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

"No Cleo, they live for you and Ares."

“Perhaps, I also didn't want Ares' alpha title to be affected." I sigh out, truths were

being spoken that should have been said a long time ago.

Death creating a time to ponder on the past, on the mistakes made.

"Is that what you think of us, that we wouldn't have looked after our own."

"For all I knew, I was pregnant with a man's child that had a fated mate. It would have ruined everything..."

"My son is the only one at fault of that."

“No, he cannot take all the blame. Looking back I felt the bond all my life, I just didn't believe I was worthy of him, that I deserved him." Silent tears start to cascade down my cheek.

"Oh Cleo." Her hand reaches out to mine, wrapping it around both mine and Alora's.

"It wasn't just the bond, I needed to leave in that moment, I couldn't cope with the disappointment on Mum's face."

"Your Mum may be lost at times Cleo, but she never loses faith in you."noveldrama

"Maybe, I just wish she wouldn't let the darkness in."

"It's being here....it's being near the Amber Desert pack. It brings back bad memories for her."

"How so?"

I see hesitation in her eyes, but I need to know...I need to understand why Mum has a darkness in her...what if it takes me when I become a mother. What if it is hereditary.

"When she was young, younger than you are now. The Amber Desert pack was surrounding the borders of the Dark Phanton pack in an attempt to claim me back. I had escaped, finding out that I was pregnant with Than's child...and that once I gave birth he would have harvested my organs to save Alora.

His warriors scattered the borders, Hector refusing to give me up. Rosa was

looking for your grandfather at the borders, one of the warriors coaxed her off the pack grounds... pretending to be her mate."

"What?"

"He....he took advantage of her youth and naivety at not being able to feel the mate bond, but believing that he could.

It ruined her...until your Dad visited and claimed her as his mate."

"She was attacked, sexually attacked?"

"Yes I'm afraid so. Your Mum has demons that have never truly healed."

Everything makes sense now, why she has always been excessively protective not letting me be alone with males in the pack, not even my own pack members that are there to keep the alpha's daughter safe.

No wonder she lets her wolf take control, the memories must be too painful and

she blacks out.

"I had no idea."

"That is how they wanted it. That's

how we all wanted it...a fresh

ning

started. But can see now, we weren't recovering we were from the past...and it has now impacted our future. A mistake won't make again." She defiantly declares, her hand cupping the side of Alora's face.

I always wondered why Mum barely saw her parents, why I didn't have much of a relationship

with my own grandparents...not from any fault of theirs, or Mum's for that matter.

Returning to the Dark Phntom pack held dark memories for mum. Ones that she couldn't face.

"Where is he...is he here?" If he was still here I would punish him immediately.

"No, Hector killed him. From what I gather he didn't have any family left here. Don't hold it against the pack...one person's crime shouldn't lead to an entire pack's punishment."

I let her words sink in, take a moment to consider her advice.

"Thank you for telling me. I know it couldn't have been easy, but I appreciate your honesty." I stand at a gentle knock on the door. Kaia's panic stricken eyes dart to the door, before back to her sister where she tidies her clothing and hair

"Cleo?"

"Hmm?"

"Jace has loved you since you were born. Please don't hold it against him that he became confused,

it must have been hard for those feelings to change when they did.

He just needed time...granted he's gone about it the wrong way...but his love for

you is undying. Remember that when he tests your patience."

"I will." I move to the door, slowly pulling it open and stepping aside as Hector, Ezra, Jace and Jaxon enter into the room, preparing to carry Alora down to the waiting black van in the courtyard.

Her death needed avenging but for now we have a funeral to plan for, we need to say goodbye.