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

Chapter 0096

Kaia POV

Father was a bit of an old style Alpha. He liked to have the alpha house busy with staff, just as we did at the

Clearwaters Pack. Always someone available to attend to his every needs. That's what it used to be like, but not

so much anymore, not with modern alpha leaders. The staff here were grateful to be part of a pack again, and

would go above and beyond what should be expected of them. They even kindly offered to cook dinner for

Samson and |, but he had rejected their offer before my lips even moved to answer. He wanted to cook dinner

and it would be nice to have the alpha house to ourselves. A quiet evening so that we could catch up and talk

about old times.

I didn't believe him at first when he said he can cook, he really can. | was used to betas that worked just as many

hours as alphas, not having much tfor themselves and therefore not being very good at looking after

themselves. So to watch Samson cook was refreshing.

We were both in the kitchen, music playing softly in the background as he pours wine into a glass as | sat at the

kitchen island watching him. It was nice to be with someone from my childhood, someone | could be myself

around.

A lot had changed since our innocent childhood day. We spend ttalking about the pack we grew up in, how

the moon would always glisten on the still crystal clear waters that surrounded the lands like a moat protecting a

castle.

How at night tit didn't look like water, it looked like a mirror reflecting the twinkling stars in the night sky and

how the moon's soft tranquil glow would beam off the water's surface.

Even just picturing it, | feel instantly relaxed.

There's no grand presentation as he places the bowl! of spaghetti bolognaise in front of me. He was not a

showman, he can cook and he knows it. He's had to look after himself for 4 years as have I. He is a survivor.

| twirl the spaghetti around my fork before placing it into my mouth, when he asksa question.

"So what happened at the Dark Phantom pack?" He asks twirling his own fork, before looking atalready

expecting my answer. Where do | begin.

| use the chewing of my spaghetti as an opportunity to think of my answer.

"What do you mean?" | swallow, wiping the corner of my mouth with the napkin.

"You left abruptly. | expected you to have stayed there for longer. Did something happen?" He presses. | know |

need to tell him, but a part ofstill isn't ready to relive what | went through...in both packs.

| look down at my bowl of food comteplating exactly how much to tell him. Would it helpto share more, to let

someone from my past in on my secrets..I'm not sure. Sometimes no good can cfrom oversharing.

Sometimes the past was better left...in the past. "Hey, Kaia....I'm always here for you. You can tellanything."

His hand strokes my arm, refocusing my mind on the present.

+25 BONUS

Chapter 0096

"| found out things, things that makequestion the moon goddess’ plan for me." | sigh out, placing my fork

down. My appetite suddenly disappearing.

"And?"

"It would seem | have 2 mate bonds. Neither of which want me."

"| can't believe that!" Samson gasps out in disbelief. Because it was unbelievable, how unfortunate someone

could be to miss out not once, but twice. When he realises | was being completely genuine, his hand grips

mine...his held offering a comfort I didn't know | actually needed. | can't help the single tear fall down my cheek,

| was usually more together than this...more in control of my emotions. But something about having Samson

here was remindingof what my mother would say...what she would have been like. "What was she like?"

"Luna Aliki? | don't really remember...| just remember long brown hair....like yours." He sadly smiles as he

brushes a few strands of hair behind my shoulder.

"I'm sorry...about her and about mates that can't see how special you truly are." He adds.

"It's fine, I'm happy with my lot in life. I've realised | don't need a fated mate bond to excel in life...I just need to

be around my Father. Together we can get this pack authorised, I truly believe that. I've worked so hard with

most of the packs, | just need a few more to sign a treaty deal and we can relax slightly." "You need more

warriors, more defence.." We do, and hopefully if he decides to stay, he would play an integral part in helping us

to keep our borders.

"Will you accept the Beta role?"

"If your Father decides he wantsfor the long term, then yes, I think | will accept it. It would be nice to feel

fully submerged in a pack link again. To support you..."

"Your Father would be proud of you." I say, placing my hand on his arm as his jaw tenses from my statement.

He reaches forward grabbing his glass and taking a sip, before turning towith a strained smile...both his

parents would have been proud of him. He's lost so much as well and he wasn't even there to help.

"Where have you been for the last few days?" | change the subject slightly off his parents, | didn't mean to upset

him.

'l had left the other pack not realising what to expect here. | had kept things close to my chest, not really

explaining to them what | was doing. | didn't want to not have a place to return to if things didn't work out ere.

But I've told them that I will be here from now on

You might change your mind when you are faced with another attack."

won't, | know what you face...and | want to face it with you. | want to face everything with you."