Kindred Spirits? - 1

Thea’s POV

Three days had passed since Aurora and I were kidnapped. Chief Hawthorne and Sebastian had been searching for Graves, but the bastard had slipped away again. The men they’d captured weren’t talking, refusing to reveal any information about their boss or his whereabouts.

I’d been living in constant fear since then. I didn’t want to go through something like that again, especially over something that had nothing to do with me.

“Mom, can I play video games?” Leo’s question pulled me back to reality.

I’d been keeping myself busy with housework to avoid overthinking everything. Right now, I was folding laundry, and once I finished this task, I’d have nothing left to do.

“Sure. When is Wyatt coming over?” I asked, trying to sound normal.

Those two pups had become inseparable. They were always together at school, too. Their relationship reminded me of the special friendship Sebastian, Damien, and Roman had shared growing up.

“Around four,” Leo answered, already heading toward the door.

“Alright, I’ll prepare some snacks for you two.”

He rushed back to plant a quick kiss on my cheek. “You’re the best!”

After he left, I sank back into my thoughts. It seemed like all I’d done these past few days was think, and it was driving me fucking crazy. Even when I slept, these thoughts wouldn’t leave me alone.

What bothered me most was Sebastian. He’d called several times over the past few days, but I’d just handed the phone to Leo and avoided talking to him myself. I wasn’t in the right headspace to deal with him or his suddenly changed personality.

His behavior over the past few months made no sense. I still didn’t understand why I was suddenly more important to him than Aurora when, for seven years, I had been nothing. What had changed?

Nothing was different. I was still the same Thea, the wolfless he had repeatedly refused to love.

Speaking of which, I was also confused about that moment when I seemed to unconsciously shift my hand during our escape. But since then, everything had gone back to normal. I hadn’t felt anything inside me that could be called “power,” and even that annoying voice had gone silent. Looking back at the previous two outbursts, their appearance seemed to follow a pattern—they only happened when my emotions or situation reached an extreme. I figured I’d only know what the hell was going on if it happened again.

Back to Sebastian, if his change had happened a few years ago, I might have embraced the opportunity with open arms. But now, too much had happened, too many words had been said. Some words can’t be taken back once they’re spoken, and some actions can’t be undone once they’re done.

I couldn’t deny that I once dreamed of Sebastian wanting me, desiring me. But it was too late now. Those foolish dreams of finding my Prince Charming had long since died. Sebastian and Kane had both taught me that. They’d shown me that fairy tales were just stories, and we all know stories are fiction.

The Thea I was now understood that pain was stronger than love. I understood that the people you love can break you into pieces until you’re scattered on the floor. And once something breaks, it never returns to its original state—broken hearts and trust included.

Sebastian had already destroyed me once; I couldn’t let it happen again. I didn’t want to return to those moments when I looked in the mirror and barely recognized the battered woman staring back. I wasn’t willing to take that risk.

Protecting my heart and taking care of my children were my priorities now. That had to be enough. The love I had around me was sufficient, even if it wasn’t the romantic kind.

A knock at the door interrupted my thoughts. Looking at the time, I realized it was almost four. I’d been sitting here, lost in my own mind for nearly an hour and a half.

I needed to get my shit together. I couldn’t keep going like this.

With a sigh, I stood up. I knew it was probably Wyatt since he was the only one we were expecting. I’d make them the snacks I’d promised and try to get some rest.

Opening the door, I was surprised to find both Wyatt and his father, Jaxon, standing outside.

“Hi,” I greeted Jaxon awkwardly after giving Wyatt a hug.