THE ALPHA'S BROKEN VOW

Chapter One Noah’s POV I headed back to Mum and Dad's for dinner. I hadn’t stepped through that door in weeks. My chest tightened at the thought—the old ache for the clan fighting with the knowledge that everything was different now. I wasn’t the naive lad I used to be. I couldn’t pretend to be. With Eliza’s death, the rage sprouted inside me. Every day with the clan made this torment worse. The sideways glances. Muted murmurs I wasn’t meant to overhear. Pity slithered from their eyes whenever they thought I couldn’t see. I couldn’t draw a breath beneath it. Staying would break me. I left. Yet, as the clan’s next heir, no one was prepared to let me walk away. They needed me to be strong. They urged me to stuff the grief down and step into the flawless role my father had mapped out for me. Lead the clan as though the bond I’d lost didn’t matter. I eased the car into the driveway and clambered out. Before I could so much as lift my hand to the doorknob, it swung open. “Noah!” Sophie hurtled toward me, her curls springing. I crouched, lifting her into my arms before she could crash into my legs. She held fast to me with all the force her tiny arms could muster, pressing a soggy kiss to my cheek. For a single moment, just a heartbeat’s span, I found my lips tugging into a smile. Only she could wring that smile from me these days. I still carried the image of her tiny face the first time she saw me stumble in drunk. That night, I vowed she’d never see me in that state again. I might fall apart for everyone else, but not for her. She giggled, laying her hand on my chin where the stubble had grown, and said, “You look. " Alfie’s voice drifted down the stairs. “Funny? He’s always been ugly. Mate, you look like s**t. You gotta get a haircut.” I fixed him with a baleful stare; he only smirked broader. From Alfie, there was no mercy. None of her delicate quietness. He acted toward me as he always had, and in a strange way, I was thankful for it. Are you home to stay this time?” Sophie’s smile broadened, and a glow lit her eyes. “No. Not this evening.” I clung closer to her, watching the light wince out of her face. She let out a sigh, one far richer in weight than any young person ought to carry. But I’ll read to you later, I promise. Promise.” Her smile reappeared, as though the sun had broken through the clouds. She squirmed down and dashed into the dining room. In the dining room, Mum threw her arms around me and pressed a kiss to my cheek. But her eyes told a different story. Sorrow. Grieving for the son she thought she still had. Don’t, Mum. My words sank into a hushed tone. Please don’t look at me. In a hushed voice, she said, “I only miss you.” She stepped back. “Sit with me.” Sit with me. Dad slipped in, pressing my shoulder as he made his way to the head of the table. The family set“It’s been weeks since you’ve been here,” Mum observed once the food was laid out. “Everything OK?” All is well. The sigh slipped out before I could stifle it. I could tell where this would end. Have you ever thought about returning to the clan? I gave my head a small shake. I prefer to keep living in London. I no longer feel like a wolf. Her gaze fell, but Dad broke in. “A year has passed, Noah. It’s time you move on.”u move on. The fork’s progress froze. That pride was gone from his gaze now. It’s been a while since Eliza. Not since I crushed the façade he wanted to present to his “And what, precisely, would you have me move past, Dad?” My voice split with a sharp crack. arp crack. Eliza’s gone. You’ve grieved long enough. Your duties are waiting.” The din of my fork striking the plate reverberated. Stop acting like you have any idea what this feels like! For you, it’s easy, returning to Mum every night. But me? She was my mate. She was my everything. And you expect me to go on leading as though nothing happened? Alfie can deal with it. I won’t. Stop bloody pushing me!” The growl tore through me as my claws pushed free. Dad eased to his feet, looming over me with measured menace. Want to take this outside? I locked my stare on him, my heart quivering. After seeing where this was headed, I lowered “This isn’t who you are. You sink into drink, evading the truth. Even so, the truth remains the same. Eliza’s gone. You have to pull yourself back together.”together.” A growl surged again, then Mum’s warm grip on my arm stilled it. Sophie’s wide eyes turned me to stone. Drawing in a long breath, I reined in my wolf, claws slipping back beneath my skin. Dinner drew to a wordless close. Later, after dinner had faded into an uncomfortable silence, I settled on the porch steps beneath the stars, the crisp air cutting into my lungs. Eliza’s memories tightened around me, as if I wore them as chains. When she died, the laughter, the life in me, died with her. Now anger alone remained. Alfie dropped beside me and chuckled. Figured Dad was about to beat the life out of you. Laugh another moment, and I’ll be the one administering the beating. He smirked. Can’t say I expected to see you, rogue. You know I’d rip you to shreds if you’d so much as set foot here. I’m no rogue. Without a clan, without ties. That’s what you are. So, Lone Wolf is it? Sounds more attractive. I let out a low growl. “Go on, provoke me, Alfie.” He lifted his hands. “Fine. But truth? We miss you. Really, you do prefer London?” London is preferable to the streets around here. The clan? You’re supposed to lead.” “Not anymore. That’s for you now. He let out a breath and shook his head. This wasn’t the way it was supposed to be. The front door groaned open. Mum’s voice drifted out. “Sophie’s calling for you, Noah.” I gave a brief nod and turned to look at Alfie. “s**t changes, brother.” I rocked Sophie to slumber, her light breaths even against the quiet of the room. I set the book on her nightstand and vanished. By the time midnight neared, London drew me back in again. Corner-shop lights beamed as I snatched bottles of Pimm’s and slipped back into the night. “Let me go!” The scream stopped me dead. On the other side of the road, a masked man hauled a woman into Not my business. I tried to believe it—reminded myself I had my own pain. Why get involved? But the words rang hollow. I knew the truth: I couldn’t stand by and let someone else break my concern. “Stop! Please!” I tightened my jaw as I twisted the key in the ignition. Just leave. “Help! Help! Shit. I flung the door open and stepped into the street. Now he had her cornered, the lamplight catching the shine of his knife. Don’t be a bloody hero,” he snarled, raising the knife. He lunged. I seized his wrist and twisted until the crack reverberated through the alley. His scream ricocheted from the walls as the knife clattered to the pavement. I tore the mask from his face and stared into his eyes. Terror slithered from him like sweat. Please—don’t kill me. “Go.” He sprinted, tripping into the shadow. I swiveled toward the woman. Bruised and her shirt in shreds, she lay limp upon the concrete. The bite in the air was sharp; leaving her meant she would die. I scooped her gently into my arms, ushering her to my car and setting her down in the back. Back at my flat, I hoisted her and carried her upstairs, setting her gently on the spare bed. She lay unmoving, her chest lifted shallowly and evenly. I left her there, opening a bottle and sinking onto the sofa. The drink scorched my throat, yet the burn was one I’d grown used to. With my eyes shut, I murmured into the empty room. I’ll find the bastard who took you from me, Eliza. Whatever the length of time it requires. They’ll pay.