Chained By The Alpha Jessica Hall

Darting through the trees, my heart hammers against my rib cage, a frenzied beat urging me on. Every inhale sharpens the metallic scent of blood and violence that hangs heavy in the air behind us. Dad's hand is an iron clamp around my arm, pulling me forward

"Keep your eyes ahead, Cleo!" he barks, his voice barely audible over the thunder of my own pulse in my ears

But I can't help glancing back. Through the trees, hoping to see Zayn catching up with us

Yet, my mind is racing, this time we weren't attacked by rogues but by Alpha Dane. Making me wonder how he can possibly get away with this. These were not rogues then, but a

calculated strike. My throat tightens. Why?

"Focus, Cleo! We need to-" Dad's words cut off as we skid to a halt. Ahead, the path narrows, and for a heartbeat, we're exposed

"Through there," he instructs, nodding toward a barely visible break in the underbrush. "It's a shortcut."

I nod, pushing my legs faster, but my mind races even quicker. Dane's pack involved; Zayn's secretive behavior this morning-it clicks together like puzzle pieces locking into place. It's all connected. But how. Dane's men attack the one time he isn't at the packhouse? Betrayal lingers bitter on my tongue, a taste I dread yet can't denyContentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

"Can you still sense him?" Dad's question pierces my thoughts

"Cleo, can you sense Zayn still?" Dad snaps at me

"Zayn?" My voice cracks. "Yes, but it's fading- he's..." The bond between us, once a blazing fire, now flickers weakly, a candle with its flame growing weaker

"Zayn will be fine," Dad says, his eyes fierce slits of determination. "We'll regroup and figure this out."

We plunge deeper into the forest, the world blurring into streaks of green and brown

"Did you know?" I gasp between breaths, the question clawing its way out. "About Dane?"

He shakes his head, jaw set hard. "I knew something was off. There were talks of it, but I

didn't think it would be today. Trust between

alphas is thin, but your mate, he's started a war."

I'm about to demand to know what he knows, but he growls and glares at me

"Later," Dad says sharply. "Now, we run."

Branches lash at my skin, leaving fiery streaks in their wake. I push the pain aside, focusing on the rhythmic thud of our escape. The forest is a maze, but my father navigates it like he has a damn map, making me more suspicious of him, why is he so familiar with Zayn pack territory?

"Almost there," he assures me as we reach a narrow creek, the water whispering secrets I'm not sure I want to hear

"Where will we go?" The question burns in my chest, a plea for reassurance in a world suddenly upended

Planning your weekend reading? Ensure you're on 00005s.org for uninterrupted enjoyment. The next chapter is just a click away, exclusively available on our site. Happy reading! "Safe house," he replies. "We'll plan our next move."

"What about Lydia and Linda?"

"They're safe. Dane doesn't want them," he tells me. But his words make no sense, why would Dane want me now, he knows I won't marry Boyd. None of this makes sense

With one last surge of effort, we cross the creek, the cool water splashing against my heated skin stealing the air from my lungs at the suddenness of it. My clothes become drenched and heavier as We Cross

"Trust me, Cleo," Dad says, reading my turmoil

"We'll get him back."

His words are meant to comfort, but they echo hollow in my chest. Trust the very foundation

of our kind is now the thing I question the most