Bonds

The air crackled around Ivan's question, heavy with unspoken meaning. My mind instantly flashed to my father's icy glare. It was tempting to spill the truth, to build our relationship on honesty. But fear, cold and sharp, whispered of lies.

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 involved and you were there. Wanted to make sure you were okay."

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 explain. I'm not some controlling brute. You're free to come 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, replaced by a cautious hope. This was fragile, this trust he extended, and I wouldn't risk shattering it with lies. The future stretched before us, uncertain but full of possibilities. And for now, 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 place. "This is something I should have done even before the wedding. I want to know you, tell me about yourself, Amaya. Really. Not the wife Daniel wants me to see, not the Luna everyone expects you to be. Tell me about you."

His request struck a chord, a long-dormant longing for connection. For the last four years, I'd been molded into something I wasn't, expected to follow scripts written by others. But Ivan's eyes, open and curious, held a promise of acceptance, of seeing me beyond the layers.

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 judge of character."

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 playing 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 his phone, glancing at the screen.

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. "Work comes 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 you come with me? It's just a quick stop, wouldn't take long. And then... maybe we could grab some food, somewhere nice, get to know each other properly?"

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 are you even going?"

Ivan chuckled, a touch of awkwardness in his voice. "Work stuff, honestly. It's not exactly glamorous, but hey, someone's gotta make sure the gears keep. turning, right?"

He extended his hand towards me, his smile disarming, "Come on, adventure awaits. Trust me, it's more exciting than paint splatters and canvases, at least for the day."

I looked at his outstretched hand, then back at his face, his genuine enthusiasm infectious. My doubts melted away, replaced by a flicker of anticipation. Taking a deep breath, I placed my hand in his

"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 a comforting 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 excitement and apprehension bubbling within me.

"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, genuine laugh that sent a shiver down my spine. "Normal? Amaya you look pretty normal to me."

My senses were on high alert, but beneath the tension, a thrill danced-the thrill of His words brought a lightness to my heart I hadn't felt in years. My: defying my father, of reclaiming even a sliver of control over my life.

Finally, we reached a small, unassuming building at the back of the courtyard. Ivan explained it was the headquarters for his team, a group of wolves dedicated to maintaining peace and order within the pack. I saw respect in their eyes as they looked at him, a leader they trusted.

We spent the next hour walking through the building, Ivan explaining the different operations, introducing me to his colleagues. I learned about patrols, negotiations, and even a secret network of informants who kept their tabs on the darker corners of the pack. It was a world I never knew existed, a world where wolves didn't just obey, but worked together, fought for something bigger than themselves 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 leader, a protector, someone who commanded respect not through fear, 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 replaced the harsh moonlight, soft music wove through the air, and laughter mingled with the clinking of cutlery. As we settled in, the candlelight danced on Ivan's face, sculpting his features into something softer, gentler. The way his eyes crinkled at the corners when he smiled sent a warmth I hadn't felt in years spreading through me.

"Nervous?" he asked, his voice a comforting rumble

12:00 Thu, 20 Jun M Chapter 9

The truth tangled on my tongue. Nervous? Definitely, Exhilarated? 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 person... My heart dared to believe, to take a chance on this shared moment..

Conversation flowed effortlessly, a river weaving through topics that felt both familiar and new Tyan's with surprised me, his jokes catching me he w off guard and drawing genuine laughter from my lips, a sound I hadn't realized I missed.

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 glances. The initial spark of nervousness simmered. The music softened, the lights dimmed, and Ivan leaned in, his gaze seeking mine.

"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.

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 immediately but I heard the floaty laughter first. Pulling away, my eyes clashed with Miranda's and standing next to her with a glare that could met ice was Alex.

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