Lost Heart – 1
Thea’s POV
I felt my soul detach from my body, like I was walking the edge of reality. My fingers moved across the keyboard, searching for the name of this feeling. The screen offered an explanation: “dissociation”—a psychological defense mechanism common among those who’ve experienced deep trauma.
I put my phone down and rubbed my tired eyes. Iris was probably right. I needed professional help. Those old wounds, those years of being treated like an outcast in the Sterling family, those memories of being viewed as an unqualified Luna in the Ashworth Pack—all had left cracks within me that wouldn’t heal.
I stood up, feeling that familiar dull ache in my chest start acting up again. Since that confrontation between multiple Alphas in my house, I’d pushed everyone away. I set my phone to Do Not Disturb mode and refused all contact.
I just wanted to be alone, to process everything by myself. Sometimes, I felt the weight of it all crashing down on me, and it was just too fucking much.
The phone rang, breaking the silence of the room. Sheriff Hawthorne, for the third time today. It was Kane’s sentencing day, and he wanted me to testify. My finger hovered over the accept button before finally sliding to decline.
I knew how serious Kane’s crimes were. Impersonating law enforcement was an extremely serious offense in our world, not to mention attempted murder. But every time I thought about personally sending him to prison, those memories of our time together would surface, tormenting me.
How fucking ironic. Sebastian’s seven years of coldness had conditioned me to expect rejection—I always knew his indifference was inevitable because he never accepted me. But Kane’s betrayal tortured me more because he’d made me believe I deserved to be loved just for being myself.
I pulled back the curtains, looking out at Moon Bay. These past few days, I’d been wondering if I truly was the Kincaids’ daughter; if I’d grown up surrounded by Seraphina and Maximus’s love, would I have become a different person? Would I still be so desperate for love and validation? Would I have been so easily deceived?
Lost Heart – 1
Unable to stand the oppressive atmosphere of the room any longer, I grabbed a hat and sunglasses, deciding to get some air. I had no clear destination, letting the wheels carry me through the city. Only when I saw the courthouse’s silhouette emerging in the dusk did I realize my subconscious had been driving me here all along.
“This is insane,” I muttered to myself, adjusting my sunglasses to make sure no one could recognize me.
I got out of the car and walked slowly toward the courthouse building. I gave myself time to change my mind, but I didn’t. Instead, I walked through the doors. I wasn’t here to see justice served—I was here to see him one last time.
Seraphina and Maximus had successfully prevented the hearing’s details from leaking to the media. Kane’s actions, if made public, would seriously damage the Kincaid family’s reputation.
I counted the room numbers until I found the right one. Gently pushing open the door, I slipped silently into a seat in the last row, careful not to let anyone notice my entrance. The courtroom atmosphere was tense; everyone’s attention was focused forward.
Sheriff Hawthorne was presenting the case. Kane and his lawyer sat on the right, with Seraphina and Maximus in the row behind, their expressions complex and painful. On the left sat the prosecutor and witnesses, including several police officers, Roman, Iris, and, to my surprise, Sebastian—though it made sense; Sebastian hated Kane, and he was the type who enjoyed watching his enemies crumble.
“How does the defendant plead to the charges?” the judge asked sternly. She was a female Alpha who appeared to be in her fifties.
Kane whispered in his lawyer’s ear, who then stood up: “My client pleads guilty.”
The judge nodded: “Proceed.”
Lost Heart – 2
The testimonies came one after another. Hawthorne detailed how Kane had infiltrated the police department with forged transfer documents, how he’d used his position to get close to me, how he’d planned my murder. Several officers confirmed the document forgery details, while Roman briefly described Kane’s friendship with both Iris and me.
When Iris testified, her voice trembled slightly as she talked about the role Kane played in my life and how we never suspected anything. She described every detail of the day we were kidnapped.
The trial paused briefly after the testimonies. When the judge returned, the air pressure in the room seemed to change.
“Given that the defendant has pleaded guilty and admitted to all charges, this court pronounces the following sentence,” she said. “Kane Kincaid, for the crime of impersonating a law enforcement officer, three years imprisonment; for the crime of kidnapping, four years imprisonment; for the crime of attempted murder, fifteen years imprisonment; all sentences to be served concurrently, totaling twenty–two years. Additionally, the sentence includes permanent revocation of his Alpha inheritance rights and a ban on holding leadership in any Pack. The defendant may apply for parole but must accept supervised monitoring and Pack boundary restrictions. Case closed. May the Moon Goddess guide the path of justice.”
The sound of the gavel striking down stirred something in my heart. Twenty–two years. That was quite a long time.
The crowd began to rise and leave, and I stood quietly, preparing to slip out without being noticed. In my final glance, I saw Kane being led away in special silver handcuffs. As he looked up, our eyes met for a brief moment, but I immediately turned and quickly walked away. I rushed outside, a tear sliding down my cheek. Honestly, I didn’t know how to feel.
“I could smell you from a block away, Thea.” A familiar voice behind me stopped me in my tracks.
I turned to see Sebastian standing a few steps away, staring at me with furrowed brows. I took off my sunglasses, wiping away tears that had fallen without me noticing.
“I didn’t know you had such a keen sense of smell,” I managed to reply, my voice shaking.
He stepped forward and gently removed my hat. “I’ve always been able to find you, even when you’re hiding in a crowd.”
I didn’t know how to respond to that. Sebastian reached out to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear, wiped the tears from my face, and then unexpectedly pulled me into his arms, resting his chin lightly on top of my head.
“You’ll get through this,” he said softly. “You’re stronger than you think. In fact, you’re the strongest woman I know. After everything you’ve been through, you’re still standing here, more determined than before.” His warmth and scent surrounded me, surprisingly giving me a sense of security.
I didn’t pull away, allowing myself to cry in his embrace for a moment. Then, as the crowd’s voices grew closer, I gently pushed him away. “I should go,” I said. “I don’t want to be seen here.”
He looked at me for a moment, then nodded: “I’ll drive you. You shouldn’t be driving alone in this state.”
This time, I didn’t argue with him. I just handed him my keys.
As we walked toward the parking lot, I saw Kane being put into a police car, his gaze searching for something. I lowered my head, forcing myself not to look at him.
As I sat in the car, I silently said goodbye to him, and to that briefly blossoming love, as fleeting as a night-blooming cereus, that had given me hope for rebirth but ultimately proved to be nothing but lies. I said goodbye to Kane, and also to the part of myself that had been so desperate for love that I’d been blind to everything else.