Chained By The Alpha Jessica Hall

My hands tremble with anticipation as they reach for the waistband of Zayn's pants, my fingertips gently tugging at the fabric. But in an instant, his body freezes, and he pulls my hands away, his lips trailing down my neck. Confusion furrows my brow at his sudden rejection

"What's wrong?" I manage to pant out, my voice heavy with desire

Zayn groans, his head resting on my shoulder as he tries to catch his breath. "You're barely a week away from your birthday, Cleo," he breathes out, his voice filled with longing and restraint. "I'd rather wait until you have got your wolf."

His words hang in the air, leaving me bewildered and hurt. He marked me and claimed me as his own, yet now he denies me? The conflicting emotions swirl within me, leaving me feeling like a mere pawn in some game I'm not privy to

"What does that have to do with anything?" I ask, my voice trembling with frustration

Zayn sits up, guilt etched across his face. He runs a hand through his tousled hair before meeting my gaze. "I told you this before, Cleo, not until you get your wolf," he states, his voice filled with sincerity

My heart sinks as the words leave his lips, and I try to hide how much they truly sting. The vulnerability in my voice betrays me as I stutter out my confusion. "I don't understand," I whisper, my voice catching in my throat. "You

marked me...but won't have me? What am I to you then? Just a plaything when it suits you? A Weapon against my father? None of this makes any sense. What has waiting for my wolf got to do with it when your mark is on my fucking neck!"

The room descends into a heavy silence, the weight of my words hanging in the air. Zayn watches me; his expression is unreadable, but he remains silent, unable to find the right words, or maybe he doesn't have any more excuses

Frustration and anger surge within me, and with a swift motion, I push him away and rise to my feet

"Cleo!" Zayn pleads. But I refuse to listen

Instead, I head for the stairs before remembering I can't escape him in his room either. So, instead, I make my way towards one of the spare rooms, hoping to escape the embarrassment that

engulfs us

As I shut the door behind me, the hollowness of my heart echoes in the stillness. Tears well up in my eyes, blurring my vision as I desperately try to make sense of it all

But even at this moment, I can hear Zayn's footsteps approaching, growing louder with each passing second. Panic grips me, pushing me to lock the door. The walls seem to close in around me as I struggle to catch my breath "Cleo," he pleads again, his voice soft as he tries to turn the handle, finding the door locked. But T remain silent, unwilling to expose myself to further disappointment

His fist bangs lightly on the door, rattling the frame as he speaks through gritted teeth. "Cleo, I can explain."

I don't respond and close my eyes, trying to block out the world around me. Finally, after minutes pass, I hear his footsteps retreat, and I can breathe again. I collapse on the bed, curling into a ball as I tug the blankets up wanting nothing more than to go to bed to get this day over with

HHHHH

The next morning, sleep evades me, flashes of last night's humiliation replaying in my mind. I need to get out of this room; I need distraction. I quickly dress in jeans and a long-sleeved shirt before leaving the room. My bare feet pad quietly down the hallway as I make my way downstairs. In the kitchen, I find Zayn sipping a steaming cup of coffee, his eyes finding mine from down the hall where he sits at the island bench

His silver orbs are filled with remorse, but it's too late for apologies now. I don't want to hear any excuses or half-hearted justifications. I just need space from him in this situation. His jaw clenches as he sees me fully dressed. "Cleo," he says my name warningly, but I ignore him and head straight for the front door, only to hear his chair scrape across the floor

"Cleo, where do you think you're going?" he demands, his voice authoritative as he catches up to me in the foyer

"I'm going to look for work since I can't go to school," I say coldly, placing my bag over my shoulder with a resolute thud. "I can't stay cooped up here all day."

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"Not until we talk," he growls out, his hand wrapping around my wrist, stopping me dead in my tracksThis content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.

I whirl around to face him and meet his gaze head-on. "There's nothing to talk about, Zayn! You made your feelings crystal clear yesterday!" Anger laces my words, my green eyes blazing with unshed tears

"You're not going alone," he growls out, his jaw flexing as he stares me down, challenging me to defy him further. And while a part of me wants to push him, the other part of me knows I'm no match for him until I get my wolf. So, I know I have no choice as he tightens his grip on my wrist. He leads me back to the kitchen and motions for me to sit. "I am at war with nearly every damn pack in this city because of you right now. You can't just wander off and leave the damn pack!"

"I'm sorry about yesterday, I wasn't trying to hurt your feelings, but I have made it clear, Cleo, that

I won't mate you until you get your wolf," he starts, but I cut him off before he can continue

"It's fine, Zayn, I don't want to hear any more excuses; it's fine, I get it." I lie through gritted teeth, forcing a fake smile on my face. I don't get this man at all!