Chained By The Alpha Jessica Hall

"You seem so sure of yourself," I taunt

"Maybe I am just hoping you will be easier to deal with regarding your border issues. If you are more compliant, I already fight with your father enough." he states

"Wait, you'll handle the borders?" I ask him. He leans back 1n his chair, watching me for a second

He seems deep in thought. "Your father will eventually find out. You're aware of that, right?" he tells me. I nod slowly, but my father is being irrational. He's putting the entire pack at risk

I sigh heavily. "You're scared of him," Zyan

asks, and my eyes dart to his

"Not in that sense, not how you're probably thinking. My father won't hurt me," he raises an eyebrow at me, his eyes darting to my cheek, almost like he can see my father's handprint there. Instinctively, my hand goes to my cheek and my face flames

"Are you sure about that?" he asks and I swallow guiltily

"T know he hit you. I could see the burst blood vessels under your skin, Cleo, when I showered you last night and washed your makeup off."

"He was angry because I came to you for help. I overstepped." he nods slowly and leans forward 1n his chair

"That doesn't give him the right to put his hands

on you," he adds

"It's not like," he raises an eyebrow at me and I exhale, knowing there is no point. He hates my father. Nothing I say to him will justify his actions

"He apologized, he lost his temper. He isn't usually violent, he's never hit me before," I admit. His jaw clenches

"If you're not afraid of him hurting you, then what are you scared of?"

"Tm scared of him giving my mother's pack to Lydia," I tell him

He nods. "And I'm scared of him marrying me off to Boyd."

"That won't happen," he tells me. I laugh. He

has no idea

"Tt won't happen, Cleo," he tells me and his aura rushes out and I fight the urge to push back against it, knowing there is no point challenging the man when I don't have my wolf. Gritting my teeth, I stare down at my plate when he suddenly drops his aura

"TI speak to Alpha Dane. I have a meeting with him next week, anyway." I look up at him hopeful. If I can't get Boyd to refuse the marriage alliance, maybe Zyan can convince Alpha Dane not to force it

"Why would you do that?" I ask. This man has already done enough for me

"Because no one should be forced into a marriage for treaty agreements," he tells me

"Now finish eating, you should head back before

your father sends out a search party looking for

وق

you,

"That's if he hasn't already." I roll my eyes and he snickers

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"Tm sure he has. He's probably tearing the city apart as we speak, looking for you. Have you decided how you're going to explain your absence?" I shake my head and he clicks his tongue

"Well, you wanna think of something quick," I nod, mulling his words over, but either way I know I'll end up having to come clean

eventually. Occasionally, it's best to just rip the band-aid off

"L guess I'll tell him I fell asleep in my car," I ponder

"He'll believe that?"

"No, but it will give me a few days to come up with a better excuse or I can tell him I stayed at Deacon's, which will definitely not go down well, but Deacon will cover for me."

Zayn says nothing and we finish eating in silence. When it's time to leave, he drives me back to his place where my car is waiting and hands me my car keys, along with another key and a plastic card. My brows furrow as I look at the swipe key and the small key attached to itContentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

"What's this?" I ask him

"That is the swipe card to the gate in here, and the key is to the packhouse," he tells me. My eyes widen, and I try to pass it back to him

"Zayn, I can't take that," I tell him

"You can, and you will if you want my men watching your borders," he tells me, and I swallow guiltily

"You still haven't said what you want me to do

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I can't pay you. My father would notice if I took money, besides I don't even know what he pays for pack protection," I admit

"When do you go back to school?" he asks and I lean against the hood of my car

"Next week," I admit, and I can't wait to be away from my father, Linda, and Lydia

"And what do you do for work?" he asks

"Mostly I work for my father, but only during breaks mostly. I was paying off this after Lydia almost rode it off, but after my fight with him, I think I'll steer clear of him. Especially if he is

serious about this marriage alliance. I know he'll try to force me to drop out."

"He can't do that," he tells me

"He can when he pays for it," I chuckle nervously

Zayn sighs, then runs his fingers through his hair. "Fine," he says, stepping closer and placing his hands on either side of my hips. His scent overwhelms me and he smirks, seeing the effect he has on me. "You've sired my wolf, you know that. My father is going to murder me," I growl, but it comes out more of a moan. My eyes widen and my face heats

"Keep telling yourself that," he purrs, giving me a devious smile

"Zayn, stop playing with me. It's not funny!" I

growl at him. But the shaky note in my voice betrays how hot and flustered this man makes me feel. His gaze rakes over me and ignites a pool of desire that has been simmering deep within the entire time I've been with him. I try to remind myself it's the sire bond from him healing me, yet another part of me can't deny how attracted to the man I am

"And what if I don't want to stop?" His voice is low, barely more than a whisper as he dips his head lower, his lips moving against my ear. It sends a thrill of anticipation spiraling down to my toes