The Alpha Who Broke Me

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

KAIA

The next morning, I drag myself out of bed and head to the bathroom, splashing cold water on my face. In the mirror, I look pale and shaken, dark circles under my eyes from another restless night.

Between Vincent's late-night visit, the confrontation at work, and now this bizarre dream, I feel like I'm slowly coming apart at the seams.

Twenty minutes later, I’m dressed for work in a crisp white blouse tucked into a knee-length black skirt, my hair pulled back into a plain ponytail. After yesterday’s public humiliation, the last thing I want is to walk into a storm of office gossip—but life rarely gives us what we want.

Mom is in the kitchen when I come downstairs, sitting at the table with her morning tea. She looks up when I enter, her dark eyes immediately cataloging my appearance.

"You look tired," she says gently.

"Couldn't sleep." I pour myself coffee from the pot she's already made, grateful for her thoughtfulness. "Bad dreams."

"Want to talk about it?"

I settle into the chair across from her, wrapping my hands around the warm mug. "It was weird. I was being chased through the forest, but the thing chasing me kept changing. First a wolf, then a vampire, then..." I pause, studying her face. "Someone who looked like you."

Mom's hand freezes halfway to her teacup. "Like me?"

"But not quite. Wrong somehow." I watch her carefully, noting the way her shoulders tense. "Mom, is there something you're not telling me? About our family, about why you've always kept me away from certain pack traditions?"

The silence stretches between us, heavy and loaded. Mom sets down her teacup with deliberate precision, her dark eyes avoiding mine.

"Dreams are just dreams, Kaia," she says finally, but her voice lacks conviction. "Your mind is processing the stress from work, from... everything that's been happening."

"This didn't feel like a stress dream." I lean forward, studying her face. "It felt like a warning."

Mom stands abruptly, moving to the sink with her teacup. "You have too much imagination, sweetheart. Always have."

But I catch the tremor in her hands as she rinses the cup, the way she avoids my eyes in the reflection of the kitchen window. Whatever secrets she’s hiding, they’re tied to my dream—I feel it in my bones. Still, I don’t push. I leave for work with the heaviness of a truck pressing down on me.

Two coffees from Moonfang Café do nothing for my exhaustion. Even under layers of concealer, I can feel the dark circles dragging at my eyes.

"You look terrible," Talia says, appearing at my desk with her usual morning espresso.

"Thanks for the pep talk," I mutter, not looking up from my computer screen.

She perches on the edge of my desk, studying my face with concern. "Seriously, what's wrong? You look like you haven't slept in days."

I finally meet her eyes, debating how much to tell her. "Just bad dreams. Probably stress from everything that's been happening."

"Everything being my brother acting like a territorial ass yesterday?"

The memory of Vincent's hands on my wrist, the way he pulled me against him in front of everyone, makes heat rise to my cheeks. "Among other things."

Talia's expression shifts, becoming more protective. "Look, I'm not defending what Vincent did in front of everyone—that was unprofessional and embarrassing. But Kaia..." She leans closer, lowering her voice. "You need to be careful with Lewis Thornfield."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means our families have been enemies for generations for good reasons. The Thornfields don't do anything without an agenda." Her dark eyes are serious now, all traces of casual friendship gone. "Whatever Lewis is telling you about Vincent, whatever he's promising you—don't trust it without questioning his motives."

I feel defensive heat rise in my chest. "Lewis has been nothing but respectful to me."

"Of course he has. That's how manipulation works." Talia slides off my desk, crossing her arms. "Kaia, I don't know what happened between you and Vincent when you were teenagers—you both clam up whenever I ask. But whatever it was, it can't be worse than getting involved with a Thornfield."

"You don't understand—"

"Then explain it to me." Her voice softens with genuine concern. "Because from where I'm sitting, it looks like you're running from something real with my brother to chase something fake with our family's enemy."

I shake my head, unable to put into words the humiliation and betrayal Vincent put me through. "It's complicated."

"Most worthwhile things are." She straightens up, her expression becoming more businesslike. "Just promise me you'll think about what I said. About Lewis's motives. And maybe... maybe consider giving Vincent a real chance to explain whatever went wrong between you."

Before I can respond, my phone buzzes with a text from Lewis: Hope you're feeling better today. Thinking of you.

The sweet message should make me smile, but Talia's warnings have planted seeds of doubt.

"Is that him?" Talia asks, noticing my phone.

"Yeah."

She studies my expression carefully. "You don't look very excited for someone getting sweet texts from their supposed mate."

I stiffen, my grip tightening on the phone. "It's complicated."

"Is it? Because his wolf recognized you at the gala, but you..." She tilts her head, watching my reaction. "Your wolf doesn't feel the same pull, does she?"

I don't answer, which is answer enough.

Talia nods grimly. 'I thought so. Kaia, whatever happened between you and Vincent back then—

"Leave it alone, Talia."

"No, I won't. Because watching you with Lewis feels like watching someone settle for a pale imitation when the real thing is right in front of them." Her voice softens. "I know my brother hurt you. I don't know how, but I can see it in the way you flinch when he gets too close. But maybe... maybe it's worth finding out if whatever broke between you can be fixed."

I shake my head. "Some things can't be repaired."

"And some things are worth fighting for." She straightens up, her expression becoming businesslike again. "Just promise me you'll think about what I said. About Lewis's motives. Our pack enemies don't just show up offering courtship without an agenda."

After she leaves, I stare at Lewis's text, Talia's words echoing in my mind. What if she's right? What if there's more to Lewis's sudden interest than simple mate recognition?

But then I remember Vincent's cruel laughter, calling me pathetic, and I push the doubts away. At least Lewis treats me with respect. That has to count for something.

I'm so lost in thought that I don't notice Vincent approaching until he's standing directly beside my desk.

"Ms. Dawson." His voice is carefully controlled, professional, but there's an edge underneath that makes my wolf stir uneasily.

I look up, taking in his appearance. He's wearing a navy suit that emphasizes his broad shoulders, but his usual perfectly styled hair is slightly mussed, like he's been running his hands through it. There are lines of tension around his dark eyes that weren't there yesterday.

"Mr. Lopez." I keep my voice equally professional, though my pulse quickens at his proximity.

"We have an emergency meeting with the Cascade Pack this afternoon. I need you to cancel my remaining appointments and prepare the territorial agreements."

"Of course." I turn to my computer, already pulling up his calendar. "What time should I schedule our departure?"

"One hour. It's about a two-hour drive, and we should be back by evening."

I nod, making notes. "I'll have everything ready."

"Good." He turns and heads back to his office.

But he was wrong because we weren’t back by evening.