All Chapters of Broken by One, Saved by Another: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

Alec let out a long sigh, rubbing the back of his neck as if her words had tired him. “You still don’t get it,” he said softly, his eyes narrowing. “This isn’t about submission. I’m not Luka. I don’t want to control you. I just want what’s mine.” Elara’s throat tightened at the mention of Luka, the sting of the other bond still fresh in her mind. “What’s yours?” she repeated, her voice trembling with anger. “I’m not a thing to be claimed, Alec. I belong to myself.” Alec tilted his head slightly, his gaze never wavering. “You’re my mate, Elara. You belong to me just as much as I belong to you.” Elara’s fists clenched at her sides, her muscles aching from the fight they’d just had. She was tired, physically and emotionally. Her mind raced with confli

Elara’s stomach growled loudly, a painful reminder of how long it had been since she’d eaten. She had lost count of the hours—maybe even days—that had passed since Alec had locked her in the cave. The ache in her belly was growing worse with every passing moment, and her patience had long since worn thin. Her frustration boiled over as she sat there, staring at the narrow opening that led to the rogue village outside. The flickering torchlight cast long shadows on the cave walls, and the cold, damp air seemed to press down on her like a weight. She had been alone for what felt like an eternity, and there was no sign of Alec anywhere. How could he do this? she thought angrily, her fingers clenching into fists. He leaves me here, chained like an animal, and doesn’t even bother to bring me food? Her stomach growled again, and this time, the pain made her w

Elara’s eyes wandered to the narrow crack in the cave wall, where she had glimpsed the rogue village the day before. The memory of the rogues’ angry stares sent a shiver down her spine. She had ventured out once, hoping to find help or at least someone to talk to, but the rogues had made it clear she wasn’t welcome. She was an outsider, a prisoner, and they wanted nothing to do with her. But now, as she sat in the cold, dark cave, she felt a spark of defiance flicker to life inside her. She couldn’t rely on Alec to bring her food. She couldn’t rely on anyone but herself. With a deep breath, Elara rose to her feet, the chain dragging behind her as she moved toward the crack in the wall. She had explored the cave as much as the chain would allow, but today, she was determined to push her limits. She had to see what lay beyond the village, what kind of world Alec ruled over

She watched the rogues for a while, her eyes scanning the faces of the rogues as they went about their day. None of them looked up toward the cave, none of them acknowledged her presence. She was a prisoner, an outsider in their world, and they had no reason to care about her. They hate me, she thought, her heart sinking with the weight of that realization. She had ventured out into the village once before, only to be met with hostility and anger. The rogues saw her as an intruder, a threat to their way of life. They didn’t care that she had been captured, that she was chained up like an animal. To them, she was just another pawn in Alec’s game. But that didn’t mean she was going to give up. Elara turned away from the crack in the wall, her chest tightening with a renewed sense of determination. She had spent too long waiting, too long relying o

Alec’s eyes darkened, but he didn’t move. He stood there, watching her with an intensity that made her skin prickle. For a moment, she thought her plan might have failed, that he would see right through her and call her bluff. But then, slowly, Alec stepped closer. He reached out, gently cupping her face in his hand, his thumb brushing softly against her cheek. The touch sent a shiver down her spine, the mate bond pulsing faintly between them. “You don’t have to be afraid,” Alec said quietly, his voice low and soothing. “I won’t let Luka hurt you. I’ll keep you safe. You have my word.” Elara’s heart pounded as she looked up at him, her chest tightening with the weight of her deception. She wanted to pull away, to scream at him, to tell him that she didn’t want his protection. But she forced herself to