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.