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

Kaia POV

What was he thinking...

I hear him call after me as I traipsed wet around Jude's house, leaving soggy footprints on his carpeted stairs, but I was too fuming to stop and dry my feet.

All I wanted to know is if I could remember to swim, and I wanted to do it privately. Beta Edmund had agreed but only if he waited with me for a while, which he did and was happy with my natural ability to swim.

I was feg proud of myself until I was nearly drowned.

"Kaia, wait." His wide strides outstep mine and he is close to me already. I pick up my pace entering our guest room only to slam the door...but his arm and shoulder block it and he pushes it open.

I need to insist on separate rooms. I don't want to be anywhere near him right now, let alone share a

bedroom.

"Look...I'm sorry." He offers as he pushes through the door. It's the only thing I hate about the mate bond from time to time, my body already trying to give into his charm, trying to change my mindset. I could feel my anger already trying to dissipate.

"It was an overreaction, I see that now." He takes a step towards me, closing the door behind him, making no attempt whatsoever to cover his naked body.

"An overreaction? You don't say..." I chide back as I firmly wrap the towel around me.

"I just panicked...saw your head down in the water....it brought back memories..."

"I get that but your level of protectiveness is sometimes overwhelming. I don't know if you were like that before, but I need you to back off at times."

"It's because I wasn't like that before Kaia, that mistakes were made. I understand that you are annoyed at me, but when it comes to your safety, I won't make the same mistakes."

"Even at the cost of my happiness.." My eyes roam upon him, my body tensing as I try to fight against the gravitational pull. The call to touch him, to not fight with him...my wolf wanting to forgive him for what just happened. But I have to stand my ground, I was an alpha wolf myself, he can't pull this shit.

"If you are dead then you can't be happy." He coldly shrugs at me, his words were true but bloody brutal. They leave a lingering atmospheric shift between us...I was more determined now to not back down.

"Samson said my Father was controlling, are you also controlling?"

"No, your Father was another level of controlling." He scoffs. Why am I only just hearing this from his lipsProperty belongs to Nôvel(D)r/ama.Org.

now.

"Why has it taken a stranger to tell me that, why didn't you tell me that. What else are you not telling me?" 1 growl at him, my arms crossing as I feel the anger continuing to build within me.

He doesn't answer me but I can feel his command trying to push itself upon me. He might be standing

before me naked but he was still that powerful alpha that earned respect across the nation.

My hot eyes glare back at his and I can feel my internal power strengthening, the Alpha side of me now trying to come out. Trying to combat his own aura.

"I'll come down when I'm ready.." I turn my back on him

"Kaia?"

"No Hector, I want some space, I'll come down when I'm ready."

I had picked out a satin orange tight fitting long dress for the banquet. At the time of ordering it I thought it would suit my sun-kissed skin tones and if it made me look irresistible around a group of Alphas to make Hector jealous....that would be a bonus.

But now I would much rather wear sweatpants and a vest. I didn't want any flirtatious efforts from single alphas, or jealous glares form Hector this evening. But this was Jude's event and I wouldn't let my argument with Hector outshine another pack's efforts. The pool that had caused our argument earlier had now been closed off, I wonder if that was to stop me from swimming again.

However, it was now well lit by fairy lights adding only to the ambience of the beautifully decorated Alpha house and garden. Rows upon rows of tables covered the garden that were covered with white linen table cloths. Each place setting was decorated with lavender plants and candles. It looked beautiful.

I could feel him watching my entrance, feel his eyes on me and I was already annoyed at my wolf for wanting to go to him. To touch him...she was becoming more and more difficult to navigate around this 'mate bond.

He had returned to the room earlier as I was getting ready, only to grab his tuxedo and walked back out of the room...without a word spoken.

I can feel his glaze following me, threatening to eat me like the hungry wolf that he is. I have to bite down on my inner cheek to stop the moans my wolf wants to give out for his burning stare. His hot eyes rising from my ankles up to my cleavage and when I turn, remaining on my behind for quite some time.

If he thought I would abide by his rules then he had another thing coming. We were at a stalemate and he knew it as he slowly sipped back on his bottle of beer. surrounded by a group of males that were also looking at me.

I try to ignore him as a waiter offers me a drinks tray and I select the champagne flute that was adorned with a strawberry on top.

I down the drink, knowing his eyes remain on me before smiling at the waiter and taking another drink. An elderly couple walk over to me, the Alpha and Luna Introducing themselves as I met their attempts

I gave me the opportunity to pretend I didn't notice his attention. with small talk, in fact welcoming it. The

I nod and make sure I look animated for my audience as I giggle at the older alpha's joke...until they want to introduce me to their heir... their very handsome son

I've never seen Hector move so quickly and our stalemate seems to have finished, me the victor.

"Excuse me Alpha and Luna...I need my mate and Luna for a dance." He pulls me into his arms, excusing me before walking me to the dance floor and placing his hands on my hips.

"It would seem I won..." I whisper as his hand is pressed against my lower back, pulling me closely into

him.

"Won?" His closeness makes my heart beat faster, his eyes no longer looking at mine, but at my very low neckline.

When he licks his lips, I feel my wolf trying to push forward.

"The stale mate, you cracked first." I push my wolf back, my eyes locked on his lips, on that tongue that continues to trace across his lower lips. Images erupt into my mine as I continue to stare at his tongue, naughty images. "You mean did I want another male sniffing around my mate...no.

"So, I did win?"

"Love, I'm not sure what game you think we are playing but let me tell you know....you willn ever win."