Bound To The Broken Alpha (Amy and Daniel) novel Chapter 486

Chapter 486 An Honest Answer

CLARA

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Finished

The cell smelled of metal and cleaning agents. No blood. No rot. That was deliberate. They wanted it to feel official, controlled, humane. A place where mistakes could be corrected without leaving marks.

I sat on the narrow bench with my hands folded on my lap. I had learned long ago that pacing made guards nervous. Nervous guards talked less. Calm prisoners confused them.

Time passed without announcement. No clock. No window. Just light that stayed on.

The door finally opened with a short sound, and two people walked in. One was Northern security. I recognized him from the estate. The other was a woman I had never seen before. She wore a plain coat, no rank visible, no pack insignia.

The man spoke first. “This is an informal review, Clara. You’re being held for observation.”

“I understand,” I said. My voice sounded steady even to me.

The woman studied my face. “You don’t look afraid.”

“I don’t see the benefit,” I replied.

She pulled out a chair and sat across from me. “You were present at several sensitive points in the past months.”

“I worked where I was assigned,” I said. “I followed instructions.’”

“From whom?” she asked.

“From whoever had authority at the time,” I answered.

The man shifted his weight. “You had access to schedules. Medical updates. Security flow.”

“Yes.”

“Why?” he asked.

“Because I was trusted,” I said, “Or because I was useful. Sometimes those are the same.”

The woman leaned forward. “Do you know why you’re here, Clara?”

“I assume it’s because someone needs a reason,” I said.

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Chapter 486 An Honest Answer

Silence followed. I let it stretch.

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She spoke again. “Amy Carter was kidnapped. Evidence suggests coordination. We are reviewing everyone near her.”

“I was near her,” I said. “That doesn’t make me responsible.”

Finished

“It doesn’t clear you either,” the man said.

I nodded once. “Then ask what you need to ask.”

The woman tapped her tablet. “You had contact with Elias.”

I did not react. “He contacted many people.”

“After the fallout,” she said. “Before Amy was taken. After.”

“Yes,” I said. “He was persistent.”

“And you answered.”

“Sometimes,” I admitted. “I was careful.”

The man frowned. “Careful about what?”

“About not saying anything that could be used against me,” I said calmly.

The woman’s eyes narrowed slightly. “That’s an interesting answer.”

“It’s an honest one,” I replied.

They left me alone again after that. No threats. No promises. That was how I knew this wasn’t over. They were watching how I behaved when nothing was happening.

Hours later, another guard brought food. I thanked him. He hesitated, then nodded and left. Small things mattered.

I replayed everything in my head. Elias had cut me off because he thought I was expendable. The Southern Alpha would distance himself if things escalated. Daniel had rescued Amy. That changed the board. But it didn’t end the game.

The door opened again.

This time, only one person entered. Mark.

He closed the door behind him and leaned against it. “You really did it this time.

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“I’m sitting in a cell,” I said. “That’s usually what people say when they don’t know what else to say.”

His jaw tightened. “They think you’re involved.”

“They always do,” I replied. “Thinking is easier than proving.”

“Did you have anything to do with Amy’s kidnapping?” he asked.

“No,” I said. That was true enough.

He studied me. “You’re not denying everything.”

“I don’t deny what can be checked,” I said. “Only what can be twisted.”

He ran a hand through his hair. “Daniel is furious.”

“I would be disappointed if he wasn’t,” I said.

“You’re being held to see who reacts,” Mark said quietly. “They want Elias to move.”

I smiled slightly. “Then keeping me here is useful.”

“That’s not funny,” he snapped.

“It isn’t meant to be,” I said. “It’s strategic.”

He stepped closer. “You used people, Clara.”

“So does everyone in power,” I replied. “I just didn’t pretend otherwise.”

Mark exhaled. “If Elias doesn’t act, you’ll be charged.”

“And if he does?” I asked.

“Then you’re bait,” he said.

I nodded. “I can live with that.”

He stared at me. “Why?”

“Because being bait keeps me relevant,” I said. “And relevance buys time.”

He shook his head. “You always think you’re the smartest person in the room.

“No,” I corrected. “I think I can survive in rooms where others can’t.”

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Chapter 486 An Honest Answer

He left without another word.

The next day, the questions changed. They were sharper. More specific.

“Who approved the altered schedules?”

“Who requested medical access logs?”

“Who suggested the reassignment of night guards?”

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I answered carefully. Names where names were already known. Gaps where proof didn’t exist. I never lied outright. I just didn’t complete the picture.

At some point, I realized something important.

They weren’t trying to convict me.

They were waiting.

Waiting to see who would panic.

Waiting to see who would try to save me.

Waiting to see who would cut ties publicly.

That meant I still mattered.

Late that night, the woman from before returned. She stood instead of sitting.

“Do you know why you’re still alive, Clara?” she asked.

“I assume it’s because killing me would raise questions,” I said.

She nodded once. “Partly. But also because you know things.”

“I know patterns,” I said. “People repeat themselves.”

She looked at me for a long moment. “If you had to choose right now–self–preservation or loyalty–which would you pick?”

“Self–preservation,” I answered without hesitation.

She almost smiled. “Good. Then listen carefully.”

She lowered her voice. “Elias is being watched. Closely. If he makes a move, it will be intercepted.”

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Chapter 48o An Honest Answer

“And if he doesn’t?” I asked.

“Then you’ll be processed,” she said. “Slowly.”

“I see,” I replied.

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She turned to leave, then paused. “One more thing. Amy asked that you not be harmed.”

That surprised me. I didn’t show it.

“She’s generous,” I said.

“She’s strategic,” the woman corrected. “Don’t confuse the two.”

After she left, I sat back and finally allowed myself to think.

Amy was alive. Pregnant. Protected, for now.

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