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

I don't think this has ever happened before, two alphas of one pack.

Mum and Dad are known as the two alphas, but when it comes to the Dark Phantom pack...Mum has always been the Luna, not a joint alpha.

But Josie made it very clear that she would only agree to take on the Clear Waters pack if Knox was by her side. Not just by her side, but joint alpha with her. Split equally between them.

I missed their marking ceremony, missed the moment my sister declared to the world that she had chosen her mate for the rest of her life.noveldrama

But I was here now, here to watch her take on the Clear Waters, watch as her mate strengthens her by carrying the load with her.

There was no need for external guests, for alphas and lunas to attend from other packs...not even Uncle Jude. Not even Maya.

It was arranged at such short notice that they

wouldn't get here in time.

Besides, it was fitting it was an internal affair, it made it feel more special this way.

Dad was overseeing the ceremony, he had been Mum's strength over the past few days, but I could see the stress had aged him more, small wrinkles lining his eyes that hadn't been visible a week ago.

"Are you ready?" He tenderly whispers to Mum, who had already been incredibly brave today...she was always strong, always brave.

"I'm ready." She nods out, her hand reaching out to take that of her daughter's.

"I, Kaia Varon, Alpha of the Clear Waters do relinquish my claim over the pack, naming

my daughter Josephina Varon and her mate, Kit Knoxbridge as the next joint alphas of the pack." A smile forms upon her lips as she looks to Josie and Knox, giving them her blessing.

"We, accept the title of alphas of the Clear Waters pack, and in doing so, promise to protect the pack lands and our people."

Josie eyes take on a spectacular orange colour, her eyes glowing that little more vibrant as she becomes the next moon blessed alpha of the Clear Waters. Even Knox's, his eyes take on a light brown, more of a caramel colour before fading back to his natural dark brown eyes.

It was done, under the full moon of

the night's sky. Cheers erupted around us, the pack members. celebrating their new alphas...ones that had proven already their love of the pack and the people.

Yes, everything is as it should be. Everything was finally right in the world.

I had my mate, I had my family...my own pack to take care of.

As the crowd disperses, I wait to congratulate our sister, Jaxon by my side.

Cleo drifts off to the side moving towards the catering tent, to give us privacy, where Callie follows her in.

They seemed to have formed a mutual understanding of one another now. Callie having entrusted Cleo with her past has gone lengths in building some sort of friendship between them. en

Or so I hoped. I can't lie, it would make my life a hell of a lot easier if they got along.

"Congratulations." I greet Josie who is passed a glass of champagne by a pack member, who then delivers another one to Knox, who stands speaking to our parents.

"What a day." Josie exhales, blowing out through her cheeks.

"Mum was right, it needed to end on a happy note."

"I still can't believe this is ours now. I never thought..."

"You've always been a fierce warrior Josie, even without your wolf." Jaxon adds. "The pack feared the pack run, knowing you were prowling the meadow with a gun in hand..." I smirk out, because that really was the truth.

"I was always in control." She chuckles out as she sips back on her drink, her eyes moving into a mind-link as they glaze over.

"It would seem the celebrations are cut short." She growls out, her head whipping back to Knox who is already making his way over to her.

"What do you mean?" Jaxon's brows furrow in confusion, which is shared with me.

“Someone is demanding entry at the gate.” Knox growls out.

"Who?"

"I don't know, but he's given the guards the slip."