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.

but he blocks me, his

home. You were just being inquisitive." Why wasn't he

into an alpha's office without permission. What you must think of me." My hands move 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

skim across the top of the silver-plated frame before

on the opposite side of his desk. I had so many questions, but the first one was how

mate? You told

me." His teeth flash

of his desk. He was angry at the memory of her, angry at what must have happened between

dead to me." He seethes out, his

pain that still manifests beneath the surface, it has been slowly eating away at him for

to pick between me

"No." I gasp out.

parents sided with my own

was so perplexed by his admission at having a brother that I overlooked

"Hector..."

What...

Hector is

"Yes, you didn't know.."