Page 35 of Chained By the Alpha (Claimed Duet #1)

· Zayn ·

As Cleo’s breathing slows and her body relaxes against me, a quiet contentment settles over me.

Her head rests on my chest, her blonde curls tickling my chin, and for a moment, everything feels right.

However beneath the peace, a gnawing fear lingers— tomorrow will shatter this fragile bubble we’ve created.

I know she’ll pull away again. Her father’s influence runs deep. It’s understandable—he is her father— still it cuts.

Silently, I vow to savor every second. To memorize the rhythm of her breathing, the heat of her skin soaking into mine. She belongs here, in my arms. I want to keep her hidden from the world. But for now, she’s safest not knowing the truth about who I am to her. Not yet.

“Are you awake?” My brother’s voice cuts through the mindlink.

“Yeah, what’s up?” I reply, glancing down at Cleo.

“We’ve got a problem. Meet me in the living room.”

I sigh, reluctant to move, yet knowing I must. Carefully, I slide out from under her, tucking the blanket around her so she doesn’t lose my warmth.

I head downstairs. The living room is dim, lit only by moonlight filtering through the curtains. Vance stands by the mantel, arms crossed, a deep scowl etched into his face.

“What’s going on?” I ask, folding my arms across my chest.

“You know damn well,” he snaps.

“No, I don’t. Tell me.”

“You just declared war on not one but potentially three packs, and you brought her here. You can’t just keep her. Are you insane? What if her father comes looking? Have you even told her, or does she think she’s just some little pet you’re keeping?”

“You dare speak of your future Luna like that,” I shoot back. “She deserves more respect than that.”

“This isn’t about what she deserves. This is about pack business,” he growls. “She’s not safe here, and you’re putting all of us at risk. You need to tell her—and claim her—or let her go until she shifts, Zayn.”

My wolf snarls at the thought of losing her, even temporarily. “I don’t think I can.”

Vance pinches the bridge of his nose. “You’ve made a mess. You should’ve told her.”

“Told her what? She has no wolf.”

“You’re her mate.”

“I know. And I’m her father’s enemy. She wouldn’t have believed me.”

“Then you could’ve told her something—anything,” he growls. “Alpha Grayson’s accusing Alpha Joseph of attacking Deacon. He’s never hidden how much he hated the kid.”

“Shadowcrest and Lakeview are teetering on war. If Joseph finds out she’s here, he’ll drag her home in a heartbeat.”

“You should’ve told her about Deacon at the very least.”

“She wouldn’t have believed that either,” I argue. “All she knows about me is what her father’s told her.”

“The video footage—”

“Showed Deacon escorting her to the car, and me following after, killing him. It doesn’t show what he was doing to her.” Vance curses under his breath.

“The phone footage?”

“Same problem. It doesn’t prove I didn’t record it after killing him. She had no reason to trust me.”

“And now?”

“She’s already overwhelmed—with the arranged marriage, Claymore pack, everything.”

“So what’s your plan?” Vance steps closer. “Please tell me you have one, because this is spiraling.”

“For now, I keep her safe. If they find out she’s my mate, Alpha Samuel will use her to get to me.”

“He’s best friends with Joseph.”

“Is he, though?” I scoff. “Only because of Linda. Not because he wants to be. My relationship with Samuel’s built on necessity. His alliance with Joseph…”

I trail off, thinking. How can you be friends with your ex-wife’s mate? I’m not blind—I know he had a hand in Cleo’s mother’s death. I just don’t know how or why. Thinking back I remember the fight he had with my father the week before the attack on their pack.

“We’ll keep patrols at the university,” Vance says. “But for now, keep your distance from her. If you really want to protect her, you need a better plan.”

“What do you mean?”

“Alpha Grayson told Aunt Andrea that Dane and Joseph are still pushing the marriage alliance.”

“When?” I ask, tension rising.

“The day after she comes of age.”

“Why the rush? It doesn’t make sense.”

“Joseph owes Dane a massive debt.”

“How much?”

“No idea. I wasn’t there. Aunt Andrea mentioned it—that’s how I found out about Deacon.”

My stomach knots. Deacon’s name is a sharp reminder of the truth I’ve kept from Cleo—and the fallout I’ll face once she learns it. However, it’s also a reminder of why I have to keep her safe.

“That’s why Grayson thinks Joseph killed Deacon,” Vance says. “To clear the way for the alliance.”

“So he’s going to declare war on Joseph?”

“Seems like it.”

“I’ll speak with Grayson,” I say. “Set up a meeting.”

“What will you tell him?”

“Everything. I’ve never had issues with him—and he hates Samuel. If this goes to war, I’ll need his pack behind me.”

“I’ll arrange it and send the details.” Vance heads out and I head back to bed so I can I spend a little longer with my mate.

“Fuck,” I mutter.

Can I convince Cleo to stay? Probably not. She’s too stubborn.