The Alpha Who Broke Me

CHAPTER TEN

KAIA

The fluorescent lights in the Moonfang Construction break room buzz overhead as I sit at one of the small round tables, picking at my salad.

It’s been days since the gala, and I still feel like every eye in the building is on me. Whispers follow me down hallways, conversations stop when I enter rooms, and I’ve caught more than one wolf tilting their head like they’re trying to catch my scent.

The mate bond revelation has turned me into pack gossip, and I hate every second of it.

I’m scrolling through my phone, trying to ignore the curious glances from other employees, when someone slides into the chair across from me. I look up, expecting to see Talia with her usual lunch invitation.

Instead, I find myself staring into Lewis Thornfield’s piercing blue eyes.

My heart lurches, the plastic fork clattering against my salad container. “What are you doing here?”

He’s wearing dark jeans and a navy button-down that makes his eyes even more striking.

His presence fills the small break room, drawing attention from every wolf present. I can feel their shock radiating outward like ripples in a pond.

“I needed to see you,” he says quietly, his voice carrying just enough authority to make the other employees suddenly find their lunches very interesting. “To talk about what happened at the gala.”

I glance around nervously. A rival Alpha sitting in Moonfang Construction’s break room is like a lit match near gasoline. “Lewis, you can’t be here. This is Vincent’s territory.”

“I’m not here to cause trouble.” His voice softens, and I catch a hint of vulnerability beneath the Alpha confidence. “I’m here for you.”

My wolf stirs restlessly, responding to his proximity despite my rational mind screaming that this is a terrible idea.

The mate bond hums between us, a constant low-level awareness that makes my skin prickle.

“Five minutes,” I say finally, standing and grabbing my things. “Outside.”

Relief washes over his features as he follows me out of the building. We walk in silence until we reach the small courtyard behind the construction office, far enough from windows and curious ears.

The afternoon sun catches the gold flecks in his hair as he turns to face me, hands shoved deep in his pockets like he’s trying to keep them from reaching for me.

“I know what happened at the gala might be overwhelming,” he begins, his eyes searching mine. “The mate bond… it’s not something either of us expected. And I understand if you need time to process it.”

I wrap my arms around myself, suddenly feeling exposed despite the warm September air. “Lewis—”

“Please, let me finish.” He takes a step closer, and I can smell his scent—woodsy and clean, so different from Vincent’s warm spice and cedar. “I’ve been rejected before, Kaia. I know what it feels like to have someone look at you like you’re a burden they never asked for.”

Pain flickers across his features, quick but unmistakable. “All I’m asking is for a chance. Not to claim you or mark you or any of the traditional Alpha bullshit. Just… let me court you. Let me show you that not all Alphas are like Vincent Lopez.”

The way he says Vincent’s name makes something cold settle in my stomach. There’s history there, layers of resentment and competition that go deeper than simple pack rivalry.

“What’s really between you and Vincent?” I ask, needing to understand before I can even consider his offer.

Lewis’s jaw tightens. “Our packs have been rivals for generations. Territory disputes, business competition—the usual Alpha politics. But Vincent and I…” He runs a hand through his hair. “Let’s just say we’ve never seen eye to eye on how Alphas should treat those they consider beneath them.

The implication hangs heavy between us. Vincent’s cruel words about omegas echo in my memory, and I find myself wondering what Lewis knows about my past with the Moonfang Alpha.

“He hurt you,” Lewis continues, and it’s not a question. “I can see it in the way you flinch when he gets too close, the way you guard yourself around him. You deserve better than someone who sees you as disposable.”

My throat tightens. He's not wrong—Vincent did hurt me, in ways that still ache. But there's something about Lewis's certainty that unsettles me, like he knows more about my history than he should.

“I don’t know if I’m ready for this,” I admit, my voice barely above a whisper. “The mate bond, dating an Alpha, any of it. I’ve been alone for a long time.”

“I know.” His voice is gentle now, patient in a way that surprises me. “That’s why I’m asking to court you properly. No pressure, no expectations. Just the chance to show you that you’re worth more than a cruel dare and casual dismissal.”

The words hit like a physical blow, dragging up memories I’ve tried so hard to bury. Vincent’s laughter with Trent that night, calling me “pathetic” and saying I was “actually not terrible in bed. For an omega.”

But then the full weight of what Lewis just said settles over me like ice water. A cruel dare. How could he possibly know about that? I never told anyone what really happened that night—the humiliation was too deep, too personal. Vincent certainly wouldn’t have bragged about it, and Talia doesn’t even know the truth.

So how does Lewis know about the dare?

I study his face, looking for any sign of deception, but his expression remains earnest and concerned. The unease sits heavy in my stomach, but I push it down. Because honestly, it doesn’t matter. He’s right. I do deserve better.

“Okay,” I say finally, the word slipping out before I can second-guess myself. “I’ll give it a thought.”

"Okay," I say finally, the word slipping out before I can second-guess myself. "I'll give it a thought."

His face transforms, relief and hope lighting his features. "That's all I can ask for," he says softly. "Thank you for even considering it, Kaia. That means everything to me."

Before I can react, he steps forward like he might hug me, then seems to think better of it, stopping just close enough that I can feel the warmth radiating from his body.

"Take all the time you need," he adds, stepping back to give me space. "I'm not going anywhere."

***

I close my eyes, massaging my throbbing temples with tired fingers. Today was something else at work—so much paperwork. My hands drop heavily as my head follows, coming to rest on the cool kitchen counter with a soft thud.

I adjust my position, hoping to get a few precious moments of shut-eye before I'll force myself to stand up and trudge to my room for a shower.

"KAIA!" Someone bellows, the front door banging open with such force that the entire house seems to shudder. I jolt violently from the kitchen stool, my heart hammering in my chest.

"Vincent?" I call out, quickly regaining my composure as I step out of the kitchen and meet him halfway in the dimly lit hallway, his tall frame practically vibrating with barely contained rage.

"What the hell? Why would you barge in like that?" My voice sharpens with outrage as I whip my head toward the entrance. "And I can't believe the door was—" The words die on my tongue when my eyes land on the wreckage—the door hanging loose, hinges torn apart.

"Are you considering dating Lewis?" he demands, his voice deadly quiet.

My exhaustion from the day evaporates, replaced by a surge of defiance. "What are you doing here, Vincent? You have no right to—"

"Answer the damn question!" he roars, taking a step toward me, his voice echoing off the walls. I flinch involuntarily, taking a step back as something cold and uneasy slides down my spine.

"Maybe I am," I say, lifting my chin defiantly. "What I do with my personal life is none of your business."

"So you are." His voice drops suddenly, deadly quiet as his eyes search my face. "You f*****g are." The hint of betrayal in his voice is unmistakable and I ignore it. He gave up any right to my loyalty long ago.

His breathing is ragged as he steps back, eyes never leaving mine. "Mark my words, KAIA," he says, each word precise and cutting, "you're gonna regret even considering it."

Before I can respond, he spins around, stalking toward the door with predatory grace. The door slams behind him with finality, the sound reverberating through the now-silent house.

What the hell did he mean?