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

Chapter 0410

I let his words sink in, my mind thinking on what he has just said.

"I don't need protecting Knox, I can protect myself. I want to build a life with you, share memories with you....not for you to only be with me to protect me. You're my mate, not my bodyguard."

"I'm both. This is your pack, this is your home. As much as it pains me, I know being without you will pain me more. I don't want to stop the alpha training program, but..."

"I don't want you to give up that up." My hands cup across his jaw line. A day old stubble tickling under my touch. The alpha training program is his pride and joy, something he has created himself, with no help, he made it happen himself. I could never expect him to give that up, not for me, not for anyone.

He takes my hands off his face, placing them down by my lap, holding them within his.

"I can't offer you a pack, my pack was destroyed. Any claim to being alpha died when the pack died. I've thought about starting a pack, starting again..."

"So you are from alpha blood? I thought you might have been...you heal like an alpha." My mind casts back to when Jaxon's wolf has torn into Knox's, the damage on a non alpha blood would have led to death.

"Yes, I was the alpha's son. All my family..."

"Not..."

had a younger

"Oh Knox....I'm so sorry."

Sadness falls upon his face until he starts to mask it again, that

no time frame, I of all people

your family's approval." His tone was steadfast, not up for negotiation. But he had already lost too much in life, gone through more than anyone should have...and at such a young age. Could I expect him to give up on his passion for

give him a chance to lock

smiles out, that sultry glint returning to the corner

sure I can.." My stomach flutters just at the thought of

it is

the last thing the pack needs right now." My chin sinks down slightly as I think about the attack, of how

chin, tilting it back up to look him in the

thing I would never come back from." His thumb pulls my face closer to his, where his lips gently press against mine. Fragility is within this kiss, all of his layers

his kiss, my hands lacing

"Ask me anything."