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

Kaia POV

"A surprise?"

"You'll see..." He chuckles at my slight apprehension, my eyes narrowing playfully to him in an untrusting

manner.

We walk back to the main grounds of the Nightshade Reformed pack, taking longer than if I walked alone. Father's leg does slow him down. But only in body, his mind was still strong.

He had done so much in the past 4 years, the beautiful white stoned alpha house a testimony to that.

We were still building as we went, pack houses and now a small medical centre until we could raise more funds to expand within the borders. Due to the lands being contested, we had regular attacks from neighbouring packs that claimed the land bged to them. Many packs had already signed a treaty since I arrived, if we promise to send warriors in the event of an attack on their lands. I pleaded our case, even venturing into their lands for meetings but other packs still felt we were up to something else...we weren't. The rogue attacks were often paid for by the packs not agreeing with our set up on these land, even trained warriors posing as rogues to gain entry. My role here was not only to help build up from within, but build our reputation on the outside...something Father just didn't have time for.

It was hard to rest, but we were on a mission and nothing ever worth having was easy. It also helped that sleeping was still hard for me and I would often work into the early hours of the morning, not wanting to visit my past in my own dreams.

'As we walked down the main path back to the alpha house, I gaze at the beautiful Mediterranean cypress

trees that had been planted alongside the path. They have grown tall to reach the sun's warmest rays.

These reminded me of the Clear Waters pack and I think Father purposefully picked these trees as a reminder to himself. In memory of Mother.

We even had live stock on land; sheep, cows and horses that graze on the grass fields over the hills. Fish was often the meal of the day due to our coastal surroundings, and our pack members enjoyed fishing when not on duty.

I myself have already been horse riding regularly as I did as a child, the youth of the pack often wanting turns themselves. What was there not to love about this pack and I felt extremely lucky to be the one to help Father take it forward. 1Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

As we gather distance on the alpha house, Father's smile widens as he spots a figure standing by the double front doors of our home.

I stop in my tracks, my eyes resting on the male...a male I haven't seen in years.

I can't help but sprint towards him, the sounds of my Father's chuckle from behind ring in my ear as I launch myself at Samson, his arms wide open readying to catch me.

He smells like sea salt water, with a sour note...a sign that he has been walking along the coast line and was still a rogue.

"Finally, you found him I see..." He places me down on my two feet, his eyes looking into mine.

"I did, thanks to you." Without Samson I never would have found Father, he worked tirelessly to connect us back together. Even when I was at the Amber Desert pack, he was still emailing me with updates... never once forgetting his duty to his previous Alpha family. "How was the ruthless Dark Phantom pack?" He raises an eyebrow at me, before his facial expression changes to a more serious tone. He realises too late that I perhaps haven't been forthcoming with information of my time spent away with my Father. "The Dark Phantom pack?" Father asks, worry clear from his furrowed eyebrows as he joins us, shaking Samson's hand.

"Alpha Hector...you were there?"

I hadn't heard that name for over a month now and as soon as I do, it's as if all my hard work of healing starts to unravel at the seam. Every time my mind starts to think about him, I remind myself and my wolf of how he left, how he left for another. "It was a fleeting visit Father, no need to worry. I kept to myself.." I try to calm my Father's nerves, the guilt he feels from sending me out alone into the world eats away at him daily.

He doesn't even know of my joining the Amber Desert pack, of me marrying and being the rightful Luna of that pack. I couldn't bear to tell him, it would only upset him...of what I myself have endured.

This was our rewrite, everything outside of these pack grounds can no longer harm us, as long as we are together.

"Great to see you at last Samson. You will stay at the Alpha house yet?"

"I wouldn't want to impose..."

"Nonsense. I have work for you...best for us to be under the same roof." Father declares, not taking no for an answer. He walks through the double doors of the alpha house leaving me outside with Samson. I can't believe he is here. Perhaps there were others still alive, others that can come home.

Ebony Woods

Author

Thanks for reading. What do we think of Samson?

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