Chained By the Alpha (Cleo and Zayn) novel Chapter 24

• Cleo •

The next morning

My father promised me an answer today, and all night, I was up trying to find the reasoning behind his decisions and why he needs me to play along, yet I came up empty. The moment Lydia and Linda leave for the day to go Goddess knows where, I go hunting for my father.

I don’t have to search long before I find him in the study. His yelling at someone over the phone is a dead giveaway. My heart sinks when I see his face. He is wearing a serious expression, and I know something is wrong. There’s a faint scent of coffee and cologne lingering in the air, overpowered by the smell of stress and tension emanating from my father. It’s suffocating.

He hangs up when I enter, and I fall into the seat across from him while he runs his fingers through his hair and sighs heavily.

My father’s face is tense and drawn, his brow furrowed with worry. I can see the exhaustion in his eyes, the lines of stress etched into his features. His shoulders sag as he exhales heavily.

“So?” I begin, and he leans back in his chair, his dark eyes watching me. He steeples his fingers under his chin like he is trying to work out where to begin. “You promised me answers,” I remind him, he nods reluctantly. The air is thick with the musty scent of old books and secrets. “Why am I suddenly engaged to Boyd? I don’t understand. Why would you even agree to that in the first place?”

He shuts his laptop screen, a silent signal that he’s giving me his full attention—an act so rare it heightens my anxiety even more.

“Cleo, I know this is a lot to take in, and I wish I could have protected you from it for a little longer. But you’re my heir, and you need to know the truth.” His words hang heavily in the air like an ominous storm cloud, dampening the musty scent of old books and secrets that permeate the room.

“What truth? Why me? Why not Lydia?”

The look that flashes across his face is equal parts pain and fury. It’s gone as quickly as it came. “I should have told you earlier, prepared you better for this day. I was selfish. I wanted to keep you innocent for as long as possible.”

“Wait, how long has this been planned for?”

“Roughly two years now,” he answers, and my brows raise. Two years and he never said anything?

My breath catches in my throat at his admission. My father was never one for displays of affection or vulnerability. The seriousness in his eyes tells me he means every word he says.

He gets up and pours himself a glass of bourbon, gesturing to me with the bottle. I shake my head no; I can’t stomach it right now if my life depended on it. He takes a long swig before placing the glass back down on his desk with a thud that rattles its very foundation.

“Cleo, if your mother was alive, she would have killed me for the mess I’ve made. I’m supposed to keep you safe no matter the cost, and this is part of that. Not only that, I can’t risk the pack.” His voice trembles slightly with emotion, as though even after all these years, losing her still affects him just as much as the day it happened.

“I never wanted this for you, and I will try to find a way out of it.” His voice is gentle, but there’s an undercurrent of steel in it. My hands clench the armrests.

“Your engagement to Boyd was never suggested initially. It is the only way to ensure we don’t lose the pack.” He pauses, rubbing his temples as if to ward off a headache—or perhaps the guilt gnawing at him. “If you back out right now. We will lose the pack, Cleo.”

“The pack?” I echo, incredulous. “How can marrying Boyd be keeping the pack? It’s our pack.”

He leans forward, clasping his hands on the desk. “Alpha Dane has… leverage over me, Cleo. If we do not comply with his wishes, he will use it to destroy our pack and my position within the council; the pack will be dismantled or taken as collateral.”

“You’re being blackmailed?” Fear and anger swirl in my gut. “You would trade me to keep your secrets?”

“Secrets,” he murmurs, almost to himself, “that date back years before you were even born, until not too recently.” There’s a haunted look in his eyes now, one that chills me to the bone.

“Years?” My mind races, trying to piece together the fragments of overheard conversations and whispered rumors, however I come up empty. “What did you do?”

“Some more pressing and recent than most. It’s not just what I’ve done, but what could be revealed.” His gaze holds mine steady and imploring. “Cleo, I need you to trust me. Marrying Boyd is the only way to ensure the safety of our pack, your future, and your mother’s legacy.”

“And what of my happiness? My choice?”

“Choice is a luxury we can’t afford right now.” He stands, coming around the desk to place a hand on my shoulder. “I know this is hard to accept, but it’s necessary, at least until I find some way out of it or something to use against Alpha Dane.”

“And if you don’t, I’m what? Just stuck and married to that fool?” The question hovers between us, with heavy implications. “Or is this just another sacrifice on the altar of power and politics, another leg up for you?”

“Both,” he admits, and the honesty in his voice stings more than any lie. “Mostly, it’s a father trying to protect his daughter from the fallout of his own mistakes.”

“Protect me by marrying me off?” I stand abruptly, knocking his hand away. “By binding me to someone I barely know, let alone love? Someone who isn’t my mate?”

His expression softens, and for a moment, I see the burden he carries—the weight of leadership, of decisions made I’m not privy to. “Love can grow, Cleo. And Boyd… he’s not a bad man, an idiot maybe, but not bad.”

“Maybe not, but he’s not…” I trail off, realizing who I am going to say is the one person I want to be with and can’t. My thoughts drift momentarily to Zayn’s touch, the way my skin sings under his caress, the heat of his skin against mine. Those memories feel like a world away now.

“Cleo,” his voice is low and burdened. “What I’ve done, it was to protect us, to shield our pack from an unseen storm. I made a mistake, at the time I was out of options.”

“I want to know what you did?”

He moves back to his chair and sits heavily in it. “I’ve been the treasurer of the council for over a decade until that was handed over to Dane, not long before Zayn took over from his father.”

I know exactly what he’s done.

“You stole the council funds, and Dane caught you, didn’t he?” I ask him, and he turns his gaze away from me.

“Among other things, yes, Alpha Dane put the money back. I couldn’t keep up with the bills or payment arrangements I had with him and…”

“You did it again. You wiped out the council treasury for the city.” He nods, looking at his hands.

“It’s also why I refused Zayn’s pack protection; I couldn’t afford it. We needed protection, so I went to Samuel. Linda convinced him. I didn’t realize Samuel was also paying the extra to put our borders on his patrol list. Samuel became another person to whom I owed money. I was trying to protect the—”

“Don’t! You weren’t trying to protect us! Stealing from the very community we vowed to serve?” My words are sharp as claws, unsheathed by betrayal.

“Every Alpha faces trials that threaten the fabric of their pack. Sometimes, survival demands difficult choices.” He stands, moving closer with the predatory grace that commands respect even now.

“Difficult choices?” I echo incredulously. “Or reckless gambles? How is it possible to blow through that much money?”

“Just listen to me! Let me try to explain.” His command slices through the tension.

“The treasury funds were meant for emergencies, for development, for aiding others. What of our own people? Our pack was bleeding, Cleo. We faced a crisis that demanded I do something, so I used the funds. The council was defaulting on taxes to the human government. I thought I could recoup the money in time.”

“Then why hide it? Why not seek counsel?” I demand, fists clenching at my sides.

“If the council knew the depth of what I owed, they’d strip us of our land and appoint overseers. I couldn’t allow that. The werewolf council came under fire for tax evasion from humans and their governments. We have to pay a certain amount each year to ensure the council remains under pack control,” His eyes burn with anger that frightens me. My mind reels at the revelations, and I’m torn between understanding his actions and feeling betrayed by all the secrecy.

“You should have told me,” I say, my voice shaking with emotion. “I could have helped you come up with a plan. We could have figured this out.”

“I couldn’t risk it,” my father replies, his voice a whisper now. “If the council found out, they would have taken everything from us. Our pack would be left with nothing.”

“You took everything from them,” I say bitterly. “You betrayed their trust.”

“I know,” he says, bowing his head in shame. “I had to do something. Our pack was suffering, and I couldn’t just sit back and let it happen.”

I can see the desperation in his eyes, and all my anger dissipates into worry for him and our pack.

“How much do we owe?” I ask, trying to sound calm.

“Enough that if we didn’t pay it back, we’d lose everything. Alpha Dane helped cover up the initial amount.”

“We’ll figure something out. We’ll come up with a plan to get the money back, then come clean, Dad. Zayn is on the council, Greyson; they’ll back us.” I tell him, he shakes his head. “Zayn definitely won’t if he finds out.”

“What do you mean?” I ask, confused.

“I kept getting extensions. Eventually, they caught onto the fact that the city hadn’t paid in years. I had no choice at the time, Cleo, and I would have lost our pack’s place on the council. I can’t ask Greyson for help, the…”

“Is your pride worth more than asking for help?” I can feel the heat rising in my cheeks.

“Pride is all we have left. Without this alliance, the pack faces bankruptcy and will be dismantled. It is already past that point. The only thing ensuring the pack remains in our family is with you marrying Boyd.” He steps forward, crowding my space, his authority enveloping me.

“Boyd will bring stability, resources…” He studies me as if seeing me for the first time. “And perhaps, in time, you may be happy with him.”

“Happy?” The laugh that escapes me is hollow, mocking. “And what of my mate when I find them? Can’t you see how wrong this is?”

“Right or wrong, it’s necessary.” He turns away, his shoulders sagging. “It’s the price of peace, the cost of safeguarding our people and ensuring we don’t lose our pack and way of life.”

“Even if it means sacrificing your daughter’s happiness?” I whisper the enormity of the situation pressing down on me like a physical force.

“Especially then.” His voice is barely audible, and when he looks back at me, there’s a sheen of unshed tears in his eyes. “Because that’s what leaders and Alphas do. We bear the burdens so others don’t have to.”

I want to rage against him, to fight and claw for my chance at happiness. As I stand here, watching the man who raised me, who’s battling demons I’m only just beginning to comprehend, my spirit falters.

“If it’s money, there are other ways. What else has he got over you?”

“Besides that, something that will send me to prison for the rest of my life. Is that what you want, Cleo?” he asks.

I swallow. “What?”

He looks away. “There is a reason Zayn was forced to kill his father. Misguided, but I am that reason. I had no choice; this is why I wanted you away from Zayn. If he knew, he would kill you as revenge. I thought he figured it out when he started showing interest in you; I thought maybe Dane let it slip.”

“Let what slip?”

“It doesn’t matter right now. I just need you to do this until I find another way or find something to blackmail Dane back with.”

Images of Zayn flash before my eyes, igniting a painful yearning deep within my chest. Was it all a lie?

“Listen to me, Cleo.” My father’s voice cracks with urgency. “Dane is offering a way out, a chance to stop a war between packs. He’s giving us a lifeline, one we can’t refuse right now.”

“Lifeline?” I scoff, anger flaring. “Or a leash for him to control us both?”

“Control is better than destruction and the dismantling of our pack. If we refuse, Dane will expose everything.” His gaze hardens. “Our pack will be torn apart. We’ll lose everything.”

The weight of it all crushes me. “So we bow to him? Let him dictate who I share my bed with? Who marks me?”

“It’s not just about us!” Father’s voice thunders through the room. “Think of the pack—our people’s lives and homes at stake.”

“Is there no other way?” I plead with him; this can’t be the only option, surely.

“None that doesn’t lead to war or worse.” He steps closer, his presence commanding even now. “Sometimes duty must come before desire.” He reaches out to cup my face, a gesture so tender it unravels me. “You have to do what’s necessary.”

“I…” My protest dies on my lips, the reality settling in like a winter’s chill.

“This is the only thing you have left of your mother, Cleo. You’re not just any wolf—you’re an Alpha’s daughter. You were born to lead and make difficult decisions.” Tears blur my vision as the weight of my impending fate anchors me to the spot. “True love is selfless. It puts the needs of others above its own.”

“Don’t fucking guilt-trip me, Dad. You’re not the one being forced into a marriage,” I spit at him.

“Promise me you’ll consider this, Cleo. For the pack.” His voice is agonized, but the resolve in his eyes doesn’t waver. My heart splinters under the weight of the impossible choice before me.

“I don’t know if I can love him,” I finally whispered. The admission is painful, seeing the disappointment in his eyes.

“Love is… overrated.” He sighs. “Respect, loyalty, and a partnership built on shared purpose—that’s what lasts.” I want to argue that he’s wrong, that love should be all-consuming. Yet, I understand the magnitude of the sacrifice he’s asking of me. Vaguely, I nod, as if agreeing to even consider this atrocity isn’t an affront to everything I believe in.

“I promise,” I whisper, sealing my fate with the word, the very essence of my freedom slipping through my fingers like grains of sand. Relief washes over his features, yet the sorrow in his eyes reflects my own.

As I leave the room, each step feels heavier than the last, my mind reeling from the enormity of the decision before me. I am to be bartered away, my happiness is a currency for peace, and to ensure I don’t lose my mother’s pack or see my father behind bars.

Yet, it has me curious about what my father did, that he believes Zayn would kill me for revenge. That revelation now has me questioning whether Zayn knows and whether this was his plan all along to divide us and watch our pack crumble to expose the truth.

Despite the turmoil within me, I know my duty—to protect my pack, to honor my family, to be the leader I was raised to be, even if it means standing beside Boyd instead of Zayn.

I never thought I would spend my birthday picking out a wedding dress so I could marry someone I can’t stand. All for an unwanted marriage agreement because my father is being blackmailed.

As I stand in the wedding dress shop, I’m overwhelmed. Linda offered to come with me, though I think more out of ensuring I pick a dress and not run off. I refused. This was hard enough without her flaunting it in my face. The only plus side of today is that sometime tonight, I will get my wolf, and maybe I won’t feel so lonely in this decision.

The chiffon of the wedding gown whispers against my skin like a lover’s secret, and I spin slowly in front of the mirror, watching the fabric billow around me. Nightshade City buzzes just beyond the boutique’s windows, alive with a heartbeat that seems to mock my own erratic pulse.

“Stunning,” Sarah, the assistant coos, clasping her hands together as if in prayer. “You look like an absolute vision, Cleo.”

“Thank you,” I murmur, the words feeling hollow. The reflection staring back at me is a carefully constructed façade – blonde hair cascading in soft waves. My green eyes should sparkle with joy, instead flicker with uncertainty, all hidden beneath layers of white, a symbol of freedom now ensnared.

“Are you okay, honey?” Sarah asks, tilting her head, her brow furrowed in concern.

I smile tightly and nod, trying to convince both the assistant and myself I am fine. The truth is, I am far from it. My heart is heavy and the thought of spending the rest of my life with a man I don’t love makes me nauseous.

My teeth bite into my lip. “Just… overwhelmed.”

The truth is more complicated, tangled like the intricate lace on the bodice of this dress. It’s supposed to be the happiest day of a person’s life. How can it be, when every choice feels like a betrayal?

“Would you like to try another one?” Her voice cuts through my reverie, and I nod, desperate for distraction.

“You’ll love this one, though it may need some adjustments.”

I feel like an outsider observing my life unfold. Sarah leads me back to the dressing room where another dress is waiting for its final alterations.

“It’s going to be perfect,” she assures me with a smile.

No matter how many times I hear those words, they do little to ease the knot in my stomach. I stand there in my ill-fitting dress, surrounded by people who are planning a wedding that means nothing to me. I wonder how different things would be if I had just stood up to my father.

It’s too late for regrets now. The deal has been made, and backing out would only bring more disgrace upon our family name – something my father cannot afford.

I retreat to the changing room, the silkiness of the gown I slip off feels like an unearned caress. I’m playing dress-up, pretending to be a blushing bride when I’m anything but. Shadowcrest Pack—my pack—would never understand.

“Beautiful dresses can’t mask ugly truths,” I whisper to my reflection, watching as another version of myself emerges in a dress with more beading, more promise.

“Everything okay in there, Cleo?” The assistant’s voice is muffled through the curtain.

“Almost ready!” I call back, my voice steady despite the storm raging within.

I step out once more, presenting myself for inspection. The new dress hugs my curves. I think of Boyd, the man I’m bound to marry, and then, unbidden, Zayn’s image flashes in my mind.

“Your father will love this one,” Sarah assures me, oblivious to the war waging within me.

“Perhaps,” I say, my thoughts spiraling.

“Let’s go with this one,” I decide, surprising even myself. “It’s perfect.”

“Excellent choice,” she beams, not noticing the way my hands tremble as I move to sign the check when she stops me. “No, Alpha Dane is covering it,” she assures me, and I chew my lip.

I’m stuck in the boutique for hours while she fixes the measurements of the dress, but going home without it isn’t an option since Alpha Dane is speeding the wedding up to this weekend. He wants a prompt wedding now that I’ve agreed so I can’t try to back out, leaving me little hope of my father finding me a way out of this mess.

When I do leave, though, I can’t bring myself to head straight home. Instead, I weave through the thrumming city streets, my freshly acquired wedding dress, a silken promise of a future I’m not sure I want. The cacophony of honking cars and chattering pedestrians is a welcome distraction until I barge into someone by accident.

“What do you think you’re doing?” a voice growls from behind.

My heart stutters to a stop as I whirl around. The world narrows to those silver eyes, burning into me with an intensity that leaves me breathless. Zayn.

“Zayn,” I gasp.

“Running into you isn’t exactly what I had planned, but it’s fitting,” he says. His tone is a sharp blade that cuts deeply. His black hair frames his face, and he has equally dark eyes, reflecting Zarek is just below the surface.

“Cleo.” His voice is deep and rough, sending shivers down my spine.

“Following me now?” My attempt at levity falls flat between us, the air charged with something dangerous. He steps closer to me and reaches out to tuck a stray lock of hair behind my ear. My skin tingles at his touch, and my heart races even faster.

His closeness is intoxicating, and for a fleeting moment, I forget about everything else – the arranged marriage, the pressure from my pack, everything except him.

“I wouldn’t have to if you’d just talk to me, but no. I wasn’t following you until I spotted you going into that store.” He steps closer, and I’m acutely aware of the solid mass of him, a wall of muscle and his raw Alpha power.

Then reality comes crashing back, and I take a step back from him, cursing myself for being so weak. “I should go,” I say quickly. “I have somewhere to be.”

“You’re marrying him, Cleo? Really?”

“Zayn, it’s not that simple—” I start, and the words tangle on my tongue.

“Make it simple for me, then.” His voice is a low rumble, and I can almost feel the vibration of his wolf beneath his skin.

“Please, I can’t do this here,” I plead, glancing around at the curious eyes starting to take interest in our heated exchange.

“Then when, Cleo? When will you stop running from what we are? I told you we are mates, yet you agree to marry someone else?”

“Being mates doesn’t mean we can just… ignore reality. There are consequences, alliances, expectations. Besides, nothing is even confirmed until I get my wolf tonight.” My voice trails off, the enormity of it all pressing down on me.

“Damn the alliances! Damn what everyone else expects!”

“Zayn, you know I can’t—”

“Can’t or won’t?” he challenges, stepping even closer, the heat of his body mingling with mine.

“Both!” The word explodes from me, a confession and a condemnation. The tension coils between us, a live wire ready to spark into flame.

“Tell me why. Give me a reason that’s worth more than this,” he whispers, his breath hot against my skin.

“Because if I don’t, everything falls apart. My father, the pack, it’ll be war, Zayn.” The weight of my decision presses upon me, a suffocating shroud.

“A war will start if you walk down that fucking aisle, Cleo,” he warns me, and tears burn my eyes at his words. No matter what, I am disappointing someone.

“I have no choice. You don’t understand,” I say, my voice barely above a murmur.

“Then let me fight for you, for us.”

“I don’t…” My resolve waivers, the pull toward him is undeniable. When I remember my father’s words about him betraying Zayn, it once again has me questioning Zayn’s actions and intentions.

“Stay with me tonight. Just tonight,” he murmurs, his lips hovering perilously close to mine.

“Zayn, I can’t.” The finality in my voice is a lie I wish I could believe.

The rough brick wall scrapes against my back as Zayn’s hands cage me on either side, his silver eyes blazing with an intensity that both frightens and thrills me. The city noises fade into the background, drowned out by the rapid beat of my heart.

“Damn it, Cleo! Do you have any idea what this is doing to me?” His fingers graze my cheek, and I lean into the touch despite myself. “Watching you prepare to marry another man? I am your mate!”

My heart clenches at his pain, mirrored by my own. “Do you think it’s easy for me? To turn away from what I want most in this world?”

“Then don’t!” There’s a desperate edge to his voice now, a plea hidden within the command.

Another wave of heat washes over me as our gazes lock, and I feel a tingling sensation between my thighs as our eyes meet. He seems to notice my discomfort and clears his throat, standing and helping me to my feet.

“Let’s keep moving. I’m sure your wolf is just as anxious as you are to come out,” he says, leading me into the clearing where the full moonlight shines brightly. The cool breeze brushes against my bare skin, and I shiver slightly, goosebumps forming on my arms. The combination of the moonlight and the river’s calming sounds helps me relax enough that when the shift finally hits me, it catches me off guard.

A sudden pain lances through my abdomen as if someone has plunged a dagger into me, doubling me over. My bones crack and shift beneath my skin as fur sprouts all over my body. I let out a pained moan as my body contorts and grows, my limbs becoming longer and my snout more pointed. My vision blurs as my body transforms, and I can feel my senses becoming sharper. Zayn tugs at my clothes, trying to help remove them as my body twists and morphs. “Breathe, you’re fine. It will end,” he assures me as I scream. “I’m right here, Cleo. Right here.”

The excruciating pain washes over me, its intensity sharp enough to make the world blur. My vision tunnels as I clutch at my abdomen, the bones reshaping beneath my skin with a chorus of unsettling cracks. Zayn, steady and strong, holds me, his arms a comforting prison as I transform.

As the shift completes, the pain subsides into a dull ache, replaced by a surge of primal energy that courses through my new form. I’m on all fours, the world around me exploding into vibrant colors and smells that tug at the corners of my consciousness. My wolf, whom I instinctively know is named Luna, emerges to the forefront, her presence overwhelming yet exhilarating as my vision warps like it’s refocusing my eyes, gazing through lenses in a sense as my vision merges with hers.

Luna is giddy, her new senses tingling, and when she catches Zayn’s scent, his fingers rake through her fur, and to me it’s like running fingers through moving water. Feeling touch in my wolf form is far different from feeling touch in human form. The moment his fingers do touch us, it’s like a spark igniting. Heat runs across our skin, tingling, like an alarm being set off in our body that has her jumping and growling.

“Shh, you’re fine,” Zayn assures her as she spins around. She sniffs the air, and his hand trembles as he reaches it out toward her like he is afraid my wolf may bite him. Luna sniffs his outstretched hands eagerly. Her tail wagging uncontrollably as she licks his fingers, making him chuckle. I want her to look at him, see him through her eyes, but she is too distracted by his scent. “Hm, he smells nice, tastes nice, too,” she purrs like a cat devouring catnip.

“He isn’t food,” I tell her, trying to urge her to look at him, yet nothing I try works, as if I am detached from her.

Zayn grabs two handfuls of her black fur, forcing her head up, and a wave of undeniable recognition and relief washes over us both. He is our mate. Which she confirms seconds later, her voice rattling through my, no, her? Our skull?

“Mate, mate.” I cringe at how loud she is. “Can I lick him? I’mma lick him, lets lick him,” she doesn’t give me a chance to answer. Her joy bubbles over, and she tackles him playfully to the ground.

He laughs as we tumble, and a new voice echoes in my head, startling me as Zayn ruffles her fur. “Hello, Luna,” Zayn’s voice resonates within our shared mental space, warm and amused.

Confused and still trying to navigate this flood of new sensations, I ask Luna, “How… how is he in our head?”

His laughter fills the bizarre connection, a sound that makes Luna’s heart leap. “Because we’re mates,” he explains. His mental touch is as familiar as if it has always meant to be there, kind of like a pack mindlink, but more. I can sense the emotion behind the feeling and his tone makes me wonder how strongly he feels me since I carry his mark.

He chuckles, seemingly unfazed by her antics, and wraps his arms around her, brushing her fur with gentle hands. I can feel his contentment and warmth radiating through the bond we share.

“I’m sorry, I don’t know how to make her stop. I feel like I am floating in here,” I shriek before begging her to stop because I feel like I have no control over her; I can’t feel my limbs or feel anything like I’m merely consciousness floating inside a vessel.

“Once you bond with your wolf, you’ll be able to control her more, feel her completely and her you. They are just a less filtered version of us; the human counterpart merges over the first few days with the wolf side. You’ll fuse, but right now, I know it feels odd,” Zayn explains.

“Why is she scratching you,” I ask, his skin bleeding as her claws rake his flesh.

“She recognizes me, and she wants to play with Zarek,” he tells me when she stops and leaps up, darting through the trees, the moon casting fleeting shadows on the forest floor. My human consciousness, still very much present, yells in panic, “Slow down, Luna! We’re going to hit a tree!” I clench my eyes shut, or hers.

“If you close our eyes, we will,” she shrieks back, and I cringe, opening them, not realizing I closed hers too, as everything zip past quickly.

Luna just laughs, a wild, joyous sound that Zayn echoes. “Trust her,” Zayn advises his voice both in my head and echoing around us. “She knows what she’s doing. Trust yourself. She is only another extension of you.” He laughs.

As Luna races through the forest, every leap and bound fills her with more excitement, and I begin to relax into the ride. The fear subsides, replaced by an exhilarating freedom I’ve never known. Zayn’s presence, both as Zarek beside us and in my mind, steadies me, his confidence in Luna bolstering my own.

Until she decides she wants to go swimming, it’s damn freezing. “No, Luna, it’s cold,” I shriek, anticipating what she is about to do when Zarek’s huge form tackles us. He nuzzles her neck, shaking his head, but doesn’t latch on to hurt her. And I realize he is playing with her and distracting her from the river when he lies on her, squashing us in the dirt. All I see is Zarek’s black fur as she bucks, trying to get out from under him when he relaxes further, flattening himself on top of her. His laughter rings as loud as her expletives as she curses him out.

“Luna, shift back,” Zayn laughs as she bites Zarek’s paw. He shakes his paw like she is a naughty pup before plopping his paw on her head.

“Please stop shaking your head. You’re making me queasy,” I tell her as she keeps fighting to get out from under him while trying to bite the paw on her head. I giggle as Zarek growls at her, pinning her down. She finally gives up and settles into a purring heap beneath him, and Zarek rests his head on hers. They remain like that for a while; she tries to get out from under him when she thinks he isn’t paying attention, but he moves or adjusts his position. His patience with my wolf is astonishing, considering she is already annoying me.

“You need to remember this is all new to your wolf. Zarek has had time to adjust, and we are merged. Think of it like she has been in confinement and finally set free,” Zayn tells me, and Zarek seems to hum in agreement.

“Great, so she is like a pup?” I huff, earning a growl from her.

“Luna will settle. Zarek was the same when I first got my wolf, except he insisted on peeing on every damn tree around the packhouse like he could claim them.” Zayn laughs, and Zarek snarls at him. “Don’t tell her that!” Zarek snaps angrily at him. Zayn just laughs while I secretly hope Luna doesn’t pee on him thinking she can claim him that way now that he has put the idea in her head.

Eventually, she tires herself out, and Zarek rolls off her and onto his back. He grunts because the moment he does, she is attacking him, wanting to play.

She pounces on him, trying to get to his neck, and I realize she is trying to claim him. She grows annoyed when he doesn’t allow her to. Zarek shifts beneath us, leaving her no choice except to shift back. “Shift back, Luna, and let Cleo forward,” Zayn demands.

Luna huffs, licking his cheek before doing as she is told. The shift back isn’t nearly as bad as the initial shift, and I find myself straddling Zayn. He pulls me down on him, wrapping his arms around me. Gazing up at him, everything slams back to me, making it all even more complicated. Zayn was right; I am his mate, but I am engaged to another and don’t see a way out of it without losing everything my pack has and without losing the last piece of my mother.

That doesn’t stop the nagging guilt I now feel. I can’t imagine how hard the past few days have been for Zayn.

Now that I know Zayn is my mate, I can’t imagine him being away from me. The guilt is like a heavy weight on my chest, knowing I have caused him pain by being engaged to Boyd. The thought of him leaving tears at my heart, and I hope my father comes up with a solution that will allow me to be with Zayn, that mate bonds won’t be ignored.

My father said if Zayn were my mate, he would be able to stop the arranged marriage with Boyd. But what would that mean for my mother’s pack besides falling into the hands of Alpha Dane? It’s a difficult decision and one I cannot make on my own.

I swallow down the guilt, knowing I must continue pretending that Zayn isn’t my mate while my father works on finding a way out of this marriage treaty. Yet every time I see Zayn, it becomes harder to hide the truth. I can’t deny the pull I feel toward him. I don’t think my wolf will accept Boyd and I know I will never reject Zayn. Unfortunately, it also gives me another view of my father. There is no way his mate bond to Linda would allow him to be with my mother, so surely he won’t expect me to choose Boyd.

I can see the hurt in his eyes whenever he looks at me, and it breaks my heart. I know that I have to keep up appearances for the sake of both our packs, and I know he can feel my guilt.

“Don’t you start crying; we can worry about everything else later,” he tells me. I nod slowly, and I am about to apologize. Then, without warning, he tilts my chin up with his fingers and looks deeply into my eyes. His silver gaze burns with an intensity I can only perceive as longing when he leans down and presses his lips to mine. It’s a slow, soft kiss at first, tender.

It quickly escalates, though; Zayn’s hands roam over my back, digging into my flesh as he devours my mouth and pulls me closer. His taste is addictive; warm and spicy, like cinnamon mixed with something wild and forest-y that belongs only to him.

I moan into the kiss as heat pools low in my stomach. Our kiss becomes more frantic, our bodies pressed tightly against each other as we both struggle to get closer. Zayn’s touch ignites a fire within me I never knew existed. I moan again, my body responding to him in ways I can’t control.

He breaks away from our kiss, his lips brushing against mine as he whispers, “You are so fucking beautiful.” His words send shivers down my spine, and I can feel his desire for me pulsing through our mate bond.

Without warning, he rolls us over so he is on top of me. My back presses into the ground beneath us, and I can feel the rough grass scratching against my bare skin. He presses his body against mine, and all I can focus on is the heat between us and the way his hands move over my body with need.

He kisses me again, harder this time as if he needs to consume every part of me at this moment. And I let him, giving myself completely to him and the bond that connects us.

My breath hitches in anticipation as he trails kisses down my jawline and nuzzles my neck before nipping gently at the skin there. I arch into him in response, wanting more than anything for him to continue when he stops. He peers down at me, looking around.

“Please don’t stop,” I tell him, trying to tug him back to me.

“I’m not taking you on the dirt,” he grumbles. I couldn’t care less where we are. I just want him, and he must feel that through the bond because he sighs.

The sound of Zayn’s sigh sends a shiver down my spine, and I can feel his desire growing through our mate bond. He leans down to nuzzle my neck once more before pulling away and stands. My heart sinks at the loss of his touch. Still, I know he has a point. We can’t continue like this out in the open.

Without a word, he holds out his hand for me to take. I grab it eagerly and let him pull me up, my body buzzing with anticipation for what is coming next.

He dusts off the back of me. My knees feel weak, but I manage to stay standing under his strong gaze. He brushes a piece of hair behind my ear before staring down at me with those silver eyes that hold so much intensity. They seem to see straight through me, breaking down every wall I’ve ever built up in my heart.

“Cleo,” he whispers, his voice low and husky with need.

I realize this man has set me aflame, igniting a desire within me I never knew existed. And now that he has, there’s no going back. We stare at each other for what feels like an eternity, both of us lost in our thoughts and feelings as we lean closer to each other again. Our lips meet once more, his hands moving around my waist as if he’s trying to mold me into himself. He presses his thick length against me again, making me whimper softly against his mouth.

Zayn walks us backward until we’re pressed against the rough bark of a tree trunk behind us, our bodies swaying gently with each breath we take together.

His hands roam over my curves, tracing circles on my hips before sliding upward along my sides and finally cupping my breasts, sending shockwaves of pleasure through every nerve ending in my body. His thumbs circle around the hard nubs of my nipples, teasing them mercilessly as I moan into the kiss while arching into him, wanting more than anything else for him to touch me deeper still while also needing this moment to last forever because it feels so good.

“We shouldn’t, at least not here,” Zayn breathes out against my lips, his hands still roaming over my body.

I know he’s right. Anyone could stumble upon us, and we wouldn’t be able to explain ourselves. But at this moment, I can barely think straight as the heat between us continues to build.

“Come on,” he says, pulling away from me and taking a step back. “I’ll take you home; my car isn’t far from here.”

I nod, my heart still pounding with desire as I try to gather myself and follow him. He leads me into the tree line before stopping and tugging me closer, a wicked smile on his lips as he addresses my wolf.

“Try to keep up, Luna,” he purrs, letting me go and shifting. His huge black wolf takes his place and I feel Luna’s giddiness at wanting to race as she presses forward, wanting control. I give it to her, letting her forward and preparing for the agony, yet barely any comes when I give her control. It’s almost too easy as I surrender to the shift, letting my body contort and twist, giving her the reins. Zarek takes off into the trees, and Luna yaps excitedly, darting after him.

The forest becomes a blur as we run, adrenaline pumping through our veins as we dodge tree after tree effortlessly. The cool night air feels refreshing against our fur, and the scents of the forest invigorate us. I can sense Zarek’s powerful presence just ahead of us, and Luna’s instincts urge her to catch up to him, to run with him side by side. The full moon above us casts an ethereal glow over the forest floor, illuminating the path before us while hiding secrets in its shadows.

We race through the trees for what feels like hours, our bodies moving with grace and fluidity as one. Luna revels in the feeling of freedom and power that comes with running in her wolf form, her senses heightened and sharpened. In this form, she is wild and fierce, unencumbered by human thoughts or worries.

As we near Zayn’s car, I feel Luna’s excitement turn into hesitation. She knows this is where we must shift back into human form and face reality once more. And a part of me dreads it too, because once we’re back in our human forms, everything will become too real again, yet at the same time, I am excited because I get Zayn.

As if sensing my unease, Zarek slows and allows me to catch up to him. He shifts back into his human form first. Zayn smiles encouragingly, and Luna reluctantly shifts back.

I can feel Luna’s presence fading as we return to our human form, fur replaced by the familiar sensation of my own skin. I open my eyes and find myself standing in front of Zayn, his warm eyes gazing down at me with a mixture of desire and concern. I can see the moonlight reflecting off his dark hair, giving it a silver sheen.

“Hey,” he whispers, his voice husky with emotion.

“Hey,” I reply, unable to hide the smile that spreads across my face.

Zayn glances over my shoulder and nods toward the car. “Let’s get dressed before we freeze out here.”

The car is parked just where Zayn said it would be—a clearing near an old iron bridge stretching over a babbling creek that reflects the silver light from above onto its surface like shimmering mirrors underfoot.

Zayn grabs his keys off the back wheel, unlocks the car, walks toward the trunk, and opens it, pulling out a shirt for me to take. Before I can reach for it, his hands are on me again; this time tracing up and down my arms in a comforting gesture.

“You okay?” he asks softly.

I nod, grateful for his understanding. “Yeah, just feeling a little exposed.

He smiles sympathetically and steps closer to me, draping the shirt over my shoulders and helping me put it on. His touch is gentle yet possessive at the same time – like he wants to make sure I’m okay, but also wants to re-mark me as his. And in this moment, surrounded by moonlight and the sounds of nature all around us, I feel completely content. Zayn grabs himself a pair of jeans and pulls them on.

Once we’re both dressed, Zayn closes the trunk and leads me to the passenger side of the car. He opens the door and gestures for me to get in while he goes around to the driver’s side. As soon as we’re both inside, he starts up the engine, and we start driving back toward the city.

“Let’s get you home,” he growls, his wolf still close to the surface.

I lean against the door, the coolness of the leather soothing my heated skin but also preventing me from trying to climb into his lap while he drives. Zayn’s eyes flicker over to me, his silver orbs smoldering in the dim light of the dashboard. It’s as if he knows exactly what I’m thinking, and my heart rate has yet to return to normal after our earlier run.