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

- Cleo-

I needed to work out the tension building in my shoulders and upper back.

I hadn't attended training this morning, going straight to the hospital instead and now I was paying the price.

I also needed to keep my body moving to stop my brain thinking, I just needed silence.

The pack gym being the obvious place for me to loosen up the tightness in my body.

However, it wasn't the quietest of places...which turned out to be a good thing.

I may not be able to shift right now but that doesn't mean I still can't train, that I can't still work on my strength.

I was a fast shifter, a fighter...being pregnant isn't an excuse to not be able to defend myself in the

event of a pack attack.

We, the Red Thorn pack, have no quarrel with other packs...but being connected closely to the Dark Phantom and Clear Waters does put us potentially in the firing line for this White Moon pack and the hunters to take revenge.

I saw on a first hand account how easily a well guarded pack can turn into complete mayhem in a matter of moments, how evil can penetrate the defences and murder innocent lives.

We know how quickly things can change and pregnant or not, I promised myself I would be ready...I would be ready to fight.

This is my family pack, my brother's future pack and I will help him to protect his legacy.

I'm not alone, pack warriors are making general conversation with me, spotting me with the weights...watching me work out. I'm not blind to how their eyes roam over my body, I was sweating more than usual...and I was only in a sports bra and leggings.

It was odd to have them around me, I usually worked out alone.

Every single one of them is attractive, in a typical werewolf warrior kind of way.

I suppose I've never taken time to look at males from within this pack...a mistake on my part.

Maybe that is something I should do once everything goes back to normal.noveldrama

If things ever go back to normal...

"Out!" Their eyes snap to the door, an alpha's aura suddenly entering into the room.

At first I think it is Dad, but when the males around me start to depart...leaving a gap, I start to see it is in fact Ares.

I was so lost in trying to fight back my own thoughts whilst working out, that only when they depart do really take in just how closely they had

been around me. The air around me was slightly lighter now.

These were my pack members, people I grew up with. None of them would harm me, but Mum has always been slightly overbearing when I have been around the opposite sex. "Alpha!" They tilt their necks in submission before moving out, many glancing back as I continue to work out on the leg press.

"What are you doing?" Ares moves closer towards me, his head shaking in disagreement.

"What does it look like?"

"It looks like you are working out...pushing your body when you should be resting."

"Really?" I sigh out, not him...I would expect this talk from Mum, even Dad, but not Ares.

"Yes really Cleo. Stop!" He puts his hands out, taking the weight off my legs.

"Ares, I can't shift..." I keep my voice low making sure no one was in ear shot before continuing.

"So this is helping me with clarity, helping me remain positive."

"Why do you need clarity? If this is about the baby being human, it doesn't matter. I'll stand by your side. You don't need to give the child up, I wouldn't turn my back on my own nephew." He means it, he means every word of what he just

said.

"I know you wouldn't, but it's not that simple. It could damage your status with other packs when alpha."

"I don't care about other packs. All that matters is this pack, and the people within it." My heart melts.at his words, if only it was that simple. If only this baby was half

en

"You say that now..."

human.

"I'll say that always. If you want to train, you train with me. Where I can keep an eye on you." He firmly states.

"Ares, I'm pregnant not broken."

"You are pregnant and unmated..."

"So?"