Chained to the Enemy Alpha

Lily watched as Zayn moved around the kitchen haphazardly. It was clear he didn't know where items were placed and had a tough time figuring out what he was looking for.

He pulled out pans, only to put them back, and stared at ingredients like they were foreign objects.

'Do you need some help?' Lily signed when he finally turned to face her.

"No. Actually, yes," He sighed in defeat, "Do you know which one's the cast iron pan?"

Lily chuckled a little as she pointed him in the right direction.

"Thank you," He replied with a small smile before gathering the ingredients by the stove.

Lily got out of her seat and walked over to his side. She looked at him, staring down at the ingredients.

'Are you sure you've cooked before?' She signed, asking again.

Zayn bit his lip, "No, not really." His earlier confidence faltered as he gripped the edge of the counter.

"I know what I said. I didn't mean to lie about it," He rambled, running a hand through his hair. "When I was enslaved, we had to survive on anything we could get our hands on. Rodents we would grill over the fire. Roots we found in the forest. I thought it would be the same."

"When Grayson and Xavier took an interest in me, they made sure I was fed just enough to live and not die. All for their entertainment."

The last words came out bitter, and Lily knew he meant. The fighting pits, the torture her father and brother inflicted on him for their entertainment. Just as she had suffered.

'So I'll be your first?' Lily signed, then immediately blushed when she realized how her question sounded.

Zayn's eyes widened slightly before his mouth curved into a rare full smile. "Yes, Lily. You'll be the first to taste my cooking."

Something about being his first made Lily feel special. She smiled back, feeling the warmth spread through her chest.

Zayn turned to the stove with renewed determination. "I've seen this done before. How hard can it be? Steak and eggs. Simple enough."

First, he started a fire. Once the fire was going, he placed the cast-iron pan on the stove. The dry pan began to smoke almost immediately. Zayn grabbed a chunk of butter, tossing it into the screaming hot pan where it instantly blackened.

Lily tried her best to hold back. She watched as Zayn furrowed his brows when he noticed how quickly the butter began to brown.

"Did I do something wrong?" He muttered to himself.

When he caught Lily looking at him, he gave her a reassuring smile. But she saw right through him. It wasn't a reassurance, it was a call for help. She gently tapped him on the shoulder and signed.

'Let me help.'

Zayn nodded and took a step back, letting her take the lead. Lily picked up a mitten and took the hot cast-iron pan off the stove. She removed the burnt butter while the pan cooled.

'Let's season the steaks first,' She signed, while pointing at the raw steaks.

Zayn nodded, looking relieved yet embarrassed. "I'm more useful in battle than in kitchens, it seems."

Lily showed him how to season the steaks and properly heat the pan. This time, it was looking much better. When the steaks were almost ready, Zayn reached for the cast-iron handle without thinking.

Lily's eyes widened in alarm. Without hesitation, she pushed his hand away and grabbed the handle herself. Searing pain shot through her palm as the hot metal burned her skin. She dropped the pan with a loud clatter, clutching her injured hands.

"Lily!" Zayn's voice was sharp with concern. He gently took her wrist, examining her reddening palms. "You're hurt! You didn't have to do that; I would have healed quickly."

Lily couldn't sign with her injured hand, but she gave him a look that said everything. She couldn't bear to see him hurt, even in such a small way.

"Come here," he murmured, leading her to the sink. He turned on the cold water, carefully holding her hand under the stream. "Keep it there."

Lily watched his face as he focused on her hand, his brow furrowed with concern.

"Where do they keep medical supplies?" he asked, looking around the kitchen helplessly.

Lily pointed with her good hand to a small cabinet near the pantry. Zayn hurried over, fumbling through its contents until he found bandages and a jar of healing salve.

"I should know where these things are," he muttered, more to himself than to her.

When he returned, he carefully dried her hand with a clean towel, then opened the salve. The pungent herbal smell filled the air between them as he hesitated.

"I…I don't want to hurt you more," he admitted.

Lily shook her head and extended her hand toward him, trusting him completely. Zayn dipped his fingers into the salve and began applying it with feather-light touches. His focus was absolute, his movements precise and gentle.

She watched him work, admiring his concentration, the way his dark lashes cast shadows on his cheekbones in the kitchen's soft light. When she realized she was staring, she quickly looked away.

Zayn caught her gaze and the corner of his mouth twitched. "Am I hurting you?"

Lily shook her head, heat rising to her cheeks that had nothing to do with her burn.

After wrapping her hand in a light bandage, Zayn stepped back. "There. It should heal quickly."

Lily was about to sign 'thank you' when her stomach growled again. They both laughed, the tension melting away. They both turned their attention to the steak that was splattered on the ground.

"Let's forget the steak," Zayn said, still chuckling. "I saw some salted beef and bread earlier. I can't ruin a sandwich, at least."

He moved to the pantry and returned with the ingredients. Lily watched as he carefully assembled two simple sandwiches, his movements more confident now.

"Here," he said, sliding one plate toward her. "It's not much, but it will stop your stomach from protesting."

Lily took a bite, smiling appreciatively. The simple food tasted wonderful after her long day. When she heard Zayn's stomach rumble, she immediately broke her sandwich in half and offered him a portion.

"You don't have to—" he began, but she insisted, pushing it toward him.

His fingers brushed hers as he accepted it, sending a tingle up her arm. "Thank you," he said softly.

They ate in comfortable silence, stealing glances at each other. Lily was concentrating on her sandwich when she felt Zayn's touch.

She didn't flinch, but glanced up at him. He wiped a crumb from her cheek, his thumb lingering for a moment too long. Lily felt the same warmth from earlier intensify. They both looked into each other's eyes, locked in a trance.

Lily felt her body getting warmer. It almost felt too hot. Her skin grew sensitive to every brush of air. She tried to refocus on the food, but her senses intensified. She tried her best to ignore it while finishing her sandwich, but she became hyper-aware of Zayn.

His scent, his proximity, the sound of his breathing. It was gradually overwhelming her.

When they finished eating and rose from their chairs, Lily's arm brushed against Zayn's. The contact sent a wave of heat down to her core so intense that she gasped.

She stumbled, dizzy from the sudden rush of sensation. Zayn caught her, his strong hands steadying her shoulders. The touch only made the heat worse, spreading through her limbs like wildfire.

"Lily?" Zayn's voice sounded distant though he stood right in front of her. "What's wrong?"

She couldn't answer. Her breath came in short gasps, her skin flushed. Every place where his hands touched her felt like it was burning.

Zayn's eyes widened as he looked at her more closely. His nostrils flared slightly, and something in his expression changed. His own breathing quickened, becoming shallow.

"Lily, are you…" he began, his voice dropping to a husky whisper. He swallowed hard before continuing, "Are you in heat?"