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

- Cleo -

I spent the night asleep on the side of the road.

It must have been easily 2am or 3am when I left the Red Thorn pack, I hadn't thought past getting away from Mum. Hadn't even realised what time it was...I just knew I had to leave.

I pulled the car over when anger started to turn into hurt...my vision becoming blurry with tears and my breathing getting laboured from my sobs.

I just needed to sleep, I didn't care that I was alone, by the side of a road. I was exhausted.

I lowered the car seat down, laying back and curling up into a ball...crying myself to sleep.

There was something therapeutic about crying myself to sleep...something I hadn't done in a long time.

It means I have woken up stronger, more focused...it was now just me and bump.

I was startled awake by a female police officer who gently tapped on the car window before moving me along.

I guess Jaxon's car wasn't the type to be sat by the side of the road all night without raising suspicion.

The main problem, other than walking out on everything I've ever know, I didn't actually know where to go.

I couldn't go back, I won't go back.

I love my parents, there was no doubt about that, but my childhood wasn't without its challenges.

Do I want to raise a child in a home environment where some days I would be guessing Mum's behaviour still, and worrying about how she would be around a baby.

I've managed to find a petrol station that has a self serve coffee machine and pastries for breakfast. I didn't actually eat very much last night, my stomach calling out to be fed.

My phone is in my hand, numerous missed calls and text messages from Dad, Ares...even Mum, but also Jaxon.

car back to him, and I hadn't told him I was home...I didn't

at the Dark Phantom pack right now, I can't. It wasn't just Callie's eyes...but

mate, but I had betrayed my best friend.

fingers hover over an unsaved number, his text messages still in my phone's inbox. Could he help me? Do I want him to help me? Before I can

me immediately regret calling him. It was early, and a Sunday morning, I must have woken him. "Alpha Than... it's

down to make

the phone away from his ear, a swooshing noise

I wake

okay. I thought it

had woken him and trying to make general conversation with him. I needed to

you okay?" Genuine concern is laced

"Erm..."

"Cleo?"

appear I am without a pack." The words taste bitter as they leave

vibrates through the earpiece on the

"At a petrol station."

I'm coming to get

not in any

over to the

pause, hesitation on my part, was this such a good

"Please, I'm worried..."

my hand to my lip, I notice the trembling movement. I wasn't fine, I was a mess. "You

He had a point.

have even considered calling him if things weren't so dire that I was now

can check on your

lip, at least it will give me

Amber Desert gates before I know