Denied by Destiny: Trapped in the Shadows of the Mate Bond

- Cleo ~

I've made this journey hundreds of times in my lifetime.

I've passed the Dark Phantom main gate hundreds of time...so why when the guards stop us do I suddenly feel panic at the way their eyes look at me. They know, they must know.

They all know, this was a trap.

"Evening Alpha, Luna..."

"Evening lads, we aren't usually stopped."

"Sorry Alpha, just extra precaution with another alpha and luna being on site." The guard responds, his eyes moving to the back seat where Ares and I are.

"That must be Jace's mate's parents." Mum's head turns around to both my brother and I, her eyes glistening with excitement.

I could feel my chest tightening, somehow gripping around my heart, how was that even possible.

I take short small breaths trying to control my breathing, something Ares notices.

"Hey, are you okay?" His hand stretches out and rubs my back as I place my head down in between my knees.

Why couldn't I have driven myself like I had suggested, I could have pulled over...not only calming this panic attack but also try and get on top of the nausea that was still hitting me in unpredictable patterns. "Promise me you won't leave me alone in there." My voice is low, careful not to be heard by our parents.

"Why?"

"Just promise me you will stay by my side? Please Ares." I need him to hear the plea in my request, how I couldn't trust myself to be alone with any of them. Not if they all knew.

"Yes, I promise."

I had already sent an SOS text message to Maya who hadn't responded yet but I know she has read it.

It felt as if my insides were curdling and trying to force themselves outwards. The sudden urge to be sick threatening to reveal my truth.

I'm standing in the Varon hallway in no time at all, I look back, I don't even remember us being cleared at the gate.

I must have been so absorbed by my own thoughts that I spaced out.

Kaia throws her arms around me, as she always does. Bringing her cheek to mine as she cups mynoveldrama

face, telling me how much I have changed since the last time she saw me.

I suppose it has been a while.

She scans the length of me, and I catch my breath as her eyes settle upon my lower stomach...she knows..she can sense it.

She's the most powerful wolf in existence, I knew I

couldn't fool her...especially as this is her grandchild I am carrying.

What does that even mean, to be the grandchild of the White Wolf. Josie has abilities being her daughter if I have a girl will my child have abilities of her own...I was spiralling and couldn't stop myself.

"You look beautiful in that dress Cleo." Kaia smiles out at me, as I take in a much need gasp of air.

I wore black to hide any signs of a bump, not that I was showing yet....well I didn't think I was.

But like Kaia says, it's been a while and I wasn't sure if they would pick up on anything.

Black has always been known for its slimming techniques, it's just this particular dress is a tight one.

It leaves nothing to the imagination, even my cleavage I've noticed has started to plump out. I've had to

coax my boobs into the dress, which is now looking a bit too revealing.

My dinner clutch bag is my secret weapon, placing it in front of my stomach as Hector moves over to greet me just like his mate.

"You look senstational. Where has this glow come from?"

"Glow?" I murmur out only for my eyes to catch Dad's and plead him for help.

"I guess I've been outside more than usual recently." I smile out politely to them as Dad pats

Hector on the back and steals his attention away.

Not Kaia's though, she continues to watch me.

She mirrors my smile when a I catch her, her hand gesturing to the sitting room where the others were.

I can't do this, as soon as I get over one hurdle another presents itself.

My feet feel heavy, as if they are

stuck in mud, it would be better if it were quick sand; take me with it. Let the ground pull me under. I'd much prefer that to walking into the sitting room and play the polite guest.