Chained By The Alpha Jessica Hall

Book 2 Chapter 20

The halls are quiet this early, my footsteps echoing off polished floors. I pause outside Zayn's door. I need his advice, his permission maybe. If anyone can make sense of this mess, it's my brother

I push open the heavy oak door. "Zayn, I need to talk to you about "

The words die in my throat as Cleo glides into the room behind me. Her presence makes me pause. Her condition-the swell of her belly barely visible beneath her flowing dress-seems to make her glow from within. Cleo and I have a strange relationship. I love her like a sister-in-law, and I still haven't wrapped my head around the fact my brother is mated to her or that my

mother had an affair with her father

It's a clusterfuck to wrap your head around. But explains so much now, like why, despite being the oldest son, the man who I believed was my father was handing the pack down to Zayn, who is younger than me. I thought it was because of my drug addiction at first, it turns out I was never his, to begin with, which also explains why he tried to kill me the end, and he would have if Zayn hadn't stopped him. Perhaps that is why our relationship is so strange; I can't picture her as my sister, not like Zayn; she is somewhat a stranger to me, having not grown up knowing I had a younger half-sister

Zayn''s entire demeanor shifts. The perpetual furrow between his brows smooths out, and his eyes light up with a warmth I rarely see outside of when he is around his mate

"Cleo," he breathes, rising from his desk. "Is everything alright?"

She smiles, a gentle curve of her lips

"Everything's fine. I just wanted to see you before your meeting."

I watch as Zayn crosses the room, his usual predatory grace softening as he reaches for his mate. His large hand splays protectively across her stomach, and the tenderness in that simple gesture makes my chest ache

"Vance," Cleo acknowledges me with a nod, her voice warm as she glances between me and Zayn. "I didn't mean to interrupt."

I force a smile, suddenly feeling like an intruder

"It's nothing important," I lie, the words tasting bitter on my tongue. How can I burden them with my conflicted feelings about Maya when

their own happiness is barely holding on by a thread?

Zayn's gaze flicks to me, a question in his eyes, but I wave it away. "Just some routine pack stuff. It can wait." I add, hoping my casual dismissal will push away the knot of concern in my stomach. Cleo doesn't need any stress, and honestly, I'm not sure I want to drag them into what might just be my own mess

Zayn's piercing blue eyes narrow, his Alpha instincts clearly sensing my unease. For a moment, I fear he'll press the issue, but Cleo's gentle touch on his arm seems to turn my brother into a putty in her hands

"If you're sure," he says, his tone carrying a hint of skepticism. "You know you can always come to me, brother."Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

I nod, swallowing the lump in my throat. "I know."

The silence stretches, uncomfortable. I'm about to make my escape when Zayn's voice stops me

"Actually, since you're here," he says, reaching for a stack of papers on his desk. "Need you to drop these to Alpha Greyson. He's expecting them today."

"Sure thing," I reply, perhaps a bit too eagerly

"TI drop them off."

As I step out of the office, paperwork in my hand I wonder if I should call into Maya's and check on her after last night. Pulling my phone from my pocket I call Alpha Greyson on my way back home to my car. He answers after only two rings. Alpha Greyson's voice crackles through the line

"Vance," Greyson's tone is brisk, distracted

"Zayn has some documents for you, I was just letting you know before I head in so you can let your patrols know to expect me," I tell him, pulling my key fob out and unlocking my car

"I'm actually on my way out of town. Can you..."