The Alpha King’s Broken Mate

Fight and keep fighting.

Namiko’s POV

They took everything from me when they dragged me into this cell.

Not just my freedom. Not just the clothes stained with Caspian’s scent and the faintest hope of something soft blooming between us.

No, they took the one thing I was just starting to believe in, that I might finally be safe and even belong somewhere I am accepted.

Now, even the shadows feel dangerous.

I sit in the cold corner of my cell, back pressed to stone, arms wrapped around my knees like that might somehow hold me together. But I am coming apart, quietly. Bit by bit.

I hear footsteps echoing down the corridor. Every time I hear them, I pray it’s not him. Every time, I also pray it is. I must be crazy! He is just like everyone else.

I should not feel entitled to the attention he gave me, I don't deserve any of it.

When the door opens, and Caspian steps in, my heart splits cleanly down the middle. He looks like a stranger now.

Cold, unreadable and sharp around the edges. The way he used to be when I first met him, but back then, I thought it was a mask, I thought I knew what he was deep inside. Now, I’m not sure.

“You lied to me,” he says.

The words punch the air out of my lungs. My lips move before I can stop them. “I didn’t. . . ”

“Don’t,” he cuts me off. “Don’t you f*****g say another word.”

I bite it back every protest and every plea. I’m too stunned to fight properly. I want to reach for him, explain everything, beg, but I don’t even know where to start. He doesn’t give me a chance. His words are like blades, and I sit there and bleed. I take everything he throws at me.

“I should have killed you the moment you stepped through my gates,” he says.

That breaks me. More than it probably should. But I should have expected it, I don't mean sh!t.

Not just because of what he says, but because part of me understands it. It’s how things work in this world. No second chances. No mercy. Especially not for people like me. People with no pack, no real power, people who simply don't belong.

“I didn’t come here to hurt you,” I whisper, even though he’s already walking away. “I never wanted to hurt you. I would never do that. I don't understand why you don't believe me. Okay okay, I get it. You have not known me too long to believe every word that comes out of my mouth” I paused, waiting for a reaction, but I get none. “Please investigate”

He doesn’t turn back to me, he doesn't flinch. He just closes the door like I mean nothing.

And I think, for the first time in my life, I understand what it means to be truly, utterly alone. He has turned his back on me again.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Hours pass. Or maybe days. Time doesn’t make sense to me anymore.

I press my forehead to the wall, remembering the feel of his hand around mine. The way he looked at me when he said he’d try to be soft. How he said it like it was a secret he wasn’t used to giving.

That Caspian is gone.

In his place is the king again. The one who makes examples out of traitors. But I’m not a traitor.

I didn’t do any of the things Ariana said. I’ve never even seen the locket they found or the map she claimed was mine.

Why would she do this? What does she have to gain? She does not even know me. I have never seen her before the accusation.

I don’t know. . . but I know how women like her look at women like me.

I’m not royalty, I’m not purebred. As far as anyone knows I came from nowhere and carried my shame in plain sight. But somehow, Caspian looked at me, and she saw that.

She saw that he chose me. That must have been it! And that must have burned.

But that doesn’t help me now. It doesn’t clear my name or convince the guards watching my door like I might tear through the walls at any moment.

I have to prove the truth.

Even if Caspian hates me. Even if no one believes me. Even if they tear me apart in the court.

I can’t die for a crime I didn’t commit.

That night, I stay awake thinking.

Going back over every moment since I arrived here. The blood on my dress. The locket I never saw. The map I never drew. Someone planted them. Ariana must have planted them. Maybe with the help of someone else. A maid? A guard loyal to her? Someone who wanted me gone. But who?

I remember the servant girl who helped wash my clothes that first night. She was quiet. Acting all nervous. She kept staring at my hands and my throat.

She was the last person who touched my clothes. I sit up, heart pounding.

What if the map was hidden in my clothes before I ever reached the palace? What if I was meant to be a scapegoat all along?

A pawn and I walked right into it. It doesn't make any sense. No one knew I was coming here.

I need to speak to someone. Anyone. Someone who isn’t under Ariana’s thumb.

Maybe the head healer, the older one with the cloudy eyes. She touched my wounds, she spoke gently to me. She didn’t look at me like a threat. She said her wolf liked me. She must see the truth.

Or maybe Caspian’s second-in-command,. He didn’t trust me, but he didn’t trust Ariana either. I saw it in his face when she walked into the hall with her painted smile.

But how do I get to them?

I can’t leave this cell. I can’t even scream, no one would listen, no one would hear.

Well, Unless. . .

Unless I make them listen.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

The next morning, when the guard brings me water, I pretend to collapse. I let my head fall hard to the floor and lie still, breathing shallow, heart racing.

“Hey! hey!” the guard calls, keys jangling.

Without so much thought, the door opens.

I don’t move. I stay limp, like I’ve finally broken. He comes closer and that's all I need.

I move fast, grab his wrist, twist, and before he can react, I’m holding the keys.

“I don’t want to hurt you,” I breathe. “But I will if I have to.”

He looks more stunned than angry. “What are you doing? They’ll kill you. . . ”

“I didn’t betray him,” I hiss. “And I won’t die for Ariana’s lies.”

I shove him gently back and slam the door, locking him inside.

I run.

Barefoot and as silent as I can be. My breath burning in my throat. I know these halls now. I memorized the way the healers walked. I memorized everything when I still thought I might belong here. Now it’s the only thing keeping me alive.

I reach the infirmary wing and slip into a storage room just before more guards rush past.

I stay there, hiding. Until I hear the soft, creaking footsteps of the old healer I remember. I come out, shaking.

“Please,” I whisper. “You know me. You touched me, You helped me. You know I didn’t do this.”

She gasps. “Namiko, what have you done?”

“I need your help. Please. I didn’t betray the king. I didn't do any of those things, I promise you. You said your wolf likes me. I am not a bad person. But Ariana planted things, she framed me. There’s a servant girl. She washed my clothes, the ones you have me. I think she was involved. Please, check with the staff. Ask questions. You’ll see.”

“You should not have run away from the dungeon, it will make you suspicious. The Alpha king will be furious” she says.

“I know! But this is the only thing I can do” The healer studies me for a long moment. Then slowly. . . she nods.

“I believe you,” she says quietly. “And I will find out what i can do about this and I will come to you. But go, before they find you.”

I run back again because now, I have hope again. It’s small. Fragile. But it’s there, and I will hold onto it.

Even if Caspian never forgives me. Even if he hates me forever. Because I know who I am.

And I will not let someone like Ariana erase that, I will not allow her succeed in her devious plan! Who does she think she is!?