Bonds

-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 from committing 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 glass, 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 ped 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 with Alex, it's over and nothing can ever change that."This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.

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 asshole 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, commanding 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's last 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 only lasted for a little while, the echo was shattered by the slam of my bedroom door as soon as I entered. My father loomed large, his eyes the color of a brewing storm."Where have you been?" His voice crackled 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 to come and go, especially when it involves seeing my children."

He lunged, the air crackling with raw aggression. It was a step too far, crossing a line I never thought he'd dare to breach. His claw connected with my check.

Pain flared, stinging and hot. Gasping, I stumbled back, my world tilting on its axis. This... this was new. He'd threatened, belittled, manipulated, but he'd never laid a hand on me. Until now.

"Do not speak of those s in my 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 - 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 claws?"

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 flashing 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.