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

Chapter 0368

- Josie -

with Dad, before having us...seemed impossible before.

"You married someone before meeting your mate?" I can't stop the words that blurt out of my mouth. In some twisted romanticised way I always thought Mum and Dad had always existed as one. To think of Mum with someone else...married to someone else before being But everyone has a past, even I have a past after and before Knox.

"That is a question for another day." Mum's eyes hold mine and for the first time, I think in my life, I can see pain within them.

She wants to tell me things, but I know that they are things I'll be hard to hear. Things that she wants save for another time.

"My childhood wasn't what I thought it was, I grew up without a mother. My father, who was my everything, had lied to me my entire life...and betrayed Alora before she even took her first breath. I didn't grow up with Alora, we didn't find each other until we were young adults. That's when I met your Dad, and to say our story started off easy would be somewhat of a lie."

"The things worth having in life do not come to us easy, remember that my sweet." Dad's eyes also hold regret but such a deep love that it tugs on my heart.

"So you don't talk to him, this Than...he isn't in your lives at all?" Jaxon asks, as I can tell that he is digesting this just as Jace and I also are.

we found out we were

now, why tonight. What did he say to you?" Jaxon's eyes dart to

knew who

was alone at the table to make a beeline for her, even in front of all the warriors. He also commented on your wolf.." "What of your wolf?" Dad growls, anger reflecting in

in the ribs for his blabber mouth. There was no need to worry my family unnecessarily, I was never in any real danger. "Josie?" Dad almost rounds on me, his aura picking up strength as

and he seemed to

eyes. I didn't like this side to Mum, she has always been strong...such a force, and she still is...but I can't shake the feeling that this Than hasn't been a happy character from her past. Or Dad's for that matter. How can he have been denied

reflection had been nothing compared to what both my parent's might have had to face

I didn't have a wolf...I wouldn't want to shift if it meant

betrayed Auntie Alora. And how were they twins but hadn't met for all their young lives. My head was spinning with the information already shared...and I wanted desperately to learn more but not

as he pulls me closer to him. I can't help but lean into his touch, my body humming from

and at Jude's and the Red Thorn pack. Packs that

pack?" Knox looks at

"Uncle Orpheus' pack."

related to this Than

But he made his loyalty clear when..." Dad stops as Mum grips at his arm, her head shaking as she moves into a