Denied by Destiny Trapped in the Shadows of the Mate Bond novel Chapter 502

~ Cleo ~

I’m pounced on as soon as I exit my car. Mum gently guiding me out of the vehicle where she then covers my eyes to stop me from seeing anything.

“Mum…” I chuckle out at her behaviour.

“What’s going on?”

“We have a surprise for you…no peeking okay?”

“Okay.”

She guides me into the alpha house, straight to the stairs where I reach out for the banister, just as a precaution.

I’ve walked up these stairs every day from the moment I was old enough to walk, I know each step, each angle she is taking.

She’s taking me directly to my room.

“Mum what’s going on?” A hesitant laugh escapes me, as I feel out in front of me.

“You seem to be struggling and I wanted to show you something, show you that no matter what you think, it’s never as bad as you think it is.

You can do this Josie, we can do this.” Her words have complete faith in me, complete confidence in me.

We stop, my hands feeling at my bedroom door where she removes her hands from my eyes.

“You can do this.” She reiterates passionately as she pushes my bedroom door open.

I cross the threshold of my room, scanning it well to find that my bed has been pushed closer to the window, creating a gap wide enough for a small baby crib.

I take a step forward, my hand moving to my mouth as a small gasp escapes me.

It is beautiful, it is white with a rocking stand…a small beige teddy sitting upright at the head of the basket. On closer inspection I can see working embroidered into the white fabric covering the edges.

She pauses for a moment and I’m worried I’ve ruined the moment between us, ruined the bonding.

“When you hold your baby in your arms for the first time, you’ll understand why I wanted to keep you safe. The pack will stand by you Cleo, as will Ares when he is alpha.”

“I don’t know what to say.” I’m lost for words.

“You don’t have to say anything.” Dad’s warm voice comes from my bedroom door, his gigantic tattooed body dominating the entire door frame.

His eyes roam my room until they land on the fist sized hole in my wall. They linger on it for a moment before he pushes off the doorframe and enters into my room.

“But..” I feel as if before his eyes noticed the hole he was going to continue talking. The damage Jaxon has left is something I need to sort out before too many questions are asked.

“You know Hector’s a half human..”

“What?” I’m taken aback by this sudden declaration. I have known Hector all my life, why am I only just hearing of this now.