Bound To The Broken Alpha (Amy and Daniel) novel Chapter 229

Chapter 229 Authenticity

AMY

Two weeks away sounded long when we first left home, but it passed faster than either of us expected. By the time our jet touched upon our return. It calmed my heart that Daniel looked well rested in a way he hadn’t in months, and I felt calmner than I thought possible after everything we’d gone through. The break hadn’t fixed our problems, but it gave us time to connect.

The second the cabin door opened, Brian was already waiting on the tarmac. He didn’t even bother with greetings.

“The elders want Daniel at the council hall,” he said. “Immediately.”

Daniel’s jaw tightened. He didn’t hide it. I slipped my hand through his arm before his temper broke through the calm we’d managed to build. His eyes shifted to me, and some of the tension eased, but it didn’t disappear.

“We just landed,” Daniel said.

“I know,” Brian replied. “They didn’t care.”

Daniel let out a slow breath. “Fine. Let’s go.”

He sounded calm, but I could feel the frustration sitting under his words. I held onto his hand as we walked to the awaiting cars. He squeezed my fingers, and I knew he was reminding himself to stay calm, exactly like we’d been talking about every night in Singapore. If he lost his temper now, Elias would make use of it.

The drive to the council hall was quiet. I watched the city pass by, familiar streets and familiar faces, but the place felt different after being gone. Sometimes leaving made home feel smaller. This time it felt like we were walking right back into a cage we’d stepped out of for a moment.

When we arrived, council guards stood at the entrance. They reached out to Daniel before he even stepped inside.

“We need your phone and your folder,” one of them said.

Daniel blinked. “Since when?”

“Temporary protocol for council matters.”

He didn’t argue. He unclipped his folder from his bag and handed his phone over. He looked bothered, but he brushed it off. I didn’t. Something about the way the guards avoided eye contact made my stomach twist a little.

Inside, the council chamber was already full. Elders sat behind their long table. Elias stood near them with a file tucked under his arm. He didn’t look surprised to see us. He looked prepared.

“Daniel,” Elder Rowan said. “We’ll begin.”

Daniel nodded and stepped forward. I stayed close to him, near enough for him to feel me present but not close enough for them to accuse me of interfering.

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Elias opened his file. “Before we start, I’d like to address something that came to our attention while you were away.”

His voice was too calm.

He pulled out several sheets of paper and placed them on the table.

“These,” he said, “are command orders signed by Daniel Carter, authorizing private operatives to infiltrate the South without council approval.”

Daniel’s brows pulled together. “I haven’t issued anything like that.”

Elias didn’t argue. Instead, he slid the papers toward the elders. “Please confirm the signature.”

Daniel stepped forward and looked at the papers himself. I watched his face carefully. He didn’t hide his disbelief.

“That’s my signature,” he said slowly. “But I didn’t sign these. They’re forged.”

Elder Hale adjusted his glasses. “You’re certain?”

Daniel stared at the page. “Yes.”

A low murmur passed through the room. Some elders exchanged glances that made my stomach tighten again. They didn’t look like people trying to uncover the truth. They looked like people who had already chosen a side.

Elias didn’t give Daniel time to breathe. “This isn’t the only issue. The council also received an anonymous video.”

Elder Rowan nodded to a guard standing at the corner. The man stepped forward and handed over a tablet.

Elder Rowan tapped the screen. A video played. Daniel appeared on it standing in one of the old council rooms. Speaking to a man I didn’t recognize. The audio was clear enough to follow.

The voice sounded like Daniel. The words were sharp, threatening, the kind of thing that would get him stripped of leadership without hesitation.

Except the tone was wrong. The pacing was off. The whole thing felt constructed.

“That’s edited,” Daniel said immediately. He didn’t raise his voice, but his teeth were clenched so tight I could hear it in the words. “I never said any of that.”

Elder Hale frowned. “It looks authentic.”

“It isn’t,” Daniel said.

Elías folded his hands behind his back. “If Daniel denies both the signed orders and the video, then we must consider the possibility of internal sabotage.” He glanced at Daniel. “Unless Daniel is attempting to distance himself from the consequences of his actions.”

Daniel took a step toward him. “You’re reaching.”

Elias didn’t flinch. “I’m presenting facts.”

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Chapter 229 Authenticity

+5 Peatl

I moved forward before Daniel reacted. “We’re requesting a delay,” I said. “You need time to verify the signature and the video source. If you make a decision now, you risk acting on falsified evidence.

Elias turned to me immediately. “The council rules state that once such evidence is presented, the evaluation must begin at once. Delay is not an option.”

“That rule was made for direct accusations,” I replied. “Not when the authenticity is in question.”

He smiled slightly. “The council disagrees.”

Daniel let out a frustrated breath. “You set this

up.”

Elias didn’t even bother defending himself. He turned back to the elders as though Daniel hadn’t spoken.

“I move for immediate temporary suspension,” Elias said. “Until the evidence is fully reviewed.”

Suspension. They didn’t even pretend to hide the intent.

“Daniel has led this pack without ever betraying it,” I said. “At least give him the courtesy of-”

“Mrs. Carter,” Elder Rowan cut in. “We appreciate your concern. However, this is a council matter.”

Of course. Push the woman out of the room when it suits them.

The voting began. One by one, hands rose. Some hesitated. Others looked regretful. A few looked far too comfortable with what they were doing.

When the final hand went up, Elder Rowan turned toward Daniel.

“The council has agreed,” he said. “Effective immediately, Daniel Carter is placed under temporary investigation and suspended from all Alpha duties.”

The room stayed quiet after that. Not out of respect. Out of tension, Thick, heavy tension that made the air feel crowded.

Daniel didn’t react the way they probably expected.

“Understood,” he said.

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