Page 1 of The Alpha's Broken Oath

CHAPTER ONE

WINTER

“You are staring at him again,” Crystal nudges my arm, trying to pull me out of the daze I’ve been in for the past hour.

The warmth of the sun coupled with the intense heat today isn’t the only thing making my cheeks red. The men in our pack are training right in front of us as per the custom of our pack. My eyes, however, have been stuck on one man.

I’m drawn like a moth to a flame at how his broad shoulders and biceps strain against his dark shirt and how his jet-black hair falls messily on his forehead.His jaw, which looks like it was sculpted by the Goddess herself, is locked and loaded as he focuses on the opponent he’s sparring against.

Another blush creeps up my neck, and Crystal chuckles.

Deacon Cross is the only man I see. He is the only man I have breathed since I learned what love is, and sadly, he’s my brother’s hot best friend who sees me as his little sister.

“I can’t help it, Crys. He’s so handsome,” I sigh dreamily.

“But he’s also older than you by a lot. Jake would kill you if he knew you were crushing on his best friend.”

Deacon isn’t older than me by a lot. Not if you count seven years as a lot, and while my brother is sometimes protective of me, I don’t think anything or anyone would separate me and Deacon if we were to somehow end up as destined mates.

“It’s not just a hopeless crush, Crystal. How do I explain it? I think we are meant for each other.”

I can feel it in my bones.

I want to believe that the Goddess has been listening to my prayers, too.

“You mean like what? Mates? Winter, I’m sorry to burst your bubble, but Deacon is the Alpha’s son. That title comes with power. His Luna is going to be as powerful as he is.”

I’m about to tell Crystal I’ll be powerful in the future, too, but my words die down the minute my brother locks eyes with me.

His opponent, who happens to be Deacon, follows my brother’s line of sight, and dark-brown eyes fall on me, taking all the breath from my lungs.

Deacon is looking at me.

Goddess, the intensity of his stare makes my legs weak.

Maybe that’s one of the reasons why I don’t see my furious brother headed toward me in long and brisk strides.

“Winter,” Jacob’s voice pulls me out of my trance. Running his hand through his hair like I exhaust him, he asks, “What are you doing here?”

“I—I wanted to see how your training is going.”

I’ve always been a terrible liar, and my brother knows it.

“You and Crystal are not supposed to be anywhere near the training grounds. Do Mom and Dad know you are here?”

I hate it when he uses that tone—like I’m a child.

“I’m eighteen, Jake. I’m not a kid, and I think I have all the rights to go anywhere I want.”

Crystal pulls me by my shoulders, shooting a nervous chuckle at my brother.

“We were just leaving.”

I cast another glance at Deacon, who has already moved on from staring at me and is now sparring with another guy I recognize as a beta.

“You can’t be serious, Winter,” Jake scoffs.

I turn my gaze to him, confused. What?”

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