All Chapters of Bound By Blood: The Alpha's Human Mate: Chapter 71 - Chapter 80

Ethan's POV She had vanished, just like that, without leaving a single trace behind. It was maddening in so many ways. The quiet she left in her wake was haunted by a thousand shadows, her scent still hanging in the hallways and around every corner I turned. The echo of her laughter, the faint memory of her steps on the stairs, the impression her body left on the other side of my bed—they all turned into weapons now, chipping away at the tough, icy armor I was desperately trying to build. I buried myself in work. It was the only thing that could burn through the rage fueling me. Patrol shifts got tripled. Training sessions turned into grueling, merciless ordeals that had even the toughest warriors heaving in the dust. I went over every border agreement, every partnership, with a picky, aggressive eye. Visitors from nearby packs slunk away with their tails tucked, stung by my sharp, uninterested attitude. The pack tiptoed around like they were on thin ice. They'd wanted their u

Sophia's POV I forgot he was a wolf, and not just any wolf, but Ethan's brother. The scent would absolutely betray it, even if nothing else did. Marcus's question lingered between us, like a trap I'd stumbled into with my awkward, foolish lie. His eyes, normally so kind and reliable, were keen with a pain that stung worse than any rage. My thoughts spun wildly. Denying it was useless. He knew. He'd caught the truth, both in the air and in my words. A stronger lie, one that could hold up, was my only defense. I let my shoulders droop, adding a shake to my tone. "He... he appeared. I didn't invite him inside. He was right at the entrance. He claimed he was only scouting the area, that with the witch still loose, he had to check our safeguards personally." I hugged myself, looking every bit the shaken victim. "He left in a couple of minutes. I planned to mention it, but you seemed so worn out when you got back, and I didn't want to burden you over nothing. It just... rattled

Sophia's POV Marcus was furious, and it was becoming painfully obvious. The atmosphere on the crowded sidewalk crackled with a strain that nobody passing by could sense, and that was likely for the better. Maison, to give him some credit, didn't back down. He simply sized Marcus up with that same cool, evaluating stare he'd aimed at me, a faint, unimpressed grin tugging at his mouth. He saw a big, ticked-off guy. He didn't spot the werewolf, the fighter, the sibling of an Alpha. "No issue whatsoever," Maison said smoothly, his words like sleek marble. "Just wrapping up a bit of work. And you are...?" "Her partner," Marcus snapped, the term coming out more like 'keeper.' "Delighted," Maison replied, his voice suggesting anything but. His eyes shifted to me, that sharp curiosity sparking again. "I see you've got... solid protection, Ms. Langley. How contemporary." The jab was hidden under politeness, a talent Marcus totally missed. "Marcus, everything's okay," I said, movi

Sophia's POV It was my first day on the job, and honestly, it was overwhelming since I'd been out of the workforce for such a long time. It hummed with a fresh sort of vibe. Not the charged dread of the otherworldly, but the jittery thrill of starting over. Marcus let me out a block from the building, his expression rigid. The quiet tension over Maison lingered unspoken between us, but he'd stuck to his promise of backing off. Just a clipped, "Call when you're finished," before pulling away. Strolling those final steps by myself, with a fresh leather journal and a stubborn optimism in hand, felt like a small win. "Sophia! This way!" Chloe flagged me down from beneath the structure's overhang, a burst of vibrancy amid the dull business attire. Her hair sported blue highlights today, syncing with her glasses. "Day one! Set to jump into the gorgeous mess?" "As set as I can be," I chuckled, matching her stride.

Sophia's POV The vibe in Maison's office wasn't just tense; it felt downright suffocating. His words lingered between us, not like he was asking a question, but more like he was stating something he figured I'd roll over and agree to without a fight. A sharp, icy anger hit me, clearer and more intense than anything I'd felt during that blowup with Marcus, slicing right through the surprise. "You know I'm seeing someone," I said, keeping my tone even, without the shake he might've been waiting for. "I do," he admitted, not fazed at all. "But honestly, that doesn't matter much to me, and if we're being real, it doesn't seem to fit the energy you're giving off right now. He's just filling space. Like a comfort you cling to." "He's my partner," I snapped back, stepping forward on purpose instead of pulling away, locking eyes with those pale grays of his. "And even if that wasn't the case, this is way out of line. You're the CEO. I'm entry-level. This isn't some game, Maison—it