Unclaimed Fate

Break the Cuffs

ASHER’S POV

For a brief moment, we continue to stare at each other. I can’t comprehend that the Alpha of The Sunrise Ark Pack is my mate. The leader of the strongest werewolf pack in the world is my mate. I peer into his eyes and still sense his wolf.

He quickly shuts his eyes, and the presence of his wolf vanishes. He concealed his wolf from me. But why?

Instead of the affectionate gaze I expect from a mate, his eyes remain cold and unfeeling. There’s no trace of happiness on his face. Doesn’t he recognize that I’m his mate?

He turns toward his second-in-command. "What’s happening here?" he demands in a commanding tone.

"She’s the Beta of the neighboring pack, The Blue Moon. She claims a rogue named Kay wants to force her friend into a mating and has taken her onto our land. She came to rescue her friend," the Beta explains.

The Alpha looks back at me. "Describe the rogue," he orders.

I provide a description of Kay’s height, hair, and clothing.

"It’s him," the Alpha confirms. Does he know Kay?

"Beta Caleb, find the rogue. Take the men with you," the Alpha instructs. Beta Caleb nods and walks toward the woods, presumably toward the pack homes.

The four men who surrounded me also follow him. I want to help save my friend, but I don’t think I’m permitted since the Alpha hasn’t said I could go. It feels like he doesn’t trust me. Now, I’m left alone with him.

When he glances at me again, I lower my eyes to the ground, unable to meet his hard gaze.

It feels like he despises me, but what have I done? I can feel his intense stare, making me uncomfortable. I want to ask him to stop looking at me, but I doubt he would listen.

After all, he’s an Alpha, and Alphas never take orders from anyone.

"Ash!" A familiar voice calls my name. I turn to see my friend running toward me, tears streaming down her face. I also notice Kay being dragged by the men, struggling to break free.

The Alpha and Kay now stand face-to-face. The Alpha glares at him, causing Kay to tremble with fear.

He quietly attempts to escape the silver handcuffs on his wrists, but it’s futile. He won’t be able to slip out of the silver because it weakens werewolves.

Sandra wraps her arms around me, shaking. When I pull away, I check her for injuries, but she seems unharmed. Relief floods me.

"I’m so glad you’re safe," I tell her, hugging her again. After pulling back, I gently wipe away her dried tears.

"Just because I exiled you from my pack, it doesn’t mean you can force yourself on someone not from my pack," the Alpha says to Kay in a chilling voice. "I warned you, Kay, if I caught you doing something wrong again, I’d kill you."

Kay starts shaking violently, his hands clasped in a pleading gesture. "I’m sorry, Alpha. I won’t do it again."

"That’s what you said before," the Alpha retorts.

Sandra and I are both stunned when we see the Alpha reach for Kay’s wrists and break the silver handcuffs. How did he do that?

Kay would have tried to flee, but the Alpha’s men held him securely. He struggled to escape their grasp, but they were stronger.

The Alpha grips Kay’s throat and lifts him off the ground. Kay starts thrashing, trying to pry the Alpha’s hand away from his neck.

His feet kick helplessly in the air. He grasps at the Alpha’s arm, attempting to loosen the chokehold, but it’s useless.

Within moments, Kay begins to suffocate, gasping for air. His face turns blue.

Sandra grabs me, her panic evident. "Asher, he’s going to kill him! Do something! I don’t want Kay’s death on my conscience!" She’s clearly shaken, knowing she wouldn’t be able to live with herself if Kay died because of her, even though he had attempted to force himself on her twice.

She pushes me toward the Alpha. I stand frozen as I watch Kay fight for his life.

"Please stop," I plead. Instantly, the Alpha releases his grip on Kay, who drops to the ground with a thud. I watch as Kay gasps for air, his chest rising and falling quickly as he tries to fill his lungs.

"Lock him in the prison cell and ensure he stays there," the Alpha orders two of his men. They nod and step forward, lifting Kay by his arms and dragging him away.

The Alpha turns to Beta Caleb and the remaining men. "Ensure the Beta and her friend return to their pack safely."

Beta Caleb and the men acknowledge the command, and the Alpha walks deeper into the woods, likely heading toward the pack homes, without sparing me another glance.

I notice his burnt hand. His hand must have been injured when he broke the silver cuffs. When silver touches werewolf skin, it causes severe burns and agonizing pain. Silver wounds take a long time to heal.

How did the Alpha withstand the pain? He didn’t even flinch, and he managed to break the cuffs. How is that possible?

"Beta Asher," Beta Caleb calls to me. I turn toward him. He gestures for Sandra and me to start walking. We head back to our pack, with Beta Caleb and his men following closely behind.

As we near our territory, I spot Alpha Mark and a few others waiting near the boundary. Alpha Mark looks relieved as he sees me approaching. Beta Caleb and the men follow close behind.

"Alpha Mark," Beta Caleb says, bowing along with his men in respect.

"Beta Caleb," Alpha Mark nods in acknowledgment. Then, turning to me, he asks, "Where were you, Beta Asher?"

"It’s a long story, Alpha Mark. I’d like to tell you privately," I say. He nods in understanding.

I turn back to Beta Caleb and say, "Thank you for ensuring we made it back safely." He gives me a friendly nod and smiles before turning to Alpha Mark, bowing once again, and leaving with his men.

"I’ll take Sandra home and then meet you at the pack house," I tell Alpha Mark, and he nods.

Sandra and I walk toward her house while the other men head to their own homes.

After dropping Sandra off, I make my way to the pack house, which is shared by Alpha Mark, Gamma Dante, and me. Gamma is the third-in-command. When I knock on the wooden door, Gamma Dante opens it. "I didn’t see you at the boundary tonight," I say to him.

"Someone had to watch the pack house," he replies, and I nod. "MK was worried about you, though," he adds, using Alpha Mark’s nickname.

The Alpha, Gamma, and I are close enough that we address each other by first names. Outside of the pack house, we stick to our titles. MK believes it keeps things professional. "He’s waiting for you in his study," Dante tells me.

"Come on." He leads me to MK’s study, where we find him waiting behind his desk.