Chapter 16: In His Arms

Thea’s POV

“What we can’t determine is whether it’s the same group that killed her father…or someone else entirely.” The police chief’s words from several days ago still echoed in my mind. The revelation that I was being specifically targeted kept me awake at night, wondering who wanted me dead and why.

“Mommy, I miss you so much!” Leo’s small voice, cracking through Sebastian’s phone, pulled me from my dark thoughts. My chest tightened. Every cell in my body ached to hold him, to prove I was still here, still breathing, still his mother. “Why do you only call once a day now?”

“I’m so sorry, sweetie.” I forced my voice to stay steady. “Mommy just had a little accident with her phone. That’s why I’m borrowing Daddy’s.”

“Can we video chat? I want to see you.” The desperation in his voice stabbed at my heart. I knew he sensed something was wrong, but I couldn’t let him see me like this, bandaged and bruised in a hospital bed. Now that I was apparently someone’s target, I couldn’t risk those who wanted me dead turning their attention to Leo.

“Not right now, sweetheart. They don’t allow video calls here.” The lie tasted bitter on my tongue.

“That’s such a stupid rule! Who made up such a stupid rule?” he shouted, frustration evident in his voice, tugging at my heart.

“Leo…”

“I just want to see you, Mommy. Can’t Dad make them change their minds? He can make them say yes, I know he can.” His voice wavered, threatening tears. My heart shattered at the sound.

I glanced at Sebastian, who wore an insufferably smug smirk. Leo knew his father too well—as the powerful Ashworth Pack’s Alpha, Sebastian could make anyone bow to his wishes with a single word.

“Tomorrow, baby. I promise we’ll video chat tomorrow.” By then I’d be home, with time to cover the worst of the bruises with makeup. “I love you so much.”

“Love you too, Mommy. Oh, Grandma wants to talk—”

I hung up before my mother could get on the line. Petty? Maybe. But I couldn’t deal with her right now.

Sebastian raised an eyebrow, something unreadable flickering across his face. I’d told him to leave countless times, even had the nurses try to kick him out. He’d responded by threatening to shut down the entire hospital.

The memory of that day was still fresh in my mind. Roman had left to grab food, and Aurora had swooped in like a vulture.

“Your little stunt won’t work, Thea,” she’d sneered.

“What are you talking about?”

I wasn’t in any shape to deal with her bullshit. She was clearly building up to something, and I hadn’t recovered enough strength to handle her games.

“This ‘accident.’ I bet you orchestrated the whole thing to get Sebastian’s attention. But I’m warning you, stay away from him.”

I couldn’t help laughing. “Let me get this straight. You think I poisoned myself with experimental wolfsbane, blew up my own car, and nearly died just to get Sebastian’s attention?” I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. “The doctors said if I’d been a wolf, that toxin would have killed me instantly. You really think I’d risk leaving Leo motherless for attention?” Everyone said I was the defective one, but listen to their perfect Aurora.

She’d continued spewing venom, saying my death wouldn’t matter to anyone, that she’d take everything from me—including my son. That Leo would soon be calling her “Mom” instead. The urge to violence had never been stronger than in that moment.

“You’re a vicious bitch, Aurora. But remember this, Leo will never see you as his mother. Remember how he ignored you at the airport? Even if you marry Sebastian, you’ll be nothing to him.”

The smug smile had vanished from her face, replaced by fury. She’d gone on about giving Sebastian more alpha heirs, about how he must have been thinking of her whenever he touched me… but when she’d insulted Leo, something in me snapped. I’d grabbed the cup from my bedside table and hurled it at her. She’d screamed and ducked, the cup shattering against the wall just as Roman walked in.

When the nurses rushed in, I’d demanded they all leave. Roman had tried to stay, but I’d reminded him of all the times he’d treated me like I was invisible while worshipping Aurora. Finally, at the nurses’ insistence, they’d left.

“Ready to check out?” Sebastian’s voice yanked me back to the present.

I studied him for a moment, wondering if Aurora was right—would Sebastian really abandon Leo for her? I wanted to believe he wouldn’t, but Aurora had always been his weakness.

“What are you doing here, Sebastian?” I asked. “Shouldn’t you be home with Aurora?”

He sighed. “You’re picking a fight, and I’m not taking the bait. Let’s just get your discharge papers and get you home.”

“I don’t need help from someone who hates me! Just go, Sebastian. We both know you’d rather be somewhere else.”

“Really? Don’t need my help? Then who are you going to call? You don’t have any friends, Thea.”

“Kane. Kane can take me home.” It was true that I had no friends, but Kane would help me.

Sebastian’s expression turned to stone. His fists clenched, jaw tight with tension.

“Not happening,” he growled. “You have two choices: either I take you home, or you stay here a few more days. That bastard isn’t going anywhere near you.”

I struggled to my feet to change in the bathroom, barely able to stand. Sebastian tried to help, but I pushed him away. I settled into the wheelchair, clutching my small bag of belongings.

“Let’s just get this over with so we don’t have to be around each other anymore.” I was already fighting to keep my eyes open, exhaustion weighing heavily on me.

He sighed but said nothing, wheeling me toward the discharge desk. Everything felt fuzzy and distant. I was so tired. Finally, I let my eyes close.

When I woke next, I was in Sebastian’s arms as he carried me upstairs.

“What are you doing?” I mumbled, still half-asleep.

“Taking you to bed. You passed out before we even got to the car.”

The warmth of his body and the rumble of his voice made me unconsciously snuggle closer. He chuckled, but I didn’t care. He smelled good, and he was warm. I closed my eyes again.

I felt myself being lowered onto soft sheets, then the bed dipped as he lay down beside me. I rested my head against his chest, and his arm slipped around my waist, pulling me close.

As I drifted off completely, I couldn’t help thinking how nice this felt. In my dreams, Sebastian didn’t push me away. In my dreams, I finally got to lie in his arms the way I’d always wanted.