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

- Jace -

"Cleo?" Without thinking I call out after her as she bolts from the dining table towards the downstairs bathroom.

"Is she quite alright?" Luna Louise gasps out, looking towards Cleo's parents who both move to chase after her.

"I'll go." Jaxon moves past them, hurrying into the direction Cleo fled to, his eyes flashing to mine as he moves past Cleo's now empty place setting.

Since when were the two of them thick as thieves.

"Here Jace..." Callie passes the knife over to me to continue with the cutting of the dish, as plates are passed up towards me already full to the brim with potatoes and vegetables. I don't respond to her at first, my ears listening to the bathroom door as Jaxon knocks on it...before kicking it in.

Then, when he closes the door, I hear nothing.

I serve up the plates, one at a time, trying to look as if I am involved in the many conversations happening around me but I'm not.

My ears and eyes are trained on the entrance into the dining room.

The only location both Jaxon and Cleo will need to walk back into rejoin us.

They've been gone quite some time, second helpings were already being dished up, yet Cleo and Jaxon's plates remained empty.

"Shall I plate some up for Jaxon and Cleo?" Josie offers out.

"Yes, they've been gone a long time...is everything okay?" Luna Louise openly asks out.

"Erm..." Auntie Rosa reddens at the questions, as all eyes now fall upon her.

"Shall I go check Cleo is okay?" Callie whispers next to me, drawing my attention back onto her.

"No need." Jaxon chimes out as he re-enters the dining room, Cleo linked in his arm.

He escorts her back to her seat where he pulls the chair out and, once she has sat down...pushes it in for her, tucking her neatly in towards the table.

"Is everything okay?" Callie asks out next to me, a soft smile upon her face as Cleo looks up with a similar smile.

"Yes sorry, I over exerted myself at training today." Her chins raises up as she plasters on a show stopping smile...before reaching out to fill her plate up.

I watch Jaxon travel the length of the room, to his seat, where he does the same...only for his plate to be passed down towards me to serve up the remainder of the beef wellington.

I narrow my eyes at him, a smirk forming upon his face before I pass the now full plate back down the

table towards him.

Each person on my side taking it in turns to pass it to the other.

Something was going on...has he said something to her. Is he trying to fill her head with nonsense.

Even though I refuse to admit it out loud to him, he knows how much I love her...what was he trying to do...make me jealous.

Frustratingly it was working.

By the time dessert is ready, we have all agreed to take a break from siting and return to the table later on for the final course.

The meal was heavy meaning everybody was keen to move their bodies or rest out in comfort on the sofas in the living room.

Everyone files into the living room, taking a seat...all but Cleo who remains standing back..near the hallway.

I hear her offer to make a start on clearing up to Mum, who informs her that it will be done later and she would much rather Cleo enjoy being with us.

But she remains on the spot, not entering into the living room.

"Cleo, are you sure you are okay...you look very pale." Luna Louise calls out to her and not in a discreet manner.

I feel the hot flare of anger at how this woman keeps putting her nose into other people's business.

My people's business.

"Maybe I should check you over?" Josie moves towards Cleo who surprisingly back steps further

into the hallway.

"I can't be here." I swear I hear her whisper to herself.

"That's a great idea Josie." Mum nods out, encouraging Josie further.

"No..I'm fine. I think I just need some fresh air." Cleo becomes flustered at the offer, gripping tightly onto her phone in her hand. "Are you sure?"

"Yes, I'll just have a little walk before dessert, I won't be long."noveldrama

Cleo swiftly removes herself from the house, the front door closing gently. My eyes follow the windows

where

where, sure enough, she heads past them.concentrating on her phone out

Then she is gone.

A phone beeps within the living room, Maya pulling out her phone where she starts typing away.

"Maybe I should go after her?" Josie offers out, only for Jaxon to speak up.

"She's fine, she just needs some air. She pulled her stomach muscles during training..."

"Then I really should see her." Josie is almost in the hallway, determined to catch up with Cleo.

"Josie, I said she is fine." Jaxon

moves. at a lighting speed, blocking Josie's access...making it

impossible for her to pa libe

without challenging him.

A gut wrenching uncomfortable feeling refuses to leave me and I know it's my wolf wanting me to go check on Cleo.

Something was wrong...I know something is wrong because I am causing it to her.

I glance to Callie who is busy talking

to Maya and Josie, her parent's deep in conversation with Jaxon and Knox... the rest talking amongst themselves.

I should be deep in the throes of tonight...of the celebrations but I can't. I can't stop the feeling of needing to check up on Cleo.