Bonds

-Alex's POV-

The video replayed on a loop, each cycle twisting the knife in my gut a little deeper. Amaya. Her face filled the screen, her hand reaching for the file in my desk. She knew. She knew what she'd done. The evidence was gone, but the memory of seeing the picture, of seeing her tangled with Adrian, my best friend, of all people, was burned into my brain.

Rage, raw and primal, coursed through me. The memory of confronting Adrian, of the brutal fight, barely brought any satisfaction. They both deserved the pain I felt, a pain so deep it threatened to consume me.

My father's voice, cold and unforgiving, echoed in my head, "Trust no one." Then, just as abruptly, Ruth's voice cut through the fog of anger.

"Mr. McCall is here, sir."

My wolf snarled in protest at the interruption, but this was something I needed to do. There was something about McCall, something! couldn't quite put my finger on. They said, "Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer." Maybe there was truth in the old saying Ivan entered the room, his gaze flitting around before settling on me. I shut down the video with a click, giving him my full attention.

"Ivan," I greeted, my voice neutral.

He stood a few feet away, broad shoulders filling the doorway, arms crossed defensively. The silence stretched, thick and heavy. Finally, he spoke, his voice gruff.

"You said you'd help me out with my company."

I leaned back in my chair, mirroring his pose. "I did." The single word hung in the air, a challenge.

"Care to tell me the specifics of what's happening?" I asked, my voice light. "Or do you just need my money?"

His eyes narrowed at the way I emphasized the last word and I almost smiled. He recovered quickly, though.

"I took a bad deal," he admitted, his jaw clenching for a moment before relaxing. "One that's putting me underwater. I'm trying to claw my way back up, but it's more than I bargained for. So yes, I do need 'your' money."

"If you needed an investor," I said, my voice deceptively calm, "why come to me? Why not someone else? Like Daniel Stone."

The mention of Stone's name was like a physical blow, Ivan's face hardened, his features morphing into a mask of barely contained dislike. "I think you know Stone well enough to understand his help wouldn't come cheap," he said through gritted teeth, I did. All too well. He was everything I despised - ruthless, calculating, and with a predatory gleam in his eyes that always made my skin

"Yet you merged your pack with his," I pointed out, the words leaving a bitter taste in my mouth.....

"That's different," he countered, his voice firm. "The merger makes us the strongest pack in the city. I put up with Stone for the sake of the pack's future. It's a sacrifice."

A sacrifice. The word echoed in the vast emptiness of my chest. Maybe that was something we actually had in common, Ivan and L. Dislike for Daniel Stone, though in my case, it ran far deeper than mere dislike. It was a simmering pot of hatred, fueled by years of bitter rivalry and a

past betrayal that still left a raw scar on my soul.Please check at N/ôvel(D)rama.Org.

"So how do you know what I'll ask for won't be equally... overwhelming?" I challenged him, a flicker of my true emotions slipping through the carefully constructed facade.

He met my gaze head-on, his own eyes stormy. "Is it?"

I almost laughed at his audacity. Almost. Instead, I leaned forward, steepling my fingers in front of me. "Let's hear it, Ivan. Tell me about this bad deal you took and exactly how bad it is."

He took a deep breath, his shoulders slumping slightly. The defiance was gone, replaced by a weariness that mirrored the lines etched around his eyes.

"It was a new construction project on the outskirts of the city," he began, his voice low. "Prime real estate, perfect for high-end apartments. I saw it as an opportunity to expand my company's reach, to solidify our position in the market."

His explanation was laced with regret, and I couldn't help but listen intently. Despite everything, despite the tangled mess of our history because of her, Ivan had always been a good businessman. There was a reason his company had thrived for so long. I knew it because I had him investigated.

He continued, detailing the terms of the deal, the unexpected cost overruns, and the tightening grip of the financing company that had him teetering on the brink of financial ruin.

He finished his explanation, the air thick with unspoken tension. My gaze drifted to the window, watching the city lights wink on one by one as the sun dipped below the horizon. "So," I finally said, my voice carefully neutral, "what kind of help are you looking for?"

"Investment," he replied simply. "Enough to cover the cost overruns and renegotiate with the financing company. Enough to buy myself some breathing room."

The number he mentioned was staggering. A significant chunk of change but it was nothing for someone like me. Though, my mind calculated the risks and the potential returns.

"And what are you offering in return?" I asked, my voice devoid of emotion.

He hesitated, then met my gaze. "A stake in the company. A significant one."

A partnership.

"A stake," I repeated, the word hanging heavy in the air. It wasn't a question, but an invitation to elaborate.

Ivan cleared his throat, his eyes flickering away for a moment before locking back onto mine. "Yeah, a big stake. Forty five percent."

My eyebrows shot up. Fifty-one percent meant giving me controlling interest. It was a bold offer, one that reeked of desperation but also a surprising amount of trust. I did not trust that.

"Forty five percent?" I scoffed, a hint of disbelief creeping into my voice. "You're basically handing me the reins, Ivan."

"Not handing them," he countered, a flicker of defiance returning to his eyes. "We'd be partners. You bring the cash, I bring the experience. We keep the company afloat."

The logic was sound, but the power dynamic it created sent a shiver down my spine. "And what happens," I pressed, leaning forward, "if things go south? If the company folds despite the investment?"

10:26 Sat, 22 Jun 1.

He held my gaze, his jaw clenching for a moment. "Then we both lose," he said finally. "But I wouldn't be asking you if I didn't believe we could turn this around."

There was a raw vulnerability in his voice and I took a deep breath, letting the silence stretch for a beat longer. "Alright Nyan," said finally, my voice steady. "Let's talk details. But forty five percent is a big chunk to swallow. We need to discuss the terms."

A flicker of relief washed over his face, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "Fine by me," he said, his voice lighter. "Let's get to work then, partner."

A smirk played on my lips. "Partner, huh? That's a bit premature, wouldn't you say?" Ivan's smile faltered slightly. "Look, Alex, I know there's history between us. But business is business, right?"

"Always," I agreed, my voice smooth as ice. "But considering the stakes, I wouldn't be comfortable jumping into a blind partnership. Let's call it a trial run. You give me full access to the company's books, and my team dives deep. If everything checks out, then we talk numbers."

He hesitated, his brow furrowing. "Full access? That's a lot to ask."

"It is," I conceded, leaning back in my chair. "But isn't that the price of trust, ivan?

You're asking me to inject a hefty sum of money into a sinking ship. A little transparency shouldn't be too much to ask for, should it?"

He remained silent, his gaze locked on mine. The air crackled with unspoken tension, a dance of power and suspicion.

"Think of it this way." I continued, my tone turning persuasive. "My team's a scalpel, not a sledgehammer. We'll ta identify the problems, the leaks in your ship, and then we can chart a course to get you back above water. But first, we need a clear picture."

A muscle in his jaw clenched and unclenched. I could practically see the gears turning in his head. Finally, he let out a defeated sigh.

"Alright, fine." He stood up, his shoulders slumping slightly. "Full access. But understand this, Alex, if there's nothing fishy going on, and your team finds nothing, then we still have a deal. Forty-five percent, just like we discussed." "We'll cross that bridge when we come to it," I said, extending my hand. "For now, let's get your books in order. Consider this an investment in trust, as well as your company."

He hesitated for a moment longer before taking my hand, his grip firm. A flicker of something akin to gratitude crossed his eyes, but it was quickly masked by a steely resolve.

"Deal," he said simply. "But don't think this makes us friends, Alex. This is strictly business."

A slow smile spread across my face. "Wouldn't dream of it, Ivan. Strictly business."

And like that I was in but as I shook his hand, it felt like I was touching skin with the devil with a brilliant Prince Charming mask.