Chained to the Enemy Alpha-Chapter 155: Just A Dream

Zayn jerked awake, heart pounding, sweat forming on his forehead. A voice echoed in his mind, calling for him. It felt so real, so familiar, yet he couldn't place it.

"Zayn?" Victoria's voice broke through his thoughts. She lay beside him, her arm still bandaged from the events of the night before. "What's wrong?"

He ran a hand through his disheveled hair. "I heard a voice calling to me in my head. It felt… real."

Victoria propped herself up, wincing dramatically. "Maybe it was me. I was dreaming about you. I was searching for you, calling your name." She traced a finger along his bare chest. "Perhaps our connection is growing stronger."

Zayn remained silent. Deep down, he knew it wasn't Victoria. The voice didn't belong to her; it belonged to someone else. Memories of the night before replayed in his mind. He watched Lily rummage through the chest, finding a strange coin.

What was that coin? Why did it cause him to have a splitting headache when he saw it?

Why did he care about anything she was looking for?

'Ezra." Zayn mind-linked with his Beta.

Moments later, Ezra appeared at the doorway.

"Yes, Alpha?"

"Did you find Lily?" Zayn asked.

Victoria's face darkened, but she masked it quickly.

Ezra shook his head, "I can't find her anywhere, Alpha. I checked everywhere, the gardens… even the library."

"Perhaps she finally learned to stay away," Victoria muttered, sliding out of bed. "The Crystal Moon Ball will begin soon. We should prepare."

She moved to Zayn's wardrobe and pulled out his formal black suit, carefully laying it on the bed.

Zayn's jaw tightened, but he said nothing.

Where was Lily? And why did he care so much?

Victoria helped him dress, her fingers lingering as she buttoned his jacket. "You look so handsome, Alpha," she whispered, pressing herself against him.

"Let's go," he said flatly, pulling away.

The grand hall buzzed with activity as they approached. Nobles and pack leaders mingled, while music played softly in the background. The announcer stood at attention as they approached the entrance.

"Announcing Alpha Zayn Knightmoon and Luna—"

Victoria shot the announcer a deadly glare, leaning in to whisper harshly. The man cleared his throat.

"Announcing Alpha Zayn Knightmoon and Victoria."

A wave of whispers swept across the room. Eyes darted their way, some curious, others disapproving. Victoria lifted her chin, clinging to Zayn's arm like she belonged there.

Alpha Drake and Luna Eliza stood nearby, engaged in conversation with another couple. When they spotted Zayn, Alpha Drake waved him over.

"Alpha Zayn," Drake greeted warmly, clasping his forearm. "Good to see you."

Luna Eliza, however, remained stone-faced. Her eyes flicked to Victoria, then back to Zayn without acknowledgment.

"Luna Eliza," Zayn greeted with a nod.

She returned the nod stiffly, deliberately focusing solely on him. "Alpha Zayn. I trust you're well?"

Victoria cleared her throat. "Luna Eliza, it's been too long."

Luna Eliza didn't even glance her way. The silence that followed was deafening.

Alpha Drake shifted uncomfortably. "Forgive my mate's rudeness," he said to Zayn, shooting his wife a pointed look.

Luna Eliza sipped her champagne, completely unbothered.

Zayn's eyes scanned the room, searching for Lily. Why was he looking for her? Curiosity got the better of him. He had to know what that coin was. What was it doing in his belongings if she meant nothing to him?

"Who are you looking for?" Victoria asked, squeezing his arm.

"Just seeing where the wine bar is," he lied smoothly. "I could use a drink."

"I'll get you one," Victoria offered quickly, too quickly. "Red, right?"

Zayn nodded, and she slipped away.

Luna Eliza watched Victoria leave before turning back to Zayn. "Alpha Zayn, might I offer some friendly advice?"

"Of course."

She stepped closer, her voice lowering. "Figure out who truly has your best interests at heart. Some wear masks so convincing, we forget to look beneath them."

Before he could respond, she turned back to her husband, effectively ending the conversation.

Zayn stood there, processing her words. An unfamiliar pull tugged at him, drawing him across the hall. His wolf was restless, urging him forward.

'Find her.'

Zayn excused himself and followed his instincts. His wolf led him toward a secluded balcony at the side of the main hall.

There, he saw a figure back-facing him. He didn't need her to turn around. He knew it was Lily.

"Alpha, you shouldn't be here," Ragnar blocked his line of sight, along with Talia.

Lily turned as soon as she heard Ragnar's voice. Zayn widened his eyes in shock. The moonlight lit Lily's dress beautifully. An elegant blue gown. Her hair fell into soft waves around her shoulders.

"Zayn," Talia stood by Ragnar's side, blocking Zayn's path, "What are you doing here?"

He was beginning to question himself about the same thing. Surprisingly, he found his calm.

"I… I just want to talk."

"After what happened last night?" Ragnar growled, "You told her to never return, Alpha."

Lily placed a hand on Ragnar's shoulder, a silent request for him to stand down. Her eyes met Zayn's, questioning and wary.

"I didn't come to fight," Zayn said, taking a step forward. "I wanted…"

What did he want? He wasn't even sure himself. All he knew was that he'd been drawn here, to her.

Ragnar remained tense, ready to move at the first sign of threat. "Give me one reason to trust you won't hurt her again."

"I won't," Zayn said, and strangely, he meant it. "I just want to talk to Lily. Alone."

"Absolutely not," Talia said firmly, "I think it's in everyone's best interest if you stayed away, Zayn."

Lily bit her lip. She looked deep into Zayn's eyes. Something about him was different. The others didn't seem to notice, but the Zayn standing before them looked like the Zayn she knew.

The Zayn she loved.

'You're only here to talk?' Lily asked through sign language.

"Yes."

"Lily, we talked about this. Now isn't–"

'Let him through. I want to speak to him.'