Denying Fate ( Moonlight Trials Series #1)

Chapter 18 – Date?!

Karmas POV

I pulled away from Tracker as I felt a sudden headache. A sharp pain seemed to shoot through my head then I heard a voice. One I hadn’t heard for what seemed like an age.

“We’ll get to the bottom of this!”

Chase’s voice! As I shook my head to clear the pain, I saw Tracker do the same. I was both shocked and a little excited to have heard his voice after we had been separated for this stretch of time.

“Are you ok?” I asked, squinting my eyes as the pain started to subside, it felt like a migraine, but one that only lasted a few minutes.

“Sudden rough headache!” He says gruffly.

“Me too… How bizarre!”

“I also heard a voice…” I stopped and stared open mouthed at Tracker.

“You did?” How?

“Yeah, it said, we’ll get it the bottom of this… It was very strange because I know the voice but can’t place it.” He said looking confused.

“It was… Chase… I heard it too. But you shouldn’t be able to hear it?! Should you? You aren’t part of the pack, right?” He looked at me in both concern and puzzlement.

“No, at least I don’t think I should…” His eyes glazed over and turned a small amount of red. I knew he was speaking to Break. His face suddenly darkens, and he glares letting a small growl escape his lips. “Damn stupid Alpha…” I’m not sure what he’s referring to Alpha George for but I’m not going to ask with his face like that. Instead, I choose to place a hand on his knee. He visibly calms down at this and sighs. “Sorry Karma… Alpha George is behind all of this; I just know it.

“What do you mean?” I ask, visibly confused.

“I’m not sure just yet.” He places his hand over mine and smiles softly. A sexy smile that I actually like. It causes me to smile back before realising what I’m doing and turning away. “I don’t want you to get involved in old grudges Karma, but I know Alpha George is behind us hearing Chase’s voice AND the problem we have with you having two mates. I just can’t quite piece together everything, but I will…” He trails off and gets up from the sofa, letting my hand drop onto the sofa. He reaches for my hand, wanting me to accompany him, and I take it.

“Let’s go get some food!” He says and I look at him confused as he drags me out of the front door.

Trackers POV

I grab Karma’s hand and drag her out of the house. Everything that’s just happened has only made me angry and the only thing keeping me from snapping is Karma’s calming presence. Chase’s voice or any other of the pack’s members have NEVER been able to get through to me before. Only Alpha George and that’s only because I allowed him to, for my mother’s sake mostly. I don’t know how Chase was able to get through my barrier as well as the fact I have no connection to the pack anymore.

I’m also mulling over the fact that Karma is adamant she feels the mate bond with Chase. It’s not possible. The only times I’ve heard of multiple mates is when a one-sided rejection happens or in the case of twins, sometimes they have the same mate. I’m 100% sure that Karma is an only child and I know I don’t have a twin… especially not Chase. Even if we were fraternal twins, somehow separated at birth, we share no common visible traits and I know who my mother is... there’s no mistaking that I’m my mother’s son or that Chase is the current Luna’s son. I’m also pretty sure our mothers aren’t related in any way and even though I don’t know who my father is, I know Alpha George doesn’t have a twin or brother to somehow make us connected.

I drag Karma through the trees until we arrive at a small shed. I pull my keys out of my pocket and open the doors to reveal my beautiful bike, the one thing I’ve actually spent money on. Alpha George sends us enough for me to buy a house, a car, and even to keep us out of work for the rest of our lives but I try not to spend it. I don’t want to be indebted to him or the pack at all.

The bike is purple and a Ducati. Not the most amazing bike available but the one I wanted. Its fast but not too fast. Great with fuel and good for off roading or being on the road. I saw Karma’s face hover between worry and awe. She clearly liked the bike, but I imagine she’d never ridden one before.

“It’s beautiful” She breathed. “But you’re not expecting me to get on that are you?”

“Why not?” I laughed reaching for one of my spare helmets for her to put on. “Let’s go get some good food instead of the crap I’ve been serving you.” She giggled taking the helmet from me.

“It’s not crap, but I’m up for getting out for a bit…” She replies before attempting to put on the helmet. I move forward and take it from her. I put my hand under her chin, asking her to lift her head so I can help her with the helmet. She looks up into my eyes and it takes everything I have to stop myself looking into those grey-blue pools. I put the helmet over her head and clip the chin strap in place before lowering the face shield. I shake myself out of the haze I find myself in before putting on my own helmet. I get onto the bike and signal for her to get on behind me. She does and she looks around.

“What’s wrong?” I ask.

“Where do I hold on?” She asks looking for something to grab. Instead of telling her I turn and grab one of her arms and put it around my waist. She looks a little startled but then settles against my back with both arms around my waist. I smile and start the engine before heading out to the local town.

Karma’s POV

Riding the bike was only second to running through the woods in my shifted form. The adrenaline rush as Tracker zoomed through the woods and eventually onto a country lane that stretched on for what seemed miles, was amazing. He kept turning to make sure I was ok, and I was. The helmet protected me from the wind, but I could feel it zooming past me, it felt amazing on my leg and arms. I wanted to feel it on my face but knew Tracker wouldn’t agree to let me take off the helmet… Id work on that before we headed home. The vibrating of the bike and the tingling coming from my arms which were wrapped around Tracker were causing me to become extremely heated and I both hated and loved it at once.

I considered getting him to pull over so I could cool off, but I didn’t want this feeling to end either. Unfortunately, it came to an end as we ended up slowing down as we merged with other traffic. I knew we had reached civilisation… human civilisation at that. I could smell all sorts of different smells but the one that stood out the most was the smell of cinnamon and treacle. I tapped Trackers back and signalled the way the smell was coming from. He answered me with a laugh before heading that way.

We pulled up to a small diner just off one of the main busy roads. There were a few houses scattered around it but otherwise the area seemed pretty quiet. Tracker parked the bike at the side of the small diner, just out of view of the front windows. I got off the bike and took off the helmet, extremely aware that I was probably red from the heat I was kicking out…

“You ok?” Tracker asked, taking the helmet from me. I blushed harder.

“Yeah, just a little warm…” I said avoiding eye contact with him. Tracker didn’t press any further but grabbed my hand and started dragging me into the diner, sparks once again were shooting up my arm causing Kismet to purr in delight. Coupled with the heat and vibrations from the bike I felt something id never felt before. Not even with Chase and I couldn’t fathom it. I bit my lip hard to try and bring me back to reality but all I cold hear was Kismet chuckling in my head.

“I come here a lot; you’re going to love it here.” Tracker smiled as he opened the door which chimed as it hit some bells hung over it. I smiled now. Inside there were only a few patrons who were dotted around the small but cosy tables. Everything was mismatched. Some tables had wooden and plastic chairs and the tables themselves were either wood or plastic and others were lower down surrounded by sofas, comfortable chairs or beanbags. All the tables had candles on them and a menu.

“Tracker!” A voice called from behind the counter. “Long time no see, how are you?” I turned to see a beautiful girl stood behind the counter and immediately felt jealous that she had spoken to him. I growled a little which shocked both myself and Tracker, but he put a hand on my shoulder and called back.

“Hey Ivy! How’re you?” Tracker smiled but was met by growling. A large dog bounded out of the kitchen, and I immediately moved back. “And Jasper!” Tracker smiled bending down to greet the… dog. The “dog” which didn’t look like any dog I had ever seen, stopped short of Tracker and growled and moved his head towards me. I sniffed and recognised the familiar scent of a rogue…

Kismet?

Yes Karma, that’s defiantly a werewolf… Kismet sounded confused though.

He’s smaller than normal werewolves when they’re transformed.

Yeah, and he seems to live with that human girl, but she seems oblivious… Interesting. Kismet said before retreating into the back of my mind.

“Don’t worry she’s with me” Tracker answered, and I could have sworn I saw him wink at the… dog. I leaned down and offered the back of my hand towards the dog, and he sniffed me before gruffing in acceptance. I went to stroke his head and he raised an eyebrow at me as if to ask, really? I took my hand back and giggled. Yep, definitely a werewolf. I’d ask Tracker about it when I could.

“Come away Jasper, leave them be.” The girl apologised and pushed the dog back into the back of the diner. “Hello, I’m Ivy, pleased to meet you.” She thrust her hand out to greet me. “A friend of Trackers is a friend of mine.” I couldn’t help but smile and grasped her hand.

“Hello Ivy, I’m Karma. I dragged Tracker here because I could smell something wonderful!” I said, almost drooling as the smell wafted from the kitchen again.

“OOOOH!” Ivy gushed with glee. “They’re my new pastries, cinnamon and treacle. I had lots left over from bonfire night. Shall I get you two? Fresh out of the oven!” She smiled. I turned to Tracker, but he wasn’t looking at Ivy he was looking at me with the weirdest look in his eyes.

“Tracker?” I asked, he snapped out of it.

“Yes, please Ivy, and two coffees would be amazing, the milky ones please!” Ivy nodded and headed into the back before we made ourselves comfy at a table window with comfy padded chairs at it.

“Jasper…” I trailed off.

“He’s a werewolf, yes. I went to school with him. They’re a couple of years younger than us. It’s a long story but basically Ivy rescued him from drowning as a pup and he lives with her as her dog. She has no idea… He goes to school when she’s at school so he can learn and watch over her. He’s become kind of her guardian angel. That’s the only reason he’s not fully rogue.” I nodded, that made sense, but I wanted to know more. He could sense my eagerness and tolled his eyes. “Yes, she is oblivious that school Jasper and dog Jasper are the same person. To be fair, he used to be a bit of a bully to her because of it. But they get on well now. I think they might even start dating eventually. He has no intention of finding his old pack.” I smiled, it was sweet but it kind of reminded me of me and Chase. He would never know his mate unless he came across them, but he was content and happy loving Ivy. I shook my head and suddenly remembered what I wanted to sweet talk Tracker over.

“I have a question…” I said, squaring my shoulders ready for a fight.

“No…” He answered.

“I want… what?”

“The answers no Karma, it’s too dangerous. I know what you want but no…” I opened my mouth to argue but before I could. “Not today, once you’re more comfortable and I’ve taught you to drive it then well, I don’t see why not…” He looked at me grinning.

“How’d you…” I started asking but he grabbed my hand.

“I knew exactly what you were thinking when you got off that bike. I could feel your…” He coughed, let go of my hand and crossed his arms. “I knew you were having fun and the first time I rode the bike I felt the same. I took my helmet off and floored the bike down the highway, and it was amazing, BUT I know how to ride one and learnt when I was a teen.” I blushed, knowing exactly what he was going to say before he broke off. Luckily, Ivy arrived with our drinks and steaming pastries. I glared at Tracker before sniffing deeply and sighed in pleasure.

“They smell amazing Ivy, thank you!” I said, smiling up at her. She smiled back and handed Tracker a note, the bill I presumed, before heading back to the counter, Jasper at her heels.

We ate our pastries and drank the amazing coffees which I learnt were lattes, I’d never had one before and wanted more but Tracker told me to hold off or I’d be bouncing around all night from the caffeine, so I relented and ordered a lemonade. We talked for what seemed like hours, about our teen years mostly with Ivy keeping us topped up with drinks.

“I hated school, but Jasper made it easier. Two lone, rogue wolves forced to study in a human school. We were the outcasts, but everyone left us alone. I believe those two are in their last year now.”

“Oh, so Jasper is 18 already? Wont he be sad if he finds his mate that he has to leave her.” I asked sadly looking towards them both.

“He says he won’t; he wants to stay with her forever.” I smiled and looked at them both. Ivy was stroking Jasper’s head whilst she totalled something up for another customer.

“That’s sweet, and I guess him being a rogue he might never find his mate anyways…” I broke off and looked at Tracker. “Sorry, all this talk about mates must be off putting. But Jasper and Ivy sure are interesting…”

“Its fine, I think its sweet as well. I wish they were mates but obviously even if she were, she wouldn’t feel the pull and Jasper didn’t feel it the last time we spoke properly.” He trailed off. “I guess the only sad thing is, he’ll never know the sparks we feel…” he trailed off again and took a drink of his juice. “So, what was school like for you?”

“Oh, well nothing special. I did ok, nothing really to report. A lot of the girls hated me for how close I was with Chase, but I just kept to myself really, a handful of friends who I’d hang around with because I didn’t share classes with Chase, him being older, but that’s it…” I trailed off, realising how boring my life was without Chase in it, but Tracker was smiling.

“Good… If anyone had bullied you, I’d be cracking skulls right now…” I laughed aloud at that. He glared at me for a second then started laughing along. At this time Jasper and Ivy had come over to hand us another drink.

“Aww, you guys are so cute together!” Ivy gushed placing the drinks on the table. “Is this your first date or…?” She asked wiggling her eyebrows. I choked on my lemonade, taking a drink as she passed it over.

“D…d… date?!” I managed to splutter, probably going bright red. Ivy just looked at me in disbelief at my embarrassment but I could swear I heard Jasper laugh, even as a “dog”.

“What’s wrong with dating Tracker?” Ivy laughed moving over to Tracker and ruffling his hair. I heard Kismet growl in my mind at someone else touching Tracker, but I was too embarrassed to even react to that.

“Absolutely nothing…” I choked again. “It’s just, this isn’t a date… is it?” I asked, looking guiltily at Tracker. Had I misread the situation? I thought it was just a drink in a coffee shop, time for us to catch up a little. I could see a twinkle in Trackers eye that I couldn’t quite read. Then he slowly turned to Ivy and looked sad.

“Well, I thought it was a date, but it looks like Karma doesn’t quite feel the same way.” He said, sadly, looking at Ivy with puppy dog eyes. “At least I know you will always love me Ivy…” My jaw dropped wide open at his little act. Ivy looked so sad for Tracker and was looking at him sadly. I looked down at Jasper in complete shock and could swear his jaw was dropped too.

“I’m sure that’s not the case, right Karma?” Ivy said, turning to look at me. Whilst she was, I saw Tracker stick his tongue out at me from behind her. Jasper saw and suddenly eased up and headed towards the counter, now unimpressed by the façade. I was at a loss for words and was getting hotter and hotter. I was also getting increasingly annoyed at Tracker for pulling this.

“I mean, We’re friends… I didn’t think this was a date, but it’s been genuinely nice.” I decided it was time to teach him a lesson. “I think I need to head home now Ivy. Thank you so much for your hospitality! It’s been a pleasure to meet you.” I smiled and headed outside the café. I saw Tracker visibly panic as I ran towards the bike, fully intending to hide behind it.