Chained By The Alpha Jessica Hall

Cleo

The murmur of voices stirs me from my sleep, and I blink away the remnants of sleep, reaching for consciousness with a languorous stretch. My eyes crack open to the dimly lit room, where the dawn's early light hasn't quite yet removed the night's shadowy clutches. The bed beside me is empty, and the sheets are cool. A subtle pang of panic flutters in my chest when I don't feel Zayn beside me, my mind suddenly believing it was all a dream I'd conjured up Rolling onto my side, I realize I am not in my room but his; I squint through the half-open balcony doors where Alpha Zayn stands, his broad frame outlined against the awakening sky

His tattooed arms ripple slightly as he heatedly speaks into the phone that is on loudspeaker, his silver eyes scanning the pack grounds. A split second later, I notice Vance, his dark hair tousled from sleep or stress; I'm unsure. He leans against the balcony railing, his hand under his chin as he listens to Zayn speak angrily into the phone. My ears strain to listen, and I manage to catch my father's voice, making my brows pinch in confusion

"Alpha Greyson's... yes, it has to be there," Zayn's voice carries faintly, laced with an authority that never fails to send a shiver down my spine. "I've already spoken with him; he has agreed to be observant and not pass judgment, Joseph... meet me there or don't... You're lucky I am even giving you an out right now; if you weren't her father, you'd be dead by now."

What is going on? My heart tightens, anxiety

creeping along my skin like tendrils of morning mist. What is Zayn organizing?

"Fine, I swear, Zayn, any funny business and we'll come to blows." comes the gruff reply through the phone, unmistakably my father's voice. My father - a man whose decisions weigh heavily on my reality. Their alliance, however fragile, has me caught in the middle

Zayn ends the call, and for a moment, silence follows. It is a heavy, expectant silence, the kind that precedes a storm. Then Zayn and Vance speak, their words hushed but urgent. I strain to listen, to piece together the fragments of their conversation, but it's like trying to grasp smoke

"Are you certain?" Zayn's question slices through the quiet, his gaze fixed on Vance

"Absolutely, I can do it; I just need to get in

there," Vance responds. They stand close. Heads bowed, discussing matters meant only for their ears. But my intuition screams that whatever they are planning bodes a significant change that will ripple through our lives and will affect me "And if Greyson is correct?" Vance asks. Zayn is silent for a moment. "This will upset her," Vance adds

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"And I will deal with it then," Zayn says, making me certain that whatever they are speaking of, Iam going to be caught in the middle

My mind races, piecing together bits of overheard phrases, hints of secrecy, and unspoken tensions. It's clear I'm not privy to their full intentions. And while part of me wants to leap out of bed, to confront them and demand

inclusion, another part recoils, fearing the truth behind Vance's words

Whatever they're hiding holds the power to alter the delicate balance of our world. The thought leaves me feeling exposed and vulnerable despite the strength I feel through the bond coming off Zayn. He seems so certain, and confident in what he is doing that I need to trust whatever it is and that he won't put our bond at risk

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I blink away the remnants of sleep, pushing myself up on my elbows. The crisp morning air carries their words through the slightly ajar balcony door. Zayn's voice 1s low, and a growl is threading under his words, which cuts off the moment he notices movement inside the room

Planning your weekend reading? . The next chapter is just a click away, exclusively available on our site. Happy reading! Their eyes meet mine, and the conversation dies

A charged silence fills the space between us as I search their faces for answers

"What are you talking about?" My voice is steady despite the thudding of my heart against my ribs. They exchange a glance that tells me everything I'm not supposed to know "Work stuff," Vance says too quickly, his dark hair falling into his eyes as he avoids my gaze

Zayn steps back into the room and comes closer, his silver eyes locking onto mine. "We're just sorting out some pack matters."

I'm not fooled. The tension in his shoulders speaks volumes, betraying the lie. "You're meeting with Alpha Greyson. And my father," I press, piecing together the fragments from earlier

Zayn hesitates before nodding, the ghost of a frown creasing his brow. "Yes, Greyson 1s going to mediate a discussion between your father and me."