7:09 pm P M
Bound To The Broken Alpha
Chapter 410 Don’t Move
AMY
I noticed Cole’s absence before I admitted it mattered.
Finished
At first, it was just a gap in routine. Cole was always around–quiet, observant, reliable in a way that didn’t demand attention. He had a habit of appearing when things felt tense. When days passed without seeing him, I told myself I was imagining it. Everyone had assignments. Everyone moved.
By the fourth day, I stopped pretending.
I brought it up to Daniel that evening. We were in his office, doors closed, lights dimmed to the level we both preferred when we needed to talk without interruption. He was reviewing reports on his tablet, jaw set in that familiar way that meant he was thinking several steps ahead.
“Have you seen Cole lately?” I asked.
Daniel didn’t look up right away. “No.”
“That’s what I thought,” I said. “He usually checks in. Even briefly.”
Daniel finally raised his eyes. His expression didn’t change, but something tightened behind it. “He went to see his mother.”
I frowned. “His mother?”
“She’s unwell,” he said smoothly. “He asked for time. I approved it.”
That explanation should have settled me. It was reasonable. And yet, my discomfort didn’t ease.
“When?” I asked.
“A few days ago,” Daniel replied. “He didn’t want to make a big deal of it.”
I leaned back in my chair. “He would’ve told me.”
“He didn’t want to burden you,” Daniel said. “You’ve had enough on your plate.”
I studied his face. Daniel rarely lied outright. He didn’t need to. If he chose to withhold something, it was because he believed it served a purpose. That didn’t mean I liked it,
“I don’t like not knowing where my people are,” I said.
“They’re still your people,” he replied calmly. “And he’ll be back.”
I nodded, but the feeling lingered. Cole disappearing without a word didn’t sit right with me. Too many things had shifted recently. Too many quiet changes.
I didn’t push further. Not because I was satisfied, but because I trusted Daniel enough to let it rest–for
now.
10:3
Chapter 410 Don’t Move
Finished
The day dragged on after that. Meetings blurred together. Questions circled the same issues, framed in different ways. Everyone was careful around me. Polite. Measured. I could feel it. The scandal had settled, but its weight remained.
By evening, I was exhausted.
“I’ll head out,” I told Daniel as I gathered my things.
“I’ll have someone drive you,” he said.
“I want to walk to the car myself,” I replied. “I need air.”
Daniel hesitated. “At least take the long route. The lit one.”
‘I will,” I promised.
The parking area was quieter than usual. Most staff had already left. The sky was dark, but the compound ights were on, casting long shadows across the pavement. I walked with my phone in hand, checking messages as I went.
Nothing urgent. Nothing unusual.
unlocked my car and sat inside for a moment, breathing out slowly. The silence felt heavy. I started the engine and pulled out of the lot.
The drive home was familiar. Streets I had taken hundreds of times. I relaxed slightly as I merged onto the nain road. Traffic was light. The city moved around me without noticing.
Halfway home, I sensed it.
At first, it was instinct. The kind that came from years of leading wolves who survived by reading patterns. A car behind me had stayed too close for too long. When I changed lanes, it changed with me. When I
lowed, it did too.
I told myself not to jump to conclusions.
At the next intersection, I turned left instead of continuing straight. The car followed.
My grip tightened on the steering wheel.
I reached for my phone and dialed Daniel. It rang once. Twice.
No answer.
That was when my pulse spiked.
I took another turn, sharper this time. The car stayed with me. Then another vehicle appeared ahead, slowing abruptly. Too slow. Too deliberate.
My instincts screamed.
I hit the brakes and tried to reverse, but the car behind me surged forward, blocking me in. Doors opened before I could react. Figures moved fast. Efficient. No shouting. No wasted motion.
2/3
Chapter 410 Don’t Move
Finished
The day dragged on after that. Meetings blurred together. Questions circled the same issues, framed in different ways. Everyone was careful around me. Polite. Measured. I could feel it. The scandal had settled. but its weight remained.
By evening, I was exhausted.
“I’ll head out,” I told Daniel as I gathered my things.
“I’ll have someone drive you,” he said.
“I want to walk to the car myself,” I replied. “I need air.”
Daniel hesitated. “At least take the long route. The lit one.”
“I will,” I promised.
The parking area was quieter than usual. Most staff had already left. The sky was dark, but the compound lights were on, casting long shadows across the pavement. I walked with my phone in hand, checking messages as I went.
Nothing urgent. Nothing unusual.
I unlocked my car and sat inside for a moment, breathing out slowly. The silence felt heavy. I started the engine and pulled out of the lot.
The drive home was familiar. Streets I had taken hundreds of times. I relaxed slightly as I merged onto the main road. Traffic was light. The city moved around me without noticing.
Halfway home, I sensed it.
At first, it was instinct. The kind that came from years of leading wolves who survived by reading patterns. A car behind me had stayed too close for too long. When I changed lanes, it changed with me. When I slowed, it did too.
I told myself not to jump to conclusions.
At the next intersection, I turned left instead of continuing straight. The car followed.
My grip tightened on the steering wheel.
I reached for my phone and dialed Daniel. It rang once. Twice.
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