason. Images of hidden cameras shed through my mind, each one a potential threat to unseen eyes, filled me with a suffocating dread. Ivan watched me, his expression unreadable for a moment. Then, he reached out and ced a hand on my shoulder, his touch surprisingly gentle. ¡°Oka ¡°But how?¡± I cried, my voiceced with desperation. ¡°They could be anywhere! We need to check the house, right now!¡± He shook his head gently. ¡°Look at you. You¡¯re shaking like a leaf. We can¡¯t go searching the house in this state. We¡¯d wake the twins and probably miss He paused for a moment, his eyes scanning my face. ¡°Here¡¯s what we¡¯re going to do,¡± he continued, his voice taking on a more authoritative tone. ¡°You g headed for whates next.¡± He pulled out his phone and stepped away from me a few paces. I watched as he dialed a number, his brow furrowed in concentration. He spoke in hush low and serious as he exined the situation. After a few minutes, he hung up the phone and turned back to me. ¡°I just called some people I know,¡± he exined.¡± They¡¯ll be here first thing in the morning. They¡¯ll sweep the entire mansion, check all the security footag A wave of relief washed over me, momentarily pushing back the tide of fear. ¡°Are you sure they can handle it?¡± I ¡°They¡¯re the best in the business. They¡¯ll find whoever did this, I promise.¡± He looked at me for a long moment, his gaze holding mine. ¡°Go inside, Amaya. It¡¯s cold out here. I¡¯ll handle things from here.¡± There was a part of me that wanted to argue, to stay by his side and help him figure things out. But deep down, I knew he was right. I was exhausted, bo With a final nod, I turned and walked back inside, the cold night air biting at my exposed skin. As I entered the house, I stole a nce back at Ivan, his s A strange mix of emotions washed over me¨Cfear, gratitude, and a flicker of something else, something I couldn¡¯t quite define. One thing was certain: this was just the beginning. The threat that lurked in the shadows had not been vanquished, and the next few days would likely be filled with unc Exhausted, I crept back towards the twins¡® room, the weight of the unseen threat pressing down on me. Just as I was about to reach, a sharp sound sha blissfully asleep, seemingly oblivious to the chaos. Dread filled me as I reached for lvy, my voice barely a whisper. ¡°Ivy?¡± She blinked, clearly disoriented from sleep. Then, she looked at me, then back at the open window, and spoke five words that filled me with even more te ¡°Someone went out the wind Chapter 105 -Maya¡¯s POV- The silence in the room was a heavy thing, pressing down on me like a thick nket. Sleep, the sce I craved, remained stubbornly out of reach. Every time I drifted off, my eyelids fluttering closed, the image of the open window would sh behind them, sharp and clear. Ivy out the window.¡± They were safe now, nestled together in my bed, their small bodies radiating aforting warmth. I couldn¡¯t bear the thought of them sleeping in that roo Ivan hadn¡¯te to bed. The empty space beside me felt vast and cold, a physical manifestation of the distance that had grown between us. Part of me The events of the night reyed themselves on a loop in my mind. The frozen image on theputer screen, a constant reminder that someone had be As dawn painted the sky a pale grey, exhaustion finally started to win its battle with my anxieties. Just as I drifted off into a restless sleep, the sound of movement downstairs jolted me awake. The security team, Ivan had mentioned calling in some pe The morning arrived, the bright sunshine an unwee contrast to the dark thoughts that clouded my mind. Taking the twins to Natalia¡¯s had been a diff away into concern. There would be a reckoningter, a conversation I wasn¡¯t looking forward to, but right now, I had bigger problems. Natalia¡¯s house, usually a haven ofughter and spilled toys, felt strangely still this morning. The twins, bewildered by the change in routine, clung to me Back at the house, the security team was already hard at work. Men and women in crisp uniforms moved through the rooms with a practiced efficiency, t After what felt like hours, a man with a no¨Cnonsense haircut and a serious demeanor approached us. He was as the one Ivan had spoken to on the phone the night before, the leader of this small army that had invaded our home. His gaze flicked between me and The man, who introduced himself as Mr. Evans, stopped in front of us, his gaze flitting between Ivan and me. His face was a mask of professional neutrality, giving away nothing of his thoughts. He cleared his throat and began to speak. ¡°We¡¯ve finished our initial sweep of the house. Unfortunately, we haven¡¯t found any signs of forced entry or hidden cameras.¡± He paused, letting his word Disappointment washed over me, a cold wave that threatened to drown the flicker of hope that had ignited within me at the sight of the security team. ¡°But that¡¯s impossible,¡± I blurted MON, N?velDrama.Org owns ? this. Ivan ced a hand on my arm, his touch a grounding force in the storm of emotions raging inside me. ¡°Amaya, let him finish,¡± he said calmly. his voice a Mr. Evans nodded in appreciation. ¡°Thank you, Mr. McCall. As Mrs. McCall mentioned, there was an image disyed on aputer screen of the twins mine. ¡°As for the open window, atch malfunction or a strong gust of wind could be the culprit.¡± His words felt like a bucket of cold water thrown over my burgeoning hope. Was he right? Was I overreacting? Doubt gnawed at me, fueled by theck of concrete evidence. But a part of me, a fierce maternal instinct, refus ¡°No. You¡¯re not listening! There was someone watching us! Someone got into the housel And how is there footage if you took the camera out in the first ce. Someone put another in their room.¡°I looked back to the man, ¡°Check again for the camera. Someon Ivan squeezed my arm gently. ¡°Amaya, calm down. Let¡¯s hear them out, okay?¡± He turned to Mr. Evans, his voice firm but respectful. ¡°Have you consider compromised? Perhaps the intruder bypassed it somehow?¡± Mr. Evans raised an eyebrow, a flicker of surprise crossing his face. ¡°That¡¯s a possibility, of course. Our team is running advanced diagnostics on the system as we speak. However, based on our initial findings, it ¡°But you can¡¯t rule it out entirely, can you?¡± I pressed, my voice gaining strength. ¡°There has to be another exnation! We can¡¯t just dismiss this as nothing.¡± The tension in the room was thick enough to cut with a knife. Mr. Evans exchanged a look with his colleagues, a silent conversation passing between the ¡°I understand your concern,¡± he muttered, his voice softening slightly. ¡°The safety of your children is paramount. We will continue our investigation, of co ¡°But what about now?¡± I demanded, my voiceced with desperation, ¡°We can¡¯t just sit here and wait for something else to happen! We need to do something!¡± Ivan stepped forward, cing a calming hand on my shoulder. ¡°Amaya, I know this is difficult, but we need to trust the professionals. They are the best in Mr. Evans returned his gaze, a wry smile ying on his lips. ¡°That¡¯s what we strive for, Mr. McCall. Now, why don¡¯t we all take a break? We¡¯ve been at it for hours, and a fresh perspective could be helpful.¡± He gestured towards the doorway, his gaze lingering on me for a moment before turning away. The rest of the team followed suit, leaving a heavy silenc ¡°Let¡¯s go get some coffee. We need to talk.¡± I stood there for a moment, the weight of the situation pressing down on me. Doubt and fear battled with a fierce resolve to protect my children. Taking a He let out a long breath, his shoulders slumping. He met my gaze and for a moment, all I saw was naked pain in his eyes. ¡°Amaya, I know this is a terrible time to do this, and I¡¯ll probablye across like a giant asshole, but¡­¡± He shook his head, frustration creasing his brow. ¡°I can¡¯t lity I¡¯d n I didn¡¯t reply, just stared at him, a cold dread settling in my stomach. There was a tremor in his voice, a vulnerability I never seen before, Chapter 106 -Maya¡¯s POV- My mind went nk. Everything, the room, the unanswered questions about the break¨C in, the fear for the twins, all of it just¡­ faded. My body froze in ce, stuck in a single moment, unable to react. ¡°What¡­?¡± The word escaped my lips in He stared back at me, his own eyes filled with a sadness that mirrored the cold dread blooming in my gut. ¡°I have tried, Amaya,¡± he said, his voice thick w like genuine pain. ¡°I really have. But it seems like no matter what I do, it will never be enough.¡± His words were punctuated by a ragged sigh, a sound of one building in my own chest. ¡°Enough for what?¡± I wanted to ask, the question burning a hole in my throat. But the words wouldn¡¯te. My brain, usually quick and sharp, felt sluggi ¡°For you to let him go,¡± he continued, his voice barely above a whisper now. ¡°It¡¯s tiring, Amaya. It¡¯s exhausting, constantly feeling like I¡¯mpeting with N?velDrama.Org owns ? this. ¡°I hate that I¡¯m doing this now,¡± he mumbled, trailing off. He took a deep breath, his chest rising and falling rapidly. ¡°Please stop crying,¡± he pleaded, his voice cracking slightly. I hadn¡¯t even realized the tears were already streaming down my face, hot and silent tracks etching themselves down my cheeks. Suddenly, the image o What would I do if he wasn¡¯t there anymore? How would the twins take it, these little people who hade to love him as their dad, even if he wasn¡¯t their biological father? The thought sent a fresh wave of panic crashing through me. ¡°Please,¡± I found myself saying, the word a weak plea escaping my lips. It was the only thing I could process in the face of this overwhelming emotional storm. ¡°Please don¡¯t do this to me. Please, I¡¯m begging you.¡± The words felt hollow even as I spoke them, but they were all I had. Didn¡¯t he see how much pain he was causing me? Here I was again, begging a man ww He closed his eyes for a moment, his face etched with a pain that mirrored my own. ¡°You keep hurting me, Amaya,¡± he whispered, his voice low and roug Pive. ¡°Why can¡¯t you let Alex go?¡± he asked, his voiceced with a frustration that mirrored my own confusion. ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± I mumbled, the truth a bitter pill on my tongue. Why couldn¡¯t I let him go? The answer was as elusive as ever, tangled in the messy web of ¡°I thought we had moved past this,¡± he continued, his voice rising slightly in frustration. ¡°I let down my walls for you, Amaya. I believed you, I shut people 13:01 Mon, S61% His words hung heavy in the air, a reminder of the vulnerability he¡¯d shown me, the trust he¡¯d ced in my hands. And here I was, failing him again. ¡°You told me you were falling in love with me,¡± he sighed the words out like a prayer, his voice dropping back down to a pained whisper. ¡°Why? I thought completely.¡± The tears were flowing freely now, a torrent of emotions I couldn¡¯t contain. And through the blurry haze of my own misery, I saw tears welling up in his e How had it gotten to this point? How had we, two people who cared about each other, reached such a devastating impasse? The silence stretched, a chasm opening wider with each passing second. Then, his gaze, sharp and filled with a raw vulnerability, pinned me in ce. His voice, a mere rasp, cut through the oppressive silence. ¡°Do you still love untangle, rooting me to the spot like a deer caught in headlights. My throat constricted, the air suddenly thick and impossible to breathe. ¡°¡­ I don¡¯t know,¡± I stammered, the words a pathetic croak against the crushing silence. The truth was a tan Part of me wanted to scream no, to shout it from the rooftops until the echo drowned out the doubts gnawing at the edges of my sanity. But the words wo Ivan¡¯s face crumpled, a flicker of despair recing the raw pain that had been etched there moments before. He shook his head slowly, the movement a Did my silence condemn me? Was this it, the final nail hammered into the coffin of our rtionship? Panic wed at my insides, a frantic need to reach o He stood there for a moment longer, his hand hovering over the doorknob. Maybe, just maybe, a part of him was hoping for a different answer, a desperate plea that would mend the fractured pieces But the words remained trapped, tangled in the web of my own insecurities. How could I confess the truth, the messy reality of emotions! didn¡¯t fully unde With a final, defeated look in my eyes, he turned away. His hand grasped the doorknob, the familiar click echoing in the suffocating silence. He paused fo ¡°I¡¯ll make sure the security team doesn¡¯t rest until they find whoever is responsible for this. But until we sort things out, and figure out a way to finalize the His words were calm, almost clinical, a stark contrast to the storm raging inside me. But the undercurrent of hurt was unmistakable, a raw wound expose to see. He didn¡¯t wait for a response. With a final, lingering nce that seemed to pierce my soul, he opened the door and walked out, leaving me alone in the sterile pris The silence that followed was deafening, a physical weight pressing down on my chest. I stood there, frozen in ce, long after he had disappeared down the hallway. Tears continued to stream down my face, unchecked and relentless. My mind raced, a chaotic jumble of thoughts and questions. Had I just thrown away the best thing that had ever happened to me? Was my inability to let go of a past rtionship a dealbreaker for a future I had so desperately wanted? The world righted itself slowly. My brain finally processed the earth¨C shattering words. Before I could even think, my feet were moving, propelled by pure instinct. I yanked the door open, adrenaline surging through me, and I burst through the double doors leading outside, heart pounding a frantic rhythm against my ribs. But by the time I reached the driveway, gasping for bre cold concrete. The harsh reality settled in with a sickening thud. was gone. Ivan was And my marriage¡­it was over. Chapter 107 -Maya¡¯s POV- I don¡¯t know how long I stood there staring nkly at the closed gates. My legs felt like lead weights, stuck in ce. Finally, I managed to tear my gaze a The head of security officers said something to me, but it was like background noise, a distant murmur I couldn¡¯t focus on. My brain had shut down, over en I reached Natalia¡¯s doorstep, I fumbled with the keys, my hands shaking so badly it took several tries to unlock the door. Even the simple act of turning the knob felt like a monumental task. As I stumbled inside, the sound of the twins¡® happy shrieks filled the air. They spotted me right away and came barreling towards me, their little arms wra inside me. Natalia appeared in the doorway, her brow furrowed in concern. One look at my tear¨Cstreaked face told her everything she needed to know. Without a word, she reached out and pulled me into a tight hug. We just stood there for a while, the only sound the muffled sobs escapi patter of tiny feet as the twins ran off to continue ying. The warmth of her embrace offered a sliver offort in the vast emptiness that had opened up inside me. Finally, she gently pulled back, her eyes searching mine. ¡°Come here, heney,¡± she whispered softly, leading me to the couch and settling me down. We sat there in silence for a while, a silentnguage passing b Natalia eventually rose and disappeared into the kitchen, returning with a steaming mug of coffee. She ced it carefully in my hands, her touch lingerin ¡°I gave you some time to calm down. Now, tell me exactly what happened.¡± I took a deep breath, trying to gather my scattered thoughts. ¡°He said he wants a divorce,¡± the words tumbled out, raw and shaky. ¡°Why? Because of what happened at the g?¡± Her question wasn¡¯t usatory, but I knew she was still upset with me. I nodded slowly, unable to meet her gaze. She didn¡¯t speak for a moment, her face unreadable. Then, she sighed. ¡°Did you tell him you don¡¯t want the marriage to end? Did you tell him how you feel?¡± There was a pointed edge to her voice now, a hint of frustration. She had always had this uncanny ability to see right through me. She didn¡¯t need me to spell things out; my emotions were alwaysid bare on my face like an open book and only she could read. ¡­..I Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g ¡°¡­ ¡­¡± I stammered, the words catching in my throat. ¡°He asked me if I still loved Alex. I wanted to say no, but I couldn¡¯t get the words out.¡± She groaned, burying her face in her hands. ¡°Oh, Amaya,¡± she muttered. ¡°What are we going to do with you?¡± Wepsed back into silence, a heavy weight settling over the room. My mind was a chaotic mess, swirling with questions and self- recrimination. Natalia She broke the silence. ¡°Where is he now?¡± ¡°He said he¡¯d stay in a hotel until we figure things out,¡± I mumbled, my voice barely above a whisper. ¡°I can¡¯t let this be the end, Natalia. I can¡¯t lose him. She let out a long sigh and took the coffee cup from my hand, cing it on the coffee table. Then, she pulled me back into her embrace, holding me tightly as I sobbed uncontrobly. She didn¡¯t try to say anything, just offered the silentfort of her presence. After a while, my tears finally subsided, leaving behind a trail of exhaustion and a throbbing ache in my head. Wiping my eyes with the back of my hand, ¡°The twins can¡¯t see me like this this,¡± I croaked. ¡°I need Ito find Ivan and talk to him. Tell him how I feel.¡± She nodded, a flicker of worry still lingering in her eyes. I knew she was biting her tongue, refraining from mentioning Alex again. We both knew that wou ¡°Go take a quick shower,¡± she ushered me towards the bathroom. ¡°It¡¯ll help you freshen up. You can throw on some of my clothes. And with everything going on, I think it¡¯s best you and the twins don¡¯t stay I nodded numbly, grateful for her taking charge. The thought of facing the empty house, the scene of my shattered world, was more than could bear right In the shower, the hot water cascaded down my body, but it did little to wash away the coldness that had settled in my heart. As I scrubbed the tears from Finding Ivan. Natalia emerged with a towel and a set of her baggy clothes as I stepped out of the shower. They were far too big on me, but the soft fabric feltfortin the woman I knew. My eyes were red¨Crimmed and puffy, my face pale and drawn. ¡°I look awful,¡± I mumbled, the words catching in my throat. She reached out and squeezed my hand reassuringly. ¡°You look like someone who¡¯s been through a lot, honey. But you¡¯re strong, Amaya. You¡¯ll get thro Her words were kind, but the doubt gnawed at me. Was I strong enough? Could I fix this mess I¡¯d created? Taking a deep breath, I forced myself to push those doubts aside for now. I needed to focus on finding Ivan. ¡°Do you have any idea which hotel he might She shook her head. ¡°He is really rich. There are a few luxury hotels in the area he might choose from. We can start by calling them and see if he¡¯s checked in under his name.¡± A wave of relief washed over me. At least there was a n. We spent the next hour on the phone, calling each hotel on a list Nataliapiled. I knew sh about to give up, Natalia gasped.. ¡°The Meridian! They say a Mr. Ivan McCall checked in about an hour ago.¡± Her voice held a mix of surprise and relief. A surge of adrenaline shot through me. Ivan! He was at the Meridian. I could finally talk to him, exin how I felt, and maybe, just maybe, we could salva ~61%D ¡°I need to gol¡± Leximed, grabbing my purse. The fear and uncertainty were still there, but they were overshadowed by a renewed determination. I wouldn¡¯t let Ivan walk away without a light. I wouldn¡¯t let our love story end like this. I finally reached the hotel. Getting past the receptionist was a nightmare. She kept saying they didn¡¯t allow visitors to just go up to rooms, that they had to up with tears. Finally, after what felt like an hour of pleading and maybe doubling the tears for effect, she gave in and let me go up. Room 202. I mumbled a thank you so fast it probably came out slurred, and then raced up the stairs. My head was spinning, a mess of tangled thoughts and anxieti But finally, there it was: 202. I took a shaky breath, hand reaching out to knock. But something stopped me cold. A groan. From inside the room. Followed by the unmistakable sound of a woman¡¯s moan and then more follow air, the blood draining from my face. What was going on? Who was in there with Ivan? The questions hammered in my head, unanswered and terrifying. The happy reunion I¡¯d envisioned shattered into a million pieces. All I could do was sta Ivan was having sex with someone else. S Chapter 108 My body felt like it was encased in ice. Every muscle screamed to move, to react, but I was rooted to the spot. My ears throbbed, a relentless drumbeat ¡°Amaya?¡± The voice, sharp and sudden, ripped through my paralysis. I whipped my head around, heart leaping into my throat as my gaze collided with Ivan¡¯s. He stood a few feet away, surprise etched clear on My gaze darted back to the door, the source of the sounds that had sent my world into a spin of chaos. Back to him. My throat felt like sandpaper, the wo ¡°What are you doing here?¡± His voice broke the suffocating silence, a question hanging heavy in the air. The sounds from the room seemed to amplify, a contrast to the unnatural quiet between us. A heat that had nothing to do with the hotel¡¯s temperature ro ¡°1, uh,¡± I stammered, ¡°I thought you were¡­¡± The words wouldn¡¯te, the image in my head too raw, too shocking to articte. He frowned, confusion deepening the lines etched on his forehead. Then, a flicker of understanding dawned in his eyes. ¡°Oh,¡± he breathed, the single wo meaning The dam inside me burst. Words tumbled out in a torrent, a jumbled mess of emotions and fractured exnations. ¡°Natalia and I called a bunch of hotels 202 after I practically begged for an hour, and I came here and¡­¡± I trailed off, my voice catching in my throat. ¡°I thought you were the one in there.¡± Silence fell again, heavier this time, thick with unspoken questions and a tension that crackled between us. He stared at me for a long moment, his expression unreadable. ¡°I¡¯m in room 201,¡± he finally said, his voice low. ¡°She must have gotten the room number wrong.¡± He let out a long sigh. Then, as if remembering something crucial, he added, ¡°We are still married, Amaya. I would His words, a deration of loyalty meant to reassure,nded with a thud in the pit of my stomach. Shame morphed into a different kind of burning sensa I stared down at my feet, the plush carpet blurring into an indistinct mass. Another sigh, heavier this time, escaped his lips. ¡°Look,¡± he began, his voiceced with a weariness that mirrored my own. ¡°Let¡¯s go into my room and talk.¡± He didn¡¯t wait for a response, turning on his h I stood there for a moment longer, a statue caught in the headlights of my own turmoil then with a defeated sigh, I picked up my pace and followed him, m the situation pressing down on me with every step. We stepped into the room and he closed the door before turning towards me, his gaze a mixture of exhaustion and something I couldn¡¯t quite decipher. Mon, 24 Chapter 109. He moved towards the minibar, a small sigh escaping his lips. The clinking of ice cubes against ss filled the sudden silence, each sound echoing in th ¡°Want one?¡± he asked, his voice hoarse. I shook my head mutely, my throat constricting at the very thought of alcohol adding to the emotional storm already brewing inside me, He sank down onto the plush bed, the springs groaning under his weight. My heart ached as I watche a silent testament to the pain I¡¯d inflicted. Shame gnawed at me, a relentless ache that spread through my entire being Couldn¡¯t I move? My feet felt rooted to the spot, paralyzed by the weight of my actions and the unspoken words hanging heavy in the air. But a primal urge, a desperate need to somehow bridge the chasm I¡¯d created, propelled me forward. I took a tentative step, then another, the plush carpet muffling the sound of my approach. As I neared the bed, I saw the tense set of his shoulders, the w Hesitantly, I reached out, my hand hovering over the ss in his grasp. He didn¡¯t react, didn¡¯t flinch. It was as if he were a statue, a shell of the man I kne With a trembling hand, I took the ss from him then set it down on the nightstand with a soft clink, the sound resonating in the strained silence. Then, as if called by an invisible force, I did somethingpletely unexpected, I wrapped my arms around him, burying my face in his chest. He didn¡¯t push me away. He didn¡¯t react at all. He just sat there, a statue held hostage by his own pain. The silence stretched on, each passing second f My grip tightened, a silent plea for forgiveness, for understanding. Slowly, the tension seemed to seep out of him, his body slumping against mine as a s ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, Ivan,¡± I whispered, the words thick with regret. ¡°I¡­ I just want to I keep hurting you, why I keep letting him back in.¡± to move on. I want to build a life with you. I don¡¯t understand why My voice cracked, frustrationcing my words. ¡°I¡¯m so tired of it, Ivan. So tired of him.¡± A flicker of movement, a response atst. His arms came up hesitantly, wrapping around me in a loose embrace. The gesture, small as it was, sent a jolt ¡°You keep choosing him,¡± he whispered, his voice low and rough. ¡°And I¡¯m tired of it, Amaya.¡± ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org . ¡°I know,¡± I choked out, ¡°I know, and I¡¯m so sorry.¡± There was so much I wanted to say, promises I couldn¡¯t make, apologies that felt hollow. I hated myself for the pain I¡¯d caused him, for the mixed signals We sat there for a long moment, a tangled mess of emotions held together by the fragile thread of our embrace. Finally, I lifted my head,¡± don¡¯t want this ¡°Neither do 1,¡± he replied, his voice heavy with unspoken emotions. ¡°But¡­¡± His voice trailed off, leaving the sentence unfinished. ¡°I know,¡± I rushed to fill the silence, the fear of losing him gnawing at me. ¡°I know there are things I need to do, things I need to prove. And I will. If it mea A soft sniffle escaped him, barely audible. He tightened his hold on me for a brief moment, a flicker of something resembling hope flitting across his featu ¡°I don¡¯t want you to quit your job, Amaya, ¡°his voice was softer now, the anger seemingly reced by a weary resignation. ¡°I like having you around. You this ce. You make it feel less¡­ sterile.¡± My heart clenched at his words. ¡°Ivan,¡± I whispered, my voice thick with emotion. ¡°I love you.¡± The words tumbled out, a confession hanging heavy in the air. Did I truly mean them? In that moment, with the raw vulnerability of the situation stripping He stared at me for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Then, a corner of his mouth quirked up in a wry smile. ¡°And I love you too, Amaya,¡± he re We stayed like that for a moment and then he whispered my name. I looked up at him. His eyes held vulnerability but also seriousness, ¡°Next time, I¡¯ll wa I nodded slowly, ¡°I do. I promise I won¡¯t be pulled back into his vortex.¡± I then gave him a shaky smile and ced a small kiss on his lips but I had one thought still: I wouldn¡¯t be able to keep that promise. Chapter 109 -Alex¡¯s POV- x¡¯s Pov The antiseptic tang assaulted my nostrils as I pushed past the clipboard¨C clutching nurse at the entrance. The fluorescent lights hummed overhead, casting a sterile glow over the entire scene, but it did nothing to dispel the cold Just get me to him, that was all I wanted. I practically stomped down the hallway, the echo of my footsteps bouncing off the pale walls. Finally, I reached the designated room, the numbers above the door blurring slightly as I shoved it open with unnecessary force. The scent intensified, mingling with the faint, metallic tang to cling to these ces. There he was. Damon Thome. A tangle of tubes snaked around him, feeding into machines that beeped and whirred with an unsettling rhythm. His chest rose and fell in shallow gasps. He looked worse, much worse, than he had during myst visit, Part of me, a twisted, vengeful part, felt a flicker of satisfaction. He deserved this, this pathetic shadow of a man, for everything he¡¯d taken away. But tha I stood there for a long moment, rooted to the spot, a silent observer in this sterile tableau. The beeping of the machines, the rasp of his breath, the rhythmic click of my own fingernails against t those were the only sounds that filled the oppressive silence. His eyelids fluttered open then, revealing pale, watery orbs that scanned the room beforending on me. A flicker of recognition crossed his face, followed by a grimace that contorted his features in pa ¡°Alex,¡± he rasped, his voice a dry whisper barely audible above the whirring machines. I stared back at him, a million questions churning in my gut. Questions I¡¯d carried with me for years, a bitter weight that had shaped me into the person I was tod After what felt like an eternity, I managed to force the first question out. ¡°Why?¡± It was a single word, but it held the weight of a thousand unspoken usations. Why the constant anger? Why the relentless pressure? Why the absence of love? He let out a shaky sigh, his chest hitching with the effort. His gaze drifted away from me, lost somewhere beyond the white walls of the room. A flicker of something¨Cregret? Fear?-crossed his face momentarily, but it was gone as quickly as it appeared. Silence stretched between us, thick and suffocating. The rhythmic beeping of the machines seemed to mock theck of response. My anger, simmering ¡°No answer?¡± I spat, my voice tight with barely concealed fury. ¡°You were always so full of orders, so quick to criticize. Where are your words now? Wher how to act, how to live my life?¡± He flinched at the harshness in my tone, but still remained silent. Frustration gnawed at me. All those years of pent¨Cup anger, the hurt, the istion, the constant fear ¨C it all came flooding back, threatening to drown me in its intensity. ¡°You always hated it when I talked back, didn¡¯t you?¡± I continued, my voice a low growl. ¡°Remember how you¡¯d scowl, how your eyes would turn cold? W don¡¯t care anymore. I¡¯m going to say it all.¡± I stepped closer to the bed, looming over him like a dark shadow. The beeping of the machines seemed to fade into the background as I leaned in, my voice a low, dangerous hiss. ¡°You had no right,¡± I snarled. ¡°You took my childhood, twisted me into some weapon you thought you could control. You turned our home into a prison, filled with nothing but tension and fear.¡± He closed his eyes, his face contorted in a grimace of pain, whether physical or emotional, I couldn¡¯t tell. But it did nothing to quell the growing storm inside me. ¡°And then, you took her away,¡± I continued, my voice raw with barely contained emotion. ¡°The one person who loved me unconditionally, who saw the go never even had the decency to exin why!¡± My voice cracked on thest word, and for a moment, a sob threatened to tear from my throat. But I choked it back, forcing myself to remainposed. He remained silent, hisbored breaths the only sound in the room. The machines beeped their monotonous rhythm, a constant reminder of his fragility. and control, and who had crushed everything beautiful in his wake. ¡°You have nothing to say now, do you?¡± I spat, my voice dripping with contempt. A flicker of something defiance? Stubbornness? ¨C sparked in his cloudy eyes. He tried to speak, but a fit of coughing wracked his body, leaving him gasping for breath. I watched him with a cold detachm me hoping he wouldn¡¯t be able to utter another word and after a seemingly endless struggle, he managed to regain hisposure. ¡°Alex,¡± he rasped, his voice even weaker than before. ¡°You¡­ you. don¡¯t understand.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t I?¡± I scoffed. ¡°I think I understand plenty. I understand that you were a cruel, selfish man who cared about nothing but power and control. I underst He flinched again, his gaze flickering away from mine. A bead of sweat trickled down his temple, leaving a glistening track on his pale skin. ¡°It wasn¡¯t like There it was, the excuse I¡¯d been waiting for. The justification, the exnation that would somehow erase the years of pain and suffering. But part of me ¡°Then tell me,¡± I growled, leaning in even closer. ¡°Tell me why you did it. Tell me why you took her away from me.¡± He closed his eyes again, his face etched with a grimace of pain, both physical and emotional, I was sure. A long, tense silence followed, broken only by the rhythmic beeping of the machines. Was he thinking? 13:01 Mon, 24 June Trying toe up with some borate lie? Äî61%Á¿ My patience was wearing thin. The anger that had been simmering just beneath the surface began to boil over. ¡°Don¡¯t y dumb with me,¡± I snarled, my He flinched violently at my threat, his eyes snapping open in fear. For the first time since I¡¯d entered the room, a flicker of life seemed to spark within him ¡°Wait. Let me exin¡­¡± I watched him with a predatory gaze, my hand hovering near the metal railing of the bed, ready to restrain him if he tried anything stupid. Part of me wan needed to hear him out. He took a shallow breath, his chest rising and falling with effort. My eyes narrowed into slits. ¡°You were wasting my time.¡± The air crackled with tension, and I could feel the wild rage of my wolf boiling just beneath the surface.My fingers instinctively extended, ws popping w If I let him out, I knew my wolf wouldn¡¯t hesitate. He wouldn¡¯t rest until my father paid the ultimate price for his actions. But a sliver of reason. held me ba He flinched at the sound of my growl, his body tensing in fear. He struggled to sit up straighter, his movements slow andbored. His cloudy eyes, filled w A deep growl rumbled in my chest, a sound that sent shivers down his spine. He flinched again, trying to scoot back on the bed, but the limitations of his to breathe. ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org . ¡°Tell me, father,¡± I growled, my voice a low, dangerous hiss. ¡°Tell me why I walked into your study and found my mother dead and her throat ripped out.¡± 0 Chapter 110 -Alex¡¯s POV- My father¡¯s voice rasped, pulling me out of the ck hole of anger I¡¯d been sinking into. He started talking, his voice weak and shaky, but the words were man I sent¡­ the one who brought your mother¡­¡± he trailed off, his chest heaving with each ragged breath. ¡°He left her at the study door,¡± he began, his voice regaining a semnce of its former strength. ¡°She knocked, like she always did, even though everyon 1 His voice rasped on, each word a shard of ice scraping against my already raw nerves. As the words flowed out of his mouth, I wasn¡¯t just hearing them, shut off. I pictured her then, my mother, standing outside that imposing metal door, her hand raised in a hesitant knock. She always did things properly, even whe His gruff voice sounded from behind the door, ¡°Come in.¡± The door creaked open, and I could practically see her step cautiously inside, her back straight despite the tremor in her hands. The study, usually a bas if her arrival was an unwee interruption. ¡°You sent for me,¡± her voice, usually strong and confident, sounded small and fragile in the cavernous room. The air hung heavy, thick with the unspoken tension that had beco Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g After a beat that stretched into an eternity, he lifted his head, his dark eyes meeting hers for a fleeting moment before flicking back down to the paper. ¡°I¡¯m sending Alex a The words hit her like a physical blow. Her eyes widened in disbelief, her mouth agape as if to speak, but no sound emerged. It was as if someone had p her lungs. ¡°What do you mean you are sending him away?¡± she finally managed, her voice a mere whisper. ¡°You can¡¯t.¡± He mmed the document shut with a finality that made her flinch, the sharp crack echoing through the room. Now, he did look at her, his gaze cold and a low growl. My mother straightened her spine, forcing a semnce ofposure. ¡°I am not trying to tell you what you can or cannot do,¡± she said, her voice surpris Her words seemed to ignite a fire within him. He rose from his chair, his imposing figure casting a dark shadow over her. The room felt like it was shrinking, the walls closing in as his anger filled the space. ¡°You see, that is the problem,¡± he spat, his voiceced with venom. ¡°You are the pr He started to pace, a caged animal, his anger simmering just beneath the surface. ¡°Alex is my legacy,¡± he continued, his voice rising with each word. ¡°He feared by all. You, with your gentle ways and soft heart, are a hinderance to the man he is to be.¡± Tears welled up in her eyes, blurring her viston. She knew Damon Thorne had a way of twisting reality to fit his narrative, of making her feel like the viin in their story. She knew she was fighting a losing battle, but a mother¡¯s love wouldn¡¯t be silenced. ¡°Please, Damon,¡± she pleaded, her voice is just a child. He needs his mother. He needs me¡± The air crackled with the raw vulnerability in her voice. My father, however, remained unmoved. He steepled his fingers,his gaze fixed on some invisible His words wereced with a nonchnce that grated on my nerves even though it was just a pictured memory. It was as if he were discussing the weath his own son. My mother, however, wasn¡¯t ready to give up. Tears streamed down her face, carving glistening tracks through the caked¨C on makeup he always forced her to wear. ¡°Decided by whom, Damon? By you? By some pack council I wasn¡¯t even informed about?¡± He sighed, a long, exaggerated sigh that spoke volumes about his dwindling patience. ¡°This isn¡¯t about the pack council. This is about Alex¡¯s future. He needs to be trained properly, and frankly, you¡¯re not equipped for that.¡± Her chin trembled, but her eyes held a steely glint. ¡°Equipped? I¡¯m his mother I¡¯ve raised him for ten years. Who are you to say I¡¯m not equipped?¡± He leaned back in his chair, a sly smirk ying on his lips. ¡°You¡¯ve raised him to be soft. To be naive. He needs discipline, strength. Things you simply ca Her shoulders slumped, the fight slowly draining out of her. ¡°But he¡¯s just a child, Damon. He needs his mother.¡± ¡°He¡¯ll have mentors, other pack members who can guide him. He¡¯ll learn everything he needs to know.¡± He waved his hand dismissively, a gesture that s conversation is over. The arrangements are being made. Alex will be leaving soon.¡± His tone left no room for argument. It was a cold, final dismissal that sent a wave of fury crashing over me. Here I was, an adult man, yet his words still had the power to wound me, to make me fe ¡°And what about me, Damon? Don¡¯t I get a say in this?¡± ¡°You¡¯ve had your say. And frankly, your concerns are¡­irrelevant. Now, if you¡¯ll excuse me, I have a lot of work to do.¡± He didn¡¯t wait for her reply, his broad shoulders brushing past her as he strode towards the door. The click of the door opening echoed through the room mother remained rooted to the spot, her body trembling, tears carving a silent path down her cheeks. Then, as if jolted awake from a nightmare, she straightened, her voice raspy but firm. ¡°I want a divorce, Damon. I don¡¯t want to be married to you anymore.¡± The effect was instantaneous. My father¡¯s head whipped back around, his eyes narrowing into slits releasing the door knob. ¡°What did you just say?¡± he She met his gaze defiantly, a spark of defiance igniting in her own eyes. ¡°You heard me,¡± she repeated, her voice unwavering. ¡°I want to leave, and I¡¯m t It was a mistake. The fire that had been simmering beneath the surface of his anger erupted in a volcanic explosion. In a heartbeat, he was on her, his h like grip. Her gasp for air was cut short, her eyes bulging in terror. ¡°You want to leave? Take him away from me?¡± he snarled, his voiceced with fury. ¡°Damon¡­ stop¡­ I¡­ can¡¯t breathe,¡± she choked out, wing at his hands with desperate fingers. 13:01 Mon, 24 June His grip only tightened. ¡°I¡¯ll never let either of you leave,¡± he roared, his face contorted with rage. In that suffocating silence, a strange sensation washed over me. It was a feeling of terror, of helplessness, a chilling echo of her own emotions. It was as Driven by a primal instinct for survival, she fueled the only weapon she had left. Gasping for breath, she rasped out, ¡°I¡¯ll never stop trying to take him awa The air crackled with a sudden energy, the temperature dropping several degrees in an instant. A guttural growl ripped from my father¡¯s throat, his eyes d own chest, a sickening echo of her agony. She knew. In that split second, she understood the full weight of her situation, the horrifying reality that escape was no longer an option. With a final surge of defiance, she focused her remaining strength on onest desperate plea. ¡°I will never stop trying to take him away and when we are both gone,¡± she gasped out, her voice barely a whisper, ¡°you¡¯ll be all alone in your misery. You will¡­ have¡­ nothing.¡± Those were thest words she spoke just before my father let out a powerful growl and ripped his hand from her neck, his ws shing her throat. I felt her presence fade, a hollow emptiness settling where it once resided. There was no pain, no lingering suffering¨C just a chilling sense of peace, the peace of liberation. Herst thought, as clear as day in my mind, was a silent whisper, a message meant only for me. ¡°I love you, Alex,¡± it breathed, a gentle echo in the rece Then, the weight of her lifeless body hitting the floor jolted me back to the harsh reality of the present but i could still see the exact image my ten year old self saw when he walked into that study, Her lifeless eyes staring at me with her throat ripped open, blood pooling round my father¡¯s feet as he stood over her with a look of horror with the realiza He had killed my mother. Chapter 111 -Alex¡¯s POV- My gaze locked onto him, unwavering. It felt like an eternity, my vision boring into his. Years of pent¨C up questions swirled within me, a relentless storm demanding answers. Why? Why did he have to take her away? There was no justification, no exna I stood there, the weight of that moment heavy on my shoulders. The urge to end his pathetic existence was a tangible presence, a tempting whisper in the back of my mind. Death, however, felt like a kindness he didn¡¯t deserve. He needed to suffer, to drown in the guilt of his actions. With a final, steely nce, I turned on my heel and walked away. Silence followed in my wake, a deafening echo of the hollowness within me. He was dead to me in that moment, his existence erased from my co The world blurred into a kaleidoscope of colors as I drove, my mind a chaotic mess. There was no destination in sight, only the desperate need to escap Stepping out of the car, a strange stillness hung in the air. Every head in the vicinity swiveled towards me, a silent symphony of surprised murmurs. The Without a word, I pushed past her and stormed into Daniel¡¯s office. He sat behind his expansive desk, his big frame filling the space with an air of arroga across his face. ¡°Well, well,¡± he drawled, his voiceced with amusement. ¡°To what do I owe the pleasure of this unexpected visit?¡± Lignored the barb in his tone, the mockery dripping from his every word. ¡°This,¡± I spat, my voice tight with barely contained fury, ¡°this war between us. It needs to end,¡± He raised an eyebrow, the smirk on his face widening further. ¡°Is that so?¡± he chuckled, a humorless sound, ¡°And what makes you say that now?¡± I took a step forward, my voice a low growl. ¡°Whatever it takes,¡± I pressed, my words clipped. ¡°Tell me what it will take to end this bloodshed. Because I¡¯m A harshugh erupted from his throat, a hollow sound devoid of any genuine humor. ¡°Finally decided you¡¯re weak, have you? Come crawling back to grovel?¡± My wolf snarled, a surge of primal rage threatening to break through the fragile control I held. But I forced myself to remain calm, to push down the urge We locked eyes, a silent battle of wills unfolding. The tension in the room crackled, thick enough to cut with a knife. My mind wandered, a memory from m anger. It was him. He had been the source of all my problems from the very beginning. If he had just allowed me a normal childhood, the unconditional love of m side, I wouldn¡¯t be this way. Trust wouldn¡¯t be a foreign concept, a constant battle fought within myself. Amaya wouldn¡¯t be gone, my rtionship with Adrian wouldn¡¯t be fractured beyond repair. I saw it all with a horrifying rity. I was the reason everything had fallen apart. And while the truth was a bitter pill to swallow, I couldn¡¯t escape the fact that my father had been the puppe a power struggle. The hatred for Daniel Stone burned as fiercely as ever. He and my father were two sides of the same coin, a horrifying thought that made me clench my His voice snapped me out of my introspective spiral. ¡°And what made you finally ept,¡± he drawled, the mockery dripping from his every word, ¡°that yo His words were like a p in the face, irritation ring hot within me. He wasn¡¯t even listening, wasn¡¯t processing what I was saying. All he cared about w With a calcted exhale, I released the tension in my shoulders, the facade of barely contained fury reced by a studied nonchnce. ncing aroun looking bottles. A slow, deliberate smile yed on my lips as I strolled towards it, the silence in the room thick with unspoken challerige. He let out a low growl, the sound rumbling from his chest, but I ignored himpletely. Reaching for the cab door, I swung it open, the clink of crystal against ss echoing in the tense atmosphere. My fingers brushed against a bottle of amber liquid, thebel b Perfect. Picking up the bottle, I grabbed two crystal sses from the shelf, their weight surprisingly light in my hand. As I turned back towards him, I could practic cing the bottle and sses on his pristine desk with a soft thud, I watched his reaction. His jaw clenched, the vein in his temple throbbing. with fury. ¡°What the hell do you think you¡¯r Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g I feigned nonchnce again, raising my eyebrows in mock surprise. ¡°Just getting us a drink,¡± I replied, my voice dripping with a feigned casualness. Rea ¡°You know,¡± I continued, my voice a low murmur as I filled the ss to the brim, ¡°you and I have never actually shared a drink. Seems strange, consideri A beat of silence followed my words, heavy and thick. Then, with a flourish, I pushed the ss across the polished surface of the desk, stopping just bef He let out another growl, this time louder, more guttural. His eyes zed with anger, his entire body a coiled spring ready to pounce. ¡°You have three seconds,¡± he hissed, ¡°to drop that ss and get the hell out of my office.¡± ¡°Three seconds,¡± he repeated, his voice a low growl that sent shivers down my spine despite my best efforts to appear unaffected. He leaned forward, hi me, the air thick with the unspoken threat of violence.¡°One.¡± I took a nonchnt sip of the amber liquid, the smooth burn spreading across my tongue, ¡°Seems a little short on time, wouldn¡¯t you say?¡°! countered, my voice light and breezy, considering theplexity of the situation we find ourselves in. Áã61%ºÏ He mmed his fist on the desk, the sudden movement making me flinch inwardly. ¡°Don¡¯t y dumb with me, Alex. You waltz in here, uninvited, start sp I raised an eyebrow, setting my ss down with a gentle clink. ¡°Poison you?¡± I scoffed, a hint of amusement creeping into my voice. ¡°Come on, Daniel, e In seconds I dropped the nonchnce and my eyes darkened. I push the ss towards him again, this time giving off my Alpha aura in waves, ¡°Stop cou I leaned towards him, meeting his re head on, ¡°Starting with the fact that my father killed your son.¡± Chapter 112 -Maya¡¯s POV- Two days had melted away, like ice cubes in a forgotten ss of soda. Ivan was back. Not just back in the house, but back in our bed, his arm draped casually across my waist. Sunlight streamed through the gaps in the curtains, painting stripes across his bare chest and the tangled mess of she The morning felt thick with afortable silence, broken only by the soft snoresing from the nursery down the hall. The twins were finally asleep aft nonsense woman named Ms. Rodriguez ¨C had arrived just in time. Now, with the house quiet and the city outside just beginning to stir, a sense of peace settled over me that I hadn¡¯t realized I wa ¡°Morning, sleepyhead,¡± Ivan murmured, his voice husky with sleep. He nudged me gently with his nose, a yful smile tugging at the corner of his lips. I stretched, the kinks in my muscles protesting after a night of restless sleep. The events of the past few days still felt raw, a tender wound beneath the s me. ¡°Technically, it¡¯s past morning,¡± I teased, ncing at the clock on the nightstand. The harsh red digits screamed 10:13 AM. ¡°We¡¯re supposed to be at work¡± He chuckled, a low rumble that sent shivers down my spine. ¡°Work can wait,¡± he dered, rolling over to face me. His eyes, usually so serious, held a p Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g My cheeks flushed. ¡°Ivan!¡± I protested, a smile tugging at my lips despite myself. ¡°They¡¯ll know it¡¯s a lie.¡± ¡°Let them think what they want,¡± he smiled, his gaze flickering down to my lips. ¡°Right now, all I care about is you.¡± He leaned in, his lips brushing mine in a soft, lingering kiss. The familiar spark ignited within me, chasing away the lingering shadows of doubt. We melted into each other, the tension from the past few days dissolving with each touch. Just then, a loud tter came from the nursery, followed by a chorus of excited babbling. The twins were awake. We disentangled ourselves reluctantly, both reaching for our phones to check for any updates from the security team. Still nothing. Tiso days of relentless searching had yielded zilch. It was frustrating, unsettling, but at least the house felt more secure now, Ivan had tripled the security detail, much to Natalia¡¯s amusement. ¡°Looks like another day of ying house huh?¡± Ivan sighed, stretching his arms over his head. ¡°House and office,¡± I corrected, grabbing my phone and heading towards the bathroom. ¡°We can¡¯t exactly ignore work forever.¡± ¡°True, true,¡± he conceded, following me with a smile. ¡°But maybe we can squeeze in a quick lunch break¡­ just the two of us? I opened my mouth to reply, but the sound was cut short by a loud, insistent shout from the nursery. The twins weren¡¯t waiting for an answer. Our ¡°quick lunch break¡± ended up being a hurried exchange of sandwiches in the kitchen, punctuated by Ms. Rodriguez¡¯s patient attempts to entertain Iv By the afternoon, the house was a symphony of chaos. Building blocks scattered like colorful confetti across the living room floor, the remnants of a half¨C eaten snack smeared across the coffee table. The twins, fueled by boundless energy, chased each other around the house, their joyful shrieks echoing t As the day wore on, a strange sense of exhaustion settled over me. It wasn¡¯t just the physical fatigue of chasing after toddlers, but an emotional wearine By the time thest rays of sunlight dipped below the horizon, I was ready to copse. Ivan seemed to sense my exhaustion. He scooped up a giggling ivy, settling herfortably against his shoulder. I cradled Nate in my arms, the weight of his a promise of a real conversation, a chance to untangle the mess of emotions that simmered beneath the surface. ? The room was bathed in the soft glow of a nightlight, casting dancing shadows on the walls. Ms. Rodriguez, a small smile ying on her lips, was packing up her bag. ¡°They¡¯ve been little angels today,¡± she muttered, her voice warm and reassuring. ¡°Just a bit tired now, that¡¯s all.¡± ¡°Thank you, Ms. Rodriguez,¡± I whispered sincerely, handing Nate over to her for a final cuddle. ¡°We really appreciate you.¡± ¡°Of course, dear,¡± she replied, her gaze flickering between us. ¡°You two take care of yourselves. And remember, a happy marriage makes for happy children.¡± With a wink and a wave, she exited the room, leaving us alone with the soft sighs of the sleeping twins. The silence that followed felt heavy. ¡°So,¡± Ivan began, with that charming smile on his face as soon as we got back to our room, ¡°Now that they are both asleep¡­. He pulled me closer to him, his eyes darkening with desire. I leaned up nting my lips on his, ¡°What happens now that they are asleep?¡± I murmured m He closed the distance and smashed his lips on mine. I moaned when his tongue found its way inside my mouth and then his hands were taking off my c face. He got up, and pulled my legs to the edge of the bed, ¡°What¡­ what are you doing?¡± He smirked before kneeling in between my legs. I gasped when I felt his lips on my thighs. ¡°Trust me,¡± he murmured, looking up at me, lust shining from his gaze. He leaned forward and ced a gentle kiss on my pussy. I squirmed when he lick wide open. ¡°Oh, Goddess!¡± I whimpered when he did it again. This time he stopped and stood, and I watched as he undressed himself. Oh, God, he was beautiful! H His cock brushed against me and I shuddered. He grabbed my hand, cing it over his heart, so I could feel how fast it was beating. ¡°I never want to stop feeling this way,¡± he whispered. ¡°For as long as I live, I want to feel your heart beating under my hand. I want to wake up every mor He brushed his lips over mine silently telling me how much he truly loved me. I grabbed his face, kissing him passionately. As our tongues (61%Ãæ danced together, he pushed inside me slowly. I moaned when he pushed further in, and I knew he had to be hurting himself for doing it slowly. I wanted him faster, harder, deeper¡­ I wanted him all. He started moving slowly at first, but when I moaned loudly, his movements became rougher. My hips bucked underneath him as he moved in and out of The pleasure was too much and I didn¡¯t even try to hold it back. I screamed, shouting his name, grabbing his shoulders as I climaxed. I was so close to copsing when I felt him spilling himself inside me. He dropped his forehead to mine and his heartbeat slowed down when he felt my own slowing as well. ¡°Goddess,¡± he groaned, ¡°That was perfect.¡± ¡°It was,¡± I agreed, panting. ¡°Are you alright?¡± ¡°Never been better.¡± ¡°Thene here,¡± I said, pulling him closer to me. I wrapped my arms around him and rested my head on his chest, feeling his heart pounding rapidly u His phone started buzzing on the side table. He let out an irritated sigh choosing to ignore it. It rang and rang then with a sigh, he picked it up to shut it off just as my own phone started ringing. It was my mother. We both stared at each other then with a sigh, I answered. Her voice came out as a rush, my eyes widening at each word that she spoke. I looked back at Ivan who by the tired expression on his face got the same news: Alex threw my father through a building. Chapter 113 -Alex¡¯s POV- The conversation didn¡¯t go anywhere near how I nned. One minute we were talking, the next I lost it. Now Daniel Stone was sprawled on the other sid over, asking if he was alright, offering help. True to form, Stone just brushed them off, all grunts and scowls, even though his face was definitely a bit pale How long did I stand there? Minutes? Hours? Time seemed to blur. A small, dark part of me felt a twisted kind of satisfaction. I came here for a conversa She didn¡¯t rush over to her father. She just stood there, a good distance away. I watched her talk to Ivan, her voice clipped and tight. Then her mother ar mother walked over to Stone, her face a mask of concern. Amaya turned her head then, like we could somehow feel each other across the space. Her e My wolf perked up, practically vibrating with excitement as he felt her aura wash over him. It was a primal thing, this connection we had. But even through the haze of wolfish glee, I saw the storm brewing in her eyes. I knew what was maybe physical¨Cdismantling of Alex. Yet, for some crazy reason, the stupid smile was back. It felt like a reflex I couldn¡¯t control. Maybe it was the satisfaction of finally seeing her after so long. Maybe it was the twisted antic She stopped a few feet away, her eyes burning into mine. Her lips were pressed into a thin line, and her fists were clenched at her sides. Silence stretched between us, thick and heavy. The only sounds were the murmurings of the crowd,their whispers dying down as they waited. for the inevitable explosion. We locked eyes, the silence stretching between us like an stic band about to snap. A stupid grin tugged at the corners of my lips. Amaya always looke explode, all sparks and raw energy. And of course, the stupid grin only seemed to make things worse. ¡°You think this is funny?¡± she practically spat, her voice tight with barely contained anger. I stayed silent, just drinking in the sight of her, In the corner of my vision, Ivan lurked, his brow furrowed in concern. ¡°Why can¡¯t you just leave us alone, huh?¡± Her voice hitched slightly, then continued, a torrent of frustration, ¡°What is your problem with us? Haven¡¯t you Part of me wanted tosh out, to justify myself. But another, deeper part held me back. I just kept staring, the image of her fiery frustration burning into m She opened her mouth to speak again, but I cut her off before the words could form. ¡°You always did look more beautiful when you¡¯re angry.¡± I blurted, t grin widening. Her eyes narrowed even further, the surprise in them giving way to a cold fury. ¡°You think this is a joke, Alex? Why did you even bothering here?¡± I shrugged, ¡°If you must know, I came to talk to your father. I was done with the fighting, the endless war between us. But of course, he just had to be a j ¡°Don¡¯t you dare insult him!¡± Her voice rose a notch, her fists clenching at her sides. ¡°I¡¯m just telling the truth,¡± I countered, folding my arms defensively. I took a step towards her but she flinched back, her eyes zing with suspicion. ¡°Can I ask a question? I¡¯ll just go ahead and ask. Why didn¡¯t you just go to him straight away when you arrived? Because you knew he¡¯d brush you off, r Her face paled for a brief moment, a flicker of vulnerability crossing her features. Good. I knew I¡¯d hit a nerve. But just as quickly, the vulnerability hardened into a mask of defiance. ¡°Why don¡¯t you just leave, Alex?¡± she said, her voice t. ¡°Nobody wants you here. Besides, don¡¯t you have a wedding to n?¡± A smirk yed on my lips. ¡°Are you upset that I¡¯m getting married to someone else?¡± I couldn¡¯t resist the jab. She crossed her arms, her expression unreadable. ¡°Why would I be upset? I think you should leave.¡± ¡°Actually,¡± I drawled, ¡°the wedding nning is going great. Miranda¡¯s a dream, you know. Unlike some people I know.¡± I tilted my head, feigning innocenc Her nostrils red. ¡°Don¡¯t you dare.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t I dare what?¡± I countered, taking a leisurely step forward, enjoying the way she mirrored my movement, staying just out of reach. Her eyes narrowed to slits. ¡°You think you are going to get to me? Well think again because you¡¯re sorely mistaken.¡± I raised my hands in mock surrender, ¡°I have no idea what you are talking about. I¡¯m just here for a civil conversation, that¡¯s all. Apparently, that¡¯s too mu ha wall!¡± ¡°Civil conversation?¡± she spat, her voiceced with disbelief. ¡°You literally just threw my father through ar ¡°Well, Daniel Stone wasn¡¯t exactly Mr. Hospitality,¡± I shrugged, nonchntly flicking a pebble at the growing crowd. A few nervous murmurs rippled through the onlookers. ¡°Maybe if he wasn¡¯t s heated.¡± ¡°Goddess, do you even hear yourself?¡± Her voice rose an octave, finally cracking with barely concealed fury. ¡°You showed up unannounced, caused a s ¡°Look, I came here with good intentions,¡± I said, holding my hands out catingly. ¡°Believe it or not. But your father, well, he has a certain way of rubbing N?velDrama.Org owns ? this. Her face contorted in a mixture of anger and something else i couldn¡¯t quite decipher. Was it hurt? Pity? Maybe a flicker of the old spark we used to have? It was gone as quickly as it appeared, reced by a steely glint. ¡°You¡¯re unbelievable, Alex. How can you be so¡­so callous? Don¡¯t you understand the damage you¡¯ve caused? The damage you keep causing?¡± ¡°Damage?¡± I repeated, taking another step forward. ¡°Enlighten me. What damage exactly have I done? Besides putting a well deserving small dent in yo Amaya threw her hands up in exasperation. This isn¡¯t about the wall! u know exactly what you¡¯re doing, Alex. You always have.¡± ¡°Is that right?¡± I challenged, tilting my head. ¡°Then tell me, what am I doing exactly?¡± She opened her mouth to answer, but then seemed to think better of it. Her jaw clenched, and for a moment, I thought she might actually lunge at me. Th ¡°Just leave, Alex. Before you make things even worse. Don¡¯t you get it? I don¡¯t want to see you again. No one wants you around.¡± I have to admit, that actually hurt but I ced a bored expression on my face, ¡°Last time I checked, you do not own the ground that I am currently standin She opened her mouth to reply then Ivan pulled her towards him. I hadn¡¯t even noticed him approach. He didn¡¯t look in my direction, ¡°Your father wants t Amaya gave me onest dirty look before turning away. I watched them leave and my wolf growled in irritation at the way his hand wrapped. around her waist then I realized something. The gnawing emptiness disappeared for a few minutes and then an idea struck up in my head. I didn¡¯t need to physically be present at Ivan¡¯spany but I knew she worked there now. Maybe it was boredom or the need to feel something more but in that moment, I decided something needed to change, starting with me getting actively i Where I could potentially run into a certain copper haired woman that I knew I still wanted. Chapter 114 -Maya¡¯s POV- My birthday was still a few months away, but if I could have wished on a shooting star right now, I knew exactly what it would be. My father and Alex, cra know¨Cwhere. Okay, maybe that was a bit much. But seriously, the nerve of those twol Here I was, having to call Ms. Rodriguez back yet again to watch the twins while N?velDrama.Org owns ? this. Did this drama ever freaking end? And to top it all off, Alex had the audacity to stand there,pletely unapologetic, like he hadn¡¯t just thrown my father through a wall. As if that wasn¡¯t bad enough, my jerk of a father practically med the whole thing on me. Of course he did. Now, here I was, staring down at a pile of massacred carrots at 1 am in the morning. My wolf was practically wing its way out of my skin. She was furious, and let¡¯s be honest, so was 1. We both needed to rip som best course of action. With all the chaos, I still hadn¡¯t fully processed the fact that I¡¯d shifted. It felt surreal, like a scene from a movie that had somehow landed smack dab in the middle of my very real life. ¡°Those carrots would beg for mercy if they could¨Ctalk,¡± a voice said behind me. I jumped, startled. Ivan stood at the entrance of the kitchen, his usual calm demeanor reced by a hint of amusement. He raised an eyebrow, silently c Following his gaze, I looked back down at the chopping board. What had I been doing? Slicing carrots? More like brutally murdering them. Each one wa He chuckled softly and walked towards me. ¡°Maybe you should put down the knife for a bit,¡± he suggested gently. He took the knife from my hand withou ¡°They¡¯ll never learn to behave, will they?¡± he muttered, more to himself than to me. I let out a sigh, the frustration slowly draining away. There wasn¡¯t much point in arguing. He was right and also, chopping vegetables wasn¡¯t exactly the m He pulled me into a hug, his warmth a weefort. ¡°Your father is an ass,¡± he murmured into my hair. ¡°But honestly, I can¡¯t really hate him. After all A small smile finally tugged at the corners of my lips. ¡°You just had to switch things up and make me feel like aplete goofball, didn¡¯t you?¡± Heughed, the sound rich and warm. ¡°Just speaking the truth, love.¡± He pulled back slightly, his fingers tilting my chin up. ¡°ignore what he said,¡± he muttered softly. ¡°It¡¯s not worth your energy, especially if it turns you into a carrot killer.¡± I burst outughing, the anger finally dissolving. He really did know how to disarm me, how to make me see the ridiculousness of the situation. ¡°Thank yo Then, a yawn escaped my lips, catching me by surprise. ¡°We should probably get you to bed,¡± Ivan said, concern flickering in his eyes. ¡°I don¡¯t know wh at 1 am, but hey, we have work tomorrow. And unfortunately, I can¡¯t exactly call in sick again. They need me there.¡± ¡°Yeah, you¡¯re right,¡± I mumbled, leaning into him. The exhaustion was hitting me like a ton of bricks. The adrenaline from the whole Alex fiasco had kept me going for a while, but now it was wearing off, leaving me feeling drained and emotionally raw. He led me out of the kitchen and down the hallway, his hand warm and steady on my lower back. The twins¡® room was quiet, the soft glow of a nightlight rising and falling in perfect rhythm. A small, tired smile softened my features. ¡°They¡¯re getting so big,¡± I whispered, the wonder of motherhood washing over me even in this state of exhaustion. He leaned down and kissed my forehead. ¡°They are,¡± he agreed. ¡°And they wouldn¡¯t be here without you.¡± His words sent a warmth through me that had nothing to do with the exhaustion. He always knew how to make me feel cherished, even on the worst of days. We tiptoed into our room, the silence thick with unspoken thoughts. I sank onto the edge of the bed, kicking off my shoes with a sigh. ¡°Do you want me to help you get changed?¡± he asked gently, already reaching for the buttons on his shirt. I shook my head, the effort suddenly feeling monumental. ¡°I can manage,¡± I mumbled, pulling off my shirt and tossing it onto theundry pile with a dull th He didn¡¯t push it. Instead, he walked over and dimmed the bedsidemp, plunging the room into a soft twilight. The exhaustion, finally unburdened of the ¡°Try to get some sleep.¡± I snuggled deeper into the covers, the warmth a wee embrace against the chill of the night. But sleep, that elusive friend, remained just out of reach The fight with Alex reyed in my head on a loop, each harsh word echoing in the quiet of the night. My frustration simmered alongside a dull ache of be Then there was my father. His dismissive words about me causing the fight stung, even though I knew better. He was a master at deflecting me, alwa A sigh escaped my lips, a sound that seemed to vibrate through the silence, I rolled onto my side, facing away from Ivan, needing a moment to process e ¡°You okay?¡± he asked softly, his voiceced with concern. I considered lying, saying yes just to appease him. But the knot of tension in my stomach wouldn¡¯t allow it. ¡°No,¡± I admitted, my voice barely above a wh He reached out a hand, hesitantly at first, and then rested it gently on my back. The warmth of his touch was a grounding force, pulling me back from the ¡°Talk to me,¡± he murmured. And I did. Not with grand pronouncements or dramatic outbursts, but with quiet words, each oneced with the exhaustion and frustration of the day. I s environment. He listened patiently, his touch a silent source offort. He didn¡¯t offer grand solutions or empty titudes. He simply listened, his presence a steady a As I spoke, the intensity of my emotions softened, reced by a quiet eptance. The problems wouldn¡¯t magically disappear, but talking about them, s By the time I finished, a heavy drowsiness had settled over me. My eyelids drooped, the words slurring on my tongue. ¡°Sleep,¡± Ivan whispered, squeezing my hand gently. ¡°We¡¯ll deal with everything else tomorrow.¡± And with that, sleep finally imed me, a fragile peace settling over my troubled mind. But even as I drifted off, a part of me remained watchful, a mother The night stretched on, punctuated by the soft snores of the twins from down the hall. Despite the exhaustion, sleep wouldn¡¯te easily. Every now an The first rays of dawn peeked through the blinds, painting the room in a soft, golden light. The house remained quiet, a testament to the exhaustion that I turned my head, eyes falling on Ivan¡¯s peaceful face. He slept deeply, his chest rising and falling with each breath. A wave of gratitude washed over me I crept out of bed and went to the bathroom, needing a moment alone. Leaning against the sink, I sshed water on my face, trying to chase away the li My hands instinctively went to the mark on my neck, where Ivan had imed me. But as I blushed, brushing my hand over it, something felt off. I quickly pulled my shirt down, heart pounding in my chest. My breath hitc The spot waspletely healed, the mark ¨C gone. Chapter 115 -Maya¡¯s POV- All day, I¡¯d been trying my hardest to act normal around Ivan when we got to work but I had to figure out what the hell had happened so second the clock C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org. Natalia suggested we meet at a bar as I havee to realize that there was something absolutely wrong with my best friend.Thankfully, Ms. Edwards w though maybe ¡°thankfully¡± wasn¡¯t the right word. Sarah ended up grounded, which for her, was a fate worse than detention. To drown her sorrows, she craved ice cream, so here we were, at a brightly lit ice cream parlor that looked like it belonged in a cartoon, filled with overflowing bowls of Natalia frowned, her perfectly manicured nails scraping against the rim of her ice cream bowl. ¡°Okay let me see if I understand this straight. It just vanish you even check for it before, like yesterday or something?¡± ¡°The truth is, I hadn¡¯t really even noticed if it was there or not. I don¡¯t even know why I did this time, but something made me check, a sudden urge I couldn¡¯t exin. And then¡­poof, it was gone, like it never even existed.¡± Riley, who had been unusually quiet the whole time, finally spoke up, her voice hesitant. ¡°Hold on a sec, you guys. I¡¯m a little lost here. How exactly doe to take s Natalia, Sarah, and I exchanged nces. Riley wasn¡¯t a werewolf, so exining the intricacies of the mating bond was going to tak needed to break it d some time. We ¡°Okay,¡± I started, taking a deep breath, ¡°Imagine two wolves who are destined to be together, like soulmates you know? When they find each other, and t ¡°A mark? Like a tattoo or something?¡± Riley asked again, her brow furrowed in confusion. ¡°Not exactly,¡± Sarah chimed in, wiping a stray bit of chocte ice cream from her cheek. ¡°It¡¯s more like a birthmark, but it appears out of nowhere. It¡¯s usu point of the mating mark is to create a connection between the two wolves. They be attuned to each other¡¯s Natalia continued. The Dep emotions. They can feel what the other person is feeling, almost like they¡¯re sharing the same mind.¡± ¡°Whoa, that¡¯s intense,¡± Riley muttered, her eyes wide with wonder. ¡°So, basically, you can tell what the other person is feeling?¡± I nodded, ¡°Pretty much. So Ivan marked me, I haven¡¯t marked him back but it isn¡¯t ground for the mark to just disappear. Mating marks don¡¯t just disappe Silence stretched on, heavy and suffocating. ing. Each of us was lost in our own thoughts, grappling with the implications of the vanished mark. Suddenly, Natalia broke the stillness. ¡°Hold on a minu coming back and then you don¡¯t exactly know when it cleared off but it was there just before the g and during the g which only meant it must have disappeared after.¡± My eyes widened in understanding. ¡°It was definitely there then and after the fight but I never checked after that.¡± A low murmur escaped Sarah¡¯s lips. ¡°Oh, Goddess.¡± Riley threw her hands up in exasperation. ¡°What? What is happening?¡± she whisper¨C yelled, her voiceced with frustration. ¡°You guys are talking in riddles! Exin this whole werewolf telepathic bond thing to me because I¡¯mpletely l Taking a deep breath, I tried to piece it all together. ¡°My wolf,¡± I said slowly, the dawning realization hitting me like a punch to the gut. ¡°My wolf wiped off t As the words left my lips, I felt a presence bloom in the back of my mind, a familiar echo of my own thoughts and emotions and it felt like she¡¯d been wai ¡°What is wrong with you?¡± I demanded, the frustration bubbling inside me threatening to boil over. en dring There was a long pause, a sense of resistance in my head. Then, a defiant image flickered through my mind ¨C my wolf, sitting with her shoulders puffed up in a nonchnt shrug. It only served to further fuel my annoyance. you clean it off?¡± I pressed, my voice tight with anger. ¡°Why did Silence. She was ignoring 1. me. ¡°I¡¯m talking to you!¡± I yelled in my head, my ice echoing in the emptiness. ¡°And you better start answering me or else¡­¡± 10:39 ¡°Or else what?¡± My wolf¡¯s growl reverberated within my skull, raw and powerful. I clenched my jaw, the sound grating against my teeth. ¡°Why did you take his mark away?¡± I repeated, forcing myself to stay calm. ¡°Because he is not ou my blessing to mark us.¡± ¡°Well, in case you forgot,¡± I ground out, my voiceced with bitterness, ¡°our mate¡± ¨C the word felt like a p in the face ¨C ¡°is an asshole who rejected us, Ivan is a good man.¡± ¡°Or maybe you¡¯re seeing what you want to see,¡± she shot back, her words like a twisted logic that only made me angrier. ¡°What does that even mean?¡± I demanded, my head spinning with confusion. ¡°Scratch that. You have no right toe back here after you left me for four straight years, turned your back on me only showing up when you felt like it, and now trying to control w ¡°You seemed to be doing just fine without me, she echoed, her voice tinged with a bitter amusement. ¡°I¡¯ve only been fully back with you for a week now, ¡°Alex is gone.¡± I growled, the memory of his rejection still a raw wound. ¡°Now, return the mark to me.¡± There was a long beat of silence, thick and heavy with tension. Then, she did something unexpected. She turned away from me, a mental image of her b ¡°You damn asshole!¡± I roared, the mental scream echoing in the emptiness of my head seeping into reality. The sudden outburst startled everyone at the table. Heads whipped around, eyes wide with surprise and confusion. A blush crept up my cheeks, burning ¡°What just happened? Where did you just go?¡± Riley asked hesitantly.. ¡°My wolf is damn right annoying. That¡¯s what happened,¡± I grumbled through gritted teeth. ¡°She erased the mark and won¡¯t give it back because Ivan is n Riley¡¯s eyes widened in surprise. ¡°So you can talk to your wolf?¡± she blurted out, her voiceced with wonder. Natalia chimed in with a knowing smile. ¡°You are closer to your wolf than anyone else in the world, Riley. You¡¯re two halves of a whole. So yeah, she und the silent treatment. Stuck between frustration and confusion, I mumbled the question hanging heavy in the air, ¡°So what am I supposed to do? I can¡¯t exactly tell Ivan my wolf doesn¡¯t want him, that¡¯s Sarah sighed, swirling her melted ice cream, ¡°So what does she suggest you do?¡± A groan escaped my lips. I had no idea. It was only a matter of time before Ivan noticed the mark was gone. It was a miracle he hadn¡¯t already. Just as d a rey of the moment Alex and I had imed each other as mates, the bond solidifying with a glowing mark. Then, a single word echoed in my head, g The connection mmed shut again, leaving me with a chilling realization. Two things were crystal clear. One, my wolf was definitely back, and judging b well, Chapter 116 Chapter 116 -Maya''s POV- My hand hovered over the pen, reaching for it with the intention of jotting down a note. But instead of a smooth connection between my fingers and the stic, my hand pens on my desk. The tter echoed in the sudden silence, rolling pens scattering across the surface. "Shit," I muttered under my breath, crouching down to gather the runaway writing instruments. My movements were clumsy, jerky even, a reflection of the turmoil brewing inside me. Just an hour ago, I''d been at the ice cream parlor with my friends, trying to decipher the. Now, I was back at the office, the mental door between me and my wolf still firmly mmed shut. Dealing with t effort. "Are you sure you''re okay?" Ivan''s voice broke through my haze of frustration. It wasn''t the first time he''d asked that question since I''d returned from lu misses. I managed to pack the pens back into the cup, offering him a strained smile. "Yeah, I''m fine," I mumbled, the wordcking conviction even to my own ears. He wasn''t convinced. Pushing himself away from his desk, he walked towards me, his face etched with worry. "If you''re not feeling well, you should go home. You haven''t been yourself since we got here." I sighed, a heavy exhale that seemed to carry the weight of the world. "I''m not sick, Ivan. It''s just... my mind is all over the ce right now. And honestly, being at home wouldn''t change that. That''s not why I don''t want to leave. It''s just..." My voice trapany doesn''t mean I should get a free pass.¡± He nodded, his understanding evident. But even as his words soothed the irritation simmering beneath the surface, his actions spoke a differentnguage. His hands came to rest on my shoulders, aforting gesture that sent a jolt through me. "Maybe we could upy your n The yful glint in his eyes usually sent a thrill down my spine. Today, it felt like a misced note in a somber symphony. But before I could respond, We both turned in unison, and my stomach lurched. Standing in the doorway, his expression unreadable, was Alex. What was he doing here now? Internally, I groaned, the irritation that had been simmering since the ice cream parlor now reaching a boiling point. The silence stretched, thick and heavy. Finally, Ivan spoke, his voiceced with surprise. "Alex. I didn''t expect you to be here. Do you need something?" Alex''s gaze flickered to Ivan, then back to me. A ghost of a smile yed on his lips, a smirk that felt like a deliberate jab. "I heard there was an important meeting today," he drawled, his voice devoid of warmth. "So, here I an Ivan frowned, confusion clouding his features. ¡°You don''t attend meetings. That''s not how this works." "Well," Alex drawled, his voice dripping with condescension, "I tried getting in touch with your personal assistant to inform her of the change in how thi His words were a thinly veiled insult, a jab directed straight at me. My fists clenched at my side, the urge to retort a fierce battle within me. He was cle judging by the heat rising in my cheeks, he was seeding. Neither of us responded, the air thick with unspoken tension until Ivan spoke again. "This isn''t part of the deal, and my assistant does a very good job. Maybe it''s people who show up uninvited that make things more difficult." The retort was clear, a defense of my work and a subtle jab at Alex''s intrusion. Yet, Alex seemed unfazed. He simply ignored thement, sliding fu With that, Alex sauntered further into the room, his eyes scanning the space before settling on a plush armchair positioned directly across from Ivan''s desk. Ignoring the empty chair beside me the one usually reserved for my presence during important discussions - he plopped himself down with a sigh of exaggerated contentment, My jaw clenched tight. It wasn''t just the unexpected arrival that irked me, though that was certainly a factor. It was the way he carried himself, the ca a meeting he wasn''t invited to, treating the entire situation like a personal yground. Ivan couldn''t take it anymore. A frown etched itself onto his forehead, mirroring the deepening furrow between my brows. "Alex," he began, his voi 11:13 AM Alex leaned back in the chair, a picture of nonchnce. He shrugged one shoulder, the movement dismissive. "Last I checked he drawled, his voiceced with a smug satisfaction that grated on my nerves, "you offered me 45 percent of thispany in exchange for my money, it is still yours, that much is true. But with that kind of investment, wouldn''t you say I have the right to make certain decisions?" My eyes widened in surprise. This was news to me. Forty-five percent? Ivan had offered Alex such a significant stake in thepany? "Forty- five percent?" I blurted out, unable to contain my surprise any longer. All eyes turned to me, Alex''s smirk widening a fraction, while Ivan''s expression re He cleared his throat, his gaze flickering between me and Alex. "Yes," he admitted, his voice strained. "It was a necessary step to keep thepany afloat." "But that doesn''t mean you can waltz in here and start attending meetings," Ivan continued, his voice gaining strength as his anger simmered. "We ne Alex scoffed, a dismissive sound that did little to cool the rising heat in Ivan''s voice. "Procedure and protocol? We both know thepany needs fresh industry." Ivan clenched and unclenched his jaw, a silent battle raging within him. Probably on whether or not to punch Alex. The silence stretched, thick with tension. Ivan seemingly winning the battle to stay calm let out a breath, "I appreciate your offer. But attending meetings wasn''t part of the deal. We need to est Alex''s smile faltered for a brief moment, a flicker of annoyance crossing his features. But it was quickly reced by a calcted neutrality. "Of course," he conceded, his voice smooth as silk. "Boundaries are imp But let''s not be hasty.Why don''t we all take a seat and discuss this like civilized adults?" He turned to me, his voice dropping with mockery, "We are trying to have an important conversation here? Is there a reason you are still standing there?" What. The. Hell? Fury surged through me, hot and primal. I narrowed my eyes, the anger hardening my features. It felt like I was clenching them so tight they might stay that way forever. "The only person who needs to get out of this office right now is you." In the whirlwind of emotions, Alex seemed to have gotten exactly what he wanted. A slow, infuriating smile spread across his face, but he didn''t respon I whipped my gaze towards Ivan, my voice tight with frustration. "Tell him to leave." Ivan looked between us, his expression a mask of conflicting emotions. With a resigned sigh, he finally spoke. "He can stay here and wait for the meetC0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org. My jaw dropped. Did he just...? This was my office, our office! Blink after shocked blink, I stared at him, feeling like he''d pped me. The smile on Alex''s face widened, a smug victory lighting his eyes. Furious and defeated in equal measure, I stormed towards my bag, shoving things "You know what?" I spat, my voice tight. "I''ll take that offer to go home." I stormed towards the door, yanking it open with enough force that it rattled against the wall. Just before I mmed it shut behind me, a jolt ripped through me. A fleeting brush of Alex''s psychic presence, a forgotten connection that had for a moment. "You look more beautiful when you''re angry, Silver," his voice echoed in my head, a phantom whisper before it vanished as quickly as it came. And then the door shut behind me. Chapter 117 ? -Alex''s POV- My gaze drifted to the window, the afternoon sun casting long shadows across Ivan''s office. A bitter truth settled in my gut - I always craved what was out of reach. Maybe the moon goddess had always been attuned to my feelings. That was why she paired me with Amaya in the first ce, knowing the history between our families. We were mates, once. But I had been stupid, and afraid. I should have talked to her, dug deeper for the truth instead of pushing her away on a flimsy excuse. Now, she was gone. Gone, along wit wanting what I couldn''t have. They say absence makes the heart grow fonder. In my case, it was a gnawing hunger, a relentless yearning that ate at me every damn second. The w still a threat. But for now, it was on hold. All I could focus on was the woman my wolf craved, the woman who, unknowingly, had filled the void in my life for months. The supposed wedding with Miranda loomed on the horizon, a meaningless obligation that held zero weight. Amaya was the only one who stirred something deep within me, the only one who made me fe could wait. Sure, I''d bebeled a selfish bastard. But at this point, their judgment meant squat. I wanted Amaya back, and nothing would stop me. Even if she was married to Ivan, it wouldn''t change a thing. Her marital status was a bump in the road, a hurdle I was determined to jump over. "Does being a jerk give you some kind of sick pleasure, Alex?" Ivan''s voice snapped me out of my inner thoughts. I hadn''t realized I was still smiling, the amusement lingering on my face as I looked up at him. He was the leech I needed to detach her from, the reason for my unexpected presence here. I ying dumb, I raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean? I''m here for the meeting, just like we agreed. Seems reasonable to want to see where my inv "You and I both know this is about Amaya. Why can''t you just leave her alone?" His voice wasced with barely contained fury. "She quit her job, seek A slow smile spread across my face. I shrugged, a nonchnt gesture meant to further irritate him. "Like I said, I''m here for the meeting. And you did a His eyes narrowed, his jaw clenching tight. "You''re a real piece of work, you know that?" "A piece of work who owns forty- five percent of thispany," I countered, dripping with sarcasm. "Maybe you should show a little more respect to your major investor." I couldn''t resis A flicker of irritation crossed his face, a momentarypse in his facade. "I''ll handle my own problems," he muttered, his voice tight. "Maybe you should Now it was my turn to be mildly irritated. Miranda? Honestly, I couldn''t care less about her whereabouts. My mistakes were mine to own, a burden I was prepared to bear as soon as *Exactly what I thought," Ivan said, slumping back into his chair. The anger hadn''tpletely subsided, a dull ember flickering in his gaze. He pulled out his phone, sending a quick Maybe it was time to push things a little further. Ivan remained glued to his phone, his brow furrowed in a deep concentration that excluded the entire world. I cleared my throat, the sound echoing av "Everything okay over there?" I drawled. He didn''t even nce my way. He grunted something unintelligible, his fingers flying across the screen in a flurry of rapid typing. A flicker of annoyance I settled back in my chair, the air conditioning''s hum growing louder in the sudden quiet. Minutes ticked by, each one dragging on for an eternity. My initial eagerness to be here had evaporated, reced by a bone- deep boredom. Let''s face it, spending quality time with Ivan wasn''t exactly how I''d envisioned spending my afternoon. But as I sat there, stewing in my own frustration, my mind started to wander. My gaze drifted to Ivan, his focused profile. Did he truly not have any idea? Did he know the truth about my father''s role in his parents'' deaths? Suddenly, he straightened up, snapping me back to reality. "Meeting time," he announced, his voice clipped and business-like. I groaned internally. Board meetings were bad enough, but enduring a whole one with apany I wasn''t even invested in? Torture. The only reason Maybe I should just leave. Cut my losses and get out of here before things got any more awkward. But then again, leaving would be admitting defeat. Besides, a part of me couldn''t help but be intrigued by Amaya''s anger. I had always found her fire, her passionate defiance, incredibly attractive. Mayb "Are youing or what?" Ivan snapped, his voiceced with impatience. The irritation was back, full force. He had the nerve to act like I was the one holding things up? I pushed myself out of the chair, a slow, deliberate mo "Yeah, yeah, I''ming," I muttered, following him out of his office. The walk to the meeting room was filled with an ufortable silence. We walked in single file, me trailing behind Ivan, feeling like a shadow tagging along. As we entered the room, the other board members turned their heads in our direction, their greetings polite butced with a hint of curiosity. "Sorry for the dy," Ivan mumbled, taking his seat at the head of the table. I found myself a seat at the far end, the furthest possible point from him. This was going to be a long meeting. Amaya was the only reason I was puttin My mind had officially turned into a white noise generator. The droning sound of Ivan''s voice, punctuated by the asional murmur of agreement from the other board members. My eyelids felt heavy threatening to droop shut atany moment. Charts, graphs, and financial jargon swirled before my eyes,all blurring into a meaningless coge of boredom. I tried to focus. Really, I did. Amaya''s face shed in my mind. That was it. That was the fuel I needed to stay awake. This meeting, this entire charade Suddenly, a memory jolted me back to reality. Just before Amaya stormed out, I''d reached out withConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org . my psychic senses, a desperate attempt to connect with her and so I tried it again but the connection was weak. "Alex" The sharp sound of my name cut through the haze. I blinked, my vision clearing to reveal Ivan staring at me, a smirk ying on his lips. "What?" I snapped, the irritation from the entire situation bubbling over. "Well since you were so eager to attend, we were just curious to hear your thoughts on everything that''s been discussed," he said, his stupid smile wi A cold dread washed over me. I nced around the room and I realized every board member''s gaze was fixed on me. My stomach lurched. Shit. 22 Óã Chapter 118 -Maya''s POV- The m of the front door echoed through the empty house, a punctuation mark to the whirlwind of emotions I was feeling. The nerve of them both gut. Alex waltzing in like he owned the ce, and Ivan letting him. I fumed all the way down the sidewalk, my anger a hot coal burning in my Reaching the house, I practically threw myself through the doorway, copsing onto the couch with a sigh that could have rivaled a hurricane. My phon Ivan checking in to see if I was okay. Another sigh escaped my lips, this one tinged with irritation. They could all go to hell. This was going to be a me- day. A day of escape. Ivy and Nate were safely with Ms. Rodriguez''s for the afternoon at the park, leaving me with a glorious expanse of empty time. No work, no mind- numbing worry about the vanished mark, and definitely no Alex to disrupt my carefully constructed peace. Today, I was taking back control. Today, I was going to be a woman with needs and desires that extended far beyond the tangled mess that was my re care, a day to recharge the emotional batteries that had been steadily draining ever since this whole madness started. With a renewed sense of purpose, I pushed myself off the couch and padded towards the kitchen. Wine. That was what I needed. A nice, deep ss of something red and robust, something that would help me unwind and forget the world outside these walls for a while. I rummaged through the cabs, finally pulling out a bottle that looked promising. After a brief struggle with the stubborn cork, I poured myself a gene with the wine and a photo album tucked away on the coffee table. Flipping through the worn pages, a smile tugged at the corners of my lips. I kept flipping through the worn pages, a bittersweet smile ying on my lips as then as my fingers grazed a particr picture from my college days, a wave of emotions washed over me, stro They flooded back with the vividness of a recent event. The insistent drumming of the professor''s voice faded into the background, reced by Natalia ¡°Amaya, everything is going to be fine," she murmured, her voice a soothing balm against the storm of emotions brewing within me. "We''ll figure things I cut her off abruptly, the words tumbling out before I could stop them. "We are not going anywhere near him. My father would have my head on a stake if he found out." Natalia''s eyes narrowed, her usual carefree demeanor reced by a sh of fierce protectiveness. "For thest time," she hissed, "screw Daniel Stone know how many wolves spend their entire lives wishing for that?" *My mate is Alex freaking Thorne," I whispered back, the weight of the name pressing down on me. "My family''s pack''s biggest rival. We can never be "You are fated," She countered, her voice firm. "No matter what, you can''t escape fate. There will be obstacles, but it will work out in the end. It will only work out, though, if you put in some effort to fight for it. I know if I found my mate, it wouldn''t matter if it was going to be I didn''t respond, my gaze drifting away from her and towards the professor, his words turning into a meaningless drone. All I could think about was the stall. My wolf had been a whirlwind of emotions, a primal urge pushing me towards him. But even then, a part of me knew it was a path leading straight to disaster. Out of everyone in the world, I just had to be fated to the billionaire alpha who was my father''s biggest enemy. It was a story written for tragedy, doom The bell finally pierced the fog in my head, its shrill ring snapping me back to reality. ss was over. Natalia nudged me, her expression a mix of co "Are youing?" she asked softly. I shook my head, the words catching in my throat. ¡°I need some time alone." She studied me for a moment, her gaze unwavering. Then, with a silent nod, she gathered her things and left the ssroom. The hollow echo of the Tears pricked at my eyes. Was I really going to let fear dictate my life! Was I going to let this fated bond turn into a burden? The struggle raged on ???????????????? within me, a war between logic and desire. The memory of Alex''s touch, the way my wolf responded to him, was a co. my father''s fury, the potential fo But the image of I squeezed my eyes shut, willing myself to find a solution. There had to be a way. There had to be a way for us to be with him, even if it meant defying Just then, a click startled me, breaking the tense silence. I snapped my eyes open to see Natalia standing next to me again, a mischievous grin ste directly at me. "What was that for?" I yelled, a mixture of surprise and irritation flooding through me. Natalia, unfazed by my outburst, simply turned the phone screen towards me. There, frozen in time, was my face a picture of misery with tear tracks staining my cheeks. Next to it, on the other half of the split-screen photo, was Natalia - her face stered with a goofy, mischievous grin. ¡°I just wanted to show you how dumb you look sitting down and sulking about a mate that you can''t have, she dered, her voiceced with yful an There was no point in arguing. Natalia, once she set her mind to something, was an unstoppable force. With a sigh, I pushed myself up from the chair, # As we walked out of the ssroom, she thrust the phone into my hand. The picture of our contrasting expressions stared back at me. Something about it, the sheer absurdity of the situation captured in that moment, made meugh. A genuine, full-bodiedugh that echoed through the empty hallway, chasing away the storm clouds of despair that had been brewing inside me. Looking back, I realized that picture was more than just a funny memory. It was a symbol of Natalia''s unwavering support, a reminder of the strength I Two weekster, I had that picture printed. Gazing at it now, yearster, a sad smile touched my lips. So much time had passed since then, yet Natalia remained a constant in my And as for Alex? I didn''t even need to go searching for him. When I stepped out of the ssroom that day, he was already waiting, a mix of worry and determination etched on his face. It took just one look, one nce That was when the fight truly began. It wasn''t easy, not by a long shot. But with Natalia by my side, and the unwavering belief in me and Alex''s bond,ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org . Yes, we won for a little while. For three years until everything fell apart. I felt a tug on my mind like in the office again but it was strained, weak. Just before I walked out, he had looked at me like he wanted to fight that battle again and the most s Again. Çú 0 Chapter 119 -Maya¡¯s POV- Three weeks. That¡¯s all it had been, and I was already this close to throwing myself off the nearest tall building. Seriously,I didn¡¯t know what game Alex thought he was ying, and honestly, Ivan¡¯s behavior was just as confusing. Let¡¯s start with Ivan. He¡¯d been beyond upset, practically demanding to end the whole marriage when I refused to distance myself from Alex¡¯s whole¡­ vo And it wasn¡¯t just the whole Alex situation messing with my head. Ivan was acting strange in general. He¡¯d y endlessly with the twins, keeping them e ¨C I tried my best to focus on work and avoid Alex at all costs, which was proving to be a herculean task. To make matters worse, my wolf wasn¡¯t exactly on we were in the same room, she¡¯d practically vibrate with the urge to jump him. Honestly, I was going crazy. ¡°You don¡¯t look so good, Maya.¡± I lifted my head, my irritation ring like a match at the sound of that voice. There he was, the bane of the frustration of my existence, standing casually i Taking a deep breath, I opted for the silent treatment, burying myself further into the paperwork in front of me. These were reports for Ivan, who had conv ¡°You know,¡± he started, but I cut him off before he could finish. ¡°What exactly is your deal, Alex? Seriously. Three weeks of this? Whatever game you¡¯ve decided to y, I think you¡¯ve had your fun.¡± My voice came out sharper than I intended, but the frustration was a tightly coiled spring inside me, ready to snap. The irritatingly charming smile on his face only widened. ¡°I don¡¯t understand what you¡¯re talking about.¡± ¡°Oh, really? Care to exin what you¡¯re even doing here? Don¡¯t you have a billion¨Cdorpany to run, or maybe a war with escte?¡± my father to My words only seemed to fuel his amusement, and a fresh wave of annoyance washed over me. Why did he have to be so good¨C looking? It made the whole situation even more infuriating. What was wrong with me? Why was I even engaging with him in this nonsense? With a final re that could probably curdle milk, I mmed the papers back down on my desk and forced myself to focus on the mind¨C numbing task at hand. Ignoring Alex was the n, and I was sticking to it, no matter how much my traitorous wolf whined in protest. The silence stretched between us, thick with unspoken tension. Alex, seemingly unfazed by my obvious irritation, leaned nonchntly against the doorw ¡°So,¡± he drawled, his voice dripping with amusement, ¡°what are you working on there, huh? Looks important. I gritted my teeth, the urge to tell him exactly where he could shove his fake curiosity battling with the very real need to keep my sanity intact. ¡°It¡¯s none of your He didn¡¯t even blink. ¡°Come on, Maya, don¡¯t be like that. Can¡¯t a guy just make friendly conversation with his colleague?¡± ¡°Colleague?¡± I scoffed, throwing him a withering look. ¡°Thest time I checked, you weren¡¯t exactly an employee here,Alex.¡± ¡°Details, details,¡± he waved a dismissive hand. ¡°Look, I know things have been.. tensetely. But hey, maybe we can start grown¨Cups?¡± over, you know? Like There it was again, that infuriatingly charming smile. How did we even get here? Just a few months ago, he could barely look at me without growling ¡°We have nothing to start over, Alex,¡± I said tly, pushing the papers around on my desk in a futile attempt to appear busy. ¡°Oh, ? My head snapped up, my annoyance momentarily forgotten. ¡°What are you even doing here?¡± I demanded, my voice sharper than I intended. He raised an eyebrow, a flicker of something unreadable crossing his features before the familiar smirk returned. ¡°That, Maya, is the million dor questi My frustration bubbled over. ¡°Don¡¯t y dumb with me, Alex. We both know this isn¡¯t some random business venture. You¡¯re here for a reason, and what making my life a living hell.¡± He chuckled, a low, rumbling sound that sent a shiver down my spine despite myself. ¡°Now, Maya, that¡¯s just not fair. Maybe I just missed your lovelypany.¡± ¡°Yeah, right,¡± I muttered, rolling my eyes. If he thought he could sweet¨Ctalk his way back into my good graces, he was sorely mistaken. He uncrossed his arms and took a step closer, his presence filling the space around me. My wolf whined a low warning in the back of my mind, and I fou back in my chair. ¡°Look,¡± he said, his voice softening slightly, ¡°I know things haven¡¯t been easy between us. But maybe we can at least try to be civil, for the sake of work I stared at him, his blue eyes holding a mix of amusement and something else trust him for a second. maybe regret? It was hard to tell. One thing was for sure, I didn¡¯t ¡°Fine,¡± I finally spat, the word tasting like ash in my mouth. ¡°Civil. But that¡¯s all. Now, if you¡¯ll excuse me, I have work to do.¡± He held my gaze for a moment longer, then a slow smile spread across his face. ¡°Good,¡± he said simply, before turning and sauntering out of the office. The moment he was gone, I slumped back in my chair, letting out a shaky breath. What just happened? I threw myself back into the paperwork, trying to drown out the unwee thoughts swirling in my head. But with every passing moment, my focus wavered. The door creaked open again, and I braced myself for Ivan, hoping he¡¯d returned with some exnation for his sudden disappearance. A Instead, Alex walked in, and to my surprise, he wasn¡¯t empty¨C handed. He held a takeout bag, the aroma of food filling the air. My stomach grumbled in protest, reminding me I¡¯d skipped lunch entirely in the chaos of ¡°Decided to be civil, so now you want to poison me?¡± I asked, eyeing him suspiciously. A slow smile spread across his face. I waited for a witty retort, but he simply ced the bag on my desk. ¡°Eat. You look like you haven¡¯t eaten all day.¡± As if on cue, my stomach let out another loud growl, sending a blush creeping up my cheeks. Whatever game Alex was ying, it was clearly getting to With a sigh of defeat, I picked up the bag and peeked inside. It was my favorite Thai ce. I stole a nce at him, but his face was unreadable, a conte My stomach growled again, effectively breaking the awkward silence. I took a bite, forcing myself to ignore Alex who had settled into the chair opposite me, unwrapping his own food. We ate in ufortable silence, the only sound the clinking of utensils and the asional satisfied sigh escaping his lips. My phone buzzed on the desk, momentarily distracting me. A text message from Ivan. He informed me, in a short, impersonal message, that he had to travel unexpectedly f Seriously? C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org. What was going on? I dialed his number immediately, a knot of worry tightening in my stomach. But his line went straight to voicemail. An irritated groan escaped my lips. This was ridiculous. I would get to the bottom of this whole mess as soon as I left the office. I looked up at Alex, his gaze still distant. Then, a new wave of frustration washed over me. Ivan had been a buffer, a shield against whatever Alex had Ivan gone, I was left exposed. Two weeks alone with Alex, with my traitorous wolf practically vibrating in excitement every time he was near. Two questions gnawed ?. 1. me. One: What the hell was going on with Ivan? Chapter 120 THIS IS NOT A PART OF THE STORY AND DEFINITELY NOT PART OF THE WORD COUNT I have been having a mental battle with myself on whether I should put this at the beginning or at the end of this chapter. I guess if you are reading this, you know which side emerged as the winner. I have been meaning to put this out there for a while but even with the fact that I could still hide behind my screen where no one can see me type this, I still didn''t allow myself. I took a breather so here I am. Anyway, this is the A To anyone that will read the book up until this point to see this note, I want to say a really big thank you. I know it takes a lot to stick to a book becaus my head, I read hundreds of books. I didn''t stick with some to the end so again it really means a lot and again, thank you. As a reader I know how annoying it is when two people are destined to be together and yet they aren''t. All the books that I have read revolving around this, annoyed me. I have seen somements and I totally understand. Amaya and Alex are meant to be together. It''s inevitable but I want to put it out there that everything that has happened in the book has happened for a reason. I love it when the books I read makes a lot of sense which is what I have been trying to do so yes, I do understand that''s it''s really frustrating, the endless cycle in their rtionship but I promise, it will make sense at the end with me this far, once again, I say thank you and I promise that I will continue the make it worth your while.C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org. I just have to do this. A little spoiler. Theing chapters are going to be crazy good. I already have the ideas swirling in my head and I am really ex I love a good mystery and this is something you all will not seeing or will you? If you have decided stick with me but you are having second thoughts because of the dynamics of Amaya and Alex''s rtionship, I want you to know t So this is where my notees to an end. I really hope you get to read it and like I ended this particr chapter, I hope you are eager to know the answer to this question What would happen next? -Maya''s POV- Green. That was the first thing that popped into my head when I thought of Amaya. Not emerald green, not lime green, just... green. Her eyes. I hadn''t even realized I had a favorite color until the day a beat. Green it was. Looking back, it was kind of ridiculous. How could my favorite color be something so... basic? But then I realized it wasn''t just any green. It was the green of her eyes, the color that seemed to hold a million unspoken emotions, the color that could pierce through me like a spotlight. A sharp snap brought me back to reality. "Are you trying to calcte how long the poison will take to kick in?" Her voice wasced with irritation, snapp Santhar I couldn''t help the smile that spread across my face. Truth be told, I had been smiling a lottely. Maybe it had something to do with the fact that Mira ¡°Guess it''s almost time for me to drop dead since you haven''t graced me with a reply," Her dry tone cut in again. Our eyes met, and for a fleeting moment, I saw it again - the green, the fire, the flicker of something... familiar. Then just as quickly, her expression hardened, her jaw clenching. "Can you not just suddenly talk, Alex? Seriously, if you''re not going to say anything, stop staring. I''m trying to get work done here, and your creepy sta FIT "Just trying to spend some time with you," I replied, my smile not faltering. It seemed to annoy her even more, her scowl deepening. She buried her he The silence stretched, punctuated only by the scratch of her pen and the asional sigh escaping my lips. Finally, I couldn''t take it anymore. "What are you even working on?" I asked, leaning back in my chair. "Something that doesn''t concern you," she mumbled without looking up. "Where''s Ivan" I tried a different approach. Maybe a topic she cared about would case the tension. Her bead snapped up. "Shouldn''t you know? You two are the business partners, right? Leave me alone, Alex. You''re distracting me? I leaned forward, my voice dropping to a low murmur. "You always loved it when I distracted you, especially when you were swamped with paperwork A flicker of something crossed her face defiance. a sh of memory, a hint of a ghost of a smile? Then, just as quickly, it was gone, reced by a wall of She mmed her papers shut with a finality that brooked no argument. "Where are you going?" I asked, rising to my feet. "Home. Away from you, since you clearly think I''m some kind of toy you can y with whenever you''re bored." 1 sighed. Maybe I had pushed it too far. The truth was, I didn''t want her to leave. I craved her presence, even if it meant enduring her barbedmen ¡°Amaya,¡± I said, my voice a plea. She reached the door, her hand hovering over the knob. "Don''t leave," I continued, urgency creeping into my voice. "I was just messing around." "Messing around?" she spun on her heel, her eyes zing. "Messing around? You think this is funny? That I''m some kind of ything you can pick up I opened my mouth to speak, but she cut me off, her voice rising with each word. ¡°What is this, huh? You''ve been showing up here for three weeks straight, acting like the past four years never happened. Like you didn''t reject me, like you didn''t make me feel worthless, like you. didn''t throw me out because you thought I was cheating with your best friend. In one fell swoop, you destroyed two lives because you couldn''tmunicate like a grown-up. And now what? You waltzed back in here after all this time, disrupting everything, and act surprised when I''m not exactly rolling out the red carpet? You haven''t even uttered a single apology for what you did, for the pain you caused. And then you have the nerve to joke about the past?" Her words hit me like a physical blow. The truth stung, a bitter pill I had to swallow. I knew I was wrong. Every part of me knew it. But the apology stuck in my throat, a tangled mess of guilt and pride. The bags she''d been packing ttered to the floor as she shoved me, her anger a tangible force. It wasn''t a strong shove, barely a nudge, but it sent a "Why can''t you just leave me alone, Alex?" Her voice cracked, the anger giving way to something raw and vulnerable. "Why can''t you let me have some peace?" Tears welled up in her green eyes, blurring her vision. Tears. The sight of them ripped a hole through my carefully constructed facade. I stood there, rooted to the spot, as she pounded her fists against my chest, ¡°Answer me, damn you!" she cried, her voice thick with emotion. "You''re ruining my marriage. Ivan barely talks to me anymore, all because of you. So Shame washed over me, a tidal wave threatening to drown me. I knew what I was doing was wrong. Every fiber of my being screamed at me to walk a But I couldn''t. There was an invisible force pulling me towards her, a force stronger than reason, stronger than self- preservation. It was a force I didn''t understand, but it was undeniable. I opened my mouth to speak, to apologize, to offer some kind of exnation. But the words wouldn''te. All I could manage was a choked whisper ¡°Don''t call me that," she spat, her voice raw with emotion. "I''m not your Silver anymore." But she was. She was Amaya, the woman who haunted my dreams, the woman who held a piece of my heart that I didn''t even know was missing. Sh "I''m sorry," I finally managed, the words scraping against my throat. "I''m so sorry, Silver." That was the nickname I''d given her, a secret whispered betw Without thinking, I reached out and wrapped my arms around her, pulling her close. Her body stiffened for a moment, her sobs muffled against my ch "I don''t want your pity apology, Alex," she mumbled, her voice barely a whisper. I held her tighter, the scent of her hair filling my senses, a familiarfort amidst the storm. "It''s not pity," I whispered back. "It''s regret. It''s realization that I messed up, big time." a She stayed in my arms for what felt like an eternity, her body trembling with unspoken emotions. Finally, she pulled away, wiping her tears with the back of her hand. Her eyes, red-rimmed and puffy, held a flicker of vulnerability. "What do you even want, Alex?" she asked, her voice hoarse. My fingers, hesitant at first, brushed the damp trails on her cheeks. The tears left a salty residue, a physical reminder of the storm she was weathering. As I wiped them away, she looked up at me, her green eyes raw and e It was then, in that moment of raw vulnerability, that the answer, clear as day, broke through the fog clouding my mind. The answer to the question that hung heavy in the air, the question that had been gnawing at me for weeks. The answer to "What did I want It was a simple answer. Her. I simply wanted her. The air crackled with unspoken emotions, a tangible tension that filled the room. Something had shifted, a fundamental change in the dynamic throat. between us. I could feel it in the way my heart hammered against my ribs, in the way my breath caught in my "Alex,¡± she whispered, her voice barely audible. It was a single word, but it held a universe of emotions - confusion, hurt, maybe even a sliver of hope. I didn''t know what to say. The apology that had been stuck in my throat for weeks seemed even more inadequate now. Words felt hollow, empty promises in the face of the damage I''d done. But then, before I could even attempt to formte a coherent response, she surprised me. She closed the distance between us, her breath warm against my lips and then her lips met mine.. I responded instinctively, my arms wrapping around her, pulling her closer. The kiss deepened, a tangle of emotions swirling between us. It was a kiss both a question and an answer, a plea for forgiveness and a promise of something more. It was a kiss that hung suspended in time, a stolen moment in the midst of a brewing storm. And as the kiss intensified, as the line between past and p What would happen next? Chapter 121 Chapter 121 -Maya''s POV- Have you ever gotten to that point in your life where it feels like everything you built, everything you held dear, just crumbled around you, leaving nothing but a pile of smoking ruins? I shouldn''t have asked because I know the answer. At some point, point. Except, that''s exactly where I stood, tears blurring my vision as I stared at the wreckage before me. Except, it wasn''t just the building or the blood on the concrete. It was... well, everything else. It was everything that had imploded in the aftermath o had spelled it out for me an hour ago, calling me a selfish bitch after she told me she didn''t ever want to ever see me again. Nothing, not a single thing, not the rejection, not when my father told me he hated me, had hurt me more than the moment those words left her lips and she turned her back on me. The worst part? I deserved it. Every ounce of her anger, every bit of her hurt, I had earned it all. And it was all because of him. Here I stood, lost and confused, with no idea where to even begin to pick up the pieces. Maybe, I thought, I should rewind. Go back to that moment b In that single, stolen moment, all I could think about was how strangely perfect it felt. Our lips were fused, and it was like his whole being was pouring We stared at each other, both panting for breath. "Amaya," he whispered, his voice thick with something I couldn''t decipher. "I¡ª¡± But I didn''t want to hear it. I didn''t want to hear whatever excuse or apology he was about to offer. So I did what I do best - I ran. I was a master at running away from my problems, a hypocrite through and through. And that''s exactly what I did. I ran. That was the beginning of the end. I tried reaching out to Ivan again, desperate for some kind of reassurance, some validation that maybe I wasn''t the horrible person I felt like. But he was still out of reach, his phone going straight to voicemail. Two dayster, the first blownded. Pictures. Pictures of me and Alex, locked in that damning kiss, stered all over myputer screen. I''d made The threats only escted from there. This person, whoever they were, was relentless. They were determined to destroy everything - my marriage, my reputation, my life. I naively thought that was the worst it could get. But oh, how wrong I was. One weekter, the world went into a frenzy. The news broke, sttered across every screen and headline imaginable. It wasn''t about me, thank God I was at Natalia''s house when the news broke. She was the only one left who I could turn to. I needed her help, needed a n to stop this ckmailer The entire goddamn world knew that werewolves existed. The world went nuts after that. Humans started hunting us down like monsters in the night, calling us all sorts of names. Riots erupted everywhere. Ev unsolved death, every unexined attack from the past few years, they were all getting pinned on us now. Werewolves were scrambling to disappear, Nobody was safe. The fear in the humans was like a rabid dog, driving them to do crazy things. Buildings were burning, shops getting looted. It wasplete and utter pandemoniu pack for my protection and let the twins stay at the house with my mother saying it would be safer for them there. I didn''t understand what had gotten into him but it was something I chose to worry aboutter. Ivan was still a ghost, unreachable. The worry was eating me alive, making me want to tear my hair out. Alex? Nobody had heard a peep from him until the biggest bomb of all hit the media. It spread like wildfire - faster than anything I''d ever seen. Every headline screamed the same thing: Alex Thorne: The Billionaire Werewolf. It wasn''t even a full day before the riots started. People were swarming his hotels, his restaurants, hispany headquarters - setting everything on fire, smashing windows, tearing it all down. And then, like a fool, I went and made the biggest mistake of my entire life. I had to know he was okay. My wolf surged with adrenaline, and just like Chapter 121 always, I ran straight into the fire. Natalia begged me not to go, warned me about the dangers of venturing out with crazed humans rampaging through the city. But I didn''t listen. I just bolted, straight What I didn''t know was that Nate had followed me. He must have seen me take off and decided toe after me. He was still my best friend afterall. thing I knew, I was pushing through a throng of bodies, the air thick with tension and smoke, when someone attacked me from behind. Nate. He reacted instinctively, shoving me aside and shifting right there to protect me. A gunshot rang out, sharp and sudden. It hit him. Nate. The bul I''d never forget the look of pure terror in Natalia''s eyes when she arrived at that exact moment just as Nate''s body hit the ground. We both scrambled Tears streamed down my face as the scene reyed on a loop in my head. "You just don''t know when to stop, do you?" she screamed, her voice raw "Natalia, |- "Shut up! Shut up, Amaya! Just shut the hell up!" Her voice broke, her words a torrent of pain. "Are you happy? You just couldn''t leave Alex alone, an here. He came after you because of you, and now he''s dying!"Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g I looked down at Nate, his lifeblood staining the concrete. My own tears mixed with hers, blurring my vision. He coughed, a spray of blood crupting from his mouth. Natalia cradled him in her arms, her own tears flowing freely. "Shh, it''s okay,¡± she whispered, her voice thick with love. "Everything''s going to be fine. Hold on for me." I sat there on the ground, numb, watching as a car rushed them away. My body felt like lead, my mind a tangled mess. Natalia''s voice,ced with vend silent street. She was going off on everything I''d done wrong, everything that led to this moment. But all I could do was cry, a choked sob escaping my Just before the car disappeared, she stood before me, her eyes red- rimmed and filled with pain so intense it took my breath away. ¡°You are a selfish bitch, Amaya,¡± she spat, her voice trembling. "And I never want to see you again." Her words hung in the air, a heavy weight settling on my chest. The world spun, the usations swirling around me like a dark storm. I was alone. Completely and utterly alone. 915 Chapter 122 Chapter 122 Alex¡¯sPOV- Two weeks earlier- I watched her bolt, the door mming shut with a finality that echoed the hollowness blooming in my chest. A million things buzzed in my head, a swarm of words begging to be released, exnations I desperately wanted her to hear. But they all died on my tongue, choked by the tangled mess of emotions churning in my gut. Regret. Confusion. A yearning so deep it felt like a physical ache, a phantom limb I couldn¡¯t quite grasp. The taste of the kiss lingered on my lips, a forbidden fruit that had left me both wanting and hollow. It was a glimpse into a world I once had but I had thrown away, a connection as thrilling as it was terrifying. Frustration wed at me as I ran a hand through my hair, the strands catching on the growing knots of tension at the base of my scalp. What the hell was I doing? This whole thing felt like a twisted game, a dance on the edge of a knife. One wrong move, and I could lose everything. Pushing myself away from the door, I took a shaky breath. There was no point in dwelling on what could have been. I needed a n, a way to deal with whatever chaos was going on in my head before it spiraled further out of control. But every thought, every strategy, kept circling back to her. With a heavy heart, I turned and headed out, the weight of the city pressing down on me. The familiar roar of the engine as I pulled out of the parking lot did little to soothe the storm raging inside. My mansion loomed ahead, a stark monument to a life that suddenly felt empty and meaningless. Stepping inside, the silence was deafening. The plush sofas and gleaming surfaces mocked me with their sterile perfection. This wasn¡¯t a home, it was a trophy case, a collection of achievements that now felt hollow. I sank onto the couch, the leather cool against my skin. Suddenly, a voice sliced through the stillness, sharp and unexpected. ¡°Did someone have a bad day at work?¡± My head snapped up immediately, my wolf standing in alert, ready to pounce as my eyes narrowed at the person sitting cross legged in my living room. I¡¯d been so lost in my thoughts, I hadn¡¯t even noticed him. ¡°Adrian.¡± My voice came out a low growl, suspicioncing every syble. A slow smile spread across his face. ¡°Seems like you forgot about me, Alex.¡± ¡°What are you doing here?¡± The question came outced with irritation, a thin veil for the underlying shock and confusion I felt. He simply grinned, pushing himself effortlessly to his feet and strolling towards a corner of the room. The mansion was practically a maze, with a damn bar stashed in almost every corner and he knew every one of them. He stopped by one, a familiar glint in his eyes. Adrian used to be my best friend, a bond forged and solidified by years of shared experiences. Now, a bitter truth sat heavy in my stomach. The realization of Adrian¡¯s innocence had been a slow, painful process, one that chipped away at the walls I¡¯d built around my heart. A sigh escaped my lips, heavy with regret. I owed him an apology. More than that, I owed him a reckoning. Years of selfishness had blinded me, leaving me unable to see the truth staring me in the face. Adrian¡¯s back was to me as he poured himself ¨¢ drink, the clinking of ice cubes against ss echoing in the silence. ¡°Adrian, we need to talk.¡± The words tasted like ash on my tongue. He turned, ss halfway to his lips, his head tilted in a question. ¡°Do we?¡± ¡°Look, Adrian,¡± I began, forcing myself to meet his gaze. ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± The apology felt hollow, a meager offeringpared to the years injustice I¡¯d inflicted on him. of A flicker of amusement danced across his features before dissolving into a humorlessugh. ¡°Sorry? Just like that? Do you think four years in 1/3 16:25 Tue, 2 Jul G GQ Chapter 122 jail can be erased with a single word? Am I supposed to forget how you took everything from me? I was your best friend, Alex, your damn right-hand man! And you couldn¡¯t even trust me enough to believe I wouldn¡¯t betray you.Your apology? It¡¯s worthless to me, Alex. It will never be enough.¡± Silence stretched between us, thick and suffocating. Shame burned in my gut, a hot coal that refused to be extinguished. There were no justifications, no excuses. My father¡¯s cruelty had damaged me, warped my perception of trust and loyalty. But that didn¡¯t change the reality of what I¡¯d done. ¡°So, what brings you here?¡± I asked finally. The unsettling calmness that had settled on Adrian when I visited him in prison returned. His eyes, once filled with warmth, were now cold and calcting. He raised his ss in a sardonic toast. ¡°Well, Alex,¡± he said, a cruel smile twisting his lips, ¡°I guess you could say I¡¯m here to share onest drink with an old friend.¡± He took a long swig from his ss, his gaze never leaving mine. There was a chilling finality in his words, a unspoken promise of a future where our bondy shattered, a casualty of my own making. And as he settled back into his chair, the silence returned, heavier and profound than ever before. re I just sat there, locked in a silent stare with him. The air crackled with tension, thick enough to choke on. Throwing him out flicker of a thought that died as quickly as it arose. I¡¯d wronged him enough already, piled enough misery on his te. was option, a A chilling realization settled in my gut. How fragile friendship could be, how easily it could shatter into a million pieces. One minute you¡¯re practically brothers, sharing secrets andughter. The next, you¡¯re strangers, divided by a chasm of distrust and pain. Adrian wasn¡¯t my enemy. That was a trap I¡¯d fallen into too many times, inherited from my father like a bad habit. Now, looking at Adrian, I saw a reflection of my own mistakes, the destruction I¡¯d left in my wake. He stared back, his gaze unwavering, a mixture of anger and a strange satisfaction that sent a joltUpstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g through me. He had every right to look at me that way. Every. Single. Right. ¡°Are you leaving anytime soon?¡± I finally broke the silence, my voice raspy. ¡°Honestly, I have no clue what¡¯s going on here.¡± He shot me a look of pure irritation, as if the question itself was an insult. ¡°I¡¯ll leave when I damn well please,¡± he snapped. I sighed, a heavy sound that seemed to echo in the vast emptiness of the mansion. Pushing myself to my feet, I muttered, ¡°Fine. Do as you wish.¡± Truthfully, what was the worst that could happen? He¡¯d steal a TV or some fancy gadget? Money was no object, I could rece it in a heartbeat. Exhaustion gnawed at me, a desperate plea for sleep. I turned to head towards my room, ready to leave him to his brooding, when his next words stopped me dead in my tracks. ¡°How¡¯s Amaya?¡± Chapter 123 Alex¡¯sPOV Regret gnawed at me, a bitter aftertaste lingering in my mouth as Adrian¡¯s words echoed in my head. I should have paid more attention, should have heeded the not so veiled threat hanging heavy in his final words. Instead, I¡¯d brushed it off, convinced that whatever he had nned, I could handle it. Money, influence, power ¨C I had it all in excess. Surely, I could weather whatever storm he intended to unleash. But for the first time, the weight of my arrogance pressed down on me, a suffocating realization of my own w. The first blow came swift and unexpected. News of werewolves existence was leaked to the world. The truth became public spectacle, sshed across headlines and dissected on every news channel. Panic rippled through the human poption, fear morphing into a primal hatred. Bounties were ced on the heads of any werewolf, turning former neighbors into hunters, friends into potential betrayers. We, the creatures of myth and legend, were suddenly the monsters in their stories. The world descended into chaos. Werewolves, forced out of the shadows, scrambled to protect themselves. Violence erupted, escting what was once a silent war into an all¨Cout conflict. My focus narrowed, my priorities shifting. The pack, my responsibility, became my sole concern. Keeping them safe, ensuring their survival now my paramount objective. And her, Amaya, she remained a constant worry in the back of my mind. For a week, I managed a risky dance. The initial frenzy hadn¡¯t reached my city yet, offering a temporary reprieve. From the safety of my heavily guarded mansion, I worked tirelessly at damage control. . Businesses were 7reatened, investments sabotaged. But I had resources, a was a general in a silent war, fighting an unseen enemy. Somehow with undeniable evidence, my name the restaurants I owned, everything I¡¯d built over the years, Then, the walls crumbled. The attack was swift, brutal, and undeniably targeted right made headlines revealing to the public that I was one of them. Mypanie began to go up in mes. The message was clear: I was no longer untouchable. a Fear wasn¡¯t a part of the equation. It was a luxury I couldn¡¯t afford. Anger, a simmering inferno, fueled my every move. But beneath it all, cold, calcting logic took hold. This wasn¡¯t random, not a spontaneous outburst of violence. This was a calcted attack, methodical and precise. And deep down, in the pit of my gut, I knew who was behind it. Adrian. Frustration gnawed at me. Holed up in this cramped safe house, miles away from everything, I was strategizing. This whole situation was a tangled mess, an irritating knot that needed untying. And what made it even more infuriating was Christian¡¯s refusal to pick up his damn phone. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, his voice crackled through the receiver. He let out a long, annoyed sigh before drawling, ¡°Look, Alex, you know you and I aren¡¯t a thing. Stop blowing up my phone.¡± I red at the phone, willing him to feel the intensity of my stare. ¡°This isn¡¯t the time for jokes, Christian. Why haven¡¯t you been taking my calls?¡± ¡°Because, like I already said, you and I aren¡¯t exactly in a rtionship,¡± he replied dryly. I growled, the sound a low rumble in my throat. ¡°Christian!¡± He sighed again, this time a hint of seriousness creeping into his voice. ¡°Alright, alright, lighten up. It¡¯s not the end of the world¡­ well, wait, maybe it kind of is if everything¡¯s going up in mes.¡± Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g ¡°Your dark humor isn¡¯t appreciated right now,¡± I spat. ¡°Did you find anything?¡± A beat of tense silence stretched between us before he spoke again. This time, his voicecked its usual sarcastic lilt. ¡°Things are bad, Alex. Really bad. Your headquarters in the city took another hit. I still haven¡¯t been able to locate Adrian, and I got some news about Amaya.¡± My blood ran cold. Amaya. I¡¯d specifically assigned two of my most trusted guards, both human and werewolf, to ensure her safety, ¡°What happened to her?¡± I demanded, my voice an icy whisper. ¡°She was at thepany when another attack went down,¡± he exined. ¡°Her best friend¡¯s husband ¨C I don¡¯t know his name¨Cshifted to protect her. He got shot.¡± Tran a hand through my hair, the frustration ¡°She seems okay for now, at least from what I can tell. Thest knotting even tighter in my gut. Shit. ¡°And Amaya?¡± sighting reported her walking away in a daze.¡± ¡°Okay. Keep searching for Adrian. That bastard j going to pay for all of Is. I have people working on stopping the attacks on my buildings.¡± He hummed in response. ¡°You¡¯re public enemy number one, Alex. There ar rumors that you have blood money and your empires were built on the blood you used the monster in you to kill. I know whatever I say won¡¯t stop you from going after her, but for the love of all that¡¯s holy, stay in the shadows and use your head.¡± The line went dead, leaving me staring at the phone in my hand. Public reced by a suffocating sense of istion. enemy number one. The once familiarfort of power was gone, First things first: Amaya. She was alone, vulnerable, and the knot of worry tightening in my stomach threatened to choke me. I couldn¡¯t waste another second. Leaping out of the safe house, I sprinted towards the car, ignoring the protests of the guard stationed outside. The engine roared to life as I mmed the door shut. The city, once a familiarndscape of towering buildings and bustling streets, had be a stranger. Smoke billowed from gaping holes in buildings, the acrid smell stinging my nostrils. Debris littered the streets, twisted metal skeletons of cars the remnants of recent attacks. Looters roamed freely, their faces twisted in a mix of fear and greed as they scavenged the wreckage. Fury boiled within me, hot and potent. My people, the ones I entrusted with Amaya¡¯s safety, where were they? The thought of them failing me, of them letting her get hurt, sent a fresh wave of anger crashing through me. Every building that resembled the officeplex from Christian¡¯s description became a potential destination. My eyes scanned the sidewalks, searching for a sh of copper hair, a familiar face, Minutes bled into what felt like hours, each passing second a hammer blow to my already strained nerves. Then, a flicker of movement in the distance. A sh of copper, unmistakable even from afar. Amaya. My heart lurched in my chest, a surge of relief battling with the anger still simmering beneath the surface. She was walking, her movements slow and erratic, her head hanging low. My grip tightened on the steering wheel, knuckles turning white. Pulling over to the curb a safe distance away, I killed the engine. Watching her, I saw the exhaustion etched on her face, the way her shoulders slumped with defeat. I was probably thest person she wanted to see but I was here and she wasn¡¯t supposed to be roaming the streets like a crazy person. It wasn¡¯t safe. But as I reached for the door handle, a new figure entered the scene. A tall, broad¨Cshouldered man emerged from the shadows. He spoke, his voice a low rumble that didn¡¯t reach me, but the effect on Amaya was undeniable. Her head snapped up, a flicker of recognition recing the daze in her eyes. And then, to my utter annoyance, she ran. Not away from him, but towards him. Right into his open arms. Right into Ivan¡¯s arms. Rage choked me, a physical sensation that constricted my throat and made it hard to breathe. I watched them, Amaya nestled in Ivan¡¯s arms. Every muscle in my body screamed to act, to tear them apart and reim what I felt was rightfully mine. But logic, a cold hand gripping my 16:25 Tue, 2 Jul G reason, held me back. With a deep, shuddering breath, I forced myself to turn away. Sliding back into the driver¡¯s seat, I mmed the car into gear and peeled away from the curb. I didn¡¯t know where I was going, didn¡¯t care at that precise moment. All I needed was distance, some space to clear the red haze clouding my judgment. gh the t The insistent buzzing of my phone broke through fog of anger. ncing at the screen, I saw Christian¡¯s name sh across the disy. With a growl, I snatched the phone up. ¡°What?¡± I barked, my voice raw with barely contained emotion. ¡°Looks like things didn¡¯t exactly go ording to n in La La Land,¡± Christian drawled, his usual sardonic tone tempered with a hint of seriousness. ¡°What do you want, Christian?¡± I snarled, the questionced with frustration. Thest thing I needed right now was his snarkymentary. The amusement vanished from his voice. ¡°I have some good news. News that might just help you put all that anger to good use.¡± A flicker of curiosity sparked through the haze of rage. ¡°Good news?¡± I echoed, skepticism heavy in my voice. ¡°Yep,¡± Christian replied, a hint of a smirk creeping back into his tone. ¡°The good kind. I found A Chapter 124 -Maya¡¯s POV- Time bled together. How long had I sat there, a statue carved from regret, the usations echoing in my ears? Long enough for the world to dim, thest embers of the burning buildings painting the sky a bloody red. Long enough for the initial shock to morph into a dull ache that throbbed with the guilt of a thousand sins. If I were a character in a book, everyone would hate me. And they¡¯d be right. What was wrong with me? Truly, what was the w in my core that made me such a destroyer of everything I ched? With a monumental effort, I dragged myself out of th of the haze. My legs protested with each step. The twins. I needed to see them, to hold them close, they were all I had left. Natalia hated me, Nate was, I didn¡¯t allow myselfplete the thought. Ivan was nowhere to be found and Alex? The world around me blurred, the screams and shouts muted by the deafening roar of my own misery. My walk was a daze, fueled by a primal instinct to reach my children. Streets that were once familiar became unrecognizable, the chaos a constant thrumming under my skin. Then, a flicker of movement in the distance caught my eye. A tall figure emerged from the shadows, solidifying into Ivan. He called my name, a single word that pierced through the fog clouding my mind. For a heart¨C stopping moment, everything froze. The weight of everything ¨C Nate, Natalia¡¯s fury, the city burning ¨C came crashing down on me, a physical force that knocked the breath from my lungs. And then, I was running. Running towards him, towards the only semnce offort I could find in this maelstrom of destruction. Tears, scalding and hot, streamed down my face as I collided with him, burying my face in his chest. A sob tore through me, a raw expression of the guilt and pain that threatened to consume me whole. He didn¡¯t try to stop me. He didn¡¯t utter a single word of condemnation orfort. He simply held me close, a silent anchor in the storm, as I let the tears flow freely, cleansing my soul or at least attempting to. We clung to each other for a long, silent moment. The world continued to erupt around us, the distant screams and flickering fires a constant reminder of the chaos that had be my life. Finally, Ivan spoke, his voice a low murmur close to my ear. ¡°Let¡¯s get you home,¡± he whispered, his wordsced with a quiet concern that sent a fresh wave of tears prickling at my eyes. Home. The word felt foreign on my tongue, a concept that seemed to have vanished amidst the wreckage of my world. A million questions swirled in my head, a storm of confusion threatening to pull me under. Where had he been? Why had he disappeared when I needed him most? What happened between us? And most importantly, what the hell was going to happen to the world? But the words wouldn¡¯t form. All I could manage was a croaked, one¨Csyble response. ¡°No,¡± I rasped, my voice thick with emotion. His brow furrowed in confusion. ¡°You don¡¯t want to go back home?¡± ¡°No,¡± I repeated, shaking my head with a force that sent a jolt of pain through my throbbing skull. ¡°The twins. I need to see them. My parents¡® house. I¡­ I want to go to my parents¡® house.¡± My voice cracked, barely a whisper on the wind. Exhaustion gnawed at the edges of my consciousness, a physical weight dragging me down. Ivan¡¯s surprise was genuine, a flicker of something akin to understanding crossing his features. I understood his surprise. I honestly still didn¡¯t understand why my father address to take in the twins. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s go to your father¡¯s house then,¡± he conceded, his voice calm and steady. He guided me towards his car, a ghost of myself shuffling along beside him. The world swam before my eyes, the destruction around me a surrealndscape of smoke and shattered dreams. Inside the car, the silence stretched between us, a heavy weight pressing down on the confined space. My gaze drifted out the window, taking in the apocalyptic scenes we passed. Once¨Cfamiliar buildings were reduced to smoldering husks, streets choked with debris and the remnants of scattered lives. A fresh wave of guilt washed over me, an unweepanion in my misery. I needed to injured, perhaps even¡­ I choked back a sob, the to the hospital would be foolish. Natalia¡¯s an Nate. The thought of my best friend lying thought too in the spainful to contemte. But of my own despair, I knew going a ne raw but this second rejection, felt like the final facing her wrath, The silence began to stretch, a suffocating weight the and unanswered questions. Ivan broke it eventually, his ¡°Amaya, I¡¯m so sorry I left,¡± he said, the words heavy regret. He a side of Tind a only I before, and the memory still left apologize to Natalia, even if it meant sn¡¯t a hostile silence, but a heavy one, thick with unspoken words sigh hed the xhaustion I felt in my own bones. looked drained, the on his face etched deeper than I remembered. I didn¡¯t respond immediately. For a moment, his words hung in the air, a puzzle with missing pieces. There had been nothing wrong between us, or so I thought. Sure, Alex had been trying to insert himself into our rtionship, but I¡¯d pushed him away, choosing Ivan every time. So just why? ¡°Why did you?¡± I finally managed, my voice hoarse. He sighed again, a long, shuddering breath. ¡°Honestly, there¡¯s no excuse for what I did. There¡¯s nothing I can a long moment, his gaze fixed on the road ahead. Then, he continued. say to justify it.¡± He fell silent for N?velDrama.Org ? content. ¡°The day I disappeared, that was the day my parents were killed. Every year, Miranda and I take a trip together, just to¡­ to be somewhere quiet. To remember them. I know Miranda can be a pain, but that trip, it¡¯s the one time we both juste together. And then, when all this chaos started with the werewolves being exposed, I just¡­ I wanted toe back right away. But I don¡¯t know, Amaya, I was scared. Scared of everything. I knew I should have told you, but the thought ofing back and facing you¡­ after everything¡­ I just¡­ I messed up. I messed up big time by not talking to you.¡± His words washed over me, each sentence a blow that left me reeling. A part of me wanted to force myself to understand, to ept his exnation. But the raw truth was¡­ everything was just so messed up. His reason, while tragic, didn¡¯t erase the pain of being abandoned when I needed him most. And then, there was the ckmail hanging heavy over my head, a constant reminder of my own secrets. Who was I to judge him for keeping something hidden, when I was burdened with my own web of lies? Silence settled back between us that seemed to muffle the sounds of the outside world. Ivan continued driving, his jaw clenched tight, his focus solely on the road ahead then I broke the oppressive silence. ¡°I wish you would have told me,¡± I whispered, my words thick with a mixture of sadness and understanding. ¡°I would have understood. You shouldn¡¯t have had to go through that alone.¡± I reached out, tentatively cing my hand on his leg, squeezing gently. ¡°And¡­ I¡¯m so sorry you have to deal with that memory for the rest of your life.¡± But as the words left my lips, Natalia¡¯s voice echoed in my head, sharp and using. ¡°You are a selfish bitch, Amaya.¡± The memory of her fury sent a jolt through me, a prickling shame making me recoil. Hurriedly, I snatched my hand away from Ivan, a feeling of self¨Cdisgust washing over me. Was his skin burning me? Or was it the heat of my own guilt? He didn¡¯t say anything, his face etched with a mixture of sadness and confusion. The silence returned, a heavy weight that pressed down on the car as we continued our journey. Each mile marker we passed felt like a lifetime, the weight of the world pressing down on my already burdened shoulders. 16.25 We finally pulled up to the imposing gates of my father¡¯s estate. Shock jolted me back to reality. Men,rge and intimidating, were scattered around the perimeter, their presence a stark contrast to the usual manicured gardens. I would have thought about how giant my fahter¡¯s ego ing in his fortress if the men being out there weren¡¯t protecting my children too. was because probably sitting like a king Ivan lowered the car window, addressing the guards in a calm, authoritative voice. ¡°We need to get inside.¡± One of the guards, a man with a thick beard and a permanent scowl, turned his gaze to me. His eyes narrowed, and his irritation was evident. ¡°Alpha Stone has given specific orders,¡± he growled. ¡°His daughter is not to be allowed entry into thepound.¡± É« 1 ?? ??? ??? ???????? Chapter 125 -Maya¡¯s POV- The world around me vanished the moment the guard¡¯s words mmed into my ears. A primal growl erupted in my head, a ferocious sound that ripped through the haze of despair and Fury surged through me, a white¨C hot inferno that burned away all reason. Daniel Stone could control a lot of things, manipte people with his money and power, but he wouldn¡¯t touch th I ripped the car door open with a force that surprised even me. Honestly, I wouldn¡¯t have been surprised if another yank had ripped it clean off the hinges Stepping out of the car, I stalked towards the guard, my eyes zing. The growl rumbled in my chest, a low, menacing sound that vibrated through the air. He flinched backward. ¡°I¡¯m giving you three seconds to let me pass,¡± I snarled, my voiceced with a deadly calm. He swallowed before taking a stance, ¡°Alpha gave his orders.¡± I unleashed the fury that had been simmering within me. With a snarl that ripped from my throat, I let go. My wolf took over, the shift instantaneous and brutal. ws extended, fangs bared, I lunged for him. He crumpled to the ground with a surprised yelp, my weight pinning him down. A primal growl vibrated in my throat. I sank my teeth into his arm, the tast pitched, terrified sound that echoed in the air. The world blurred for a moment. Then, a sharp click cut through the chaos. Instinct took over, my wolf¡¯s senses on high alert. I whipped my head around, searching for the source of the sound. There, behind m Adrenaline surged through my veins, fear momentarily recing the rage. But even fear couldn¡¯t suppress the mother wolf protecting her pups. I wouldn Amotion erupted around me. More wolves surged from the shadows, their eyes glowing a menacing red. They were ready to fight, to protect their te N?velDrama.Org ? content. Confusion clouded my mind. These were my father¡¯s wolves, sworn to protect his people. But they were also blocking my path to my children. What the hell was going on? Then, a voice cut through the din, a voiceced with raw power and authority. ¡°Anyone moves an inch and attacks her and you will regret it.¡± It was Ivan I felt it then, the alpha aura radiating from him, a tangible force that washed over the assembled wolves. It was powerful, undeniable, a surge of energy that instantly calmed the pack. The merger had elevated him to a position of leadership. He was their alpha too. The wolves lowered their hackles, their aggressive stance dissipating. A tense silence settled over the scene. Then, our eyes met. ¡°Go,¡± he said simply, his voice softer now. ¡°They won¡¯t stop you.¡± My wolf didn¡¯t need telling twice. It bolted forward, leaving the bewildered guards in its wake. I didn¡¯t care about exnations or justifications right now. W minded focus, I sprinted towards the imposing house. Every muscle screamed in protest, fueled by the adrenaline coursing through my veins. I reached He was on the phone and for a split second, his eyes widened in surprise. Then, recognition dawned. ¡°You fucking bastard!¡± I snarled, stalking towards him, closing the distance in a few powerful strides. He scrambled to his feet, his face a mask of irritation, ¡°Amaya? Have you¡­ have you suddenly lost your mind?¡± ¡°No,¡± 1 growled, each word dripping with venom. ¡°It¡¯s you who¡¯s lost your mind. How dare you give an order to keep me away from my children?¡± *I should have known,¡± I continued, my voiceced with bitter sarcasm. ¡°You would never do anything out of the goodness of your heart. Who am I kidd don¡¯t even have a good heart in you.¡± He took a step towards me, his voice hardening. ¡°Amaya,¡± he growled, his voice low and dangerous. ¡°Watch your w r words.¡± I scoffed. ¡°Or what? Or what, Daniel? You¡¯ll throw another tantrum? Tell me you hate me? Tell me I¡¯m a mistake? Or maybe you¡¯ll try to suffocate me I shoved him back, a primal snarl ripping from my throat. ¡°You can do all that,¡± I growled, my voice thick with rage. ¡°But you will never, ever, ever try to For the first time in my life, I saw something flicker in my father¡¯s eyes. Fear. Genuine, raw fear, sparked by something I¡¯d said. A small, vindictive part of We stood there for a tense moment, locked in a silent battle of wills. Neither one of us blinked, the air thick with unspoken threats. Finally, he broke eye c the tension. It was my mother¡¯s voice,ced with a hint of panic. ¡°Goddess, what happened here? Amaya, where are your clothes?¡± The sound of her voice was a jolt back to reality. I looked down, realization washing over me in a hot wave. I had confronted my father stark naked. I stepped backward, turning away from him to face my mother. ¡°Where are the twins?¡± I asked, my voice hoarse. Focusing on them was the only way I co ¡°In the garden,¡± she replied, her gaze flitting between me and the shattered door. ¡°I asked a maid to watch them when I heard themotion.¡± Her eyes narrowed, taking in the chaos of the room. ¡°What happened here?¡± My lungs burned with the effort of forcing air into them. Each ragged breath did little to quell the firestorm raging inside me. Taking a deep breath, I tried to tamp down the wolf¡¯s primal instincts, forcing myself to focus on the reason I was here. ¡°Father,¡± I growled, each wordced with barely controlled fury. ¡°He told the guards not to let me enter thepound.¡± My mother¡¯s brow furrowed in confusion. But that confusion quickly morphed into a look of anger, a mirror image of the fury burning in my own eyes. She ¡°What is wrong with you, Daniel?¡± My father, seemingly unfazed by my mother¡¯s outburst, straightened his tie in a disy of forcedposure. He folded his hands across his chest, a practiced posture of authority that did little to impress me n ¡°I was simply trying to protect them.¡°Amaya.. well, she doesn¡¯t always think things through. In all this chaos, she could have put them in danger.¡± He had the audacity to sound reasonable, to act like he was the voice of reason in this situation. Was he kidding me? ¡°I would put them in danger?¡± I roared, my voice raw with a mixture of anger and disbelief. ¡°You spent thest four years calling them bastards. And now My mother sighed, a heavy sound that spoke volumes of her own frustration. She stepped in between us, cing a calming hand on my arm. Her touch ¡°Amaya, Please, go and find some clothes to put on. I stared at her for a moment, the raw emotion in her eyes momentarily breaking through my rage. She was scared, worried about the situation escting further. With a deep breath, I forced myself to nod in agreement. ¡°I¡¯m taking the twins and we¡¯re leaving,¡± I announced, my voice hoarse but resolute. ¡°I¡¯ll call youter,¡± A flicker of sadness crossed her face, but it was quickly reced by a small, sad smile. Turning away from them, I stormed out of the study. I wished the door was still there for me to m in anger but I guess it was a good thing because it suited the desired effect when I stopped mid¨Cway turning back to face my father. ¡°I do not care if you are my father or how much power you have. If you evere near my children again, I. Will. Kill. You.¡± 0 Chapter 126 -Maya''s POV- I stormed out of the study, the echoes of my words bouncing off the walls like angry bullets. Halfway down the hallway, Ivan met me and without a word, he shrugged off his jacket. I took it from him with a mumbled word of thanks, the oversized garment swallowing my small frame. It reached mid-thigh, the sleeves hanging far past my fingertips. "Are you okay?" he asked, his voice soft and gentle. I managed a shaky nod. "I just need to get the twins. We''re leaving." He scanned the hallway, his brow furrowed in skepticism. "Do you want me toe with you? Or maybe I should just wait here?" My heart ached at his question. He was too good, too understanding. I didn''t deserve his unwavering loyalty after everything I''d put him through. A small smile tugged at the corners of my lips, barely reaching my eyes. "I''m sure they''ve missed you and would want to see you." With a shared nce, we set off towards the garden. The walk seemed longer than it should have been and as we rounded a corner, the sounds of children''sughter reached our ears. Relief washed over me, warm and sweet. There, in the heart of the chaos, my little ones yed, oblivious to the turmoil that surrounded them. For a moment, I just stood there, watching them. Ivy, with her mess of blonde curls and boundless energy, bounced around like a dandelion seed in the wind while Nate chased after her. A pang of envy stabbed at me. To be them, innocent and carefree, untouched by the harsh realities of the world. It seemed a lifetime ago that I had known such carefree joy. Suddenly, Ivy''s gazended on us. With a shriek of delight, she abandoned her being pursued andunched herself towards Ivan. Herughter echoed through the garden, a melody that chased away the shadows in my heart for a fleeting moment. She collided with him in a whirlwind of hugs and excited chatter, burying her face in his chest. Ivan caught her effortlessly, hisrge frame dwarfing her tiny body. A smile, genuine and heartfelt, spread across his face. Nate followed suit, though with a touch less enthusiasm. He mumbled a greeting, his head downcast, and shyly wrapped his arms around my legs. I scooped him up into my arms, his warmth aforting weight against my chest. "I''ll send for their thingster," I said to my mother with a smile as we passed her. She nodded in understanding watching until we entered the car. The car ride was filled with the cacophony of childhood. Ivy bombarded him with a barrage of questions about where he''d been. I could see a strained smile ying on his lips as he tried to entertain her endless curiosity. Finally, we pulled into the familiar driveway. "I need to take a quick shower," I announced as we stepped into the house. Ivan nodded in understanding. "No problem. I will keep them entertained." With a grateful smile, I walked away. Stepping into the bathroom, I turned on the shower, the hiss of the water a soothing balm to my frayed nerves. I stripped off the oversized jacket, the fabric suddenly suffocating against my skin. As the hot water cascaded down my body, I closed my eyes and tried to breathe. But the images, the sounds, the echoes of the confrontation in the study, all yed on repeat in my head. It felt like an eternity before the water lost its heat and the steam in the bathroom began to clear. Stepping out, wrapped in a towel, I felt a sliver of the tension drain away. Walking back to the living room, I was surprised by the sight that greeted me. The day had already begun to fade, casting long shadows across the room. Ivan sat on the floor, the twins sprawled across him like contented kittens, fast asleep. 111 < He looked up as I entered, a tired smile gracing his features. With a gentle touch, he adjusted the twins'' positions, ensuring theirfort.N?velDrama.Org ? content. "Hey," he said, his voice raspy. "Hey," I replied, my gaze softening at the peaceful scene before me. "They must be worn out." He chuckled softly. "They''ve been keeping me busy," he admitted. Then, a shift in his expression, a change from yful amusement to something deeper. He stood up, his eyes searching mine. He reached out and took my hand in his. "I''m really sorry I left. It wasn''t the way I wanted things to go." A pang of guilt twisted in my gut. Here he was, apologizing for something that, in the grand scheme of things, paled inparison to the pain I would cause him. I forced a smile onto my face. "It''s okay," I mumbled, the words tasting like ashes in my mouth. There was a high probability, a near certainty, that I would lose him soon. I wouldn''t waste these precious moments by dwelling on things I couldn''t control. His gaze flickered back to the twins, his expression pensive. "When I left," he began, then hesitated. He seemed to be choosing his words carefully. "It gave me time to think. And with the growing chaos in the city... what if we left?" I blinked, momentarily stunned by his suggestion. "Left? As in, leave here?" "Just hear me out," he pleaded, his voice urgent. "We could start fresh somewhere new, somewhere quiet. Thepany is doing well, and I could move the headquarters. You could work for me. We could finally have peace, away from all the drama. All of it." He took both my hands in his, his touch sending a jolt of electricity through me. My mind raced, trying to process the whirlwind of possibilities his words presented. The promise of a new beginning, a fresh start, sounded so incredibly good. Too good to be true, almost. Away from everything. Away from the suffocating expectations of my family, the constant threat of violence, the memories that haunted every corner of this house. The thought was intoxicating. I opened my mouth to speak, but before I could get a single word out, he cut in. "Just think about it. You can have some time but not a lot, because of everything going on." I stopped him with a hand on his arm, the sincerity in his eyes disarming the protest that had formed on my tongue. "The answer is yes. I want to move away from all this, with you and the twins." A flicker of surprise crossed his face, quickly reced by a radiant smile that lit up his entire being. He pulled me into a tight embrace, his arms aforting haven. As he held me close, he whispered into my ear, his voice husky with emotion. "What do you think about me... officially adopting the twins?" This was aplete surprise, a curveball I hadn''t seening. Adoption wasn''t something I had ever considered, not seriously at least. My mind spun, trying to grapple with the implications of his suggestion. I pulled back slightly, peering up at him with wide eyes. "You... you want to adopt them?" He looked down at the sleeping forms of Ivy and Nate, a tenderness softening his features. "It was just a thought," he admitted. "But I already see them as mine. And it''s okay if you don''t like the idea. I just thought, if we were to move, start fresh as a family, it would be nice. But you know what, forget I even brought it up." III The way he brushed it off stung a little. Did he think I wouldn''t want him to be a real father to my children? The truth was, the thought of someone else loving them as fiercely as I did filled me with a strange sense of relief. It meant I wouldn''t be alone in the responsibility, wouldn''t have to shoulder the burden of their protection by myself. "No. No, it''s not that. I''m just surprised. The idea... it''s a lot to take in." I nced back at the twins, a wave of protectiveness washing over me. Thinking about them being legally his, having his name, was a strange concept. But as I watched Ivy snuggle closer to him in her sleep, a small smile tugged at the corners of my lips. Maybe, just maybe, it was exactly what they needed. "If you were to adopt them," I began, my voice cautious. "How would it work?" His warm hand tightened around mine, his gaze holding a steady sincerity. "I can use my connections to speed things up," he exined. "Normally, we''d need to go through the courts to get your approval, but with everything happening so fast, there''s no time for that. My people can draw up the legal documents. You can read them over carefully, and then sign them with a notary present." I stared at him, a wave of warmth washing over me. Here he was, thinking several steps ahead, taking the initiative to secure their future. It was clear he wasn''t just offering to adopt; he genuinely wanted them as his own. The image of a real new beginning, a fresh start, flickered in my mind. A ce where the ckmailer couldn''t reach us probably, where we could finally build a life on our own terms. A strangled sound escaped my throat, a mix of relief and hope. "Do it," I whispered, the weight of the decision settling on my shoulders. "If all I have to do is sign some papers, then let''s do it. We can finally be a real family." He smiled, but it wasn''t quite the response I''d expected. Itcked the unrestrained joy I felt. There was a flicker of something else in his eyes, a spark that didn''t quite reach the surface. Perhaps it was just the seriousness of the situation, the weight of the consequences we were about to face. "That''s all you have to do," he echoed, a hint of something sharp in his voice. "Sign the papers, and they''ll be mine. We''ll finally be a family." Chapter 127 -Maya''s POV- It all happened in a dizzying blur. The legalities were settled with surprising speed. Ivan had a notary practically appear out of thin air, papers rustling, pens scratching. Signatures exchanged, and just like that, everything was set in motion. We were packing before I could even process it all. The thought of a fresh start, a clean te, as a family - me, the twins, and Ivan as their official father - it filled me with a nervous excitement. No more looming threat of Alex, no more walking on eggshells. And most importantly, I desperately hoped the ckmailer would stay far away, just like whoever it was had vanished for the past week. Thanks to a reluctant Sarah, I''d finally managed to get confirmation that Nate was safe and sound. Relief washed over me in waves, momentarily erasing the knot of worry that had taken root in my stomach. I''d only told my mother about our ns, allowing her a bittersweet goodbye with the twins. Now, the day of departure had finally arrived. Ivan had left earlier to prepare the private jet, leaving me with the daunting task of wrangling the twins. Ivy was the picture of defiance, throwing a full-blown tantrum over something I couldn''t quite understand. Her little voice, a high-pitched whine, filled the air with a string of nonsensical words. "No go now!" she wailed, burying her face in my stomach. "Oh,e on," I muttered under my breath, feeling a surge of exasperation. Taking a deep breath, I scooped Ivy into my arms, her tiny body wriggling against mine. "Hey," I said softly, rocking her gently. "How about we make a deal? We''ll go to the airport, get on the airne, and then when wend, we can go get ice cream. Your favorite kind, with sprinkles!" The mention of ice cream seemed to do the trick. Ivy peeked up at me, her tear-streaked face etched with a cautious hope. "Ice cream?" "The biggest, most delicious ice cream cone you''ve ever seen," I promised, a mischievous glint in my eye. A smile, tentative at first, blossomed on her face. "Chocte? And Nate Vani?" I smiled at Nate who was staring quietly, "Chocte and Vani with sprinkles, rainbow sprinkles all over," I confirmed, exaggerating my enthusiasm. The prospect of ice cream seemed to havepletely erased the memory of her earlier anxieties. The driver remained patiently by the door, a reassuring smile etched on his face. "Whenever you''re all set, ma''am," he said softly. I nodded, offering a weak smile in return. "There''s just one quick ce I need to go before we leave. The hospital." He didn''t question my decision, simply offering a curt nod of understanding. Relief washed over me momentarily, reced by a fresh wave of nervous anticipation as I pulled out my phone, searching for the room number Sarah had reluctantly provided after much pleading on my end. The hospital was a chaotic scene. The growing interbred war had taken its toll, and the hallways were overflowing with the wounded. Nurses rushed past, their faces etched with a mixture of urgency and exhaustion. Taking a deep breath, I steeled myself for whaty ahead. Following the directions Sarah had given me, I navigated the maze of corridors, my heart pounding a frantic rhythm against my ribs. Finally, I found the room a stark white space filled with the sterile scent of disinfectant. Pushing open the door, I braced myself for the sight that awaited me. Nate was lying in the bed, looking pale but thankfullyN?velDrama.Org owns ? this. free of any visible injuries. Natalia sat beside him, her back ramrod straight. The moment I entered the room, the atmosphere shifted and posture stiffened. "Natalia?" She remained frozen, refusing to meet my gaze. "What are you doing here?" "I came to see Nate," I replied, my voice barely audible. Then, after a moment''s hesitation, I added, "And you." Still, she remained silent, her bodynguage a wall between us. Taking a deep breath, I ventured closer, the silence in the room pressing down on me like a physical weight. "I''m leaving," I muttered after a while, the words tasting like ashes in my mouth. "Ivan, he''s adopted the twins officially, and well, we''re all going away. He says it will be safer with everything that''s happening." Herback tensed even further, a silent storm brewing beneath the surface. After a long, tense silence, she spoke. Her voice was devoid of any warmth, t and emotionless. "Good for you." A fresh wave of tears welled up in my eyes. I stood there, paralyzed by the awkward silence that engulfed us. The weight of unspoken words hung heavy in the air. Letting out a shaky sigh, I broke the silence again. My voice, thick with emotion, cracked as I spoke. "I''m so sorry, Natalia. I am so, so sorry for everything. Tell Nate I''m sorry for everything, and that I love you both, so much." My words hung in the air unanswered. The raw pain in my voice seemed to have no effect on Natalia''s stoic facade. Feeling a breakdown rising to the surface, I fought back tears of frustration. Turning away, I started towards the door, the weight of defeat pressing down on me. Just as I was about to step out, I heard a soft whisper, barely audible. "Goodbye, Amaya." The unexpected words brought me up short. I turned back, searching her face for any sign of emotion, but it remained unreadable. With a final, lingering look, I turned and left the room, the echo of her goodbye echoing in the sterile silence behind me. My heart felt like it was shattering in my chest. Each beat was a painful throb, a constant reminder of the loss I was about to endure. Natalia, my best friend, the one person who truly understood me, was gone. It was the most painful thing I''d ever experienced, a raw wound that threatened to consume me whole. But I had to hold myself together. The twins, oblivious to the storm raging within me, were still happily upied with the toys I''d given them to keep them entertained. The driver''s voice broke the oppressive silence. "Are you all set, ma''am?" he asked politely. Taking a deep, shaky breath, I forced a smile onto my face. "Yes, we''re ready," I mumbled, my voice thick with emotion. As the car pulled away from the hospital, I stole a nce at the rearview mirror, catching a glimpse of the building shrinking into the distance. A part of me longed to turn back, to run inside and beg Natalia for forgiveness, for a chance to mend the broken bond between us. But I knew it was futile. The decision had been made, and there was no turning back. This was my ticket to a fresh start, a chance to build a new life for myself and the twins, away from the chaos and danger that had be our reality. Hope flickered within me, a fragile me battling against the darkness of despair. Maybe this new beginning would bring with it the peace and security we so desperately craved. 0 Lost in my thoughts, I barely noticed the time passing. The car sped along the highway, the familiarndscape blurring past the window. Suddenly, the driver mmed on the brakes, the tires screeching in protest. My body lurched forward, thrown against the seatbelt. A startled shriek escaped my lips as the car swerved violently, narrowly avoiding a collision with a speeding vehicle that had swerved into ourne. My heart hammered in my chest, adrenaline coursing through my veins. Taking a deep breath, I nced back at the twins. Thankfully, they seemed unharmed, momentarily startled by the sudden jolt but quickly returning to their yful chatter. Just as my pulse began to slow back down to normal, a loud, sickening crunch echoed through the car. It happened so fast, like a scene ripped straight out of the nightmares that had gued me for the past week. A car, seemingly out of nowhere, mmed into the side of ours with a force that sent me flying. My body collided with the twins, their startled cries filling the air. A blinding sh of pain shot through my arm, and for a fleeting moment, I saw nothing but stars. Disoriented and dazed, I tried to regain my bearings. The car was spinning out of control, the world outside a blurry mess of motion. Another scream pierced the air, but I couldn''t tell if it was mine or one of the twins. The screech of metal on metal filled the air as our car was sent careening into a concrete wall. The impact was brutal, throwing everything into a chaotic frenzy. The world tilted on its axis, and with a final, desperate cry for the twins'' names, my vision blurred and my entire world faded into an inky ckness. Chapter 128 Chapter Izo -Maya''s POV- My head felt like a hollow shell, devoid of any thoughts or memories. The very concept of death, something I''d always pushed to the back of my mind, was now a terrifying reality I couldn''t escape. Would it be like this? My soul leaving my body, a helpless observer as my physical form grew cold and lifeless? The inside of my skull was a vast emptiness, yet a searing pain pulsed through my body, so intense it threatened to consume me whole. Was this it? Was this what death felt like? Had I finally received the answer to a question I hadn''t dared to ask myself before? Then, a noxious stench, sharp and acrid, invaded my senses, snapping me back to a semnce of awareness. It filled the void in my mind, forcing reality back into focus. The hospital. The drive to the airport. The sickening crunch of metal as our car collided with another. The concrete wall looming impossibly close... and then, darkness. My eyes flew open, a scream tearing from my throat. "Ivy! Nate! Panic surged through me as I tried to sit up, but my body wouldn''t obey. I was strapped tightly to a rickety wooden chair, my arms and legs secured with rough rope that bit into my skin. Fear, cold and primal, wed at my throat. Where was I? What was happening? I renewed my struggles, desperate to break free. But with each strained movement, a wave of weakness washed over me. My breath hitched in my throat, and I screamed again, my voice hoarse and raw. "Ivy! Nate! Someone please! Who''s there? Where are my children? Let me go!" My surroundings slowly came into focus, the source of the putrid smell bing horrifyingly clear. I was in a cramped, dimly lit room, the air thick with the stench of sewage and decay. Rough, damp stone formed the walls, and the floor was slick with ayer of grime. A single, flickering bulb cast an eerie orange glow, illuminating the scene like a forgotten nightmare. Cobwebs hung like ghostly drapes from the low ceiling, and fat, moistureden spiders scuttled across them, their movements jerky and unsettling. Exposed pipes snaked along the walls, dripping with condensation that pattered onto the floor in a rhythmic counterpoint to the pounding of my heart. Rusting chains hung from iron hooks embedded in the walls, some dangling ominously empty, others bearing the weight of heavy shackles. The room was an absolute nightmare, a ce reeking of dampness, despair, and something far more sinister. Panic wed at my throat, constricting my airways. My mind raced, desperate for answers. Where was I? Who had taken me? Most importantly, where were the twins? The thought of them alone, lost and frightened, sent a fresh wave of terror through me. In a desperate attempt to connect with my wolf to get out of here, I reached out with my mind. But the familiar presence was numb. She was there, trapped within my own head, unable to respond, just like she had been for the past four years. I screamed again, my voice echoing off the stone walls, a pathetic sound swallowed by the oppressive silence that followed. 00 < There was no answer, no sound except for the dripping water and the frantic hammering of my own heart. Suddenly, a voice sliced through the oppressive silence, making me jump. "Will you please shut up? You''re giving me a headache. My head snapped towards the sound, and in the flickering light and I saw Adrian standing in the shadows, his face contorted in a look of annoyance. Fury surged through me, momentarily eclipsing the fear that had me paralyzed. "You fucking bastard! Let me go right now! Where are my children? I swear on the Moon Goddess, if you''veid a finger on them, I''ll rip you apart myself!" He dismissed my threats with a dismissive wave of his hand. "Stop the shouting. You''re getting on my nerves.'' "Let me go, Adrian! Whatever twisted game this is to get back at Alex, leave me and my children out of it!" A slow, malicious smile spread across his face. "Ah, there it is. The good old Alex finally gets a mention. How''s my dear old friend doing these days? Public enemy number one, I hear." A memory, long buried by fear and desperation, flickered to life in my mind. "It was you! You sent the footage! You told them about us! You targeted Alex!" "Sharp as ever, aren''t we?" he mocked. "I told you I''d expose Alex to the world. You were too busy chasing after him to see anything else. Seems you lean more towards the ''stupid'' side than the ''smart'' one." Ignoring his jab, I pressed on, my voice trembling with a mixture of fear and fury. "Were you the one sending the messages? All of them?" ckmailing me?" He let out a dark chuckle. "Don''t tter yourself, Amaya. You''re not that important for me to ckmail. Alex is the one I want to see suffer and you should''ve joined me when I offered." "Then why this? Why kidnap me? Where are the twins?" My mind raced, desperately searching for an escape n, anything to get out of this nightmare. He remained silent for a moment, his eyes fixed on me as if he was studying some fascinating specimen. "I can''t believe you still love him. After everything he did to you, to us. You''re nothing but a fool." "Shut up and let me go! If you have some sick revenge plot with Alex, take it up with him!" A sly smile yed on Adrian''s lips as he took a step back. "I didn''t bring you here, Amaya. I''m just here to enjoy the show," he added with a theatrical flourish, "Besides I always give credit where credit is due." "What the hell are you talking about?" I snapped, my voice raw with a mixture of terror and fury. "Screw you and screw whatever this is all about! Let me go right now! I''m supposed to be at the airport with my children! Take me to them!" Adrian''s lips stretched into a smile that sent shivers down my spine. It wasn''t a friendly smile, it was a smile filled with a chilling amusement, a promise of something dark and twisted. He held my gaze for a moment, a long, unsettling moment that stretched on and on until I felt like I was trapped in a predator''s gaze. Then, finally, he spoke. "When I was in prison," he began, his voice low and almost conversational, "those damn guards forced us to read. Hated it at first, of course. But then, I came across this story, this fascinating creature called a mind yer. What a concept, right? A single powerful being, using its psionic abilities to control everything around it. It was pretty gruesome at the end, though. All that brain-eating and stuff." He stopped, his eyes gleaming with a manic light. I stared back at him, a cold dread creeping into my gut. What was he talking about? Had he finally gonepletely insane? "Let me go, Adrian!" I screamed again, my voice hoarse. "I won''t ask again!" He threw his head back and let out a loud, echoingugh. "Revenge. That''s what I wanted when I got out. Make Alex pay for < everything he took from me, Every. Single. Thing." He leaned closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. And guess what?" A glint of madness flickered in his eyes. "T found the perfect way when I found one. A mind yer. In real life. Controlling everyone around him while they all moved to his will like fools. Just like I said, you''re not important. I''m just here for the show? My heart hammered against my ribs, a frantic drumbeat against the backdrop of my rising terror. I couldn''t exin it, but a primal fear gripped me, a sense of impending doom that tightened around my throat like a vise. Something bad was about to happen. Something truly horrific. I opened my mouth to scream again but the words died there, unspoken. Another figure stepped into the flickering light. emerging from the shadows like a phantom.N?velDrama.Org owns ? this. I stared at him. He stared back at me. He was the same. His face, his body, everything except his eyes. They were staring at me with so much nkness and coldness that I couldn''t move. It couldn''t be. This couldn''t be happening. His lips twisted into a chilling smile, so different from all the charming grins he''d shed my way. "Not quite as conducive as the airne, I see," his cold tone broke the silence that had engulfed us. No. No, no. Whatever I''d thought was happening, it couldn''t be what was actually unfolding before me. My mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water, but all I could manage was a single, desperate whisper. "Ivan?" Chapter 129 -Maya''s POV- The name hung in the air, a single word echoing in the cavernous room. My mind struggled to grasp the situation, the utter absurdity of it all. This couldn''t be happening. Surely, Ivan was here to rescue me. He wouldn''t be a part of this nightmare. An eternity seemed to pass before I found my voice again. "Ivan" I croaked, the name barely a whisper on my lips. He tilted his head, studying me for a moment, a furrow appearing in his brow as if he were deep in thought. Then, he took a step closer, his expression unreadable. "I don''t think you realize it, Amaya," he spat, his voice t and emotionless. "Just how...unlikeable you truly are." My mouth gaped open and closed like anded fish. Words wouldn''te. He continued, his gaze distant, as if he was looking through me, past me. It was like he couldn''t see me, like I was invisible, a mere inconvenience in his grand design. The man I''d spent months with, the one who stood by my side, whispered promises of love, marked me was he a stranger all along? As if reading my thoughts, he closed the distance between us. Panic surged through me, but I was frozen, unable to even flinch. His hands brushed against my skin, sending a jolt through me. This time, the touch felt foreign, cold and calcting. His fingers lingered on the spot where the mark he had given me once resided. A cruel smile yed on his lips. "It''s gone," heughed mockingly. "Your wolf returned and cleared it off, she really is a bitch just like you. Speaking of which, you are probably wondering why you can grasp her. There is enough wolfsbane in your system to kill a small pup but don''t worry, it won''t do much damage-yet." The world seemed to tilt on its axis. I forced myself to believe this wasn''t real, a twisted hallucination brought on by the trauma. The man I''d trusted with my life, the one who held my heart, couldn''t be turning against me like this. His gaze held nothing but contempt, a stark contrast to the love I''d seen reflected there for so long. "Ivan," I managed, my voice trembling. "What is happening? Why are you doing this?" He threw his head back andughed, but it was a hollow sound devoid of humor. "Why am I doing this?" He scoffed. "You truly are stupid, Amaya. Naive, emotional, and yes, stupid. Always whining about everything, acting like the world is against you when you''re the cause of all your problems." His words stung, each one a shard of truth piercing my carefully constructed reality. "It starts with your whole world revolving around him," he continued, his voiceced with disdain. I stared at him, a kaleidoscope of emotions swirling within me. This was the same man who held me just before leaving for the airport, the one who hugged Ivy and whispered promises of a fresh start. This couldn''t be him. But it was. I''d been so blinded by my own feelings, that I''d failed to see the truth and then the thought of Ivy snapped me out of the shock momentarily, "Where are my children? What have you done to them?" A cruel gleam flickered in his eyes. "You mean my children," he corrected, a sly grin spreading across his face. "I am their father now, after all." A pit formed in my stomach, a cold dread that coiled around my insides. The pieces of the puzzle began to fall into ce. That''s why he''d left just before everything went to hell. The expedited paperwork, the unnatural speed of it all it had all been a meticulously nned facade. But how long had he been nning this? And for what purpose? Tears welled up in my eyes, spilling down my cheeks, that was all I could do- cry. "There you go, crying again," he mocked. "Do you know how difficult it''s been putting up with you for these past months? You''re irritating, annoying, and worst of all, a lying little bitch." < Each word felt like a physical p across my face. He moved away from me, pulling a chair from a shadowy corner and plopping down with a sigh. Across the room, Adrian watched with morbid fascination, like a child waiting for a particrly gruesome bedtime story. Ivan''s cold, empty voice snapped me back to the present. "I think I''ll humor you a little," he drawled, a cruel glint in his eyes. "Tell you why I am doing all of this," he finished, a mocking lilt in his voice. "Because you deserve to know, right?" He punctuated his words with a sarcasticugh. "Just like you deserve to have it all - me, Alex."N?velDrama.Org ? content. My jaw clenched so tightly I feared my teeth might shatter. All I could manage was a strangled whimper, the weight of his betrayal crushing me into my seat. He leaned back in his chair, "Since we have some time, let me fill in the nks in your head. Considering you''ve proven yourself remarkablycking in the brains department, I think you''ll find it quite enlightening." He paused, his gaze flickering to Adrian, who seemed to relish the moment, leaning forward with a predatory grin. Then, his attention snapped back to me, his voice taking on a chillingly casual tone. "There was a boy," he began, his voice a low murmur, "a young kid with everything going for him. A loving family, a beautiful little sister - his world was perfect. He thought nothing bad could ever touch him." He stopped for a moment, his eyes distant, as if lost in a memory. A flicker of something dark crossed his features, a fleeting glimpse of the monster beneath the mask. "Then, in one single moment," he continued, "it was all gone. Everything he held dear, ripped away in a heartbeat." He took a deep breath, the sound ragged and uneven. "All that was left was a terrified little sister and a heart brimming with a hatred so profound it choked the air from his lungs." A shiver ran down my spine. The casual way he spoke of his tragedy sent a wave of unease washing over me. "This boy," Ivan continued, his voice regaining its chillingposure, "grew up consumed by hate. It festered within him, a poisonous venom that twisted his thoughts and fueled his nightmares." He leaned forward, his eyes boring into mine. "He took his anger out on everyone around him,shing out with a cruelty that mirrored the pain he felt inside. This cycle of violence continued until he turned eighteen. That''s when it happened. His wolf, the embodiment of his primal instincts, finally broke through." A sliver of understanding pierced through and the dread kept building up. "It was powerful," he admitted, a hint of awe creeping into his voice. "Exhrating, even. But the raw power of the wolf was overwhelming. He lost control, his rage consuming him and he took a life." I gulped, trying to find a way to shrink back from his intense gaze but I was trapped. "Something shifted within him in that moment" Ivan continued, "He didn''t feel remorse, not a single shred. Instead, a dark thrill coursed through him. He liked the feeling. He craved it." He fixed me with a cold, calcting stare. "And then realized that he wanted them to feel it too. Those who had inflicted pain upon him. He wanted them to taste the bitterness of his own despair." He sat straighter in his chair, "He started digging," he murmured his voice gaining a manic edge. "And then he found a name. A single name. Damon Thorne." The name echoed in the cavernous room, a chilling portent of the darkness toe. My entire body went cold. I could still feel the tears running down my cheeks, not for him, not for the horrors he had endured, but for my children, for what this monster sitting in front of me must have done to them. I wasn''t even crying for myself. Somehow, someway, I deserved this. Before Alex, I used to be my own person. I had strength, a sharp mind, and the will to fight for what I believed in. But somewhere along the way, I''d let love - or what I thought was love-blind me, I''d be naive, foolish, easily manipted. Ivan wasn''t wrong. Looking back. I saw the signs, the inconsistencies, the moments when his actions didn''t quite match his words. All those nights spent confiding in him, pouring out my fears and vulnerabilities, felt like a grotesque betrayal. I''d handed him the very weapon he''d used to bring me to my knees. A sudden click-ck of heels cut through the tense silence. I whipped my head around to see Miranda emerge from the shadows. Unlike all the other times where her face was filled with mischief, she was looking at me too-nkly. "I believe you know my sister," Ivan announced, his voice dripping with mockery. He turned to her, then back to me, crossing his legs in a slow, deliberate gesture. His eyes held mine, the unspoken threat clear: the nightmare was just beginning. "Now," he drawled, a cruel smile ying on his lips, "where were we?" Chapter 130 -Alex''s POV- "Fuck!" I roared, flinging the ss across the room. It exploded in a shower of glittering shards against the far wall, but the satisfying crash did nothing to quell the anger raging inside me. Spinning around, I red at Christian, who was hunched over his phone, his brow furrowed in concentration. "That''s the third dead end in two days!" I growled, my voiceced with raw frustration. "You''re starting to get on my damn nerves. You said you knew where he was!" Christian flinched, his head snapping up from the phone. He met my gaze with a flicker of unease, the same uneasy look that had been stered on his face ever since he''d arrived. There was none of his usual dry humor, none of the yful jabs I''de to expect. His difort was palpable, but right now, his emotional state was the least of my concerns. He scratched his head absently, his eyes darting from his phone to me and back again. "Look, I''m doing the best I can," he muttered defensively. "These people who used to jump when you barked an order? Yeah, they''re not exactly returning my calls with all this chaos happening." I narrowed my eyes at him, but before I could unleash another verbal tirade, he buried his face back in his phone, his fingers flying across the screen. A low growl rumbled in my chest. "Who the fuck are you texting that''s more important than this situation?" I demanded, my voice taut with barely contained rage. He opened his mouth to speak, but his phone buzzed again, illuminating the screen with a notification. He nced at the door, then back at me, a heavy sigh escaping his lips. "Don''t kill me for this," he mumbled, his voiceced with a hint of apprehension. The door creaked open, and my wolf instantly perked up, ears swiveling towards the sound. Two women walked into the room - Natalia, her face etched with worry, and another woman I didn''t recognize. "Christian." I growled. For the first time since I had known him, he looked apologetic, his eyes filled with a mixture of guilt and something else I couldn''t quite decipher. The unfamiliar woman stepped forward, and Christian''s gaze softened noticeably. He reached out and gently wrapped his hand around hers. What the hell was going on here? My gaze darted to Natalia, who stood rigidly by the door, her eyes locked on mine. They were filled with a storm of emotions worry, anger, a flicker of something that looked suspiciously like betrayal. "What is going on?" I demanded, my voice cutting through the tense silence that had settled over the room. Christian cleared his throat, his gaze flitting between me and the two women. "I told you there was a woman I met when we were in Italy, right? The one who disappeared?" A flicker of memory sparked in my mind. Vaguely, I recalled him mentioning a woman. But with everything that had happened, it had be a distant echo in the chaos. "Yeah," I growled, frustration gnawing at me. "What about her?" "There''s more to the story," Christian admitted, his voiceced with a newfound seriousness. "She had to leave Italy, disappear even, because of her father. She came here, trying to stay under the radar." He took a deep breath, his eyes locking with mine for a fleeting moment. "This is Riley," he said, gesturing towards the woman beside him. "So you found her," I stated tly, the pieces of the puzzle failing to click into ce. "What does that have to do with me, and why are they both here?" III < Christian hesitated for a moment, his eyes flicking to Riley before meeting mine again. "She''s friends with Amaya." Natalia finally spoke, "Amaya''s mother called me. I contacted Riley, and it turns out her boyfriend is..." She hesitated, ncing at Christian, "him. And he has connections to you, that''s how we found you." My gaze snapped to Christian. So that''s why he looked so uneasy. He sold me out for a woman? Really? Natalia cut through my rising anger. "This isn''t the time for whatever tantrum you are about to throw. Amaya is missing." The world seemed to tilt on its axis. Amaya missing. The image of her running to Ivan shed in my head and a bitter taste filled my mouth. "Why does that matter to me? If she''s missing, let Ivan find her." Just as I began to turn away, Natalia''s hand shot out, her grip surprisingly strong. "Don''t you even dare, Alex," she hissed. My mouth gaped open, ready to retort, but she cut me off with a sharp bark. "I''m doing the talking now, Alex, and you''re going to listen," she snapped, "You and Amaya have been doing this stupid dance around each other for months, this back-and-forth drama that''s affected everyone around you. My husband got shot, damn near died because she ran headfirst into danger looking for you! So don''t you dare stand here shrugging it off like she doesn''t matter because I''m sick of it. Absolutely sick of it!" Natalia''s voice trembled with a mix of anger and frustration, her eyes zing with unshed tears. I tried to interrupt again, but her re intensified, silencing me before I could get a single word out. "I''m not done yet," she growled, her voice dropping to a low hiss. "You threw her out because of your stupid pride, your ego wouldn''t let you just talk to her, find out the truth. All this drama could have been avoided if you''d just used your words instead of kicking her to the curb. Amaya never cheated on you, Alex! Do you hear me? Never!" She threw her hands up in exasperation, her entire body shaking with barely contained rage. "I''m tired of this whole mess, she continued, her voice cracking with emotion. "I want you with Amaya. I don''t want you Amaya and then she goes. I want you Alex. I don''t want you Alex. It is affecting all of our lives and it is driving me insane so what you are going to do is go out there and go find her and then sort out this fucked up shit you two have going on between the two of you. Because," she choked on a sob, her voice thick with emotion, "if something happens to her, if I don''t get the chance to tell her that I love her too, that I''m sorry for getting mad at her..." Tears streamed down her face as her voice trailed off, her words catching in her throat. She drew in a shaky breath, wiping her tears away with the back of her hand. "Just please," she pleaded, "use your resources, your pack, anything you can to find her." Her words hung heavy in the air, the raw emotion in her voice leaving me speechless. My mind reeled, trying to process everything that had just happened. My wolf surged within me, urging me to take action, to find her. But for the first time in what felt like forever, a strange heaviness weighed me down, rooting me to the spot. Natalia''s shoulders slumped slightly, her eyes losing their fire. She scanned my face, searching for something, but it seemed she found nothing. A defeated sigh escaped her lips. "Why did I even bother?" she muttered, her voice devoid of its earlier ferocity. "You''re a waste of time, Alex. A waste of the seven years of Amaya''s life." Her words stung, a sharp jab that ripped through the haze clouding my mind. "If anything happens to her, or the twins..." Natalia''s voice hitched, her words catching in her throat. She squeezed her eyes shut for a brief moment, then opened them again, her gaze locking with mine. There was a steely glint in her eyes now, a warningced with a raw desperation. I swear, Alex," she growled, her voice low and dangerous, "you will regret this for the rest of your life." Everything else faded away, the tension in the room crackling with a new intensity. My focus narrowed, honing in on one word that pierced through the chaos in my head. III Twins? She turned to Christian''s mysterious appearing out of nowhere girlfriend, "Riley, let''s go." She started walking towards the door, her steps purposeful. My body finally seemed to register the situation. I surged forward, the need for answers overriding the strange paralysis that had gripped me moments ago. "She''s pregnant for him?" I blurted out, the question tumbling from my lips before I could filter it. Natalia kept walking, her back stiff and unyielding. She ignored my question, her silence a deafening answer in itself. "Natalia, I''m talking to you!" I yelled, frustrationcing my voice. "Stop walking away from me!" "And you stop following me!" she spat back, her voice sharp. But despite her words, she continued walking, not breaking stride. "Natalia!" I roared, my voice raw with a mix of anger and confusion. The sound echoed through the room, the force of it rattling a painting on the wall and causing Riley to flinch. I lunged forward, grabbing her arm in a desperate attempt to make her stop. But to my surprise, she didn''t crumple under my touch. Instead, she spun around, her eyes zing with a fury I''d never seen before. She shoyed me back with a surprising amount of force, her hand connecting with my chest and sending me stumbling backwards. A jolt of pain shot through my arm, but it was the raw hatred in her eyes that truly stunned me. "No, you bastard!" she screamed, "She isn''t pregnant for him. She was pregnant for you, with twins, when you threw her out four years ago!"C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org. I Chapter 131 -Alex''s POV- The world spun around me, a sickening spree of blurry colors and muffled sounds. Yet, despite the dizzying sensation, my feet remained rooted to the spot, a strange paralysis gripping my body. Natalia''s words echoed in my head, a relentless mantra that drilled into my skull. Children. I had children. Not one. Two. Twins. The revtion hit me with the force of a sledgehammer, stealing the air from my lungs. My legs buckled beneath me, the sudden weakness a stark contrast to the turmoil raging within. Children. My own flesh and blood, walking, breathing proof of a life I''d discarded. "Alex?" A distant voice pierced through the haze that registered somewhere in the back of my mind. Christian. He was calling my name. Air. I needed air. My lungs felt like they were constricting, each desperate gasp a shallow imitation of a proper breath. My hand grasped at the empty space around me, a futile attempt to steady myself in this storm of emotions. "Alex," Christian called again, his voice closer now,ced with concern. "Are you okay?" Finally, my eyelids fluttered open, the worlding back into focus with agonizing slowness. Natalia''s face swam into view, etched with a mix of tear stains and raw anger. Beside her stood Riley, her gaze filled with a pity that felt like a punch to the gut. And then there was Christian, his expression mirroring Riley''s, but tinged with a hint of something else - maybe regret, maybe sorrow. "Did you know?" I wasn''t even sure if it was me who spoke, the words seeming to detach themselves from my body and float into the air of their own ord. Christian sighed, "Not before today. Riley called me an hour ago, said Amaya was missing and Natalia needed to get a hold of you. That''s all I knew." Another deep breath hitched in my throat, a struggle to fill my burning lungs. "Where are you going?" Natalia asked but I was already turning away, my body moving on autopilot. Behind me, I heard Christian murmur, "Give him a moment." The sound faded as I stumbled blindly towards one of the empty rooms, the walls closing in like a suffocating cage. A moment. It wasn''t a moment I needed. It was a lifetime. A lifetime toe to terms with the colossal mess I''d created. A lifetime to grapple with the knowledge that I''d thrown away my own children, my own flesh and blood, all because I couldn''t bring myself to fully trust someone. My legs finally gave way, and I crumpled to the floor. My wolf was silent. Uncharacteristically quiet, as if stunned into submission by the bombshell revtion. Twins.N?velDrama.Org owns ? this. pups. A single tear escaped the corner of my eye, tracing a warm path down my cheek. It was a tear even begin. A future with Amaya, with our children. of regret, of loss, of a future stolen before it could What had I done? A memory, long buried in the recesses of my mind, surfaced with a jolt, a cruel twist of the knife. I was standing in the garden, irritation twisting my features, as I red at the climbing nts that dared to disrupt the manicured perfection of thendscape. "Boo!" A voice startled me from behind, and I whirled around, annoyance simmering in my eyes. It was Amaya, her yful smile doing little to soothe my ruffled feathers. "Was that supposed to scare me?" I scoffed, unimpressed by her attempt at a prank. She rolled her eyes with a yful exasperation that always managed to disarm me a little. "You are so grouchy," she teased, stepping closer and instinctively molding her body against mine. The touch was like a balm, momentarily calming the storm raging within my wolf. We''d only been together for two months, yet her presence already had this profound effect on me. "How was ss?" I asked, the question an attempt to shift the focus, to escape the strange vulnerability her closeness evoked. "Boring," she replied with a dismissive shrug. "Why were you ring at the nts?" "They shouldn''t be here," I grumbled, my irritation returning. "They''re wrapping themselves around everything." She let out a tinklingugh, "They''re called ivy nts, Alex," she exined, stepping closer and brushing her fingers against the leaves. "That''s what they do." She continued, "I think you should leave them. The weather here isn''t perfect for them, but they''ve fought so hard to survive. I like that. Their resilience." 0 Cunn "They can be resilient elsewhere," I countered, my voice stillced with annoyance. "The gardener is taking them off tomorrow." Her smile faltered slightly, a flicker of disappointment in her eyes. "Fine," she conceded. "Do what you want. But you know," she added, a mischievous glint returning to her gaze, "if I ever have a girl, I''d name her Ivy." She turned back to the nts, her voice soft and wistful. "Like them, she''d never let the hard things in life stop her." Then, she turned back to me, her smile blooming brighter than ever. The sight of it sent a warmth through me that had nothing to do with the summer sun. In that moment, staring at her luminous face, it didn''t matter that we were bound by the primal instinct of the mate bond. I wanted her because I was already falling in love with her. The tears slid down my face. I couldn''t remember thest time I cried. Maybe I couldn''t even remember what it felt like to cry at all. Amaya and I were parents. The enormity of that revtion crashed down on me, a tidal wave of emotions threatening to drown me. The rest of Natalia''s words, previously lost in the haze of shock, suddenly echoed in my ears with terrifying rity. Amaya was missing. The twins, my children, were in danger. My wolf surged within me, a primal growl erupting from deep within my gut. What the hell was I doing sitting here wallowing in self-pity? Every wasted second brought Amaya and the pups closer to whatever threat loomed. With a surge of adrenaline, I pushed myself to my feet, the world tilting slightly as my body re-adjusted to the vertical position. The air crackled with a strange energy, the undeniable presence of my wolf pushing closer to the surface. We needed to find her. Find them. I roughly swiped the tears from my face, a surge of anger recing the despair. I was done with this self-pitying bullshit. It wouldn''t bring Amaya back, it wouldn''t protect the twins. Stepping back out into the room, I found the three of them still there. Natalia paced the floor like a caged animal, her face etched with a desperate worry that mirrored my own. She opened her mouth to speak, but I cut her off, my voice clipped and devoid of emotion. "Christian, call the damn contacts again." He hesitated for a moment and I narrowed my eyes, hardening my gaze, "Tell them they will understand the true meaning of the rumors about me if they don''t cooperate." A flicker of something akin to fear crossed Christian''s face, but he nodded curtly, already dialing a number on his phone. I grabbed my own phone. Vargas picked up on the first ring, his voice booming with assumed authority. "Alex," he greeted, a hint of surprisecing his tone. "To what do I owe the pleasure "Cut the crap, Vargas," I snapped, cutting him off before he could finish his self-important speech. "I know you''re at the pack house, and I''m in no mood to y your little games. I don''t like you, and that''s never going to change. But you''re the closest thing I have to a second inmand right now, and I need you to listen carefully." I took a deep breath, forcing myself to focus on the task at hand. "I need every single wolf in the pack scouring the city," Imanded, my voice leaving no room for argument. "My mate is missing. Tell them all. Tell them Amaya Stone is missing, and I need my mate found. Now." There was a stunned silence on the other end of the line. Vargas, for the first time in our dealings, seemed speechless. "You regard me as your second inmand?" he finally stammered, disbelief coloring his voice. "Give the order, Vargas," I growled, my patience wearing thin. "That''s all that matters right now." I mmed the phone shut, the finality of the click echoing in the tense silence of the room. Without another word, I turned and headed for the door, my body already itching to shift, to run, to do anything to find Amaya and the children. "Excuse me, Alex?" A hesitant voice stopped me in my tracks. I turned back to see Christian''s girlfriend standing there, her eyes filled with a newfound determination. "I know you don''t know me," she began, "but Amaya is my friend, and I want to help. I ran away from Italy because my father wanted me to marry some guy he picked out for me. But with everyone being so brave," she added, a hint of defiance creeping into her voice, "I think it''s time I stood up to him. He can help." I stared at her nkly, trying to process her words. Then, as if realizing the significance of her statement, she looked at Christian, then back at me. "My father is Victor Moretti." My eyes shot up in surprise. In the world I navigated, staying informed about the power yers was crucial.Victor Moretti wasn''t just any man in E Chapter 132 -Maya''s POV- The cruel smile on Ivan''s face widened, "The boy wasn''t a fool," he said, his voice dripping with a twisted satisfaction. "He knew he wouldn''t be able to take Damon Thorne on in a straight fight. But he also knew, no matter what happened, he was going to make him feel his pain. Make everyone who meant anything to him know what it felt like to hurt then something profound happened. He discovered the game of chess." A memory flickered through my mind, a sharp image of us ying chess together on a rainy afternoon. The way his brow furrowed in concentration, the way he moved the pieces with a calcted precision that belied his usual carefree demeanor. The truth had been there, right in front of me, but I''d been so caught up in a fairytale that I''d chosen not to see it. "He became obsessed with it," Ivan continued, his voice a low murmur. "Moving the pieces around from a position of power, controlling the board. And then the n started to take shape. Damon Thorne took his parents away from him, leaving him to drown in a sea of pain. So Damon Thorne would too. And then his focus shifted to Alex Thorne - his son. Blood for blood." The pieces of the puzzle were finally falling into ce, a horrifying picture emerging from the chaos. "As the years passed, he started moving the pieces. Setting the stage for the final act. And then, when you met Alex, the boy who had be a man, knew the time to strike hade. So," he shot a nce at Adrian, "he made those photos and sent them to him." My gaze darted to Adrian, searching for a flicker of remorse, a hint of humanity in his cold stare. But there was nothing. Just a detached amusement, as if he were watching a particrly gruesome y unfold. "Don''t look at him," Ivan scoffed, waving a dismissive hand. "Adrian already made peace with whatever role he yed in this twisted game. Now he''s just here to see Alex suffer the way he made him suffer." He threw his head back and let out a harshugh that echoed in the cavernous room. "Isn''t it all fascinating? A real-life game of vengeance, yed out over years." I stared at him, a hollow numbness settling over me. My body ached from the ropes that bound me, but the emotional pain was far worse. It was crushing, suffocating. How could I have been so blind? Ivan''sughter subsided, reced by a dark smile. "Anyway," he drawled, "he was going to ruin Alex''s life. How dare the man be happy when his father had taken away the man''s happiness. As it turned out, Alex did most of the work himself by throwing you out. By doing that, he made himself utterly miserable. But that wasn''t enough. The man discovered something else a few yearster - Alex had children. Another line carrying the blood of a monster flowing through them." My breath hitched in my throat, a strangled gasp escaping my lips. The room seemed to tilt on its axis, the "Ivan, I swear on the moon goddess if you''ve done anything to my children-" walls threatening to cave in on me.Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g He cut me off with a roll of his eyes, dismissing my threat with a sneer. "Oh, shut up with your empty threats, Amaya. You''re in no position to make any demands." He leaned closer, his breath hot and fetid against my ear. "Don''t worry about yourself. My children are perfectly fine." "They''re not yours!" I roared, my voice hoarse with fury. I thrashed against the ropes that bound me, the desperate need to protect my children fueling my struggle. He rolled his eyes again, as if my words were nothing more than an annoying fly buzzing around his head. "Not another word from you," he snapped. "Where was I? Ah yes, when the man found out about the children, he wanted to bring them here, end their lives in front of Alex, and then finish Alex off in front of his father. He wanted Damon Thorne to finally feel the pain he''d inflicted." He paused, his eyes gleaming th a twisted amusement. "But what fun would that be?" "Do you want to know what he did instead?" His voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper, his eyes sparkling with a manic delight. "He went to your father and proposed a marriage that would lead to a merger of the packs. Then he''d have control of two packs." Two. Two packs. The number echoed in my mind, a drumbeat against the rising tide of terror. My father. The way the merger felt rushed, preordained. It hadn''t been about strengthening the pack, it had been about giving Ivan power. Power he could use to destroy Alex, to fulfill his twisted vendetta. The words mmed into me like a physical blow and more puzzles fell into ce, "The video... the messages... the man Ivy saw... that was all you?" I stammered, my voice cracking with every revtion. A cruel smirk yed on Ivan''s lips. "You are finally using your brain. This would have been a proud moment for us under different circumstances," he mocked, his voice dripping with a twisted satisfaction. "Was yourpany really failing?" I blurted out, another question tumbling out of my desperate need to understand. E Cuna He cast a sideways nce at Miranda, who stood across from me, a flicker of annoyance crossing his features. "My darling sister here," he began, his voice dripping with sarcasm, "was supposed to be my secret weapon, my inside woman in Alex''s life." He narrowed his eyes at her, his gaze heavy with disappointment. "Unfortunately, she turned out to be bad at her job. So, I needed another way in, a way to get inside his head, to exploit his weaknesses." "So I fueled his ego by begging for his help, painting myself as a damsel in distress. He, too busy basking in his own self-importance, never noticed that by intertwining himself with mypany, he was handing me a roadmap to his entire operation - his thought processes, his business strategies, the key to dismantling his empire from the inside out." He paused, his eyes gleaming with a twisted pride. "That, dear Amaya, is still a work in progress." There was a beat of silence between us, we both stared at each, me with disbelief and pain and him with gleaming satisfaction, "Anything else you''d like to know, Amaya?" "You''re doing all this because of what Alex''s father did to you," My voice trembled with a mix of anger and despair. "Your problem is with him, with his family. Why are you dragging me and my innocent children into this?" He scoffed, a harsh, dismissive sound. "Innocent? You were already wrapped up in this mess the moment you were predestined to be his mate. And don''t y coy with me, Amaya. I know everything - every stolen nce, every whispered secret. Every single moment you spent with him, a betrayal of the trust you thought I ced in you." He leaned closer, his voice dropping to a low hiss. "I was truly hoping for a showdown, a bloody one at that. Alex and your father locked in a fight to the death. It would have brought me such sweet satisfaction." His words were a punch to the gut, a stark reminder of the monster I''d fallen for. But even as despair threatened to consume me, a spark of defiance ignited within me. "You''re wrong, Ivan. My rtionship with Alex, whatever it was, isn''t the cause of your twisted vendetta." "You''ve always been at the center of it all, Alex''s one true weakness." He threw his head back and let out a chillingugh, a sound devoid of any warmth or humor. "And you''re going to die knowing that your stupidity, your insatiable need for attention, led you to this very moment. Knowing that your children are in my hands, that I can do whatever I please with them. And when I break the news to Alex, just before I finish him and his monster of a father, you will all feel the pain I''ve endured! You will all know my wrath!" With a final, menacing re, he straightened up and turned to walk away. Panic surged through me, a primal fear for my children wing at my throat. "Ivan, stop!" I screamed, "They''ve done nothing to you! Please, let them go!" I thrashed against the ropes that bound me but the struggle was futile. My gaze darted to Miranda, noticing the gun gleaming in her hand. Ivan leaned in, a twisted tenderness in his eyes as he kissed her forehead. "You know what to do, darling," he murm mured. Her voice, devoid of emotion, echoed in the tense silence. "Two silver bullets. One in that heart that beats for him. One in her naive little head." as Ivan A shiver wracked my body to me, a cruel smile twisting his lips. "Goodbye, Amaya." With Adrian, he disappeared into the, ows leaving me alone with Miranda and the chilling weight of his final words. My heart hammered against my ribs, a desperate plea for escape. But the only sound was the soft click of the gun being cocked. Tears streamed down my face as a horrifying truth settled in my gut: I would never see my children again and I was going to die. 0 0 Chapter 133 -Maya''s POV-N?velDrama.Org owns ? this. The metallic click of the gun cocking echoed in the cavernous room, sharp and final. My breath hitched, a strangled gasp escaping my lips. Miranda raised the weapon, aiming it directly at my heart. Her face, devoid of any warmth, held a cruel amusement. For a terrifying moment, I braced myself for the impact, my mind shing with images of my children, their faces etched forever in my memory. Then, just as abruptly as she raised it, the gun was lowered. Confusion flooded my system. "Ivan got to y with you?" Her voice was t, devoid of any inflection. She took a slow step closer, the smirk on her face widening. "Why can''t I have some fun before you die?" The gun was tossed carelessly onto a nearby table, the tter a jarring sound in the tense silence. She continued her approach, circling me like a predator stalking its prey. My mind raced, desperately searching for an opening. Pleading wouldn''t work, that much was clear. Anger, a simmering ember within me, red briefly. "I don''t understand," I spat, my voice hoarse. "What have I ever done to you?" A snort escaped her lips. She stopped directly in front of me, her gaze raking over me with a disdain that was almost palpable. "What you''ve done?" She threw her head back andughed, a harsh, humorless sound. "I could never figure out what he saw in you. What they all saw in you. You''re just so...in." The insult washed over me. It was irrelevant, petty even in the face of my impending doom. But somewhere deep within, a flicker of defiance sparked. I wouldn''t give her the satisfaction of seeing me crumble. Instead, I focused on the only thing that mattered: my children. "Miranda, please," I pleaded, my voice trembling but firm. "I''ll do anything just let my children go. They haven''t done anything wrong." My words fell on deaf ears. She rolled her eyes, a theatrical gesture that only served to heighten my desperation. "Don''t you dare y the victim card with me, Amaya." Her voice took on a sharp edge. "And stop pretending you''re some innocent bystander in all this.¡± "If none of this had happened," she continued, her words dripping with venom, " If Ivan was truly a good guy that had fallen for you, was this how you would have continuously stabbed him in the back by sneaking around with Alex who is or was my fianc¨¦?" Her words stung, a kernel of truth lodged within the harsh usations. Silence filled the room, a heavy weight pressing down on us. Herughter echoed off the stone walls, "That''s what I thought." My gaze darted around the room, searching for an escape, anything. "You''re so naive, Amaya," she continued, her voiceced with disdain. "You think you can reason with me? That I''ll suddenly see the light and be some kind of hero? Don''t be ridiculous" She leaned in closer, her breath hot on my cheek. "We both want you to suffer. He may have started the game, but he''s only just getting warmed up." Her words were a revtion. She wasn''t some brainwashed follower, blindly loyal to Ivan. She had her own agenda, her own reasons for wanting revenge. A sliver of hope pierced through the despair. If I could appeal to that, maybe there was a way out. But how? I stole a nce at the ropes that bound me, the coarse fibers digging into my wrists. They were thick, impossible to break with my bare hands. But maybe if I could keep her talking long enough... My eyes darted to the metal chair I was strapped to. The cold, hard surface pressed against my back. An idea, a desperate gamble, sparked in my mind. It was risky, reckless even, but it was the only shot I had. If I could just rub the ropes against the rough edges, maybe, just maybe, I could fray them enough to break free. 13 +66%1 "You''re right, Miranda, said, my voice carefully measured. "Maybe I wasn''t the perfect picture of a loyal mate. But none of that justifies what Ivan is doing. He''s ying a twisted game, using all of us as pawns for his own sick revenge." "Revenge?" she scoffed. "Don''t insult me with your cheap theatrics. Ivan''s doing what needs to be done. Alex''s father destroyed our life, took everything from us. He deserves to suffer and everyone in his bloodline. "But what about you, Miranda?" I pressed, pushing my voice a little further. "Are you content to be his pawn in this game? To watch him destroy lives, innocent lives, just to satisfy some twisted sense of justice?" Her eyes narrowed, a flicker of doubt crossing her features. I pushed on, gambling on the possibility that this woman, beneath the hardened exterior, wasn''tpletely lost. "Think about it," I continued, my voice gaining a touch of urgency. "Once Alex is gone, once his pack is broken, what happens then? Does Ivan stop? Does he suddenly find peace? Or does he move on to the next target, the next person who wronged him, real or perceived? What if it ends up being you?" The silence that followed was heavy, pregnant with unspoken possibilities. My heart pounded a frantic rhythm against my ribs, mirroring the relentless rasp of the frayed rope against the metal. Each rasp was a tiny victory, a sliver of hope slowly growing stronger. Suddenly, Miranda''s voice cut through the tense silence, sharp andced with a dangerous edge. "Shut up!" she screamed, the sound echoing off the stone walls of the room. Her sudden outburst startled me, but I refused to let it break me This was it. The moment of truth. With a surge of adrenaline, I redoubled my efforts, frantically rubbing the ropes against the metal chair. The fibers were starting to give way, fraying at the edges. Just a little more, I pleaded silently, just a little more. As if sensing my desperation, Miranda lunged forward, grabbing the gun from the table. A cruel smile twisted her lips."You aren''t even worth the effort," she spat, aiming the gun directly at my chest. The world seemed to slow down, every detail etched into my memory with horrifying rity. The glint of metal in the dim light, the cold terror gripping my heart, the desperate rasp of the frayed rope against the chair. In that split second, time stretched into an eternity. The first bullet left the chamber, a tiny puff of smoke marking its path, My body lurched back instinctively, a scream rising from my throat. But then, something unexpected happened. A sh of ck fur materialized between me and the bullet. My eyes widened in disbelief as the bullet pierced its thick fur, and in an instant, the ck fur rippled and dissolved, revealing a human form crashing to the floor. "Alex!" I screamed, rushing over to his side. Miranda''s face contorted in a mask of rage, the gun now pointed at my head. "Don''t move!" she yelled, her voice trembling with a mix of fury and fear. Fueled by a primal surge of protectiveness, I ignored hermand. My wolf, awakened by the threat to her mate, roared to life. Strength I didn''t know I possessed coursed through my veins, pushing aside the weakness of the wolfsbane lingering in my system. With a powerful lunge, I tackled Miranda to the ground. The gun ttered away, skidding across the cold stone floor. Adrenaline coursed through me, granting me a superhuman strength I had never experienced before. With a single, powerful punch, Inded a blow square on her jaw, sending her head snapping back and knocking her unconscious. Relief flooded me, a sweet wave washing over the terror and desperation that had gripped me moments before. But it was short-lived. My gaze darted to Alex, sprawled on the cold floor, a crimson stain blooming on his chest where the bullet had pierced him. "No, no, I cried, copsing beside him and cing a trembling Hand on his chest. His breathing was shallow, raspy gasps that tore at my heart. A strained smile flickered on his lips for a brief moment. "Don''t cry, Silver," he rasped his voice weak. "I don''t... deserve it. Tears streamed down my face, blurring my vision. I tried to lift him, but the movement elicited a cough that wracked his body, a fresh spurt of blood staining his shirt. "It''s okay," he gasped, his voice barely a whisper. "Silver... it''s okay." But it wasn''t okay. The reality of the situation mmed into me, cold and merciless. He was bleeding out, and I was helpless to stop it. My mind raced, searching for a solution, any solution, but there was none. All I could do was hold him close, my touch a smallfort against the encroaching darkness. "Please..." I choked out, the word a desperate plea to the goddess, to anyone who might be listening. "Please hold on. Hold on, I''m going to get help." He coughed again, a weak, rattling sound. "What gender... are they?" His voice was barely audible, but I managed to hear him. The fact that he knew about them, was even asking about the twins, a questionpletely unrted to the immediate danger, didn''t register in my mind at the moment. "A boy and a girl," I whispered back, my voice thick with tears. "Ivy?" He coughed again, the sound weak and wet. I choked back a sob, nodding my head. "Ivy." A faint smile touched his lips, his eyelids fluttering shut for a moment, then opening again with a struggle. "Green," he murmured, "It''s my favorite color... because you love it... and I..." Another cough erupted,racking his body. Blood seeped from the corner of his mouth. "And I love you, Silver," he finished, the words slurred but filled with a love that transcended everything else. My heart shattered. The world seemed to shrink in on itself, the air thick with the metallic tang of blood and the deafening silence of his fading heartbeat. I watched in horror as the light in his eyes flickered and dimmed. Then, with a final, shallow gasp, his chest fell still. The life force that had burned so brightly within him extinguished, leaving behind a terrifying emptiness and... He was just gone. Chapter 134 -Maya''s POV- Burials have always been my least favorite thing. The finality of it all, the cold, hard truth that ms into you with the thud of dirt against the coffin the person you love is gone, and there''s nothing, absolutely nothing, you can do to bring them back. I blinked back tears, determined not to give those gathered men the satisfaction of seeing me unravel. Powerful men, men I''d only ever seen on television screens, stood a few feet away, their faces grim masks as the coffin was lowered into the ground. Not one of them looked remorseful. In fact, there was something almost...celebratory in the eyes of one man I caught staring a little too long. A flicker of satisfaction that sent a fresh wave of nausea churning in my stomach. That''s why they were here, it dawned on me. To bask in the fact that Alex Thorne was officially dead. To see it with their own eyes, to etch the image of his lifeless body into their memories. The sound of shouts drew my attention to the far end of the cemetery, where the humans were being held back by Riley''s father''s men. I knew as soon as we left, once these burly guards dispersed, they''d break through the flimsy barrier and scrawl hateful messages across Alex''s grave. Here I was, friends with a Mafia princess, andpletely clueless about the whole thing. At least her father had been a goddess-sent, utilizing his muscle to keep the human protestors at bay. This war had be a twisted global spectacle, each side vying for dominance in the battle between humans and werewolves. Another tear escaped, tracing a cold path down my cheek as I continued to stare at the freshly turned earth. Someone was speaking, offering words of sce orfort, but my mind was a nk canvas, incapable of registering the sounds around me. 8 22 My thoughts, without my permission, drifted to Ivan. The pain of his betrayal was a knife deep in my heart. I hadn''t seen iting. I''d entrusted him with everything my secrets, my body, my very soul. But maybe, a tiny voice whispered in the back of my head, maybe I deserved it. He''d stabbed me right through the heart, figuratively and perhaps literally, and with my children gone, vanished without a trace just like Miranda had, he was still twisting the knife. Riley''s father at her request was pulling out all the stops to find them, but the only shred of hope I clung to was a mother''s instinct, a primal belief that somehow, for now at least, they were safe. A hand touched mine, warm andforting. I turned to see Riley, offering a sad smile that didn''t quite reach her eyes. "We''re going to find them," she whispered, her voice firm butced with a tremor of uncertainty. "Everything will be fine." I desperately wanted to believe her. I wished I could. My gaze returned to the grave, a silent farewell to the man who I had been predestined to spend the rest of my life with. Then, in a blur of movement, the crowd dispersed, and I was alone. Just me, the freshly turned earth, and the deafening silence that echoed the hollowness within 1. me. Memories flooded my mind, a relentless tide of happy moments with Alex. His yful smile, the warmth of his touch, the corners whenever I managed to make himugh which was a rare sight for him. the his way eyes crinkled at A sob escaped my lips, raw and uncontrolled. I sank to my knees, the cold, hard ground a stark contrast to the burning ache in my heart. My body wracked with sobs, each one a guttural cry of despair and grief. I screamed until my throat was raw, releasing the torrent of emotions that had been dammed up for days. Time seemed to lose all meaning. I could have been there for minutes, hours, or even days. All I knew was the pain, the crushing weight of loss that threatened to suffocate me. Finally, exhausted and emotionally spent, I slumped back onto my heels, tears streaming down my face then a hand, warm andforting, wrapped itself around my back, pulling me closer into a familiar embrace. I turned my head slowly, vision still blurred by the relentless flow of tears. Natalia''s face swam into view, etched with raw grief, mirroring the storm raging within me. We hadn''t spoken, not a single word since Riley''s father''s men had found us in that ce and me, along with Alex''s body, to his secluded safe house. There had been no time, no space for conversation when the world had tilted on its axis, plunging me into this abyss of despair. Natalia had kept a respectful distance, a silent acknowledgment of the raw wound I carried. Riley had filled me in on what happened. Natalia, it turned out, had been the one to tell Alex I had gone missing and about the existence of the twins. I wasn''t even mad. All I felt was emptiness. After what felt like an eternity of silence, broken only by the ragged gasps of our shared grief, she finally spoke. Her voice was a broken whisper, "I am so sorry for all the things I said. I was just so mad and- my throat. "I deserve everything that''s happening to me. I''ve been so stupid, so selfish. caught up in-" "And I deserved it," I whispered back, the words catching in To you, to everyone around me. So lost in my own world, so She cut me off, her voice thick with emotion. "You are not the viin here, Amaya. And I''m so sorry for making you one. I should never have said all 2:52 PM those things." She choked back a sob, tears streaming down her face. "If they hadn''t found you, if that was how we left things, I would..." The words trailed off, reced by a shuddering breath. "I would never have forgiven myself. I''m so sorry, Amaya." My own tears welled up again, a fresh wave of grief washing over me. I wrapped my arms around her back, I''m so sorry for being so selfish," I choked out. "For always putting him first. I''m sorry." We stayed like that for what felt like hours. Finally, Sarah''s voice, firm yet gentle, pierced the thick fog of grief. "Alright, it''s time to get you both back to the safe house." I looked up, my vision blurry once more. Sarah stood there, wiping away a stray tear, a look of weary concern etched on her face. Riley stood beside her, her shoulders slumped in defeat. They didn''t need words to express their sorrow; the unspoken understanding hung heavy in the air. Silently, they helped us up, their touch a reminder of the support that surrounded me. Onest look at the freshly turned earth, and I allowed them to lead me away. As we pulled up to the entrance of the safe house, I noticed Christian standing outside, phone pressed to his ear, a frown creasing his forehead. He looked tense, agitated, but the moment he spotted Riley, a smile transformed his face. He ended the call abruptly, his entire demeanor shifting as he hurried towards her. I watched their interaction, a pang of something akin to jealousy twisting in my gut. Then, with a sigh, I pushed myself out of the car and headed for the house. The others followed close behind, and as I stepped through the doorway, a subtle shift in the atmosphere prickled my senses. Instinctually, my feet stopped moving. One...two...three... His voice cut through the silence. "Is it done?" The question wasn''t directed at me, and Christian offered a curt nod in response. "Yes. I''m sure the news will reach Ivan too, wherever he is." My breath hitched in my throat at the Ivan''s of his name but then a jolt of electricity shot through me as I raised my head, my gaze colliding with a pair of blue eyes. His stare was unwavering, fixed directly on me. Seconds ticked by, an eternity stretched thin. Then, as if on cue, everyone around us began to disperse, a silent acknowledgment of the tension crackling in the air. They shuffled away leaving us alone in the vast expanse of the living space. I turned to follow them, but his voice stopped me. "Amaya." My body froze, but this time, it wasn''t fear that held me captive. Slowly, I turned back, meeting his gaze head-on, but my lips remained sealed. He closed the distance between us and when he reached me, his hands reached out, brushing away the dried tear tracks that stained my cheeks. I sucked in a sharp breath, a shiver dancing down my spine at his touch. He immediately retreated, stepping back and letting out a frustrated sigh. "We''re going to have to talk about this eventually, Silver." A traitorous warmth bloomed in my chest at the sound of that nickname, a flicker of my wolf responding to the familiar term. I quickly pushed the feeling down, forcing my expression to remain passive. "I don''t need to talk," I replied, my voice hoarse. "I just need to find them."C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org. I paused, taking a deep breath before forcing the next words past the lump in my throat. "I need to find our children, Alex." Chapter 135 -Alex''s POV- The concept of a Moon Goddess was a fairy tale to me, nothing more. Sure, the stories spun tales of her weaving destinies, forever binding two souls together. But fate, in my experience, was a cruel mistress. If such a being existed, she wouldn''t have allowed what I''d endured under my father''s iron fist. She wouldn''t have snatched my mother away, leaving a gaping hole in my life. No, I didn''t believe. Not until the moment the darkness imed me. The life drained out of me, reced by a bone-chilling emptiness that threatened to suck me under. Then, nothing. Just pure, unadulterated ckness. The end, I figured. An eternity of nothingness stretching out before me like a never-ending nk canvas. But then, light. Blinding, white-hot light that ripped through the suffocating darkness. I couldn''t make out any clear shapes, but a flicker of familiarity washed over me, a feeling like recognition from a dream. Then came the falling, a seemingly endless descent that stretched time thin. Finally, a crushing pressure, a smothering sensation like I was drowning. With a gasp, I ripped my eyes open. My hands instinctively flew to my chest, the ce where the bullet had ripped through flesh and bone. But there was nothing. No pain, no gaping wound, just smooth, unmarked skin. Healed. Amaya. She was the first thing I registered, slumped in a corner of the room. Dried tear marks streamed down her dirt-streaked face, her eyebrows furrowed with worry even as she slept. Then everything came flooding back. Memories, pictures shing in my head one after another. I remembered calling out to her wolf, trying to connect with her, any way I could. It felt weak, shaky, the connection barely there. Strangely, I didn''t need the wolves from my pack to find her but they had been a wee distraction from the humans attention on me while I raced forward. And from the looks of it, they were finally getting some payback after weeks of being hunted down. The weak connection with her wolf, that faint pull, led me somewhere an abandoned tunnel on the edge of the city. It took me right back to the spot where I shielded Amaya with my body, where I took the bullet for her. I looked down at her again, her face peaceful as she slept. And in that moment, I knew without a doubt, that I would do it all again in a heartbeat. My feet found me moving, drawn out of the room and back into the main living area. A loud crash shattered the uneasy silence, and I whipped around to see Natalia frozen in ce, her face etched with shock. A shattered coffee mugy scattered at her feet. "You are alive. How... are... you are alive?" Her voice was barely a whisper,ced with disbelief and a tremor of something akin to fear. I opened my mouth to reply, my mind still grappling with the events that had unfolded, when Christian''s voice cut through the tension. "Even death didn''t want you," he said, a hint of amusement coloring his tone. But when I turned to face him, his eyes held a genuine warmth, a flicker of relief that warmed a cold corner of my heart. Riley came up beside him, her entrance unnoticed in the wake of Natalia''s outburst. Her steps faltered as she saw me, disbelief widening her eyes until they were almosticallyrge. She opened her mouth, no doubt to question the impossible sight before her, but the sound was cut short by the sharp click of the front door opening and then mming shut. Before I could even turn my head, I felt her presence behind me, a shift in the air pressure. Her gaze locked onto mine, her entire body trembling shock, "Alex? How are you? I saw you die. You are alive?" Those were the most words she''d spoken to me in a week. Amaya avoided me like the gue, her conversations primarily directed towards Riley. Riley, whose father was pulling out all the stops to find the twins. My twins. My children that I had no clue existed for four years. The only time she''d looked at me for any significant length of time was when she narrated the horrifying truth: Ivan was the mastermind behind everything. The staged pictures, the systematic dismantling of mypany from the inside out, the coboration with Adrian to expose werewolves, nting Miranda in my life - it all unraveled in a sickening disy of his twisted agenda. That darkness I''d felt, the darkness I''d witnessed glimpses of - it was far more extensive than I''d ever imagined. And now, he had my children. As Amaya tearfully confessed, she''d inadvertently given him the upper hand. He was their legal father, a fact that would crumble as soon as I found him. He had another thinging. The entire world believed me dead. The borate burial orchestrated by Christian cemented the illusion. It was a strategy I''d readily agreed to. Operating from the shadows offered the best chance of finding the twins. Ivan, convinced of my demise, would feel more vulnerable, a fatal mistake on his part. Every human that owed me and werewolf alpha that aligned with me within range was now scouring the earth for him, thanks to the official order issued through Christian. The charade was crucial. They needed to believe I was truly gone just like I needed to fix things with Amaya. A sigh escaped me as I poured another ss of whiskey, the amber liquid glinting under the dim lights. "Trouble in paradise?" The voice cut through the silence. I turned my head to see a woman walking in. A woman who had been introduced as Sarah. Thest member of their friendship group. A werewolf like us. I understood that they wanted to support Amaya. That was the only reason I let them all be around but every single one of them were crowding my space, I only wanted Amaya here. I offered her a cursory nce, irritation simmering just below the surface. We were strangers, after all. Why was she even talking to me? Undeterred by my icy stare, she strode up, grabbed a ss, and poured herself a drink from the same bottle. I was about to m it back on the table and storm off when her voice stopped me again. "Have you tried apologizing? Meaning it, I mean." I stopped, her words hanging heavy in the air. "What?" She moved closer, "Put yourself in a story. Imagine people reading about you right now. What would they think? I know there''s a backstory I''m missing, some messed-up things that shaped you into this guy with trust issues so deep you couldn''t spare three minutes to ask the woman you imed to love if she betrayed you. Instead, you kicked her out when she was carrying your children. Then, yearster, she walks back into your vortex, and you think it''s okay to waltz in, stir everything up,plicate her life when it was clear to everyone, even a blind person, that she still loves you? So, I ask you again, if you were a character in a book, would you like yourself?" I wanted to re at her, unleash an icy stare that would send her scurrying back to wherever she came from. I wanted to tell her, in no uncertain terms, that she didn''t know me and this wasn''t any of her business. But her words echoed in my head, bouncing around like a pinball in a machine. She took my stunned silence as an invitation to go on with her assault. "You''re wrong, Alex," she continued, her voice firm but not unkind. "Wrong about everything. And I know men like you, with egos bigger than an entire country. You don''t apologize, that much is clear. But all of this: whole mess - could have been avoided if you''d just talked to her from the very beginning. You could have been a team, facing whatever came your this way together. Sure, Ivan probably would have shown up eventually, that seems to be his specialty. But things would have been different. He wouldn''t have had the easy ess to your children that he does now. Amaya wouldn''t be drowning in this much pain. Because let''s face it, she still loves you. She wouldn''t have to deal with another heartbreak from trusting Ivan." "Hold on," I finally managed to sputter. "I-" She cut me off with a sharp shake of her head. "I''m not painting you as a viin, Alex. Truth is, I don''t know you well enough for that. But from what I''ve heard, from what I pieced together, you made a huge mistake. You let a lie fester, a lie that poisoned everything. And here we are. I came in here to tell you because no one else seems to want to do it and I have always heard some of the best wordse from strangers, which is exactly what we are." Her words hit me like a physical blow. I stared at her, speechless, the truth she presented hanging heavy in the air. Truth I already knew, deep down, but refused to acknowledge. It stung, a sharp, searing pain that went beyond the anger and resentment I''d been clinging to.N?velDrama.Org owns ? this. "Amaya''s out back," Sarah whispered, her voice softer now. "Staring at theke. ''I''m sorry'' is a good way to start a conversation, you know." She took another long drink from her ss, her eyes holding mine for a beat longer. Then, with a sigh, she turned and walked towards the door, leaving me alone with the wreckage of my pride and the deafening silence of my own guilt. She stopped at the doorway, her hand hovering on the door knob then turned back to face me, "I think it''s high time you made yourself a more likable character," she offered me a small smile, "There are many of us out there rooting for you." Before I could formte a response, the door mmed shut with a resounding bang, leaving me suspended in a sudden, suffocating silence. Chapter 136 -Maya''s POV- The only thought I could hold onto was theirughter. I knew I''d hear it again soon. I had it saved on my phone, a recording I yed over and over again. My wolf felt him first, scrambling to her feet the moment his scent hit the air. I could never quite describe it, that scent, something vaguely like chocte, but whatever it was, it always pulled me towards him. Still, I didn''t turn around, acknowledge his presence. He sat down quietly, keeping a space between us. He dipped his feet in the cool water of theke, staring out in silence. I didn''t say anything either. There wasn''t anything left to say, not right now. So we sat there, the silence thick and heavy. Honestly, I don''t even know why I spoke first. It was like my lips moved on their own. "I didn''t know you had this ce," I said, surprised by the sound of my own voice breaking the quiet. A sigh escaped him. "I bought it after..." His voice trailed off, the sentence left unfinished. "After you threw me out," I filled in the nk for him. He took a deep breath, but didn''t answer. The silence stretched on again, broken only by the crickets chirping in the distance then he spoke again, "I wouldn''t have thrown you out. I wouldn''t have done what I did if I had known..." his voice faded again. "If you had known I was carrying your children?" I finished for him again. He nodded, a slow, heavy nod. "I would have..." "Would have what?" I cut him off, my voice suddenly sharp. "Would have just let me stay? Never asked me about the pictures, never gotten angry? Pretended like everything was okay between us while the hate slowly festered? Or maybe you would have taken them away the moment they were born? Just one sentence, Alex. That''s all it would have taken. One sentence to ask me if it was true, but you didn''t." Another sigh. "I know, and I''m sorry." Iughed, a harsh, humorless sound. "Sorry doesn''t change anything. Doesn''t change what you did. And what about Adrian? Nothing excuses what Ivan''s doing, it''s not your fault you have a power hungry asshole for a father, who by the way, is also responsible for my brother''s death. But Adrian? You deserve every bit of hate he throws at you. You destroyed his life because of a lie." "I know," he whispered, his voice t with resignation. "I''m not a good person. The worst, probably. Everyone should hate me. You should hate me." "And that''s what makes me so mad!" My voice rose, sharper this time. "That I can''t. That no matter what you do, no matter how much I try, I always seem to end up choosing you." We sat there for a long time after that, the anger slowly draining out of me, leaving behind a hollow ache. The crickets continued their chirping, the only sound besides the asional rustle of leaves in the cool night breeze. My reflection stared back at me from the still water of theke, my eyes red-rimmed and puffy from crying. "I don''t know how to fix this," He muttered, "I don''t know what to do." I wrapped my arms around my knees, pulling them tight to my chest. "It''s funny, isn''t it?" My voice came out shaky,ced with a bitter humor. "Everything we''ve done since I came back, every choice we''ve made, it''s all led us right back here. No matter how hard I tried, no matter how much I pushed you away, it felt inevitable, like we were always going to end up together. But then there''s Ivan, and there''s Miranda, and neither of us knew it was all part of their n. And now, just when there''s a chance, a sliver of a possibility that things could actually work between us, I''m not even sure I want that anymore. For years, I''d raised our children alone, clinging to the hope that you''de back and tell me you were wrong. Now, the thought of us being together just fills me with a hollow ache." The anger, the betrayal - it was all still so raw, so present. Tears welled up in my eyes, hot and stinging. I hadn''t even realized I was crying until I felt them tracing a path down my cheeks. Wiping them away angrily, I stood up. My body ached, a dull throb that mirrored the pain in my heart. All I wanted was my babies back, safe and sound. Everything else seemed trivial, meaningless inparison. I walked away from him, my legs carrying me on autopilot. I found myself in the bathroom, the sterile white tiles doing little to ease the turmoil inside me. Staring at my reflection in the mirror, I barely recognized the woman looking back. My copper hair, usually a source of pride, was a tangled mess. The green eyes that used to sparkle with life were dull and lifeless.C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org. I looked wrong, broken. The memories came flooding back then, a relentless torrent of images and emotions. The sting of rejection, the cold, suffocating hate from my father, every moment I''d allowed Ivan near me, every lie he''d spun, every stolen kiss, every fleeting moment of happiness that now felt like a cruel joke. The pain intensified, a pressure building behind my eyes. I needed it to stop, this constant ache that seemed to permeate every fiber of my being. 11:59 AM My gazended on a pair of scissors glinting on the counter. Without a second thought, I grabbed them, the cold metal a contrast to the burning heat in my chest. Raising the scissors, I reached for a section of my hair at shoulder length. The act felt strangely detached, almost robotic. But the moment the des closed around the hair, a jolt of electricity shot through me. It was like a physical manifestation of the emotional pain, a raw, searing reminder of everything I''d lost. Tears streamed down my face, blurring my vision. But I couldn''t stop. The scissors became an extension of my rage, a way tosh out at the world, at myself, at everything that felt so broken and beyond repair. Each snip was a defiant scream, a silent rebellion against the cruel hand fate had dealt me. I kept cutting, a relentless rhythm echoing in the small bathroom until the floor became a scattered curtain of copper strands. My arms grew heavy, my breathing in ragged gasps. Finally, with a choked sob, I let the scissors fall from my numb fingers. It ttered to the floor with a hollow thud, mirroring the emptiness echoing within me. Sinking to the ground, I wrapped my arms around myself, the sobs racking my entire body. The pain didn''t disappear. It was still there, a dull throb beneath the surface. But for a moment, the act of cutting my hair had offered a strange sense of release, a way to externalize the turmoil within. Looking around at the mess I''d created, I knew it wouldn''t fix anything. But for now, it was enough. I don''t know how long I stayed there on the cold bathroom floor, the sobs eventually turning into dry, shuddering gasps, and then a knock on the door startled me. It was Natalia''s voice,ced with concern. "Amaya, can Ie in?" I didn''t answer, but the door creaked open a momentter. Her eyes widened at the sight of the hair scattered everywhere. Without a word, she knelt down on the floor beside me, her presence a silentfort. I didn''t resist when she pulled me into a hug, my body curling into hers like a lost child seeking warmth. "You know," she whispered into my ear, her voice gentle, "I always thought a bob would look great on you." Despite the situation, a chokedugh escaped my lips. I squeezed my eyes shut, clinging to her embrace. In this moment of utter despair, her simple words felt like a lifeline. Everyone needed a friend like Natalia in their lifetime. Just one single person like her. We sat there infortable silence for a while, the only sound the asional sniffle escaping me until Riley''s sudden voice broke the quiet. "Amaya?" Her voice held a note of urgency that snapped my head up. Her eyes were wide with worry. I scrambled to my feet, the remnants of despair momentarily forgotten. "Did your father find them? Did something happen to the twins?" "No," Riley answered, shaking her head. "We got a message from Ivan." My blood ran cold. The name sent a fresh wave of anger coursing through me. "What did he say?" Natalia asked, her voice sharp as she moved to stand beside me. Riley met my gaze directly. "He said since Alex is dead, he has no further use for the twins. He said he''ll give them back to you." She paused, letting the weight of his words sink in. "But," she continued, "he wants to meet with you. Alone." Chapter 137 -Maya''s POV- My gut churned, a cold knot of dread forming in the pit of my stomach. Even the most clueless person on the would recognize this for what it was: a trap. It wasn''t exactly a surprise, considering Ivan had practically called me an idiot after revealing his betrayal. Before I could voice my very obvious concerns, Natalia spoke up, her voiceced with fierce protectiveness. "Amaya isn''t going to meet with that monster by herself. There''s no way he''s just nning on handing the twins over. It is an obvious trap." Riley chimed in, her voice tight with worry. "I know, that''s why some of the men my father sent to watch over me will tail her. There''s no way we''re letting her go in there alone¡ª" I cut her off before she could finish, the words tumbling out in a rush. "He''ll know. If anyonees with me, Ivan will know. He has made it clear that thest thing he is is stupid." Natalia''s face hardened. "You can''t possibly be thinking of going by yourself, Amaya. That''s crazy talk. You''d be walking right into a death trap. He already tried to kill you once, remember?" I let out a shaky breath, frustration warring with desperation. "What do you want me to do? This is the only option I have. Every second they''re with him, the danger esctes. We have to do something, anything." "Christian''s trying to track the number the message came from right now," Riley said, offering a sliver of hope. "Maybe if we can find where it was sent from, we can finally pinpoint his location. With Alex''s forces and my father''s men, he wouldn''t be able to escape." There was a wave of silence between us that followed her words, then another voice cut in, "He won''t hurt them." We all whipped our heads to see Alex walking towards us, his blue eyes turned to ice. Cold and calcting. He looked like the powerful Billionaire Alpha he was not the man from minutes ago, "If Christian manages to track the location, which is a long shot no matter how skilled he is," He continued, his voice gaining a touch of its usual authority, "Ivan wouldn''t have sent the message knowing it could be traced. He''s not an idiot. And if we corner him, turn him into a caged animal, he''ll have no choice but tosh out. And the twins..." He trailed off, leaving the unspoken threat hanging heavy in the air. My breath hitched as Alex delivered the final blow, the words colder and more terrifying than anything Ivan himself could have said. "Amaya has to meet with him." "What?" Riley and Natalia shrieked in unison, their voices echoing my own internal scream.N?velDrama.Org owns ? this. A suffocating silence descended in the air after Alex''s chilling deration. My heart hammered against my ribs, a frantic drumbeat against the backdrop of my racing thoughts. Going alone was a death wish. But the alternative - leaving my children in Ivan''s clutches - was unthinkable. Natalia was the first to break the silence, her voice trembling with barely contained anger. "Suicide mission? Alex, are you serious? We can''t just send her in there alone!" Riley echoed her sentiment, her eyes wide with worry. "There has to be another way. We can figure something out, right?" A flicker of frustration crossed Alex''s face, a contrast to the grim determination etched in his jawline. "There isn''t another way. Ivan wants Amaya toe alone but he knows that she won''t want to. He would be expecting her not to, which is where wey a twist in his ns." Alex seemed to sense my internal struggle. He gestured towards the doorway. "Come on, let''s move to the living room. Christian''s still trying to track the location of the message. We need to talk about this further." We filed into the living room, a motley crew united by amon enemy. Sarah stood behind Christian, her eyes glued to his screen and it was obvious from the irritated look on his face that she was bothering him but knowing Sarah, she remained unbothered. The tension in the room was thick enough to cut with a knife. Alex sank down on the couch, his gaze sweeping over the faces of everyone present. He took a deep breath, then began to outline his n, his voice low and measured. "Here''s the thing," he started. "Ivan doesn''t know I''m alive. Right now, he thinks he has the upper hand. He wants Amaya toe alone because he believes it will make her easier to control. He will be suprprised when she actually does. However," he continued, a glint of something dangerous shing in his eyes, "that also presents an opportunity." "What kind of opportunity?" Riley asked. "The opportunity to take him down," Alex said, his voice hardening. "If Amaya goes in alone and he realizes it, Ivan will feel secure, overconfident. That''s when I''ll make my move." My head snapped up, a flicker of hope battling with the ever-present fear. "You want toe with me?" I asked, surprised by the words tumbling out of my mouth. Chapter 137 Alex nodded curtly. "Yes, but not in the way you think. Ivan believes I''m dead. My presence there will be aplete surprise. While he''s reeling from the shock, I can create a distraction, giving you enough time to get to the twins." A wave of skepticism washed over me, "What was the purpose of faking your death if you are just going to reveal that you are alive then?" He looked at me, the coldness in his gaze softening. "It doesn''t matter anymore. I won''t let anything happen to my children. Or you." I felt a thrill wash through me at his words but I pushes it away. This was most definitely not the time to think twice about his words. "But what about his pack? He is still an Alpha," Sarah interjected, her voiceced with concern. "I was a part of it, remember? Those wolves are fiercely loyal to him. There''s no way you''ll be able to take them all on by yourself." Alex''s expression remained stoic. "I don''t have to take them all on. I just need to hold them off long enough for Amaya to get the twins. Once they''re out of there, we can regroup and take care of the rest." A million questions swirled in my head. What if his n backfired? What if Ivan saw through the deception? What if I wasn''t fast enough, strong enough, to get my children to safety? The weight of the responsibility pressed down on me, a suffocating burden. "This is too risky, Alex," I whispered, my voice tight with apprehension. "There has to be another way. What if we wait until Christian finds the location? Then we can go in with a team-" 62 22 22 22 23 26 9 250 25 FG 22 2 ** *** Alex shook his head, his jaw set in a stubborn line, cutting me off, "Waiting isn''t an option, Amaya. Every minute they''re with Ivan, the danger increases. We can''t predict what he might do." "Okay," I sighed, "We do it your way. But what happens after I get the twins?" Alex leaned forward, his eyes locked on mine. "I have people in all corners. I have given the order to Vargas already. My wolves will be ready. Once you have them, my wolves will join in the attack and create enough distraction for you to get out of there safely." The authority was oozing from him like a tangible force. My eyes met with Sarah at that point and she gave me a knowing smirk. I narrowed my eyes at her before looking away and I heard her quietugh. Alex continued, "The rest of you will stay here with Christian. Once we''re in, keep themunication channels open. If anything goes wrong, if we need backup..." He left the sentence unfinished. Natalia squeezed my hand, her touch a silent source of strength. "We''ll be here. Just get those babies back. That''s all that matters." A lump formed in my throat, threatening to choke back the fierce determination that had begun to simmer within me. Fear was still there, a cold serpent coiling around my heart. But it was overshadowed by a primal urge to protect my children, a love so fierce it burned away all doubt. "Alright," Alex stood up. "Let''s go over the details one more time. Communication, timing, everything needs to be perfect. We can''t afford any mistakes. It was a risky n, a desperate gamble at best. But it was the only chance we had. And for my children, I was willing to take the risk and as I watched him while he spoke, there was a dread building up in my stomach. He looked like he was ready to risk everything to save them even if it meant he wouldn''t walk out of there alive. Chapter 138 Chapter 138 -Maya''s POV- Everything was set in motion, every piece carefully ced on the chessboard. Just like Alex predicted, Christian hadn''t been able to track the source of the message. There were no other options - it was for me to meet with Ivan. Alex had meticulously nned every detail, leaving no room for error. He''d be my constant shadow, ensuring Ivan believed I was truly alone. Now I stood in front of the mirror, dressed up. It was almost time. "The hair suits you," Alex''s voice sounded from behind me, his words barely audible over the nervous fluttering in my stomach. I didn''t tear my gaze away from the reflection in the mirror, but I could feel him enter the small bathroom. Silence stretched, thick and heavy, before I finally muttered a quiet, "Thank you." Taking a deep breath, I turned away from the mirror, ready to face whatever awaited me. But he reached out a hand, gently stopping me in my tracks. "Amaya," he whispered. A jolt of deja vu mmed into me. This, this very moment, mirrored our first encounter. I looked up, meeting his blue eyes - eyes that had always held a power over me, a power that always managed to disarm me. The intensity of his gaze was too much, and I quickly looked away. I tried to step past him again, but his hand shot out, gripping my arm lightly. "Amaya, please." Frustration bubbled up inside me, threatening to spill over. "What do you want me to say, Alex? You''re making me sound like a broken record repeating the same lines over and over. I don''t know how you think things can just magically be okay between us. Believe me, I want it to be okay. I''ve wanted it to be the moment I stepped back into your life a decision fueled by the need to stop lying to myself. But it''s not easy, Alex. Not by a 1 long shot. And right now, this.... this isn''t the time for this conversation." We stood there, locked in an unspoken battle of wills. The silence stretched for what felt like an eternity before he finally stepped back, his shoulders slumping slightly in defeat. "Once you have them," he started, "are you going to take them and leave?" The question hung in the air, heavy with unspoken emotions. It took me a moment to process his words, to truly understand what he was asking. "I don''t know," I admitted honestly, the answer a tangled mess of emotions swirling within me. "Honestly, I don''t know yet. After everything that''s happened, maybe... maybe leaving would be the best thing for all of us." His eyes shed, a flicker of raw pain briefly crossing his features before he quickly masked it with a curt nod. "If that''s what you want," he said, his voice t and emotionless, "then so be it." A surge of conflicting emotions hit me as Alex turned away. Before he could disappear down the hallway, I blurted out the question that had been gnawing at me. "Are you going to try to take them away from me?" He stopped, slowly turning back to face me. A sad smile tugged at the corner of his lips, a contrast to the turmoil in his eyes. "I''m done hurting you. All I want is for us to be okay, for things to be... normal. I want to get to know my children, but you raised them on your own, you picked up the pieces after all the mistakes I made. This is your call. You do what you think is best for them, for you." Just then, Christian''s voice cut through the tense air, his tone clipped and urgent. "The car is ready," he announced, the unspoken message clear: it was time to go. I nodded, my throat constricting with a mix of emotions. Stealing onest nce at Alex, his face etched with a mixture of sadness and determination, I followed Christian out the door. The drive to the location Ivan had sent was a blur. Every twist and turn sent my heart hammering against my ribs. Unlike the dank, ustrophobic tunnels where I''d been held captive before, this ce felt different. The air was clean, devoid of the stale, musty smell that had clung to me for days. Yet, a different kind of dread settled in my stomach - a sterile, clinical feeling that sent shivers down my spine. As I stepped into the expansive room, my breath caught in my throat. My heart went into overdrive. There, in a designated y area filled with brightly colored toys, were my children. Without a second thought, all my carefully constructed walls crumbled. A strangled cry escaped my lips as I sprinted towards them, my legs propelled by a desperate need to hold them close, to feel them safe in my arms. Reaching them, I scooped them both into a crushing hug, tears streaming down my face in a torrent of relief. "Mommy''s here," I whispered, my voice thick with emotion. "Mommy''s here, and you''re okay." Holding them tightly, I pulled back slightly, my gaze scanning their faces for any sign of harm. Little Ivy, ever the chatterbox, was already pointing at a brightly colored teddy bear. "Look, Mommy! Teddy goes roar!" she eximed, her bright eyes sparkling with innocent joy. It took a moment for my racing heart to slow down enough to register Nate''s words. "Mommy," he mumbled, his voice thick with a mix of sleepiness and relief, "I missed you." A fresh wave of tears welled up in my eyes. Relief washed over me, tinged with a deep ache of guilt for the fear and uncertainty they must have endured. "We need to get out of here," I whispered, my voice firm despite the tremor running through me. Just as I started to formte a n, a voice sliced through the air, cold and calcting. I looked up, my blood running cold. Adrian stood at the doorway, a cruel smile ying on his lips. "You didn''t think it would be that easy, did you?" he drawled, his voiceced with a sickening amusement. Instinctively, I pulled my children closer, ring daggers at him. "Where''s Ivan?" I demanded, my voice surprisingly steady despite the fear gnawing at me. "Busy dealing with more important matters," he replied nonchntly. His gaze flickered to the twins. "I have to give it to you, Amaya," he continued, his tone almost grudginglyplimentary. "You raised them well. They''ve been very well behaved. Go on then, he gestured towards the door, a mocking smile stered on his face, "take them." My mind raced, desperately searching for a way out. They wouldn''t let me leave that easily. "What kind of game are you ying?" I spat, my voice tight with suspicion. "Why isn''t Ivan here?" Adrian scoffed, his irritation evident in the roll of his eyes and the sneer that twisted his lips."You know everything doesn''t always have to be unnecessarily difficult. Ivan got what he wanted. One Thorne is gone, Damon is next and Ivan''s not a monster. He wouldn''t hurt children. So, be on your way." There was no point waiting to find out if he was lying or not. With a burst of adrenaline, I grabbed both their wrists, "Let''s go!" I yelled, pulling them towards the exit. But just as I envisioned a narrow window of escape opening before me, Adrian''s voice cut through the air, sharp and chilling. "Oh, I almost forgot," he drawled, "Ivan left a little parting gift for you." He gestured towards a wooden box sitting by the door that I hadn''t noticed. My blood ran cold. My gaze darted towards the box, then back to Adrian''s smug face. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small note, his fingers toying with it for a moment before tossing it towards me. My hands were shaking as I caught the note, my eyes scanning the words scrawled across the paper. "I know he''s alive," it read, the letters uneven and menacing. "Don''t worry, he''ll follow right after you three."" A cold dread settled over me. The note slipped from my grasp, fluttering to the floor like a dying bird. Then I heard it growing louder with each passing second. My eyes widened in horror as realization dawned.C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org. 1 a faint ticking sound, A bomb. Adrian mmed the door shut behind him, a cruelugh echoing in the room. The ticking became a deafening roar in my ears. Panic threatened to consume me, but my wolf took control immediately, lunging to the surface. Every fiber of my being screamed at me to run, but escape was no longer an option. All I could do was hope that my wolf was fast enough. Fast enough to save us from the fiery inferno about to engulf the room. In a blur of motion, I wrapped myself around the twins, creating a living shield. Then, the world exploded in a blinding sh of light as the bomb went off. Chapter 139 -Alex''s POV- A knot of dread twisted in my gut the moment we pulled up to the location. Even from a distance, something felt off, a wrongness that sent something I didn''t like crawling down my spine. I knew the entire situation was a gamble, a dance with the devil, but this... this felt different. My wolves were already ready, waiting outside for my order. The n was simple - Amaya would enter first, confirm the twins'' safety, and then I would follow, providing unseen backup. But the moment she disappeared through the doorway, a sickening premonition washed over me. I lingered in the shadows, my senses on high alert. Silence stretched, thick and heavy, broken only by the pounding of my own heart. Just as I was about to move, a sound sliced through the air - the unmistakable click of a gun being cocked. My blood ran cold. Every muscle in my body tensed, ready to spring into action. Slowly, cautiously, I turned, my gazending on the figure standing behind me. Miranda. A bitterugh escaped her lips as she met my eyes. "Well, well, well," she drawled, her voice dripping with venomous sarcasm, "if it isn''t my oh-so- alive fianc¨¦. Thought you were a goner." * 2 43 2 60 is I let out a frustrated groan, the sound rumbling deep in my chest. Thest thing I needed right now was a confrontation with Miranda. "Miranda," I gritted my teeth, "put the gun down. This isn''t the time." She threw her head back and bellowed withughter, a chilling sound that echoed in the empty space. "The nerve," she spat, her voiceced with a dangerous edge. "Making demands when you''re the one cornered like a rat. Pathetic." I took a tentative step towards her, but she instantly reacted, her finger tightening on the trigger. "Don''t even think about it, Alex," she warned, her voice low and menacing. "I don''t know how you cheated death this time, but trust me, I won''t miss my second shot." "Miranda," I growled, my voice a low rumble. Trying to reason with her felt pointless, but I had no choice. A cruel smile twisted her lips. "What is it, Alex? Scared? You always act so tough, so powerful. But I see right through you, you know. Nothing but a scared little boy hiding behind a mask." Her words stung, but I refused to give her the satisfaction of a reaction. I had to get to Amaya, to the twins. Every passing second felt like an eternity, the silence broken only by the ragged rhythm of my breath and the incessant pounding of my heart. "You know," She continued, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper, "I used to be envious of her. Amaya. It felt like you only ever had eyes for her, that no matter what, the two of you were destined to be together. I always wanted what she had. But you know why I couldn''t have it, Alex? Huh? Tell me!" I stared at her, my expression nk. Frankly, I didn''t care about her childhood sob story. From the look in her eyes, it was clear she was on the verge of a breakdown, and thest thing I needed right now was an emotional outburst. But as if sensing my disinterest, she continued, her voice thick with barely contained rage. "Because your monster of a father stole my childhood! Tore my family apart right in front of my eyes! You know what that does to a person, Alex? It fucks you up real good. I tried to get help, but the damage was already done." 12 She took a shaky breath, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "And then, when Ivan started this vendetta... it felt right. The thought of seeing you all suffer, of getting some kind of twisted revenge. Maybe things wouldn''t be so bad if you hadn''t always been such an arrogant jerk to me." A bored sigh escaped my lips. "Are you done with your little pity party, Miranda?" I snapped, my voiceced with frustration. "I didn''t ask for a history lesson about your dysfunctional childhood. I was a child myself back then. I had no control over what my father did. Bringing Amaya, the children, and me into this... it''s pointless. My father''s dying, Miranda. He''s a shell of his former self. He wouldn''tst a minute in a fight. Why aren''t you going after him? He''s the one who destroyed your life. Not me. Not Amaya. Not the kids." A flicker of something akin to pain crossed her features, a fleeting glimpse of the vulnerable girl she once might have been. But it was quickly reced by a hardened mask of anger. "Shut up!" she screamed, the gun trembling slightly in her hand. "One more word and I swear..." Her voice trailed off, but the threat hung heavy in the air. My frustration simmered, but I forced myself to remain calm. I knew escting the situation wouldn''t help anyone. I needed to find a way to disarm her, both literally and figuratively. But how? My gaze darted around the room, searching for anything that could give me an advantage. There was nothing. Just us, and the weight of a very vtile situation. "Miranda," I started again, my voice softer this time, "we both know this isn''t the answer. You won''t find peace by hurting me, or Amaya, or the children. Let go of the hate, Miranda. It''s eating you alive." *Easy for you to say," she scoffed, her voiceced with bitterness. "You have everything. A family, a future. What do I have?" Her words struck a chord within me. Despite everything she''d done, there was a hint of sadness in her eyes, a flicker of despair that resonated with a part of me. "You have a chance to start over, Miranda," I said gently. "Let the gun go. Walk away from all of this. There''s still time for you to build a life for yourself, a life that doesn''t revolve around revenge." Silence hung heavy in the air, broken only by the ragged rhythm of our breaths. Miranda stared at me, her face a mask of conflicting emotions. Was she considering my words? Hope flickered within me, a fragile me that could easily be extinguished. But then, the sound of herughter shattered the fragile silence. It wasn''t a light chuckle, not a friendly giggle. It was a harsh, maniacal sound that sent shivers down my spine. "I told Ivan that I''d be a fantastic actress! Look at your face,pletely fooled! You actually thought for a second I was having doubts." That was it. The game was over. I wouldn''t waste another breath trying to reason with her. My muscles tensed, preparing to turn and walk away, to put as much distance between us as possible. But before I could take a single step, her voice cut through the air, sharp as a whip. "Don''t even think about it!" she snarled, "I swear, I''ll shoot you right here, right now. And you know I''m not bluffing." I forced my gaze to meet hers, schooling my features into a mask of boredom. It was a desperate attempt to regain control of the situation, to project an air of indifference I didn''t quite feel. "You shot Amaya, not me. If you were going to take a shot at me, you''d have done it already. Now, like I said before, I really don''t have time for this drama." My words hung heavy in the air, a challengeced with a bravado I hoped she wouldn''t see through. But a slow, chilling smile spread across her face, a predator savoring its prey. "Ivan has a message for you," she purred, her voice dripping with malice. "I hope you got to say your goodbyes, because this is the end of your story." And then, the world erupted in a deafening roar. The gun in her hand spat fire, the bullet screaming through the air in a blur of violence. But her aim wasn''t true. It wasn''t me she was targeting. The bullet mmed into the wall behind me, showering me with dust and debris. For a split second, I was frozen in shock. Her sudden attack had taken mepletely off guard. But then, a horrifying realization dawned on me. This wasn''t about killing me. It was a diversion. He knew I was alive. He knew I woulde with her. Reacting instinctively, I channeled every ounce of energy to shift. My body tensed, ready for the familiar transformation. But nothing happened. I tried again, the desperation wing at my throat. "Come on," I growled internally, willing my wolf to appear. But silence. There was no answer, no surge of power, noforting presence of my wolf at my side. For a horrifying moment, a sickening realization dawned on me. Ever since that strange light had brought me back from the dead, I hadn''t felt my wolf''s presence within me. It had been there, a constantpanion for as long as I could remember, a source of strength and power. But in the chaos of everything that had happened, fighting for my life, racing to get the twins, I hadn''t noticed his absence. Now, faced with this immediate threat, the truth hit me like a physical blow. My wolf, the very essence of who I was... gone. The shock of this discovery threatened to overwhelm me when the st hit, a blinding white light engulfing my vision. The force of the explosion sent me flying.Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g 6 I mmed against the rough stone wall, the impact stealing the breath from my lungs just as my world faded to ck. 0 Chapter 140 -Maya''s POV- A searing pain ripped through me, a jolt of white-hot agony that stole the breath from my lungs. The world spun wildly, smoke and fire blurring my vision. My ears were filled with a deafening ringing that drowned out all other sounds. Through the haze of pain, a primal fear gnawed at the edges of my consciousness. My children. Where were they? Astrangled cry escaped my lips as I tried to move, to reach out and find them but my body refused to obey. Every muscle screamed in protest, each movement a monumental effort. I was trapped, a prisoner in a cage of my own flesh and bone. A choked sob escaped my lips, a raw sound of despair that echoed in the echoing silence. Had I failed? Had I not been fast enough? Just as despair threatened to consume me, a sliver of movement caught my eye. A figure emerged from the smoke-filled haze. I let out a humorlessugh in my head. Ivan hade to finish it once and for all but then strong arms scooped me up, a gentle yet firm hold that cradled me against a solid chest. Through the haze of pain and confusion, a familiar scent registered in my brain, grounding me momentarily. Recognition bloomed - Alex. Relief washed over me, a weak and tepid wave, but relief nheless. But the relief was short-lived, overshadowed by a more pressing concern. "The twins..." I rasped, the words scraping like sandpaper against my raw throat. "Where are they?" His face, illuminated by the flickering mes, contorted in a mixture of relief and pain. But his voice held a sliver of hope. "They''re alright, Amaya. Chistian got them out." Those words were a balm to my soul, a flicker of light in the encroaching darkness. They were safe. That was all that mattered. But even as the relief washed over me, a new wave of panic surged through me. My body felt heavy, impossibly heavy, and a searing pain radiated from every limb. I tried to move, to turn and see for myself, but my muscles wouldn''t cooperate. I suddenly couldn''t feel anything yet I could feel the intense pain at thesame time. I really don''t know how it made sense but it did. "Amaya?" Alex''s voice sounded strained,ced with a growing sense of urgency. "Can you hear me?" I tried to nod, to offer some form of reassurance, but even that simple movement proved to be too much. A wave of dizziness washed over me, the edges of my vision blurring. "Don''t worry," He murmured even though I hardly heards him above the crackling mes. "We''ll get you out of here. Just hold on." His words were a lifeline, a fragile thread of hope that kept me tethered to consciousness. But the darkness was closing in, the edges of the world fading into an inky oblivion. Thest thing I registered before sumbing to the darkness was Alex''s face hovering above mine, his eyes filled with something I had never seen before- fear. And then, oblivion. A gasp tore from my throat, the sound raw and ragged. My body lurched upwards, propelled by a primal urge to escape, to find them. But the movement sent a jolt of searing painncing through every limb, mming me back down onto the bed with a strangled cry. Disoriented and weak, I blinked rapidly, trying to clear the cobwebs clouding my mind. The walls of the room swam into focus, the harsh fluorescent lights adding to the pulsing ache in my head. Slowly, the horrifying events of the warehouse came rushing back-the explosion, the blinding sh of light, the searing heat, and most importantly, the twins. "Easy there," a soothing voice cut through the rising tide of panic "They are fine. The twins are fine." My head snapped towards the source of the voice, my gazending on Natalia, who sat beside the bed, her face etched with concern. "Ivy and Nate..." I rasped, "Where are they?" She reached out, gently squeezing my hand. "They''re safe, Amaya. They''re being checked over by the doctors, but they didn''t sustain any serious injuries. You protected them." Her words were a balm to my soul, easing the crushing weight of fear that had been constricting my chest. A weak smile tugged at the corners of my lips, the first flicker of genuine emotion I had felt since the explosion. "How long have I been out?" I croaked. "Two days," She replied, her voice soft. "You took quite a beating from the st. The doctors said you''re lucky to be alive." Two days. It felt like an eternity. So much had happened, yet everything felt like a blur. Images flickered in and out of focus - Alex face hovering above me, the searing pain, the suffocating darkness. "What about Alex?" I managed to ask, a new wave of worry washing over me. "Did he get hurt?" Her brow furrowed slightly, a flicker of something akin to sadness crossing her features for a brief moment before she quickly masked it with a reassuring smile. "He''s a little banged up, but nothing major. He''s been here, by your side, ever since you were brought in." Awave of gratitude washed over me. Even amidst the chaos and fear, Alex had been there. He had kept his promise, kept me safe. Ivan might still be out there nning whatever the moon goddess knows but it didn''t matter right now because everything was fine but just as I was about to drift back to sleep, a flicker of apprehension in Natalia''s eyes snagged my attention. Everything wasn''t alright. A jolt of unease shot through me, dispelling the remnants of drowsiness. I struggled to sit up straighter, my voice hoarse as I rasped, "Natalia, what''s wrong?" Her answer was immediate, yet evasive. "It''s nothing. Go back to sleep, you need more rest to recover." But I knew her too well. Natalia had a tell - a rapid blinking that betrayed her attempts to conceal the truth. "You''re lying," I pressed, my voice stronger now. "Tell me what''s going on." She sighed, the sound heavy with unspoken worry. "It''s Alex." My wolf instantly perked up, ears pricked and ready for action. "You said he was fine," I reminded her, a sliver of fear creeping into my voice. "He is," She confirmed, her gaze darting nervously between the door and me. "But it seems when that bullet hit him while he was in his wolf form... well, when he died, by whatever miracle he was brought back, his wolf didn''te back with him." My mind struggled to process her words. "What?" I blinked, confusion clouding my thoughts. She nodded grimly. "I overheard him tell Christian that he can''t shift." "But I wasn''t able to shift for four years," I countered, a flicker of hope sparking within me. "I''m sure he''ll..." She cut me off, her voiceced with urgency. "It''s not the same, Amaya. You could still feel your wolf, she was trapped inside you. You just becametent. Alex''s wolf is gone. Vanished, like it never even existed." Her words mmed into me with the force of a tidal wave. His wolf couldn''t just be gone. He was an alpha, his wolf an integral part of who he was. Before I could even process the gravity of the situation, I found myself propelled by an irresistible urge, struggling to get onto my feet. "Amaya!" Natalia''s voice held a mixture of concern and exasperation. "I just need to see him. He took that bullet for me, Natalia. This one, just like all the others, is on me." She exhaled a defeated breath before stepping forward to support me. Helping me out of bed, she guided me first towards the room where Ivy and Nate were nestled together, fast asleep. A wave of relief washed over me as I saw them safe and sound. From there, she led me to arge sitting room where Riley, Christian, and Alex were gathered. Riley and Christian were deep in conversation, while Alex sat alone with a ss in his hand, staring nkly into space. Instinct propelled me towards him, but before I could take another step, the door burst open with a loud bang. Sarah rushed in, her face flushed and her eyes wild. "Turn on the TV, right now!" she eximed, her voiceced with urgency. Natalia, startled by the sudden interruption, frowned. "Why? And where are youing from looking so disheveled?" "Just turn it on!" Sarah snapped, her anger barely contained. But it was clear that it wasn''t directed at Natalia or anyone in the room. It was directed at the TV, or whoever was about to appear on it. As Natalja switched on the television, an image materialized on the screen Adrian.C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org. He was sitting in a brightly lit studio, a manic glint in his eyes. "You''re saying you have a lot of news that, if made public knowledge, would be quite... explosive?" the interviewer inquired, his voiceced with curiosity. Adrian''s smile widened, sending shivers down my spine. "Yes, I do," he purred, his gaze fixed intently on the camera. "I have a lot to say about a certain billionaire, or should I say, billionaire alpha." He leaned forward, his voice dropping to a low snarl. "Starting with the fact that Alex Thorne is alive." 0 Chapter 141 -Alex''s POV- The first thing that registered when consciousness flickered back was Christian''s face hovering above me. My head throbbed and a relentless ringing filled my ears. But a primal urge cut through the pain - I had to get to them. Christian helped me to my feet, my movements jerky and uncoordinated. Time was a preciousmodity, there was no room for hesitation or collecting my thoughts. I stumbled towards the direction of the st, my vision blurring at the edges. Then I saw her, sprawled on the ground with two tiny bodies huddled beside her. A choked sound escaped my throat, a sound that was both relief and terror rolled into one. "Get them," I rasped, my voice hoarse and raw. "I''ll get Amaya." Without waiting for a response, I rushed towards her, scooping her fragile form into my arms. It wasn''t until we were safely out of the warehouse that the weight of reality settled upon me. These weren''t figments of my imagination, a dream conjured by exhaustion or hope. They were real. Two lives, two children, products of Amaya and me. And suddenly, I didn''t know what to feel. A maelstrom of emotions swirled within me - fear, confusion, a flicker of something akin to pride. How could I, someone raised by a monster, be a father? Not to one, but two children? The thought sent a fresh wave of nausea washing over me. The questions gnawed at me relentlessly, growing louder with each passing moment. Until we reached the safe house, Natalia and Riley rushing forward to take the children from Christian. Still, I couldn''t bring myself to draw closer. I didn''t allow myself even look at them. A primal fear, a fear I hadn''t acknowledged since my mother''s death, gripped my heart. It was a fear of failure, a terror of not being good enough, of disappointing the two innocent lives I''d helped create and it remained like that after I ced Amaya on the bed and the doctor Riley had brought assured me that she would we fine. So would they. Christian''s voice was the only thing that had broke through the fog clouding my mind when he asked what was wrong, and for the first time in my life, the carefully constructed walls I''d built crumbled. I confessed everything - the fear of failing them, the crushing vulnerability I felt that my wolf was somehow gone, the fear that I would turn out to be exactly the monster my father raised me to be and I just didn''t know what to do or how to feel. §à§ê§Ñ My mind remained nk as we all crowded around the television, Adrian''s face filling the screen. His eyes gleamed with a predatory glint, a glint that seemed to pierce through the very fabric of reality, confirming my suspicion - he knew we were watching. The only sound in the room was his voice, dripping with venomous satisfaction. "As you all know already, Alex Thorne is one of them," he dered, his wordsced with malicious pleasure. "Part of the monsters that have been guing our world, masquerading as one of us. Did anyone ever wonder why humans would suddenly turn up dead with no usible exnation?" A groan escaped Natalia''s lips. I knew what wasing next, the carefully crafted narrative designed to paint me as the ultimate viin. He would point to the recent war with Daniel, the coteral damage - humans caught in the crossfire. But he was twisting the narrative, weaving a web of lies to paint me as a bloodthirsty monster. Honestly, I was too exhausted to care. The usations washed over me like a wave, failing to stir even a flicker of emotions. "Turn it off," I mumbled suddenly. Every head in the room snapped towards me, surprise etched on their faces. "But we need to hear everything he says, Sarah protested. "We need to know how to fight back!" "There is no fight back," I countered, my voice devoid of emotion. "They''re already scared of us. I was already the enemy, and now I''m the monster responsible for killing humans. There''s noing back from this." Riley opened her mouth to argue, but Christian silenced her with a gentle shake of his head. I felt Amaya''s gaze burning into me, a silent question hanging heavy in the air. With a sigh that seemed to carry the weight of the world, I turned and walked out. My legs felt like lead weights, each step a tedious task. The throbbing in my head intensified with every beat of my heart. Everything hurt - physically, emotionally, my very soul felt bruised and battered. All my life, I''d been trained by my father to be powerful. Strength was the only currency he recognized, the onlynguage he understood. I was supposed to be the apex predator, always on top, always in control. Dealing with situations, crafting strategies,ing out on top - that''s what I did. But for the first time, I felt utterly defeated. My heavy steps led me towards the room where the twins were sleeping, the same room I''d stood outside countless times these past two days, always disappearing whenever they were awake and today, my feet faltered, drawn towards the door yet repelled by an invisible force and like I had done for the past two days, I walked away, my feet bringing me to theke. 10:44 AM I stared out at the ssy surface of theke wondering if this was it. The end of my story. Everything I''d ever known, everything I''d strived for, reduced to ashes at my feet. Had I truly lost it all? yed right into Ivan''s hands? With a sinking feeling, I realized I was ying the coward''s game. If I could just muster a sliver of fight, anything, I could find a way out of this, a way to turn things around. But everything felt so bleak. The image of my children shed before my eyes - two innocent lives I was too terrified to even approach. And then there was Amaya. As if summoned by my thoughts, I heard her voice soft and hesitant behind me, ¡°Natalia said you haven''t gone near them." It felt more like a statement than a question. The question hung heavy in the air, one I had no answer for, one I wasn''t sure she even expected an answer to. She moved closer, the space between us shrinking until we stood shoulder to shoulder. We fell silent, both of us mesmerized by the rippling reflection of the setting sun on theke''s surface. Finally, she spoke, "Thank you for keeping your promise. Thank you for saving us." Still, the words stuck in my throat, a lump forming there, refusing to be swallowed. She didn''t press for an answer, instead she sat down on the grassy bank. I looked down at her, her face was still bruised and she had injuries all over her body but she was healing. She gave me a small smile patting the space next to her. It took me a second for my body to sink to the ground then I sat beside her. "What do you think our lives would have been like if you hadn''t rejected me?" The question sliced through me but there was no anger in her voice, no usation. It wasced with a wistful longing that resonated deep withinC0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org. 1. me. "We would have been happy," I rasped, the words catching in my throat. "All four of us." A genuine smile bloomed on her face, a smile that carried the weight of a thousand unspoken what-ifs. "We would have been," she agreed, her voice thick with emotion. Then, her gaze shifted, meeting mine head-on. "For years, I hated you," she confessed, her voice trembling slightly. "Or maybe I forced myself to hate you. I couldn''t understand how you could just... throw everything away like it meant nothing." I opened my mouth to speak but she held up a hand, silencing me. "Let me finish," she pleaded, "I was so angry. The day before... the day before you threw me out, that''s when I found out. I was pregnant with not one, but two. We were going to be parents, Alex. And then, suddenly, I was left to raise them alone. It hurt, seeing Nate of you. But I had to love them, they were all I had left. Even when I married Ivan, even through all that... a part of me always knew it was you. It has he reminded me so much always been you and I am tired of holding on to this pain and anger." Tears welled up in her eyes, glistening like tiny diamonds in the fading light. Without thinking, I reached out, my fingers brushing against the cool, damp skin of her cheek, gently wiping away a tear. She didn''t flinch, didn''t pull away. Instead, her hand reached out, her fingers intertwining with mine. She closed her eyes for a moment, when she opened them again, her green eyes sparkled and she whispered, "I don''t want to fight anymore. I forgive you for everything." And before I could even process the enormity of her words, before my mind could catch up with the whirlwind of emotions swirling within me, she closed the distance between us. Her lips met mine in a kiss - brief, barely a whisper of a touch, yet it was enough. Enough to clear up the nk space in my head, to spark life back into me. No more running. As she pulled away, a flicker of steel reced the vulnerability in her eyes. "We need to make that bastard pay for everything," she dered, her voiceced with a steely resolve. "Make them all pay. It is time to fight back." 0 Chapter 142 Aler -Maya''s POV- The moment the words left Alex''s lips, a hollow ache settled deep within my gut. "There is no fight back," he said, his voice t and devoid of life. It was like watching a me flicker and die - the fire that had always burned bright in his eyes extinguished. Even with Natalia whispering exnations in my ear just moments before, the truth mmed into me with a brutal force. He was scared. Afraid to even approach them. I didn''t know the details of what transpired between him and his father. From the way things were going, I could only imagine the man was a walking nightmare, someone who''d left deep scars on Alex. He was terrified of bing the very monster his father might have been. Ignoring the chaos swirling around us, I knew I had to act so my feet led me straight to him staring at theke. His posturecked the usual confidence and it was in that moment that I knew I didn''t want to lose him. So when I said I forgave him, I meant it and when I said it was time to fight back, I meant it too but there was something even more important to do right now. Alex needed to meet his children. He hadn''t spoken a word since I''d gently insisted he couldn''t avoid them forever. Now, he paced outside the room like a caged animal, his anxiety palpable. Meanwhile, inside, I prepared the twins. It was a delicate task, exining such aplex situation to three and a half year olds. Especially Ivy. My sweet, sassy little girl. She was the one who clung most fiercely to Ivan. "Mommy, where''s Ivan?" she''d asked earlier that day, her voice thick with a confusion that tugged at my heartstrings. There was no easy answer, no simple exnation that wouldn''t send her little world spinning. Taking a deep breath, I gathered my courage. It wouldn''t be a perfect conversation, there would be bumps along the road, but it had to be done. It was time for them to meet their father. "Sweetie," I began, my voice as gentle as I could muster, "remember how we talked about families? How sometimes families are big and sometimes they''re small?" Both Nate and Ivy nodded, their bright eyes fixed on me. "Well," I continued, "today, we''re going to meet someone who is a very important part our family. Someone you haven''t met yet." "His name is Alex," I continued, my voice dropping to a soft whisper. "And he''s... well, he''s the reason you and Nate are here." of Silence descended upon the room. My words hung in the air, a foreign concept waiting to be digested. Nate tilted his head, a question forming in his big blue eyes. Ivy, however, remained blissfully oblivious. "But where''s Ivan?" she piped up, her lower lip trembling slightly. Exining was a task beyond my current vocabry, at least for their young ears. Instead, I opted for a gentle redirection. "Honey," I said, scooping her onto myp, "Ivan isn''t our family anymore. He stopped being nice to us and did some very bad things. Well, Alex is different. He''s kind and brave, and he wants to meet you and Nate very much." I put my hand forward holding my breath, "Now I''m not going to force you if you don''t want to meet this new person but if you do want to just squeeze my hand." This breath Nate stared at my hand for a moment then squeezed. Ivy looked in between the two of us then puffed out a breath before squeezing. I let out a breath of relief., Squeezing their hands back, I stood up. "Come on. Let''s go meet Alex." With a determined glint in my eyes, I opened the door, my heart pounding a frantic rhythm against my ribs. Alex stood outside, his back ramrod straight, but with a tremor that betrayed his anxiety. His gaze darted nervously between me and the doorway, a mixture of fear and longing clouding his expression. "Alex," I began, forcing out a smile, "these are Nate and Ivy. They''re finally ready to meet you." A kaleidoscope of emotions flickered across Alex''s face - fear, disbelief, then a surge of belief and relief. It was as if a dam had broken within him, releasing a torrent of conflicting feelings. Finally, a flicker of pride settled in his eyes as theynded on the two tiny figures clinging to my legs. He towered over them at six foot four, a giantpared to their miniature frames. But he seemed to understand the unspoken message in my gaze, because he crouched down awkwardly, even then remaining a good distance above them. "I''m a father," he whispered, more to himself than to us. The words hung heavy in the air, a quiet deration that resonated deep within me. 10:33 AM A pang shot through my chest. I''d done what I had to do by keeping them away from him, protecting them from the chaos that had been our lives. But in that moment, a wave of guilt washed over me. I had robbed him of these precious moments of fatherhood. He extended his hands hesitantly, palms open, as if offering a handshake or some other gesture of introduction. "Hi" Nate and Ivy, however, remained glued to my legs, peering at him with wide, curious eyes. The silence stretched, thick and heavy, and for a fleeting moment, I feared this initial meeting wouldn''t end well. Then, unexpectedly, Nate reached out. He didn''t take Alex''s hand, but instead, stretched out a tiny hand and touched his face. Alex inhaled sharply. His gaze flicked down to Nate''s hand, as if assessing this unexpected touch. Nate''s small voice broke the silence. "You stole the blue in my eyes," he dered, his tone serious. A shakyugh escaped my lips. Relief washed over me as Alex seemed to understand immediately. "I will give it back," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "I will give you everything I have." A tear escaped my eye, tracing a warm path down my cheek. Nate, always the more perceptive of the two, seemed to sense the shift in the atmosphere. He let go of Alex''s face, a small smile ying on his lips. "You promise?" Alex nodded solemnly, his own lips curving into a genuine smile for the first time. "I promise." I gently nudged Ivy, hoping to encourage her to interact with Alex. But she remained stubbornly behind my legs. Alex turned to her, his smile faltering slightly under the scrutiny of her gaze. He tried again, this time addressing her directly. "Do you want everything in the world too?" he asked, his voice softening even further. Ivy''s reply was immediate and blunt. "No, I want ice cream," she dered, her voice dripping with a level of sass that contrasted her age. Then, with a wiggle and a determined push, she propelled herself away from me and took off running down the hallway. Nate, mistaking her sudden movement for the promise of ice cream, let out a yell of delight and sprinted after her. "I want ice cream too!" he shouted, his small feet pounding against the floor. A momentter, a shrill scream, followed by a burst of giggles, echoed down the hallway. "Get off me!" Ivy shrieked, her voiceced with yful annoyance. It was clear Nate, in his usual enthusiastic way, had tackled her to the ground. I let out a sigh, shaking my head as Alex stood up to his full height. "She''lle around," I said reassuringly. "She''s a little..." I hesitated, searching for the right word. Stubborn was the first that came to mind, but it didn''t feel quite right. "Resilient?" Alex finished for me, a smile ying on his lips. We stood in an awkward silence for a moment, the only sound the distant echoes of the children''sughter. He nced down the hallway where they''d disappeared, a flicker of concern crossing his face. "Should we go get them?" he asked. as we "They''re not destructive," I replied with a tired smile. "As long hear them, they''re fine. Besides, they''ll probably end up finding Natalia. She''s their resident sugar supplier. Maybe we should go check on them, but again, I''m trying to teach them that..." I stopped mid-sentence, realizing he was smiling again.C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org. harrowed my eyes, "What is funny?" "A nervous rambling isn''t the most effective teaching method," Heughed, breaking the ice. I rolled my eyes yfully, pushing past him with a mumbled excuse. "Go check on your children, Alex. I need to use the bathroom." The truth was, I needed a moment to collect myself. I was almost at the bathroom door when I heard hi nickname from a lifetime ago. "Silver." call after me. He used the one name that always managed to disarm me, the one whispered Turning back, I met his gaze. His face held only gratitude, "Thank For everything." Taking a deep breath, I forced a small smile onto my lips before pushing open the bathroom door. Stepping inside, I locked the door behind me, the click echoing in the sudden silence. My reflection stared back at me a woman on the verge of something new. My eyes sparkled, a hint of a forgotten joy flickering within them. My cheeks burned with a flush that wasn''t entirely due to the warm water I''d sshed on my face. They were right - the bob haircut suited me. It framed my face in a way that felt both familiar and refreshingly different. Looking at myself, I couldn''t help but feel a surge of... "Happy," my wolfpleted the thought in my head, her voice a soft echo in the quiet space. I sent a yful jab in her direction, a mental nudge that would have elicited a yful growl in the past. "You''ve been awfully quiettely," I teased, but the yful banter died in my throat when she didn''t respond. A sigh escaped my lips, a heavy weight settling on my chest. "I''m sorry," I whispered, the words thick with regret. "I''m sorry I let myself fall for Ivan. I''m sorry I let him get close to you, that I let him mark me." This time, she responded, her voice aforting rumble within my mind. "You didn''t know," she exined, her words filled with a quiet understanding. "And I felt it, he felt wrong. That''s why I cleared off the mark." I couldn''t help but grin at her candor. "So it wasn''t just because you were being possessive about Alex?" I teased, feeling a spark of her usual yful humor flicker within our connection. "That too," she admitted with a hint of amusement. Then, her voice grew serious. "I can''t feel his wolf anymore. He''s gone." A wave of dread washed over me. "We''ll find a way to get him back. No matter what." Then, a flicker of guilt crossed my mind. "I should have told you the moment you returned," I confessed. "I really missed you." There was a moment of silence, a beat of absence that stretched for what felt like an eternity. Then, her voice filled my mind once more, aforting murmurced with a hint of hidden worry. "I missed you too, Amaya," she said softly. "And I''ve always been here, even when you couldn''t feel me. I''ll be here with you, right by your side, for whatever ising." Her words trailed off, themunication link snapping shut abruptly. The sudden silence after her reassuring presence sent a shiver down my spine. The dread that had been momentarily quelled by my reunion with Alex surged back with a vengeance. Just then, my phone buzzed on the counter. Bracing myself, I reached for it, half expecting another taunting message from Ivan. But the message wasn''t from him. It was from my mother, and the words that scrolled across the screen did little to alleviate the dread gnawing at me: "Something terrible has happened. Amaya, please. Your father needs your help." Chapter 143 -Maya''s POV- This was one of those moments where you knowughter ispletely inappropriate. A tiny giggle would be the worst thing you could do, but I was fighting a losing battle against theughter bubbling up inside me. Natalia seemed to have lost the fight entirely, already doubled over in full-blownughter. My father, who had been staring intently out the window, finally ripped his gaze away and red at her. That was all it took. My ownughter erupted, a loud burst that had me clutching my stomach. It onlysted a second before my mother''s voice cut through the merriment,ced with heavy disapproval. "The two of you, stop it!" she scolded. But Natalia and I were lost causes. We locked eyes, and theughter surged back even stronger. There must''ve been a lot of confusion on your end, so let me rewind to the beginning. When the text from my first popped up on my screen, I knew I should just ignore it. Daniel Stone could go straight to hell for all I cared. Answering the call felt like a terrible idea, but then one call turned into five, and the guilt of ignoring my mother gnawed at me. I just couldn''t bring myself to pick up. Then Riley asked why my phone kept blowing up. So I told her my mom was freaking out, insisting Ie help my dad. She listened quietly, then hit me with a truth bomb that left me speechless. Her own mother died giving birth to her, and Riley would give anything to take just one phone call from her. Guilt. Pure, unadulterated guilt that was what I felt afterwards and so I answered then called Natalia, exined the situation, and here we were. This was definitely not what I''d expected. My father had been attacked. Beaten to a bloody pulp, ording to my mother, all on Ivan''s orders. Not only that, but Ivan had somehow managed to poach most of our pack members, basically dering himself alpha of both our packs. It was a disaster. A full-blown catastrophe. I knew it. Whatever twisted n Ivan was cooking up just got a whole lot more dangerous with thebined forces of two packs at his disposal. But there we were, doubled over withughter, because my father, the usually intimidating figure, looked like a cartoon character. His face was swollen to the size of a basketball, his features distorted and bruised. The re he was trying to shoot us was moreical than anything, like a grumpy toddler refusing his nap. Looking back, I know we were acting childish. There was so much at stake, a war brewing on the horizon, and here we were, reduced to giggles by my father''s unfortunate appearance. But you have to understand, this man... well, let''s just say I''d endured a lot under his roof. This moment of amusement, this unexpected release, I was going to savor it. "Amaya!" My mother''s voice cracked with exasperation this time. "There is no time for jokes!" My father mumbled something under his breath, his voice muffled by the swelling. "I told you," he grumbled, "you shouldn''t have called her." Even that, his slurred speech, sent another wave ofughter threatening to erupt. I managed to force it down, turning to Natalia whoseughter had subsided into a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Alright," I conceded, wiping a tear from my eye, "we''ve had our fun. Let''s go. He clearly doesn''t want me here." "Amaya, wait!" My mother pleaded, then whipped around to re at my father. "Apologize to her right now!" Daniel mumbled something into his beard, his words slurred and thick with swelling. It sounded vaguely like an apology, but it was hard to tell. "What did you say?" I pressed, narrowing my eyes at him. He red back, his usual scowl distorted by the puffiness around his eyes. "I said I was sorry for being...," he grumbled. "An asshole, Natalia finished with a re, and sure enough, my father turned his full re on her. There really was a lot of ring going on in this room. Taking a deep breath, I turned my attention to my mother. "Alright, so how can I help exactly? Because if your n involves begging Ivan for his wolves back, let''s just say it''s a non-starter. One, he nearly killed me, twice. And two, those wolves chose to follow him. They pledged their loyalty to him, not to us. So, what exactly did you have in mind?" My mother''s gaze flicked nervously to my father, a silent exchange passing between them then he mumbled, "I need Thorne''s help, not yours." I blinked, momentarily stunned. "What did you just say?" Daniel scowled even deeper. "I said I need Thorne''s help. So tell him whatever n he''s cooking up against Ivan, I want in. And I want that bastard dead" No matter the situation, no matter the fire raging around him, Daniel Stone always managed to sound like an entitled asshole. "So let me get this straight, Natalia said, her voiceced with disbelief. "You hate the guy, you two went to war with each other, a war that spilled over into human territory and is causing Alex all sorts of problems right now, and on top of that, now you want his help? And not even with a please or a thank you?" "And I''m supposed to be the messenger?" I added. My mother sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Daniel," she snarled through gritted teeth, "I told you to be nice about it." Then, turning back to me, she pleaded, "Honey, please. This pack has been in your father''s family for generations. He can''t lose it to Ivan. Alex has the most influence, the most power to go up against him. Let your father help with whatever crazy n he''s got going on against Ivan so we can end this madness once and for all. Please." I let out a long, slow sigh. "The whole world seems to be against Alex right now," I muttered. "What makes you think he''s not already fighting tooth and nail to survive this war that Ivan started, just like the rest of us?" My mother met my gaze, her eyes filled with a desperate hope. "Because you gave him something more to fight for," she whispered softly. "And as long as Ivan is a threat, he won''t stop fighting for them." She was talking about the twins, of course. Another sigh escaped my lips. "Fine," I conceded. "I''ll talk to him. For your sake, Mom." My father just rolled his eyes and turned back to stare out the window. For a fleeting moment, a strange thought flickered across my mind. I wondered what it would have been like if Jeremiah had survived. Maybe then I would have known what it was like to have a father, not just an alpha. But wishes were just that, wishes. I pushed the thought away before it could fully form. Suddenly, my phone buzzed in my hand. ncing down at the screen, I saw Alex''s name light up the disy. A smile instantly bloomed across my face as I read the message. Looking up, I gave my mother a reassuring smile. "I''m not promising anything but I''ll let you know how it goes." With that, I wrapped my arm around Natalia and practically dragged her out of the house. We were barely outside when she stopped and turned to me. "I''ll go check on the twins and make sure they''re settled in for the night before I head home. Go on." "I didn''t say I had somewhere to go." Natalia just rolled her eyes."I saw the way you smiled, Amaya. There''s only one person who makes you smile like that, and honey, I''ll forever be sorry for what I said to you and faulting you because were destined to love him, and him you. So go, shoo! Go meet him wherever that text said toN?velDrama.Org owns ? this. ** 20 * 29 * 32 32 288 2 2 63 3 268 *** I stared at her for a moment, a warmth spreading through my chest. The only words I could manage were, "I really love you, Natalia.¡± "I know," she replied, squeezing my arm briefly. "Now go." She didn''t need to tell me twice. I gged down a cab, the weight of the situation momentarily forgotten. The war was still simmering in the background, the animosity between the sides a constant presence. But none of that mattered right now. All that mattered was that little text: "Our ce." A smile tugged at the corners of my lips again. I knew exactly where he wanted me to meet him, a secret haven tucked away in the far corner of the garden, a ce that had always been just for the two of us. As I stepped out of the cab and followed the hidden path that led me there, a gasp escaped my lips. The hidden path through the garden opened up into a small clearing. It wasn''t big, but it felt magical. Fairy lights twinkled overhead, strung between the branches of the trees like a starry sky. Flowers, all different colors, were nted in a neat row leading right up to the center of the space. There, in the very middle, a sign sat propped up on the ground. The words painted on it were clear and simple, yet they sent a jolt straight through my heart: "Marry me again, Silver." 0 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 ying 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 voiceced 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 herUpstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g "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." She yfully rolled her eyes. "There''s no option to say no because there''s no question asked, Alex." I let out a sigh, a mixture of relief and frustration. She stepped back from me then, a 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 allws, even though I''m trying to get out of it, I''m still married to Ivan." Irritation red in my 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 war is still going on, and Ivan is still out there. There are just so many things, Alex, that make this feel..." I didn''t let 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 sorry, Amaya, but I want to make things right because I love you. I didn''t know I could ever know what it felt like but you changed that so please let me." An airne roared overhead, momentarily breaking the spell. We both looked up at the contrail streaking across the night sky before her gaze dropped back down. Her eyes 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 eyesnded on the sign again, a soft smile gracing her lips. "You still didn''t ask the question, Alex," she pointed out. I couldn''t help but grin. Then, with a deep 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 down her cheek. "Amaya," I began, my voice thick with emotion, "I am so sorry for everything I did. I am sorry for not trusting you, for pushing you away. If you will just..." I didn''t get to finish the sentence. In a sh of movement, she was on me, tackling me to the ground with a joyfulugh. She buried her head in my chest, her body trembling slightly. "Yes!" she cried out, her voice muffled against my shirt. A wave of relief washed over me. Iughed, the sound echoing through the clearing. Everything in my life suddenly felt right, like all the pieces had finally fallen into ce. "I still didn''t ask," I teased, pulling her closer. "I know," she whispered, a contented sigh escaping her lips. We stayed there for a moment, a cocoon of happiness woven fromughter, tears, and unspoken promises. She finally lifted her head, her glistening with a mixture of joy and lingering worry. Without another word, she leaned in and crashed her lips against mine. eyes The kiss was electric, a surge of emotions that chased away any lingering doubts. My hands instinctively wrapped around her waist, pulling her impossibly closer. I deepened the kiss as her hands drifted down, finding my belt before hesitating. Just like that, the moment was shattered. My phone, which I had 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 for reassurance. I picked up the call, seeing Christian''s name sh on the screen. "We have a problem," his voice cut straight to the point. Another groan rumbled out of me. "What is it now?" I asked, already feeling the weight of responsibility settle back on my shoulders. "Even with everything that''s happened, yourpanies have mostly taken a physical hit," Christian exined quickly. "But I just got a call. The situation just got a whole lot moreplicated, more indepth and apparently, Adrian is the name behind it. I was going to- "Don''t worry about it," I interrupted, my voice hardening. "I''ll handle this one. Thanks for the heads-up, Christian." Ending the call, I took a deep breath and stood up, offering Amaya my hand. She took it immediately, her brow furrowed with concern. "Is something wrong?" I forced a small smile onto my face. "Nothing I can''t handle," I reassured her, even though a part of me wished I could just whisk her away from all the chaos and hide her in this perfect little clearing forever. "Let''s go." She studied me for a moment, a flicker of doubt dancing in her eyes. It was clear she wasn''t entirely convinced, but she didn''t argue. Following me out of the clearing, the fairy lights cast long shadows as we walked back towards my car. The romantic interlude felt like a distant memory now, reced by the harsh reality of the situation. As we walked, I couldn''t help but steal nces at her. Her face was a mask of worry, and a pang of guilt stabbed at my heart. I had just proposed, dered my love and desire to spend the rest of my life with her, and now I was dragging her back into the mess. "Amaya," I began, hating the seriousness that crept into my voice. "Listen, I-" "Alex," she interrupted me gently, squeezing my hand. "Whatever it is, we''ll face it together. Just promise me one thing." I stopped walking, turning to face herpletely. The moonlight illuminated her face, highlighting the worry etched into her features "Anything," I replied, my voice thick with emotion. "Don''t shut me out again," she pleaded, "No matter what happens, no matter how bad things get, promise me you''ll talk to me, trust me." I reached out and cupped her face in my hands, my thumb brushing away a stray tear that traced a path down her cheek. "I promise. No more secrets, no more lies. Just us, facing whateveres our way, together." A flicker of hope sparked in her eyes, and she leaned into my touch. In that moment, under the watchful gaze of the moon, everything else seemed to fade away. The war, the threats, the uncertainty - none of it mattered as long as I had her. "One more thing, Silver," She murmured, a shy blush creeping up her cheeks, "I like it when you call me Silver." My heart skipped a beat. Pulling her even closer, I closed the distance between our lips. This time, the kiss was different. It was a slow, lingering exploration, filled with unspoken promises and a lifetime of love waiting to be unraveled. As I finally pulled away, my voice dropped to a husky whisper, "You are my only Silver." The endearment hung in the air, a silent vow between us. Taking her hand in mine, I continued walking. Never again did I want to imagine life without her by my side. Yet, even as I held her close, a dark thought flickered through my mind - Adrian. I''d had enough. While guilt still gnawed at me for past mistakes, I knew I could never forgive myself for what i did. I didn''t expect him to either but his recent actions crossed a line. It was time to end this, once and for all. 0 Chapter 145 -Maya''s POV- Alex had dropped me back at the safe house after his mysterious phone call. I kneew we still had a lot to talk about and there was still the matter of my father''s situation, something I had to passively mention to Alex for my mother''s sake. But I knew deep down he wouldn''t be interested in helping, not after everything that had happened. The girls and Christian were constantlying and going and when I entered, the girls were all in the living room Riley, Natalia, and Sarah. Christian was nowhere to be seen, probably busy helping Alex with whatever crisis had unfolded and since I couldn'' heat the twins, I knew they were asleep. Sarah spotted the ring the moment I walked in. "Well, well, well," she drawled, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Someone''s been busy. Nice rock." Herment instantly grabbed Natalia and Riley''s attention. I groaned, shooting Sarah a yful re. Natalia grabbed me immediately and nted me firmly on a chair. "I leave you for a minute and youe back with a ring. Start talking." "Hold on," Riley added, already on her way to the kitchen. "Bottles and sses first." I gave her a look, but she just rolled her eyes. "Look, I''m a mafia princess who ran away from an arranged marriage to be a bartender, and I still have baggage with my father even though we''ve put that aside for now. We''re drinking." "Hear, hear!" Sarah chimed in, raising an invisible ss. Natalia''sughter echoed through the room. It took only a moment for Riley to return, a trayden with sses and three different bottles. Looking ahead, I knew it was going to be a long night. But as I settled into the chair with their expectant faces staring at me, a sense of belonging washed over me. These were my people, the ones who understood, the ones who had my back. "Alright," Natalia prompted, "we''re getting old, and those bundles of chaos can wake up any minute." I chuckled. "Okay, so... Alex proposed again, and I said yes again. Yes, I know I''m technically still married to Ivan," saying his name sent a shiver down my spine, "and yes, I know Alex has made a lot of mistakes. But even after everything..." I trailed off, my voice catching slightly. "Even after everything, I still want him. So yeah, I said yes." Natalia smiled at me, "I am really happy for you, Amaya, we all are." The other hummed in agreement and then she raised her ss. "To the crazy chaotic love!" she dered. "To fucked-up love," Riley added with a sly grin.N?velDrama.Org ? content. We all clinked sses, then everyone turned their attention back to Riley. She shot us all a questioning look. "Why are you all staring at me like that?" "Well," Natalia began, "with all the chaos around, we only really know the surface of what happened with you running away and... well, dating Christian." Riley sighed, pouring herself another drink. "Yeah, that''s going to need a whole lot more than this." She sighed again, swirling the amber liquid in her ss before taking a long sip. "In the world I grew up in arranged marriages were asmon as the blood spilled on the streets. I didn''t like it, but there wasn''t anything I could do about it. I knew it would be my fate someday, a fate both me and my sister dreaded. We used to count down the days until adulthood, each one a tick closer to a future we didn''t want." A pained expression flickered across her face, a momentary glimpse into the life she''d left behind. Natalia reached out, squeezing Riley''s hand in a silent gesture of understanding. Riley offered a grateful smile before continuing. "Then it finally happened. Dad announced he''d arranged my marriage, and even though I knew it wasing, it still hit me like a ton of bricks when he told me who he''d picked, I felt like the world had stopped spinning." She paused, taking another drink, her eyes distant. Sarah leaned forward, her earlier teasing reced by a concerned frown. "If the devil walked this earth, he''d be the closest thing to it," Riley continued, her voice dropping to a barely audible whisper. "There was no way I could marry that monster." A tense silence filled the room, broken only by the clinking of ice against ss. Even the ever-bubbly Sarah seemed subdued by the raw emotion emanating from Riley. "A month before the wedding," Riley continued, a hint of defiance creeping back into her voice, "I met Christian. One thing led to another, and... well, let''s just say it was exhrating. We only saw each other for two weeks, but he felt like everything my body had ever craved." She looked around the room, her gaze meeting each of ours in turn. "Time was running out," she exined. "I knew I had to run. There was another thing, too. The monster I was supposed to marry only wanted someone untouched. If he ever found out..." She trailed off, the unspoken threat hanging heavy in the air. "So I disappeared." she finished a touch of prid lips pursed in a contemtive line. "I started a new life here," Riley said, gesturing around the room. "Got a job, kept my head down. Never looked back. Her gaze met mine, a flicker of warmth recing the earlier darkness. "Then I met you, Amaya. And discovered there was a whole world out there, werewolves and all. Scared the crap out of me, to be honest, but I''m really d you walked into that bar." A genuine smile broke across her face, a stark contrast to the turmoil she''d just described. She raised her ss in a toast. "Here''s to new beginnings and finding your people." We clinked sses, the sound echoing in thefortable silence. "So, how did you end up back with Christian?" I asked, the question hanging in the air. A wishful smile touched her lips. "He gave me this phone when we first met, said his life wasn''t always sque clean, that sometimes he got tangled up with dangerous people. It was not new to me, it kind of added to the thrill. The phone was untraceable, a way for us to have a secret connection. It was the only reminder I had of him when I left so I kept. Every text, all the things he promised to do to me just before we saw each other again were there, I didn''t want to let it go and once every week, I would turn it on and there was always a text. He was trying to find me but I never texted back. Then, one night, I was feeling high, feeling lost. Needed some kind of closure, I guess. So I sent a text. Needed to move on, you know? Then fate happened two monthster. I was walking home from work one day and a car sshed dirty water all over me then didn''t stop to apologize. I hailed a cab, furious, and followed the car, ready to give the jerk a piece of my mind. Imagine my shock when Christian stepped out." She blushed a deep crimson, a stark contrast to her usually pale skin. "Well, the rest is history. Except... There''s still a lot to deal with. I might have stood up to my father and made him help but I know there''ll be hell to pay when this all blows over." Her eyes hardened, a steely glint recing the vulnerability from moments before. "But nothing will ever make me leave Christian." A heavy silence descended upon the room, thick with the weight of Riley''s story. Sarah reached for another ss, her earlier teasing demeanor reced with a quiet contemtion. "What about your sister?" I finally asked, voicing the question that hung heavy in the air. Riley''s gaze flickered away, a flicker of guilt clouding her eyes. "My father''s making her take my ce," she whispered, "He''s locked her down, made sure she can''t escape. I sealed her fate, and I''m not sure I can ever forgive myself for that." The weight of her words settled heavily on us all. The carefree atmosphere of the evening had vanished, reced by a somber understanding of the burdens Riley carried. I scooted closer to her, my heart aching for her. Without a word, I reached out and wrapped my hands around hers, offering a silentfort. Sarah and Natalia, sensing the shift in the atmosphere, followed suit. The four of us sat there, a huddle of women, seeking strength in each other''s presence. ..We didn''t need words. The unspoken understanding, the shared determination to face whatever came next, hung heavy in the air. This quiet moment of solidarity was a brief respite before the storm that had been brewing over us finally exploded. 0 Chapter 146 -Alex''s POV- I pushed open the doors of mypany and was met with a wave of hushed silence. Heads swiveled in my direction, a mixture of curiosity and nervous energy clinging to the air. The human-werewolf war that had been raging for weeks had finally settled into an uneasy truce. The constant skirmishes and open hostility had subsided, reced by a tense awareness. Humans, it seemed, finally understood the truth we weren''t just snarling beasts in the night, we were capable of being the very monsters they feared.N?velDrama.Org ? content. Back when the war was at its peak, my buildings had taken a physical beating. Broken windows, shattered ss, the asional stray Molotov cocktail - the cost of being a prominent werewolf billionaire. Everything had been repaired, of course, but the scars remained, a stark reminder of the animosity that simmered just beneath the surface. The headquarters itself had taken the brunt of the damage, both physical and emotional. When the news broke about my dual nature, a significant portion of the workforce had walked. The ones who remained, however, were a different breed. The nervous fluttering of their eyelids and the way they tried to appear engrossed in their work told a different story. These were the smart ones, the ones who understood that discretion was the better part of valor. Ignoring the subtle tension, I strode towards my office, a newfound swagger in my step. My rtionship with Amaya had been a revtion. It had unearthed a confidence I hadn''t even known I possessed. Sure, I''d always been a bit of an arrogant asshole, but now? Now, I didn''t give a damn what anyone thought. There was a vulnerability to it, of course. The absence of my wolf was a constant weight on my shoulders, a missing piece that gnawed at the edges of my being. But despite the fear that sometimes crept in at night, a sense of empowerment overshadowed it all. It was a strange feeling, this confidence without fangs and ws. "Mr. Thorne, I didn''t expect you to be here today," Ruth greeted me, rising from her seat. She was one of the smart ones, no, that wasn''t quite right. Ruth wasn''t just smart, she was loyal. A genuine smile tugged at the corners of my lips, and for a fleeting moment, I saw a flicker of surprise cross her features. Before she could respond, Iunched into the reason for my unexpected visit. "I need everything," I dered, my voice firm. "Every record of every transaction, iing and outgoing, for the past six months. All deals, all contracts - I want it all on my desk, ASAP." My bluntness seemed to snap her out of her daze. She nodded briskly, a hint of efficiency returning to her gaze. "Of course, Mr. Thorne. I''ll it right away." get With a curt nod of acknowledgement, I retreated to the familiar confines of my office. Settling into the plush leather chair behind the mahogany desk, a frown creased my forehead. The pieces weren''t fitting together. If Ivan had been working in the shadows for so long, pulling strings and manipting events, and now Adrian was inexplicably targeting mypany, there had to be a connection. Somewhere, somehow, they''d found a way to exploit a weakness in my defenses. Normally, my first instinct would be to charge headfirst into the fray, fists zing. But Ivan was different. He was a master maniptor, a puppet master who had turned me into a pawn in his twisted game for far too long. This time, I needed to be more than a pawn. I needed to be a yer, a force to be reckoned with. The frustration of it all simmered beneath the surface. Without my wolf, I felt iplete, a fraction of the man I once was. As if on cue, my phone rang, shattering the tense silence. A quick nce at the screen confirmed the caller - Vargas. A sigh immediately escaped my lips. "Vargas," I answered, "Did you find something?" "A greeting would be nice, you know," Vargas answered in a dry tone, the exasperation evident even through the phone. "Hello to you, Vargas," I mirrored his tone. Dislike still lingered for the man, but necessity had bred a grudging respect. We''d foundmon ground, a mutual understanding that transcended hierarchy. I''d made it official: Vargas was no longer struggling to feel like a glorified right-hand man. Now, the question hung heavy in the air. "Did you find one?" "Finding one isn''t the problem," Vargas sighed. "Finding one willing to do a favor for a werewolf, that''s the issue. Witches generally despise our guts." Frustration bubbled up inside me. "I need a witch, Vargas, and I need one now." Another sigh escaped his end of the line. "Maybe if you told me why, we could explore alternatives." There was no way in hell I was spilling the beans about my missing wolf. We might have foundmon ground, but Vargas still harbored ambitions for the alpha position. "Just do whatever you can to locate one, I instructed. "Use any means necessary. Persuading her to help will be my problem. Do you understand?" He grunted out a reply, a reluctant eptance of my forceful request. Just as I was about to end the call, another piece of information dropped into myp. "McCall''s dered himself alpha of the merged packs," Vargas announced. My finger hovered over the end button, momentarily halting the call. The news wasn''t entirely unexpected. Whatever game he was ying, he needed a lot of power for it but that still threw a wrench into the n. ¡°What about Stone?" I pressed. "Last I heard, he was incapacitated," Vargas replied. The words hung heavy in the air. Ivan was good, good enough to operate under the radar for this long. Now, he had thebined strength of two packs at his disposal. This wasn''t good. Not good at all. "Thorne? You still there?" Vargas'' voice broke through my troubled thoughts. "Yeah," I responded, my voice firmer now. "More than ever. Find me that witch. Any means necessary. Understood?" The seriousness in my tone seemed to convey the urgency of the situation. "Any means necessary," He echoed, a grim determinationcing his voice. The call ended just as Ruth entered my office, a stack of documents piled high in her arms. The weight of the situation settled on my shoulders as I gestured for her to ce the files on my desk. Sifting through financial records wouldn''t solve the problem at hand, but it was a start. Somewhere buried in those papers, there had to be a clue, a hidden transaction, a thread that would lead me to Ivan and Adrian. The clock was ticking, and the stakes had never been higher. The future of mypany, the safety of my pack - everything hinged on finding the source of this new threat. And maybe, just maybe, on finding a way to get my wolf back. I dove headfirst into the paperwork, each document a puzzle piece waiting to be slotted into ce. My eyes scanned line after line, searching for any anomaly, any discrepancy that might offer a glimpse into Ivan''s machinations. If they had found a way to infiltrate mypany, this was where the evidence would lie a hidden transaction, a suspicious use, anything out of the ordinary. This was just the beginning, whatever Adrian was doing. I had a feeling in my gut, a primal instinct honed by years of navigating the treacherous world of business and power struggles. Time blurred as I became engrossed in the financial maze. The world outside my office ceased to exist, reced by the rhythmic rustle of turning pages and the relentless hum of concentration. It was the insistent buzz of my phone that finally yanked me back to reality. An unknown number shed on the screen, but a jolt of intuition ran through me. I knew. With a deep breath, I answered the call. Silence greeted me for a moment, then a familiar voice,ced with a sickeningly sweet amusement, filled my ear. "Alex," Ivan drawled. "I don''t think we''ve had the opportunity to discuss things man to man." Before I could respond, a text message popped up on theptop screen in front of me. It was a picture, a clear image of Ivan holding a bottle of whiskey aloft, the background unmistakably the living room of my own house. Then Ivan spoke again, "Join me for some whiskey, Alex Chapter 147 -Maya''s POV- The same horrifying nightmare had been guing me for the past three days. It always started the same way - Alex. His touch was electric, sending shivers down my spine and awakening a fire within me that I had almost forgotten existed. But then, in a horrifying twist, his face would morph into Ivan''s, his touch turning repulsive, making my skin crawl. I''d wake up with a gasp, heart pounding against my ribs, the sheets tangled around me damp with sweat. The thought of Ivan''s touch, his kisses, filled me with a sickening dread. Every moment I had spent with him burned into my memory. I just wanted everything to be over, to erase that part of my life. Adding to the turmoil within me was the strange absence of Alex. It had been five days since I''dst seen him. Every time I called, his response remained the same a monotonous reassurance that he was fine, dealing with something, and would be back soon,ced with a heavy dose of "I miss you so much." But the words rang hollow, devoid of the warmth and sincerity I was ustomed to. With a sigh that seemed to carry the weight of the world, I threw off the covers and dragged myself out of bed. The twins'' room was my first stop. They were both fast asleep, but the sight that greeted me sent a pang of worry through my heart. Usually, they were curled up together, a testament to their unbreakable bond. Today, however, Ivy upied one corner of the bed, Nate the other. Since I had introduced them to Alex, this had be the new normal. It seemed they had adopted opposing stances on epting him into their lives. Another sigh escaped my lips as I left the room, their unspoken rejection adding to the burden I already carried. The familiar serenity of theke beckoned, and I found myself drawn to its calming presence. Reaching the grassy bank, I sank down, the cool grass a wee contrast to the turmoil within me. Closing my eyes, I reached out with my mind, the silent call echoing through the depths of my being. "Hey," my voice emerged as a hesitant whisper. Aforting presence filled my mind, her voice as familiar as my own heartbeat. "Hey, Amaya," She greeted me, but a beat of silence followed her words, then a questionced with concern, "He''ll be back soon. He won''t abandon us again." A flicker of hope sparked within me, but it was quickly extinguished by the lingering voice of doubt. I stared down at the sparkling diamond ring nestled in my hand, a constant reminder of the promise that hung in the bnce. Ivan''s taunts echoed in the recesses of my mind, his cruel words from the time of my kidnapping. I desperately clung to the belief that they were nothing but maniptions, buttely, his words had gained a disturbing power. Especially with the nightmare feeding the insecurities they ignited. "Do you think I''m not a likeable person?" the question tumbled out of my lips, an echo of the doubt gnawing at my soul. My wolf''s amusement resonated within me,,mth that chased away the cold tendrils of self-doubt. Amaya, she chides ge heart on your sleeve. Sometimes it might lead you down unexpected paths, but it''s also your greatest strength. You prioritize your heart, and while that might not be the most practical approach in every situation, it makes you who you are. Anyone who has a heart can understand the sacrifices love demands. Love is the very essence of life, Amaya. Everyone craves it, and you give it freely. How could anyone not like you?" A small smile curved my lips at her insightful words. Her unwavering belief in me, her unwavering confidence in the power of love, brought much-needed wave offort. "Thank you," I whispered, the words heavy with gratitude. a "He will be back, Amaya. Soon," her voice echoed with reassuring certainty before the connection faded, leaving me alone with the renewed hope blooming in my chest. I closed my eyes, the gentlepping of the water a soothing melody against the backdrop of the chirping birds. The weight of the past few days may have threatened to crush me, but my wolf''s words had served as a lifeline, pulling me back from the brink of despair. Alex would be back. I had to believe it. I lingered by theke for a moment longer, the cool air calming the storm within me. With a sigh, I turned and headed back towards the house, the familiar weight of the unanswered questions settling on my shoulders. Sleep, a preciousmodity these past few days, seemed like a distant dream. Nevertheless, I knew I needed to try, As I crawled into bed, my mind inevitably drifted back to the nightmare. The beginning, the part that had initially seduced me, yed on repeat. The way Alex''s touch had sent shivers down my spine, the way his hands had awakened a forgotten part of me, a yearning I hadn''t even realized existed. The memory felt so real, so vivid, it was almost intoxicating and before I knew it, my hands slipped between my legs. "Do you trust me?" Alex whispered and without another thought I nodded. He gave me a smile that did nothing to cover up the lust in his gaze then wrapped his tie around my hand, binding them then without another word, he pushed me on top of the bed. ICH I let out a gasp when he pulled my tied hands upwards, binding them to the headboard. Then I realized that this wasn''t a dream. It was happening right now, and I wanted it tost forever. "I need you to listen carefully," he whispered, his voice sounding oddly far away as ifing from somewhere else. "When I tell you toe, I want you to think of me." At that moment, I decided I would never get enough of him. " Do you understand?" "Yes," I breathed. He dropped to his knees, spreading my legs kissing me above myce panties that was already soaked. I tried to push myself towards him, I needed more. He didn''t answer me, taking things at his own pace then I did it again, this time, his teeth digging into my skin.N?velDrama.Org ? content. I gasped, "Alex." He looked up at me with a devilish look, and I lost all my breath. "You will take what I give you," he whispered, a glint in his eyes as he stood up. "You know why Amaya?" He asked as he took off his belt, "Because you are mine." Then before I could process it, he ripped my pants off and buried his face between my legs. His tongue circled my clit before diving deep inside me. "Please, Alex," I begged as he sucked hard. He stopped the moment I felt my walls start to clench, "Not yet. You have to wait for me to say it. Not a second sooner or I will stop." As he spoke, he sucked my clit once more, the pleasure radiating through every nerve in my body. "You''re mine, aren''t you?" he growled, licking his lips. I nodded, my whole body tensed. "Say it," he demanded. "Yours," I breathed. "Good girl," he whispered before recing his mouth with his fingers. He started thrusting in and out while sucking my clit. My orgasm built quickly as he pumped faster and faster. "Come," hemanded. And just like that, I exploded. I screamed his name, my nails scratching the bed. "That''s it, baby,e for me," he growled before pulling my panties off my feet and tossing them on the floor. He moved in between my legs, resting his chin on my chest. When his eyes met mine, they were filled with a desire so strong it made me tremble. He leaned down, kissing me slowly, slipping his tongue inside my mouth until I opened wide, making me taste myself. He kissed me as if there was no tomorrow. Our tongues danced together, fighting for control. He broke the kiss, looking into my eyes, "Are you ready for me?" I nodded eagerly. He chuckled, "Then show me how much you want me." I blushed, not sure what he meant but then he got up and lifted my leg, cing my foot on his shoulder. He positioned himself at my entrance and pushed in in one single hard thrust. "So tight," groaned. I bit my lip as he started moving in and out, fucking me relentlessly. "Give it to me, Amaya," he demanded. I knew exactly what he wanted. He wanted me toe on his cock. He wanted me toe for him. So, I closed my eyes, concentrating on the feeling of him inside me. Then, it happened. I came so hard, I couldn''t see straight. Tears rushed to my eyes, and I cried out, my fantasy slipping into reality as I came all over my hands. Just then the door to the room burst open and I quickly tried to cover myself as Riley burst in with wide eyes, "I''ve been calling you, Amaya. We need to go. Now." I immediately came down from the high of the post orgasm, pushing myself out of bed, "Why were you calling?" "Christian called. Something bad has happened to Alex." 0 0 0 Chapter 148 -Alex''s POV- I didn''t waste time chasing shadows. Ivan wanted to y cat and mouse, and I wasn''t in the mood. He was a master maniptor, Miranda had lived there, so if he wanted to upy the house, let him. My eyes darted back to the paperwork sprawled across the desk, a mountain of frustration I needed to climb. Just then, my phone screeched back to life. Vargas'' name shed on the screen, and with a deep breath, I answered. His voice was clipped, efficient. "I found one." Three simple words that hadnded me in this current predicament. Witches and werewolves. Not exactly a match made in wherever our souls were sent after we died. Centuries of bad blood, a tangled history I''d never bothered to untangle. Honestly, it hadn''t been relevant. But now, whatever reason I was still breathing while my wolf was MIA, it had to do with magic. That''s why I needed a witch. Hindsight, a wonderful thing. Because here I was, neck-deep in what I now realized was enemy territory. The moment I stepped into the heart of the market Vargas had pointed me towards - a haven for the ostracized, the outcasts, and yes, apparently, witches who did favors I was attacked. Not physically, no. I''d never been on the receiving end of a spell before, but trust me, it felt like a thousand hammers were taking turns jackhammering my skull from the inside out. Then, blessed darkness. Consciousness returned in waves, a slow, agonizing process. Whispers floated around me, punctuated by a rhythmic beeping. My eyelids fluttered open, revealing a blurry scene. Two figures, women from what I could tell, hovered over me, their voices low and urgent. Their conversation swirled around me, a mix of frustration and something else I couldn''t quite ce. Finally, one of them stepped into focus. Her face was lined with irritation, her eyes a startling shade of emerald green. "You are finally awake," My head throbbed in protest, a steady ache that pulsed with every beat of my heart. "Where am I?" I croaked. The other woman, younger with fiery red hair, scoffed. "Where do you think you are, huh? Pixie dust and sunshinend? You''re in the heart of Whisperbrook Hollow, thest ce a werewolf would be caught dead." Werewolf. The word hung heavy in the air, a stark reminder of what I was, what I was missing. Anger red, hot and intense, but it was quickly doused by a wave of dizziness. I wasn''t exactly in top fighting form. I let out a groan that mirrored the throbbing pain in my head, "I didn''te here to cause any trouble. I need your help. The help of a witch." The woman with emerald eyes narrowed her gaze. "Help? You werewolves onlye crawling to us when you need something. Newssh, sunshine, witches aren''t exactly known for their willingness to lend a helping hand to your kind." "I understand," I rasped, pushing myself up on my elbows, ignoring the wave of nausea that threatened to engulf me. "But this is different. It''s serious. My wolf..." My voice trailed off, the words catching in my throat. "Your wolf?" the redhead echoed, a flicker of curiosity dancing in her fiery eyes. "What about it?" I took a deep breath, the air sharp and sterile in my lungs. "He''s gone. Missing." The emerald-eyed woman studied me with an intensity that bordered on unnerving. "Witches stay out of business that doesn''t concern us," she finally dered, her voice firm but not unkind. "But our magic sensed your wolf. That''s why we knew what kind of creature you were. So why don''t you cut to the chase and tell us who really sent you? What are you monsters after, and why are you here?" Monsters. The word scraped against my raw nerves. I wasn''t a monster, not really. I was Alex Thorne, CEO, werewolf, and currently, a man missing a crucial part of himself. "Like I said," I forced out, my voice hoarse, "I lost my wolf. When I somehow managed toe back to life." My stomach lurched, the memory of that terrifying transition flickering at the edges of my mind. "Come back to life?" The redhead you!" her voice dripping with disbelief. "That''s a rich one. You werewolves always think you''re special, don''t Special? Hardly. I felt anything but special right now. Just a shell of a man, adrift in a sea of uncertainty. I gritted my teeth, ignoring the throbbing pain in my head. "Nobody sent me," I insisted, pushing myself up on my elbows, the room tilting precariously for a moment. "Easy there, big guy," the green-eyed woman again. cautioned, a hint of concern softening her gaze. But before I could respond, the redhead was at it This time, it wasn''t a verbal assault. A wave of energy, hot and tingling, mmed into me. My head, already pounding like a drum solo, exploded in a symphony of pain. My vision blurred, the white room morphing into a kaleidoscope of swirling colors. My body tensed, the primal instinct to fight wing at the surface. But against what? An unseen force? It was like being trapped in a nightmare, unable to wake up, unable to escape. The redhead continued her assault, her voice chanting in anguage I didn''t understand. Each syble sent another jolt of pain coursing through me. My muscles screamed in protest, my vision tunneling into darkness. This wasn''t right. Vargas wouldn''t have sent me here for torture. This was supposed to be help then again the thought circled again. Vargas sent me here. I let out a groan. "Enough, Fiona!" The green-eyed woman''s voice cut through the haze, sharp and urgent. The chanting stopped abruptly, the oppressive energy lifting like a suffocating fog. I slumped back onto the bed, gasping for breath, my body drenched in sweat. "See?" Fiona spat, her fiery hair bristling with indignation. "He doesn''t know anything! Just another lying, cheating werewolf." "Maybe not," the green-eyed woman countered, her gaze fixed on me. "But something''s not right. There''s a flicker of something in his mind, a resistance to the spell. He''s not lying, Fiona. He just...doesn''t know." My mind reeled. Didn''t know what? I knew I''d lost my wolf, knew something was terribly wrong. But the details, the how and the why, were shrouded in a thick fog. Frustration bubbled within me, adding to the throbbing pain in my head. "Look," I rasped, "I''m telling you the truth. No one sent me. My wolf is gone. But I need your help. I came here looking for a particr wolf. Vargas, my second inmand, said she could help me find him, bring him back." The green-eyed woman studied me for a long, silent moment. Her emerald eyes seemed to pierce through my defenses, searching for hidden truths, "You came here looking for Delores?" I nodded, "Thest thing anybody wants is trouble. I just want my wolf back." She continued to stare, her silence a heavy weight in the air. Finally, she sighed, a hint of resignation in her voice."Alright," she conceded. "But there''s no guarantee I can help you. This is uncharted territory, even for a seasoned witch like me. But considering the circumstances..." She trailed off, her gaze flickering to Fiona, whose face remained a mask of disapproval. "Considering what?" I pressed, a sliver of hope flickering within me. Just then, a new voice cut through the tense atmosphere. "Considering what, Agnes?" It was a woman''s voice,ced with a hint of anger. The sound of clicking heels echoed through the room before a figure materialized from the shadows behind me. "Delores," Agnes began, her voice tight with surprise. "I didn''t realize you were-" But Dolores wasn''t interested in apologies. She cut straight to the chase. "Why is a werewolf here and what were you considering doing for him?" Her voice turned icy cold. "You know what happened thest time." Agnes stammered out an exnation, but it was cut short by a sudden, ear-piercing scream. Agnes crumpled to the floor, her body convulsing as she pleaded for forgiveness. Delores let out a sigh that spoke volumes of irritation. With a flick of her wrist, the invisible force tormenting Agnes lifted. Agnes gasped for breath, her eyes wide with terror. Delores, still shrouded in shadow, turned her steely gaze towards me. "Werewolves are not allowed here," she dered, her voice leaving no room for argument. I pushed myself to my feet, this time without the debilitating headache. "I didn''te here for trouble," I insisted, hoping my voice sounded more convincing than I felt. "Didn''t you?" she countered, stepping into the light. The air hung heavy, the silence thick enough to cut with a knife. As her face emerged from the shadows, my entire world seemed to tilt on its axis. She tilted her head slightly, her eyes locking with mine. In that moment, the air whooshed out of my lungs, leaving me gasping for breath and only one choked word escaped my lips. "Mom?"N?velDrama.Org ? content. 0 0 Chapter 149 11:01 AM M -Maya''s POV- The only thing I could think about was how slow this car was moving. Alex had promised we''d be a team from now on, but here I was,pletely in the dark, while he was off meeting with witches to get his wolf back. Saying I was pissed was an understatement. Ivy tugged on my hair, bringing me back to the present. I''d brought her and Nate along because, with Ivan still out there, there was no way I was leaving them alone, not knowing when I''d return. We were heading into witch territory, which was even more dangerous, but I''d rather have them with me. I smiled down at her, "Yes, honey?" She frowned at me, then held up a toy she''d been showing me before I zoned out. "It''s beautiful," I smiled again, trying to focus on her. Natalia intervened, pulling Ivy gently into herp. "Give Mommy a moment, okay?" Ivy pouted, but Natalia distracted her with a lollipop. She faced me, "You okay?" I faced her, my voice low. "He promised he wouldn''t keep secrets anymore. I''m pissed, but I''m more worried." She squeezed my hand. "Understandable. He came back from the dead, that should prove his ass is more resilient than anyone else. He''ll be fine. We''ll get there in time." I nodded, my gaze drifting to the window. The car had transformed into a mobile chaos unit. Sarah was in the front, teaching Nate something that I knew I''d have to undoter. I let out another sigh, wondering when this madness would end. T The drive was a blur of green fields and endless roads. The weight of the situation pressed down on me, heavy and suffocating. I tried to focus on the present, to be there for Ivy and Nate, but my mind kept wandering back to Alex. What was he facing? Was he in danger? A million questions raced through my mind, each one more terrifying than thest. I nced at the twins, their innocentughter a stark contrast to the turmoil within me. They were oblivious to the dangers that lurked in the world, and I was grateful for their innocence. But it also filled me with a protective determination. I would do anything to keep them safe. Hours passed, the sun beginning its descent as we traveled deeper into unfamiliar territory. The road became rougher, thendscape more deste. A sense of unease crept into my heart. This wasn''t just any road trip; it was a journey into the unknown, a descent into a world filled with magic and danger. The sky was aze with hues of orange and pink as the sun dipped below the horizon. The world seemed to hold its breath, anticipating the arrival of night. And as darkness enveloped us, I found myself clinging to the hope that dawn would bring answers, and that Alex would be safe. The car rumbled on, the rhythmic tapping of its wheels against the asphalt the only sound breaking the silence. I watched as the world outside transformed from vibrant colors to shades of gray. The darkness seemed to seep into my soul, mirroring the uncertainty that gnawed at my heart. I closed my eyes, trying to find sce in the quiet of my own mind and then suddenly I felt the shift in the air just as Christian announced, "We''ve entered theirnds." My wolf stood up immediately, feeling the energy pulsing in this ce. Christian continued driving, but he started talking, "They don''t need to see us as a threat so pone of that werewolf violence." His eyes flickered to Sarah through the mirror and she narrowed her eyes at him before looking away. He continued speaking, "He managed to get me a message before whatever happened happened but I have lost my tracking on his phone so I don''t specifically know where he is. This is uncharted and in all my line of business, I have never dealt with witches before so every one, use. Your. Head. Understood?" Sarah snorted and Riley gave her a look that said really? I would haveughed if this was any other situation but I was so worried. Christian and Sarah had an unspoken war. Christian thought she was loud and Sarah thought he was stuck up and Riley had been trying to keep them apart so they didn''t read each other apart but that wasn''t relevant right now. "Okay, so what''s the n? How do we find him?" I asked, my voice steady despite the churning in my stomach. Christian took a deep breath. "First, we need to find a ce to stay low. We can''t just barge in like idiots. We need to blend in, understand how things work around here. Once we''ve got ay of thend, we can start looking for Alex." Sarah snorted again. "And how exactly do we blend in? We''re a bunch of werewolves and humans in the middle of witch territory." "That''s why we need to be smart," Christian replied, ignoring Sarah''s sarcasm. "We''ll find a ce to stay, maybe a small inn or something. We''ll keepC0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org. 1x2 11:01 AM M a low profile, gather information. We''ll find Alex, I promise." "And what if he''s in danger?" I asked, my voice rising slightly. "We can''t just wait around." 39 Christian looked at me, his expression serious. "I know you''re worried, Amaya, and I understand. But rushing in blindly is not the answer. We need a n. We need to be smart about this." I wanted to argue, to insist that we find Alex immediately. But I knew he was right. Rushing in without a n would be foolish. "Okay," I said, trying to sound calm. "But we need to hurry." Christian nodded. "I know. We will." The car continued to drive, thendscape changing rapidly. Trees reced the open fields, and the air seemed to grow thicker with an unseen energy. I gripped the seat, my knuckles white. This was it. The heart of the unknown. The weight of the situation pressed down on me, heavy and suffocating. Every fiber of my being was screaming to find Alex, to make sure he was safe. But I also knew that rushing in blindly would be a disaster and then the car rolled to a stop, the sudden silence that followed deafening in the quiet night. A cold dread settled over me, a premonition of something ominous. Then, Christian''s voice broke the silence, "We''re here." Chapter 150 -Alex''s POV- The entire room went silent after the word left my mouth. Delores tilted her head to the side, staring at me like I had two heads. "What?" I was still numb from shock. Everything was suddenly spiraling. I had to be the effect of the magic messing with my head because if it wasn''t, this woman was my mother. They were the exact replica of each other. I stepped closer and she instantly raised her hand, and I felt the headache again, "Don''t try to do anything funny. Your kind might think you are superior but I am a very powerful witch." The intensity of the spell increased and it felt like I would pass out. I managed to get out, "My mother, Elora. You look just like her." The pain stopped suddenly and Delores was the one with the shocked expression now, "You are lying. Elora died. There is no way she had a child." She took a step backwards like she was seeing me for the first time, really seeing me, "Your eyes." Then she shook her head, "It can''t be." Agnes and Fiona were staring quietly at the drama unfolding because truly it was drama. I never knew any of my mother''s family members. In my little boy''s brain, all she made me believe was that me and my father were her only family, which was why she had a lot of love for me. Not my father. Me. And now she had a sister? Who was a witch? How then was she a werewolf? I didn''t understand and apparently neither did Delores because she was staring at me like I was a ghost. My mother''s ghost. A beat of silence passed before Delores spoke again, the words directed at the other witches in the room, "Leave us." With onest look at me, they turned and left. Silence followed, this time I broke it, "My mother was your sister." I didn''t even know if it was a question or a statement. "Was?" She asked me. I let out a sigh, "She is dead." ¡°I know. I held her in my hands and watched her die. Elora was my twin sister and I watched her die. How do you exist, how did she survive? Why didn''t she evere back?" Thest question was spoken more to herself than me. I had a more important question, "How are you a witch and she was a werewolf?" This time she smiled, a bitter smile, "Our parents lived a tale as old as time. Two different kinds that fell in love. A werewolf and a witch. Against all odds, they married and had us. My father chose to leave his people and live amongst the witches. They all saw what my mother saw and he became one of us," And then her eyes turned distant, "when we had both just turned eighteen, there was an attack by your kind. Elora did not survive. I held her in my arms. I watched her die but if she had you, by some miracle she survived and she never came back." The pieces immediately started falling into ce. I had always wondered why my mother married my father. How someone so loving could marry someone so spiteful but then finally it clicked. The attack must havee from my father''s pack a long time ago and somehow my mother didn''t really die. He took her, she must have felt like she owed him her life and then seeing that she was someone he could control, he married her. I looked at her, the need to validate my mother seeping through, "My father was a horrible man. If she ever did want toe back, he would never have let her go." We both stared at each other, probably she was trying to process her thoughts as much as I tried to do with mine. It was hard, staring at the face of the woman that had loved me endlessly but her eyes were different, the same color but that forever promise of love my mother always had-it was absent. She spoke again, breaking the silence, "Why are you here? History or not, after what happened, we do not tolerate werewolves." "Like I told the other witches, I just want my wolf back," I exined, my voice firm. "There is a waring and in order to protect the woman I love and my children, I need him back. My second inmand told me that you are the only witch that does favors for werewolves and I can understand why so I need you to help me." Her eyes softened as she continued to stare straight into mine, the same color as my mother''s. Then she let out a sigh, "I do not do favors without getting something in return no matter who you are. Do you understand?" I nodded. She continued, "And I am not making any promises but I can try to find a way to bring your wolf back, but if he is lost, for him to return, there will be a price to pay. No matter what, nature cannot be cheated, are you prepared to pay this price whatever it is?" I nodded again without saying anything. She continued to stare at me like she was trying to transform me into her sister. My mother but as if she got a snap of reality, she began to back away, "I will find you once I have acquired the materials. I will have them by tomorrow, for now you can find an inn to stay. You are hereby under my protection," then she paused, "I at least hoped she had a good life." I gave her a sad smile but didn''t give a reply as she disappeared into the shadows. I stood trying to collect my thoughts. My mother had a sister, a twin sister. That''s why Amaya and I must have had twins. I wondered what her early life would have been like. She must have been happy. She had just been loved and I suddenly felt a pang. I wouldn''t be here if she hadn''t met my father but at this moment, I wished she hadn''t. I suddenly felt her presence like she was here, her voice echoing. "I will love you always and forever Alex." My father may have made both our lives miserable but she had made me the center of her life and had made her love for me enough to be happy. That thought alone made everything hurt a little less and with that thought, I stepped outside letting out a tired sigh, suddenly being made aware that I was truly the enemy. Delores must be one of the high ranking witches here because even though I got deadly stared at no one used magic on me again. I walked out of the house, the cold night air hitting my face. The house was in the middle of a clearing, surrounded by tall trees. There was an eerie silence, broken only by the asional hoot of an owl. I looked up at the sky, the moon casting an ethereal glow over thendscape. I took a deep breath, trying to clear my head. The events of the past few hours had been a whirlwind, and I was still trying to process everything. I had just met my mother''s sister. And now, I was on a quest to find my missing wolf, with the help of a witch who was both my aunt and who did not like my kind. I pulled out my phone, the screen illuminating my face. I had managed to get a message out to Christian but the possibility of him tracking me here felt close to zero. I felt it. A not physical barrier that I was sure they put up to keep everyone else away and on top of that, there was no service, of course. I was in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by magic and mystery. I slipped the phone back into my pocket, feeling a sense of istion even with the tens of stares in my direction.N?velDrama.Org owns ? this. I walked a few steps away from the house, finding a secluded spot under arge oak tree. I sat down, leaning against the trunk, and closed my eyes. I tried to focus on my breathing, to calm the racing thoughts in my mind. But it was no use. My mind was a whirlwind of emotions, anger, and confusion. I was lost, adrift in a sea of uncertainty. PThen the sound of collective chanting brought me back to reality and I raised my head to see Fiona leading five other witches chanting in my direction. Just as the first pain hit my head. I struggled to stand to my feet as the chanting increased but it was to no avail. Fiona stepped forward, "I don''t care what Delores says. Your kind are not wee. Death to all werewolves." Chapter 151 Chapter 151 -Maya''s POV- The n was terrible, as we would soon discover. I''d never cared about witches before, but now, leaning against the car and trying to get rid of a blinding headache, I realized these women had a serious problem with creatures like me. Everything went wrong as soon as we got out of the car. Natalia, Sarah, and I were suddenly hit with a powerful wave of magic. I saw Christisn reach for his gun but then remembered the twins were there. He lowered it and tried to talk to the five witches who had appeared from the shadows. His words didn''t work, and my headache got worse. I screamed, which made Ivy cry. That seemed to stop them. The witches looked at the kids. Maybe they felt sorry for them. The woman in the middle stepped forward. Her hair was dark, and her eyes were so grey they looked like empty holes. "One of youes here, and others follow before we know it," she said sharply. "There will be a big fight. The witches will stay on their side. You should take your kids and go." Riley raised her hands. "We don''t want trouble. The werewolf," she pointed at the twins, "he''s their father. We just want to take him and leave." The witches kept looking at us, especially the twins. Maybe they liked kids. The woman''s eyes narrowed. Sarah growled and muttered, "If those bitches use that magic on me again, I''m attacking." I stood up straighter and put the twins behind me. "Please. We don''t want trouble. We''ll leave as soon as we have him. We understand this is your territory," I continued, trying to sound calm. "We''re not here to cause trouble. We just want to find Alex and leave." The woman stared at me, her eyes cold. "If he entered here, he''s as good as dead." My heart pounded. "That''s not true. I know he is alive and he wouldn''t hurt anyone." "You don''t know that," another witch said, her voice low. "He''s a wild animal. You all are. All you do is cause chaos and bloodshed. You kill because you cannot control your beasts." The woman in the middle looked at the other witches. They seemed to be discussing something. Finally, she turned back to me. "Because of the children, we''ll give you one chance to leave. If you don''t, we will have no choice." I shook my head. "I''m not leaving without Alex." The woman''s face hardened. "Then you leave us no choice." Suddenly, the witches began to chant. Their voices were low and powerful, and a strange energy filled the air. I heard Sarah growl behind me, and I knew we were in trouble. Before I could react, a powerful force hit me, and I was thrown backward, crashing into the car and everything went ck. I opened my eyes with the most painful headache I''ve ever felt and then my eyes instantly caught Alex. He was unconscious and I struggled to get to him but I realized I was bound to a chair with chains and I immediately called out to my wolf to break through when I heard a woman''s voice, "Don''t waste your energy. It''s enchanted. You won''t break through." I scowled at the red-haired woman, not liking her mocking tone. "Where are my children? And my friends?" "Oh, don''t worry about the little ones. We wouldn''t hurt them. Unlike you monsters, we actually have hearts and care if children get hurt or not. Now, she turned to Alex, "as I was telling your friend here, you lot are not wee. All werewolves that enter ournds will die." "Then what are you waiting for, huh?" I mocked her tone, "Go ahead and kill us." She raised her hand again, using her annoying headache-inducing spell and I let out a piercing scream which seemed to satisfy her. Just when I thought she was going to tear my head in half, another voice spoke, "Stop it, Fiona!" A woman entered, beautiful, older but still beautiful, with eyes that had a striking resemnce to Alex and Nate. She looked at Alex, her eyes softening, then stared at me before turning to Fiona, "I leave and you do this? I ced him under my protection, and you seem to have forgotten that I am the regent here. You all answer to me." "No," Fiona shot back, "you seem to have forgotten that we elected you regent and we''ve been turning a blind eye while you did favors because you have a blind spot for them, but no more. You let one in, others followed. Have you forgotten what happened when their kind attacked us? Maybe you shouldn''t be regent anymore." "I don''t have time for this," the regent snarled. The tension in the room was thick. I could feel the power struggle between them. I focused on Alex, making sure he was okay. He was still unconscious but seemed to be breathing steadily. 10:57 AM D The regent took a deep breath, her eyes shing with anger. With a wave of her hand, Fiona was knocked unconscious. She turned to us, her gaze softening slightly. "You are lucky," she said, her voice filled with a mixture of annoyance and resignation. "I will deal with Fionater." She snapped her fingers again, and this time, the chains binding me loosened. I carefully stood up, stretching my stiff muscles. Alex was still unconscious. The regent walked over to him and examined him briefly. "He''s just unconscious," she sighed, her voice filled with relief."He''ll wake up soon." I nodded, relief washing over me. "Thank you for helping us." She looked at me, her eyes holding a mixture of sympathy and caution, "I did it for him and I have ced only him under my protection. You and your friends are in danger here," she warned. "You need to leave." I hesitated, not wanting to leave Alex alone. But I knew she was right. We were in enemy territory, and it was only a matter of time before the other witches came for us. She couldn''t possibly stop them all. "We''ll leave but we need to take him with us." Alex''s eyes flickered open, and as if drawn by an invisible cord, his gazended directly on me. His expression was filled with relief, "Silver?" His voice was a hoarse whisper. Without a moment''s hesitation, I rushed to his side and enveloped him in a tight embrace. "You''re okay," I murmured, my voice trembling slightly. The regent''s voice, sharp andmanding, cut through the air. "You can have your reunionter. Right now, you need to take those kids and leave. I''ll send him back to you once we''ve finished with the spell. If everything goes ording to n, he should get his wolf back." Her tone was urgent, leaving no room for argument. I nced between the regent and Alex, confusion swirling in my mind. Alex nodded, his expression resolute. "I''ll be fine," he assured me, his voice stronger now. "I''m so d you came, but you need to take the twins and go. I''m sorry I didn''t tell you about this. I knew it would be dangerous. Christian shouldn''t have brought you here. I have to do this. I need to get my wolf back to protect you. She won''t hurt me." I looked back at the regent, her gaze fixed on me, an intensity in her eyes that made me uneasy. "Are you sure she can trust her?"N?velDrama.Org ? content. He gave me a weary smile. "No, she wouldn''t hurt her nephew." My jaw dropped open in surprise. Nephew? A wave of questions surged through me, but before I could utter a single word, the regent''s voice cut through my thoughts once again. "You two can discuss how I''m his mother''s long-lost sisterter. Right now, all of you need to leave. Your friends are waiting." I stole onest nce at Alex. "I''m still pissed at you," I managed to say, my voice filled with a mixture of anger and worry. I leaned in and pressed a quick kiss to his lips before turning away. The rest of the group was already gathered outside, their faces etched with concern. I hurried over to the twins, my heart pounding in my chest. "Where''s Alex?" someone asked, their voice filled with anxiety. "He''ll join uster," I replied, trying to sound more confident than I felt. I took Nate''s hand, but when I reached for Ivy, she hesitated. "Ivy, let''s go," I urged, growing impatient. But she stood rooted to the spot, her gaze fixed on something behind me. I turned around to find her staring directly at the regent, who was standing in the doorway. A strange energy seemed to pass between them, an almost imperceptible connection that sent a shiver down my spine. Finally, Ivy took my hand, and we began to run. As we fled the scene, a nagging thought crept into my mind. There was no way in hell my daughter was a witch. Chapter 152 10:56 AM -Alex''s POV- My head throbbed like a maddened drumbeat as I tried to push myself upright. Thest thing I remembered was Fiona and her coven''s spell, and the next thing I knew, Amaya was in front of me. My head pounded and I knew I really needed to hurry up and get out of here because these constant headaches were going to eventually explode my brain. "You''re causing me a whole lot of trouble, and I''ve only known you for a day," Delores'' voice cut through the haze. She stepped into the room, her expression a mix of amusement and weariness. My gaze followed hers to the ground, where Fionay unconscious. I groaned, rubbing my temples. "I think we both would appreciate it if I could get out of here sooner rather thanter. Did you get everything for the spell?" She nodded, her eyes serious. "For a spell this delicate, you need strength. I may be the regent, but I can''t trust you to be alone. You can stay at my ce tonight then when you are well rested, we will perform the spell tomorrow." We exchanged a silent understanding, a connection forming between us that felt both strange andforting. As we walked, the weight of the situation pressed down on me. I longed for her to actually be my mother, and I sensed a simr yearning in her eyes- for me to be her sister. The house was a surprise. Small and unassuming, it stood nestled among a riot of colorful flowers. I''d expected something more... witchy, I suppose. But this was homey, inviting. As I stepped inside, my eyesnded on a framed photo. It was Delores, younger, smiling sitting beside my mother. They looked so alike and it must have been really difficult for anyone to tell them apart. A wave of familiarity washed over me. I reached out, my fingers tracing the ss. "I miss you, Mom," I whispered, the words escaping before I could stop them.N?velDrama.Org owns ? this. A profound sense of loss enveloped me. I turned back to Delores, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "Thank you," I managed to say. She nodded, her voice thick with emotion. "Take a shower. The bathroom is that way. I''ll leave something for you to eat, and you can sleep on the couch." She gave the photo onest lingering look before disappearing. Alone, I made my way to the bathroom. The hot water was a balm to my aching body. As the water cascaded over me, I tried to clear my mind of the chaos that had consumed my life. Ever since I could remember, I had it all. It didn''t matter that my father was a monster, I had always lived afortable life and it bled into my need for sess which was how I became a billionaire and now all the riches, now everything seemed so... irrelevant. The crisp white towel felt cool against my skin as I stepped out of the shower. Pulling on back the pair of shirt and trousers, I told myself that it was just for a day. The enticing aroma of roasted meat filled the room, my stomach growling in protest as I entered the living room area again. I hadn''t realized how hungry I was. Following the delicious scent, I found Delores true to get word had ced food on the kitchen counter, a steaming teid out on the table. Without a second thought, I sank into the chair and devoured the food. It was like the most satisfying meal I''d had in years - simple,forting, and seasoned with a hint of unexpected warmth. As I finished thest bite, a wave of exhaustion washed over me. I slumped onto the couch, sleep iming me almost instantly. The air grew chilly in the dead of night, sending shivers down my spine. Then, a suddenforting warmth washed over me. Blinking through the haze of sleep, I saw a figure looming overhead. My mother''s face floated above me. "Go back to sleep," she whispered. Iplied, sinking back into the soft cushions. This sleep felt different, deeper than any I''d experienced in the past four years. The kind of sleep that washes away worries and leaves you feeling refreshed and renewed. And it felt like nothing could get me. The sun''s gentle rays filtered through the curtains, rousing me from slumber. A moment passed as I tried to recall where I was, the strange events of the past day flooding back. Just then, Delores'' voice broke the silence. "It''s time to go, Alex, she announced. "This spell isplex, and there''s no room for error," "Well, good morning to you too," I mumbled, stretching my arms above my head. "I guess that''s where I get my bluntness from, huh?" A flicker of amusement appeared in her eyes. "Perhaps," she conceded. "Let''s get going." She led me outside, towards a clearing bathed in the ethereal glow of dawn. A group of witches huddled together, their faces etched with apprehension. They shifted ufortably as we approached, their gazes flickering between Delores and me. Delores addressed them, her voice firm yet filled with a plea. "I understand many of you are troubled by this situation. The pain inflicted by werewolves, especially on some of you..." She paused, her gaze lingering on a woman with a deep scar running down her cheek. "Many of you know I had a sister, a twin, who during the attack. Her voice trembled slightly as she turned to me. I''ve recently discovered she survived, and..." she hesitated, a tear glistening in her eye, "...she had a son." Murmurs rippled through the crowd. Delores held up a hand, silencing them. "He simply wants his wolf back, so he can protect those closest to him. I''m not asking you to help him as your regent, but as a sister, a friend. We have a pact, one that demands loyalty to family. And Alex..." she smiled at me, cing a hand on my shoulder, "is family." A tense silence followed. Finally, a wizened woman stepped forward. "Well then, let''s get this spell done as quickly as possible." A wave of agreement washed through the group. Delores gestured towards me, pointing at an intricate chalk circle drawn on the ground. "You have to lie in the center," she instructed. Looking around at the wary faces, I took a deep breath. This spell, this chance to reim my wolf, was more than just about regaining power. It was about protection, about keeping Amaya and the twins safe. With a determined nod, I stepped into the circle, ready to face whatever came next. The circle of witches closed in around me their voices rose in a haunting melody, aplex weave of ancient words and primal rhythms. Delores knelt beside me, her hand resting lightly on my shoulder, a silent anchor in the swirling chaos. As the chanting intensified, a palpable energy began to build within the circle. It was a force both exhrating and terrifying, a raw power that seemed to emanate from the very earth itself. The trees surrounding the clearing swayed violently, their branches whipping through the air like frenzied arms. The wind, once a gentle caress, had transformed into a howling gale, tearing at the edges of my senses. I felt a surge of adrenaline, a primal instinct awakening within me. My heart pounded in my ears, a rhythmic counterpoint to the witches'' chant. The ground beneath me trembled, as if the earth itself were caught in the throes of a convulsion. A low, guttural growl rumbled in my throat, a sound unfamiliar yet deeply resonant. The witches'' voices reached a deafening crescendo, a high-pitched wail that seemed to pierce the very fabric of reality. The world around me blurred, the once familiar shapes of the trees and the witches twisting into grotesque, surreal forms. Then, Delores'' voice cut through the chaos, her tone firm and resolute. "This is where I leave you. You have to find your wolf by yourself. The spell will send you to your subconscious, but be careful. Your demons are waiting, and you''re going in there ordinary." She pulled a knife from the folds of her dress, "You''ll need this." I blinked, confusion and disbelief warring within me. "How am I supposed to take a knife into my head?" Delores offered a small, enigmatic smile. "Trust me," she replied. She began to murmur a series of words, her voice low and hypnotic. As she spoke, the knife seemed to shimmer, a soft blue light emanating from its de. When she finished, she looked down at me, her gaze intense. "Your daughter. When the time is right, make sure she finds her -------------------- I opened my mouth to ask what she meant, but before I could utter a single word, she whispered, "This is going to hurt. The next moment, a sharp pain shot through my leg. I let out a cry of surprise as Delores plunged the knife into my thigh. way here." The world seemed to tilt on its axis, and then, a blinding sh of white light engulfed me, consuming my vision and consciousness. 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 viin 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 timepletely 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 nced 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 lvy. 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 exin 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." I was about to exin more when Riley entered the room. My heart sank as I looked at her. "Has Christian heard from Alex?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper. Riley didn''t need to answer. Her expression said it all. No. Two days and he still wasn''t back. What was happening to him? The weight of the world seemed to press down on me as 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 retreated to the sanctuary of the bathroom. The harsh p of water against my face was a jarring reminder of reality, but it did little to clear the fog clouding my mind. Desperation gnawed at me as I searched for a semnce of calm in the chaos then shrill ring of my phone pierced the quiet, sending a jolt of adrenaline through my system. My heart pounded in my ears as I fumbled for the device, my fingers trembling. I looked at the caller ID. An unknown number. "Alex?" I breathed into the phone. The silence that followed was agonizing. When the voice finally responded, my heart sank like a stone. "No, Amaya, it''s me, my mother''s voice echoed through the receiver. A wave of disappointment washed over me, recing the fleeting hope with a heavy sense of dread. "Oh Mum. It''s you." "Given our history, I''ll try not to let that tone hurt," she replied, her voiceced with amusement. "I''m really sorry," I began, my voice barely audible over the pounding in my ears. "I just have a lot going on, and I''m really worried about Alex." 173 A long, heavy silence followed. I could almost feel the weight of her concern through the phone, Finally, she spoke, "Your father asked me to call. In his words, ''Ask her if she has passed on my request to him." She mimicked his tone and before I knew it, I found myselfughing. It took me a second to collect myself, "You told me once he wasn''t always like this. Do you think he''ll ever go back to being happy?" A long pause. I could hear her sigh through the phone, a sound filled with weariness and resignation. "I really don''t know,Amaya." The silence that followed was heavy with unspoken words. I felt a lump forming in my throat, "Is that really why you''re calling? To see if I passed on father''s request?" "No. He asked me to call three days ago. I''m calling now because I want to check on my daughter," she replied, her voice softening. Her words were like a warm nket on a cold day, offering a brief respite from the storm raging within me. "Thank you, Mum. For this," I whispered softly, my voice filled with gratitude. "I''m really sorry about everything, Amaya. I wish I could do something to help. When this is all over, I hope we can both start over." "Me too," I whispered, clinging to the glimmer of hope she had offered. I was about to end the call when she hesitated. "I know I''m thest person you want to talk to about this, but I hope Alex is okay." I let out a shaky sigh. "Me too, and-" My sentence was cut short by the sound of Ivy''s voice. "Mom?" Her small voice echoed through the bathroom, pulling me from the conversation. "I''ll have to call you back," I told my mother quickly, my voice filled with urgency. "Okay. Be careful, Amaya. I don''t know what it is, but something bad ising. I feel it in my bones. Just be careful, please." Her voice wasced with a sense of foreboding. A chill ran down my spine as I listened to her words.C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org. "I will, Mum. I will call youter," I replied, trying to sound reassuring. The call ended, leaving a heavy silence in its wake. I knelt down in front of Ivy, her small figure looking lost and vulnerable. "Hey, honey, what''s wrong?" She touched her forehead, her eyes closed. "Not good," she mumbled. I ced my hand on her forehead, feeling a slight warmth. "Does your head hurt?" She nodded slowly, her eyes still closed. "Okay, let''s get you to bed. Maybe you just need some rest. If you''re not feeling better, we''ll have it checked out, okay?" She shook her head stubbornly. "No doctor," she replied, her voice firm for the first time. I chuckled softly, trying to lighten the mood. "No doctor," I repeated, my voice filled with forced cheerfulness. I took her hand, her small fingers cold and mmy. As we walked to her room, she looked up at me with wide, frightened eyes. "Is the blue-eyed man okay?" My heart ached as I looked into her frightened eyes. "Yes, honey, the blue-eyed man is okay. He''s just trying to get his superpowers back so he can save us when the bad peoplee. She squeezed my hand tightly, her grip a silent plea for reassurance. As I tucked her into bed, I kissed her forehead, whispering words offort and protection. As I closed the door behind me, I leaned against the wall, my knees feeling weak. The weight of the world seemed to be crushing me, and I was starting to wonder if I had the strength to carry it. My legs moved without conscious thought as I made my way back to the living room. A cold dread settled in the pit of my stomach. If Ivy was feeling unwell, there was a high chance Nate would be too. The twins had an uncanny connection, a bond that went beyond blood. The moment I stepped into the living room, the tension was palpable. The atmosphere was heavy, thick with unspoken words. Christian, Riley, and Natalia were huddled together while Nate was curled up on the couch, his small body looking even more vulnerable in sleep. "I think we should tell her, Christian''s voice cut through the silence, his words carrying a weight of finality. My heart skipped a beat. Tell me what? Three pairs of eyes turned to me, their expressions a mixture of concern and something darker. "Tell me what?" I repeated, my voice rising slightly. Riley was the first to speak, her voice trembling slightly. "The men that Alex put to watch over his father are all dead. Wiped clean, but Damon Thorne wasn''t touched. He''s still alive." "So Ivan is sending a warning?" Natalia shook her head, her face pale. "No, Amaya. He sent a deration." She turned to Christian, who held out his phone. A wave of nausea washed over me as I looked at the screen. A macabre scene unfolded before my eyes: bodies arranged in a grotesque circle. It was clear that Ivan no longer cared for secrecy. But it was what was written in the center of the circle that sent a shockwave through me. Alex''s name, written boldly in blood. Natalia was right. This wasn''t a warning. It was a deration of war. Ivan wanted blood. Alex''s blood. But that wasn''t all. Christian''s voice broke through my shock. "He sent a message and a location. He said he was done ying around. Three generations to make up for his pain. He wants Alex to bring not just his father there, but Nate too." Chapter 154 -Alex''s POV- My eyes flickered open, slow and heavy. It took a few seconds for my brain to catch up with my body. Where was I? The ce was dark, too dark. No windows, no doors, just endless darkness. I tried to sit up, but a sharp pain shot through my thigh. My hand went to the spot, and my fingers found something cold and hard. The knife. Delores had said it would hurt. She hadn''t lied. I pulled the knife out. The pain was blinding, but I ignored it. I had to get up. I had to find him and the urgency was overwhelming. I stood up slowly, my legs shaky. The ground was cold and hard, like concrete. As my eyes adjusted to the darkness, I started to make out the shape of things. It looked like a vast, empty in. There was nothing around me, just endless nothingness. It was cold, too, a bone-chilling kind of cold that seeped into my skin. I wrapped my arms around myself, trying to hold in the heat.N?velDrama.Org owns ? this. I started walking, not knowing where I was going but driven by a need to keep moving. I walked for what felt like hours, my legs burning with every step. There was nothing to see, nothing to hear. Just the sound of my own footsteps echoing in the silence. Then, a flicker of light appeared in the distance. It was small, like a tiny star in the vast emptiness. Hope ignited in my chest. I quickened my pace, my legs feeling lighter. As I got closer, the light grew brighter, revealing a scene from my past. I was young, maybe five or six. I wasughing, running through a field of wildflowers. My mother was chasing me, her face a mask of pure joy. I could hear herughter, high-pitched and carefree. The scene was perfect, a moment frozen in time. STT PEARS But then, the scene changed. I was still young, but theughter was gone. My father was there, his face dark and angry. He was yelling at me, his voice like thunder. I felt small and scared. I turned away from the memory, unable to watch. I continued walking, the scene fading behind me. More memories appeared, flickered, and disappeared. Happy ones with my mother, painful ones with my father. I tried to ignore them, to focus on finding what I was looking for. But the memories were relentless. They kepting, one after the other. Each one a piece of my past, a part of me that I had tried to bury. I felt overwhelmed, like I was drowning in a sea of emotions. And then, I saw it. A storm was brewing in the distance, a dark, angry mass of clouds. It was different from the other memories. It felt...alive. It just couldn''t be cupcakes and rainbows. I took a deep breath and started walking towards it, my heart pounding in my chest. This was it. This was what I had been looking for. The storm was closer now. The wind howled like a wounded animal, whipping around me. The ground trembled beneath my feet. I could see the storm now, a dark, swirling mass of clouds that seemed to be alive. I could hear thunder rumbling in the distance, a low, menacing growl. Fear gnawed at me. It was a cold, icy fear that gripped my heart. I had faced danger before, but this was different. This was a confrontation with myself, with the darkest parts of my soul. I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart. I had to do this. I had to face my demons. As I stepped into the storm, the wind knocked me off my feet. The rain was freezing, stinging my skin like needles. The thunder roared, and lightning shed, illuminating the darkness. I was alone,pletely and utterly alone. Then, I saw him. My father. He stood in the middle of the storm, tall and imposing, his eyes burning with hatred. A cold dread washed over me. I knew what wasing. "You," he growled, his voice like thunder. "You weakling." I tried to speak, but no words came out. My throat was dry. He took a step forward, and I stumbled backward. I could feel my heart pounding in my cars. I was trapped. There was nowhere to run. "I tried to toughen you up but in the end you remained that little boy that would forever cower at my voice. All you do is disappoint, cause pain and betray everyone around you." The words cut like a knife. They were true. I had betrayed Amaya, I had betrayed my children by not being there. I had been weak. "You''re not a man," he continued. "You''re a coward." The words ignited something in me, a spark of anger and I rose to my feet, "I am not a coward. If anyone is the coward here, it is you. You were so blinded by your insecurities which fueled your need to be better than everyone else. You could have loved me," I felt the first tear drop from my eyes, "You could have loved her but instead you tormented us. You made our lives miserable and then you took her from me. As if that wasn''t enough, you molded me into this man that I hated every time I stared in the mirror. A man that had to build a wall around him so no one could get to him because you made me believe that everyone was out to get me." I sucked in a deep breath, the intensity of the rain increased, stinging my skin even more, "I hurt people, people I should have loved because you broke my ability to trust. I am not the coward father. You are and I am done. I am done letting what you did to me control me and I am done running." D 10:21 AM My fatherughed, a cold, cruel sound. He charged at me, his eyes filled with rage. I raised the knife, ready to fight. The battle was brutal. We fought with the ferocity of wild animals. I was stronger than I thought, but my father was relentless. Every blow hended sent pain shooting through my body. Finally, I managed to disarm him. He was bleeding, but he was still standing. I looked at him, my heart pounding. I could kill him now, end this nightmare once and for all. But I couldn''t do it. I hade here to confront my demons, not to add another one to the list. I lowered the knife. My father looked at me, surprise and confusion in his eyes. Then, the world started to change. The storm faded, the wind died down. The ground beneath my feet started to dissolve. I could hear voices, faint at first, but growing louder. Amaya''sughter, the sound of children ying. I wanted to reach out, to grab hold of something solid, but there was nothing. I was falling, but there was nothing tond on. A low growl rumbled deep inside me, a primal sound that was both terrifying and exhrating. It was my wolf, calling out, desperate to break free. I wanted to answer but something held me back, a thick, invisible wall blocking our connection. It felt like a lifetime of pain and regret had solidified into this barrier. Just as I was about to give up, the growling stopped. The world around me shifted, and there she was - my mother. She stood before me, looking exactly as I remembered her, her smile warm and inviting. Her eyes, the same shade of blue as mine, held a depth of love that took my breath away. "I''ve missed you, my darling boy," she whispered, her voice soft and gentle. Without thinking, I lunged forward, wrapping my arms around her. It had been so long since I had felt her warmth, her scent. I held her tightly, as if afraid she would disappear. She returned the hug, her hands stroking my hair. "You''re not my little boy anymore," she smiled, pulling back to look at me. Her eyes held a mixture of pride and sorrow. "We don''t have much time, Alex. The spell is weakening. You need to find your wolf and leave this ce." A wave of panic washed over me. "But I don''t want to leave you," I pleaded, my voice trembling. She ced her hands on my face, her thumbs wiping away a tear that had escaped my eye. "You have to, my darling boy. There are people who need you. And remember, even though I won''t be there physically, I''ll always be with you and I''m so proud of the man you''ve be." I nodded, but my heart ached. I wanted to stay with her forever. The growl started again, louder this time. I could feel my wolf''s desperation, his frustration at being trapped. I tried to reach out to him, but the barrier was still there, solid and unyielding. "I can''t reach him," I said, my voice filled with despair. "I can feel him, but I can''t reach him." My mother''s smile faded, reced by a look of understanding. "You have to let go of the past, Alex. Forgive yourself. Only then can you be whole again." I shook my head. "I have done so many horrible things. Hurt the very people I was meant to love. I just can''t. I can''t." Her eyes softened. "You''re stronger than you think, my darling. I know it''s hard, but you have to try. The world is fading, and soon it will be toote. If you disappear in this world, you die and this time there will be nothing I can do again." It finally clicked. When I had died, when it had all ended I felt something, someone so familiar. It was her. She was the miracle that gave me another chance to live. A second chance. A chance to right my wrong but I still did not want to leave her. "Please don''t go," I begged, my voice breaking. She reached out and touched my face. "I won''t leave you, Alex. I''ll always be with you. But you have to find your wolf. It''s time." was I closed my eyes, trying to focus. I could feel the world around me starting to disappear. The ground crumbling beneath my feet, and the light was fading. I had to do this. I had to let go. With a deep breath, I pushed away the fear and the doubt and as soon as the words formed in my mind, the world around me exploded in a blinding light and I plummeted backwards. 0 Chapter 155 10:25 AM -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''te up with anything tangible," she said, her voiceced 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 yed us all. We all liked him, trusted him. None of us saw thising." I tried to smile, but it felt forced. "I know," I managed to say. All eyes turned to Christian, the unspoken leader of the group. He was on the phone, his face a mask of concentration. He ended the call and shook his head. "We''re running out of time. Ivan has somehow found a way to be one step ahead of us." A wave of despair washed over me. 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 to make it out alive. My mind raced, a whirlwind of 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. "We need a n," Riley said, her voice breaking the heavy silence. "A real n, not just throwing ideas out there." I nodded, my mind still racing. "We need to anticipate his next move," I replied, trying to sound calm and collected. But inside, I was a storm of emotions. "He''s ying chess, and we''re just pawns," Natalia added, her voice filled with frustration. "We need to start thinking like him." Christian ran a hand through his hair, his face etched with worry. "We need to find a way to hit him where it hurts. Something that will make him back down." "But what?" Riley asked, her voice filled with doubt. "We''ve tried everything."Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g I looked at them, trying toe up with a n. My mind was nk. I felt like I was drowning, and there was no lifeguard in sight. "What 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 we got." Riley shook her head. "He said he has done enough, lost too many men. It''s not his fight and he has his own to focus on. He isn''t getting involved again. Natalia let out a sigh, "Well there goes that option down the drain." 10:25 AM My mind raced, trying toe up with a n. 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, trying to calm myself down. I couldn''t believe this was happening to us. I was supposed to be living a normal life, 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 you defeat someone who seems invincible? Everything stopped so suddenly. The air seemed to thicken, the world around us holding its breath. A chill ran down my spine, not from the cold but from something else, something primal. And then I felt him. His presence as strong as a tempest. It was like a physical force, pushing against my consciousness. Before I could even process it, I heard his voice, deep, resonant, and filled with a power I''d never heard before. "We give him what he wants." I lunged at him without thinking, my arms wrapping around him tightly. He was here. He was real. And he was safe. Relief washed over me in waves, so strong it nearly knocked me off my feet. My wolf let out a low growl, a sound of contentment that reverberated through me which meant he got his wolf back. He held me for a moment, his arms as strong as steel, yet gentle as a summer breeze. "Silver," he whispered, his breath warm against my skin. I clung to him, refusing to let go. I didn''t care about anything else. He was here, and that was all that mattered. Slowly, reluctantly, I pulled away, the weight of the situation crashing down on me. I looked at the others, their faces a mixture of shock and relief. Sarah wiggled her eyebrows at us, a mischievous glint in her eyes. I blushed, my heart pounding in my chest. Alex cleared his throat, his powerful aura suddenly back in full force. "We''re done ying games," he said, his voice low and dangerous. His eyes, usually soft and yful, were now hard and cold. "Ivan has gone too far." His gaze swept the room,nding on each of us. "We give him what he wants. My father. And then, we finish this." A collective gasp escaped our lips. "Are you crazy?" Riley eximed, her voice filled with disbelief and fear. Alex''s expression didn''t change. "I''m done running. I''m done being a pawn. I''m not going to let him dictate our lives anymore." "But Alex, this is a trap," Natalia argued, her voice trembling. "He wants to kill you." "I know," Alex replied, his voice cold and calcted. "But I''m not going to let him hurt Nate or anyone else." A wave of fear washed over me. I couldn''t lose him. Not again. "Alex, please don''t do this." He turned to me, his eyes filled with a love that was bothforting and terrifying. "I have to, Silver. I have to end this once and for all." "So you are going to hand your father over to him?" Christian asked. Alex''s jaw tightened. "My father made his choices," he said coldly. "He has to face the consequences. And so does Ivan." "And Nate?" Riley asked. Alex''s eyes hardened even more, "I am not letting that bastard near my son. I''m going to protect him with my life." I wanted to believe him, but the fear was overwhelming. This was a suicide mission. I couldn''t lose him. Not now. *Alex, please, I begged again, my voice filled with desperation. He took a step towards me, his arms reaching out. He held me tightly, his warmth aforting shield against the storm raging inside me. "I promise, Silver, he whispered, his voice filled with a promise that was both reassuring and terrifying. "I''lle back to you." I clung to him, hoping with all my might that his promise woulde true. He released me for a moment to face Christian, "My wolves will be ready. I will retrieve Damon from the facility and go to Ivan.¡± "Wait," Sarah said and all of us turned to her, "How do you know what Ivan wanted?" "I got a message from him and that is thest any of us will get," His eyes darkened and his Alpha aura filled the room, "I am ending this and when I walk out of there, Ivan will be dead." L Chapter 156 -Ivan''s POV- There were many sides to a story, and I was sure by now I''d been painted as the viin. But in my defense, well I really didn''t care to make a plea or defend myself, I had my life, my childhood ripped away from me, and every single person by extension would suffer and feel the pain I felt. Along the line, I''d admit I might have gone a little out of line. Using Amaya like that was a cruel thing to do, but I would''ve felt guilty if I had a single ounce of care left in me. I could''ve been a normal child, had a normal life, but that had been ripped away from me. They called me a monster, but I was the monster Damon Thorne created, and once I was done with them, they''d all rue the day they chose to exist. A satisfactory smile curved my lips as I took a drink from my ss. Just as the door opened, and the only person who mattered to me stepped inside. Miranda leveled me with a re, "What could you possibly be smiling about? You should have killed Damon. We will finally have our revenge, and we can all move on." "Move on?" My eyebrow rose. "Move on while they all walk free? You''re failing to see the bigger picture here, sister." "And what is the bigger picture here, brother, because you didn''t have to spend that much time with Amaya, and even though you deny it, I see it. It upsets you that she chose him over and over again, and from the start, she never wanted you, and then we had the children, but you are keen on ying this twisted game, and I''m tired of it," she snapped, and my eyes instantly shed with ck. She took a step back, swallowing, "I''m sorry. I didn''t mean to use that tone." I took in a deep breath. I had so much darkness, so much hate in me that even I found it hard to control, and Miranda had been on the receiving end of it once, and as much as I tried to control it around her, sometimes she pissed me the hell off. I stood to my feet, taking the ss with me, "Need I remind you of how many times you have failed me? First, I asked you to keep Alex in check, you failed to do that, forcing me to cower before him, ridiculing myself when I went to ask him to help mypany." She looked away, "I''m sorry. I didn''t..." "I''m still speaking," I said, and her mouth instantly mped shut. "Then I told you to kill Amaya, andst time I checked she is walking and breathing. Then I gave you a task to kill Alex, and make sure he actually dies, and is he dead?" She looked at her fingers, "No." "So," I took a step towards her, and she backed away even more, "don''t stand here and question me, and don''t get on my nerves. Understood?" She nodded, her lips quivering. "I''m sorry." I finished my drink, the ice clinking against the ss. I ced the ss on the table with a decisive thud. "I will tell you onest time. Amaya was nothing but a pawn, your jealousy for her is clouding your thoughts. Stop irritating me with it." A tear slid down her cheeks at that, and with a sigh, I pushed the anger down. I really hated seeing her cry, and I knew in all the years I had be a master at doing it to her so I softened my tone, "Hey, look at me." She raised her head, and more tears slid down. I wiped them again, "I didn''t mean to snap at you. You know how much I hate being questioned. Come here." With that, I wrapped my hands around her, and she buried her face in my chest while I stroked her back, "Go and rest your head, and we will talk when you wake up, okay?" She nodded into my chest before pulling away. Without looking at me, she turned on her heels and walked out the door, no doubt to go and cry. I let out a sigh. I really did care for my sister, but I was just so messed up that I lost control sometimes, and she was the only person in the world that I wished my twisted brain didn''t affect. "Well, aren''t you winning the brother of the year award," A voice spoke behind me, and I instantly ground my teeth before turning back to face Adrian. "Do not get on my nerves. I keep you around because you are of use to me. I can make you lose your use and your life in seconds," I growled. His eyes shed with fear, but he quickly masked it, clearing his throat. I poured myself another drink, "Is it all set up?" He nodded, then stood a moment longer and I raised my eyes to meet him, "Did you want something else?" "Just one question, Ivan. When this is all over. When they are all dead and you have your revenge, what next?" A smile finally curved my lips, "Why don''t you focus on what you get at the end of it and let me focus on the aftermath. Now, if that''s all, I need to think." He started a moment longer before turning away and mming the door behind him. I finished my drink, the cold liquid doing little to quench the fire burning inside me. I walked over to the window and looked out at the city. The lights twinkled like distant stars, but they held no allure for me. I was a predator stalking his prey, and the city was my hunting ground. Amaya''s smile shed in my head, and I quickly brushed it off. I meant what I said. She had been nothing but a pawn, and it was good she was a good enough intimate partner. That was all. Spending all that time, pretending to like her and those bratty, annoying children took moments from my life I would never get back, but the fact remained that Miranda was wrong. Amaya meant nothing to me.N?velDrama.Org owns ? this. The reason I didn''t kill Damon was because I wanted all three generations present, and then they would know what I felt after I had all their blood. I thought about Amaya again, about her soft smile and the way she looked at me with those trusting eyes. It was a cruel game I was ying, but necessary. She was a pawn in a muchrger game, a pawn I was willing to sacrifice. I felt no remorse, no guilt. Only a cold, calcting satisfaction. I looked at my phone. The ultimatum would soon expire, and if I didn''t get a response, they would all regret it. And then a notification came in, making my lips curve up in a satisfactory smile as I read the message from Alex: "I''m done ying your games. We will be there by seven." ¸Ê 0 -Maya''s POV- The decision was made. Nate was no way in hell getting involved. Alex was going, his resolve as solid as steel. It was a bitter pill to swallow, but it was the safest option. A strange sense of determination had settled over him, a quiet confidence that was both reassuring and unsettling. I watched as he gave orders, his voice firm andmanding. It was almost like he''d transformed into a different person, a warrior ready for battle. A part of me was terrified, but another part was filled with an unwavering belief in him. Alone in my room, I found sce by the window, my gaze lost in the endless expanse of the sky. A silent prayer to the Moon Goddess filled my thoughts, a desperate plea for guidance and protection. A soft sigh escaped my lips as the door creaked open. I knew it was him without turning around. His arms wrapped around me from behind, and I leaned back into his warmth. "It''s almost time," he murmured, his voice low andforting. "I know," I replied, my voice barely a whisper. He turned me around, his eyes holding mine. "I wish it didn''t have toe to this," he sighed, his voice filled with a raw honesty that pierced through me. "Ivan started this," He continued, trying to sound strong. "And I''m going to end his reign over our lives. But for now, I still have a little time before I have to leave, and I want to spend every second of it with you." A small smile tugged at the corners of my lips as he led me to the bed. There were so many unanswered questions burning in my mind, but for now, I wanted to focus on him. He tucked a stray strand of hair behind my ear, a simple gesture that held a world of tenderness. It was a familiar touch, aforting ritual from a time when things were simpler. "Talk to me, Silver," he urged, his voice gentle. I took a deep breath. "How is a witch your aunt, and how did you manage to get your wolf back?" The question had been burning in my mind. He chuckled, a sound that was both amused and bittersweet. "Well, that wasn''t what I expected you to ask," he said, his eyes twinkling. Then his expression turned serious. "My mother''s father was a werewolf, and her mother was a witch. When they married, they had twin girls." My mind raced, trying to process the information. "One ended up as a witch, and the other, your mother, as a werewolf. You never told me about her. You never talked about any of them," I said, my voice filled with a mix of curiosity and sadness. He gave me a small smile. "There isn''t much to tell about my father that isn''t already clear. But I promise, after this, I will tell you all about her. She has a story worth telling, and I was just so scared that I pushed the thought of her away for many years," he confessed, his voice filled with regret. I nodded, understanding the weight of his words. It took courage to confront one''s past, especially when it was filled with pain. "And Delores, my mother''s sister," he continued, "she sent me into my subconscious where I had to find my wolf again and let go of the pain of my past." It made sense. He seemed different, calmer, more centered. He had faced his fears and emerged stronger. I was truly happy for him. But then, a troubling thought urred to me. "Do you think there''s a possibility that Ivy might be like her? Delores?" I asked, my voice filled with apprehension. He ced a gentle kiss on my lips. "If she is, then we will deal with it when ites." I sighed, leaning into his embrace. I knew he was right. There was no point in worrying about something that might not even be true. For now, I just wanted to be with him. I kissed him deeply, losing myself in the moment. "Silver," He let out a sigh and I pushed myself towards him, my hands going for his belt. "Silver." He said again but this time it was more like a groan. I knew this wasn''t the time but the entire world would wait. I needed this. I needed him "Alex" I whispered as I slid his zipper down. His eyes met mine, filled with desire, lust, need. I could hardly breathe as I pulled him free from his pants, He looked down at me, his eyes hungry, then lowered his lips to mine. le moaned as his tongue explored my mouth. As he licked and nibbled, I felt his hands slide inside my shirt. I shivered as his fingers skimmed over my skin, making their way slowly towards my breast. A soft moan escaped my lips as his fingertips grazed my nipple. I arched my back, pressing myself against him. He broke our kiss as he bent forward and trailed his lips down my neck, lingering for a second on my corbone. His teeth scraped gently on my skin, sending shivers through me. He lifted his head, his gaze searching mine. "Are you sure?" he asked softly. I nodded, unable to form words. I reached down and undid the button of my jeans, sliding them off, then took off my shirt, unfastening my bra. As I ran my hands down my torso, his eyes followed my every movement. His breathing was ragged as I cupped my breasts in my hands, letting my thumbs caress my nipples. I closed my eyes and leaned my head back, the feeling too intense to bear. His hands came up to cup my breasts as he began to knead them gently. "You have no idea how long I''ve been waiting for this." I opened my eyes as he lowered his head to my left nipple, taking it into his mouth. He flicked his tongue across it, drawing out another moan. "And I can''t get enough of you." He repeated the same thing with my other nipple, leaving it tingling. When he released it, I could hardly breathe. I was so sensitive. His lips left a trail on my stomach, following my waistband until he found the hem of my panties. He hooked his fingers in the side of them and slowly dragged them down my legs. He bit his lip as I kicked them off. "So beautiful." He murmured as he stood and peeled off his clothes. He stood there before me, naked, and I drank him in with my eyes. His eyes were shining with desire, his cock thick and hard. I bit my lower lip as he stepped closer to me, his gaze never wavering. He took my hand and guided it to his cock. "Feel it, Silver. Feel how much I want you." I wrapped my hand around it and squeezed gently. He groaned and I could tell he was fighting the urge to take control. I dropped to my knees in front of him, my gaze fixed on his shaft. His breath caught as I stroked his length. I took my time, moving up and down, enjoying the sight of him trembling. I heard him mutter curses under his breath as I lowered my head and took him into my mouth. I could tell he was fighting the urge to thrust but he held himself back, watching as I sucked him deeper. After what seemed like forever, he stopped me. He picked me up and ced me on the bed, then climbed onto the mattress, settling between my thighs. I kissed him hungrily as his hands roamed over my body. I needed more. I wanted all of him inside me. He slipped one finger inside me, teasing me. I moaned and he added another finger, stretching me open. I whimpered as he yed with my clit, slowly bringing me higher then without giving me time to prepare, he positioned his cock in between my legs and in one thrust, he entered me. I let out a gasp feeling him everywhere, forgot what it felt like to be with him. How right he felt. Like I was made for him and he was made for me. He pumped in and out of me slowly at first, savoring each stroke. I was lost to the sensations as he brought me to the edge. As I started to fall apart, he increased his pace, pushing me closer. My hips bucked against his, desperate for more. He gave me more. He gave me everything. He drove me to new heights. I came with a loud scream. He didn''t stop. He kept thrusting into me, each one harder than thest and I lost count of how many times I went over the edge screaming his name over and over. I cried. I screamed. I begged. I didn''t understand the words that wereing out of my mouth. At some point, I lost the ability to think but he didn''t stop and then I let out an ear piercing scream as he let out a groan, exploding inside me. Stars. For a moment I think I saw stars just as he copsed on top of me, "I love you, Silver." He whispered into my ear. I smiled, feeling myself drift off to sleep but managed to whisper, "I love you too, Alex." I woke up to an empty bed, a familiar ache spreading through me. A soft smile crept onto my face as I remembered what had happened. The weight of the impending danger hung heavy in the air, but for now, I allowed myself this brief respite. The door creaked open, interrupting my reverie. Alex stepped into the room, a steaming mug in his hand. A surge of warmth spread through me as I pushed myself up against the pillows. "Hey," I smiled at him, my voice hoarse from sleep. He returned the greeting with a bigger smile. "Hey," he replied, handing me the mug. "I figured you could use this." I took the mug from his hands, the warmth seeping into my cold fingers. The rich aroma of coffee filled my senses, promising a much-needed boost. As I brought the mug to my lips, I took a cautious sip, the bitter taste jolting me awake. "Why are you bringing me coffee?" I asked, my voiceced with amusement. He shrugged, his expression turning serious. "I just figured you could use your strength." I nodded, taking another sip of coffee. The warmth spread through my body, chasing away the remnants of sleep. As I set the mug down on the nightstand, his expression shifted, and a sense of foreboding washed over me. "I need you to promise me something," he began, his voice filled with a gravity that startled me. "No matter what happens, you stay here with the twins. Can you do that?" My heart pounded in my chest. The request was a heavy one, a burden I wasn''t sure I could bear. "I can''t promise you that, Alex," I replied honestly. "If something happens, if things go downhill, I can''t promise I won''te after you. You already know that." He gave me a sad smile, his eyes filled with a mixture of love and determination. "I already figured that one out. I''m really sorry about this, Silver." A chill ran down my spine as his words sunk in. I stared at him, my mind racing. Something was off, a sense of unease growing within me. "Alex, what are," I began, my voice trembling slightly. Before I could finish my sentence, the world began to spin. A wave of dizziness washed over me, and my vision blurred. I tried to reach out to him, but my arms felt like lead. "I can''t risk youing after me. I need you to be safe." He moved closer, his hand gently brushing against my cheek. "I''ll be back, Silver. I promise." As his face blurred into an indistinguishable mass, I realized with a growing horror that the coffee was drugged. My body felt heavy, and my eyelids were drooping uncontrobly. I was losing consciousness, and there was nothing I could do to stop it. Thest thing I saw was Alex walking towards the door, his silhouette a haunting image as darkness consumed me. Chapter 157 ~Maya''s POV- The decision was made. Nate was no way in hell getting involved. Alex was going, his resolve as solid as steel. It was a bitter pill to swallow, but it was the safest option. A strange sense of determination had settled over him, a quiet confidence that was both reassuring and unsettling. I watched as he gave orders, his voice firm andmanding. It was almost like he''d transformed into a different person, a warrior ready for battle. A part of me was terrified, but another part was filled with an unwavering belief in him. Alone in my room, I found sce by the window, my gaze lost in the endless expanse of the sky. A silent prayer to the Moon Goddess filled my thoughts, a desperate plea for guidance and protection. A soft sigh escaped my lips as the door creaked open. I knew it was him without turning around. His arms wrapped around me from behind, and I leaned back into his warmth. "It''s almost time," he murmured, his voice low andforting. "I know," I replied, my voice barely a whisper. He turned me around, his eyes holding mine. "I wish it didn''t have toe to this," he sighed, his voice filled with a raw honesty that pierced through me. "Ivan started this," He continued, trying to sound strong. "And I''m going to end his reign over our lives. But for now, I still have a little time before I have to leave, and I want to spend every second of it with you." A small smile tugged at the corners of my lips as he led me to the bed. There were so many unanswered questions burning in my mind, but for now, I wanted to focus on him. He tucked a stray strand of hair behind my ear, a simple gesture that held a world of tenderness. It was a familiar touch, aforting ritual from a time when things were simpler. "Talk to me, Silver," he urged, his voice gentle. I took a deep breath. "How is a witch your aunt, and how did you manage to get your wolf back?" The question had been burning in my mind. He chuckled, a sound that was both amused and bittersweet. "Well, that wasn''t what I expected you to ask," he said, his eyes twinkling. Then his expression turned serious. "My mother''s father was a werewolf, and her mother was a witch. When they married, they had twin girls." My mind raced, trying to process the information. "One ended up as a witch, and the other, your mother, as a werewolf. You never told me about her. You never talked about any of them," I said, my voice filled with a mix of curiosity and sadness. He gave me a small smile. "There isn''t much to tell about my father that isn''t already clear. But I promise, after this, I will tell you all about her. She has a story worth telling, and I was just so scared that I pushed the thought of her away for many years," he confessed, his voice filled with regret. I nodded, understanding the weight of his words. It took courage to confront one''s past, especially when it was filled with pain. "And Delores, my mother''s sister," he continued, "she sent me into my subconscious where I had to find my wolf again and let go of the pain of my past." It made sense. He seemed different, calmer, more centered. He had faced his fears and emerged stronger. I was truly happy for him. But then, a troubling thought urred to me. "Do you think there''s a possibility that Ivy might be like her? Delores?" I asked, my voice filled with apprehension. He ced a gentle kiss on my lips. "If she is, then we will deal with it when ites." I sighed, leaning into his embrace. I knew he was right. There was no point in worrying about something that might not even be true. For now, I just wanted to be with him. I kissed him deeply, losing myself in the moment. "Silver," He let out a sigh and I pushed myself towards him, my hands going for his belt. "Silver." He said again but this time it was more like a groan. I knew this wasn''t the time but the entire world would wait. I needed this. I needed him. "Alex," I whispered as I slid his zipper down. His eyes met mine, filled with desire, lust, need. I could hardly breathe as I pulled him free from his pants. He looked down at me, his eyes hungry, then lowered his lips to mine. I moaned as his tongue explored my mouth. As he licked and nibbled, I felt his hands slide inside my shirt. I shivered as his fingers skimmed over my skin, making their way slowly towards my breast. A soft moan escaped my lips as his fingertips grazed my nipple. I arched my back, pressing myself against him. He broke our kiss as he bent forward and trailed his lips down my neck, lingering for a second on my corbone. His teeth scraped gently on my skin, sending shivers through me. He lifted his head, his gaze searching mine. "Are you sure?" he asked softly. I nodded, unable to form words. I reached down and undid the button of my jeans, sliding them off, then took off my shirt, unfastening my bra. As I ran my hands down my torso, his eyes followed my every movement. His breathing was ragged as I cupped my breasts in my hands, letting my thumbs caress my nipples. I closed my eyes and leaned my head back, the feeling too intense to bear. His hands came up to cup my breasts as he began to knead them gently. "You have no idea how long I''ve been waiting for this." I opened my eyes as he lowered his head to my left nipple, taking it into his mouth. He flicked his tongue across it, drawing out another moan. "And I can''t get enough of you." He repeated the same thing with my other nipple, leaving it tingling. When he released it, I could hardly breathe. I was so sensitive. His lips left a trail on my stomach, following my waistband until he found the hem of my panties. He hooked his fingers in the side of them and slowly dragged them down my legs. He bit his lip as I kicked them off. "So beautiful." He murmured as he stood and peeled off his clothes. He stood there before me, naked, and I drank him in with my eyes. His eyes were shining with desire, his cock thick and hard. I bit my lower lip as he stepped closer to me, his gaze never wavering. He took my hand and guided it to his cock. "Feel it, Silver. Feel how much I want you." I wrapped my hand around it and squeezed gently. He groaned and I could tell he was fighting the urge to take control. I dropped to my knees in front of him, my gaze fixed on his shaft. His breath caught as I stroked his length. I took my time, moving up and down, enjoying the sight of him trembling. I heard him mutter curses under his breath as I lowered my head and took him into my mouth. I could tell he was fighting the urge to thrust but he held himself back, watching as I sucked him deeper. After what seemed like forever, he stopped me. He picked me up and ced me on the bed, then climbed onto the mattress, settling between my thighs. I kissed him hungrily as his hands roamed over my body. I needed more. I wanted all of him inside me. He slipped one finger inside me, teasing me. I moaned and he added another finger, stretching me open. I whimpered as he yed with my clit, slowly bringing me higher then without giving me time to prepare, he positioned his cock in between my legs and in one thrust, he entered me. I let out a gasp feeling him everywhere forgot what it felt like to be with him. How right he felt. Like I was made for him and he was made for me. He pumped in and out of me slowly at first, savoring each stroke. I was lost to the sensations as he brought me to the edge. As I started to fall apart, he increased his pace, pushing me closer. My hips bucked against his, desperate for more. He gave me more. He gave me everything. He drove me to new heights. I came with a loud scream. He didn''t stop. He kept thrusting into me, each one harder than thest and I lost count of how many times I went over the edge screaming his name over and over. I cried. I screamed. I begged. I didn''t understand the words that wereing out of my mouth. At some point, I lost the ability to think but he didn''t stop and then I let out an ear piercing scream as he let out a groan, exploding inside me. Stars. For a moment I think I saw stars just as he copsed on top of me, "I love you, Silver." He whispered into my ear. I smiled, feeling myself drift off to sleep but managed to whisper, "I love you too, Alex." I woke up to an empty bed, a familiar ache spreading through me. A soft smile crept onto my face as I remembered what had happened. The weight of the impending danger hung heavy in the air, but for now, I allowed myself this brief respite. The door creaked open, interrupting my reverie. Alex stepped into the room, a steaming mug in his hand. A surge of warmth spread through me as I pushed myself up against the pillows. "Hey," I smiled at him, my voice hoarse from sleep. He returned the greeting with a bigger smile. "Hey," he replied, handing me the mug. "I figured you could use this." I took the mug from his hands, the warmth seeping into my cold fingers. The rich aroma of coffee filled my senses, promising a much-needed boost. As I brought the mug to my lips, I took a cautious sip, the bitter taste jolting me awake. "Why are you bringing me coffee?" I asked, my voiceced with amusement. He shrugged, his expression turning serious. "I just figured you could use your strength." I nodded, taking another sip of coffee. The warmth spread through my body, chasing away the remnants of sleep. As I set the mug down on the nightstand, his expression shifted, and a sense of foreboding washed over me. "I need you to promise me something," he began, his voice filled with a gravity that startled me. "No matter what happens, you stay here with the twins. Can you do that?" My heart pounded in my chest. The request was heavy one, a burden I wasn''t suret could bear. "I can''t promise you that, Alex," I replied honestly. "If something happens, if things go downhill, I can''t promise I won''te after you. You already know that." He gave me a sad smile, his eyes filled with a mixture of love and determination. "I already figured that one out. I''m really sorry about this, Silver." A chill ran down my spine as his words sunk in. I stared at him, my mind racing. Something was off, a sense of unease growing within me. "Alex, what are," I began, my voice trembling slightly.N?velDrama.Org ? content. Before I could finish my sentence, the world began to spin. A wave of dizziness washed over me, and my vision blurred. I tried to reach out to him, but my arms felt like lead. "I can''t risk youing after me. I need you to be safe." He moved closer, his hand gently brushing against my cheek. "I''ll be back, Silver. I promise." As his face blurred into an indistinguishable mass, I realized with a growing horror that the coffee was drugged. My body felt heavy, and my eyelids were drooping uncontrobly. I was losing consciousness, and there was nothing I could do to stop it. Thest thing I saw was Alex walking towards the door, his silhouette a haunting image as darkness consumed me. Chapter 158 -Alex''s POV- The decision was made, a cold, calcted choice that gnawed at me. Protecting Amaya meant removing her from the equation, at least for now. With a heavy heart, I pulled on my jacket and stepped out into the living room. Christian was waiting, his expression a mixture of concern and determination. "Everything set?" I asked, my voice steady. He nodded, his gaze fixed on me. "Amaya?" "She''ll forgive me when this is over," I replied, my voice firm. "We need to get going. I''ll get Damon from the facility first." Christian hesitated, his eyes scanning my face. "Are you sure about this?" he asked, his voiceced with doubt. I met his gaze, my resolve unwavering. "I am," I said, my voice low. "I''m going to win this. He''s a little boy trapped in a man''s body, refusing to grow up, to let go of the past. This time, it''ll be different." Christian let out a long sigh. "Then we had better get going. The sooner this ends, the sooner I can get a good night''s sleep. I already have a mafia lord to deal with," he joked, a wry smile ying on his lips. It was a wee distraction, a brief moment of normalcy in the midst of the chaos. I nodded, my mind already racing. The drive to the facility was a blur. Every passing second was a tick of the clock, counting down to the inevitable confrontation. I tried to focus on the road, but my thoughts kept drifting to Amaya. I hated leaving her, but it was the only way to protect her. We arrived at the hospital in record time. There was no time for formalities. I marched into the building, my presence sending a ripple of fear through the staff. The usual procedures were an inconvenience I couldn''t afford. I needed to get to my father, and I needed to do it fast. As I made my way down the sterile corridor, a thought urred to me. I stopped in my tracks, turning to face the nearest nurse. "Get me a wheelchair and bring it to his room," I ordered, my tone leaving no room for argument. The nurse''s eyes widened in fear, but she nodded quickly and disappeared down the hall. I continued my journey, my steps echoing in the quiet corridor. When I reached my father''s room, the sight that greeted me was a stark reminder of the man he had be. Hey in bed, his skin pale and translucent, the machines that had once kept him alive now silent. Yet, there was a flicker of life in his eyes, a spark of defiance that surprised me. "Father." His head turned slowly, his eyes meeting mine. "My time hase," he said, his voice weak but resolute. I moved closer to the bed, my gaze scanning his face. The man lying here was a shadow of the powerful figure I remembered. The years had taken their toll, leaving him frail and vulnerable. "I know you''re aware of what''s been happening," I began, my voice steady. "The horrible things you did in the past have seeped into my life, disrupting everything. You could have stopped it. You could have let us be." A single tear rolled down his cheek, the only acknowledgment of my words. "He wants us to suffer the same pain he did when he watched his parents die," I continued, my voice cold and hard. "He wants me to bring you and my son to him." My father''s eyes widened in shock. "You have a son?" he asked, his voice filled with disbelief. I nodded, a bittersweet smile spreading across my face. "Twins, actually. And I almost lost my family because of what you did. But I''m tired of going around in circles. I''ve let go, and now I need to bring you with me so I can end this once and for all." My father nodded slowly, his expression a mixture of fear and resignation. Just then, the nurse returned with the wheelchair. I turned to her, my voice firm. "Inform them that I''m taking my father out of the facility for a while. It''s not up for debate, do you understand?" The nurse nodded quickly. As she helped me transfer my father to the wheelchair, I felt a strange sense of detachment. This was my father, the man who had shaped my life, yet I felt nothing but a cold indifference. It felt strange, almost surreal. The man I was touching was a ghost of the past, a shadow of the powerful figure I had once feared. "His condition has improved, but he shouldn''t stay away for long," the nurse said, her voice shaky. "To avoid furtherplications, Mr. Thorne." I nodded at her then took over wheeling my father out of there. We both stayed silent until we got to the car where Christisn was waiting and he came down to assist me, bringing him into the car. He stared down at my father and I knew what he saw was a dying old man but I knew the father I grew up with and Damon Thorne was a far cry from it. The car ride was silent, and I still shut out all the thoughts in my head until we reached the location where Ivan had sent in the message, a fortress- like building that seemed to loom over us. Men in ck suits stood guard, their faces impassive, but no one made a move as I took my father out, cing him back on the wheelchair. I stared ahead, just as his hands sped on mine, and he whispered, "I truly am sorry for everything, Alex." I sighed. "I wish it wasn''t toote, father. I just wish." And then I started wheeling him towards the massive building. The men parted the way for us as we passed. I kept my guard up, my wolf ready to pounce. Ever since he came back, I felt how strong he was. I knew Ivan bo ne! the backing of two packs, but I had my n and wolves ready alongside every single resource I had acquired since I became a billionaire. I was ready for it. We finally got to a point where two men stood guarding a door, and then without a word, they opened it. I wheeled my father inside, and I finally saw him. He had his back turned to us, and I realized that ever since he revealed what he truly was, it was the first time I would be seeing him in person. No one said anything for a moment, then he finally turned to face us. And I saw it. The darkness that he had been trying to shield. That I knew was there. That had made Miranda shake with fear at the hospital parking lot. His lips curled up in a smile, "Well, look who decided to join the party. One member is missing though."C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org. "You must bepletely insane if you thought I''d bring my son here." "Your son?" he mocked, a cruel smile spreading across his face. "Last time I checked, I was their father legally. But I guess that''s something I would look into after this is over." I almostughed. He really thought he wasing out of this alive. His eyes finally settled on my father, and every ounce of amusement left his face, "I have never met myself see you before. Look the monster that created what I am eye to eye because I wanted everything to lead up here but I have to tell you, I truly am disappointed." Damon wheezed, his voice weak and raspy. "I caused this. I caused your pain" he croaked, his eyes filled with remorse. "Leave Alex out of it. "If we''re done with the hopeless conversation," I began, my voice steady, "why don''t you tell me why we''re here so we can end this once and for all." Ivan''s smile returned, wider and more sinister this time. "I will never understand why Amaya was so keen on you," he snarled, his voice dripping with venom. And then I heard it. Jealousy. The monster had been consumed by jealousy. I couldn''t help but feel a surge of satisfaction. This was it, what was specifically driving him more. He had crossed the threshold between his btw for my father and the fact that she picked me. I had figured he was obsessed with Amaya, but to hear him admit it out loud was a victory of sorts. I mocked his words, my voice dripping with contempt. "If that''s what hurt your feelings, then I''m truly sorry. But perhaps it''s time to grow up and deal with it." Ivan''s patience snapped. His voice, a thunderous roar, echoed through the cavernous room. "Enough!" he bellowed, his face contorted in rage. "I''m going to let you watch your father die, then I''ll take you to Amaya. After that, I''ll kill everyone else, starting with Amaya, then that bratty little Ivy. I''ll make sure Nate watches, so your family will finally know my pain." His words were a dagger to the heart, a vile promise that ignited a primal fury within me. The facade of control shattered, reced by a raw, animalistic rage. I felt the power of my wolf surging within me, demanding release. My vision blurred as the transformation began. My muscles rippled and expanded, my bones cracking and shifting. My skin burned as dark fur erupted, covering my body in a thick, imprable coat. When the transformation wasplete, I stood tall and proud, my muscles rippling with power. My fur was as ck as night, and my eyes glowed with an otherworldly light and I felt the shadows like auras of power emanating from my skin. I heard Damon gasp beside me and Ivan''s eyes widened with surprise for a moment but he quickly masked it and with a growl that caused the entire room to shake I lunged at him just as his own transformation took ce and we both shed. Chapter 159 ~Maya''s POV- My head felt like a drum someone was pounding relentlessly. It wasn''t a sharp pain, more like a persistent, insistent pressure. A force pushing me to consciousness. My wolf, restless and agitated, paced behind my eyelids, a caged animal desperate to break free. Then, with a violent surge, she lunged forward, and I jolted upright, gasping for air. My heart hammered in my chest as I scanned the room, my vision still blurry. The soft glow of the bedsidemp cast elongated shadows, creating an eerie atmosphere. My eyesnded on the coffee cup on the side table, and a wave of nausea washed over me. Alex. That bastard. He actually drugged me! Anger, a hot, consuming fire, ignited within me. I kicked off the covers and swung my legs over the side of the bed. My feet hit the cold hardwood floor with a thud, grounding me in the harsh reality of the situation. I stumbled to the living room, my movements jerky and unsteady. Natalia was the first to notice me. Her eyes widened in surprise, her jaw dropping slightly. "Amaya, you weren''t supposed to be up by now." I nced at Sarah and Riley, their expressions carefully neutral. The realization hit me like a ton of bricks. They knew. All of them. They knew Alex was going to drug me, and they did nothing to stop it. Betrayal burned in my chest, a bitter taste in my mouth. "You knew," I used, my voice low and dangerous. "All of you knew." My eyes narrowed, scanning their faces, "I can''t believe the three of you right now. You knew he was going to drug me and you went with it? None of you stopped him or tried to warn me?" Natalia cleared her throat, taking a step forward. "Amaya, we know you''re upset, but... We all know how you are. We thought it would be best if you couldn''t go after him. We didn''t do it to hurt you and you should still be out." That was why I had felt the banging. My wolf had been fighting the effect of the drug and had kicked in my conciousness but still I couldn''t believe my friends. "Don''t ''Amaya'' me," I interrupted, my voice rising. "We thought it was the best course of action," Riley said softly, her voice filled with regret. "You would have gone after him, no matter what." "And you think that''s okay?" I demanded, my anger escting. "You think it''s okay to treat me like a child?" "It''s not about treating you like a child," Sarah said, his voice steady. "It''s about protecting you." I tried to move towards the door, but Natalia and Riley blocked my path. Their bodies formed an imprable wall.Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org. "You''re not going anywhere," Natalia said firmly. "Get out of my way," I growled, my patience wearing thin. "Amaya, please," Riley pleaded. "Alex asked that you didn''te after him. Be sensible and stay put." I turned my gaze to Sarah. "You can''t be with them on this." Sarah sighed too, "You know I''m all for violence and beating up people but really, it''s foolish to go after him. Think about the twins. You would only be a distraction to him so please." I ground my teeth feeling my wolf getting angry, "I am all asking you nicely. Get out of my way." I felt my wolf struggling to stay put and I was battling with for control, "I won''t ask so nicely next time." Riley took a step backwards but Natalia stood her ground, ring at me, "Don''t be unreasonable. You are not going out there." With a final surge of willpower, I let my wolf take control. My body convulsed as I shifted, my clothes ripping as I transformed into my wolf form. I let out a growl, and Riley immediately fully shifted out of my way, but still, Natalia refused, her eyes turning ck. "You are not the only one with a wolf. Don''t turn this into a fight. Shift back and don''t wake the twins up. This is very unnecessary and¡ª" Then Sarah cut in suddenly. "Let her go." We all faced her, my wolf staring at her with suspicion. She continued, "Nothing we say will stop her from going, so let her go. She needs to do this, and this was as much her fight as it was Alex''s." Natalia finally relented, facing me still with the re, "You had better not die." Then she stepped aside, and with a softer growl in her direction, I dashed out. My paws pounded on the ground through the city. It was dangerous going straight in my wolf form, especially with the war going on, but I stuck to the shadows and headed straight for the ce where Ivan had dropped the location. I didn''t stop until I reached the fortress-like building. There was already chaos outside with wolves going at each other, Alex''s wolves and Ivan''s. The scene was a bloodbath. Wolves were locked in brutalbat, their howls echoing through the night. Bodies littered the ground, some still twitching, while othersy motionless. I weaved through the chaos, my senses heightened, my wolf guiding me. I could smell the iron in the air, the tang of fear and adrenaline. The building loomed before me, a dark and imposing structure. I could feel Alex''s presence inside, his aura calling out to me even from a distance. moved cautiously, my senses on high alert. The interior of the building was as chaotic as the outside, with bodies scattered across the floor. The stench of fear and blood hung heavy in the air. I navigated the chaos with cautious strides, my senses on high alert. Every shadow seemed to hold a threat, every sound a potential danger. I was desperate to find Alex. His scent, faint but persistent, pulled me forward. The air grew thick with the acrid tang of ozone, and the distant crackle of electricity hinted at an ongoing battle. I pressed on, my muscles straining, my heart pounding. Suddenly, a sharp painnced across my jaw. I staggered, my vision blurring for a moment. My attacker was unseen, but I knew instinctively that Alex was the target and because I could feel his pain, he was hurt. Rage ignited within me, a white-hot fury that eclipsed the pain. I stumbled forward, my determination increasing. Then, I was hit with a force that sent me flying. The world spun, and for a terrifying second, everything went ck. When my vision cleared, I was sprawled on the cold, hard floor, my body aching. I pushed myself to my feet, my senses reeling. Arge, reddish-brown wolf stood over me, its eyes glinting with malice and I knew instantly. Miranda. The name formed in my mind like a venomous snake. This was the bitch who had orchestrated the kidnapping of my children, who had tried to kill me, who had almost seded in killing Alex and who was now a threat to me. A low growl rumbled in my chest, a challenge. This was definitely a fight I was looking forward to. With a powerful growl that echoed off the walls, Iunched myself at her. B Chapter 164 Alex''s POV- N F wid The days stretched out like an endless desert. Time, once a steadypanion, had be 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 yed his cards close to his chest. I''d underestimated him, thinking I''d ended the game when I ended his life. But his ns, carefullyid, were like a time bomb I hadn''t defused. Adrian, that backstabbing leech, had seized the opportunity to take over mypany. 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. And Amaya. Every time I saw her, she was like a sunrise, a new kind of beauty. It was hard to believe she was the 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 ce, what chance did she have? I''d epted 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 find peace.N?velDrama.Org ? content. Amaya had also asked for a proper burial for Miranda. She was a victim, a broken soul caught in the crossfire. That is what she had said and she hoped she''d found peace wherever she was. All of that? It all led 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. Maybe this was my penance. Amaya hadn''t given up. She was here again, fighting for me. But I knew the oue. Guilty. The room would fall silent, and I''d ept my fate. But then he said, "Not guilty." The words hung in the air, a fog in my brain. The m of his gavel brought me back to reality. 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 did it," she whispered. No, she did it. I held my children tight, the first tear escaping my eye. I was free. Amaya turned her head towards the door, her eyes filled with a mix of 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 them. All eyes were on me. I steadied the twins in my arms and took the first step. With each step, I felt a sense of vindication. The world outside was a blur of camera shes and reporters shouting questions I couldn''tprehend. All I wanted was 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 my life, and Christian, my true friend, not just an someone who worked for me. Amaya''s hand found 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, a hint of teasing in his voice. I looked at him, and augh burst out of me unexpectedly. He returned theugh, his eyes filled with genuine relief. "I''m really d you''re out, Alex. His voice was thick with emotion. He turned to Amaya, his gaze softening. Tm d she didn''t give up." His tone shifted to seriousness, "Now, enough mushy stuff. We''ve got apany to reim. I looked down at Amaya who simply nodded, her determination clear so I let them take the lead. She, Christian, and I stepped into one car while the others followed in the other vehicles. The drive to thepany 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 with the confidence of 00 queen. We reached the top floor, my office. Or, rather, Adrian''s. A sleek, modern woman, presumably his PA, stood in front of the door. Her expression was cold and dismissive. "You can''t go in there," she stated tly. Amaya''s demeanor shifted. Her eyes shed dangerously, and for a brief moment, she seemed to be someone else entirely. "I believe there''s been a misunderstanding," she said, her voice low and menacing. "Step aside." The PA hesitated, her grip tightening on the door. "I said, step aside," Amaya repeated, her voice rising. There was an unspoken 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. As we entered, my eyesnded on Adrian, perched arrogantly on my chair. Anger red within me, but I knew I had to let Amaya handle this because she looked like she had a n and I would only escte things and have myself thrown straight in jail again. He stood up, his mouth opening to speak, but Amaya cut him off. "I don''t want to waste any more time than necessary," she started, her voice cold and calcted. "You and I were at the start of this. The fake pictures 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 stepped closer, her voice dripping with contempt. "You''re going away for a very long time." A surge of pride washed over me. This was a different Amaya, stronger, more fearless. The police sirens red through the office. Adrian was caught off guard barely having time to react, his bravado crumbling. As they handcuffed him, he hurled insults my way. I watched in silence as they started to take him away knowing that I deserved his words. I let out a sigh, "Can I have a moment with him?" Thec policemen turned to Amaya like they were asking for her permission and she nodded, turning to me and giving me a smile. "I''m sorry for what I did to you," I began, my voice sincere. "I let my trust issues control me, and I''ll never forgive myself. I truly am sorry. But revenge blinded you. You went too far. I have paid my due. It''s time for you to pay the consequences of your actions." He was dragged away after that, still shouting curses. I turned to Amaya, my mind racing. "I don''t even know where to begin," I pulled her towards me, my voice filled with awe. She smiled, her green eyes sparkling. "You can thank meter." "Can we go home now?" I asked, my voice filled with relief. The determined glint returned to her eyes. "Not yet. We have one more stop and it is a one long overdue. We need to pay another old friend a visit." 0 The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!