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

I know exactly what she is thinking, how she is blaming herself for everything that has transpired

just now. She is blaming herself for Alora's death, for his death, for me being the new Alpha.

"Cleo..."

"I should go inside..."

"No..." I grunt out, only for her to turn to look directly at Knox.

"Can you let Josie know there is an injured female in the beta house that needs attending to."

My eyes flicker up to the beta house, my brows furrowing at her words.

She was shutting down on me, whether through shock or guilt...but in no way do I blame her for

this....I was the one to blame, not her.

"Cleo..."

"I'll be inside Alpha, when you are ready." She coldly comments, moving away from me.

"Is she okay?" Callie calls out to me from behind, my eyes watching Cleo move slowly back into

the alpha house.

"No...she's in shock.” I rumble out, only just realising I was still fully naked from my shift. I move to the back of the car I arrived in, pulling out a change of clothes I always kept in the boot space... pulling on a fresh pair of shorts and a training top.

"We are all in shock." Jaxon sighs out, as he pulls his phone out of his pant's pocket and hits dial.

"I'm going to call the Clear Waters, have them prepare for Auntie Alora's funeral." "Yes...yes good point."

"I'm proud of you Jace." Jaxon places his arms around me, pulling me into a brotherly embrace

before patting me on the back.

"Now take your mate before she escapes again." He whispers into my ear.

“I'll go inform Josie about the female in the beta house. We will reconvene in the alpha office

shortly, when you are ready."

"Thanks Knox." He moves into the alpha house, leaving me outside with Callie.

Shit...I didn't even think...

"Callie, I'm..."

"Nope, don't say it. Jaxon is right to be proud of you. You've finally stepped up into the role of alpha. Accepting your fate."

"Yeah well, I didn't expect this.."

"Sometimes life happens when you are busy making other plans."

"What about your parents."

"My problems are my problems...either they will give me the pack on my terms or they won't.

There isn't much I can do about that." She swipes the car keys out of my hand, moving to the driver's side.

"Where are you going?"

"I'll go back to Clear Waters, my parents will be there by now. I'll give you time to grieve as a

family...I'll message Colt, keep him in the loop."

"Thanks Callie."

"Look after yourself, and her." She gestures her head towards the house, towards Cleo before enteri the vehicle, starting the ignition and driving away.

Heading into the alpha house, I block out the cries of grief coming from Mum and Josie upstairs,

their sobs too painful to hear right now.

I need to grieve, I will grieve...but right now too much was still at stake.

I had just won a pack through an alpha challenge, the ex Luna has escaped and could be rallying packs against us. We could be attacked at any moment.

I had to focus, I had to secure the borders and figure out what I am going to do about Clear Waters.

In defeating the alpha of the Amber Desert pack I had just inherited the lands here... the title...the people...everything.

I've got days to learn decades of history of this pack, to assure the pack members of their safety. As long as they play ball.

Following her scent, that scent that I have tried so desperately to ignore...to avoid, I can hear her breathing heavily in the alpha office.

Moving into the room, I slowly close the door behind me, blocking out the sounds of despair coming from upstairs...of the whispers coming from presume the kitchen area that was at the end of the hallway

No distractions, no interruptions, no sudden noise.

I needed to be with her, alone.

She's fiddling at a wall painting behind the desk, removing it to reveal a build-in

safe.

She types in a range of digits, each time the safe refusing to open. She screams out in frustration as she continues to hit digits...before

banging heavily on the safe door.

She was crumbling before my very eyes.

"Cleo..." My voice calls out to her.noveldrama

IMS

"Don't Jace..." Her back tenses.

"how can you ever forgive me?"

"Forgive you...what for?"

"For Alora...for what you have taken on...for losing the Clear Waters pack."

Enough of this, enough of her self blame. If anyone was to blame it was me...not her. My actions

have brought us here, it was me and me alone that pushed her away.

Pushed her...pushed her to this.

"Because...there is nothing to forgive. You've haven't done anything wrong...this

is all on me."