Chained By The Alpha Jessica Hall

"It was worth a try," he chuckles

"You really would, wouldn't you?" I tell him, and he smirks

"IT can order them to fuck each other if you'd prefer?" he tells me, and I laugh, shaking my head

"Go before you get me in trouble."

"You ring me if something goes wrong," he tells me, and I nod. Not that I would; I can't run to Zayn every time, and lately, the amount of times I've needed rescuing is becoming embarrassing

"See you soon," he pecks my lips before jumping

to the ground

A part of me wants to run after him, to bury myself in his arms and forget everything going on. But obligation and pride anchor me in place

I steel myself for what's to come, knowing it won't be pleasant if Lydia is involved

Seconds tick by like hours as I race around and slip my training gear on. A knock shatters the silence. I grab a bottle of perfume and douse myself in the floral scent, masking the lingering traces of Zayn's musky scent that clings to my skin. When I open the door, my guard stands there, nostrils flaring as they take in the heavy notes of jasmine and rose

"Ready, Cleo?" one of them asks, his gaze probing

"Let's get this over with," I reply, stepping out

and locking the door behind me

The car ride is silent and suffocating. Outside the window, the scenery blurs, but my focus sharpens on the growing sense of unease. We arrive at the training grounds, and I see the packs gathered-Bluesteel, Lakeview, Claymore-all here, all training, which isn't weird, but usually today isn't Claymore pack training day; they usually train with Lakeview just not on the same days as our pack, but Lakeview trains daily, so I'm not surprised to see them here

"Damn," I mutter under my breath, noting Alpha Samuel's presence. Today isn't ordinary at all if Lydia has gone running to Daddy

My father emerges from the crowded stadium grounds, his face contorted in anger. The sight of him, so furious, sends a chill down my spine-not of fear, but frustration

Climbing out of the car, I shut the door

"Father," I start, but he's already upon me

"Explain yourself, Cleo!" he demands. "Lydia's got a broken nose, and now Samuel is threatening to cut ties with us!"

I roll my eyes, unable to help myself. "She'll heal," I scoff. "Wolves heal faster than their egos."

"Enough!" He seizes my arm with a grip that has no room for argument, pulling me toward the heart of the training grounds and inside the stadium. "Fix this. Samuel won't stand for your bullying any longer."Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

Bullying? I want to laugh, to rage, to scream

Instead, I grind my teeth and follow because sometimes being future Alpha means swallowing your pride and facing the music-

even if that means forcing a fake apology from my lips for the troll I have to call my stepsister

"Fine," I say, letting my anger simmer beneath the surface. "I'll handle it."

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But inside, my mind races when I realize Claymore Pack isn't training but sitting in the grandstands. As I step onto the training field, I realize that this meeting isn't just about Lydia or our petty squabbles. But something else is going on

And deep down, I know Zayn was right. This feels like a setup, and I've walked right into it

The moment I step onto the training field, the tension is palpable. Lydia stands there, decked out in gear that looks foreign on her like a lamb donning wolf's clothing for a masquerade

Her smirk 1s as out of place as her attire, and it

grates on my nerves

"Training for once, Lydia?" I can't help but quip, eyeing her suspiciously

"Preparing for the inevitable," she retorts with a smug lift of her chin. "Unlike some."

Beside her, her father, Alpha Samuel, appears as if a storm 1s about to break. His eyes are narrow slits, his jaw set in lines of disappointment and barely-contained anger. The air between him and my father crackles with hostility as we come to a stop next to them

"Your daughter has crossed the line this time, Joseph," Alpha Samuel growls, his finger jabbing in my direction

"Lydia provoked her," my father fires back, his voice rumbling from deep in his chest. "She

insulted Cleo's mother-my ex-wife."

"Is that true, Lydia?" Samuel turns his sharp gaze onto his daughter

"Of course not, Father," Lydia lies through her teeth

"Ask my new guards," I retort, refusing to let her deceit slide. "They were there." I motion to them where they stand, leaning against the hip- high fencing that is supposed to protect spectators

Samuel signals sharply with his hand, and my guards approach, their posture rigid and alert

"Is what Cleo claims true?" Samuel commands

Under Samuel's piercing scrutiny, they confirm my account without hesitation

"Damn it, Lydia!" Samuel explodes, throwing his hands up in exasperation. "I'm at my wits end with this petty crap between you two!"

From the edge of the gathering crowd, Alpha Dane, who always seems to be around lately eavesdropping, comes forward. "Why not settle it with a fight?" he suggests casually

"Lydia has a wolf. Cleo does not," my father scoffs, dismissing the idea immediately

"Ah, but Cleo has been trained," Samuel counters, mulling over the suggestion with a gleam of malice in his eyes. "Could be an even match."

"Even?" I laugh bitterly. "Right, because going tooth and claw against fists is fair."

"You claim your daughter trained with wolves

in training before," Dane chimes in, his question directed at my father

"Training 1s not the same as fighting for real," I snap before my father can reply. My skin prickles with anticipation and dread. I've sparred with wolves before, but a real fight? That's different altogether; in training, they aren't allowed to bite or rip me apart; it's all strategic, not combat. And I am not stupid enough to believe I would stand a chance against a wolf in a real fight; the rogue attack at the alpha meeting was proof of that

Dane just shrugs, his indifference stoking the fire inside me. "A fight is a fight." He states