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

Kaia POV

I was in the office with Hector, a not as talkative office buddy as usual. Hector seemed deep in thought, my eyes catching him looking at me when my face was turned. Then he would move quickly enough so that I never catch him in the act, but I could see in peripheral vision that he was watching me...what was he thinking.

He claims he didn't give me up in a trade and I believe him. No one could feign that level of sincerity as he did last night.

I was checking my private email account in the office. I do not give out my email account often, I use it as a storage facility and can't run the risk of it being hacked. Even Than never knew my email address, I always made sure he text me at college. But he spent every moment of the day with me at college, so he hardly ever texted either. (1 Only a select few know my email address, one of which had emailed me with an update.

The picture attached to the email was what I had been waiting for. A picture of Father captured by a CCTV camera. He didn't look as sharply dressed as I remember but it was definitely him. The picture was grainy but there was no mistaking his salt and pepper hair colour, I actually didn't look a lot like Father. Getting my colouring from Mother, or so he always said.

An instant message request window pops up on my screen, from my contact. He was online and somehow knew I was too.

"The CCTV picture is in a coastal area. Can you get there?"

I suppose I came here looking for information for Father and haven't moved on as I didn't know where he was...this new lead should be the reason I move on now. "Soon..." I reply, after rubbing at my eyes.

I only had a small window to type in, not the space for an entire essay of what really has been going on.

"Where are you?"

I type out that I am at the Dark Phantom pack but something prevents me from pressing send. I can see he is typing again on the live chat window, but stops.

Do I want him to know where I am, that I am still here...

"Everything okay?" Hector pulls me out of my thoughts.

"Me?" I look to him, my fingers still poised on the keyboard waiting to send my reply.

"You've been sighing and rubbing your eyes. You look stressed."

"I'm fine." I wave my hand, trying to brush off his concern.

"Kaia?"

"Hector I'm fine..."

He doesn't believe me, he was already standing up and heading my way.

Shoot, I was pressing on the mouse trying to close out of the instant message window, I didn't want Hector to see the CCTV picture.

Thankfully, Aubrey was walking into the office, surprising me when she hands me an envelope.

I take it with apprehension. Nobody has ever sent me a letter here...nobody knows I am here except for...

"I'll open it."

I was too slow, Hector pulls the letter from out of my grasp and rips it open.

His eyes grow increasingly more irritated the more he reads and it only confirms to me who the sender is. "It's from Than. He wants you to meet him at the pack border."

He's got some nerve. What is he playing at.

I manage to rip the letter from out of Hector's hands, my eyes casting upon it quickly before it is torn up.

What Hector failed to declare was that Than promised to withdraw his warriors if I go out to meet with him. Just to hear him out.

That I could save a lot of innocent lives just by seeing him.

Bastard.

"Don't fall for his tricks Kaia."

"Oh believe me I won't, not again. But I think I would like to meet with him."

The letter requested that I come alone, but I'm not stupid.

"It said to come alone but..."

"He is a thick shit if he thinks for one minute I would let you go out there alone. Give me 10 minutes to rally some warriors."

"Thank you Hector." I wasn't afraid to meet with Than, he could speak whatever lies he wants...I know the truth.

But, having Hector with me gave me a sense of security that I hadn't had for a long time. Not even when I was married to Than.

He may not be my baby's father but Hector has shown me more kindness and acceptance in the short space of me being here, than my ex ever didContent (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

There will be no chance of me returning to the Amber Desert pack. He can promise to back off for me listening to his speech, but I won't do what he wants.