Chained By the Alpha (Cleo and Zayn) novel Chapter 10

• Cleo •

As I stand there, staring at Maya in disbelief. I question if I set off this chain of events by confiding in Zayn? Had my trust in him, in the wrong person, led to this devastating turn of events? My luck seems to be getting worse and worse. The sound of my heartbeat rings in my ears, loud and fast.

Maya must have sensed my distress because she reaches out and squeezes my arm gently. “Look, Cleo, I don’t know what’s going on between you and Zayn, but you should know that Zayn…” She stops and shakes her head. Maya’s expression is one of concern and confusion, her brow furrowing and her lips pressing together.

“What is it, Maya?” I ask, wondering what more there could be.

Maya bites her lip. “Lydia told me you’ve been involved with Zayn. Whatever is going on between you two, you need to be careful, especially now,” she tells me. My brows furrow.

“I have a boyfriend, Maya, Deacon. Remember him?” I remind her. Maya raises an eyebrow at me.

“You sure about that? Because Lydia said, you’ve been sneaking off to see him. I know Lydia can be a bitch, but Zayn, of all people? He’s ruthless, Cleo. If he starts a war with our pack over you, you’ll get us all killed; we haven’t enough warriors to go up against his pack!” she snaps at me abruptly.

“What are you talking about!” I snarl. “Just spit it out, Maya, whatever it is, tell me!” Maya curses and shakes her head.

“Your father was at that meeting. He’s furious. Zayn put claim to you, told him if he forces you to marry Boyd, he’ll start a war and challenge your father. How could you be so stupid to risk the pack like that?” she shakes her head in disbelief.

“He what?” I squeak, knowing my father is going to lose it at me for this. What has Zayn done? Why would he do that!

“So forget about Deacon; if he hasn’t heard already, he will because right now, you and Zayn are the talk of the city,” she growls, storming off.

I spent the rest of the day in a daze, trying to figure out what I could do to help. Every time I think of Zayn, I am filled with a mix of longing and anger. He had seen me in my weakest moment, and instead of leaving things be, he started a war. A fucking war, and not just with Alpha Dane, but my father.

As the news spread throughout campus and beyond, tension grows so thick it is almost tangible. The quiet whispers and casting gazes in my direction transformed into outright hostility laced with their fear.

My phone has also done nothing except go off with messages from my father. I didn’t open a single one of them, already knowing what I would find in them.

Alpha Zayn’s decision to declare war against Claymore pack has thrown the entire school into turmoil. It is as if everyone is expecting him to storm the place. Unable to handle everyone staring and whispering, I skip the next class and head back to my dorm.

Yet even furious with Zayn, I can’t shake the memory of his embrace, the way he comforted me in the face of such humiliation. Our connection is undeniable, and this sire bond only seems to make me ache for him despite wanting to punch him in the face. I pace back and forth, unable to shake the conflicting emotions swirling inside me. I know I brought this upon myself, however I also can’t help feeling drawn to Zayn like a moth to a flame.

I collapse onto my bed, a deep sense of despair settling in when I receive another message. Sighing, I open it, not wanting my father to come here and cause a scene. There are around fifty messages from him, each one raging at me like I asked Zayn to declare war. The last one sends my blood cold.

Dad: Meet me at my office tomorrow so we can go over ways to fix this.

My heart sinks as I realize there is no avoiding this conversation. My father is going to be furious with me for bringing this upon our pack. Swallowing down my dread, I hastily reply.

Cleo: I’m sorry, I never asked for this.

Dad: You may not have asked for it, but you certainly caused it. You will marry Boyd. Before that can happen, we need to fix this shit with Alpha Zayn. Whatever is going on between you two, you end it, and end it now, Cleo!

I stare at his message, tears burning my vision; I don’t even understand what’s going on between me and Zayn. We’re not even a thing, so how do I break up with someone I’m not even with? Clutching my hair, I try to take some deep breaths, trying to will the tears away. This is so messed up, so frigging messed up.

I’m still trying to gather myself together; I’m even too afraid to get dinner, not wanting to be caught in the halls by anyone. There’s a knock on the door. I sit up abruptly, staring at my dorm room door. Glancing at the clock, I see it is a little after 8 PM now. I know it can’t be my father because I literally just spoke to him. Nervousness ripples through me when the thumping continues, and some part of me worries it might be Alpha Dane.

“Cleo, I swear if you don’t open this damn door, I will break it down!” comes Zayn’s voice. My heart flutters in my chest, and I quickly move to open it before he bursts through it.

The moment I do, I want to slam it in his face, pausing; I see he is also furious with me. Zayn’s face is twisted in anger, his jaw clenched tight, and his eyes flashing with frustration. His body is tense, his fists clenched at his sides.

“Why aren’t you answering my texts?” Zayn’s voice is harsh and demanding, his words hitting me like a punch in the gut. The door slams shut with a loud thud, the sound echoing in the small room.

The scent of Zayn’s cologne, a mixture of vanilla and sandalwood, fills the room as he enters, but the overwhelming smell of anger and tension quickly overpowers it.

“Do you have any fucking idea how panicked I have been about you? I thought I was going to have to storm your father’s pack looking for you!” he snaps at me before grabbing me. He crushes me against his chest.

“Why are you here? Haven’t you done enough?” I demand. He sighs, and I try not to breathe in his scent, knowing I will want to melt into him. Stupid sire bond.

“What do you mean?” he asks, pulling away from me. I stare at him. What do I mean? What does he mean!? He started a war, not even one war, but two! My father’s text messages flit through my head while I try to figure out how to break our nothing off.

“Zayn, you declared war on my father. You can’t just come here.”

“Well, I did. Pretty easily, actually, the front gates were open, they really should lock those,” he tells me, and I pinch my brow in frustration, what isn’t he understanding?

I go to tell him he needs to leave when he speaks again. “Have you eaten?” he asks, and instead of me answering, my stomach does.

“Good, neither have I. Let’s go,” he tells me, grabbing my hand and pulling me out the door before I can even protest. Incredible, I’m supposed to be dumping him, the man I’m not even dating. Instead, I’m being dragged off to dinner with him. Dragged may be an overexaggeration; I’m blaming it on being hungry.

My father is going to lose his damn mind if he hears about this. “I can’t believe this!” I snap at him as he drags me out the door.

“Believe what?” he questions.

“You. You started a war with my father, and now you’re expecting me to have dinner with you?”

I can’t believe he’s doing this, just casually taking me out for dinner like nothing has happened between us.

I try to pull my hand away from him. “What are you doing, Zayn?” I demand, trying to keep my voice steady.

“I told you, taking you to dinner.” I huff, that is not what I mean, and he knows it.

Zayn glances down at me, a look of frustration crossing his face. “Look, I didn’t start this war. Your father did, and I’m just trying to protect my own interests.”

I roll my eyes. “Interests? Like what?”

“Like you! Why else, Cleo? Besides, Alpha Dane never should have put his fucking hands on you!” he tells me.

“You can’t just go starting fights. It’s none of your business anyway, and I never should have told you, I… Just don’t worry about it. It’s already done. Now I gotta deal with the consequences.” He leads me farther down the corridor toward the open courtyard. Zayn growls.

Zayn leads me through the corridors while I nervously glance around, praying no one spots us. As we make our way through the dimly lit corridors, Zayn’s grip on my hand tightens as I try to shake off the sire bond’s influence.

“Where are you taking me?” I ask nervously, and he drapes his arm across my shoulders.

“Nowhere public. I know you’re worried about your father catching you,” he answers when I hear voices coming toward us, and I stop; my heart skips a beat. This is the last thing I need, just great!

“What is it?” he asks, stopping when he feels me stop. I glance down the corridor, and Zayn growls, his aura rushing out abruptly.

“Your father has been in your ear already, hasn’t he?” he states, “What did he say?” Zayn demands, however my eyes are down the corridor, hearing whoever it is getting closer. His growl is angry, and if his aura doesn’t drop soon, they’ll feel it long before they spot us. Zayn realizing this shoves me into the courtyard quadrangle, pinning me behind the pillar. Their voices draw nearer.

“Your aura,” I squeak out in panic.

“Bit hard for me to rein that in right now; tell me what your father said to you. Did he threaten you?”

“What? No… he um,” My heart hammers in my chest when I hear their footsteps on the stairs and the bats in the fruit trees in the small courtyard area take off, picking up on his energy.

“Cleo?” Zayn asks, his aura pressing down on me. “If he threatened you, tell me, I will sort it out.”

“Like you did earlier with Alpha Dane,” I retort, my own minimal aura slipping out and challenging his. The voices draw closer, and I glance around in panic, knowing my own barely there aura challenging him; he definitely felt it, even if it was a nudge.

Panicking, Zayn presses closer, his eyes holding mine when I hear the voices halt abruptly recognizing a threat near, I stand on my tippy toes and kiss him. He freezes, shocked, but his aura drops instantly as my actions take him by surprise.

Zayn’s eyes widen as my lips press against his. I can feel his surprise and hesitation. I’m too desperate to think about the consequences right now. All I know is that we need to play it cool until whoever is approaching leaves.

I wrap my arms around his neck, pulling him closer and deepening the kiss.

For a moment, everything else fades away, and I forget about the danger we’re in.

My tongue sweeps across his lips, and I vaguely hear their voices again over the purring sound he makes in the back of his throat as he kisses me back. The voices grow fainter, and relief floods me. This was a terrible idea. I pull away abruptly, having avoided detection when I hear them leave.

“They’re gone,” I tell him, peering over his arm in the direction they went. My shoulders drop, and I lean against the pillar and let out a breath of relief only to find Zayn has a silly smirk on his face.

“You kissed me,” he tells me like I don’t know that.

“Yeah, because your aura was about to give us away. I am in enough trouble because of you!” I tell him, and his smile only gets bigger. This man is absurd!

Zayn’s eyes dance with a teasing glint, his smirk deepening at my attempt to explain the kiss. “Ah, so it was a strategic move to avoid detection, was it?”

I swallow at his words because he leans closer. I nod, not trusting my voice.

“And now?” he asks, his lips brushing mine as he speaks.

“You’re gonna get us in trouble,” I whisper.

“But you’re not pulling away,” he smirks. I open my mouth to tell him it’s the sire bond when he grips the back of my neck, dragging me closer until I am pressed up against him. His breath sweeps over my lips, and a strangled gasp leaves me.

“Tell me not to, and I won’t. Tell me to stop,” he whispers, yet my entire body tingles at his words, my heart fluttering in my chest. Because I don’t want him to stop, and I know I should. I can’t bring myself to say the words.

His eyes flicker to his beast momentarily, and a wicked grin splits his face. “I didn’t think so.”

Zayn’s lips crash onto mine once again, igniting a sense of urgency and fiery passion that sends my senses into overdrive. His kiss is a perfect balance of control and longing, his mouth exploring mine with such intensity that I am left breathless and yearning for more.

His hands roam over my back, pulling me flush against him, and I can feel the solid strength of his body. The kiss deepens, and I lose myself in the sensation, in the taste of him, in the way he makes me feel like I’m the only person in the world.

As he finally pulls back, leaving us both gasping for air, he gives me a smoldering look that promises more. “Now, that’s the kind of trouble I could get used to,” Zayn says huskily, his eyes alight with a mix of desire and affection.

At this moment, under the spell of his kiss and his mesmerizing gaze, I agree.

Being in trouble with Zayn feels dangerously right.

As we pull apart, my cheeks flush with desire and excitement, I reach up to touch my swollen lips. It’s not the first time we’ve been caught in a moment of passion, each time feels more electric than the last.

“We really can’t do this here,” I remind him, my voice shaky from the intensity of the kiss.

“But you didn’t say we couldn’t,” he chuckles, and my face flames at his words because he is right. I should be shoving him away, telling him off, anything apart from kissing him. His fingers trace along my jaw.

Despite the warning siren sounding in the back of my mind, I find myself inexplicably drawn to Zayn, his rough exterior and fierceness impossible to resist.

“I just…” I say, searching for the words to fix everything, to end whatever this is because it’s wrong. “You know we can’t keep doing this,” I whisper, feeling my resolve weaken in his presence.

“You keep pushing me away despite not wanting me gone,” he sighs, his eyes searching mine. “I can’t stay away from you.” He presses his forehead against mine.

“Come on, let me feed you at least before you kick me to the curb,” he chuckles, grabbing my hand.

Zayn leads me off campus, and despite no one being around, my paranoia of being caught by someone is strong. Unlocking his car, he opens my door, motioning for me to get in. I slip into the seat, and Zayn goes around to the driver’s side, climbing in before starting the car.

“So, are you going to tell me what your father said?” he asks, reversing out of the parking space and turning onto the road.

“Nope, because you’ve started enough issues already, I will pass on extra,” I tell him, and he growls, his hands tightening around the steering wheel. He doesn’t say anything else, driving us through the city. After driving for a few more minutes, I glance at him nervously.

“Where are we going?” I ask him.

“My place, since you don’t want to be seen in public with me.” My heartbeat quickens as he pulls onto the highway.

“Why do you look nervous hearing that?” he asks.

I shake my head. “I’m not, I just probably shouldn’t be alone around you.”

“Well, we can go to a restaurant if you prefer,” he laughs, and I raise a brow at him. “Chill, I’m just playing. Not my fault you don’t trust yourself around me.”

I glare at him. “That is not why! I…”

“Keep telling yourself that, you’re not scared of me, or you wouldn’t have gotten in my car. You certainly wouldn’t have kissed me.”

My face heats. “Just focus on driving!” I snap at him, knowing he is only taunting me.

Zayn smirks, not taking his eyes off the road as he navigates the winding highway headed toward his pack house. I cross my arms and stare out the window, trying to keep my frustrated emotions in check.

The rest of the drive is mostly quiet, with only the sound of the engine and the wind rushing past us. Eventually, we pull up at the front gates. He fiddles with the visor, and the gates unlock; his men on guard nod as he passes them.

We follow the road to his driveway and park in the circular courtyard, surrounded by tall trees and lush foliage. The main house stands high above us, illuminated by the moonlight.

As I get out of the car, Zayn follows me to the front door, opening it for me with a smile. We enter the dimly lit house, and he flips on the lights.

“Make yourself comfortable,” he grins, ‘I’m going to get out of this suit,” he tells me, leaving me as my eyes adjust to the light.

I head through the grand foyer, taking in the luxurious furniture and high ceilings, feeling out of place among the opulence. Zayn finds me a few minutes later, walking toward me in sweats and a tank, his eyes intent on me as he closes the space.

He places his hands on my hips, pulling me closer until I’m flush against him, and brushes his lips over mine. “Hungry?” he asks. I pull away from him, my hands flattening against his broad chest.

“Actually, we should talk,” I tell him, knowing what I need to do.

“We can talk after I feed you,” he tells me, leading me to the kitchen. I sigh, letting him direct me to the kitchen and I take a seat at the island.

Zayn cracks open a beer, before tossing one to me, and I catch it, noticing the way his muscles ripple under his tank. As he opens the fridge, I watch him, taking a swig of beer, handing me one.

Zayn’s movements are graceful and confident as he pulls out various ingredients from the fridge, humming to himself. His scent fills the room – a mix of woodsy musk and freshly bathed skin. The clink of glassware and metal on metal echoes against the stainless-steel surfaces. I finish my beer, then he goes to the fridge before pulling out an open bottle of wine.

He pours some wine into a glass and hands it to me, his fingers brushing against mine as he does so. It tickles my senses, sending shivers down my spine. “Tell me what you like in your food,” he asks while chopping up some vegetables with precision. I watch him work, his hands almost dancing across the cutting board with an ease that speaks volumes of his experience in the kitchen.

I sip from the glass, feeling the smoothness of the wine glide down my throat as I ponder his question. “Surprise me,” I finally reply with a smile.

“Challenge accepted,” he murmurs lowly before getting lost in his task once again – sautéing onions now while keeping an eye on something simmering on the stove top simultaneously. The aroma of garlic begins to fill the air, making my mouth water. His movements are graceful and predatory as he prepares the food, and I find myself entranced, before he glances at me over his shoulder.

“Like what you see?”

I moan softly at the sensation as his lips press against my collarbone, his teeth grazing over my pulse point just enough to make it throb deliciously.

He smiles against my skin before pulling back slightly to look at me once again. “Tell me to stop, tell me you don’t want this?” I swallow thickly.

“Tell me to stop and I will,” he whispers as one of his hands finds what’s left of my shirt, pulling it upward, revealing my stomach before he peels it off. He groans softly against my skin, his warm breath tickling me as his teeth graze it playfully before nipping softly. “Beautiful,” he whispers against my neck.

Something inside me melts at his touch—it’s a feeling I’ve never experienced with anyone else. A sense of belonging and longing that makes me want to give in to him completely.

“So, what’s it gonna be?”

I open my mouth to answer, but no words come out while he waits patiently.

“Fuck it,” I growl jerking him closer and he purrs against my lips, the sound sending thrills through me. My lips crash against his, my hands moving to graze over his abs as I give in. My father will be furious but for now he won’t know. “Good girl,” Zayn mumbles against my lips, dragging me closer. He grips my thighs lifting me and I wrap my legs around his waist. The consequences I will think about tomorrow because right now, all I can think about is how good he feels.

Zayn hoists me higher as he climbs the stairs, and for a moment, I worry he’ll drop me—his mouth is on my neck, not watching where he’s going.

“Sixteen steps,” he murmurs, feeling me tense.

“I won’t drop you,” he chuckles, pulling back. I suck in a shaky breath when his eyes meet mine.

We reach the top floor. He kicks the door shut behind him, never loosening his grip. He carries me to the bed, laying me down gently, hovering above with his eyes burning into mine.

“I want you,” he groans, crashing his lips onto mine. His tongue pushes past my parted lips, desperate—matching the heat I feel for him. One hand cups my breast through my bra, thumb brushing my nipple and sending electric pulses through me. I moan as his other hand slides beneath my pants, cupping me through my panties.

He groans into my mouth at the wetness he finds, trailing kisses back down my neck.

“Zayn,” I whimper as he tugs at my pants.

“Stop. I’m not stealing your virginity,” he purrs.

I sit up on my elbows, stunned. “You’re not?”

“I’d rather you get your wolf first,” he says. “Right now, this is a fuck-it moment— you’re angry at your father.”

He leans down, kissing me again, pushing my shoulders back.

“If I’m gonna fuck you, I don’t want fear in your head. I want no one in your thoughts but me.”

“Just you?” I tease, gripping his hair.

He kisses me hard, tongue plunging into my mouth before pulling back, making me groan in frustration.

“When I finally take you, I want your mind consumed—with the feeling of me inside you.”

My face flushes as his fingers slide down, teasing my slit.

“You are something else…” My voice trails off when his fingers graze my folds.

“And you’re everything,” he purrs, pushing a finger inside me. His gaze holds mine as I squirm at the sensation.

“Let me taste you,” he says, watching the way his finger glides out; he doesn’t return it—not yet.

“Deep breath.” He kisses me again, slipping another finger inside.

His tongue explores my mouth while his fingers build friction, warming my skin.

His lips trail down my jaw.

“Let me taste you. I want you to explode on my tongue.”

His voice is rough, and my cheeks heat at the thought of him between my legs.

I don’t answer. He kisses me again, sucking on my tongue, drawing another moan from deep in my chest.

“Let me show you what satisfaction really feels like—when I lick and suck every inch of that sweet pussy.”

His filthy words ignite something wild in me. I thread my fingers through his hair and pull him closer, our bodies pressing together in unbearable heat.

“Is that a yes?” he breathes into my ear, voice dripping with anticipation. “Don’t think, Cleo. Just feel.” His tongue flicks my earlobe. “I’ll make you feel—what it’s like to be worshipped.”

I shiver as his breath dances across my neck.

“Say yes,” he purrs.

“Yes,” I moan, surrendering completely.

His eyes darken as he takes in my answer. He trails kisses along my jaw, each one lighting a fire inside me. In one swift move, he removes my bra, exposing my aching nipples. His mouth covers one, sucking and nibbling, sending waves of pleasure pulsing through me.

I arch off the bed, desperate for more. He kisses his way down my abdomen, gripping my hips to slide me higher.

“Are you ready?” he asks, locking eyes with me.

“Yes,” I whisper.

He grabs my thighs, spreading them apart, revealing my throbbing core.

Anticipation surges as his breath skates over my skin. He settles between my legs, parting my folds with skilled fingers, brushing against my clit.

“Please, Zayn,” I beg, unable to hold back.

He smirks, his eyes dark and focused. “I love the way my name sounds on your lips.” He presses a kiss to my clit. “And I’m not stopping until I hear you scream it.”

Zayn dives in, tongue plunging into me, sending shockwaves through my body. I grip the sheets, back arching as he tastes every part of me.

Pleasure builds fast, spiraling. His tongue moves faster, harder, pushing me closer.

“Let go for me,” he growls, sending vibrations through my core. His tongue swirls and flicks my clit, and I shatter.

Heat floods me. My vision blurs. His tongue is relentless, dragging every wave of pleasure out of me until it borders on too much.

When I finally collapse, breathless and trembling, he doesn’t stop until my scream fills the room. He climbs up and pulls me into his arms, kissing my flushed skin.

I’m going to be in so much trouble tomorrow. But right now?

It’s so worth it.