Chained By the Alpha (Cleo and Zayn) novel Chapter 1

• Cleo •

The moment Lydia’s shrill voice pierces through the walls of my room, I know today’s going to be another test of my patience. It’s like living with a hyena, her voice just grates on my nerves. I glance at the photo of my mom on my nightstand, her smile a bittersweet memory. Ever since she passed, it’s been a circus in this house, with my stepmother, Linda, and her daughter, Lydia, playing the starring roles in the drama that is my life.

I’m already dressed, wearing the top I snatched from Lydia’s closet. It’s a small, spiteful victory, but in a house where her theatrics constantly overshadow me, I take what I can get. Plus, the fury on her face will be so worth it. My father’s voice echoes from downstairs. He’s a good man, but the weight of his expectations feels like a rope around my neck. Today, he wants me at the Council meeting—a display of family unity or some such nonsense; just another way for him to teach me the ropes for when I take over the pack.

Another door slams downstairs, and I wince, bracing myself for my father’s wrath as I hear him stomp through the house. His lumbering steps echo from downstairs as I rush to finish getting ready for the meeting I do not wish to attend.

“Cleo!” he yells from the second floor. “Get down here, now!”

My blonde hair falls in soft waves over my shoulders and the deep blue blouse. I twist, checking my black faux leather pants that hug my curves in all the right places. I take one last glance in the mirror. The blue blouse and black pants might be a far cry from the glitzy dress code of the City Ball happening alongside our meeting, but they’re more ‘me’.

Even after getting dolled up for the City Ball/Council meeting, I can’t quite summon the excitement. I sigh; I should be in a dress, attending the ball. Instead, I’m in work clothes, though I must admit, I do love this top. I snicker, knowing my stepsister Lydia will be furious when she realizes I stole it. I can already picture the look on her face.

“I’ll be right out!” I call back to my father. Hastily doing up my heels, I rush to the door and the stairs. Stepping out of my room, I brace myself for the inevitable clash with Lydia.

My heels click on the hardwood floors. As I make my way down the stairs, Lydia stands impatiently by the front door, perfectly coiffed and dressed to impress in a slinky red number. Too bad her personality is so horrid because no amount of makeup would ever hide the inner troll she is.

Lydia smirks when she spots me. She no doubt wants to boast that she’ll be the belle of the ball. Like I care if I even do attend, I’ll likely stay put, lurking in the shadows. That is, if I even get a chance to leave this stupid Council meeting on time.

“About time,” she sneers, pushing off the wall she is leaning on. She eyes my top, her eyes squint, and a look of outrage crosses her features.

“Wait, is that my top?” Lydia screeches, taking in my appearance as I reach the bottom of the stairs.

“Not anymore,” I mock, and she goes to say something when my father cuts her off, appearing in the hall.

“We don’t have time for this, girls,” my father chides, steering us out the door, tension radiating off him. He’s got a lot riding on tonight’s meeting, especially with Alpha Zayn attending. The man’s a walking challenge to my father’s authority—too young, too brash, and apparently, too good at getting under Dad’s skin.

Lydia’s gaze roams over me, taking in my appearance with obvious disdain.

“You look plain, as usual,” she scoffs, knowing better than to start a fight in front of my father.

“Thanks, Lydia,” I reply sarcastically, fighting the urge to roll my eyes. “At least I don’t need to layer on makeup to hide what a troll I am.”

“Cleo, enough,” my father scolds as Lydia folds her arms across her chest, a smug look on her face hearing my father tell me off. Dad tends to pick her side to avoid upsetting his mate, who unfortunately is my stepmother.

“Can we go now?” My father interjects impatiently, his stern expression warning me not to start another argument with my stepsister after our cat fight earlier, where I smashed her in the face with my drink bottle. Oops. The bitch deserved it for tripping me on the stairs.

With a resigned sigh, I try to follow him out the door and to the waiting car, mentally preparing myself for the night ahead of pure boredom.

“I can’t believe how long you both took to get ready,” my father growls. “We’re running late.”

I roll my eyes at his words, and he grabs my arm in an iron grip, dragging me down the steps when I don’t keep up with his long strides. I wince, stumbling in my heels to keep up as he marches us to the car. This meeting with the other Alphas means everything to him and to our pack. For me, it’s just another reminder that my fate has already been decided.

Climbing in the car, my father shuts his door a little too hard, signaling he’s in a ripe mood and I shouldn’t push his buttons. He jams the keys into the ignition and starts the car, muttering to himself as he pulls out of the driveway and heads into the city. As we drive, I wonder about this Alpha Zayn. I’ve never met him, yet by the way Dad talks about him, you’d think he was the devil incarnate.

“I swear, if Alpha Zayn is late to this one.” I glance at him, and his words cut off with a growl as he glares out the windshield. My father can’t stand the new Alpha in the city. Always complaining that he is too young, cocky, and arrogant. I’m yet to meet the man, and if my father’s opinion is anything to go by, I probably won’t like him, either.

As we drive toward the City Ball and the meeting that is being held at the same venue, a growing sense of unease fills me.

The city is packed, even with so many attacks lately. Having all these gatherings is like posting a neon sign saying, Attack here! My father’s words from earlier echo in my mind: ‘Once you get your wolf.’ This serves as a reminder that my yet-to-emerge inner beast is a constant source of anxiety, knowing once I get my wolf, I will have that target on my back. I will constantly be scrutinized by everyone over everything, and not just by werewolf society, also the human governments that help govern the city. We may be Alphas, but we, too, have rules we must abide by.

Furthermore, with the date of my impending shift looming closer, it seems to put a strain on my relationship with my father. Alphas rarely get along with other alphas unless mated to each other, so four living in one house will be horrendous. Lydia is also of Alpha blood. She is already a pain in the rear. I can’t imagine how much more insufferable she’ll be when the pack is handed down to me.

However, Lydia is the least of my worries. My father is a bigger concern. It seems like no matter how hard I try; I can’t live up to his expectations. Honestly, I can’t wait for the break to end so I can go back to university and live out my last semester in peace and soak in those final few months before I am forced to step up and take over the pack.

We spend the rest of the drive in tense silence. I stare out the window, longing to be anywhere besides here. I’d rather be sitting by the lake with Deacon, laughing, or sneaking into the new club that opened. Not stuck at some stuffy political event where my only purpose is to be shown off like a prize pig and watch as they all argue.

“Make sure you pay attention at this meeting, Cleo. This one is about pack protection,” my father reminds me. “No falling asleep like you did at the last one.”

Lydia snickers behind me, and I clench my teeth, casting a glare at her over my shoulder. How I would love to give her a real piece of my mind.

“Maybe I wouldn’t fall asleep if it wasn’t so boring,” I grumble to myself as we pull up to the meeting place. As soon as the car comes to a stop, Lydia practically vibrates on the spot, her eyes scanning our surroundings like an eager pup for her friends.

“You better get used to them, kiddo. You’ll be attending them a lot more soon,” my father adds. I pull a face, wishing I had an older sibling to take my place.

Climbing out of the car, I wait for my father. “How could you not want to go to the City Ball?” Lydia huffs, tossing her perfectly curled hair over her shoulder.

“I would rather tolerate the ball than the meeting! Wanna trade?” I offer, and she looks at me.

“Ew, no, why would I want to hang out with a bunch of old dudes whining about border patrols when I can be hunting for my mate?” she huffs. I sigh. She’s as dumb as she looks. I swear she was supposed to be Omega. How she ended up with Alpha genes is beyond me when she acts like a bitch in heat.

“You realize you’ll have to attend these eventually when your father gives you his pack?” I remind her.

She pulls a face. “And that is precisely why I will choose a mate. They can attend all that boring crap. I have better things to do.”

“Like what? Your nails?” I taunt.

“You’re just jealous your father is forcing you to go to the meeting, though I can’t wait to see your face at the end of it,” she laughs.

“Well, unlike you, I have better things to do than flaunt myself at guys all night,” I reply, stepping next to my father. Now, he is done speaking with Lydia’s father, Alpha Samuel. I straighten my stolen blouse.

“Have fun, Cleo. I’m sure you’ll meet your destined mate tonight. I can already hear the wedding bells,” she laughs.

“What the heck are you flapping your gums about now?” I ask.

Lydia smirks. “Wouldn’t you like to know?” she chuckles before spotting one of her friends.

“Oh, Maya is here,” Lydia gushes excitedly and immediately prances off to her friends who are hanging out next door, outside the ball’s entrance.

My father grabs my arm. “Stay close,” he says, and I know he is worried about this venue. He did warn the Alphas that we need to change the venue given the heightened security risk in the city. Routine is bad with all the recent attacks, and council meetings are always held here.

He shakes his head and drags me off inside, where the council meeting will take place. The place is already full of Alphas in crisp suits. “Too many of us in one place. We should have changed venues,” my father growls as he leads me upstairs and into a conference room. My father’s jaw clenches when he notices one particular seat is still empty.

I internally groan. Please don’t be late, Alpha Zayn. Great, now my father will be extra moody, if that’s even possible. We take our seats, and my father drums his fingers on the huge table, appearing more annoyed as each minute passes.

“Where the hell is he?” my father hisses. Alpha Samuel looks over at us. He is Lydia’s father, yet she doesn’t have to attend this shit show like I have to.

“Joseph, calm down. He’s on his way,” Samuel warns my father.

Alpha Zayn. The Alpha of the Black River Pack. Rumors have been swirling for months about how he gained his position. One thing is clear—my father hates him. And those who don’t hate him fear him.

Sitting back in my seat, I remind myself that four more hours and the annual council meeting will finally be over, and I can go home. Well, as long as Dad doesn’t force me to go to the ball and babysit Lydia. Dad loves to drag me to these silly meetings, even though I find them boring as hell. Mostly, they just argue or boast about their latest business affairs.

The meeting is held in the main part of Nightshade City, which is neutral territory. All the packs are on the outskirts surrounding the city. So, it makes sense for the city to be a neutral ground because otherwise, movement within the city limits would be restricted. All five packs rely on it not only for business to thrive, also to keep supplies coming in.

I’ve spent all my school breaks in these sorts of meetings. Despite literally nothing important happening in them, my father has still insisted I attend even though my stepmother volunteered to go in my place. Dad, however, wasn’t having it, lecturing that I needed to learn the ropes of running a pack and how these meetings are a big part of it.

I guess I am an accessory, and I’m one step away from becoming his fanny pack at this point. I’m already his notetaker, calculator, mediator, and coffee maker. He might as well just hand the pack over already.

A few of the other Alphas have brought their sons and daughters. It is strategic on their parents’ part, a way to strengthen alliances through marriages.

However, I have no such interest, and it is clear I’m not the only one who isn’t interested in parental antics. The only person I will marry one day is my mate, if I find him or her, that is.

I often wonder what my mate will be like… who my wolf will choose… if I find my mate before Deacon marks me, that is. One part of me is conflicted if I should wait a year to see if I find my mate. Deacon wants to mark me once I get my wolf; we’ve been together two years, though sometimes I am not so sure. Finding my mate, that person who is made for me seem more appealing.

I am brought out of my thoughts by Dad’s irritated voice.

“This is ridiculous. Where is he?” he growls, smacking the table with his fist. Alpha Zayn is notoriously late, and as Dad explained earlier, he doesn’t seem to care much for these meetings. Well, that is one thing we have in common, I guess. That explains why I’ve never met the man, since he’s too busy to attend.

Maybe now’s my chance to slip out to the bathroom and not come back. Dad seems preoccupied enough with Alpha Zayn’s tardiness. I peer around the room, only to find the young man across from me staring. He smirks, and I bite back the urge to ask him to look away when he leans over the table.

“Have you heard the good news?” Boyd asks. I furrow my brows when his father elbows him harshly. He gives him a look that seems to tell him to shut his mouth. Boyd leans back in his seat and folds his arms across his chest, looking rather smug, like he knows something important I don’t.

Confusion washes over me; we don’t have much to do with their pack. My father never really liked Alpha Dane, who is Boyd’s father. I glance at my father, who is stiff as a board beside me.

“Dad?” I elbow him.

“Well, discuss it later,” he whispers back, diverting his attention back to the conference room door. “For fuck’s sake, where is he?” my father snaps angrily, glancing at his watch.

“Hush, Joseph, I would prefer no bloodshed at this meeting,” Alpha Samuel states, glancing at the other Alphas nervously.

Rumors have spread that Alpha Zayn’s father met an untimely death, and the circumstances surrounding it remain murky. Yet, Alpha Zayn looks guilty as sin. His father goes missing, and he suddenly rules over the largest pack in the country. Yeah, that doesn’t sound shady at all.

Dad groans at his words, drumming his fingers on the oval table. We are one of the smaller packs surrounding the city, and we rely heavily on alliances, especially when it comes to rogues and hunters. Without alliances, we would never have won the last rogue attack. We only survived because Alpha Samuel’s pack happened to be visiting; otherwise, we would have been wiped out.

That’s the subject of today’s pack meeting. Rogue numbers have grown out of control, and packs are constantly under threat of being attacked. Even the city has been targeted a few times.

If something does go down at this meeting after my dad warned against it, I’m blaming the Alphas who refused to listen.

The double doors swing open as if summoned, and Alpha Zayn stalks in. The room eyesstills, all eyes turn to him. He exudes confidence with every step, those piercing gray eyes taking in everything and the energy in the room, waltzing in like he owns the place. My breath catches as I drink him in. Messy dark hair, stubble accentuating a sharp jawline, and tattoos peek out from his open collar. He looks like sin personified. Maybe this meeting won’t be boring after all?

“Is there an issue, Joseph?” Alpha Zayn demands. Only then do I glance at my father, who is shooting daggers in his direction. I kick him under the table, and my father sits back in his chair, he folds his arms across his chest while shooting me a glare.

“Behave!” I mouth to my father. Gee, now I need to tell him how to act!

“Not at all, Alpha Zayn,” Dad denies quickly.

Looking back at the Alpha, I quickly avert my gaze when I realize that me kicking my father under the table didn’t go unnoticed. Yet when I dare to glance up, Alpha Zayn is still staring at me as if I am some puzzle he is trying to solve. He shakes his head and moves toward his seat. My gaze follows him. My cheeks flush, and I quickly turn my attention to the giant board Alpha Samuel spent a good ten minutes writing on.

I swallow, not liking the way he is staring so intensely, and I can once again feel his gaze on me. A shiver runs up my spine. Thankfully, Alpha Samuel clears his throat, drawing his attention away, and I let out a shaky breath.

My eyes wander around the room, taking in the tense expressions of the Alphas as they discuss alliance strategies and resource management. All this talk about pack politics and territory borders is exhausting. I can’t wait to escape back to my life outside these walls.

“Alpha Joseph, your input on the new trade agreement would be appreciated,” Alpha Samuel says, his voice cuts through my thoughts. Was I close to dozing off again? My dad straightens up in his chair, preparing to speak. I can’t bring myself to care about whatever he’s going to say. Instead, I find my gaze drifting toward Alpha Zayn, who sits across the table, every bit as disinterested as I am.

“Very well,” my father begins, launching into a lengthy explanation about supply chains and tariffs. I try to focus on his words, yet it’s hard not to get lost in my own fantasies, especially when they involve the enticingly dangerous Alpha Zayn. His dark hair and the Alpha’s steely gray eyes make it difficult to concentrate on anything else when my phone vibrates on the table. I snatch my phone off to glance at the message lighting up my screen.

Leaning down, I look at it under the table to see it’s from Deacon.

Deacon: Meet me outside in ten minutes

Me: You decided to go?

I quickly typed a reply. His reply is just as quick.

Deacon: Jailbreak, meet me downstairs.

I can’t help the goofy smile that splits onto my face.

I quickly reply, telling him I will find an excuse when my phone is snatched from my hand. I grit my teeth, expecting it to be my father. I am shocked to find it is Alpha Zayn. He raises an eyebrow at me.

“Is there something you’d like to share with the rest of us?” Alpha Zayn asks, his gaze pierces through me. My cheeks flush with embarrassment, and I can’t deny how my heart races at his attention. I shake my head, staring at the man wide-eyed

“Um, no,” I stammer, and try to regain my composure. “Sorry for the interruption.”

“I’ll hang onto this until after the meeting,” his eyes flicker to his wolf as he peers down at my phone, reading my text messages. I reach for my phone, and he pulls it away. I glare at him.

“You can’t take my daughter’s phone,” my father growls. Alpha Zayn glances at him before pocketing it.

“I already did,” he states, giving me a pointed look. I turn back in my chair, and my father looks like he is about to leap out of his chair when Samuel speaks up.

“Joseph!” Samuel shakes his head, warning my father to back off. Reluctantly, he does, while Alpha Zayn retakes his seat across from me.

The meeting continues, and I notice some other future Alphas sneaking off. They’re using the bathroom as an excuse to leave. It is that boring. No one seems to have noticed they haven’t returned, so I decide to chance it. Glancing around, I lean closer to my father.

“I need to use the bathroom,” I whisper. He nods for me to go, and I quietly push my chair out, making a quick exit. Once in the hall, I go to retrieve my phone before remembering Alpha Zayn took it from me.

Great, I’ll find Deacon either way; I will just have to mindlink Dad to grab my phone from him on his way out. Moving toward the top landing and the stairs, I run into one of the Alpha’s sons from the meeting.

“Cleo!” he calls out, and I stop, fisting my hands and turning back to face him.

“You escaped?” Boyd laughs.

“Trying to, but your intent on getting me caught if we are going to be lingering outside the door,” I tell him. He glances back at the conference room door.

“I’m not taking over. My brother is. No purpose for me in those meetings,” he says, draping his arm across my shoulders. “I heard your father is handing down the pack to you. I’m surprised it’s not going to Lydia, since Samuel’s pack is bigger. It would make sense if they joined packs,” he tells me.

However, this time, I try to step away. I may not like having to attend these meetings, but there is no way I would let that bitch take over my mother’s pack. I couldn’t dishonor her like that.

“Oh, sorry, I didn’t mean to offend you. Come on, let’s get a drink. My father wants to discuss alliances with your father, anyway. It seems we’ll be getting to know each other better soon,” he says, and I stop in my tracks at his words.

“Excuse me?”

“Your father hasn’t told you?”

I step away from him. For some reason, I remember what Lydia had said earlier and wonder if this is what she meant. Boyd stiffens as I bump into somebody. A warm hand falls to my hip, and tingling rushes over my skin, sending a shiver up my spine.

Glancing over my shoulder, I find Alpha Zayn behind me.

Damn it! I try to step away from him. He presses closer until I feel his entire body pressed against my back, and his grip on my hip tightens holding me against him.

“Shouldn’t you be in the Council meeting?” Alpha Zayn asks Boyd, who stares at him like a deer in headlights.

“My father let me leave,” he stammers, quick to defend himself.

I remain frozen in place. Some part of me is grateful that Zayn stepped out before shit got awkward with Boyd. The other part of me knows I’ll be dragged back into that damn meeting, my opportunity to escape ruined.

“Good, now leave,” Alpha Zayn growls when I feel his hand on my hip move slightly, brushing beneath my blouse. Boyd also notices the Alpha’s hand and reaches out.

“Come on, Cleo,” Boyd states, reaching his hand toward me. Yet after hearing what he said, I don’t want to go anywhere with him. Honestly, I’d rather put up with the boring meeting and this mysterious, somewhat bossy Alpha whose grip only seems to grow tighter.

“Cleo is using the bathroom. She is required to attend since she’ll be Alpha. Isn’t that right, Cleo?” his fingers dig into my hip harder. No Alpha has ever embarrassed me like this. I glance up at him and swallow when I find his eyes glaring daggers at Boyd.

“I guess I’ll see you later, Cleo, if you come down to the ball,” Boyd quickly states before rushing off down the stairs.

I gulp, peering up at Alpha Zayn, who leans down and points behind me.

“Bathrooms are right there,” he says. I glance back toward the conference room door, where the unisex bathroom door is located.

I give him a nervous look.

“You weren’t sneaking off now, were you?”

“Just using the bathroom, then I ran into Boyd,” I say, awkwardly turning for the bathroom when I stop. “May I get my phone back, please?”

He raises an eyebrow at me. “Why, so you can message Boyd?” he asks, and my face falls.

“What, no? It’s my phone.” Why is he so concerned with who I’m messaging?

“Until the end of the meeting, it is mine. Now, hurry, your father was worried about you.”

“So, what? You decided to play errand boy for my father?” I sneer. Who is this guy, my teacher?

If he thinks I’m going to take his crap because he’s an Alpha, he is in for a shock because I am also an Alpha and do not have to bow to him.

“I’m waiting for my Beta. Now, use the bathroom before I tell Alpha Dane how excited you are to take Boyd as your mate, and become the next Luna of Claymore pack,” he growls, and my face falls.

“I am not taking him as my mate!” My tone changing to a growl. Alpha Zayn smiles deviously.

“Then you better get back to the meeting to say that. I heard Alpha Dane ask to speak with your father after the meeting about an alliance proposal.”

“What did my father say?” I ask him, slightly worried. This is common within packs. My father married my mother as part of a pack alliance. He then took over her pack, only to find his true mate in my stepmother. It made things complicated. At first, my mother had accepted it, though Linda wasn’t as accepting as my mother. This is one thing that constantly worries me, even if we take a chosen mate, we will still recognize our true destined mate.

“I didn’t hear. My Beta mindlinked me,” he says as he steps closer and leans down. “He can’t marry you off without your consent. So make sure you don’t give it.”

“You know it’s not that easy,” I reply, noticing how good he smells as he leans in closer, making me want to step nearer so I can soak up his scent. I almost follow that instinct when I snap out of the weird haze I’m under before embarrassing myself.

“Isn’t it?”

“It could cause pack wars,” I remind him.

“You’ll have strong alliances.”

“I highly doubt Alpha Samuel will go up against Alpha Dane, given they’re best friends, and he is the only Alpha my father currently has an alliance with.” My eyes burn at the thought as tears spring to my eyes.

“The only thing that would stop that from going ahead…” he begins to say, then smirks. I want to slap him for being a jerk about me possibly being married off.

“A mate, I know!” I snap at him, and his brows pinch. It’s alright for him; he isn’t being forced to marry someone he doesn’t like. I gulp, a lump forms in my throat. How will I explain this to Deacon? We have plans. Plans that don’t involve political alliances.

“Are you seriously not going to—” his words cut off when someone in the distance calls his name.

“Alpha?” mutters a voice. Peering around him, I see his Beta standing on the stairs.

Using his distraction, I turn to the bathroom, push the door open, and quickly move inside. I wash my hands, not actually needing to use the bathroom, just trying to buy time. Now the urge to escape extends beyond avoiding an annoying meeting. I need to speak to Boyd and try to get him to talk his father out of that idea. Deacon will be my mate if my wolf doesn’t find her own. We’ve already discussed it. Striding back out, Alpha Zayn is still talking to his Beta, and I internally groan so much for escaping.

“I should go back into the meeting,” he tells his Beta, and I know I won’t be sneaking off anywhere with the Alpha around to alert my father. He turns and moves toward me. I quickly rush back into the meeting and retake my seat.

Alpha Zayn follows me a second later. My father once again looks furious about having to wait for Alpha Zayn.

“Sorry, my Beta needed me,” Alpha Zayn states, and the other Alphas don’t seem to mind. However, my father does.

“That’s what the mindlink is for,” my father snarls.

“Really? I wouldn’t have known, Joseph. Last I checked, the mindlink provides me with access to his thoughts, not his eyes. He had something to show me. Now, can we continue?”

My father’s lips tug in the corners, and I know he is biting back what he wants to say.

I lean back in my seat, sulking that I can’t escape to see Deacon. Yet, one part of me is grateful to Boyd for the heads up about my dad’s plan. If he thinks I’m marrying Boyd, he is severely mistaken.

The meeting drags on, tensions rise as Alpha Zayn continues to shut down my father’s every argument. Dad’s temper is boiling, his hands clenched into fists on the table. They speak about the threat of the rogues and new treaty deals. As time passes, my father becomes increasingly angry as everything he says get shut down.

None of the other Alphas dare to interfere, and I wonder what my father did to infuriate Zayn so badly. Surely, it isn’t just because of the look my father gave him when he entered. Eventually, my father finally snaps and explodes, making me jump in my seat.

“Fuck this. If you are just going to hand him control of the city, then I am done here,” my father snarls.

“Sit down, Joseph. My men on your borders is the only thing keeping the rogues off your land. So sit the fuck down and shut up!” Alpha Zayn growls, his fist comes down on the table with a loud thud. The wood creaks and groans, a crack slivers right up the middle of it.

My father laughs and shakes his head. “I have no alliance with your pack!”

“Regardless, if you bothered to go out to your borders for once, you would see my patrols. Every pack here is under my pack’s protection, and I will revoke it if you don’t sit down!”

“Samuel’s men help patrol my pack borders, not yours,” my father snaps, gripping my arm and yanking me to my feet.

I curse, hitting my knee on the table. Great, why am I involved? I’m nearly tossed to the ground, at the force of which my father grabs me and pulls me up beside him. My chair tips over, and I stumble over the top of it. A menacing snarl leaves Alpha Zayn’s lips.

“Samuel, would you enlighten this old fool,” Alpha Zayn growls. My father stops, his grip on my arm becoming crushing.

Now I wish I had paid attention. My father never puts his hands on me, so something has gotten under his skin for him to grab me like this.

Alpha Samuel shrinks in his seat as my father’s gaze turns to him.

“What he says is true. I haven’t had the numbers after the last attack. I asked Alpha Zayn to patrol the pack’s borders,” he explains, looking embarrassed.

Alpha Samuel’s pack is the second largest and typically handles the city’s protection and border patrols. That is what my father pays him for: his protection.

“Today? No wonder you were in such a bad mood at the Council meeting. She dumped your cranky ass,” I mutter.

“I broke up with her!” he protests, sounding less like a suave, imposing Alpha and more like a teenage boy.

I raise an eyebrow at him. “Really? Is that why you’re so butt hurt?”

“I’m not hurt. I dumped her during the meeting. I was in a bad mood because your father is a prick,” he states.

“Wow, you broke up with your girlfriend via text. You really are a jerk!” I tell him.

He shrugs. “She’ll find her mate eventually. It wouldn’t have lasted anyway.”

“Wait, you just dumped her for no reason?”

“I have my reasons, none that you need to know about.”

I roll my eyes at him. “Did she cheat?”

“What? No, of course not,” he growls. Alpha Zayn gets up, wanders to the door, and unlocks it. He yanks on the door, it doesn’t budge.

“Great, now I am locked in here with you,” I curse as he examines the door. He swears, peering up. I also look up to find the door frame has been bent, locking the door in place. The Alpha peers over his shoulder and glares at me.

“Sure, say it like it’s my damn fault, you’re not the only one trapped in here!” he grumbles.

“Yes, but you can adapt to the cold, I can’t!” I retort, and he turns to look at me.

“Fuck!” He turns back to try to find a way out.

My breath fogs the freezing air as I shiver, glaring at Alpha Zayn’s back. It is impossible not to notice how his muscles flex beneath his taut skin, and I refuse to let myself be swayed by lust in this very not ideal situation.

“It’s no use; we’re stuck in here,” I state the obvious, my teeth chattering as I huddle against the wall. Whether it’s the cold or blood loss, my leg is numb.

He turns, casting me a scathing glare that sends shivers down my spine for an entirely different reason. “Thanks, I fucking know.”

As my heart pounds in my chest, I think how unfair it is that I might die here with this arrogant-as-hell Alpha. I want to scream at the injustice of it all; however, there is no time for that. I briefly think about Deacon, hoping he didn’t get caught up in the fight as he stood outside, waiting for me. And what about the people at the ball? What of Lydia and my father? My thoughts are cut off when I hear a chilling crack echo through the room, and my stomach tightens with fear.

“Get down!” Zayn barks, his voice tense with urgency.

Before I can even react, Zayn throws his body over mine, shielding me from the teeth-grating screech of metal collapsing above us. His muscular form presses against me, making it difficult to breathe.

“Are you okay?” Zayn asks, his breath hot against my ear. He lifts himself off me just enough to look into my eyes. I nod, my heart still racing from the close call. The side of the freezer is bent in, and the roof is now lower.

“Thanks,” I whisper, feeling a strange mix of gratitude and annoyance toward him while he moves to try the door again.

“Maybe if we’re lucky, the power source has been cut, and we won’t freeze to death,” I offer, trying to ignore the incessant chattering of my teeth.

Zayn tilts his head, raising an eyebrow as he assesses me. “I originally wasn’t so sure if you were a natural blonde. This just puts my doubt to rest.”

He did not just mock me for being blonde! Anger blazes within me, momentarily eclipsing the cold.

“Hey, I’m actually pretty smart. At least think with my brain and not my temper and dick,” I snap, hearing the faint sound of the motors running. Just great! The damn room is still powered.

“Ouch, princess,” Zayn smirks, but there is a hint of annoyance in his voice. “You sure know how to hit me where it hurts.”

“Good,” I mutter, hugging myself to stay warm. My nipples are painfully erect beneath the thin fabric of my bra, but I refuse to let him see how much the cold is affecting me. Instead, I focus on the anger coursing through me, using it to keep me warm when his eyes go to my shoulder and collarbone. His hands reach for my shirt, eyes wide with panic.

I peer down at it, wishing I hadn’t when I notice the skin flap. The next second, my blouse is ripped open entirely, with the buttons popping off. I groan as the flap of skin falls forward. I clutch it, forcing it back, when I hear his bones snapping. The next minute, a huge tongue rolls over my wound.

I shriek, trying to push the wolf’s head away. He snarls, snapping his teeth at me. He bites my hand viciously, and I cry out at the sudden pain, but he returns to licking the gaping wound.

“You’re not supposed to do that!” I shriek in panic. My father is going to kill me when he finds out Alpha Zayn has healed me. This is not good. He shifts back and glares at me.

“Would you rather bleed to death?” he snaps, reaching for my hand. He clicks his tongue when I whimper, seeing his bite mark on my hand. Leaning down, he goes to heal me.

“Wait, stop.”

“I didn’t mean to let my wolf bite you. You angered him when you refused his help,” Zayn tells me before ignoring me and sucking on my fingers. My toes curl, and an embarrassing noise leaves my lips.

This is precisely why wolves don’t heal each other, it’s taboo and only for mates. It can also possibly sire our wolves, but since I don’t have one yet, hopefully, that won’t be too much of an issue.

I am about to protest when he turns my hand, he rumbles in warning. His eyes flash black momentarily as he licks my palm and across the side of my hand, healing the wound his wolf had created. He then sits back, looking rather satisfied with himself.

“My father is going to kill me!” I hiss, knowing his DNA will be circulating in my system for a few days. If too much DNA is transferred, especially if the wound is too big, he would risk siring me.

“Pretty sure he would rather you be alive than find you dead when I could have saved you.”

“Yeah, well, he’ll still be angry either way just because it was you, and the risk of you siring my wolf,” I sigh, before realizing I said that out loud. My face heats. Gosh, that would be humiliating if I started chasing after him like a lovesick-sired pup. Our wolves are always with us from birth, dormant until a certain age; however, they can still feel and sense their human counterpart.

I’ve always found that part of us to be fascinating, and my mother used to tell me about mate bonds and the magic of finding your fated mate. Our wolves can sense their mates through eye contact, which sets off transmitters to recognize their soul’s counterpart. It’s akin to taking the saying “the eyes are the window to the soul” to another level. This is also why healing a wolf who isn’t your mate is so taboo. It can alter those neurotransmitters, making us not recognize our mate.

“Don’t be embarrassed. I’d rather you stay alive; besides, it’s not like anyone saw me heal you or saw your reaction to it.”

“You saw! And they’ll still know!” I tell him, blushing even more. He shrugs, uncaring. I glance away. Great, what will Deacon think?

“I save you, and all I get is attitude. Keep going, and I will heal your leg.” I flinch at his words, if he heals any more of me, the risk of being sired goes up even without having my wolf yet.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to sound ungrateful,” I mumble the last part, feeling guilty, it’s just he isn’t the one who will have to endure my father.

When the light blinks, I glance up in time to see one goes out while the other dims. It is dark now, but that is the least of my worries as the temperature keeps dropping. I do my best not to shiver. The fighting from outside is fainter now. Is my father ok?

“Are you alright?” he asks, and I turn slightly to see the Alpha staring at me with concern. I can just make out his eyes piercing into me, where he sits in the darkest part, having moved away from me. That is probably a good thing because, despite not having my wolf, his saliva is now in my bloodstream. It makes him far more alluring, which doesn’t help much, seeing as the man is already tempting enough! At least where I am, I have one dim, flickering light.

Nodding, I wrap my arms around myself. “Yeah,” I reply, shivering, yet my voice stutters as my teeth chatter.

“I can’t believe this!” he growls, punching the wall and I look up in alarm. “I should be out there.”

His frustration is evident as he drops to the ground, leaning against the wall, clenching his fist.

Rubbing my arms, I look at him. “Maybe we’ll be found soon.”

“Perhaps,” he exhales, resting his head back against the wall. “How is your leg?” he asks, and I look down at it, only now realizing I can’t actually feel it. It’s gone completely numb. I poke it, and nothing.

“That’s not good,” he mutters, and sits up.

“Come over here. You’re going to freeze to death at this rate.” I chew my lip, wondering if I should. After a few seconds, I give up and use the wall to get to my feet.

As much as I want to argue, I don’t want to die here, either. I am already freezing, and Goddess knows when someone will find us. I drag myself over to him, and his gaze falls to my bleeding leg. “Can you cover up?” I ask. I am not going to cuddle against a naked dude whose junk is hanging out.

He looks at me in disbelief. “Does it look like there’s something to cover myself with down here beside this bag?” he growls.

He does have a good point. I take what’s left of my top off, although that just leaves me in my bra, and toss it onto his lap. Almost smirking at the fact, his eyes flash, and he turns away from me. Now, who’s uncomfortable?

Is he really going to treat me like I am underage? For fucks sake, I’m nineteen, almost the leader of my pack, and he just healed me. If anything, he should be more worried about the potential sire he has created.

“There, better,” I huff.

“Just come here,” he grumbles, yanking me down on his lap. I sit there stiffly when he wraps his arms around me. He pulls me closer and lifts his legs, so I am not sitting on the cold ground.

“Relax, I won’t hurt you,” he says softly as he rubs my arms, careful not to squash my leg. Giving in, I lean against him, welcoming the heat of his body. When I rest my head on his shoulder, he shivers.

“You must be cold.”

“I’m more worried about you… Your father will start a war if you die on my watch.”

He tucks me closer, wrapping his arms around me and pulling me flush against his chest, only for me to gasp when I feel his shaft against my ass.

Oh, heck no!

“And she says she’s not a virgin,” he mocks.

“I’m not.” I lie, frowning, but I don’t struggle further, allowing him to enclose me in his muscular arms.

“Yeah, you are.”

“Am not.”

He laughs again but pulls away. His hand moves into my hair when he suddenly jerks my head back. He buries his nose in my neck before running it along the column of my throat to the side of my lips. I swallow at how close he is, and his eyes flicker.

“I can smell your innocence,” he murmurs. His lips so close they brush against mine when he smirks and his eyes flash to that of his beast.

My face heats at his words.

“That’s a good thing. I don’t understand why you are embarrassed,” he mutters, tucking my face back into his neck. “Now, rest. I’ve mindlinked my Beta already. They’re trying to get to us.”

“Finally.”

“Yes, but it might be a while. The entire building is on top of us.”

“What?” I groan.

“Sleep, don’t think about it,” he tells me, and I sigh but do as he says while wondering how my father is. I tried to mindlink him, but with my blood loss, it is like I can’t exert that kind of energy.

I have to admit, he smells good. I internally roll my eyes. Wow, focus girl. The severity of the situation settles in, and I become somber once more. It’s just his DNA in my system wreaking havoc on my hormones.

Please find us soon…