Denying Fate ( Moonlight Trials Series #1)

Chapter 15 – Beautiful!

Karmas POV

I didn’t know what to expect after my conversation with Tracker, but here we were, walking into the forest. He was carrying a backpack which I could only assume had a change of clothes for both of us in. He put it behind a tree under some small bushes that were growing at its base. Then he stood up and crossed his arms in front of his chest, looking at me thoughtfully.

I could feel my cheeks heating up. Did he expect me to just get naked right here in front of him?

“What?” I snapped angrily, not at him but at myself for feeling the mate pull again.

For goodness’ sake Karma, just enjoy yourself for once. He’s already proven he’s not going to do anything we don’t want. Kismet sounded off in my head, I could almost see the rolling of her eyes.

I’ll try, ok? I snapped back at her.

“I was just wondering how we were going to do this…” Tracker answered, pulling me from my conversation with Kismet. “Are we letting our wolves take over?”

“ABSOLUTELY NOT!” I shouted, a little louder than I had meant to. I saw Tracker hide a grin.

“Why not?” He said, trying to keep a straight face. I started to blush again and turned my back on him.

“You know perfectly well why that wouldn’t be a good idea…” I said trailing off as I felt him moving closer to me.

“Why? Because Kismet and Break are more honest with each other than we are?” He asked spinning me around to face him.

“I am honest, Kismet is a beast, she doesn’t know how humans deal with these things.” I snapped again, but Kismet was growling in my head.

“Sure…” Tracker replied. “Ok so Ill transform first, then at least if you run, I’m ready to run you down again.” I looked at him, but he was grinning and winked at me. I blushed again. Damn him, he knew I wasn’t going anywhere. Where would I go? And no one in my old pack cared… I looked down sadly. “I’m sorry Karma…” I felt arms snake around me as Tracker pulled me in for a hug. “I didn’t mean to bring up painful memories, even if I did partly cause them!”

I shook my head, not wanting to speak for fear tears would start falling. I’d been here over a week already, no one had come looking for me, no one had contacted me, and no one had called Tracker. After seeing his mobile I knew Alpha George had a way of contacting him and he would definitely know where they were located. And Chase… my heart ached thinking about him. I still love him so deeply that even if I gave myself over to the mate bond, I think I would always still think about him, even if he wasn’t replying to my links every day. And yes, Tracker was my fated mate, I hated admitting it, but I’d known since we met in the woods. That’s what made this anger worse, the fact I knew this was coming but thought so hard that I could stop the inevitable from happening with my love for Chase. That didn’t mean I would be giving in easy, but I wanted to try and be friends. I agreed with Alpha George that the fated mate stuff was outdated. If humans could fall in love and choose whoever they want, then why should we? I sighed heavily.

“Its fine… I won’t run…” I said, defeatedly into Trackers chest. I wrapped my arms around him, returning the cuddle. “I promise.” I said looking up into his eyes. He looked into my eyes cautiously as if trying to figure out what trick I was playing. I pulled away from him.

“What are you planning?” He asked, quizzically. I could see the confusion clear in his eyes. He didn’t trust me, understandably, but there was a glint of hope there too.

“Nothing, look…” I sighed, closing my eyes. “I know were mates, ok… BUT … that doesn’t mean I want us to be.” He started to interrupt angrily but I raised my finger. “Let me finish!” I flared angrily; this caused his eyes to flash with pride briefly. “It doesn’t mean I want us to be mates in the old-fashioned way of claiming each other the same day we realise and blah blah.” I breathed deep again, knowing what I could say next might upset him. “The reason I love Chase is because we knew each other inside and out, we have shared everything together from being extremely young. He would always protect me and tell me when I was being stubborn or stupid! I knew all of his favourite things and he mine, I knew his dreams and darkest desires and his biggest flaws and upsets. I don’t know anything about you…” I trailed off.

“So…” He looked confused a moment. “You want to get to know me better? Then what?” He asked cautiously. I shrugged.

“I don’t know… Up until recently my life was pretty much set, now I have no idea what’s going to happen or where I’m going.” I shrugged again. “So, let’s just start with becoming friends?” I said, looking straight into his eyes. The mate pull happened again but I could see him talking to his wolf as his eyes flashed. I was glad, because the hug had made me extremely warm and sweaty, and I didn’t want another anytime soon.

“Ok…” He answered but I could tell it was a struggle. “We can get to know each other better but know this Karma, I feel very strongly about mates. Nothing good can come from rejecting what the moon goddess has in store for us. Fate cannot be changed. I won’t stop trying to make you see that we belong together, and that stupid spoiled prince doesn’t deserve anything…” He said, his eyes flashing red again. I only nodded, when his eyes turned red it scared me, probably because he was fighting the rogue in him but then a hint of a dark blue swirl again. Odd.

“Fair enough!” I said, holding out my hand for us to shake on it. “I will try to get to know you as a friend and you will continue on as normal, grouchy and pushing boundaries…. Yes?” This made him laugh. An amazing sound coming right from his stomach. I liked that and couldn’t help but smile. He stepped forward and took my hand.

“Deal now let’s go for a run! My original idea still stands. Me first then you.” He took off his top and jeans, so he was only stood in shorts and shifted into his wolf. Just as the first time we met, his wolf was huge and pure black except for the small blue patch on his nose. He walked toward me and signalled for me to transform but before I did, I headed to him and ran my hand over his nose.

“I have the same mark but on my tail.” I whispered. “My father always called it the moon goddesses touch.” He looked at me, his head tilting to the side in confusion. “I’ll show you. Ill transform in front of you but I’m going to need new clothes soon…” I sighed. He had been providing me with his own clothes and some of another female wolf which I assumed must have belonged to his mother, but I really needed my own. I took off my top and jogging bottoms and stood there in the baggy underwear I had been given a sports bra and pants. I could feel my face becoming red so I shifted as quickly as I could. I padded onto the ground shortly after and moved sideways so Tracker could see my fur. I was a silver-grey colour and my eyes a blue grey. I showed him the blue patch on the end of my tail. He moved closer and sniffed it before grunting. I wasn’t sure what that meant but then suddenly I heard a voice in my head.

It most definitely is the mark of the goddess… Who taught you about that?

My dad. This voice sounded different. Tracker?

No, sorry princess, my name is Break. I’m Trackers wolf. Kismet let me in, I hope you don’t mind. I was well and truly shocked.

How? I asked back in my mind. I looked at Tracker, but he seemed genuinely confused.

He can’t hear us; I don’t know how. Kismet allowed me to gain access. We’ve been speaking for nearly a week.

Oh… Well, my father always said I was touched by the goddess, but I never knew what it meant.

Ok… It is indeed her mark. I’ll tell Kismet what I know if Tracker allows me, and she can fill you in. But let’s get back to Tracker before he realises what’s happening.

I shook my head and looked at Tracker. He had sat down on his haunches and was looking very bored. I moved towards the woods and heard a growl before Tracker came up at the side of me. I laughed which came out as a few yips. I started to run, looking back at Tracker, my tongue lolling out of my mouth. He looked shocked and ran after me.

He caught up to me and playfully snapped at my heels to slow me down, but I kept going. It felt amazing to run, the wind blowing through my fur, cold but in a nice way. Tracker overtook me and looked back; he looked like he was smiling. We carried on like this for I don’t know how long. Suddenly, he stopped, and I banged into his side. I growled, not wanting to stop but he nodded towards the tree line. I realised it had disappeared, so I walked slowly towards the edge of what I assumed was a cliff.

My jaw dropped open at the sight. We were certainly on a cliffs edge. Below us was a giant lake surrounded by all kinds of different trees. What looked like an old, ruined castle could be seen on the other side of the lake. And just below me I could hear water rushing. Knowing there was probably a waterfall somewhere nearby. I started looking for a way down. I heard a bark and Tracker disappeared over the edge. I yelped and ran towards him. I noticed him on a ledge just below and growled angrily. He signalled for me to follow, and we climbed slowly down the mountain side until we were at the waterfall I could hear. He guided me to the side of it where an opening could be seen that led into a small cave, coming out behind the waterfall. It was so loud that nothing could be heard over the waterfall. I stood at the edge and stared into it. It was beautiful. Suddenly I felt a hand on me and panicked. But the hand began caressing my fur gently.

“It’s only me. I have spare clothes and towels hidden here. I thought you might want to enjoy it a little here?” Tracker said smiling at me, tenderly.

I looked and saw him in a pair of short and he was holding a t shirt and shorts in his hands. Great… I thought. Now was the time for me to transform back in front of him… I guess, there was no other way. I began to shift back.

“Karma what the…” Tracer yelled dropping the clothes and turning around quickly.

“I thought you said I had to transform back in front of you?” I said whilst putting on the clothes. I couldn’t help but laugh. He clearly hadn’t meant to follow it through.

“I didn’t actually mean it! Jesus! How awful do you actually think I am…?”

“Well…” I stopped dressing to answer. “You haven’t actually given me much cause to think you’re nice really.” I said causing him to wheel round angrily. However, I had only got my shorts on, and my top half was completely naked. We both went bright red, and he turned back around. I hurriedly put my top on. I couldn’t help laughing deep down though.

Trackers POV

Oh my god! Oh my god! Oh my god! Was all that was currently running through my head. Id thought it earlier to myself, thinking about seeing her naked and how much me and Break wanted it. But now I had actually seen, I was astounded and heated. I’d never expected her to agree to it let alone just do it. I expected her to refuse and stay as a wolf until I caved and said I didn’t actually expect it. Or I expected her to stubbornly go behind something.

Wow! Was all I could think. I mean she was beautiful to me anyway but that body… What I had seen could only be described as pure perfection. My mind was reeling. He body was like porcelain. Not quite white but light skinned and glossy from the sweat after our run.

“I’m dressed!” I heard her say meekly from behind me.

“I’m sorry!” “Sorry!” We said at the same time. Karma giggled a little from nervousness.

“No, I am actually sorry.” I said, “I never actually expected you to shift back in front of me!” I admitted, sitting down on the edge of the cliff behind the waterfall. “I was testing you earlier. I just… I don’t know. I don’t want you leaving me.” I shrugged not entirely sure why I was sharing this with her. I didn’t look behind me.

“That’s ok, I’m not going anywhere…yet” She teased and sat beside me, giggling. I sneaked a look, sideways, at her.

“This place is beautiful” She sighed, looking at the waterfall crashing down in front of us.

“It sure is!” I answered. But I wasn’t talking about the waterfall at all. I needed to make her realise we were meant to be.