I'll break her

Hunter’s POV

When you’re trapped in a cell, chained like an animal, you start to see life through the bars. Every sound explodes against cold stone, and in the suffocating quiet, memories gnaw at my bones. Emily’s love pierced the bleakness; she was the only shaft of light in these endless gray days. Some nights, I ache at the memory of how it felt to lead, to wear the alpha's mantle proudly, yet that title feels hollow without her beside me. I craved her more than any throne. The seat of the last pack wasn’t worth spilling another drop of blood; was that surrender or wisdom? Rage coils in me; I loathe this hunger for power, the desperate urge to rip Kaden apart. Do I want revenge? My chest burns with it, but if I give in, what’s left of me? Will I be emptied out, just another husk? Love and vengeance battle inside me, and sometimes I can't tell which one is devouring me more.

Lost in thought as I stared at the walls, I barely noticed when the cell door creaked open, signaling a shift. Kaden stepped inside, bringing the outside world and tension with him.

Brother, you look pathetic in chains, Kaden laughed. Love blinded you, and I crushed you.

Maybe love blinded me, Kaden, but your arrogance will destroy you. That woman has plans for you.

She’s never satisfied. Always taking more. Maybe she’s too much like me. I want Emily for myself, to win, to take what’s mine. Maybe that’s all that matters.

I lunged, chains stopping me. You will not touch her. She’s mine.

Sorry, brother. I’ll mark her over yours. First, I’ll break her until she begs for me.

The more I struggled, the more my wrists burned. You’re breaking the rules, Kaden. The pack won’t approve.

Since when have I cared for rules? I could kill you, but Grandpa nags. You live for now.

Wish me luck, Emily will be in my bed soon.

I couldn't breathe. Pax’s howl thundered in my skull, desperate and wild. I strained at the chains with blind fury until the concrete trembled, rage so purely it scalded me. Exhaustion swept over me then, dropping me to my knees. A black despair took hold: I would rather die than let him touch her.

When I opened my eyes, it was dark. The scent of Emily reached me before I saw her. She rushed into the cell and slammed into me with a desperate hug. My arms closed around her, heart pounding as I realized it was really her. Fear twisted my thoughts: He will take her innocence and light.

Emily, listen…Kaden entered before I could finish.

Cute. Kaden grabbed her hair, dragging her out. I’ll be right there.

Watch as I break her. How many lashes, 5? 10?

I growled. If you touch her, you’re dead, brother.

Kaden laughed. Bring it on, brother—oops, you’re chained. He left, and I struggled to break free uselessly.

I pushed closer to the small window, straining to see. Emily struggled between two guards holding her arms tightly. They forced her down to her knees before Kaden, who was holding the whip menacingly.

The whip found her back, and nausea clawed up my throat. She didn’t scream, a silence sharper than any blade. I roared, a savage sound, then howled my soul until it tore from my chest.

Some responded. Please, Goddess, help her.

Kaden raised the whip, but Nolan jumped, and Kaden hit him. What are you doing?

She’s pregnant! You can’t touch her, Nolan shouted. The words hit me, pregnant. My baby. My mate.

Emily stood as Kaden grabbed and sniffed her, then shoved her, cursing. I growled, watching.

Move, Nolan, Kaden ordered.

No, Nolan said. Jalen joined him. More pack members did, too. Kaden laughed.

Alpha, pregnant women are protected by the pack law, one of the warriors said. The pack law is ancient, created to ensure that every new life is honored and that women carrying pups are kept safe, no matter their status. It is one of the oldest rules, meant to keep the pack strong and united through generations. You are not above the law. As he spoke, human women walked out with children and stood with Emily. I took a deep breath. She’s not alone.

Of course, he said, “I did not know she was pregnant. Emily broke the law when she went to the dungeons; she is being punished.

Her mate is in the dungeon, Nolan said. She is allowed to see him.

I’m sorry, are you reciting the law of the pack for me, warrior? Kaden said

No, Alpha. Just facts. Why punish her? She visited her mate. The pack nodded.

He looked ready to take a step towards Emily, but Isabella moved quickly, appearing at his side. She grabbed his arm, leaned in, and whispered something privately. He listened, face hardening, then nodded slightly.

Enough. Go to bed, all of you. Emily, see me in my office tomorrow.

Everyone scattered, and I saw her walking to the dungeon entrance. Ted opened the gate, and she came inside. I turned her around to see the whip's damage; it was raw.

I’m fine. I’m pregnant. She whispered it, voice trembling. I dropped to my knees, arms tightening around her, my cheek pressed to her belly, my soul breaking and soaring at once. My baby.

Her hands touched my head. Hunter, things just got complicated. I must wait to give birth before we plan to escape.

I agree, pulling her into my lap, kissing like the beast I am, touching her body possessively. I pulled back a little, listened to me carefully, Emily, stayed away from both, and please, be sure you eat. Pregnant women are allowed to get double portions. Promise me.

I promise, Hunter, she said, touching my face. This beard’s growing on me, she joked. Exhausted, she leaned on my shoulder. I held her tight, kissing her forehead.

Alpha, she needs to go, sorry.

Send Nolan to carry her, please.

I stood to hand her to him, and her soft cry sliced through me. Helplessness crushed my chest as I let her go, aching to keep her safe but powerless to do so.

Nolan…

Don’t worry, Alpha, I will take care of her.

You are brave, and I won’t forget that you stood up to my brother for a human. But she is my human, my mate.