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

- Cleo -

How is this even possible, how does Alora know Alpha Than. Not just know him...judging by how loved up they look in this photo, they were once a couple.

I can't help but bring the photograph closer to my eyes, for as long as I have known Alora she's always seemed to be fighting against something, always a hidden sadness.

I knew she didn't grow up with Kaia, I just assumed that they had both a past they didn't want to relive...but if this was her past...

"She was my mate."

I shriek with shock, his voice startling me from the doorway that I drop the frame.

I hadn't even noticed him watching me..

"I'm so sorry, I didn't know you were there..."

"It's fine Cleo."

"No, I shouldn't be in here.." I reach down, picking up the photo frame and placing it back on his desk, moving towards the door.

He has just caught me creeping in his office, I can feel the pricky hot rash of embarrassment rise up my neck onto my face. I had been beyond rude, who snoops in an alpha's office. I feel so ashamed.

try to go past him but he blocks me, his hand raising

Why wasn't he mad at

up to my hair, running my fingers through my long blonde-freshly-washed locks. "Cleo, I promise you, I don't mind." He closes the office door behind him,

top of the silver-plated frame before he moves it, re-angles it

forward, my hands resting on the back of the chair on the opposite side of his

your mate? You told me your

is dead to me." His teeth flash as the words exit

clenched into a ball on top of his desk. He was

rejected me, so therefore she is dead to me."

anger but I can see the pain that still manifests beneath the surface, it has been slowly eating away at him

to pick between me and her

"No." I gasp out.

your parents sided with my own

perplexed by his admission at having a brother that I overlooked the

"Hector..."

What...

Hector is

"Yes, you didn't know.."