Chained By The Alpha Jessica Hall

~Cleo~

The moment Lydia's shrill voice pierces through the walls of my room, I know today's going to be another test of my patience. It's like living with a hyena, her voice just grates on my nerves. I glance at the photo of my mom on my nightstand, her smile a bittersweet memory

Ever since she passed, it's been a circus 1n this house, with my stepmother Linda and her daughter Lydia playing the starring roles in the drama that is my life

I'm already dressed, wearing the top I snatched from Lydia's closet. It's a small victory, but in a house where I'm constantly overshadowed by her theatrics, I take what I can get. Plus the fury

on her face will be so worth it. My father's voice, firm and commanding, echoes from downstairs, summoning me. He's a good man, but the weight of his expectations feels like a rope around my neck. Today, he wants me at the Alpha meeting - a display of family unity or some such nonsense just another way for him to teach me the ropes when I take over the pack

Another door slams downstairs, and I wince, bracing myself for my father's wrath as I listen to his angry footsteps. His feet echo on the stairs as I rush to finish getting ready for a meeting I do not wish to attend

"Cleo!" he yells from the second floor. "Get down here now!"

My blonde hair falls in soft waves over my shoulders, and the deep blue blouse, as well as my black faux pants, hug my curves in all the

right places. I take one last look in the mirrorCcontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

The blue blouse and black pants might be a far cry from the glitzy dress code of the city ball happening alongside our meeting, but they're more 'me'

But even after getting dolled up for the city ball/ alpha meet. I can't quite summon the excitement. Chances are, I won't be attending, but will be forced to go to the Alpha meeting next door. I sigh; I should be in a dress. Instead, I'm in work clothes, though I must admit, I do love this top. I snicker, knowing my step-sister Lydia will be furious when she realizes I stole it

Tecan just see the look on her face

"Tl be right out!" I call back to my father

Hastily, domg up my heels, I rush to the door and the stairs. Stepping out of my room, I brace myself for the inevitable clash with Lydia

My heels click on the hardwood floors. As I make my way down the stairs, I see Lydia standing impatiently by the front door, perfectly coiffed and dressed to impress in a slinky red number. Too bad her personality is so horrid because no amount of makeup would ever hide the inner troll she is

Lydia smirks when she spots me. She no doubt wants to boast that she'll be the belle of the ball

Like I care. If I even do attend, I'll likely stay put, lurking in the shadows. That is, if I even get a chance to leave this stupid Alpha meeting in time

"About time," she sneers, pushing off the wall she is leaning on, she then eyes my top, her eyes squinting before a look of outrage crosses her features "Wait, is that my top!?" Lydia demands, taking

in my appearance as I reach the bottom of the stairs

"Not anymore," I mock, and she goes to say something, but my father cuts her off when he appears in the hall

"We don't have time for this, girls," my father chides, steering us out the door. As we pile into the car, I can feel the tension radiating off him

He's got a lot of riding on tonight's meeting, especially with Alpha Zayn attending. The man's a walking challenge to my father's authority too young, too brash, and apparently, too good at getting under Dad's skin Lydia's gaze roams over me, taking in my appearance with obvious disdain

"You look plain, as usual," she scoffs, knowing better than to start a fight in front of my father

"Thanks, Lydia," I reply sarcastically, fighting the urge to roll my eyes. "At least I don't need to layer on makeup to hide what a troll I am."

"Cleo, enough," my father scolds as Lydia folds her arms across her chest, a smug look on her face hearing my father tell me off. Dad tends to pick her side so as to avoid upsetting his mate, who unfortunately is my stepmother "Can we go now?" my father interjects impatiently, his stern expression warning me not to start another argument with my step-sister after our cat fight earlier where I smashed her in the face with my drink bottle. Oops. But the B deserved it for tripping me on the stairs

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With a resigned sigh, I follow him out the door and to the waiting car, mentally preparing myself for the night ahead. A night of pure boredom

"I can't believe how long you both took to get ready," my father growls. "We're running late."

I roll my eyes at his words, but he grabs my arm in an iron grip and drags me down the steps when I don't keep up with his long strides. I wince, stumbling in my heels to keep up as he marches us to the car. This meeting with the other Alphas means everything to him, and to our pack, but to me, it's just another reminder that my fate has already been decided

Climbing in the car, my father shuts his door a little too hard, signaling that he's in a ripe mood and I shouldn't push his buttons. He jams the keys into the ignition and starts the car, muttering to himself as he pulls out of the driveway and heads into the city. As we drive, I can't help but wonder about this Alpha Zayn

I've never met him, but the way Dad talks about him, you'd think he was the devil incarnate

"I swear, if Alpha Zayn is late to this one-" I glance at him, but his words cut off with a growl as he glares out the windshield. My father can't stand the new Alpha in the city. Always complaining he is too young, cocky, and arrogant. I'm yet to meet the man, and if my father's opinion is anything to go off, I probably won't like him either

As we drive towards the Alpha ball, and the meeting that is being held at the same venue, I can't help but feel a growing sense of unease