Bound To The Broken Alpha (Amy and Daniel) novel Chapter 33

**When Dawn Breaks Slowly, Hope Finds Space to Grow**
by Jin Rowan Vale

I blinked slowly, my vision hazy as I observed the streetlights outside morphing into streaks of light. He held me in his arms, and I could smell him—his scent mingled with the faint, metallic tang of blood that clung to the air.

“Why… why are you doing all this?” I managed to murmur, my voice barely above a whisper. “Isn’t it just part of your job?”

He remained silent, his gaze fixed on me, revealing an emotion I couldn’t decipher. It was a look that made my heart tighten, filling me with an inexplicable mix of fear and curiosity.

“You should rest,” he finally said, his tone dropping to a softer register, almost tender. “I’ve got you. You need your energy.”

Those were the last words that drifted into my consciousness before everything around me faded into an enveloping darkness.

When I regained awareness, the world spun around me like a dizzying carousel. The sharp, sterile scent of antiseptic flooded my senses, and in the distance, I could hear the murmur of voices. I attempted to sit up, but my muscles protested, aching fiercely.

“Don’t move just yet,” Cole’s voice came from a shadowy corner near the door. He stepped closer, revealing a torn and bloodstained shirt that spoke volumes of the chaos we had just endured. “You’re safe now.”

“What… what happened?” I asked, my voice trembling slightly.

“They were rogues,” he replied, his expression darkening. “Two of them. One is dead, but the other managed to escape.”

Rogues? The term echoed in my mind, but the logic eluded me. Why would rogues attack me so close to the police station? It felt absurd, like a scene from a nightmare.

“Did you tell Mrs. Carter?” I inquired, the name feeling heavy on my tongue.

“Not yet,” he admitted, his brow furrowing. “I wanted to wait until you woke up.”

I nodded slowly, a sense of resignation washing over me. “She’ll probably think I’m just making things up again.”

He frowned, a look of determination crossing his features. “Then I’ll tell her myself.”

A faint smile tugged at my lips, though it felt weak. “You don’t have to—”

“I want to,” he interrupted, his voice firm, leaving no room for argument.

That tone again—the protective, almost personal edge to his words made me wonder if there was something deeper behind his loyalty. But before I could delve into that thought, a sharp pain shot through my arm, the memory of the bite flooding back. I hissed softly, glancing down to see the bandaged wound, faintly glowing where the wolfsbane had seeped into my veins.

Cole noticed my discomfort. “The healer said the toxin is clearing, but it’s a slow process. You should rest another night.”

“Can I even go home?” I asked, a hint of anxiety creeping into my voice.

He hesitated, his expression clouding with uncertainty. “Maybe tomorrow.”

He looked like he wanted to say more, but his jaw tightened, and I didn’t press him. Instead, I closed my eyes, attempting to calm the whirlwind of thoughts racing through my mind. Yet, Daniel’s warning echoed in the recesses of my memory.

“You’re not safe there.”

My eyes flew open, the room now silent, Cole having stepped out. The only sound was the gentle hum of the overhead lights.

“I can see that,” she replied, her gaze sweeping over me as if she were assessing the situation. “The doctors are baffled. They said your recovery is… unexplainable.” She let out a small, almost forced laugh. “But I suppose that’s a good thing. You’re stronger than you appear.”

Her words hung in the air, and I felt an unsettling sensation. Something about her tone didn’t quite resonate as a compliment.

She settled onto the edge of my bed, her hands clasped neatly in her lap. “Now, Amy, there’s something important we need to discuss.”

I nodded slowly, my heart beginning to race.

“Rumors have begun to circulate about your disappearance and the attack,” she stated, her voice steady. “We haven’t released an official statement yet, but people are starting to talk in the media. The most crucial thing for the Carters right now is to maintain an image of strength.”

“You want me to return to work immediately?” I asked, my voice quiet, almost hesitant.

“Yes,” she responded without a moment’s pause. “Tomorrow morning. I know you’ve just recovered, but we cannot afford to show any weakness. You understand that, don’t you?”

I met her gaze, feeling the weight of her words. “I do. I’ll be there.”

A faint smile graced her lips. “Good. I knew you’d approach this maturely.” She stood up, adjusting the sleeve of her blouse with a practiced ease. “You’re one of us now, Amy. Remember, that means you don’t get to fall apart—especially not in public, and certainly not in private.”

“I understand,” I repeated, though a nagging unease lingered in my chest, a whisper of doubt.

“Rest well, then,” she said, heading toward the door. “You have a long day ahead of you tomorrow.”

As she left, I stared at the closed door, my mind racing with uncertainty. My wolf remained quiet but alert, a sense of foreboding settling over me. Something about her felt off, but I couldn’t quite put my finger on it.