The Luna He Didn't Deserve

What He Broke

Chapter 6 – What He Broke

(Like a Villain -- Bad Omens)

The pack house felt wrong. Ryker noticed it the moment he stepped inside—before a single thought could form, before logic could catch up with instinct. The halls were unchanged. Stone walls polished smooth with age. Torches burning steadily in their brackets. The faint scent of cedar and smoke lingering in the air. Everything was exactly as it had always been. And yet—something was missing. Something that had always been there without him realizing it. A presence. A balance. A quiet, stubborn force that had stood beside him whether he acknowledged it or not.

“Elena.”

Her name left his mouth before he could stop it, low and rough against the silence. No answer came. Ryker moved forward, his boots striking harder than usual against the stone floor, his pace sharper now, urgency bleeding through the calm control he was known for. The faint scent of her lingered in the air, threading through the corridors like something already slipping away. He followed it without hesitation—up the stairs, down the long hallway, straight to their room. The door stood open. That alone made something in his chest tighten. Elena never left doors open. She was precise in small ways—controlled, intentional, always aware of her surroundings. It had been something he noticed early on, something he had respected without ever saying it out loud. Now—it felt like a warning. Ryker slowed as he approached, his hand brushing the doorframe before he stepped inside.

The room was empty. Not untouched—no, that would have been easier. This was worse. The bed remained neatly made, the blankets undisturbed. The window was cracked open, letting in cool evening air that stirred the curtains gently. A few of her belongings were gone. Not everything. But enough. His gaze moved across the space slowly, taking it in piece by piece. Her cloak—gone. The leather satchel she always carried—gone. The dagger hidden beneath the dresser—gone. Not careless. Not rushed. Deliberate. She hadn’t fled. She had decided. Ryker’s jaw tightened.

“Elena.”

Still nothing. The silence pressed in harder now, heavier, suffocating in a way he wasn’t used to. Footsteps approached behind him—measured, steady. Garrick.

“Ryker.”

Ryker didn’t turn immediately.

“When?”

Garrick leaned against the doorway, arms crossed loosely, his expression serious.

“Right after the council.”

That answer landed like a blow.

“She walked out. Didn’t say a word. Didn’t argue. Didn’t even look back.”

Ryker turned slowly, something darker settling into his expression.

“Where?”

“South edge of the territory. That’s the direction she took.”

Ryker dragged a hand through his hair, frustration rising beneath the control he was trying to maintain. His gaze swept the room again—essentials, weapons, clothing. No hesitation. No doubt. This hadn’t been impulsive. It had been planned.

“She should’ve told me.”

Garrick didn’t hesitate.

“Would it have changed anything?”

Silence fell. Heavy. Unavoidable. Because that was the truth Ryker didn’t want to face. Would it have? His jaw tightened as he turned toward the window, staring out at the dark forest stretching beyond the territory. He hadn’t rejected her. Not fully. Not the way the bond demanded. He hadn’t spoken the words. Hadn’t severed it cleanly. He had just let it rot. Let distance replace connection. Let silence do the damage he didn’t have the courage to. Let others speak for him. And somehow—that was worse. Because now she had walked away believing he chose someone else. And he had. Just not in a way that could be undone.

“She won’t come back,” Garrick said quietly.

Ryker’s head snapped toward him.

“You don’t know that.”

“I know her. And I know what just happened.”

Ryker’s expression darkened, something volatile flickering beneath the surface.

“She’s my mate.”

The words came out sharper than intended. Possessive. Certain.

Garrick didn’t flinch.

“Then you should’ve acted like it. Before the elders cast her aside… or before you put a child in another woman who isn’t your Luna.”

That hit harder than anything else. Because it was true. Ryker looked away again, his gaze settling on the forest. She was out there. Alone. Unprotected. His wolf stirred beneath the surface—restless, agitated, wrong. Everything felt wrong.

“I should’ve stopped it.”

The admission slipped out before he could stop it. Garrick didn’t respond, because there was nothing to argue, nothing to fix. Not anymore. Ryker straightened slowly, control settling back into his posture—but thinner now. Strained.

“Get a patrol ready.”

Garrick shook his head.

“That’s a mistake.”

Ryker’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“Explain.”

“If you send wolves after her, she’ll run.”

That made Ryker pause. Because he knew it was true. Elena wouldn’t see protection. She would see control.

“And if she runs, you won’t find her again.”

The words settled heavily in the room. Because that was the real risk. Ryker exhaled slowly.

“So what? We just let her go?”

Garrick met his gaze.

“No. You go after her. Alone. And you don’t make it worse.”

That was the only answer. Ryker moved toward the door. Then—voices drifted faintly from the corridor. Soft. Unaware.

---

Serena stood just out of sight near the healer’s wing, her back pressed lightly against the stone wall, her breathing shallow as she listened. She hadn’t meant to overhear. Not at first. But when she heard Elena’s name—she stopped.

“Are you sure?”

“I confirmed it myself. Elena is pregnant.”

Serena went completely still. The world tilted beneath her. Pregnant.

“No one else knows yet. She didn’t want the Alpha to know right away.”

Serena’s heart slammed against her ribs. No. No, no, no—this wasn’t supposed to happen.

“Elena deserves this. After everything she’s been through—”

Serena stepped back silently, her pulse racing, her thoughts spiraling. If Ryker found out—everything would change. The council. The decision. Her position. Gone. Elena wouldn’t be replaceable anymore. She would be necessary. Untouchable. Serena’s hands clenched at her sides. No. She wouldn’t let that happen. She had come too far. Waited too long. Positioned herself too carefully. She wouldn’t lose everything now. Not to Elena. Not to a human. Her expression hardened, something cold and calculating settling into place. No one could know. Not now. Not ever. She turned away from the healer’s wing, already planning, already deciding who needed to be silenced.