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

So I thought I would save her the time and wait for her here.

Closing my eyes, I tilt my head up to let the morning sun beam upon my face. I would never get used to the way the sun feels stronger here...maybe because the land is slightly of higher altitude.

Even the floral smell this pack seems to have...so many flowers. So much nature here, I felt as if I had found my calling, found the pack for me.

Don't get me wrong, I was a Red Thorn alpha's daughter through and through, but the Amber Desert pack seemed to call to me, as if I was meant to be here all along.

Maybe it's the family connection, maybe my blood can just recognise lineage...family history.

A connection.

My eyes open when I hear the sound of cutting coming to the side of me in the front garden. Opening my eyes I find the elderly relative cutting white roses with pruning shears, her head turning to me as those unworldly eyes stare back at me.

"You know she'll go mental at you." I snicker out, taking steps closer to her as she continues to feel each white rose before deciding which one to cut.

"It's fun to get her worked up, she's far too on her high horse."

"Careful, she's your family.."

"My family? In no way am I related to them...thank the goddess." She pauses, handing me the shears to hold for her as she moves to her jacket chest pocket... pulling out a hip flask.

So the batty guest was senile as well as a drunk.

She takes a sip on the hip flask, to my horror...pain radiates through her face as she grimaces out...a silent scream escaping her.

I drop the shears taking a step closer to her, determined to pull the hip flask out of her hand but she was too fast for me, a growl escaping from her as she holds the flask out of my reach.

"No, not near the baby." She grunts out, her lips still twisting from pain.

"You know I am pregnant?"

"Why else would you be here..."

"Well I.."

"Let me guess, he's offered you safety to raise your child." I'm not sure I like the tone to her voice. "Well as a matter of fact yes.."

"I didn't take the daughter of Alpha Orpheus as a fool." She barks out before seemingly regathering herself, placing the hip flask back in her jacket...her face not so pained now.

"You know my Dad?"

"No...I don't know him."

"What do you mean fool?" My eyes scowl at her.

She doesn't answer me, only stares at me with those haunting eyes.

They are hard to look at, my own eyes struggling to keep eye contact due to how uncomfortable they make me feel.

A cold chill rises up my spine when I hold them for just that little bit too long, the sensation disappearing as soon as I snap them away.

"There you are, ready?” Freya arrives,

her eyes scanning between myself and the woman. A tut escapes her mouth as she regards the female before her hand pulls me by the arm, pulling me noveldrama

away from the garden.

"You shouldn't engage with her Luna, she's crazy.""Crazy?" I'm not sure about crazy, eccentric maybe. "Hmm."

"She's not a relative?"

"No, Alpha found her in the middle of the woods miles from here. Brought her back at the request of the Luna, I don't know why..."

"I can't deny there is something

strange about her." I speak out loud

but it was more for my own benefit. Something was nagging at me, something I couldn't quite put a finger on it."

"Everyone says that. She's bitten a few pack members that have gotten too close, she was then made to stay here at the alpha house."

"Really? No I mean more...I don't know, something familiar about her, but I can't put my finger on it."

"So, you wanted to go to the hospital?"

"Just a tour, just to meet some of the doctors...I just want to be of use."

"You are, you will be....you will make a fine Luna Cleo. Everyone is already besotted with you, you are a breath of fresh air. After the troubles of his past lunas...'

"You've met them both.." I stop dead in my tracks, I can't deny I wanted someone to talk to about this. To understand more of the story.

Auntie Kaia has always been such a positive influence in my life, I refuse to believe the crimes she has been accused of.

Than hasn't said anything, but the pack members...not knowing my connection to her...have been quite vocal and have not painted her in a flattering light.

"I...I shouldn't have mentioned them. I'm sorry."

"You don't have to be sorry, you've done nothing wrong."

Something peculiar takes a hold of Freya, something that has me feeling worried. She freezes, almost talking to herself...her head shaking side to side before it hangs low...a deep sigh escaping her.

"Freya?"

"No.......I need to be somewhere. I'll come find you later."