Denied by Destiny Trapped in the Shadows of the Mate Bond novel Chapter 526

~ Cleo ~

He’s waiting for me, standing outside the front of the alpha house…I know it’s early but I’m surprised he is the first person I have come across since driving through the pack gates.

It’s quiet, a little too quiet, even for me.

A soft smile forms upon his lips as I turn the ignition off, moving to open the door only to find he was already outside it…pulling on it for me. He was fast.

“Thanks again for this.” I offer as I step out of the car, locking it and placing the keys in my bag.

“You’re a little overdressed for breakfast.” He teases, an eyebrow raising as he looks down at my clothes.

I was still in my black dinner dress, I hadn’t even changed before my family returned and chaos ensued.

I must look a state, having slept the night in a car.

Conscious of that, my hand moves to my hair to flatten it down.

I was an alpha’s daughter addressing an alpha, there are certain levels of respect within our society…and I’m not doing very well at upholding it.

A cold shiver runs down my spine, goosebumps erupting over my skin.

“Cleo..” I feel material being placed upon my shoulders, Alpha Than covering my goosebumps with his own jacket.

“Hhmm?”

“I was joking, come..let’s get you inside.” He manoeuvres me towards the front door, his eyes glancing back at the flashy white sports car I had arrived in.

“I take it that isn’t your vehicle.”

“No.”

“Do you want me to arrange for it to be returned.”

“Erm, not just yet..” I wasn’t sure how long I intended to stay here and I didn’t want to lose my only way out.

It’s an odd sensation being on a different pack grounds without knowing anybody else. I feel slightly jittery, my eyes moving at high speed as they take in as much detail as they can…my wolf’s strength still low but she is sending me warning signals.

I know he won’t hurt me, it wouldn’t be in his interests to do so.

“Let’s get you a hot drink, you are freezing.” He moves me over the threshold of his front door and towards the kitchen that seems to take central point of the house’s design.

My eyes take in the décor of the hallway, dark green walls with paintings, cabinets with books

and trinklets provide a sense of financial abundance…and that he isn’t afraid to show it.

He doesn’t give me a chance to further inspect his displays, he places me on a chair at a kitchen table before disappearing and leaving me alone.

She had highlighted hair, not as blonde as mine, but it was neatly styled in a bob.

The wrinkles on her face inform me that she was covering up the greying hair, she was older than she looked.

She was sophisticated in her style, almost as if she was preparing for a business meeting.

Her eyes roam over me…I wasn’t dressed anywhere near as smartly as she was and I feel out of place.

“Mother, this is Cleo.”

“Cleo?”

“Cleo Arancea..” Alpha Than moves from the kitchen worktop back towards me.

A moment is shared between the two of them where realisation starts to dawn on her of who exactly I am.

Her eyes, that look back at me, aren’t as cold now but I still feel uncomfortable under her gaze.

“Oh I see.” There’s barely any warmth in her demeanour, and I had a feeling she was trying…again, my wolf sending me warning signals.

“I can leave, I knew I shouldn’t have been here.” I stand, throwing the blanket off me and preparing to leave.

“No, not at all. I just wasn’t expecting you.” She takes a step towards me, as does Alpha Than.