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.

cuts me off, her eyes wild as she turns to 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 this also involves Auntie Alora in some way. "Not a word!" Mum's voice filters into my head and I give her a simple nod in response just as the space next to me dips and Auntie Alora sits down next

furrowing slightly as she takes in

twins and often finish

me for the answer, her eyes

can read Mum just like me, she knows

early." I hate lying, especially to

and I were talking, why don't you come back to Crystal Waters with us

"Really?"

swim in the waters, finish your healing there and return feeling

I've had a 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 don't

get to know your wolf

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