CHAPTER 39 – Broken Bonds and Silent Promises

POV: Asher

The morning air was colder than usual, or maybe it was just me. My steps were heavier as I walked toward her house. I hadn't seen her since yesterday—since I'd carried her in my arms like she was glass, fragile and precious. My heart had never pounded this loud.

I needed to see her.

But before I could even reach the porch, Jack stepped out from the side yard, his eyes burning with fury. "Don't come near her."

His voice was sharp, full of venom. "You've hurt her enough, Asher."

I clenched my jaw. "And you didn't?" I snapped back, taking a step closer. "Where were you when she needed you, Jack? When people bullied her, where were you? You were her brother—what right do you have to tell me to stay away?"

His expression faltered. The fire in his eyes dimmed to silent guilt. He didn't respond.

That's when I saw her.

She walked out of the front door, unaware that her presence alone made the world slow down. She was wearing an oversized T-shirt and black jeans, her old worn-out backpack hanging off one shoulder. Her hair was loose, a bit messy. She looked real… and far, far away.

I called her name, softly.

She glanced at me for a brief moment. No softness. No anger. Just… indifference.

"Alpha," she said, her tone flat, almost like it was a title for a stranger. Not me. Not her mate.

My wolf, Orbit, howled in pain.

She didn't want to acknowledge me anymore. Not the boy who once gave her butterflies. Not the mate who shattered her heart.

Still, I said to orbit my wolf, "Give me time. I'll make it right. You'll see how sorry I am. How much I'm falling for her."

She said nothing.

She just walked away.

I stood there, every step she took slicing deeper into my soul.

—

My phone buzzed. It was David, Lucien's Beta, calling for the security meeting.

I headed back to the pack house. When I arrived, everyone was already seated—Lucien, Jack, my Gamma Alex, and David. Lucien sat on the main couch, relaxed but regal, a glass of whiskey in his hand. He was calm, composed, a few years older than me, but something about him radiated power that demanded attention.

We started discussing the training strategy and security measures. With the recent attack, we couldn't take chances. The Rogue King could return anytime.

"We start daily drills," I said, spreading the schedule. "Combat, rescue, and lockdown simulations. We need everyone alert."

Lucien nodded, then leaned forward and laid out his plan in precise detail—border rotations, watchtower patrols, and emergency beacon testing. His men would train with ours. No weak link would go unchecked.

He was thorough. Brutally efficient. And I respected that.

We finalized the training schedule for 11 AM and sent out the official pack message.

After the meeting, everyone filtered out. Only Lucien and I remained.

He swirled the whiskey in his glass, watching it like he could see war in its ripples.

"I've checked the borders," he said finally, his voice low and smooth. "Assigned my warriors. We can't afford to be complacent. He'll come back… for her."

That last part hung heavy in the air.

I nodded silently, absorbing his words. He stood, placed the glass on the side table, and walked toward the exit.

There was something about him—something I couldn't place. Not just his strength or confidence.

Something deeper.

And I had no idea whether that something was going to protect her… or take her further away from me.