All Chapters of Bound By Fate: Chapter 41 - Chapter 50

Ashley's POVThe dining room was heavy with silence. It wasn't the soothing kind that was comforting—it was thick, heavy, pressing down on me like an intangible weight. I was wedged between Roy and Liam, and I could feel tension wrapped around all three of us like shackles. Freya's anger lingered like a tempest about to erupt, and Steven—Steven just sat silently, as always, like he wasn't the source of everything.I attempted to concentrate on my meal, but each mouthful was flavorless. I wasn't hungry. It was not possible to relish a meal when the atmosphere was so thick with unspoken words, repressed feelings, and quiet resentment.The metallic ring of footsteps coming closer broke the strained stillness, and I looked up as Freja strode into the room. She entered amidst a whirlwind of emotions, her face set in unyielding lines, her fists locked at her sides."Where have you been today?" I asked, my voice softer than I had intended for it to be. It wasn't meant to be an interrogation,

Steven's POV"All done, happy now?!" I groaned, falling into the couch with a sigh of frustration."Not really," she responded nonchalantly, without even looking up. "I need water."I blinked incredulously. "What?!"She looked up and gave me an innocent shrug. "Well, it is your fault. You brought me food, but not drink, and the jug is empty."I leaned back and pinched the bridge of my nose. “So now it’s my fault? You’re blaming me while I’m solving your problems for you?"She smiled slyly. "Only because we made a deal. I save your company’s image, and you spare Maya’s life.""You seriously think I brought you food because of that deal?" I shot back. "Don’t flatter yourself. Maya sent assassins after you, and I hate her just as much as you do.""Then why don’t you want her dead?"Her face softened, and for a moment, she almost looked vulnerable. "It’s not that I don’t want her dead. I just don’t want you to be the one to kill her. I hate it when you kill people, Steven. It changes you—

Ashley’s POVI walked back into the room, my thoughts swirling with the chaos of the day. After a quick shower, I slipped into something comfortable—just a simple casual outfit. The soft fabric was calming against my skin, but my mind couldn’t quite relax. I sat down on the couch, trying to find focus, when Steven strode into the room.His expression was dark, frustration radiating from him like a storm ready to break."Did you get the phone?" I asked, already knowing the answer from the scowl on his face."No," he admitted, his tone sharp with annoyance. "They were too many of them, and they’re too fast."A laugh escaped me, and I couldn’t help the teasing edge in my voice. "So the mighty, ruthless Alpha lost to his two sisters and cousin brother?" I said, letting the mockery drip from every word."Just shut up and focus on your work," he snapped, clearly in no mood for my jokes."Oh, I’ve stopped working," I replied nonchalantly, leaning back on the couch as I crossed my arms.His e

Steven's POV"Oh, about Maya," Liam said, breaking the silence, "she's still being held in the cottage. So what do you plan on doing with her?"I glanced at him and smirked, my thoughts already set. "I’ll go to check up on her now. I’m sure she has been missing me so dearly," I said, already standing to take my leave. Liam accompanied me as we approached the location where Maya was being held.Maya's eyes widened with shock and rage as we entered the room. "You!!!" she yelled, her voice full with anger.I couldn’t help but smile. "Don't you ever change? Even now, you still have the energy to scream when you see me," I replied, my tone light and even humorous."I will surely pay you back for this," she screamed, her eyes filled with rage. "I'll get you back for everything you've done, Steven!""Do you really think I'm going to let you out of here alive?" I asked, my voice hardening. "You’ll be dead soon enough, Maya. I kept you alive for a reason, and that purpose is finished. I just w

Ashley's POV"Let's go take a ride on the Devil's Spin!" I exclaimed, grasping Steven's arm and towing him across to the crazy ride at the edge of the amusement park."You said it was going to be the last, a horse ride!" Steven complained; his voice told of exasperation."Yeah, maybe I did," I replied with a wry smile. "But I am not an Alpha bound by keeping my promises. I'm but a fragile human, and this breaking of promises is pretty much my prerogative. And so, it would be Devil's Spin! "Steven sighed deep. "You really ought to thank the goddess that you're bonded to me."I turned to him, my face alight with playful curiosity. "What if I wasn't bonded to you? What would have happened then?"He smirked, an edge of seriousness under his teasing tone. "Let's just say it would've been a very different story-one that definitely wouldn't have ended in your favor."I tittered, "Then I really should thank the goddess I'm your mate! But first, let's conquer the Devil's Spin." And before he c