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

- Cleonoveldrama

I had straightened out the story with Maya. She understands what is at stake, and she promises to keep to the story of the bartender being the father.

I may be growing tired from the drive but it was worth it, I was feeling more in control.

Jaxon's visit having left me slightly shaky and fearful of what he would say to Jace, but now it was his word against mine and Maya's.

That surely had to count for something. I was giving Jace an instant out; he had a mate to think of now, someone to adore and protect. Why, when a pregnant female claims he is not the father, would he admit that he is.

I have to get home, talking to Maya took longer than I had expected and now the afternoon was turning into early evening.

If I don't hurry then I just know my return will invite questions of where I have been.

I was taking longer to return home, that adrenaline starting to ease off and the realisation was dawning on me...I was carrying a child. A child that needed protecting.

Even as I drive, I move over to the slow lane of the highway, instinct kicking in to take my time, to be

careful.

A feeling I have never experienced in my life. I was a werewolf, I didn't need to take things slow, I didn't need to be extra careful.

But with my wolf's energy being drained, I had to be more vigilant of my surroundings and actions.

I am about thirty minutes from home when that nauseous sensation, which has been threatening

me all day, finally hits me like a brick wall.

I move into the breakdown lane of the highway, the need to be sick overwhelming me.

I have been able to quash it back down for most part of the day, but this was too much. I knew I needed to empty my stomach.

As soon as I stop the car, I lunge out of the vehicle, moving to the bushes where I can't hold it in any more.

I catch my breath, my body bent over and my hands on my knees as tears rain down my face. Werewolves are hardly ever ill, I don't think I've actually ever been sick in my life. Something I hope was not a daily reoccurrence.

A car pulls up behind mine, but I pay it no mind at first, this was a busy part of the highway, until my name is called.

"Cleo?" I turn, my eyes blurry from the excessive tears, all I can see is a distant shape. I blink them away to find a male walking towards me.

"I thought that was you. Is everything okay?" He calls out stopping at the rear of my car, a frown on his face.

It takes me a while to recognise him, it was the man from the services.

"What are you doing here?" I croak out, my throat sore from having just been sick.

"The next exit is mine. Do you need help?"

""No, I erm..." Shit I couldn't remember his name.

"Than, my name is Than."

"Right sorry Alpha..." Thinking back on the services I hadn't even addressed him as Alpha. The height of disrespect within the shifter community. "Not at all. Do you need assistance. Can I call someone for you?"

"No, I think it was just something I ate...maybe too much sugar." I try to regather myself, my hand reaching back for the car side. Why was I feeling dizzy suddenly.

"You did put a lot of sugar in your coffee." hear him chuckle out but my eyes become blurry again, I try to squint them to help the sensation pass. I didn't like this, not when I still had to drive home.

"Right...yes...that must be it."

He takes a step closer, pulling something out of his inner jacket pocket before handing it out to me.

A handkerchief.

"Take it, I don't need it." He offers.

"Thanks, I can get this back to you." I place the smooth cloth in my hands, the initials TS embroidered in gold stitching.

"Please don't." He chuckles out as I place it to my lips. It felt good, the softness of the cloth was slightly cool as I tab it against my forehead and on the back of my neck. Why was I feeling so hot, I could feel myself burning up.

"Are you sure you are quite well? My pack is on the next exit...I can get you some medical assistance?"

"No, thank you. I'm only a little bit further until I get home."

"I know, remember....I know the Red Thorn pack."There's humour in his voice, his lips forming into a side smirk. He's by the back passenger door now, his hand stroking the roof

of my car.

en

"Yes of course." I shake my head out, I knew that. My mind was like a running tap at the moment, not soaking up anything.

"I feel a bit uncomfortable leaving you alone."

"It's the alpha in you. I'm fine..honestly. I'm feeling better already." Which wasn't a lie, whatever was happening to my stomach seemed to have settled back down.

How can I have morning sickness

when it isn't even the morning.

Whether it was the coffee or just the

symptoms of being pregnant...but

now that my stomach was empty, I was starting to feel hungry again.