Bound To The Broken Alpha (Amy and Daniel) novel Chapter 22

**When Dawn Breaks Slowly Hope Finds Space To Grow by Jin Rowan Vale**
**Chapter 22: You Will Find Out Soon Enough**

**AMY**

“Come in,” I called out, my voice steady despite the fluttering in my chest.

The door creaked open, and a young maid stepped inside with her head bowed in a gesture of respect. “Luna,” she said softly, “the family is waiting for you downstairs for breakfast.”

Breakfast. The word echoed in my mind, heavy with implications. I could already envision Mrs. Carter seated at the head of the table, flanked by relatives who either regarded me as a curious asset or a complete stranger. And if luck was not on my side, Mark and Clara might be there too. The thought sent a shiver down my spine. Was I truly ready to face a table full of scrutinizing eyes?

“Alright,” I replied after a moment’s hesitation, forcing a semblance of calm into my voice. “I’ll be there in a minute.”

The maid nodded, her movements graceful as she exited and gently closed the door behind her.

I turned back to the mirror for a final inspection. The reflection staring back at me felt foreign; I didn’t quite embody the name Luna just yet. Yet, deep within, my wolf stirred, lifting her head with pride, reminding me that I had every right to occupy this space. Still, beneath that surface of calm, a storm of anxiety churned in my stomach.

As I slipped on my heels, the click of the shoes echoed in the stillness. My thoughts drifted back to Daniel, to the warmth of his hand in mine, the electric energy that had surged between us. How could I face this breakfast without him?

Pushing the door open, I stepped into the grand dining room. The air felt thick as I focused on keeping my breathing steady. The long, polished table stretched before me, a formidable piece of furniture that seemed to dwarf me, no matter how tall I stood.

At the head of the table, Mrs. Carter sat like a queen, draped in elegant white. Her posture was immaculate, an unyielding reminder of her authority. When our eyes met, she offered a smile that was warm enough to appear genuine but cold enough to remind me that it was merely a façade.

“Good morning, Amy,” she greeted, her voice soft yet commanding.

“Good morning, Mrs. Carter,” I replied, maintaining a respectful tone, though my heart raced.

The other seats were already occupied, most of them filled by Daniel’s relatives—faces I barely recognized, shadows from the mating ceremony that lingered in my memory. But then, my gaze fell upon a man I didn’t know. He appeared to be around Daniel’s age, tall and lean, with sharp cheekbones and dark eyes that seemed to pierce right through me.

“Ah, you haven’t met Elias yet,” Mrs. Carter said, gesturing toward him with an air of pride. “Daniel’s cousin.”

Elias offered a slight nod in my direction. There was no smile, no warmth—just a cold, calculating observation that made me feel like a specimen under a microscope. I sank into my chair, trying to mask my tension.

The breakfast commenced in a stilted silence, the clinking of silverware ringing through the hall like a distant echo. Everyone around me seemed at ease, laughing and chatting, while I felt like an outsider in a world that didn’t quite welcome me.

I sensed Elias’s gaze before I even dared to look up. It felt like a brand against my skin, a smoldering heat that demanded my attention. When I finally met his eyes, he held my gaze for what felt like an eternity, and something inside me twisted uncomfortably. It wasn’t mere curiosity I saw in his stare; it was something darker—disgust? Resentment?

I quickly averted my gaze, focusing on my plate, but my appetite had vanished. My wolf stirred within me, restless and agitated. “Why is he staring?” she growled softly in my mind.

“I don’t know,” I replied internally, “but I don’t like it.”

Mrs. Carter attempted to lighten the mood, peppering the air with polite questions about my adjustments to the family. I answered her softly, choosing my words with care, but each time I glanced up, Elias was still watching, his eyes boring into me like a relentless storm.

Even Mrs. Carter noticed the tension. She cleared her throat sharply, a subtle warning, but Elias remained unfazed. He leaned back in his chair, his gaze unyielding, as if challenging me to react.

I gripped my glass of water tightly, feeling the coolness seep into my palm, grounding me. The silence between us thickened, wrapping around me like a suffocating blanket.

Finally, Mrs. Carter broke the tension, her voice crisp and formal. “As we move forward, Amy will begin to take on her full responsibilities within Carter Enterprise Holdings. She will serve as Assistant Executive Liaison, working directly with the regional councils and ensuring smooth communication between our business and pack affairs.”

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