At Last, The Heart Understands – 1

Sebastian’s POV

I stared at Thea’s front door, hesitating. What the hell was I thinking, coming to her place this late? The meeting between Packs had just ended, and instead of going home, I drove straight here. I promised to give her space, but this overwhelming need to see her was completely irrational. I couldn’t control myself.

Knock on the door, my wolf growled inside me. My body acted on its own. After knocking, I almost turned to leave. That’s when the door opened, and Leo appeared.

“Dad!” he cheered, launching himself into my arms, and I caught him instantly. “I thought I wouldn’t see you until the weekend!”

I held him tight, feeling all the tension in my muscles melt away. “Hey, buddy.”

I inhaled his scent with satisfaction, then felt a wave of complicated emotions wash over me. How could I have ever hated Thea? When she gave birth to Leo, I should have thanked her, not punished her. That night I once called a disaster gave me the most important gift in my life.

Back then, my head was so full of my obsession with Aurora and prejudice against Thea that I couldn’t see things clearly. Now, everything was crystal clear. Thea was right. I had never even realized that if that night hadn’t happened, Leo would never have come into my life.

“Come in. Mom’s taking a bath. She said she needed to relax her body,” Leo informed me, tugging my hand. “I’m having dinner, and there’s plenty. You can join if you’re hungry.”

Following him into the kitchen, I watched him climb onto a barstool to continue eating, pointing at the food still warming on the stove. I didn’t hesitate to grab a plate and pile food high.

During our marriage, I never appreciated these things. I took all the small things for granted. I admit, I missed her cooking.

“So… Mom’s really popular,” Leo suddenly spoke up, his eyes mischievous as he looked at me.

I glanced up, unsure where he was going with this. “Is she?”

“Yeah! There are loads of males who want to court her… There was one who came to see her a few days ago, looked pretty important. I’m wondering who’s eventually gonna marry her,” he said casually, but that barely suppressed smirk gave him away.

“What guy?” My wolf and I immediately perked up.

I tried to control my jealousy, but it was more difficult than I’d imagined. The urge to claim Thea as mine was overwhelmingly strong.

“Can’t remember his name, but Mom said he was her new friend,” Leo continued, completely unfazed by my increasingly tense expression. “He looked kinda scary, but I liked him. Now I’m not sure who’s better for Mom, him or Officer Kane. The new guy has tattoos, Kane doesn’t. I heard she—wolves like strong males with tattoos…”

I glared at Leo, feeling my wolf grinding its teeth, but he just chuckled and continued eating. This pup knew exactly how to get under my skin.

“Leo, who’s at the door?” Thea’s voice came from somewhere in the house, interrupting me before I could say anything.

She walked into the kitchen wearing nothing but a loose bathrobe. Her hair was still wet, falling over her shoulders, and her face was completely free of makeup. Just like that, she looked a hundred times more beautiful than at any carefully orchestrated social event. The neckline of her robe was slightly open, and I almost wanted to send Leo away immediately so I could tear that damn thing off.

“Sebastian? What are you doing here?” Her expression instantly turned cold.

My heart ached. She used to be so expressive and open with me, and now I couldn’t even guess her most basic thoughts. All of this was my doing.

“Sebastian?” she called again when I didn’t answer.

I didn’t know how to respond. How could I just tell her that I was going crazy with wanting her? That I simply couldn’t help needing to see her, even if just from a distance?

“I’m heading to my room. Let me know when you’re leaving, Dad,” Leo suddenly announced, wisely choosing to exit the battlefield.

Now it was just the two of us facing each other, the air thick with palpable tension.

“Who’s this male Leo was talking about?” I asked directly, taking a step toward her.

“What?” She tried to back away, but the corner of the kitchen left her nowhere to go.

“The one among your many suitors,” I said through gritted teeth, jealousy burning in my chest.

“Are you insane? I have no idea what you’re talking about, or what Leo’s talking about,” she shot back sharply. “Can you please leave? It’s late, and you shouldn’t be here.”