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

I was different now, not only was I a marked woman...I was a Luna. I had a new strength from within me.

The pack needs me to remain strong, which is why I have decided to return back today. The Varon's still needed space to mourn and my own parents wanted to also give them time alone. Especially Kaia and Hector.

Callie has Colt to look after and Ares has said he would come back with me, until Jace returns home.

The breakfast table was quiet, it was only myself, Ares, Kaia's auntie, Josie and Knox. Kaia was struggling and unfortunately I think she will for some time.

"Oh no dear, I'm quite alright." Kaia's auntie snatches her arm off the table just as Josie lays her palm across it. An orange glow starting to emit from it.

She was going to heal her as she drank the very thing that keeps prematurely aging her.

"I'm leaving with my brother, you're very welcome to join me. You have items back at the Amber Desert pack." I offer out to her.

"Only items that Luna Medea allowed me to have dear, it was never a home to me. I would like to return to my house." She calmly states out.

My eyes dart to Josie, surely she shouldn't be living alone, defenceless...at a time like this.

"Perhaps..." Josie hesitantly starts to reply.

"Astraia."

"Excuse me?"

"My name dear, is Astraia."

Astraia...so she does have a name. Why is she only now mentioning it. A silence forms upon us, even Knox looks at Astraia with caution.

"Perhaps Astraia, we should wait until Mum isn't mourning..." Josie clears her throat, her eyes trying to communicate with mine without the use of speech.

"She'll always mourn my dear, there isn't a day that I do not miss my sister and we were not even twins." Astraia sighs out, her hands shaking as she sips back on tea laced with her special poison.

Josie watches her perplexed as she swallows it, hardly a sign that it causes her pain.

"Can't you stop taking that now Astraia?" I ask. It felt odd to finally be able to address her by her name.

"No, I'll be found here, and he would love that. No far better that I keep taking it, the mate bond is strong...always pulling you back to one another. I rejected him, but he didn't reject me...which has kept the bond open. Just waiting for the right time to attack."

She stands, just as Callie enters into the house, a wide yawn escaping her.

"Thank you for the offer to return with you dear, I'll give it some thought." Astraia's hand lands on my shoulder, a gentle squeeze following.

Callie moves further into the house, joining us in the kitchen, her face hung low... downcast.

"It's not Colt is it?" Josie eyes widen in fright, her hand moving to Knox's side.

"No, he's doing a lot better. It's my parents..."

"Your parents?"

"They've requested that I attend the pack." Callie's brows furrow, confusion creeping into her expression.

"What for?" Knox asks out.

"To fully denounce me as heir, I don't know..." She shrugs out, placing ker mobile phone out for me to read. I skim the message from Luna Louise summoning Callie to return

temporarily to them.

“Just pretend you didn't get it.” Ares offers out after reading the message over my shoulder.

"I can't ignore this, this may be my only chance." Callie slowly sits down at the table, her head resting within her hands.

"For what?"

"To get her out."noveldrama

"Her?" Josie presses.

"My mate." Callie looks pained, her eyes reveal her inner turmoil. All I know is she can't go alone, she can't do this alone. They've asked her to return her arrival will be expected, I won't be in harm's way if I join her.

She is Jace's best friend, which now makes her one of mine.

"Then it's settled, you are going, and I am coming with you."