Bound To The Broken Alpha (Amy and Daniel) novel Chapter 403

Chapter 403 Acting Casual

CLARA

Finished

The kitchen was quiet when I woke up. The house still smelled faintly of Mark’s cologne, mixed with the lingering scent of the night air.

I moved carefully, making sure not to wake him too soon. Breakfast needed to be ready before he came down. I had decided on something simple but filling–eggs, toast, fresh fruit, and coffee.

He was predictable in his routines, and I had learned that timing mattered just as much as the meal itself.

I worked efficiently, chopping, stirring, arranging the plates with a precision I knew he would notice. Cooking for him wasn’t just about feeding him.

It was about appearing attentive, reliable, and present. I had to make him think of me as part of his routine, not just someone who existed in the shadows of his day.

I heard the shuffle of his steps from upstairs. I didn’t need to check. My wolf senses were aware, alert even when I wasn’t consciously thinking about it.

I turned the coffee on and smiled as I heard the soft thud of his footsteps on the stairs.

“Morning,” I said when he appeared, voice casual.

He blinked at the spread I had arranged. “Morning. You–uh–you didn’t have to.”

“I wanted to,” I replied lightly. “It’s early, and you deserve something decent before the day starts.”

He glanced around, noticing the plates, the neatly arranged fruit, and the coffee steaming gently in a mug.

He hesitated for a moment, then gave a small, approving nod. “You didn’t make too much trouble for yourself?”

I shook my head. “Not at all. Easy enough. You sit, and I’ll bring it over.”

I carried the tray to the table, careful not to spill anything, and set it down in front of him. He took a seat and looked at the food, then back at me. “This looks… good,” he said finally, his tone more relaxed than

usual.

“Thanks,” I said, sliding into the seat across from him. I watched as he cut into his eggs, sipped his coffee, and began eating.

His wolf was relaxed in the way I had noticed before, not tense like he was with meetings or council obligations. That gave me an opportunity.

“So,” I started casually, “how’s your schedule looking today? Anything interesting?”

He paused, thinking. “Nothing too urgent. A few calls, the usual. But I’m trying to make time for Amy later. She’s been on edge with all the pack business lately, so I want to… check in, I guess.”

I nodded, keeping my expression neutral. “That sounds responsible.” I knew how important it was to

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Chapter 403 Acting Casual

Finished

appear supportive without questioning his decisions. That was how trust grew. I needed him to see me as an ally, not someone he needed to guard against.

He set down his fork for a moment. “You’ve been… around a lot lately. You seem to fit in more than I expected.”

I allowed a small, careful smile. “I’m trying. I thought it would help to understand how things work here, and make things easier for everyone.”

Mark considered that, then nodded slowly. “I see. Well… I appreciate it. Really.” He returned to his meal, and I let him cat in silence for a moment.

I knew he was thinking about my presence, wondering about intentions, maybe even trusting me more than he should. That hesitation was useful.

I poured myself a cup of coffee, matching his casual tone. “Do you want more fruit? Or is that enough for now?”

He shook his head. “No, this is fine. Just… thanks. You didn’t have to do all this.”

“I like doing it,” I said lightly. “It’s… practical, I guess.” I watched him closely. Small reactions gave away a lot. The slight relaxation in his shoulders, the way he paused before answering. Each detail mattered.

After breakfast, I cleared the plates while he leaned back in his chair. “So, you’re planning to stick around here more?” he asked.

I set the tray down in the sink and turned to him. “For now, yes. It’s helpful. I want to understand more, make sure things run smoothly. And… I enjoy helping where I can.”

He looked at me with a mix of curiosity and caution. “Helpful, huh?”

“Yes,” I said, letting the word linger without overexplaining. That was enough. I didn’t need to reveal anything. I only needed him to feel comfortable letting me be present.

He took another sip of coffee and sighed lightly. “I didn’t expect to have someone like you around. Not this

much.”

I nodded. “I understand. But… think of it as temporary. For practical reasons.”

He studied me for a moment, then gave a small shrug. “Alright. Temporary, sure.”

The conversation paused naturally, letting the normal rhythm of the morning settle. I knew these moments were important–quict, ordinary interactions built more trust than words or explanations ever

could.

“Mark,” I said after a moment, “I thought maybe we could go over some of your schedules together. Just to make sure nothing conflicts and to help organize things.”

He hesitated but finally nodded. “Sure. That could help. I’m not great at keeping track of everything on my

own.”

I smiled faintly. “Perfect. We’ll start after breakfast. No rush.”

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