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

Chapter 0369

- Josie -

I follow Mum as she moves back towards the sofa, curling her feet up as she flicks the television back on. Her eyes stare at the screen but I can tell she isn't watching it, just making herself look like she is. She is lost in thought, lost in memory. "Mum?" I softly try to regain her attention as I sit down next to her, my hand gently stroking at her upper arm.

"Hmm?" She doesn't take her eyes away from the TV, seemingly too lost in the car advert. I've never seen her like this and it's starting to terrify me. She's never had this lost look before, she's never been in a trance. She's always been fully alert, her mind fully present. "Do you want to talk about things?"

"Things?"

"About this Than person?"

"No...I don't want to waste the air of my lungs evening mentioning his name." There's a bite in her words, disdain upon her tongue.

me. I can see she is about to say something but she stops when the front door opens and Auntie Alora walks in. It doesn't take a genius to know that

were out tonight?" She turns to me, her eyesbrows furrowing slightly as she takes in

often finish each

wrong?" She looks at me for the answer, her eyes

can read Mum just like me, she knows when something is bothering her, which is almost

I was just thinking about going back to work...and everyone says it's too early." I hate lying, especially to Auntie Alora. But that worry on her face drops and her shoulders relax,

don't you come back to Crystal Waters with us for

"Really?"

there and return feeling refreshed

holiday when I return. But...things are different now...George was there and the thought of being near him again makes my blood run cold. I can't believe I ever thought of being with him. "I

are you talking about? The timing is perfect. You can get to know your wolf more, shift without the eyes of the pack on

figuring things out..." And I know he wouldn't be keen for me to be around an ex of mine. Not that anything would happen, but I would feel just as uncomfortable with the thought of an ex of Knox's being able