Bonds of the Alpha Billionaire (Maya and Alex)

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, completely 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 her lap. "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 undo later. I let out another sigh, wondering when this madness would end.

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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 the last.

I glanced at the twins, their innocent laughter 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, the landscape more desolate. 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 ablaze 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 solace in the quiet of my own mind and then suddenly I felt the shift in the air just as Christian announced, "We've entered their lands."

My wolf stood up immediately, feeling the energy pulsing in this place. 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 have laughed 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 plan? 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 place 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 a lay of the land, 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 place to stay, maybe a small inn or something. We'll keep

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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."

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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 plan. 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 plan 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, the landscape changing rapidly. Trees replaced 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."