Denied by Destiny: Trapped in the Shadows of the Mate Bond

-Josie -

Dad had spent the last few days arranging a wedding to beat all weddings. It promised to be grander than any wedding before, with alphas from other packs also in attendance.

My only reservation...was keeping Mum calm and getting her down that aisle.

One step at a time.

I didn't want to overwhelm her and judging by the wide eyes staring back at me through the mirror, she needed topping up with alcohol.

"Here Mum, have some more bubbles." I slowly pour some more champagne into her flute glass.

"I can't walk down the aisle drunk Josie."

"You won't be drunk Mum, just relaxed." I encourage her as Auntie Alora attends to her hair and Maya applies her makeup.

I've kept to a small group getting her ready, any more and I think she would have cancelled the entire thing.

The next thing on the wedding preparation to do list was getting her in her dress. A dress I picked

out myself.

"Okay, hair and makeup is done. What is next?"Auntie Alora looks at me with nervous eyes as she downs her own flute glass of champagne. It wasn't just Mum that was nervous, both Auntie Alora and I were doing our best to mask our emotions. "Getting dressed." I say out quietly, to the sound of Mum inhaling deeply.

"Just think of Dad waiting down the aisle for you Mum. How close we were to losing him, and how happy this will make him." I place a gentle hand on her shoulder, gazing at her reflection through the mirror.

We had almost lost Dad, she almost lost her mate. She had already agreed to the biggest commitment level with him, mating and having children. So there was no reason to over think this wedding. "Just think of it as a party." Maya smiles out as she applies the final touches of Mum's makeup.

"Like a pack gathering...you've hosted plenty of those." Maya was right, Mum was an alpha in her own right but she knew how to throw a great party as Luna of the Dark Phantom pack. "I'm not in a white dress for pack gatherings, and with all eyes on me."noveldrama

"Yes they are Kaia, you just don't notice it. Deep breath in...it won't be like last time." Auntie Alora's hand lands upon Mum's other shoulder, Mum's reaching out to squeeze it.

Their bond was undeniable, they were extremely close. Even having not grown up together, not only were they sisters...they were best friends.

"Okay...let's show them who the Luna of the Dark Phantom pack is!" She firmly states before downing her flute in one shot.

"Yes Luna!" Maya chimes back, giving Mum her full affirmation.

...

"You look beautiful Mum, stunning. Like the moon goddess herself." Which now makes complete sense. I suppose Mum was the closest tangible being on earth connected to the moon goddess herself. Well except for me now as well. I had selected the perfect dress for Mum. It was elegant, it was romantic. It reminded me of a bride marrying on a beach, the Clear Water's coming to Mum.

Dad made it clear the wedding would take place here, but that didn't stop me from helping him incorporate coastal themed décor.

The dress snipped in at the waist with flowing arms and a long skirt that had cut out flowers adorned to it...I was just perfect.

Her dark flowing hair was styled up in a bun with loose hair strands flowing down her face, only adding to the beach theme.

She always had a glow about her, but today she looked even more stunning, even more goddess-like.

"What's this?" She turns to me as I hand her a small red velvet box. It was a wedding gift from myself, Jaxon and Jace. A pair of dangling white pearl earrings.

"It's from the three of us, we wanted you to have something new." I smile out, trying to fight back

the tears building in my eyes.

I was trying to stay strong, trying not to scare her off.

It wasn't every day grown adult children got to see their parents marry one another. Got to share in the

memories...I just knew I would remember this day forever.

"They are beautiful."

"Just like the wearer..." I take the box back and carefully remove the earrings, handing them to her to put on.

"Are you ready?" I had been putting off asking this question. I could feel both Jaxon and Jace pressing me through the pack link to get things moving, they were waiting downstairs for her, to walk her down the aisle.