Page 108 of Chained By the Alpha
“Give him control, Zarek. Before you lose her for good,”Vance urges through the link, his words a lashing reminder of what’s at stake.
Shifting back is agony—bones realigning, flesh knitting together as I force the shift back while Zarek tries to stop me. I stand naked and vulnerable in the chill night air, eyes fixed on Cleo’s trembling form.
“Cleo,” I rasp, my voice hoarse with the remnants of Zarek’s fury. “I would never hurt you.”
The words hang heavy, tainted by the shadow of what has just unfolded. The distance between us feels like a chasm, one forged by fear and mistrust, and I’m uncertain if it can ever be bridged again.
“You killed him,” she chokes.
“It was justified; even Alpha Greyson agreed,” I tell her, but she shakes her head.
“You lied and said you had no idea when Lydia and I asked. Fuck’s sake, you even helped me fucking look for him!” she screams. I move toward her, and she scrambles to her feet,ready to run. Vance’s wolf cuts her off, and Jax and Kieran flank her.
She panics, spinning toward me. “Please, you need to listen,” I tell her as I grab her. She thrashes, hitting and kicking me, but she stands no chance against me without her wolf; she knows it, and I know it. Still, she tries.
“You’re a liar, you’re a fucking liar. I hate you!”
“I have proof,” I tell her, crushing her to me, my chest pressing against her back as I lock her wrists together at her chest with my hands.
“You’d say anything, wouldn’t you? How can I believe a single thing you fucking say now?” she screams, struggling harder. My canines slip out, and my anger gets the better of me as I squeeze her with my teeth going to her neck.
“He was trying to rape my mate!” I snarl at her, and she freezes. “I wasn’t going to let him hurt you,” I murmur. She shakes her head, not wanting to believe me, not wanting to believe my words.
“I can prove it. I have video footage from the club,” I tell her, knowing Vance is smart enough to have kept a copy in case we ever needed it. Her entire body trembles in my arms, and I can feel her shock. Though I am not sure what is shocking her most, learning I am her mate or that her ex tried to rape her. She stares at me in disbelief, her eyes wide. I take her face in my hands and look into her eyes, my heart aching for her pain. I know I need to tell her the truth; I have no choice now. I just hope she believes me.
Chapter 20
• Cleo •
Nothing makes sense to me anymore. I feel like I can’t trust anyone at the moment as I sit on the sofa in the living room while Zayn waits to be sent some video footage that will prove killing Deacon was justified, yet death is never the answer. There would have been other options. I can’t picture Deacon ever doing that to me. It makes me question everything more. I have known Deacon for years and Zayn for three months, yet he expects me to believe Deacon is capable of something so vile. I’m torn between the Deacon I know and the evidence Zayn claims to have. It’s difficult to trust my instincts when my emotions are clouded by doubt and confusion. I never thought I would find myself in such a predicament, questioning the character of someone I thought I knew so well. It has me questioning Zayn and his intentions. Why would he keep this secret and help me search for my boyfriend, only to say this now?
Zayn’s phone rings loudly, and he starts downloading the supposed footage.
“Is that it?” I ask as he stares at his phone. He clenches his jaw, watching whatever it is. I stand up, and he curses under his breath. “What is it?” I ask. Zayn looks up at me, his face a mask of emotion. He quickly shuts his phone screen off, looking angrier.
The air is heavy with tension as Zayn paces in front of me, desperation evident in every movement. His silver eyes lock onto mine, pleading for understanding. “Cleo, please, just listen to me,” he begs.
“Show me, you said you have proof!” I tell him, and he looks like he is about to toss his phone, his anger growing by the second. “I have it, but please, baby, you need to believe me, the footage—” I hold my hand out for his phone, ignoring his words; he said he has proof, and I want to see it.
Betrayal gnaws at me like an insistent beast. I cross my arms defensively and glare at him. “And why should I? You have lied to me from the start. Now give me the phone, Zayn, or I am leaving,” I snap at him. He takes a step back, his face a mask of confusion. I take a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves, and then speak again. “What have you got to hide? Just show me.”
“Because I love you, and this isn’t helping!” he exclaims, his voice cracking. He reaches out to touch my arm. I yank it away, unable to stand even the slightest contact with him right now.
“Love? Is that what you call this?” I scoff, feeling my vision blur with unshed tears. “You’ve done nothing but lie to me, Zayn! And for what?”
He clenches his fists, the muscles in his tattooed arms and chest trembling with barely contained emotion. “I did it to protect you. I swear, Cleo, everything I’ve done has been for you.”
“How can I trust that, Zayn? This whole situation has left me questioning everything, including your love for me. I need more than just words to believe you now.”
“I was trying to protect you!”
“Protect me? By keeping secrets and manipulating me?” I shake my head, anger and hurt swirling together into a maelstrom of emotions that threatens to overwhelm me. “Howcan I trust anything you say anymore? You helped me look for my boyfriend, knowing he was dead. Do you understand how sick that is? How fucking callous and cold!”
“Please, just give me a chance to explain.” Zayn’s voice is barely above a whisper, the raw vulnerability in his eyes threatening to break through the walls I’m desperately trying to build around my heart. “I’ll do anything to make this right.”
“Anything?” My voice wavers as I look into his eyes, searching for any hint of deception. All I see is pain and longing – the same feelings that are tearing me apart inside.
“Anything,” he promises, his voice thick with emotion.
