Denied by Destiny: Trapped in the Shadows of the Mate Bond novel Chapter 338

~ Knox ~

We were gathered outside the pack house, a blood moon shining down upon us tonight.

It wasn’t as clear tonight due to cloud coverage and the red tinge not allowing the moon to shine as brightly, but we are werewolves. We are used to the moon’s cycles.

Jace’s absence was felt, I can hear soft murmurs amongst the excited crowd of pack members that they hoped he would have returned. That their young alpha wouldn’t miss the pack run.

Heading the run was a slimmed down alpha family. Only three stood, whereas before, four headed the pack run…in perfect unison.

Beta Alora stands to the side, her eyes scanning amongst the crowd before they turn to the direction that was also haunting me…the cabin.

She would be in there…she would be waiting this out alone.

Alpha Hector places his hands to the air, the general chat of the crowd reducing down before completely stopping.

He has the complete respect of his pack, they would follow him to the ends of the earth. Not all alpha’s have this. Sure you can run a pack but this level of respect and loyalty is earned.

He, then his mate, then his son, shift…the air around them shimmering. Her great white fur still having the ability to catch my breath in the back of my throat.

I’d seen a lot in my life already…but to see the white wolf really was something. I don’t think it will ever be a sight I will take for granted.

With a howl to the moon, Alpha Hector commands his pack to follow his lead. They all shift before me, but not before removing their clothes and leaving them on the ground.

They give chase, their excitement palpable as their paws hit the ground and they follow their Alphas into the night.

I remain, I’ve decided not to shift tonight.

Shifting with a pack was sacred…only meant for pack members. This was the first pack my wolf has felt that level of loyalty towards, since the demise of my own pack.

Each shift a wolf becomes more and more connected to a pack…I can’t do that to him, only to leave an hour afterwards.

I move away from the alpha house and towards the training grounds where they were headed. Watching them, as a group, run as one.

They swing back around towards me, and I can feel the ground tremble slightly at my feet as each paw hits the ground in a synchronised display of perfect leadership.