Broken Alpha

CHAPTER SEVEN

Audrey's POV

The woman’s words hung in the air. Luke isn’t the only one who wants you.

I felt a chill run down my back. Who could want me? Why would anyone else care? My heart raced as I stared at the empty doorway. It freaked me out.

My body ached as I shifted against the bulky furs covering me. The pain was still there, but it felt lighter now. It felt good to notice that I was getting stronger, even though tiredness clung like a wet blanket. I had to think. Was she telling me that Luke had more people working with him? Or was there someone else out there who saw me as something special to take?

But no matter who it was, it made no difference. I was still stuck here where I didn’t belong.

I needed to get out of here.

Taking a deep breath, I sat up and looked around. The fire in the corner was low, casting dancing shadows on the stone walls. There were no windows. Just one heavy wooden door—that was my only way out.

My heart raced as I swung my legs over the edge of the bed. I touched the cold floor with my bare feet. Every muscle in my body protested, but I pushed through it. I couldn’t miss my chance.

Moving carefully toward the door, I stopped a couple of times to listen. I reached the handle. It was locked.

Of course, it was locked.

I clenched my jaw and looked around the room again. I needed something that could help me. Then, my eyes caught the fire poker leaning by the hearth. It wasn’t a key, but it was heavy iron. I could use it to defend myself if needed.

My fingers wrapped around it. If anyone came in here, I was ready to fight.

Just then, I heard footsteps outside the door. They were slow and heavy.

My grip tightened on the poker. The door handle turned slowly, and I raised the poker high, ready to defend myself.

But it wasn’t Luke.

It was the woman.

She raised an eyebrow, not impressed by the poker in my hand. “You’re braver than I thought,” she said calmly.

I didn’t lower it. “Who are you?” I asked with a firm voice.

She walked inside and shut the door. Now that I was closer, I saw a sharpness in her green eyes. She seemed confident, like someone who had faced tough times and still stood tall.

“My name is Evelyne,” she said.

The name meant nothing to me, but at the same time, I had never heard that name before. “Why are you here?”

She studied my face for a bit before answering. Whether you realize it or not, “You’re part of something bigger than Luke’s issues with your dad.”

I swallowed hard. “Then tell me what’s really going on.”

Evelyne paused, then let out a frustrated sigh. “There are different groups in this pack. Not everyone thinks Luke should be in charge. He got his dad’s throne, but not all agree with his leadership. And you… you’re a tool for them.”

I stiffened. “A tool?”

“More than that,” she said quietly. “Some see you as a way to make him weak. While others see you as a threat.”

My hands relaxed a little around the poker. “Then help me get out of here.”

Evelyne’s face didn’t change. “It’s not just a simple walk out the door. Everyone here is watching you. Even if we got you out of this room, you wouldn’t make it past the guards.”

I felt my hope drop. I knew that was likely, but hearing it stung.

She must have seen my frustration because she added, “But you’re not without power.”

I scoffed. “Really? It feels like I’m stuck.”

Evelyne tilted her head, considering me. “Not if you use your situation right.”

I frowned. “What do you mean? “What are you saying?”

She crossed her arms. “Luke hasn’t hurt you yet. That means he needs you for something. Use that to your benefit. If you can get him to trust you, you might gain some control over your fate.”

I laughed bitterly. “You want me to get close to the guy who threw me into a dungeon?”

“I want you to stay alive,” she snapped, her voice sharp. “If Luke loses his grip on the pack, you’ll be left with much worse people.”

Inside me, a battle raged. I didn't want to act like someone I wasn’t to get out of this situation. It felt wrong, but maybe it was the only way. My father always said knowing when to bend was a strength. Now, all I had was my mind.

Evelyne's words hung in the air. “Good. Now, rest up. You’ll need your strength.”

As she turned to leave, I called out. “Why are you helping me?”

She looked back over her shoulder. “Because I know what it’s like to be trapped.”

Then she walked out, leaving me bored with questions and feeling uneasy.

I put the poker down and crawled back into bed. I pulled the heavy furs over me and my mind raced about everything Evelyne told me. Luke could lose control of his people, and if that happened, I might get hurt too.

I had to stay sharp. I had to play it smart.

Most importantly, I had to be prepared.

Because deep down, I felt this was only the start of something bigger.

Luke’s POV

I paced around my office. Tension twisted in my chest. Aiden leaned against the wall, wearing his annoyingly calm smirk.

“You’re overthinking,” he said.

I shot him a hard look. “And you’re not thinking enough.”

He chuckled lightly. “I think just fine. I just don’t waste my time worrying about things I can’t change.”

I clenched my fists. Audrey was a puzzle I hadn’t seen coming. Keeping her here was dangerous, but letting her go wasn’t a choice—at least, not yet.

Aiden stared at me for a moment and then said, “You’re worried about what others will do, aren’t you?”

I didn’t say anything.

He took my silence as a “yes.” “You should be. There are whispers. Some of the elders think you’re showing weakness.”

I let out a sharp breath. “Let them talk. I’ve got my plans.”

Aiden straightened up. “Just be careful those plans don’t land you in an unmarked grave.”

I met his gaze and held steady. “That won’t happen.”

But as I glanced out the window into the night, I couldn’t shake the feeling that the game I was playing was more dangerous than I thought.

And Audrey…

She was the wild card, and I wasn't sure I could keep her in check.

Audrey lay still, her muscles coiled tightly beneath the heavy furs. The room was silent now, but Evelyne's words crushed against her ribs like a vice. You'll be at the mercy of people considerably worse than him.

Her breath caught. More dangerous than Luke? Her stomach turned sour at the thought.

There is a change in the air. A groan around

The door.

Audrey hardly had time to respond before the hinges creaked, the weak firelight illuminating a shadowy shape.

Not Evelyne.

Not Luke.

Someone else.

She went for the fire poker, too late.

The figure stumbled.