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

!

Kaia POV

It is the day of the banquet and to say I got any sleep last night would be wholly untrue.Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

The pack looks incredible though, the Dark Phantom pack sure know how to dress for an occasion. Row upon row of outdoor lights hang everywhere.

There were even fire pits that had been installed to light up the main road that leads from the gate entrance to the pack hall. Entertainers had been arranged to perform in the hall and also by the main road to help set the tone of woodland creatures...it will be spectacular. So why am I feeling apprehensive? He might not even come....why would he? He hates the Dark Phantom pack, why would he accept on olive branch now.

want to

to hide away in my guest room, but I can't, I am a guest of the alpha household and Alpha Hector's plus one for the evening. To not make an attendance would be the height of rudeness, to the alpha and his pack members. T ! in too deep now, even helping prepare the canapés.

I was

I

I could see Aubrey was becoming too overwhelmed with the catering...I had to help her. We had a good production line set up; Aubrey making the canapés, me plating and wrapping to keep the freshness. Aubrey was an easy person to be around, the type of female that you could spend hours with and not make any sound. Just comfortable in her presence.

"Do you need help getting ready this evening?" She asks me as she continues to make many more canapés. Her back is currently turned to me, which aids me in her not being able to read my facial expressions.

"No, I should be okay..."

For obvious reasons.

"I didn't plan on making a fuss regarding my hair and make up, I was hoping to blend into the crowd and not be memorable.

"The Alpha has asked for me to assist, so I'll be up shortly. Go take a bath and I'll pop up soon.

She ushers me out of the kitchen, practically pushing me up the grand staircase that is also adorned with fairly lights.

Hours later and I hardly recognise myself. Aubrey has dressed me in a navy corset full ball gown which has a layer of sparkly netting material, a slight sheer corseted body around the stomach and textured flowers on the bust as a contrast.

It was far too extravagant for me and had I of been a few weeks more into my pregnancy, the corset wouldn't have fit. But luckily I can get away with it for this evening

She finishes my hair down with loose curls and my make up with silver glitter around my eyes and cheekbones. She claims I am a woodland deer...I didn't protest, I just want this evening done with Chapter 0015

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already. Hopefully as soon as it starts, I can break away without being missed.

I head down the grand staircase to find Alpha Hector waiting for me at the bottom. His eyes trail up my dress, only providing a simple nod, and I find myself disappointed that he hasn't at least commented on Aubrey's hard work. Because she really has done a good job, even though it is wasted on me.

I have to bite on my own tongue to not comment on how seductively s***y he looks, how my wolf is whining in my head for someone so perfectly made for me. His burnt orange and dark chocolate scent swirls around me, testing my strength.

Clearly I am always to look but never be able to touch. Life can be cruel sometimes.

"Will this do?" I pat down my dress, now regretting being encouraged to dress in something so extravagant. He was dressed in a 3 piece silver grey suit with a dark navy tie..we complimented each other well.

"Indeed." He responds with a deep intake of air, offering his elbow out to me.

or

Or

deflated I take his arm and head out the door with him. I must have it wrong, maybe the pregnancy hormones are creating something that is non-existent.

maybe he just doesn't know what to expect.

"I'm not going to get any jealous glares tonight am I Alpha?"

"What do you mean?"

"From

your mate.....surely a female from another pack is your mate? Will she be attending tonight?" I subtly test his wolf.

"The moon goddess is always the one for surprise."

What did that mean? Always an enigma.

The ball starts of well. I am introduced to a number of alphas and lunas, surprisingly I am doing better with remembering names this evening

General

I conversation flows

lows easily and thankfully because I am now a Dark Phantom pack member, they just assume I have always lived here.

The first time Alpha Hector leaves my side is to talk to an alpha privately. I'm quite happy, I am tucked away near the back eating some of the canapés Aubrey and myself made earlier.

I watch couples dance, children running around and hiding under tables, the band playing upbeat music, I even smile back at Alpha Hector the couple of times his eye's look for me amongst the crowd.

He was deep in conversation with another alpha but couldn't seem to help checking on me.

Continuing to watch the evening's entertainment unfold before me, my back straightens and my wolf becomes alert before I have a chance to realise why.

That's when I feel intense eyes on me.

1 can't see him, even though my eyes are scanning the crowd for him.

He's here, that roasted chestnut scent remains ever merciless in the way it still tries to entice me in. I can

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feel my heartbeat in my ears, momentarily deafening me.

I hate

!

!

the

way I react to him, to the bond.

I am frozen, only just holding on to my drink. It takes all my strength to prevent the glass flute dropping from my fingers and smashing on to the ground. He's closing in on me, I can still feel his eyes on me like a predator. I close my eyes in an attempt to regather my control on my breathing and heartbeat.

I feel a presence in front of me now...his command already trying to force itself on to me.

My eyes flash open...

"Found you."