Bound To The Broken Alpha (Amy and Daniel) novel Chapter 384

Bound To The Broken Alpha

Chapter 384 Staying Calm

CLARA

The day I chose was not an accident.

+5 Pearls

I woke up early in Mark’s house, already aware of the schedule. There was a joint review session at Carter Holdings later that afternoon.

Not a board meeting. Not a pack council. Something in between. Senior department heads, a few Northern representatives, security present but relaxed.

Enough eyes to matter. Not enough structure to protect anyone if the mood shifted.

Mark was already up when I entered the kitchen. He was reading reports on his tablet, his posture tense in the way it always was before anything involving Amy.

“You’re quiet,” he said without looking up.

“I didn’t sleep much,” I replied. That part was true.

He nodded, accepting it. “Today might be uncomfortable. You don’t have to come.”

“I want to,” I said. “If I’m going to be around, I can’t keep hiding.”

He studied me then, searching for something. Whatever he saw must have satisfied him, because he looked back at the screen.

“Stay close to me,” he said. “If anything feels off, we leave.”

I agreed easily. That was part of the plan.

At Carter Holdings, the atmosphere was controlled but loose. People stood in clusters, conversations overlapping.

Wolves read the room the same way humans did, but with more attention to tone and space. I felt it immediately. The awareness. The quiet evaluation.

Amy arrived with Daniel. She was composed, dressed simply, her posture straight. When her eyes met mine, she didn’t hesitate. She nodded once, polite. Nothing more.

That was important.

I stayed near Mark at first, letting myself be seen. I spoke only when spoken to. I listened. I smiled when appropriate. Several people approached me with cautious warmth. That was new. I responded carefully, always respectful, never familiar.

Amy moved through the room with authority that didn’t demand attention. That authority unsettled people more than aggression ever could. I knew that. I counted on it.

The moment came when Daniel was called away for a private discussion. Mark followed soon after, pulled aside by someone from compliance. I stayed where I was, close enough to Amy to be noticed, far enough

10:04 am D

Chapter 384 Staying Calm

to look hesitant.

She noticed.

“Clara,” she said, her voice even. “Walk with me.”

Several heads turned. That was fine.

+5 Pearls

We moved toward a quieter corridor near. the executive offices. Still public. Still visible. But removed enough that words could carry without being overheard clearly.

“Is everything alright?” I asked, keeping my tone low.

“Yes,” Amy said. “I wanted to clarify something about your access schedule.”

I nodded, cooperative. “Of course.”

We stopped near an empty conference room. Glass walls. Transparent. That mattered too.

She spoke calmly, explaining boundaries. Where I could be. Who I reported to. What information required oversight. Nothing unreasonable. Nothing threatening.

I listened, hands folded in front of me. My wolf stayed quiet. Waiting.

“I want this to work,” Amy said. “But it only works if we’re clear.”

“I understand,” I said. “I don’t want to cause trouble.”

She looked at me for a moment. Studying. Measuring.

“That’s good,” she said. “Then we won’t have problems.”

That was when I shifted.

Not abruptly, Not dramatically. Just enough.

“I’m trying,” I said softly. “Sometimes I feel like no matter what I do, I’m already judged.”

She didn’t respond immediately.

“I know I don’t deserve trust,” I continued. “But being watched like this… it’s hard.”

Amy’s expression didn’t change. “Accountability isn’t punishment.”

The words were neutral. Reasonable.

I took a small step back. Just one.

“I’m not asking for special treatment,” I said. “I just want to feel safe.”

That was when I let my breathing change. Faster. Uneven.

“Clara,” Amy said, her tone firm now. “You are safe.”

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10:04 am

Chapter 384 Staying Calm

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+5 Pearls

She reached out, not touching me, but close enough that others could see the gesture.

I flinched.

It was subtle. Enough to register. Enough to be noticed by the wrong people.

“I’m sorry,” I said quickly. “I didn’t mean-”

Amy straightened. “There’s no reason to be upset.”

Her voice carried slightly. Not loud. But audible.

I swallowed hard. My eyes stung. I let them.

“I’m not upset,” I said. “I just… I didn’t expect this to feel so much like before.”

That was the line.

Her jaw tightened. Just briefly.

“There is no ‘before‘ here,” she said. “We are discussing work.”

Her restraint was perfect. And fatal.

Footsteps approached. Two department heads. A security officer slowed as he passed.

“I think I should go,” I said, backing away. “I don’t want to make this worse.”

Amy stepped forward, instinctive. “Clara, wait.”

I raised my hands.

‘Please,” I said, my voice shaking now. “I’m trying to stay calm.”

The silence stretched. People stopped pretending not to watch.

Amy lowered her hands. “No one is attacking you.”

looked at her. Really looked. Let my face register fear instead of anger.

‘I didn’t say you were,” I whispered.

That was when I scratched myself.

Quick. Controlled. Just enough to sting. My nails broke the skin on my forearm. I hissed softly, like it was an accident. Then I pulled my sleeve down halfway, leaving the mark visible.

Amy saw it. Her eyes flicked down. Then back up.

“What did you do?” she asked.

“I’m sorry,” I said, stepping further away, “I didn’t mean to react like that.”

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