Bound by Destiny Read online

  Den is lying on his bed reflecting over today's events. Even though he expressed hesitation he knew if he had to co-reign that his sister was perfect. She was beautiful, noble, regal, she held an air about her that screamed grace and nobility. She could negotiate with the cruelest Alpha to give her whatever she wanted. She had her mother's beauty and all the qualities of a superb Luna. They would use those qualities she possessed when his hot temper and threats didn't work. She was the yin to his yang.

  Bzzzzz bzzzzz bzzzzz

  Kay huffs loudly as she forces one eye open to read the time. The LED flashed 0430.

  "Ugh, sometimes I really hate dad for his early morning sessions."

  She peels herself out of bed and slugs towards the shower. Turning it on to a temperature that reflects the current hell she's in, she peels off her clothes and hops in with a shriek.

  "Ooh! Hot hot hot! Ahhh...perfect."

  She stands under the showerhead and relaxes in the warm massage she's receiving, lightening her grumpy mood only slightly.

  After 10 minutes, she hops out and quickly dresses to resist the change in temperature. She puts on her favorite black capris and purple sports bra with a white sweatshirt crop top. She tosses on her matching purple trainers, grabs a towel, and she heads out her bedroom door.

  She walks into the kitchen to grab a granola bar to find Den nodding off on the counter. Grabbing the granola bar, she couldn't resist slamming her hands on the countertop.

  "Den! Get up, we have to report to the training center."

  He jolts up, almost knocking himself off the barstool. He glares at her.

  "Jeez Kay, you almost gave me a heart attack. Not cool, sis."

  She pats his back and smiles her most innocent smile, the one she uses on Dad when she wants something her way.

  "But you love me, you have to, I'm your co-Alpha."

  He takes his orange juice and places the cold bottle on her neck, shocking her.

  "AHHH! What the hell, Den?! Seriously? You're a jerk!"

  He grins as he gets away from her clutches. "But you love me, I'm your co-Alpha!" He laughs too hard for her liking as she chases him out the door towards the training house.

  You could hear a pin drop as Kayden paced the stage looking out at all the young wolves up early for training.

  After "the incident" with his wife, Kayd made training a top priority for the pack. Even though she took care of the issue herself he did not want to risk her, or the kids being hurt, so he arranges group training at least once a month for all able-bodied pack members.

  All eyes watched him as he paced the length of the stage in his usual white t-shirt and black shorts, some of the new girls Kay's age giggled. She knew her dad was handsome and that girls would have a crush on him, but it was still awkward and definitely annoying.

  "Mmm...If I were only a few years older, our Alpha is so hot. I bet he’s an animal in bed." A girl whispered to her group of friends, Kay couldn't help but to turn around and lock eyes, warning her.

  "I suggest you keep that trap shut and focus on the training. I know your dial is set to whore, sweetie, but if you could keep it down most of us are trying to learn from my father, who is VERY happily married by the way."

  The girl’s face dropped and was about four shades redder, she was new to the pack and didn't know anything about her family or their story. She lowers her head as Kay turns back around to listen to her dad.

  "The most important thing to learn is that YOU represent the strongest pack on the planet, the Cheshire pack has gone through hell and back to become what it is! Most of you know the story of how my Luna and I met and her Legacy status, making our children infinitely stronger. Kayari and Kamden, please join me up here..."

  Kay looks at Den as they both slowly make their way up to the stage.

  Kay: What is he doing? It's too early to be put on display.

  Den shrugs his shoulders as they lock eyes. She groans as she makes her way through the crowd. Her father offers his hand so that she can hop on stage.

  "Now, many of you know that my time as Alpha will be ending and the dilemma is who will be my replacement. You know that our twins have been given equal opportunity for everything, we do not put one above the other and when I decided on the Alpha position, I kept that logic. I want my warriors to be the first to meet your co-Alphas."

  There were loud audible gasps followed by whispers. The most audible questions heard was, "How does that work?" "Can he do that?” The murmuring grew louder as he tried to explain. He whistles to gather their attention.

  "Listen, I know this is something unheard of and it will be an adjustment, but I have the utmost faith in my children to uphold the same morals that have kept this pack strong and relatively untouched. We will hold several town hall meetings before the formal ceremony to address any concerns and answer any questions. But until then I am still in charge and I want everyone to partner up and run through the drill.”

  He nudges Kay to Den suggesting they stay on stage and do their combat practice. They assume protective and combative positions as all eyes are on them.

  Kay whisper yells to her brother. "Did you know he would announce it here?!"

  "What? No! But it's not necessarily a terrible thing, look whatever happens we are in this together, I know we fight all the time but honestly Kay, you're the only person I trust with pack business, I wouldn't want anyone else." His revelation makes her smile, catching her off guard as he sweeps her feet and she lands on the ground with a thud.

  "Den, you asshole!" She screams causing everyone to stop.

  He laughs out loud, "Thank the Moon Goddess you'll be an Alpha because that is NOT the mouth of a proper Luna!"

  He pulls her up and she punches his shoulder hard enough to leave a bruise. Then a thought surfaces, will they have a single Beta, or do they each need one? There are so many questions, she cannot focus on the training.

  "Den, we really need to flush this out, I can't concentrate when I have so many questions on how we will make this work. Let's talk after lunch, please." He could see the genuine concern on her face.

  "Okay, sis, after lunch, but for now..." He swipes her leg again putting her on the ground, but she grabs his leg with her arm and brings him down hard. He groans and she rolls on top to pin his shoulders.

  "Getting sloppy are we, brother?" She kisses his forehead to further irritate him. "Tsk, tsk... "

  On Your Toes

  Kayd watches his children during their combat training. He shakes his head at their bickering, but he smiles.

  "This is going to work, I know it, they are smart like their mother and strong like me. Moon Goddess, I can feel it in my heart. I just need your blessing."

  He closes his eyes in prayer as a pair of hands wrap around him as a hug from behind. Judging by the sparks he knew it was his very reason for living.

  "Hey handsome, when do I get my one on one training, I was promised by this overly sexy man this...personal...training."

  When he turns around, she is biting her lip in a way that makes his heart race and his blood rush south. He whines as he looks down. "Baby doll..." She pecks his lips and smiles slyly.

  "Our room, ten minutes...or I am starting without you." She walks away without giving him a chance to respond.

  His eyes glued to the sway of her hips rocking side to side as she heads back to the main house, her scent spellbinding, and although no one can hear she is relentlessly teasing him through their Legacy link and not the pack link.

  He clears his throat. "Alright, take two laps to the falls and back and you will be done with training for today." Kay thought she heard her father growl as he made his way behind her mother.

  Kay shakes her head, "That's what I want...my parent's love." She smiles as her best friend Trinity taps her shoulder as she catches up to her pace in the pack.

  "This news is crazy, Kay! How long have you known? Do you think you and your brother can do this? Wait...Why are you smiling so wide?"

&
nbsp; She shakes off the thought of her parents. "Trini you're my best friend, right? You know me better than anyone outside of my family and while I am thankful to be sharing the crown with my brother, I can't help but wonder what is going to happen if I find my mate. That's the most important thing to me, I want that love my parent's share. It's been two years since I gained my senses to find my mate and... nothing. Maybe I'm not meant to be with anyone." She shrugs her shoulders and her demeanor is slightly somber.

  "Not a chance Kay. You are an Alpha female, you're like prime real estate, you can't just be with some Joe Schmoe, he must be special to understand you and all you have. You are the child of a Violet Legacy, you are part white witch and werewolf, and now you share the title of Alpha with your brother, girl that's a lot to take in! Your mate is probably a prominent King or another powerful Alpha or what if it is another Legacy child?! That would be crazy!"

  Kay scoffs "It wouldn't matter what he does as long as I was the love of his life."

  As they are talking Kay runs violently into the group who has stopped just shy of the Falls and the border.

  "Oof! What the hell man, why did every--"

  Ssssshhhh! Someone whispers.

  Den takes a protective stance around Kay as he sniffs the air. "Tell dad there are rogues near. I can smell those slimy bastards!" Den then walks forward through the crowd as Kay links her dad.

  Kay: Dad! There are rogues near the Falls, call Uncle Brent, Evan, and Miles!

  Kayden: We're aware and on our way sweetie, just get back to the house with your mom and the other women and children.

  She huffs.

  Really? Unbelievable.

  Kay: Why?! Because I'm a girl, because you don't think I can handle myself? Thanks for the vote of confidence, father.

  She cuts off the link and orders the group to combative stance as they watch the shadows move between the trees in the forest. Den is ahead of the group eyeing the movement as he uses his deep voice to elicit a vicious growl, giving them a warning. They take it to heart as they disperse towards the mountains. Perhaps they were just scavengers, or they were scouting the grounds, testing the pack reflexes.

  Kayd and her uncles join the group not a moment later. "Why the hell are you all still here? Everyone back to the house, NOW!" His Alpha voice booming through them causing fear in their eyes as they scramble towards the house.

  Miles, Brent, and Evan shift and fan out to secure the perimeter with the security detail.

  Den brings up the rear of the crowd and Kayd tugs his daughter’s arm to face him. She stares him down with the fire of the Moon Goddess behind her eyes. He swore he saw a flash of Duchess coming to the surface. She shifts her weight.

  "What, Dad?!"

  He is caught off guard by her attitude.

  "Kayari Denise, what is wrong with you?"

  "Don't call me that, just moments ago you said that my brother and I are strong enough to lead this pack but the MOMENT it is in trouble you want me to cower with the women and children. What the hell, dad?! I have been training for years to defend myself, you say we are changing the rules of how we lead this pack until you feel your daughter might be in danger and want to shelter her, it's not the 1920's dad, I can take care of myself!"

  She finishes with tears in her eyes, all she could do was shake her head in disappointment. She walks away without another word.

  I Just Want to Protect You

  Kayd groans because he can feel the disappointment behind him. He knew her arms were crossed, and her anger was high, in fact, he could feel it radiating from her person. He was going to hear it whether he wanted to or not. He turns to face the judge, jury, and executioner that is his wife.

  “Kayden James Miller, what did you say to our daughter?!”

  He sighs loudly. “Ughhhh…listen, baby doll, I... I just didn't want her to get hurt, she's my baby girl, my only girl!"

  She only shakes her head. "You said she was strong enough to rule with her brother, don't treat her as a delicate little flower, that girl is the result of two highly stubborn people. You gave her the title and soon the pack, do not go back on your word. You know she can do this; she can take care of herself." She folds her arms across her chest at their original position awaiting his reply.

  He drags his hands over his face and lets out a combination growl/groan/sigh. "You're right, I know she can fend for herself, but she will always be my princess. I can't help but want to protect her..."

  "I know, but what happens when she finds her mate? It'll then be his job to care for her and will you be able to let her go then? Don't smother her, let her grow. Let's head back, security can take care of this and the report."

  He takes her hand and with big doleful eyes says, "There's no way to finish what we started earlier is there?" He squeezes her hand gently but judging by her stoic expression, he was out of luck.

  "Not a snowball's chance in hell after what you did to our daughter. And you better fix it, Kaydy, or face long term consequences. Remember the ninth-grade dance argument? You bet your ass you do."

  What she is referring to is during the kid's ninth-grade year, a boy named Nathaniel asked little fresh-faced Kayari to his school’s dance. She came home excited, but her father quickly forbade it because he was from one of the rival packs and he didn't believe his intentions. Kayd always had his guard up when it came to infiltration of the pack even by a snot-nosed almost teenage boy with raging hormones. The way a dad's mind works is amazing when it comes to his only daughter.

  Anyway, after he explicitly forbade her, Kam and Kayd had an awful fallout and she threatened to leave him to his own devices. Needless to say, he let her go and it went well without incident. He spent days after that getting back in his wife's good graces and it was not so easy.

  Back in her room, Kay is face down, crying in her pillow as Trini rubs her back. She holds her head up, wiping her face. "I don't get it, one minute he thinks I'm competent and the next he's treating me as if I am going to break at any moment. This world is still sexist as hell no matter what we do. I should just give the title to Kamden since that's what dad wants anyway, male rule. He just thinks I'm a liability." She resumes crying into her pillow.

  "Kayari! That is just not true, sweetie." She looks back to see her father, looking slightly heartbroken.

  Trini walks out of her room, to the kitchen where most of the teenagers hung out.

  She turns back around and huffs in her pillow. "Admit it, dad, times have not changed. You don't want me in power, it's 'too dangerous' and I'm too delicate, just give the crown to Den and leave me alone. I don't care anymore."

  Her body jerks indicating she was crying, openly sobbing into her pillow. He pulls her into him and makes sure she looks into his eyes. Looking at her tear-stained face pained him, he never wanted to be the reason for her tears.

  "Princess, I know if given the opportunity, you could rule this pack alone without anyone's assistance and would do an excellent job. You are the combination of your strong-willed mother and bull-headed father. I know I say things that sound incredibly sexist, but I don't mean it in that way. I am just a father who is terribly protective of his only daughter. I don't want to lose you to anything if I can prevent it, but I have to realize that soon I won't be the man in your life. Some handsome devil will take you from me and you'll go off and have a family of your own."

  She can see tears well in his eyes and it softens her heart. She immediately wraps her arms around her dad, hugging him tightly.

  "No, daddy! I'll always be your baby girl, your princess! No man is going to change that, you'll still have my love but..." She looks away, catching his attention.

  "But what? You can tell me anything, sweetheart." He takes her hand and she smiles slightly.

  "You know when you and mom act all lovey-dovey all the time? I want that, daddy, I want someone to love me the way you love mom. But it's been two years...and... I just...I want my happiness too but maybe...it'll never come?"

  No
w tears reemerge as he kisses her forehead. He remembers those feelings of hopelessness and heartache and though he wanted to shield her from it he knew he had to be honest but considerate.

  "You know it took me quite a while to find your mother and I get it; believe me I do. But you need to be patient, I don't want you to end up in a situation that resulted in my confrontation with your late Uncle. Patience is key, my heart, your mate is out there and when he discovers you, he'll know what an amazing catch you are! And then daddy gets to threaten his life if he ever hurts his baby girl."

  "Daaaaad..." They share a laugh as he hugs her a bit tighter.

  "It's what daddy's do, protect their princesses. Now, I need you to work out your command structure with Den."

  She jumps up in a huff, "I forgot! I was supposed to talk to him after lunch! I got to run dad; I love you!" He can hear her feet running down the hall towards her brother's room.

  A voice clears their throat behind him to catch his attention. "Now...I think you have earned a make-up session from earlier.

  Ven a la cama te necesito tanto (come to bed, I need you so bad)."

  He turns to see his wife at the door. She knew what to say to rile him, it was how she said it and the inflection in her voice, it was dripping with lust.

  "Vamos muñeca, deja de molestar... (come on baby doll, stop teasing)" He winked at her, after nearly twenty years he was almost fluent. She purrs at him.

  His growl was low as he eyes her like a prize. "Don't start what you can't finish, I'm already quite wound up from earlier."

  She smiles and pushes herself off the door jamb, "Well, come on mi amor, time's a wasting. Your Spanish is getting so much better, sounds so...enticing." She squeals when she finds he is chasing her down to their room.