Chained By The Alpha Jessica Hall

The city 1s packed, even with so many attacks lately. Having all these gatherings is like posting a neon sign saying attack here! My father's words from earlier echo in my mind: 'Once you get your wolf.' This serves as a reminder of my yet-to- emerge inner beast is a constant source of anxiety, knowing once I get my wolf, I will have that target on my back. I will constantly be scrutinized by everyone over everything, and not just by werewolf society, but also the human governments that help govern the city. We may

be alphas, but we too have rules we must abide by

Furthermore, with that date of my impending shift looming closer, it seems to put a strain on my relationship with my father. Alpha's rarely

get along with other Alphas, so three living in one house will be horrendous. Lydia is also of Alpha blood. She is already a pain in the rear. I can't imagine how much more insufferable she'll be when the pack is handed down to me However, Lydia is the least of my worries. My father is a bigger concern. It seems like no matter how hard I try, I can't live up to his expectations. Honestly, I can't wait for the break to end so I can go back to university and live out my last semester in peace; soak in those final few months before I am forced to step up and take over the pack.

We spend the rest of the drive in tense silence. I stare out the window, longing to be anywhere but here. I'd rather be sitting by the lake with Deacon out laughing or sneaking into the new club that opened up. Not stuck at some stuffy political event where my only purpose is to be

shown off like a prize and watch as they all argue

"Make sure you pay attention at this meeting, Cleo. This one is about pack protection," my father reminds me. "No falling asleep like you did at the last one."

Lydia snickers behind me, and I clench my teeth, casting a glare at her over my shoulder

How I would love to give her a real piece of my mind

"Maybe I wouldn't fall asleep if it wasn't so boring," I grumble to myself as we pull up to the meeting place. As soon as the car comes to a stop, Lydia practically jumps on the spot, her eyes scanning our surroundings like an eager pup for her friends

"You better get used to them, kiddo. You'll be

attending them a lot more soon," my father adds

I pull a face, wishing I had an older sibling to take my place

Climbing out of the car, I wait for my father

"How could you not want to go to the Alpha ball?" Lydia huffs, tossing her perfectly curled hair over her shoulder

"T would rather tolerate the ball than the meeting! Wanna trade?" I offer, and she looks at me

"Ew, no, why would I want to hang out with a bunch of old dudes whining about border patrols when I can be hunting for my mate," she huffs. I sigh. She's as dumb as she looks. I swear she was supposed to be Omega. How she ended up with Alpha genes is beyond me when she acts like a bitch in heat

"You realize you'll have to attend these eventually when your father gives you his pack?" I tell her. She pulls a face

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"And that is precisely why I will choose a mate

They can attend all that boring crap. I got better things to do," she tells me

"Like what? Your nails?" I taunt

"You're just jealous your father is forcing you to go to the meeting, though I can't wait to see your face at the end of it," she laughs. I raise an eyebrow at her

"Well, unlike you, I have better things to do than flaunt myself at Alphas all night," I reply, stepping next to my father. Now, he is done speaking with Lydia's father, Alpha Samuel. I straighten my stolen blouse

"Have fun, Cleo. I'm sure you'll meet your destined mate tonight," she laughsContent (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

"What the heck are you flapping your gums about now?" I ask. Lydia smirks

"Wouldn't you like to know," she chuckles

before spotting one of her friends

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"Oh, Maya is here," Lydia gushes excitedly and immediately prances off to her friends who are hanging out next door, outside of the ball's entrance. My father grabs my arm. "Stay close," he tells me, and I know he is worried about this venue.

He did warn the Alphas we need to change the venue given the heightened security risk in the city. Routine 1s bad with all the recent attacks, and council meetings are always held here

He shakes his head and drags me off to the

restaurant where the council meeting will take place. The place is already full of Alphas in crisp suits. "Too many of us in one place. We should have changed venues," my father growls as he leads me upstairs and into a conference room. My father's jaw clenches when he notices one particular seat still empty. I internally groan

Please don't be late, Alpha Zayn. Great, now my father will be extra moody, if that's even possible. We take our seats, and my father drums his fingers on the huge table, looking more annoyed as each minute passes

"Where the hell is he?" my father hisses. Alpha Samuel looks over at us as we enter and take our seats. He is Lydia's father, yet she didn't have to attend this shitshow like I have to

"Joseph, calm down. He's on his way," Samuel warns my father

Alpha Zayn. The Alpha of the Black River Pack

Rumors have been swirling for months about how he gained his position, but one thing is clear-my father hates him. And those that don't hate him, fear him