Denying Fate ( Moonlight Trials Series #1)

Chapter 9 – Promise?!

Karmas POV

The last year had been quite uneventful. Aside for the occasional feeling that I was being watched or talked about behind my back everything seemed to have calmed down. I didn’t see Tracker again and was definitely happy about that. I’d done so much research over the last year and read that if a second mate was found for a wolf, that if they were rejected before any sort of attachment was formed, they would be found another mate by the moon goddess. I knew Tracker hadn’t developed any feelings for me as we didn’t even know each other. So, I planned to reject him before he could say anything to me as soon as I turned 18.

I felt like I knew about him though and continued to see if I could find any record of him. I thought Id found information about him once via the pack computer, but the records had been deleted, one thing I was sure of though is that Aunt Leah and Alpha George definitely knew who he was and knew more about this than they were letting on. Regardless though, I carried on with my Luna training and picked up everything I was expected to do. I still didn’t think I was a suitable match for Chase; a lot of talk was happening at school that Chase was jumping to conclusions and that I wasn’t worthy of him. There were plenty of girls who wanted him and would absolutely love the chance to jump into my spot.

Chase had been extremely sweet the last few months though, making plans for the ceremony where we took over as Alpha and Luna. He apparently wanted to make it perfect for me. Aunt Leah was teaching me everything I needed to know in order to take over her role. I knew all the pack from growing up with them. Also, serving as the Alpha and Lunas Omega with my parents meant I picked up a lot of things about neighbouring packs due to meetings and dinners we had to stand in on. Chase was taking on more and more work and as soon as he turned 19 last month, he had started doing some of his father’s duties without his father watching over him. He was certainly growing into the position very quickly and seemed to thoroughly enjoy it.

I opened my eyes on what was finally my birthday morning and was immediately greeted by a beautiful autumn sun glowing through the brown, yellow and golden leaves. My curtains were already open, and I looked around to see who had done it, fully expecting my mum. However, as I was scanning around, I was instead, overtook by the most amazing smell of bonfire toffee. Thinking it was a gift somewhere in the room I dashed out of bed to find it, realising it was coming from outside my bedroom door. I was about to tear it open when in walked Chase holding a gift. I looked at him and my eyes widened, was I smelling Chase? I knew we were mates, but I’d never been able to smell him this clearly before, he always smelled like toffee but only normal toffee. I flung myself into his arms, so happy that we were mates, he dropped the box, grabbed me around the waist and started laughing.

“Someone’s happy!”

“I can smell you! You are mine!” I screamed happily, Kismet was also happy but holding back, I could feel her cautiously pacing in my mind, almost like she wanted to get excited but felt embarrassed to.

“Huh?” Chase looked shocked for a second before suddenly breaking out into a smile. He threw the box on my dresser by the door and grabbed me into a spin. I was giggling so hard; I can’t believe how happy I was that we were actually mates. As he dropped me down to the floor, I noticed the smell wasn’t as strong now. I c****d my head at him and sniffed. My heart dropped as I realised…

“What do I smell of? You are beautiful blueberries!” I smiled and looked at him.

“Bonfire toffee…”

Chase’s POV

As she said those words, I noticed her face turned to the gift on the dresser.

“Oh yeah! One of my many gifts for you today!” I said and handed her the box. She again sniffed the air and opened the box. She was smiling but her aura seemed sad. “Is everything ok?” She nodded, slightly smiling at the gift.

“They’re my favourites!” She smiled but it didn’t seem to reach her eyes. She put the box down before hugging me, a little tighter than usual. It was then that I realised. She wasn’t smelling me; she was smelling the treats. I pulled away and grabbed her arms, making her look me in the eyes.

“It wasn’t me you were smelling, was it? It was the treats. We aren’t…” I wet my lips and gulped before continuing, but I didn’t need to.

“We aren’t true mates…” She said, tears springing to her eyes.

“You are my mate!” I shouted, a little louder than I had intended. Karma jumped. “I’m sorry Kar! Me and Ace both know you’re our mate, we smell you, we feel the sparks, and you feel the sparks sometimes. You’re my mate, true or not…” I stopped, looking into her eyes, seeing the love and sorrow there. “Maybe it’s the other guy? Maybe you need rid of the bond with him and then Kismet can fully accept us?” I saw her look at me, and her eyes grew wide.

“That’s exactly what I thought!” She said, her voice getting quicker, and she started pacing. “I’ve been reading all sorts of stuff and I should be able to reject him and then maybe the mate feelings will be stronger for you. I love you Chase, I always have so I know you’re the one for me, but Kismet is confused. I’m sorry Chase, I knew I would mess stuff up; I knew I wasn’t good enough for you.” Tears started flowing from her eyes again. I grabbed her into a hug.

“Hey! Its ok…” I stroked her hair. “Remember what I said, I want you even if we weren’t mates. I’ve loved you for as long as I can remember. I don’t know what’s happening, but we can figure this out… together!” I heard her sobs becoming smaller and smaller.

“Promise? No matter what happens you’ll still want me, and we will do this together?” She hiccupped into my shoulder.

“Promise!” I said. “Now, let’s stop all this upset and celebrate your 18th Birthday! Everyone’s waiting downstairs for you. The bonfires set up for tonight and everything is as the madam requested, bonfire food, fireworks, warm blankets etc.”

Karmas POV

I nodded at Chase and proceeded back to my bed where I noticed my mum had laid out a beautiful dark blue dress, it was long and a lot more grown up than my usual party dress, but I noticed there was a galaxy design on the back, it was open backed but the galaxy netting gave the illusion it wasn’t. I smiled and grabbed it, turning to Chase.

“Have you seen this?” I asked in awe. My eyes wide and mouth a little agape. He smiled and nodded.

“Who do you think gave your mum the idea for the netting in the back?” He winked at me.

“I love it! Obviously, this is for tonight, so Ill hang it in the bathroom then quickly shower and throw some normal clothes on. Wait here?” I smiled at Chase. I hung the dress on a hanger. I needed to be alone for a while before I faced everyone, before they realised, we weren’t mates but I didn’t want Chase to leave me.

“I’m not going anywhere.” He smiled and grabbed my hand. “Don’t worry about anything, we will sort it.” I smiled and squeezed his hand.

“Again, promise?”

“I promise” He pulled me in for a kiss and sat on my bed whilst I grabbed clothes. He winked as I headed to the bathroom and shut the door. I turned on the shower then sat down onto the edge of the bath and put my head into my hands and sobbed. Why was this happening?

Kismet?

Yes Kar?

Why isn’t Chase our mate? Why won’t you accept him… There wasn’t an answer, but I could sense her thinking hard.

I don’t know…

Kis?!

I don’t, ok? There is a pull there, but I feel it more to Tracker, I see the moons glow around him. I love Chase and Ace as much as you and feel that love in my heart, but I’m drawn to Tracker…

I sighed aloud and got into the shower. I needed to find Tracker and fast, Hopefully Chase and I could talk about this before the bonfire and search him out before anyone knew anything.