Bound To The Broken Alpha (Amy and Daniel) novel Chapter 69

**When Dawn Breaks Slowly Hope Finds Space To Grow by Jin Rowan**

**Chapter 69: You Had Your Chance**

**AMY**

I felt a weight settle in the air between us, thick and suffocating. “You had every chance to care before. Now, you don’t get to watch over me from the shadows like some guilty man trying to fix things with pity,” I declared, my voice steady despite the storm of emotions swirling inside me.

He finally met my gaze, the tension palpable. “I’m not asking for forgiveness,” he replied, his tone firm but lacking the conviction I had expected.

“Good,” I shot back, a sense of satisfaction coursing through me. “Because you’re not getting it.”

Silence enveloped us, the only sound being the whisper of the wind rustling through the trees. It felt as if the world around us was holding its breath. Cole, sensing the charged atmosphere, stepped closer to me, his presence a comforting shield. “Let’s go,” he urged gently.

I nodded, my heart still racing, and turned away, refusing to give Mark another glance.

Upon reaching the house, Cole lingered outside for a moment, his eyes scanning the perimeter with the vigilance of a sentry. I ascended the stairs, seeking refuge by the window, peering into the dark expanse of the woods.

It should have terrified me that Mark was following me, but instead, a simmering anger bubbled within me. How dare he think he still had a say in my life? How could he still believe he had the right to intrude after everything that had transpired?

That night, as I prepared for bed, I took the time to lock every window, each click of the latch a small act of defiance. If Mark wanted to haunt me with guilt, he would have to work much harder. I was no longer the woman who had once waited in vain for his care; I was forging my own path, one that he had no place in.

The next morning greeted me with a sense of exhaustion that clung to my bones. My head felt heavy, and my body ached as if I hadn’t rested at all. Perhaps seeing Mark again had unsettled me more than I wanted to admit. I sat on the edge of my bed for a moment, staring blankly at the floor, before finally summoning the strength to rise.

It was a school day, and I had practicals scheduled. There was no way I was going to let fatigue hold me back from this opportunity.

After a brisk shower, I tied my hair up neatly, slipping into my lab coat, the fabric crisp against my skin. I grabbed an energy bar, the taste of determination fueling my steps as I headed out. Cole was waiting by the car, his demeanor quiet and watchful, as always. He didn’t utter a word; his eyes spoke volumes, still alert after last night’s events. I couldn’t blame him for being cautious.

The drive to school was brief, the world outside a blur as I stared out the window, lost in thoughts of the week ahead. Classes had been ramping up in intensity, and today’s practicals were crucial for our assessment. I had been preparing for days, and I felt the weight of that preparation pressing down on me.

Once we arrived, I turned to Cole, my voice steady. “I’ll be fine. You can wait outside the main building.”

“I’ll be right here,” he replied, a hint of concern in his eyes. “Text me if anything feels off.”

“I will,” I assured him, though I didn’t anticipate anything unusual happening again.

As I stepped onto campus, everything appeared to be normal. Students rushed between classes, their laughter and chatter filling the air. I made my way to the lab, humming softly to myself, trying to shake off the lingering fatigue that threatened to overwhelm me.

By mid-morning, I felt a surge of energy. I reviewed my notes while meticulously setting up for the experiment. Just as I was about to dive in, a voice called out my name from behind.

“Amy.”

I hesitated, unwilling to believe who it was. Turning around, I was taken aback to see Brian standing at the entrance, his black jacket stark against the bright lab backdrop.

“What are you doing here?” I asked, my frown deepening. “You shouldn’t be here. This isn’t pack territory.”

“I know,” he replied, his tone devoid of argument. “But I needed to talk to you.”

I sighed, annoyance creeping in. “If this is another one of your uninvited visits, Brian, I’m really not in the mood.”

“It’s not about that,” he said, stepping closer, his expression serious. “Someone tampered with your instruments.”

Confusion washed over me. “What do you mean?”

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