Chained By The Alpha Jessica Hall

Chapter 98

The command slices through me, a direct hit to my heart. But I respect it because that's what you do when you love someone you give them space, even when every instinct tells you to pull them close

"Okay, okay," I whisper, raising my hands in surrender, my skin itching with the need to shift to let Zarek take over and handle this messCopyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.

"I can explain," I try to tell her, and she glances at the freezer

"You lied." I shake my head. And something changes in her demeanor, her face twisting with fury

"Tt's not like that, Cleo. You know I would do nothing to hurt you," I tell her, trying to get closer when her eyes dart around the basement in panic, looking for an escape route, but I can see she also knows the only one means having to pass

me

"He's been here all this time?" she asks, her voice breaking

"Come upstairs, I'll explain," I try to grab her, but she makes my hands

"Get away from me!" Her voice is sharp, like shattered glass, and it stops me cold

I reach out, trying to brush her arm with the tips of my fingers to offer some semblance of comfort. But she recoils as if my touch burns her skin. "Don't touch me!" Cleo screams, her eyes wild with hurt

She makes a break for the stairs, but I can't let her go, not like this. My hand wraps around her wrist, pulling her back, and her reaction is immediate and violent. She swings at me, her fist connecting with my jaw as I grab her, only for her nails to rake across my cheek, and I taste blood

"Stop, Cleo! I'm not your enemy," I try to reason, but she won't hear it

"Let me go!" She kicks out, connecting with a spot that sends agony exploding through me. I double over, releasing her instantly as her foot connects with my balls. I growl, and she darts up the stairs while I try to catch my breath "Vance," I mindlink quickly, fighting through the pain. "Lock the place down. Now." I tell him, rushing up the stairs after her

I reach the top just in time to see Cleo darting toward the keys of my car that isn't here. Her movements are swift, almost a blur, desperation fueling her

"Dammit, Cleo, listen to me!" I shout, but she's already snatching the keys and spinning toward the exit

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"Stay away from me, Zayn!" Her voice breaks, a harrowing sound that tugs at my soul

But I can't stop the need to protect her from herself and from what she is refusing to let me explain. I chase after her, catching glimpses of her blonde hair as she maneuvers through the house with frantic energy "Please, Cleo," I call out, my own voice strained with emotions too tangled to unravel. "We need to talk. Just... stop running."

But she doesn't stop. She never does. And as she reaches for the door and rips it open and I grab her from behind, trying to haul her back into the house when she bites me viciously, drawing blood before swinging her head back. It connects with my nose, and I feel the crunch of her breaking it. I let her go and curse

The night swallows her whole. Cleo's fleeing form pauses, realizing my car isn't here. Her blonde hair whips her face as she looks for another way before she takes off down the driveway. Zarek presses against my skin urging me after her. My men, hearing the commotion, start coming out of their houses, seeing me chasing after her and moving to help

Two of my men block her off, and another grabs her; she struggles and starts screaming like she is being murdered, the sound tearing at me, hearing how terrified she is

"Stand down!" I roar, my command slicing through the night air as my men move to intercept her. They hesitate, confusion etched on their faces, but they obey, stepping aside

They let her go instantly, but Cleo isn't slowing down. She spins and delivers two precise and powerful blows that send Jax and Kieran to the ground with thuds that resonate within me

"Dammit, Cleo!" I shout after her, my voice rasping with desperation

Ignoring the pulsing pain where she bit me, I give in to the primal surge within, allowing my bones to shift and my skin to stretch. The world blurs, senses heighten, and my wolf takes over with a growl that rumbles from deep within

She's almost at the gates when he reaches her, the scent of her fear filling his nostrils. I can't let

her leave, not like this, and Zarek reluctantly hands me back control as he shifts

"Help! Someone" Cleo's scream pierces the night just as she grabs the gate. But before she can climb, I'm there, enveloping her struggles with my larger form

"Shhh," I whisper fiercely, clamping a hand over her mouth. "Cleo, stop. I won't hurt you."

Her teeth sink into my hand, the sharp pain igniting a flare of anger in Zarek. I fight it, fight him, as she struggles in my hold. She struggles even harder, her desperation and fear palpable. I take a deep breath, trying to remain calm, and step towards her. I cup her face in my hands and look into her eyes, pleading with her to understand but she refuses to listen, refuses to see past her grief