Denied by Destiny: Trapped in the Shadows of the Mate Bond novel Chapter 534

~ Jace ~

“Here, let me take your things Auntie Rosa.” I move around Jaxon, ignoring his sudden issues with Ares as I retrieve the bags from the floor to take inside into their guest room.

“Jace.” She almost jumps aside at my closeness, her eyes concentrating on Ares as he meets Jaxon’s scrutinising scare.

Good for him, he was an alpha himself and he needed to grow into his future title. About time Jaxon got used to other males fighting back.

It can’t just be myself and Knox all the time. Besides Ares is like a younger sibling to Jaxon and I…he wouldn’t go out of his way to hurt him.

If anything he would be gentler with him that he was with me.

However, the warning rumble emitting from Jaxon’s chest forces me to caution my brother’s reaction.

“Jaxon…” I growl out, reminding Jaxon that this is my land and for once, he has to do what I want.

I won’t have him acting this way, not when the last group gathering ended the way it did.

It seems to work, snapping him out of his anger long enough for him to redirect towards me.

“What?” He narrows his eyes at me, my own wolf pressing forward in preparation.

I won’t have him challenging me, not here and not today of all days.

For once, I need things to go to plan.

“What is going on with you?” I find him through the mind-link and push on it, wanting to get to the root of his irrational anger of late. Until I lose my link to the Dark Phantom pack, and with my family close by, I can now use the mind-link again. Not all things had to be said in public.

Jaxon was always on the verge of a rage induced episode…but recently it seems to be heightened. That he could blow his top at any second.

“Nothing.”

“You don’t have to be here.”

“Oh yes I do.” He grunts back to me, barging past me as he follows Auntie Rosa and Uncle Orpheus inside the alpha house. Where my parents and Callie are already waiting for them.

Also heading inside, I find Callie is already making refreshments for our recent arrivals, but dread starts to wash over me. I turn to look behind me, one figure in particular missing.