Page 72 of Bonds of Pain
The old man cackles. “Course it ain’t. Alphas aren’t built for it. That’s why the king had to force it on everyone—make it seem like some grand tradition instead of the control tactic it is.”
I frown. “What do you mean?”
“Think about it.” He slaps down another card. “Harder to rebel against the crown when your loyalty’s all tangled up with other Alphas, ain’t it? Break one bond, you break ‘em all. Keeps everyone in line.”
I’ve never thought about it that way before. The pack system has always just been...the way things are. The natural order of things.
“She’s something special, that one,” the old man says, nodding toward Maya again. “You can see it in how she moves. Like she’s fighting against more than just what’s in front of her.”
I drain my beer and signal for another. “You have no idea.”
I barely have time to drain my second beer before Maya comes bounding over to the bar, face flushed and eyes bright with excitement. Her purple hair is damp with sweat, clinging to her neck in wild tendrils. There’s something different about her energy—raw and untamed in a way I’ve never seen before.
“Ares!” She practically throws herself at me, wrapping her arms around my neck. “I pinned Dani! Can you believe it? I actually took down an Alpha!”
I catch her automatically, my hands finding her waist as her scent—strawberries and champagne, now mingled with sweat and adrenaline—fills my nostrils. Over her shoulder, I catch Dani’s eye. The tall Alpha woman is wiping down the mats, and she gives me a slow, deliberate wink.
Of course, Dani let her win. There’s no way Maya could take down a trained fighter with decades of experience after one lesson. But the pure joy radiating from Maya makes the inconvenient truth unimportant.
“That’s impressive,” I say, unable to keep from smiling at her enthusiasm. “You’re a natural. With some practice, you could be a real contender in the ring.”
Maya beams at me, still perched half on my lap. “Really? You think so?”
“Absolutely.” That part isn’t a lie. She has more grit than I expected, especially for a sheltered Enclave Omega. “You’ve got good instincts.”
I glance at my watch and realize we’ve been here longer than I intended. Logan will be looking for us soon, and explaining where we’ve been will be difficult enough without adding extra hours to our absence.
“We should probably head back?—“
“Can I have a beer first?” Maya cuts me off, her eyes pleading. “Dani says they’re good post workout. Just one to celebrate my victory?”
The old bartender chuckles, already reaching beneath the counter. “Got something special for the lady. My own brew, a bit sweeter than the swill Alpha’s usually want.”
I should say no. I should insist we leave immediately. But Maya settles more firmly onto my lap, her weight warm and comfortable against me, and my resolve crumbles like wet sand.
“One drink,” I concede, watching as the bartender slides a dark bottle across the counter.
Maya takes a long sip and makes an appreciative noise. “This is pretty good. It tastes like…honey, maybe, and something else I can’t place.”
“Secret ingredient,” the old man says with a wink. “Old family recipe.”
I watch Maya’s throat work as she swallows, transfixed by the delicate line of her neck where it meets her collarbone. She catches me staring and her lips curve into a knowing smile.
“What?” she asks innocently, though her eyes tell me she knows exactly what she’s doing.
“Nothing,” I mutter, taking another swig of my own beer.
Maya shifts on my lap, and I have to stifle a groan. She has to feel what she’s doing to me, but she pretends not to notice, chatting animatedly with the bartender about his brewing process.
Across the room, Dani gives me a thumbs-up and mouths, “you’re welcome” before disappearing into the back office.
“Can I have another?” Maya holds out her empty bottle, her eyes bright.
I should say no. We need to get back to the palace. Logan’s going to be looking for us. But the way she’s looking at me—her cheeks flushed with exertion and that rare, genuine smile on her face—makes it impossible to deny her.
“One more,” I concede, signaling the bartender. “But then we really need to head back.”
“You’re the best, Ares!” She throws her arms around my neck again, her body warm against mine.
