lingering bonds and unspoken guilt

Of course! Here's the full rev

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Chapter: Lingering Bonds and Unspoken Guilt

Ivy woke up the next morning to several missed calls from an unknown number. At first, she ignored them—probably spam—but her curiosity got the best of her. She tapped the number and brought the phone to her ear.

"Hello? Who's this?"

"Ivy! It's me, Aslam—the girl who made Crystal angry that day at the cafeteria."

"Oh! You! How are you doing?"

"I'm fine. I just wanted to ask if maybe we could hang out sometime."

Ivy felt a pang of guilt. Aslam had been the first friend she'd made, and she had completely forgotten about her. "Sure," Ivy replied warmly. "I'd love that."

After ending the call, Ivy turned her attention to breakfast. She made some food for her and Xander. As they ate together, Xander looked up at her with wide, innocent eyes.

"Mama, when is Daddy coming back?"

The question pierced her heart like a blade. Tears welled in her eyes, and she quickly looked away.

"He's coming back soon," she whispered, forcing a smile.

"But Mama, I miss him," Xander pouted, his face scrunching up adorably.

She reached out, cupping his cheek. He looked so much like Jayden—even if he wasn't his biological son, the resemblance was uncanny. Their eyes, their expressions, the quiet intensity. Except for his heart-shaped face and blonde hair that mirrored her own, everything else mirrored Jayden.

After breakfast, she dropped Xander off at school.

"Mama, I miss you already," he said sweetly before running off.

Guilt swelled in her again. She'd been distant lately—too wrapped up in emotions, battles, and heartbreak. She promised herself to do better.

"Xander," she called. "After school, I'll take us out, okay?"

"Yay! Thanks, Mama!"

As he disappeared into the school building, Ivy headed to college. Her eyes scanned the campus, instinctively searching for Jayden, but there was no sign of him.

James spotted her first.

"Looking for someone?" he teased.

"No," she said too quickly.

He noticed the shadows in her eyes and decided not to push. Instead, he made it his mission to make her smile. Throughout the day, James cracked jokes and shared stories. Ivy laughed, but the smiles didn't reach her eyes. It was forced—hollow.

When they reached class, Aslam greeted her brightly. "Hey, Ivy! Over here!"

She joined them with a smile, but her thoughts remained elsewhere.

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Meanwhile at the pack house…

Jayden paced back and forth in his room, fury burning in his chest. He couldn't bring himself to go to school.

Not when she'd be there.

I'll expose myself, he muttered. I can't face her.

He tried to distract himself with paperwork, but Ivy's face kept flashing through his mind—her laughter with James, the warmth of her eyes, her scent still imprinted on his senses.

He slammed his fist against the wall, blood trickling from his knuckles.

Then Xander's face appeared in his memory—those clear eyes, that trusting smile.

His wolf growled deep within.

"You should have let her explain."

"You deserted your pup."

The words hit harder than any blow. Guilt strangled him.

Was he really mine? he thought. Or do I just wish he was?

Jayden clenched his jaw. The bond had already been sealed—he had marked Ivy, completed the mating. Yet he had walked away when she needed him most.

Brady, his best friend, entered the room and paused at the sight of Jayden's bloody hands.

"What the hell happened?"

"Nothing," Jayden snapped, but Brady could see through him.

The rest of the pack was walking on eggshells. Even a young omega trembled and dropped her plate when Jayden passed by. Normally, he would've yelled—but today, he just muttered a quiet "sorry" and walked away.

This version of Jayden was frightening. Not because of his anger, but because of the storm inside him—the guilt, the heartbreak, the love he didn't want to admit still lingered.

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Back to Ivy...

After class, Ivy, Aslam, James, and Xander went to the carnival. Laughter, lights, and joy filled the air. For the first time in a while, Ivy felt like she could breathe again.

Xander fell asleep on the way home, exhausted and peaceful.

After tucking him into bed and freshening up, Ivy lay down with a soft sigh. Her eyes fluttered closed.

At least I've made some progress with James, she thought.

But she knew—deep down—James was connected to the rogue.

And that meant trouble.

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Whoa it's getting hot I'll try to update this week thanks guys this means so much to me that ur reading the book but I want to know ur thoughts please comment