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 cracked through Sebastian’s phone, pulled me from my dark thoughts. My chest tighten. 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.”
1/4
Chapter 16: In His Arms
“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 have 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
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
- me.
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