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

- Jace -

"Nothing like throwing her in the deep end eh? Josie moves towards me, just as Callie and Knox enter onto the training field.

"She can handle it Josie, you just watch." I smirk out as Callie gives me a wink of confidence.

Knox was itching to spar against Callie, to get an idea of her fighting skills. If I didn't know him well enough from training with him myself, then the cracking of his knuckles was the key signal. "He's an alpha trainer Jace.." Josie whispers out, trying to make me change my mind about this.

"Yes and she was raised and trained by an alpha. Give her some credit...and trust me Josie."

"What does that mean?" She frowns at my words, her arms crossing in front of her chest as she becomes defensive.

"I wouldn't choose a Luna who couldn't defend themselves, I know what I am walking into. I wouldn't let my mate enter our lives without being prepared."

"No, the moon chooses your mate Jace. You've been paired with Callie for a reason...that's why she is your destined mate." Her voice is dragged out as she tries to emphasise her point. ""Right, that's what I said."

"Is it." Her eyebrows knit together with confusion. It feels like I am being x-rayed by her under a scrutinising glare, even as I turn to watch Knox and Josie start sparring.

I can feel her continuing to watch me, my wolf sending me warning signals to be on my guard.noveldrama

"You know...we are fated for a reason." She takes a step closer, her voice trying to sound ingenuous this time.

"He's holding back on her..." I take a step forward, knowingly ingoring her statement.

"Don't hold back Knox." I shout out as I watch Callie swipe her leg out, trying to take him out. He looks at me with a "Shut the fuck up" stare, only for Callie to use his lack of concentration to her potential, jumping on his back and pinning him to the ground. She was strong, she was an alpha born female...just like Josie.

"I thought you trained alphas?" Callie chides, purposefully trying to aggravate him as she leans into his ear from behind.

"Maybe I'm going easy on you?" He grunts back at her with a smirk.

"Why because I'm a woman? Would you expect your mate to go easy on an attacker..." I hear her gasp as she is thrown from Knox, an almighty roar escaping him. He wouldn't even let her finish her sentence. But she's found his weakness, his own mate.

I can feel Josie's eyes carefully watching me again, to the point it is start to irritate me.

""What?" I call her out on it.

"How are you fighting it?"

"Fighting what?"

"The urge to protect her."

"She can protect herself."

"Yes, we know that...I can see that for myself. But your wolf's instinct is to protect what is his...unless..." She seems to ponder for a moment not finishing her sentence.

"Unless what Josie?" I lowly rumble.

She was pressing me and I was now starting to get irritated. She doesn't back away even at my warning growl, if anything she takes @step closer.

"I think you are lying to us." Her eyes hold an accusing stare.

"Think all you will...I'm not lying!" I hold her gaze, needing her to back down.

"I'm not buying it."

"Yeah, well I'm not selling anything." I turn to her, taking a deep breath in to steady the growing irritation she was causing within me.

"Hmm, we shall see. Have you told Cleo you are back?" The mention of Cleo's name, from out of nowhere, almost topples me. "Now why would you mention her?" I try to keep my voice even but I can already feel myself wanting to seethe the words out.

"Because, the last time you saw her

you embarrassed her infront of the entire wedding party. You owe her an apology." She watches me carefully for a reaction, one kam not willing to give.

"I'm sure she wouldn't remember that."

"Then you don't know Cleo!"

Bang...like a punch to the gut. Of course I know Cleo, of course I remember how cruel I was to her. I think of Cleo every waking minute of my day. Even in my dreams, even still...even with another...she creeps into my dreams.

"I mean it Jace, you apologise next time you see her." Josie gives me a pointed look, that look similar to what mum used to give Jaxon and I as children when we were upto no good.

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