Page 62 of Chained By the Alpha (Claimed Duet #1)

The day wears on, each second stretching out like a lifetime.

The sun slowly sinking in the sky, casting an orange glow over the city.

As darkness falls, we make our way to a restaurant I recognize as Alpha Dane’s in the heart of the bustling city streets, not far from the city center.

Despite the tense situation surrounding us, the restaurant atmosphere is surprisingly warm and welcoming.

The aroma of roasted venison and wild herbs fills the dining room, enveloping us in the rich scents of the countryside, which is far from the city.

Surprisingly, Boyd doesn’t seem that hostile, almost eager for tonight when we meet them in the restaurant’s foyer.

Linda chats happily to his mother like this dinner isn’t about me apologizing to Alpha Dane.

Alpha Dane leads us to a table made of polished mahogany, his presence dominating the space. As we take our seats, the waiter approaches our table with a polite smile on his face. He takes our orders and then disappears into the kitchen. As we wait for our food, Alpha Dane turns to me.

For a few moments, things are awkward and I keep my head bowed, letting my father take the lead because I really don’t want to apologize to a man who is trying to force my hand to marry, and who also violated me.

Trying to steady my breathing, my father gently nudges me forward in my seat drawing my attention.

With a hesitant nod, I look at Alpha Dane, feeling his cold eyes trace the lines of my face, making me want to leave or slap him.

Instead, I choose civility over violence, knowing this is not the place or time.

“I’m sorry, Alpha Dane,” I manage to say, the words crawling out of my throat as if they’re coated in thorns. “About the drama I caused and the shame I’ve brought to both packs. I apologize for my actions and for leaving the pack.”

There is a tense silence as Alpha Dane takes that in. My heart pounds as I wait for his response. Finally, he speaks, his voice as unforgiving as steel.

“Very well,” he says after a pause. “You’re back now, and that’s what matters.”

Relief washes over me, and I let out a shaky breath. The tension in the room disperses slightly at Alpha Dane’s acceptance of my apology.

The waiter brings out our food plates filled with succulent venison steaks and roasted vegetables. Despite the tempting aromas wafting toward me, my appetite has vanished under the weight of guilt at everything with Zayn and unease at this entire dinner.

As we eat in silence, I feel Alpha Dane’s eyes on me occasionally. It’s clear he still holds some resentment toward me and is choosing not to voice it yet.

My father gives me a reassuring smile and puts his hand on my shoulder before following Alpha Dane out of the restaurant to have a smoke. I use the chance to escape to the restroom, so I don’t have to try to make small talk with Boyd, who has done nothing but stare all night.

As I return to my chair, the tension in the room seems to have dissipated.

The waiter brings out a platter of decadent desserts, however I have no appetite for them.

As much as I try to distract myself with the boring conversation with Linda and Boyd’s mother, my mind keeps wandering back to the conversation between my father and Alpha Dane who I can see talking through the window.

I can only imagine what they are discussing – my return, my apology, the current state of our packs. I wonder if Alpha Dane is considering punishing me for my actions or if he will let it go and not force my hand, though Dad promised it would be my choice.

Linda’s voice cuts through my thoughts as she excitedly talks about her latest project with the city museum fundraiser. I give her a half-hearted smile and nod, pretending to be interested. Inside, all I can think about is how much I want this night to be over.

I glance over at Boyd, who has been eerily quiet throughout dinner. His eyes are fixed on me, his expression unreadable. It makes me uneasy knowing he has been watching me this whole time.

As my father and Alpha Dane return, Dane’s voice cuts through the tension. “I must say, Cleo, your return… It’s commendable. Your mother would be proud.” He pauses. “Your pack going back into a woman’s hands—it’s a powerful statement.”

“Thank you,” I manage to say, my voice barely above a whisper. I don’t like where this conversation is shifting or how the tone of the dinner has changed.

My father beams beside me, nodding in agreement.

“Her mother always wanted Cleo to run the pack. And I’m glad things worked out,” he adds, his eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that feels like a silent command.

I furrow my brows in confusion as I wonder what is going on, what happened outside in the time he and Alpha Dane were speaking.

Dane nods solemnly before turning to address the rest of the group. “I believe it is time for us to discuss the future of our pack.” His eyes sweep over each person at the table before landing back on me. “Cleo’s return has brought some… complications. None that can’t be fixed, of course.”

I swallow hard, the weight of their expectations pressing down on me. I haven’t agreed to marry Boyd yet. What is he talking about? As I look at my father, the man who has shaped much of my destiny, I know this path is the only way to secure my pack’s future. The rest—I’ll have to figure out later.

Boyd stands next to my father, his broad shoulders and confident stance a stark contrast to how I feel. My father clears his throat, breaking the tense silence. “We have agreed on the betrothal of my daughter and Boyd.”

“Oh, this is wonderful news,” Linda and Boyd’s mother exclaim. What? I am about to stand and refuse when my father leans down, his hand clamping on my shoulder.

I turn my face to look at him. “You promised,” I whisper.

“I’m keeping it, just play along; we can push the wedding back until we know if Zayn is your mate,” he whispers.

“I am biding your time; only Zayn can stop this wedding. It’s out of my hands.

” I swallow thickly. “Agree for now; I need time to work something else out if he isn’t your mate. ” I bite my tongue.

The words hang heavy in the air, suffocating me.

Betrothal? I can’t even imagine a life with Boyd, let alone being tied to him forever.

My duty to my pack and my family prevents me from protesting.

As the only daughter of the Alpha, it is my responsibility to secure alliances and ensure the survival of our pack.

Marrying Boyd is the only way to do that.

I just need to pray my father comes up with another way out of this marriage.

“I want answers. Why is this out of your hands?” I hiss under my breath; if I am playing along, I want to know why.

“Once home, now go stand with your fiancé.” Boyd comes over, and I stare at his outstretched hand with disgust. My heart sinks as I take his hand and nod, the weight of my decision settling heavily on my shoulders.

This is the path I must take for the sake of my pack. The rest—I’ll have to figure out later.

“I’m glad you made the right choice,” Boyd says. I want to rip my hand from his and punch his smug face. I refrain.

“Indeed,” I murmur, my voice barely above a whisper, my mind racing with thoughts of escape, of Zayn, and the life that could have been. Those dreams are slipping through my fingers, replaced by a reality I never chose.

Boyd leads me to a table filled with our families, where we are met with cheers and congratulations. I force a smile, trying to ignore the uncomfortable weight of Boyd’s arm draped over my shoulders.

“Congratulations, my dear,” Boyd’s mother gushes fakely as she pulls me into a hug. “I can’t wait for us to officially be family.”

My stomach turns at her words, I plaster on another fake smile and nod in agreement.

“Let’s toast to new beginnings,” Alpha Dane announces, raising his glass.

The sound of crystal clinking echoes around us, a chorus of assent to a union I have not consented to.

The rest of the evening is spent in a blur of food, drinks, and well-wishes from pack members.

Boyd never leaves my side, his possessive grip on me only getting tighter as the night goes on.

His touch is possessive, not tender; his gaze calculating, not warm. I can sense his desire to claim me, to mark me as his own before everyone. I shrink from him, unwilling to play the part of the doting fiancée when he keeps glaring at the mark on my neck left by Zayn.

Finally, the festivities come to an end. Boyd asks to drive me home. I stare at my father pleadingly, who is quickly distracted by Alpha Dane. “It’s fine, I can get a lift home with Dad and Linda.” I tell him.

“Nonsense, I will drop you home,” Boyd says, steering me out of the restaurant, and leading me back to his car. As soon as the door closes behind us, he lunges forward, pressing his lips against mine without warning.

My body stiffens in shock before I push him away forcefully. “What do you think you’re doing?” I snap.

Boyd just smirks at me. “Relax, sweetheart. We’re going to be married soon; there’s no need for this prudish behavior.”

I scoff at his words and shift away from him toward the window. “There’s nothing prudish about not wanting to kiss someone who has shown nothing but disrespect toward me and my wishes. You know I don’t want to marry you!”

His smirk turns into a scowl as he grips my chin painfully with his fingers. “What you want doesn’t matter. Our fathers have a deal. You will learn your place once we’re married,” he growls before shoving me away from him and starting up the car.

As soon as we step out of the car back on my pack’s territory, Boyd pulls me close to him again, showing off our ‘happy couple’ act for anyone who might see us.

I feel sick to my stomach, but I keep up appearances for my father’s sake. After all, he is trying to find a way out of this. He pulls up seconds after us, and relief floods me.

My father looks at me, his smile tight. “You’re doing the right thing,” he says, helping a drunk Linda out of the car.

I don’t respond, just turn and gaze away, my vision blurring when Boyd speaks. “Oh, you were quicker than I thought; I figured you and Dad would have gone over formalities,” Boyd states, clearly not happy that my father rushed home.

“Linda wasn’t feeling well,” Dad says, and Linda gives him a look. I see my father’s grip on her arm tighten.

“I’ve had a few too many drinks,” she quickly states. Boyd nods and turns to me, and smiles, leaning in like he may try to kiss me.

I turn my face, refusing to let this mongrel’s lips touch me. Boyd leaves and Dad waves to him. Linda makes her way inside.

“Did he try anything? I rushed home as quickly as I could. I am pretty sure I got done by every speeding camera on the way here,” my father says.

“What do you think?” I growl and he sighs.

Then my phone vibrates. A message from Zayn, each word a dagger to my heart.

Zayn: Is it true? Did you agree to marry Boyd?

I let the phone slip from my hand and back into my pocket, unable to confront the truth in his question.

Zayn doesn’t relent—a second message follows, heavy with a threat that sends a chill down my spine.

We head inside to the living room, I sit in the armchair by the window.

Dad falls heavily into the other one by the fireplace. My phone vibrates again.

Zayn: Answer your phone. You aren’t doing this, Cleo.

A tremor runs through me, fear and longing warring within.

The phone rings insistently, Zayn’s name illuminating the darkened living room.

My finger trembles as I press the reject button, the beep of the call being declined.

“Everything okay?” My father’s voice is laced with concern.

“It will be,” I mutter, the lie tasting bitter on my tongue.

I lean my head against the back of the armchair, trying to anchor myself to something real, something tangible.

Even the solid chill of the room can’t dispel the heat that flares within me when I think of Zayn—his silver eyes, tattooed arms, the scar down his left flank.

And most of all, his wolf, Zarek, wild and untamed, a perfect mirror to Zayn’s soul.

My phone vibrates again, and without a glance at my father, I retrieve it from my pocket, my fingers trembling. Zayn’s words blaze across the screen, igniting a wildfire in my chest.

Zayn: I will wipe out every pack in the city before I allow you to marry him.

“Who is it?” my father asks, his voice laced with suspicion.

“Nobody,” I lie, clutching the phone so tightly my knuckles turn white.

“Give me that damn phone,” he demands, reaching over.

“No!” I snap, surprising both of us with the ferocity in my voice. I shove the device back into my pocket, away from his prying eyes. The air between us crackles with tension, and for a moment, I’m not just his daughter; I’m a defiant she-wolf challenging the Alpha.

“Fine,” he grumbles. “Remember where you are, Cleo. You have responsibilities now. I know that’s Zayn; if you need me to handle him, let me know. We can’t have him getting involved right now; I need him to back off.”

“Why?” I ask when Linda calls out. He glances down the hall and sighs.

“Not now, tomorrow. I’ll find a way to get you out of this. I just need you to play nice for now. Get some sleep. You’ll need it with tomorrow being your first shift,” my father says, his tone softer now. It does nothing to ease the stone in my gut.

“Thank you,” I mutter, climbing the staircase to my room.

Hours later, lying on my childhood bed, the moon spills its cold light through the window.

Every shadow seems to whisper Zayn’s name, and every creak of the house echoes with the promise of another message.

My skin tingles with the memory of his touch, the roughness of his calloused hands against my flesh, and the way he can ignite a fire within me with just a look.

Zayn has been blowing up my phone all night. I have ignored every call when a message comes through that makes my blood turn cold in my veins.

Zayn: I will wipe out every pack in the city before I allow you to marry him. If you do this and I have to come to stop your wedding, I will make sure I paint your wedding dress red with your fiancé’s blood. You’ve been warned, Cleo. You are mine and only mine.

I gulp. Something about reading his words feels more threatening than if he said it to me, maybe because it’s so late at night, and he is still raging over it.