Page 34 of Chained By the Alpha (Claimed Duet #1)

“Did you like this wine?” he asks, I shrug because I am not much of a wine drinker.

“If you want, you can grab us another bottle. I have a few in the basement in a small cellar. Down the hall first door on left,” he tells me, and I sigh, knowing he is deliberately avoiding the conversation; however, it’s one that needs to be had.

Reluctantly, I go to the basement and open the door only for Zayn to come rushing toward me, scaring the crap out of me with how fast he moved.

I clutch my chest, “Jeez, you scared me.”

“Figured I would come to help,” he says, though he looks anxious.

He leads me downstairs to a huge basement.

Chains hang from the ceiling, and I see this part looks like a typical basement.

One side has storage and a huge freezer when I see him walk through to another room.

I stare at the chains, wondering what it’s for.

“Punching bag,” Zayn answers my thoughts, yet I don’t see any gym equipment down here, the stench of bleach making me wonder if he is a clean freak.

“This way,” he nods, and I follow him through a door which turns out to be another set of stairs leading further down under the mansion. I hesitate on the top step.

He must hear me stop because he glances back at me. “Are you coming?” he asks while I stare at the darkness below.

“Maybe I should wait upstairs,” I tell him nervously; he rolls his eyes, stomping up the steps only to grab me and toss me over his shoulder.

“Seriously, we’re back at Zayn is a serial killer. If I wanted you dead, I would have killed you and put you in the freezer,” he tells me.

“Because if you were a serial killer, you would tell me, too.”

He chuckles before placing me on my feet. “And if I was, you didn’t even put up a fight. Maybe you want me to kidnap you,” he tells me before turning me around to face a giant cellar of wine. “I thought you said it was small?”

“Nothing about me is small,” Zayn chuckles, and I peer at him.

“Oh, you mean the cellar,” he snorts, and I fold my arms across my chest. He nudges me. “I’m fucking around. Now choose one,” he tells me, and I peer around.

“I’ll let you; I know nothing about wine.”

“That makes two of us because this was my father’s. I prefer whiskey or rum, but someone’s gotta drink it.” He snatches a bottle off the shelf.

“Come on, let’s see how hideous this one tastes.” he tells me.

I follow him back up the stairs and into the kitchen, where he is pulling out plates. “So, what did you want to talk about?” he asks, and I find myself tongue-tied. “My father… he um,” Fuck why is this so hard? How do I dump someone I am not even dating?

“Let me guess, your father said to dump my ass so you can marry Boyd?” he asks.

“Technically, we aren’t even a thing, so I wouldn’t be dumping you,” I tell him.

He raises an eyebrow at me.

“Then what are we?” he asks, his eyes flashing dangerously, yet the smirk on his lips tells me he is toying with me.

“Friends?” I offer awkwardly.

He seems to think for a second. “I don’t like that title.”

“I’m not being your fuck buddy,” I deadpan. “Good because I want you, not a fuck buddy,” he tells me, turning toward the oven to check on the steaks.

“And you’re not dumping me because you are scared of your father.”

“I have a boyfriend.”

“Had a boyfriend. He is not your boyfriend. He is a fleabag.”

I raise an eyebrow at him, and he shuts the oven door before turning the stove down.

“Well, my not boyfriend, this is me officially dumping you before shit gets more awkward.”

He snorts. “You say that like you believe you can stay away from me.” He moves around the island, stopping in front of me.

“Someone’s got tickets on themself,” I mock, and he laughs, gripping my chin.

I swallow thickly as he leans down and captures my lips with his hot, demanding mouth. His taste is intoxicating, his tongue sweeping inside, searching for mine. I gasp into the kiss and lean into him, placing my hand on his chest, and I feel the steady beat of his heart.

He pulls away, breathing raggedly, and I am left panting. “Do you always kiss friends like that?” he purrs.

My face heats. “I might not be able to stay away from you, but that doesn’t mean we’re good for each other. It’s this sire bond. Once it wears off, things will go back to normal,” I argue, my voice firm despite the lingering heat from his kiss.

Zayn smirks, moving back to the kitchen and dishing out food before placing a plate of it in front of me. “You’re not dumping me, Cleo. That’s not how this works.”

I sigh, picking at the food. “Zayn, we’re causing drama in the packs. It’s not just about us. I have responsibilities, and I’m supposed to… to marry Boyd.”

He remains quiet throughout the meal, his silence stretching into an uncomfortable void.

Finally, once I’ve finished eating, I stand, knowing he can’t use feeding me as an excuse to stay any longer, my chair scrapes against the floor. “I should get back to my dorm. Classes start early tomorrow.”

“I’ll drop you off before classes,” Zayn says, his voice devoid of any emotion.

“No, Zayn, you’re not listening!” Frustration boils inside me. “I can’t be with you. This isn’t right.”

He steps closer, his presence overwhelming. With one swift move, he pulls me into a searing kiss, leaving me breathless. “You will be with me, Cleo,” he whispers against my lips, his eyes burning with intensity. “Because I’ll kill anyone who dares to touch what’s mine.”

I push against his chest, my heart racing. “You can’t just claim me, Zayn. I’m not a prize to be won.”

He leans in, his breath hot on my ear. “I already did, Cleo. The moment I laid eyes on you, you became mine. And nothing, not even pack politics, will change that.”

That sends a shiver down my spine. The mix of danger and desire in his eyes is intoxicating.

Our argument comes to a halt when Zayn pulls me in, his grip firm on my waist. His ice-cold gaze softens as he closes the distance between our lips with a predatory certainty.

I don’t fight him this time. Instead, I allow myself to be consumed by the magnetism of his touch, the raw need radiating off him.

He tastes like temptation—addicting. A taste that instantly lights an infernal fire within me. His tongue deftly explores the contours of my mouth as if it’s territory he needs to conquer and claim for himself.

“Zayn,” I gasp into the kiss, shivering under his scrutiny, the way his eyes devour every flicker of response engraved in my features.

His hands wander down my spine, tracing each curve and dip before settling at the small of my back and pulling me closer until there’s no space left between us. I melt into him involuntarily, drunk on desire and drowning in the heated haze.

My mind whirls with conflicting emotions. On one hand, there is no denying the magnetic pull between us that defies all logic and reason. On the other, the weight of our duties and obligations threatens to suffocate any chance of happiness we might have.

I take a deep breath and meet his gaze head-on. “Zayn,” I say firmly. “We need to think about more than just ourselves. There are consequences for our actions.”

He sighs, a mix of frustration and passion evident in his eyes. “I understand that. I just don’t care,” he growls, his lips claiming mine again.

His hands grip my hips, lifting me and sitting me on the counter and after a few seconds I give in, my hands gripping his tank top to pull him closer, and I feel him smile against my lips. His lips trail lower.

My heart races as he nibbles on my jawline and ear leaving heat in their wake.

His scent—masculine and wild—envelopes me entirely.

My body arches into his touch in a silent plea for more when he grips the fabric of my shirt and rips it apart, revealing my lacy black bra.

The cool air hits my warm skin, sending goosebumps down my spine.

I moan softly at the sensation as his lips press against my collarbone, his teeth grazing over my pulse point just enough to make it throb deliciously.

He smiles against my skin before pulling back slightly to look at me once again. “Tell me to stop, tell me you don’t want this?” I swallow thickly.

“Tell me to stop and I will,” he whispers as one of his hands finds what’s left of my shirt, pulling it upward, revealing my stomach before he peels it off.

He groans softly against my skin, his warm breath tickling me as his teeth graze it playfully before nipping softly.

“Beautiful,” he whispers against my neck.

Something inside me melts at his touch—it’s a feeling I’ve never experienced with anyone else. A sense of belonging and longing that makes me want to give in to him completely.

“So, what’s it gonna be?”

I open my mouth to answer, but no words come out while he waits patiently.

“Fuck it,” I growl jerking him closer and he purrs against my lips, the sound sending thrills through me.

My lips crash against his, my hands moving to graze over his abs as I give in.

My father will be furious but for now he won’t know.

“Good girl,” Zayn mumbles against my lips, dragging me closer.

He grips my thighs lifting me and I wrap my legs around his waist. The consequences I will think about tomorrow because right now, all I can think about is how good he feels.

Zayn hoists me higher as he climbs the stairs, and for a moment, I worry he’ll drop me—his mouth is on my neck, not watching where he’s going.

“Sixteen steps,” he murmurs, feeling me tense.

“I won’t drop you,” he chuckles, pulling back. I suck in a shaky breath when his eyes meet mine.

We reach the top floor. He kicks the door shut behind him, never loosening his grip. He carries me to the bed, laying me down gently, hovering above with his eyes burning into mine.

“I want you,” he groans, crashing his lips onto mine.

His tongue pushes past my parted lips, desperate—matching the heat I feel for him.

One hand cups my breast through my bra, thumb brushing my nipple and sending electric pulses through me.

I moan as his other hand slides beneath my pants, cupping me through my panties.

He groans into my mouth at the wetness he finds, trailing kisses back down my neck.

“Zayn,” I whimper as he tugs at my pants.

“Stop. I’m not stealing your virginity,” he purrs.

I sit up on my elbows, stunned. “You’re not?”

“I’d rather you get your wolf first,” he says. “Right now, this is a fuck-it moment— you’re angry at your father.”

He leans down, kissing me again, pushing my shoulders back.

“If I’m gonna fuck you, I don’t want fear in your head. I want no one in your thoughts but me.”

“Just you?” I tease, gripping his hair.

He kisses me hard, tongue plunging into my mouth before pulling back, making me groan in frustration.

“When I finally take you, I want your mind consumed—with the feeling of me inside you.”

My face flushes as his fingers slide down, teasing my slit.

“You are something else...” My voice trails off when his fingers graze my folds.

“And you’re everything,” he purrs, pushing a finger inside me. His gaze holds mine as I squirm at the sensation.

“Let me taste you,” he says, watching the way his finger glides out; he doesn’t return it—not yet.

“Deep breath.” He kisses me again, slipping another finger inside.

His tongue explores my mouth while his fingers build friction, warming my skin.

His lips trail down my jaw.

“Let me taste you. I want you to explode on my tongue.”

His voice is rough, and my cheeks heat at the thought of him between my legs.

I don’t answer. He kisses me again, sucking on my tongue, drawing another moan from deep in my chest.

“Let me show you what satisfaction really feels like—when I lick and suck every inch of that sweet pussy.”

His filthy words ignite something wild in me. I thread my fingers through his hair and pull him closer, our bodies pressing together in unbearable heat.

“Is that a yes?” he breathes into my ear, voice dripping with anticipation. “Don’t think, Cleo. Just feel.” His tongue flicks my earlobe. “I’ll make you feel—what it’s like to be worshipped.”

I shiver as his breath dances across my neck.

“Say yes,” he purrs.

“Yes,” I moan, surrendering completely.

His eyes darken as he takes in my answer. He trails kisses along my jaw, each one lighting a fire inside me. In one swift move, he removes my bra, exposing my aching nipples. His mouth covers one, sucking and nibbling, sending waves of pleasure pulsing through me.

I arch off the bed, desperate for more. He kisses his way down my abdomen, gripping my hips to slide me higher.

“Are you ready?” he asks, locking eyes with me.

“Yes,” I whisper.

He grabs my thighs, spreading them apart, revealing my throbbing core.

Anticipation surges as his breath skates over my skin. He settles between my legs, parting my folds with skilled fingers, brushing against my clit.

“Please, Zayn,” I beg, unable to hold back.

He smirks, his eyes dark and focused. “I love the way my name sounds on your lips.” He presses a kiss to my clit. “And I’m not stopping until I hear you scream it.”

Zayn dives in, tongue plunging into me, sending shockwaves through my body. I grip the sheets, back arching as he tastes every part of me.

Pleasure builds fast, spiraling. His tongue moves faster, harder, pushing me closer.

“Let go for me,” he growls, sending vibrations through my core. His tongue swirls and flicks my clit, and I shatter.

Heat floods me. My vision blurs. His tongue is relentless, dragging every wave of pleasure out of me until it borders on too much.

When I finally collapse, breathless and trembling, he doesn’t stop until my scream fills the room. He climbs up and pulls me into his arms, kissing my flushed skin.

I’m going to be in so much trouble tomorrow. But right now?

It’s so worth it.