Denying Fate ( Moonlight Trials Series #1)

Chapter 20 – Pleading…

Karmas POV

6 weeks, well over a month I’ve been here now and still nothing from my old pack, not even from my parents. I was starting to give up hope. The only thing keeping me going was the fact that Chase was still listening to my morning briefs, well every other morning now. I had stopped harassing him daily.

I got up and noticed how cold it was. I went to change before I opened my curtains, which were a light blue with white birds on them, Tracker had finally let me make the room a little bit more for me. I’d added a nicer set of drawers which now had clothes for me in, a small table with a much bigger mirror and some face creams and mascara on. I had also changed my bedding and bought myself a small stuffed wolf to cuddle in bed. Yes, I might be 18 but every girl needs something to cuddle in bed.

I opened my drawers and decided to put on a pair of skinny jeans with a large, oversized jumper, due to the cold. I also put on some thick fluffy socks I had bought and got out my combat boots just in case we went out today. I finally brushed my hair and put it into a low ponytail before heading to open my curtains.

“SNOW!” I screamed excitedly. I heard footsteps running to my room as a half-awake Tracker opened my door.

“What’s wrong?” He said with his fists in front of him, ready to fight despite his eyes being mostly closed. I couldn’t help but laugh, that was until I noticed he was only in his boxers.

“Tracker, can you put some clothes on please…” I trailed off putting my hand over my eyes and turning back to the window. Suddenly I felt him engulf me in a large hug from behind as he looked out of the window with me. I could feel myself going red, knowing he hadn’t dressed yet.

“Well, maybe don’t scream first thing in a morning and I wouldn’t need to come running with barely any clothes on.” He whispered into my ear. I swear I was becoming as hot as the kettle in the kitchen when its boiled.

“B…b…b… snow…!” I blurted out, not knowing what to answer. Tracker just chuckled and rested his head on top of mine.

“Hmmmmm, beautiful!” He said, but then his breathing slowed. Was he… falling asleep on my head? I just smiled and let him stay there for a few minutes until I started going stiff from his weight.

“Tracker?” I whispered. He grunted a reply. “If you’re tired go back to bed.” I said trying to be released from his grasp.

“Ok” he said and started walking away… with me in his arms.

“TRACKER!” I squealed as he dragged me to his room.

“Oh yeah right…” He said and turned to my bed before he flopped down on it pulling me with him. I squealed but felt him smiling into my hair.

“You’re not even asleep, are you?” I said, trying to turn to glare at him. But he didn’t answer and just continued to smile into my hair. I tried to squeeze out of his arms but couldn’t, so I turned to face him. His eyes were shut but I knew he wasn’t asleep, so I grabbed either side of his face and started to breathe heavily onto him. I moved my face closer to him and as soon as I saw his eye twitch and his smirk get wider, I licked his nose and moved backwards.

“That’s mean!” He said as I shook my head in protest.

“Not mean, payback” He growled and tried to pull me in closer to kiss me, but I wouldn’t let him. He growled into my neck, and I giggled at him. “Come on! Let’s have breakfast and play in the snow!” I cried and got up as he released his grasp on me.

“Really?” He protested, raising himself onto his elbows to look at me. I smiled an evil grin and nodded extremely slowly. He flopped backwards with his hand over his face. He sighed loudly before getting up. “Fine!” He sulked and went back to his room, grabbing his bath robe. I chuckled again and popped toast in the toaster.

My mind wandered as I waited for the toast to finish. 6 weeks, but it hadn’t felt like 6 weeks. We had started sharing a lot of things about our lives and sometimes I felt like I remembered the boisterous little boy that he described. I had started finding out his likes and dislikes. We didn’t have a lot in common, he loved bikes and sports, but he also loved to read as I did, so we talked about different books. He even let me borrow his phone to read on his k****e. Although the trust still wasn’t there because he blocked his texts and phone so I couldn’t message or call anyone. I couldn’t blame him though and shrugged when I realised. He also really liked to draw, he had done charcoal drawings which were beautiful, but I wouldn’t tell him that, his ego was inflated enough as it was.

The toast popped and I grabbed it out putting it on a plate to butter. I turned to get the butter but found a grinning Tracker already holding the butter and a knife in his hand. For some reason this caused me to blush as I mumbled a thank you and grabbed the butter. He chuckled to himself before I heard him shuffling around behind me. I ignored him and buttered the toast, but it wasn’t long before I felt an arm brush past me and a breath in my ear. I immediately tensed up again, going bright red.

“Sorry, just putting the kettle on.” He whispered in my ear. Before he pressed the switch on the kettle and very slowly drew his arm back, making it slide against my arm and side. I shuddered, but not in disgust, there was pleasure there even though it was just a quick brush of skin. I internally shouted at myself for feeling it again. Over the past month it was becoming more and more difficult to resist Tracker and I must admit we had shared a few more kisses. Tracker was also constantly teasing Kismet and myself by walking around topless or sitting extremely close to me on the sofa.

Kismet was constantly annoying me too. Telling me to just give in to the temptation. She had tried saying that Chase wasn’t interested anymore but that drove me in the opposite direction and caused me to ignore Tracker for a few hours which confused him, but I wouldn’t tell him why. I knew Kismet was talking to Break and they were getting closer, but I still couldn’t bring myself to fully succumb to the mate bond despite the fact that I had started to really like Tracker. I finished buttering our toast and sighed heavily. Which didn’t go unnoticed by Tracker.

“Are you ok?” He said, concern showing in his voice.

“Of course.” I replied, turning around with our toast and flashing a smile at him. Was I ok? The answer wasn’t a simple yes or no. If I was honest then yes, I was happy. I got on really well with Tracker, the house was lovely and rustic, the woods we lived in were beautiful and I never had to worry about upsetting anyone else or acting a certain way. I would even go so far as to say I could feel the mate pull and would happily give myself over to Tracker… BUT… Chase was always there. In the back of my mind, prodding at me whenever I even considered enjoying a kiss with Tracker. He was there whenever I did something we would do together before, watching an old movie, talking about certain subjects, playing a board game and even cooking. I missed my parents and my old room with its large windows, and I even missed Uncle George and Aunt Leah. So yeah… I was ok but also not.

I sat at the side of Tracker who thanked me for his toast and was catching up on the daily news on his phone. I started eating my toast and decided I would check in with Chase.

Chase, I know you can hear me. I feel you listening to me all the time. Please, please, answer me or give me a sign or something. I miss you terribly and I think of you all the time… but I feel myself slipping to the mate bond. I don’t want to be unfaithful to you. I… I stopped so I didn’t become emotional sitting next to Tracker. I love you… I stopped and waited, hoping for a reply.

I finished eating my toast and waited for Tracker to finish his before grabbing his plate and heading to wash them. Still nothing. I sighed, fighting back tears again for the 1000th time in the past 6 weeks. I closed my eyes and controlled my breathing before I finally turned to Tracker.

“Sooo….” I said playfully, trying to forget about the pit in my stomach that had opened by Chase still not getting back to me.

“So? What?” he said, looking at me in confusion.

“Go get dressed!” I shouted, excitedly. I swear I saw him roll his eyes, but he got up and headed to his room. He entered but then popped his head out.

“Want to help me?” He asked, wiggling his eyebrows playfully. I just glared and crossed my arms. He chuckled and went back into his room shutting the door.

Chase’s POV

Over a month and I still hadn’t found anything about what was going on between Karma, Tracker and me. I had poured over every book I could find and there was nothing. Even Dan, who had now been made my official Beta had helped me in our spare time. Due to dad springing the alpha title onto me without preparation I had a lot of sorting out to do. The pack was uneasy, despite knowing me all my life and knowing I would be alpha. I growled in agitation then looked at my watch. It was nearly 9am and I knew I needed to get some work done.

“You ok Chase?” Dan said, looking up from his book.

“Just agitated!” I replied, massaging my head. “I can’t believe we can’t find anything.” I almost shouted. I was ready to throw the book against the wall.

“You know what we need to do don’t you…” Dan said, almost with a hint of venom in his voice. I looked at him with uncertainty. “We need to hack your dad’s computer!”

“I can’t do that Dan…” I stopped abruptly as a mind link came through. Dan was used to it by now and just shrugged and carried on reading until I was done. It was Karma. I frowned. I loved hearing from her, but Ace would get so antsy after hearing from her.

Chase, I know you can hear me. I feel you listening to me all the time. Please, please, answer me or give me a sign or something. I miss you terribly and I think of you all the time… but I feel myself slipping to the mate bond. I don’t want to be unfaithful to you. I… She stopped and I could hear the sadness in her voice. I love you…

The message stopped and I felt tears pool in my eyes. It took everything in me to not reply to her, but I couldn’t. Tracker was her true mate. No matter what I felt for her, he felt it too and she felt it back with him but not me. I knew she thought she loved me, but the mate bond was always stronger… or was it?

“I think you’re right!” I shouted at Dan. He visibly jumped.

“What changed your mind?” he said holding his hand on his heart.

“Karma…” Was all I could reply.

“She checked in again?” Dan asked putting his books away. I nodded. “What did she say?” I told him and he looked alarmed. “So, she’s basically saying she’s going to succumb if we don’t do something soon?” I nodded again but frowned too, I didn’t want to think about it.

“Even if I get some sort of information from my dads’ computer today… surely it doesn’t change anything? Should I just give up and hope for a second chance mate. Should I just…” I choked before finishing the sentence. “Should I just reject her?” I managed to get out. Dan shrugged but looked at me sadly.