Bonds

-Maya's POV-

Miranda sashayed towards our table, that mocking smile plastered on her face. It was like a spotlight had suddenly found her, every wiggle of her hips calculated, every toss of her head dripping with feigned nonchalance. Just as she got close enough for conversation, Natalia spoke dp, "Ivan's sister?"

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 you, uh, spilled your guts out to and..." Her voice trailed off awkwardly as Miranda reached the table, effectively cutting her off.

"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 coincidences when Miranda McCall was involved. She carried herself with an air of superiority, like she was royalty gracing a peasant tavern. There was no way she'd be caught dead in this kind of place 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 pretense with Miranda. Seeing my silence, her smile faltered for a brief moment, morphing into a frown. "Aren't you going to answer my greeting?" she huffed, a hint of annoyance creeping into her voice.

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."

Miranda's face contorted in a flash of anger. She glared at Natalia as if she were nothing more than an irritating insect. "And you are?" she spat, her voice dripping with disdain.

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 practically see her claws extending from her fingertips, a clear warning to 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 snapping back to me, "You are really going to sit there and let her insult me?" she demanded, incredulous.

I maintained eye contact, my expression blank. Frankly, I didn't care about her anger. It came and went as quickly as the wind, and held about as much substance. Her outburst did nothing to faze me.

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. "I just wanted to say hello to my sister-in-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 should tell you that Alex and I have moved up our wedding. We're getting married in a month."

The words hit me like a physical blow. One month. Just one month, and Alex would be officially off-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 better that way. He'd hurt us too much. But the shared. primal possessiveness within me still reared its ugly head, a reminder of the bond we once I forced myself to compose myself, schooling my features into a neutral mask. Offering a tight smile that didn't quite reach my eyes, I said, "Congratulations to you. Ivan and I will be in attendance." The words tasted like ash in my mouth, but I refused to let Miranda see my true emotions. She thrived on drama, and I wouldn't give her the satisfaction.

Miranda lingered for a moment, the air thick with unspoken tension. A flicker of something akin to grudging respect played across her features as she glanced at Natalia, who stood poised with a challenging glint in her eyes. Finally, she spoke, her voice laced with a forced lightness. "Speaking of my brother, how are things with him? I haven't from him in a while." She said the last part with a frown and it looked like the most genuine emotion I've ever seen her have.

"He's fine."

"Good, good," She chirped, a touch too eager, Alex has been swamped lately with wedding planning. 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? "Congratulations." 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 didn't want to send invitations out to your family because of the drama you all have going on in the past but I put my foot down. You are Ivan's wife and hence family."

Her voice dripped with mocking sweetness, each word a deliberate jab. Anger flared 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 same without you, would it? After all, you and Alex were practically inseparable once upon a time. Isn't that right, Amaya?"

The question hung in the air, a challenge disguised as a casual remark. The past, buried deep within me, threatened to come bubbling to the surface. I somehow suspected she knew about Alex and I. What confused me was if she did, why didn't Ivan know? Or was he just pretending? I decided to play it 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 much happier, so much more... content. Perhaps some people are just better suited for each other than others, wouldn't you say?"

"I wouldn't know. Alex and I haven't spoken in years. The past is the past

"Well, good riddance, I say," she declared, her voice dripping with condescension. "You deserve someone who appreciates you, Amaya. Someone who sees your worth. Like my brother."

The last 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 anger that had been simmering beneath the surface finally erupted.

"What the hell is your problem?" I practically roared, my voice laced with raw emotion. "Is being a thorn in my side just a part of your daily routine? Alex and I were married, it ended, you have him now, so why do you keep throwing it in my face?"

She seemed to relish my outburst, a satisfied smirk playing on her lips. "Oh, come 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 pretending? 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 be friendly and offer some... well, sisterly advice."

She leaned closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "And for my brother," she began, "no, he m doesn't know a thing about you and Alex. Alex made me promise not to tell him. His words exactly, you see? 'She means nothing to me now." She shrugged, a cruel smile playing on her lips.

"And Ivan," she continued, her voice taking on a patronizing tone, “well, let's just say he's head Overcheels for you, Pity really. He's getting the leftovers, but don't worry," she added, leaning in even closer, "your secret's safe with me."

Before I could even formulate 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 Chapter 24

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 filtering in from the street outside. A single thought buzzed through my mind but it was Natalia who voiced it out, "You have got to be f*cking kidding