Chained By The Alpha By Jessica Hall

“As I said, you threw up on yourself. I showered you.” He shrugs, though his eyes burn into mine with an intensity that makes my heart race. My face flushes at the realization that he’d seen me naked, he had said it, but I was kinda hoping he was joking, and that he had his cleaner or maid or someone else do it. As if sensing my discomfort, Zayn leans over me, gripping my chin and forcing me to look at him

“Don’t worry, you have nothing to be ashamed about,” he smirks, and I swear I notice a glint of desire in his eyes. He lets me go after a few intense seconds

And I move to the edge of the bed, only to realize I have no underwear on, I awkwardly

pull the shirt down trying to conceal myself

“Let me guess, you took me to the hospital too?” I snap, trying to regain some sense of control as I climb off the bed, only to notice that my injured leg is now completely healed

“No, I healed you,” he replies simply, shaking his head

I stared at him in disbelief. “You what?” I ask him. Healing like that was incredibly rare and dangerous; it is taboo for a reason. Mates would only heal each other in the most dire of circumstances, and even then, such an act could be fatal for the healer. Why would Zayn risk his life for someone who meant nothing to him? When another thought occurs to me, he could have sired me by doing so, meaning my wolf would obey him

“Please tell me you’re joking right now?” he folds his arms across his chest and raises one eyebrow at me. “Do I look like I am joking?” he asks, and I swallow

“But you could have sired my wolf before I even got it!” I snap, annoyed at him, though that may explain the weird attraction I’ve had toward him since waking up

“I can’t believe this, I saved your ass just to get abused over it, gee thanks,” he snaps, making me feel guilty

“Tt’s not that…. Please don’t tell my dad about this,” I plead, my voice barely audible. I shudder at the thought of what he’d say or do if he found out. What if he strips me of my title? Especially if Zayn has in fact, sired my wolf to obey him? That would put the pack at risk

“Fine.” I let out a breath of relief when he speaks again

“But

you have to go to breakfast with me,” Zayn says with a grin. My heart leaps in my chest

What if we’re seen together?

“Not anywhere anyone will see us together,” he says like he was almost reading my thoughts

“So what will it be?” he asks

“Deal,” I agree, a shiver running down my spine and I stand up only to look down

“Ah, Zayn?” I ask, and he tilts his head to the side

“My clothes?” I ask and he blinks at me

“Ah, right. You threw up on them. I threw them in the bin.”

I glance down at the shirt I am wearing, I can’t go to breakfast like this and certainly not home in this. My eyes widen in horror, another thing I will need to explain to my father

Zayn moves toward me and I peer up at him when he grabs my shoulders. I stare at him like a damn moron when warmth rushes through me

Oh, no, what if he did sire my wolf? He must realize where my thoughts went because he chuckles and rolls his eyes, steering me toward the bathroom

The bathroom is spacious and modern, with gleaming fixtures and a large, glass-walled shower

“I think

you sired

my wolf!” I blurt embarrassingly, and my hands move to my mouth

“Why? Fantasizing about me now?” he purrs

“And you don’t sound the least bit upset about that!” I growl

He appears to think for a second. “Nope, not at all,” he chuckles

Zayn’s nonchalance about the possibility of having sired my wolf only adds to the swirling chaos of emotions inside me. His casual dismissal of something so significant makes my head spin, but his next words stop me dead in my tracks

“Would it be such a bad thing if I sired you?” he muses, a mischievous glint in his eyes. “At least I know how to treat a woman.”

I scoff at his audacity. “Really? You? How exactly would you treat me differently?”

He steps closer, and the intensity of his gaze sends a thrill down my spine. “For starters, I wouldn’t leave you vulnerable and alone at a club,” he begins, his voice low and steady. “I’d respect you, protect you…” His words trail off, but the implication hangs heavy in the air

I roll my eyes, trying to mask the effect his words are having on me

His proximity is overwhelming, his scent enveloping me, making it hard to think. The idea of being with Zayn, of being his, sends a jolt of excitement mixed with fear

through me

His words, though seemingly playful, carry a weight that’s impossible to ignore

“And how exactly would you do that?” I challenge, my voice barely above a whisper

Zayn’s smile evolves into something more

predatory, his eyes darkening with a hunger that sends a rush of excitement through me. He steps closer, so close that I can feel the heat radiating from his body. His hand lifts, tracing a line down the side of my face, his touch feather-light yet sending shivers down my spine

“You have no idea, Cleo, how much I could appreciate you,” he murmurs, his voice a low, seductive hum that vibrates through me. His hand moves lower, skimming the curve of my shoulder and down my arm, leaving a trail of heat in its wake

His other hand comes up to gently cup my chin, tilting my face up to his. “I’d worship every inch of your body,” he continues, his gaze locked onto mine, intense and unwavering. “Every curve, every line…” His fingers trail down to the neckline of the oversized shirt I’m wearing, teasing the edge of the fabric