I take a seat next to Lydia and watch my father talk to the other pack members. She glances at me curiously yet doesn’t say anything with my father within earshot.
My father’s voice booms through the stadium, signaling the start of training. As always, we begin with physical exercises before moving on to combat training.
I try my best to focus on the drills and pay attention during combat demonstrations, but my mind keeps wandering back to Zayn. Why is he here? Is it just a coincidence or did he purposely come here knowing I would be here, too?
My thoughts are interrupted when one of the pack warriors accidentally knocks into me during a sparring match. My father quickly rushes over, apologizing profusely while also scolding the warrior.
I shake my head, assuring him I am fine. And my father finally calls it quits on training.
After training, I make my way to the locker rooms to change. However, the last thing I expect is to be grabbed from behind and pulled into a cleaning closet by Zayn.
“Zayn!” I gasp, my heart racing as I stare up at him in surprise. “What are you doing?”
“Where have you been?” he demands, his eyes searching mine with concern and frustration. “Why haven’t you answered any of my texts?”
“Shh,” I whisper, glancing nervously at the door. “My father, he’s been watching me like a hawk. I can’t risk being caught talking to you.”
“Damn it, Cleo.” Zayn curses under his breath, running a hand through his disheveled hair. With his close proximity, I struggle to keep my emotions in check. “I was wondering why I couldn’t get a hold of you,” he grumbles.
“What’s going on?” Zayn questions.
“I need to go,” I tell him, pushing him aside.
“He’s really got a leash on you, hasn’t he?” Zayn murmurs, his eyes darkening before quickly pulling me toward him. He wraps his arms around me. I sigh, relishing the contact. It’s nice to be touched when all week I’ve earned nothing but sneers from Lydia and criticism from my father.
“Zayn, I can’t be here with you,” I whisper, glancing towards the door. My father has been watching me like a hawk, and I know it is only a matter of time before he realizes I’m not alone. “He took my phone, and I’m in so much trouble already. Deacon has not returned, and I have to focus on school now.”
“School?” His brow furrowed. “When do you go back?”
“Tomorrow,” I reply, my voice cracking with anxiety. “Please, Zayn, I need to go. If my father catches us…”
“Alright.” He sighs, clearly frustrated yet understanding the gravity of the situation. “Come on,” he says softly, releasing me and cracking open the door to make sure the coast was clear. “You need to get back before your father notices you’re gone.”
I nod, swallowing hard as I step out of the closet and rush to the locker room into the harsh light of reality.
“Cleo!” My father’s voice cuts through the air like a knife as I exit the stadium, making me jump. He is waiting for me by hiscar, his expression unreadable. I approach cautiously, trying to act as casually as possible.
“Where is Lydia?” I ask him.
“Linda picked her up,” my father answers without explaining further. The ride home is tense and silent, my heart pounding in my chest as I wonder what my father is thinking.
“Where are we going?” I finally ask when it becomes clear we aren’t heading straight home. “I thought we were going home?”
“We will,” he replies cryptically, still not meeting my gaze. “Afterward.”
“Where are we going?” I press, growing increasingly anxious. My father refuses to answer, and as we pull up to a doctor’s office, my stomach drops like a stone. “No!” I exclaim, realizing what he intends to do as I catch sight of Alpha Dane waiting at the nearby doors.
“Cleo, as the next Alpha, you need to make sacrifices,” my father says sternly, ignoring my protests. “This is a small discomfort for the sake of your future pack.”
“Absolutely not.” I refuse, trying to climb out of the car and escape this nightmare. “Cleo!” My father grits out and I glare at him.
“No!” I snap at him slamming the door only to turn around to find Alpha Dane blocking my path with two of his warriors.
“I won’t marry your son, and I’m leaving.” I tell him, trying to step past him when his warriors block my path.
“Your father and I have already signed the treaty agreement,” Alpha Dane replies coldly, his eyes boring into mine. “The paperwork is ready to file. You don’t have a choice.”
“Like fuck I don’t! You can’t force me to marry your son!” My voice is barely audible, yet the defiance in my eyes speaks volumes. I turn away from him, only for his men to grab me.
