Chained By The Alpha By Jessica Hall
Chapter 52

“So what, doesn’t change anything.” This man is impossible

Together, we put up the missing posters all around the city. The weight of my conflicted emotions and the fear for Deacon’s safety threaten to crush me, but I can’t allow myself to break down now. I need to be strong for Deacon, and for myself

As the day wears on, Zayn remains by my side, his teasing replaced by quiet. In those moments, I can’t help but appreciate him, for putting up with me for the past week. Moving to the next street we place the last sign and are about to head back to the car when I hear the first crack

of thunder. Glancing at Zyan he smirks. “Told ya,” he chuckles. and I look up at the sky

Where did the sun go?

The downpour started seemingly out of nowhere, drenching us in seconds. I shiver as the cold rain pelts my skin and soaks through my clothing. Zayn and I exchange a glance before hurriedly searching for somewhere to wait it out knowing it’s a good twenty minute trek back to the car

“Over there!” I shout over the sound of the rain, pointing to an old library across the street. We sprint towards it

Rain poured mercilessly from the dark, overcast sky as Zayn and I dash across the street. Cold raindrops splatter against my face, causing shivers to race down my spine. We reach the old library, its heavy wooden doors offering a

warmth from the downpour. The distinct smell of dust and aging books fills my nostrils. The sudden change in environment is jarring, but it offers us a temporary refuge from the storm outside. The sound of rain pouring on the library’s roof creates a soothing ambiance. I’ve always loved the sound of the rain, though the thunder can kindly leave

“Damn,” Zayn mutters, shaking his head and sending droplets of water flying from his hair

“We’re soaked.”

“Tell me about it,” I reply, attempting to wring out my shirt to no avail. “Well, I guess we will wait here until it passes.”

“Yeah,” he agrees, running a hand through his damp hair. “You’re right. Let’s replace a quiet corner.” he tells me

We settle into an empty aisle between towering bookshelves, the dim lighting casting shadows across the space. Zayn shrugs off his jacket and drapes it around my shoulders, his touch igniting a spark within me that I struggle to suppress, despite the outside being soaked, the inside is dry and warm

“Better?” he asks, laying on his back

“Thanks,” I whisper, pulling the jacket tighter around me

“Of course,” he says softly, his gray eyes dark and intense as they lock onto mine. For a moment, I allow myself to get lost in them, wondering what it would be like to be this intimidating man’s girlfriend

He sits up and moves closer, his wet clothes clinging to his muscular frame. I couldn’t help

but let my gaze linger on his broad shoulders and strong arms before meeting his stormy gray eyes. Their intensity drew me in like a moth to a flame

After a while, I can’t stand his intense gaze so I get up and wander through the towering bookshelves, the sound of rain pouring on the library’s roof and the window panes seems to calm my rattled nervous. But I might as well get ahead on my reading list if Iam going to be stuck here

“Hey,” Zayn calls, drawing my attention from the book I’d been scanning for my college reading list.”Of all the things you could read, you’re reading that?” he chuckles

“It’s for school,” I tell him, looking over the back of the book making sure its the right volume

“Why medicine?” he asks abruptly

I glance back at him, startled by the sudden curiosity in his voice. “I want to help people,” I reply, tucking a damp strand of hair behind my ear. “I’ve always wanted to work in either the children’s hospital or the emergency department.”

“Those are pretty different areas,” he notes, stepping closer as he peruse the shelves alongside me. “Why those two areas?”

“T like children,” I admit. “And as for emergency… When my mother died, all I remember is feeling like there weren’t enough people to cater to all the injured. Maybe

if they

hadn’t been so understaffed, they could have saved her.” I shrug

Zayn’s expression softens, his eyes filled with

some emotion I can’t read. “But I’ll have to drop out when I become Alpha,” I mutter quietly. I sighed, my chest tightening at the thought. “My father would never allow me to do both responsibilities.”

“Who says you can’t do both?” Zayn challenged, a spark of defiance lighting up his eyes. “You’ll be alpha, you could do what you want, Cleo

You shouldn’t have to choose between your dreams and your pack.”

“Easy for you to say,” I murmur, running my

fingers along the spine of a medical textbook

“But it’s not just about what I want. It’s about what’s best for my pack.”

“Is it, though?” Zayn presses, his voice suddenly serious. “Or is it about what your father wants? Because the way I see it, wouldn’t being a doctor be an advantage to

your pack alongside

being alpha?”

I hesitate, the truth of his words hitting me like a ton of bricks

“Come on,” he says gently, guiding me to a cozy nook in the back of the library

We settle onto a plush couch, our legs tangled together as we lean against one another. The rain continued to drum against the roof above us, but at that moment, with Zayn’s arm wrapped securely around me, I feel safer and content. As the storm raged on outside, I allowed myself to believe in the possibility of a future where I didn’t have to choose between my dreams and my pack

Zayn’s words echoed in my mind as we sat in silence, the library around us fading into the background. I looked at him, his gaze steady

and encouraging, and for the first time, I felt a glimmer of hope. With a deep breath, I nodded, deciding to face my fears head-on. “You’re right,” I whisper, my voice barely audible over the rain outside. “I need to talk to my father.”

It rained for hours, and after being stuck for longer than intended, we decided to try to

make the dash for the car. We both ended up soppy wet and once back at Zayn’s. I sigh heavily, knowing I have to go home

“You’re not staying longer?” Zayn asks as I fish my keys out of my pocket. “No, I need to go home. And you need to work instead of babysitting me constantly,” I remind him, and he nods slowly