Chained By The Alpha Jessica Hall

Now why would he be sending these to her? Pocketing the phone, I nudge Deacon with my foot. He 1s definitely out cold

Lifting the hatch, I find Cleo passed out. Her leg is bleeding everywhere, her blood staining the carpet beneath her

"Fuck!" I curse, pulling my jacket off and placing it across her waist to cover her. She whimpers, "Shh, I won't hurt you, love," I whisper while clamping my hand over her leg

After a second, I decided to take her. Opening the mindlink, I search for my brother, and he answers immediately. "What's up?"

"Vance," I send through the mindlink, my voice tense and urgent. "Are you still here?"

"Yeah, out back. What's wrong?" he replies, a hint of concern in his tone

"Bring my car around to the front, look for a blue wagon, and hurry," I command him

"Okay, give me a sec." Using her leggings, I wrap her leg as best I can

The anger and fear brewing within me is almost palpable, but I can't let it consume me-not now

Not when Cleo needs me

"By the doors or the other end," Vance responds, and I can sense him moving quickly to follow my orders

"Midway," I answer

As I wait for my brother, I glance down at Cleo, my heart aching at the sight of her battered, vulnerable state. Her golden hair is matted with sweat and blood, and her once beautiful blue eyes are tightly shut, as though she's trying to block out the world around her. I want nothing more than to hold her close, to whisper sweet assurances in her ear, to do whatever it takes to make her feel safe again

When headlights light up the car park, I peer over the roof of the car, realizing how packed the place is. Opening the mindlink again, I contact the bouncer, seeing the huge group of people waiting out front

"Let them all in," I tell him

"Pardon, boss?" Stuart replies

"Let them in. I need this parking lot cleared

now!" "On it," he obeys

I stick my head out, peering over at the entrance doors when Vance pulls up with my car. I grab Cleo from the back. "Open the back door," I order, and he does so quickly while he glances around "We're kidnapping girls now?" he asks

"No, just my mate," I tell him, and he seems startled by this information. Shutting the door, I pop the trunk, and he followsContent (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

"What's going on?" he gasps, spotting a bleeding Deacon on the ground

"Grab his legs," I tell him, and he does. I shut the hatch quickly and we then chuck him in the

trunk. I fish in his pockets, retrieving his keys and tossing them to Vance when Deacon begins to stir, his eyes fluttering open. Panic fills them when he sees me looming over him

"Please," he begs, his voice weak and broken

"You can have her. Just let me go."

My anger flares at his words, and I can't help but snort derisively. Grabbing the front of his shirt, I pull him close, my voice low and dangerous

"Oh, I will," I say, my eyes never leaving him

"Because she's my mate."

I headbutt Deacon, sending him straight back into unconsciousness. Slamming the trunk shut, I turn to Vance, my expression hard. Tossing him the keys to Deacon's car, I point at it. "Burn it, then meet me at the packhouse." Vance

doesn't question me, just moves to do as he is told while I slide into the driver's seat

The drive back to the packhouse is tense, each mile seeming to stretch on forever as I glance at Cleo in the rearview mirror. She's still unconscious, and I can't help but worry about her condition. Zarek, my wolf, paces restlessly inside me, eager to tend to our mate

As we drive back to my packhouse, I can't help but steal glances at Cleo, her chest rising and falling with each shallow breath. Her scent fills the car, a heady mix of fear, pain, and that irresistible honey-jasmine fragrance that is uniquely hers

Finally, we pull up to the impressive packhouse - amassive stone mansion nestled deep within a lush forest. The moonlight filters through the trees, casting a silvery glow over the sprawling

grounds and intricate gardens

I carry Cleo inside, cradling her in my arms as I climb the staircase to my room. Using my foot I push the door open to reveal a spacious master bedroom decorated in warm, earthy tones. A roaring fireplace dominates one wall, while floor-to- ceiling windows offer a breathtaking view of the dark forest beyond. In the center of the room sits a large, luxurious bed, which is where I take her

I lay Cleo gently on the bed, her eyes fluttering open for a moment before she suddenly vomits onto the sheets. "Shit," I mutter, quickly pulling her hair back, so it doesn't get dirty. "Hang on, love."

I hurry to the bathroom to grab some towels and wet some washcloths in the basin. As I enter the bedroom again, I find her slumped over, laying

in her vomit

"Shower it is then," I mutter, moving toward her

I scoop her up and take her into the attached bathroom, filled with warm golden light and smooth marble surfaces. I turn on the shower, but Cleo is a dead weight in my arms, a rag doll, making me feel sick knowing he could have done anything he wanted to her, and she would have been none the wiser

Keeping an arm around her waist, I carefully remove her ripped top and unclip her bra, doing my best to be gentle and not let my gaze linger too long on her naked form. Her body is petite but strong, her curves enticing even in her current state. Checking the water, I step in, pulling her with me. My clothes become soaked as I tip her head back under the water, rinsing her hair. She stirs, pulling faces, but not fully

waking. Eventually, I am forced to sit with her, and I pull my shirt off, which is sticking to me like a second skin