Chapter 12: The Breaking Point
1374 Words
Carter's POV
Duty.
It was the one thing my father had drilled into me since I was old enough to understand what it meant.
"An Alpha does not bend to emotion, Carter."
"Your choices shape the pack, not just yourself."
"You must always do what is best for our people, no matter the cost."
No matter the cost.
I repeated the words in my head like a mantra as I stood at the edge of the training grounds, watching the warriors spar under the blistering afternoon sun. Their movements were sharp, calculated, disciplined,just like they were supposed to be.
I was supposed to be focused.
I was supposed to be present.
But my mind was somewhere else.
Somewhere with her.
Ruby.
The girl who had been my best friend. The girl I had pushed away. The girl I had convinced myself I could live without.
And the girl who, as of tonight, would no longer be mine to protect.
A sharp growl rumbled in my chest, my fists clenching at my sides.
Jake's words replayed in my mind, over and over again.
"She’s still a little resistant, but don’t worry. I’ll have her under control in no time."
Jake's words wouldn’t leave my head.
Neither would the way he’d said them: so casually, so confidently. Like Ruby wasn’t a person but a challenge. A thing to be conquered.
My wolf, Kale, stirred violently in my mind, his presence a restless storm.
Ours.
I inhaled sharply. She’s not.
She is, Kale snapped. And you’re letting someone else take her.
A fresh wave of anger surged through me.
I needed to hit something.
Hard.
Kale growled, pacing within me. Break him.
I gritted my teeth. I can’t.
Kale let out a sharp snarl. You mean you won’t.
I exhaled slowly, trying to rein in my rage.
Trying to remind myself that this was the path I had chosen.
That I had no right to interfere.
"She made her choice."
"You let her make that choice."
"You let her go."
Kale let out a low, dangerous growl. She didn’t choose him. She chose what was left.
I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to push him down. Enough.
But Kale wouldn’t be silenced.
He’ll ruin her, Carter.
My jaw tightened.
A loud thud snapped me out of my thoughts.
I turned to see two warriors grappling in the dirt, one pinning the other down with an arm locked around his throat. The pinned wolf tapped out quickly, gasping for air, and his opponent released him with a grunt, stepping back.
I nodded approvingly. “Again.”
The fighters reset, circling each other, but my focus was already slipping.
Because this wasn’t working.
I could train for hours, drown myself in responsibilities, sit through endless meetings with my father about politics and alliances.
And it still wouldn’t stop the ache in my chest.
It still wouldn’t silence the part of me that was screaming to do something.
"But you can't."
"Because you are the future Alpha."
"Because you have responsibilities."
"Because you don't deserve her."
I ran a hand through my hair, exhaling sharply. I needed air.
Turning on my heel, I stalked away from the training grounds, ignoring the curious glances thrown my way.
I had barely made it past the treeline before I heard footsteps behind me.
“Where are you going?”
I gritted my teeth. “Go away, Chloe.”
She ignored me, falling into step beside me. “Skipping out on training? That’s new.”
I didn’t respond.
Kale huffed. Tell her we have better things to do.
Chloe let out a sigh, tilting her head. “You know, for someone who acts like he has everything under control, you sure seem like you’re about to explode.”
Kale growled. We should be tearing Jake apart, not standing here talking.
I clenched my fists. “I said go away.”
“And I said no.”
I stopped walking, turning to glare at her. “Chloe—”
Her expression softened. “Carter.”
I exhaled harshly, dragging a hand down my face. “I can’t do this right now.”
She studied me carefully. “Can’t do what?”
I hesitated.
Because I didn’t know the answer to that.
What was I even saying?
That I couldn’t do my duty?
That I couldn’t do this life?
That I couldn’t do any of it without her?
Chloe sighed. “It’s about her, isn’t it?”
My stomach tightened.
I turned away, staring into the trees. “It doesn’t matter.”
She scoffed. “The hell it doesn’t.”
I stayed silent.
Chloe sighed again, stepping closer. “Carter… why are you still pretending you don’t care?”
I clenched my jaw. “Because it doesn’t change anything.”
“Doesn’t it?”
I ran a hand through my hair, frustrated. “She’s engaged, Chloe. It’s done.”
She studied me carefully. “And you’re really okay with that?”
I let out a sharp breath. “Of course not.”
The words came out before I could stop them.
And just like that, the wall I had built started to crack.
Chloe didn’t gloat, didn’t smirk like she usually did when she was right.
She just crossed her arms and said, “Then why are you letting it happen? why are you letting Jake win?”
I turned away. “Because I have to.”
“No,” she said firmly. “You don’t.”
I let out a harsh laugh. “You don’t get it, Chloe. I don’t have the luxury of making selfish choices.”
She stepped in front of me, forcing me to meet her gaze. “Then for once in your life, Carter, maybe you should.”
I stared at her, my chest tight.
Chloe's expression softened. “You think you’re doing the right thing. I get it. But walking away from her? Ignoring what’s happening? That’s not protecting her, Carter.”
I swallowed hard.
She was right.
But it wasn’t just about me.
It was about the pack.
It was about my father.
I sighed. “You think Father would ever allow it?”
Chloe's jaw tightened. “Since when do you care about what he allows?”
I let out a humorless laugh. “Since the day he told me what it means to be Alpha.”
Chloe's voice dropped. “You mean since Mom died.”
I flinched.
Chloe exhaled. “Carter… she wouldn’t want this for you.”
My chest ached.
Because she was right.
Again.
If our mother were still alive, things would be different.
She had been the only one who could ever soften our father’s sharp edges. The only one who had ever made me believe that duty and love didn’t have to be separate.
But she was gone.
And my father had hardened.
And I had spent my entire life trying to live up to his expectations.
Chloe's voice was quiet. “You don’t have to be like him, Carter.”
I exhaled slowly, my throat tight.
She stepped back, giving me space. “You know what I think?”
I didn’t respond.
But she answered anyway.
“I think you’re scared,” she said softly. “Not of Father. Not of breaking tradition. But of what it would mean if you actually let yourself have her.”
I inhaled sharply.
Because it wasn’t a lie.
I was scared.
Because if I let myself have her, I would never let her go.
I exhaled slowly, shaking my head. “I don’t know what to do, Chloe.”
She sighed. “Then figure it out. But do it soon.”
I frowned. “Why?”
Her expression darkened. “Because Jake already has.”
A cold wave crashed through me.
I turned sharply. “What does that mean?”
She hesitated.
Then she said, “You’re not the only one who’s been watching him.”
I stilled.
Because the way she said it…
It wasn’t just suspicion anymore.
It was certainty.
I clenched my fists.
And for the first time in weeks, the answer was suddenly clear.
I turned toward the packhouse, toward her.
I wasn’t letting her go.
Not now.
Not ever.
- Writer
