Chapter 31: Resistance – 1

Sebastian’s POV

I closed my eyes, feeling a crushing wave of defeat wash over me. My mother’s gentle voice came through the phone: “I’m sorry, Sebastian, but Leo refuses to talk to you.”

The pain hit deeper than when Aurora had left me all those years ago. My son was angry with me, refusing to even take my calls. Thea was right; Leo should always come first, and I’d failed him.

I’d been late yesterday because I took Aurora on a yacht cruise around the bay. After she found out I’d dropped everything to rush to Thea’s side during the attack, she’d been upset. The cruise was my attempt to make it up to her. But I’d lost track of time, and my phone had died.

I’d never seen Thea that angry before. Watching her stand up to me yesterday, defending Leo—it stirred something in me. Pride, maybe. I hadn’t known she had that kind of fire in her.

“Sebastian?” My mother’s voice pulled me back. “I need to hang up now.”

“No, please get him on the phone. I need to apologize.”

Leo had never refused to talk to me before. The knowledge that I’d disappointed him was crushing.

Mother sighed. “You hurt him, Sebastian. He was so excited yesterday, so eager for you to hear about his achievements. He cried during the video call with Thea. Leo never cries, but you made him shed tears.”

I stared at the table, feeling like the worst person in the world. There were no excuses. I should have been at the school as promised, not out trying to placate Aurora.

“I know…” I sighed deeply, running a hand through my hair.

“Do you really? You weren’t the one watching him cry, trying to comfort him. I’m happy Aurora’s back so you’re not hurting anymore. I understand you’re trying to rebuild what you had. But that doesn’t mean you can neglect your responsibilities. You have a son, Sebastian, and he should always come first.”

“You don’t need to remind me. Thea already tore me a new one yesterday.” I gripped the phone tighter.

“Good for her. As mothers, we’ll do anything for our children, even stand against their fathers if necessary.” Her words shocked me. My mother had never, not once, taken Thea’s side. If anyone had opposed Thea the most, it had been her.

“I understand, but can you please get him to talk to me? Please.” I rarely begged, but this was different.

She fell silent before agreeing. I waited, minutes ticking by until I almost gave up hope.

“Hello.” Leo’s soft voice finally came through.

“Hey, buddy.” I started, uncertain what to say. “I’m sorry about yesterday. I got held up and lost track of time, but I heard…”

He cut me off: “It was because of her, wasn’t it? Mom’s sister. That’s why you didn’t come see my teacher.”

His words caught me off guard. Anger flared in my chest. Had Thea told him? Was this her revenge?

“Who told you that? Your mother?” I struggled to keep my temper in check.

“I’m six, not stupid, Dad. Mom didn’t say anything.” His tone shifted.

“What do you mean?”

“I saw her at your house that night when I video called. If there was nothing between you, why would she be there that late? I asked Mom about it, but she said it was something you should explain.” His answer stunned me again.

Aurora had been to my house twice, and I hadn’t known Leo had seen one of those visits. I’d been planning to find the right time to explain everything to him.

“Listen, buddy…”

“Is she your mate?”

“No…” I hesitated.

“Then if you’re going to marry her, I’ll never accept her. I don’t like her.” His voice was firm.

Chapter 31: Resistance – 2

Damn it, how had I thought Leo would accept Aurora? His loyalty to Thea ran too deep. Sometimes I wondered if he loved her more than me.

“Is it because she’s not your mom?” Maybe he was just resistant to Aurora because he thought she was replacing Thea.

“I just don’t like her. And she’s Mom’s sister – that’s weird, Dad.” He was brutally honest.

Leo’s aversion to Aurora mirrored Thea’s attitude exactly. Could that be coincidence? Was Thea secretly influencing our son against Aurora? It wouldn’t surprise me one bit.

“Listen, Leo, I’m dating Aurora, and I need you to respect her. One day I might marry her, and she’ll be your stepmother. You need to get used to her being around.”

I had to nip this growing resistance in the bud. Leo needed to understand Aurora wasn’t going anywhere.

“Never!” he shouted defiantly.

“Leo…”

“If you like her, that’s your choice, but know that I’ll never accept her. I’ll never like her, and she’ll never be any kind of mother to me.” He was practically growling with an Alpha authority he’d inherited from me.

Before I could respond, he hung up. I immediately called back, but the phone was turned off. I stared at it, completely baffled by how things had turned out.

He’d never shown such dislike for anyone before, but for some reason, he despised Aurora that much.

I’d probably just made things worse. He must be even angrier with me now.

As I was lost in these thoughts, the front door opened, and Aurora walked in with a smile. I’d given her a key a few weeks ago.

I looked at her beautiful face. Finally, after all these years, we were together. I’d thought everything would get better, but reality was proving the opposite. It seemed like everything was working against us.

“Sebastian?” she called out.

“Yes, Aurora?” I felt incredibly frustrated by Leo’s attitude.

If my son opposed this, how could I be with her? What the fuck was I supposed to do?

“Talk to me, Seb. You know I’m here.” She pleaded.

Her broken voice made me look at her. Her eyes were begging, seemingly genuine in wanting to share my burden.

I ran my fingers through my hair again and sighed.

“I had a fight with Leo,” I admitted.

Her beautiful brows furrowed. “Because of yesterday?”

“Partly, but mainly because he saw you here one night. He doesn’t like it, and apparently, he doesn’t like you. What am I supposed to do? I love you both, and I won’t choose between you. But how can I be with you when my son dislikes you?” Leo’s attitude had me caught between a rock and a hard place.

She remained quiet for a moment, staring into space before her eyes found mine again.

“Is that why you’ve been keeping your distance? I’ve been back for months, but you’ve never really kissed me or touched me. Is Leo’s rejection making you pull back?”

What could I say? Every time I wanted to kiss her or she tried to kiss me, something held me back. I always pushed her away or just pecked her cheek or forehead, never her lips.

Was something wrong with me? Because I truly didn’t understand. I’d wanted her since we were teenagers, and now that I finally had her, I couldn’t even kiss her.

And what I hadn’t told her was how quiet my wolf remained around her. Every time I got close to Aurora, it curled up in the depths of my consciousness, as if resisting something. But I chose to ignore that feeling, just as I ignored the gut-wrenching pain whenever I saw Thea hurt.

“Yes,” I lied to her. There was no need to hurt her more.