I hit send, feeling a mixture of hope and desperation. Zayn might be my only chance at finding out what happened to Deacon. As I wait for a response, the weight of the situation settles heavily on my shoulders. For now, finding Deacon is my priority, and everything else will have to wait.
Zayn replies a few seconds later.
Zayn: Deacon is missing? I saw him last night before I left. He was dancing with Lydia. I can meet you at the club later, and we can go over the footage together.
I quickly agree to meet him when the front door bangs open, and my father is glaring at me from the front porch. Great, now I have to deal with him, and he’ll be furious when he learns who I was with last night. Climbing out of the car, he storms down the steps toward me with a furious look on his face.
His eyes flash with anger as he confronts me, his voice laced with disappointment.
“Cleo, what the hell were you thinking? Spending the night with Zayn, of all people!”
Of course, Lydia couldn’t wait to throw me under the bus. His words pierce through me like hot iron, igniting a mixture of fear and defiance.
“Dad, it’s not what you think,” I stammer, attempting to defend myself. He doesn’t seem interested in hearing any explanation.
“Not what I think? You’re fraternizing with the enemy!” he growls, his face turning red with anger.
“I know, I know,” I stammer, my heart sinking at the disappointment in his voice.
Once again, I’ve let him down. Great, thanks, Lydia.
“It wasn’t like that, Dad. I was in no state to drive, and Zayn found me outside the club. He brought me back to his place to make sure I was safe. That was all. Nothing sordid, I swear!” I try to explain myself, hoping he listens.
My father’s expression softens slightly, though his disapproval is still evident. “And where was Deacon during all this? He should have been the one taking care of you, not Zayn.”
I swallow hard, my throat dry with guilt. “I don’t know, Deacon left me at the club earlier in the night. I haven’t seen him since.”
His eyes narrow as he studies me, searching for any signs of deceit. “You expect me to believe Deacon just abandoned you in that state?”
“I wouldn’t lie about this,” I say firmly, meeting his gaze head-on. “Deacon disappeared, and we need to find him. Ask Lydia, we just returned from his house; can we argue about this after we find him, please?” And for the first time ever Lydia comes to my defense against my father, even though she is the one who clearly told him where I was.
“She’s right, Joseph, Deacon wasn’t home. We can’t find him,” Lydia adds, and he peers over his shoulder at her, then looks at me.
“And nothing happened between you and Zayn?” he questions. My brows furrow in confusion. “No, I just told you that!”
“So you didn’t fuck him?” my father accuses, and my eyes widen, appalled.
“Excuse me?” I splutter.
“Answer the question, Cleo, or I will have the doc check you. If I want this alliance to go well with Alpha Dane, you’d best still be pure.” I stagger back, and even Lydia seems disgusted at his question, which says a lot because that bitch revels in my discomfort.
“For your sake, I’m going to pretend you did not just ask about the state of my virginity. And Alpha Dane can go fuck himself if he thinks I will marry his son,” I snarl angrily, stomping off toward my car.
“Where do you think you’re going?” my father yells at me, and I stop flinging my car door open.
“To find Deacon, my boyfriend and future mate!” I yell at him before climbing in my car. I start my car and slam it in reverse, tearing out of the driveway and back toward the city.
Chapter 6
• Zayn •
After Cleo leaves, I head home to the pack house where my brother, Vance, who’s also my Beta, is waiting. I groan, I was on such a high after seeing my little mate, not so much now seeing his concerned face.
Toeing my shoes off, I kick them beside the door and wander into the living room where he is sitting on the leather armchair by the window. “Spying on me now?” I ask, knowing he just witnessed everything outside with me and Cleo.
“Not spying, I’ve come to speak to you about Deacon.” I raise an eyebrow at his words.
“What about him?” I ask, falling onto the sofa. Vance scratches his chin nervously before leaning forward and resting his elbows on his knees.
