Bonds

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 claim you during the mating ceremony. Our packs will be merged as one afterwards and so will the companies. It will become 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 claim would be too much, I already have a mate."

"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 "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 plans on starting up our arrangement? Canceling plans at the last minute," he spat out glaring 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 glanced 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 place.

That was the first red flag, 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 playing on his sinful lips.Content bel0ngs to Nôvel(D)r/a/ma.Org.

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, come 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!"

44

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 e echoed which made the smile drop from Ivan's face.

Of course I knew. I hadn't stopped staring like a complete 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 glanced at me, "I shouldn't keep my beautiful bride waiting. Let us-"

"I am so sorry I am late," 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 princess come alive.

She stepped further into the room, her eyes settling on her brother excitedly, before waving her hands "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 fiancé."

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.