Chained By The Alpha By Jessica Hall
Chapter 43

~Cleo ~

My hands grip the steering wheel tightly as my frustration and anger churn inside me like a storm. I can’t believe my father would even think of marrying me off to Boyd, let alone question my virginity. It feels like a betrayal, a disregard for my own choices, my life and not to mention absolutely mortifying

As I park outside Zayn’s club, I notice the flurry of activity in the beer garden where staff and caterers are setting up for what looks like a coming-of-age party. I briefly wonder what the event 1s about, but my thoughts are quickly consumed by the need to see the video footage of last night and confront Deacon; more so now

with my father trying to marry me off. Deacon

may get his wish to mark me sooner than he thinks

Climbing out of the car, I make my way inside the club. The pulsating music hits me as soon as I step inside, surprising me with its intensity

The place is alive, even at this hour, and I make my way to the bar perching on a stool where I wave down the bartender and order a can of coke

Taking a sip, I scan the increasingly crowded space, my nerves on edge as I wait for Alpha Zayn. But when I spot Boyd weaving through the crowd, my heart sinks. Quickly, I turn back to the bar, hoping he hasn’t noticed me. But luck 1s clearly not on my side today, or this week, maybe ever it feels like

“Hey there,” says a deep voice behind me,

making me jump when I feel hands slide down my arms. I turn to replace Boyd smirking down at me, his eyes roaming over my body with an

unnerving hunger before falling on my breasts

“Boyd,” I grit out, trying to keep my voice steady, despite how repulsed I feel right now

“Hi, I didn’t see you,” I state, knowing I can’t cause a scene here

“Really, you didn’t notice me despite looking directly at me?” he chuckles

“Come on, Cleo,” he drawls, leaning closer. “I Just wanted to talk to my sexy future bride.”

“About that,” I say, feeling my cheeks flush with anger. “I have a boyfriend, Boyd. This marriage isn’t happening.”

“Really?” he taunts, one eyebrow raised

“Because the paperwork has already been drawn up.

“Excuse me,” I snap, irritated by his arrogance

“You don’t get a say in this, am not marrying you. I have a chosen mate.”

My heart races as Boyd’s unwanted presence looms over me, his smirk sends shivers down my spine. I take a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves and replace the right words

“Boyd,” I say, attempting to keep my voice even, losing my temper right now will only worsen things. “It’s not what I want, and I don’t think it’s what’s best for either of us.”

Boyd leans in closer, his hot breath brushing against my ear as he slurs, “You know this would be good for both our packs. We’d be a power couple.” I almost scoff at his words

Power couple? At the cost of my future?

I suppress a shudder at the thought of being with him, but I can’t deny the truth in his words

Our packs would undoubtedly benefit from the alliance, but at what cost? The thought of sacrificing my happiness, my dreams and my self-worth for the good of the pack feels like a suffocating weight on my chest

“Boyd, listen,” I start again, trying to maintain eye contact despite the intoxicating scent of alcohol wafting from his breath. “I have a boyfriend, someone I care about, I can’t just throw that away for an arranged marriage.”

“Is that so?” Boyd taunts, leaning in even closer until his lips are just a whisper away from mine

“You might be surprised by what you want, Cleo.” I fight the urge to punch him in his smug face

Forcing myself to meet Boyd’s gaze, I try to project an air of confidence I don’t entirely

feel

His eyes are glazed from liquor, but there’s still a predatory gleam in them that sends shivers down my spine. I wish I wasn’t here beside him

“Come on, Cleo,” he insists, dragging out my name as 1f it were the punchline to some private joke. “You can’t be serious about this boyfriend of yours, he’s not even Alpha blood.” Boyd reaches out and brushes his fingers along my arm, and I fight back a shudder at the unwanted contact

“Boyd, stop,” I say firmly, pulling away from his repulsive touch. My heart races with a mix of anxiety and anger, but I refuse to let him see how much he’s getting to me. “My relationship is none of your business.”

“Relax,” he coos, completely ignoring my

protests. “This alliance 1s good for both our packs. Besides, what’s not to like about having me as your mate?” His smirk is infuriating and I clench my fists at my sides, struggling to keep my temper in check

“Boyd, I have a boyfriend,” I repeat for the hundredth time, enunciating each word carefully but clearly my words are not getting through to him. “I won’t marry you.”

“Ah, so it’s true,” he muses, his grin turning even more sinister. “He must be something special if you’re willing to defy your father and risk our pack’s future for him.”

“Boyd, it doesn’t matter how many times you repeat it, the fact remains that I can’t marry you,” I say, my voice wavering slightly despite my best efforts to remain. composed

My words are cut short as Alpha Dane strides toward us, his dark eyes assess the situation with a keen interest. “Ah, Cleo, so nice to see you again,” he says smoothly, extending his hand for me to shake

“Alpha Dane,” I reply, forcing a smile onto my face as I place my hand in his. His grip is firm and unyielding, much like his son’s determination to see this alliance through

“T take it the function being held here is yours?” I ask, suddenly wishing I’d waited in

the car for Zayn. Alpha Dane places his hand on my shoulder and nods toward the beer garden

“Yes, my youngest daughter’s shift 1s tonight, I suppose your father told you about the great news?” he asks me, and my eyes dart to Boyd who smirks smugly

Before I can answer, Alpha Dane starts leading

me out to the beer garden where the function is being held