Chained By The Alpha By Jessica Hall

“So, have you got a girlfriend then?” I ask. I’m here and who knows what’s going on outside, might as well pass the time

“Not anymore; I broke up with her today,” he states matter-of-factly

“Today? No wonder you were in such a bad mood at the Alpha meeting if she dumped your cranky ass,” I mutter

“I broke up with her!” he protests, sounding less like a suave, imposing Alpha and more like a teenage boy

I raise an eyebrow at him. “Really? Is that why you’re so butt hurt?” I tease

“Tm not hurt. I dumped her during the meeting, and I was in a bad mood because your father 1s a prick,” he states

“Wow, you broke up with your girlfriend via text. You really are a jerk!” I tell him, and he shrugs

“She’ll find her mate eventually. It wouldn’t

have lasted anyway,” he tells me

“Wait, you just dumped her for no reason?”

“I have my reasons, none that you need to know about,” he tells me. I roll my eyes at him

“Did she cheat?” I ask

“What? No, of course not,” he growls. Alpha Zayn gets up, wanders to the door, and unlocks it. When he yanks on the door, it doesn’t budge

“Great, now I am locked in here with you,” I curse as he examines the door. He swears, looking up, and I see that the door frame has been bent, locking the door in place. The Alpha peers over his shoulder and glares at me

“Sure, say it like it’s my damn fault, you’re not the only one trapped in here!” he growls

“Yes, but you can adapt to the cold, I can’t!” I retort, and he turns to look at me

“Fuck!” he growls, turning back to try to find a way out

My breath fogs the freezing air as I shiver, glaring at Alpha Zayn’s back. It is impossible not to notice how his muscles flex beneath his taut skin, but I refuse to let myself be swayed by lust in this very not ideal situation

“It’s no use; we’re literally stuck in here,” I state the obvious, my teeth chattering as I huddle against the wall. Whether it’s the cold or the blood loss, my leg feels numb

He turns, casting me a scathing glare that sends shivers down my spine for an entirely different reason. “Thanks for stating the obvious, I fucking know.”

As my heart pounds in my chest, I can’t help but think how unfair it 1s that I might die here with this arrogant-as-hell Alpha. I want to scream at the injustice of it all, but there is no time for that. I briefly think about Deacon, hoping he didn’t get caught up in the fight as he stood outside, waiting for me. And what about the people at the ball? What of Lydia and my father? My thoughts are cut off when I hear a chilling crack echo through the room, and my stomach tightens with fear

“Get down!” Zayn barks, his voice tense with urgency

Before I can even react, Zayn throws his body over mine, shielding me from the teeth- grating screech of metal collapsing above us. His muscular form presses against me, making it difficult to breathe

“Are you okay?” Zayn asks, his breath hot against my ear as he lifts himself off me just enough to look into my eyes. I nod, my heart still racing from the close call, when I notice the side of the freezer is bent in, and the roof is now lower

“Thanks,” I whisper, feeling a strange mix of gratitude and annoyance towards him while he moves to try the door again

“Maybe if we’re lucky, the power source has

been cut, and we won’t freeze to death,” I offer,

trying to ignore the incessant chattering of my teeth

Zayn tilts his head, raising an eyebrow as he assesses me. “I originally wasn’t so sure if you were a natural blonde. This just puts my doubt to rest.”

He did not just mock me for being blonde!

Anger blazes within me, momentarily eclipsing the cold

“Hey, I’m actually pretty smart; I at least think with my brain and not my temper and dick,” I snap, realizing that I can still hear the faint sound of the motors running. Just great! The damn room 1s still powered

“Ouch, princess,” Zayn smirks, but there is a hint of annoyance in his voice. “You sure

know

how to hit me where it hurts.”

“Good,” I mutter, hugging myself to stay warm

My nipples are painfully erect beneath the thin fabric of my bra, but I refuse to let him

see how much the cold is affecting me. Instead, I focus on the anger coursing through me, using it to keep me warm when his eyes go to my shoulder and collarbone. His hands reach for my shirt, eyes wide with panic

I peer down at it before wishing I hadn’t when I notice the skin flap. The next second, my blouse is ripped open entirely, with the buttons popping off. I groan as the flap of skin falls forward. I clutch it, forcing it back, when I hear his bones snapping. The next minute, a huge tongue rolls over my wound

I shriek, trying to push the wolf’s head away. He snarls, snapping his teeth at me. He bites my

hand viciously, and I cry out at the sudden pain, but he returns to licking the gaping wound

“You’re not supposed to do that!” I shriek in panic. My father is going to kill me when he finds out Alpha Zayn has healed me. This is not good. He shifts back and glares at

me

“Would you rather bleed to death?” he snaps at me, reaching for my hand. He clicks his tongue when I whimper, seeing his bite mark on my hand. Leaning down, he goes

to heal me

“Wait, stop.”

“T didn’t mean to let my wolf bite you. You angered him when you refused his help,” Zayn tells me before ignoring me and sucking on my fingers. My toes curl, and an embarrassing noise leaves my lips