Thea’s POV

The Moon Temple was already packed with pack members when Leo and I arrived. They streamed past, their eyes sliding over me like I was invisible. Or worse, like I was a stain they couldn’t quite scrub away.

I’d spent the last three days arranging this funeral alone, managing every detail my mother was too grief-stricken to handle. But not that anyone had noticed. Not that anyone ever noticed when the wolfless daughter did anything right.

“Mommy?” Leo tugged at my hand. “Why is everyone looking at us funny?”

Because your mother is a freak. Because I’m the shameful secret the Sterling Pack wishes they could forget. Because I don’t belong here, even at my own father’s funeral.

“Don’t worry about them, baby,” I said instead, forcing a smile. “Let’s find our seats.”

People parted before us like water, their whispers following in our wake. I caught some of them – “the wolfless daughter”, “shouldn’t be here” and “poor Leo, stuck with her.” My grip tightened on Leo’s hand, drawing strength from his presence.

The ceremonial area was arranged in a semicircle, with the pack’s inner circle seated closest to the altar. Mom sat in the front row, Roman beside her. I led Leo toward the far side, away from the family section. No point pretending I belonged there.

We’d barely settled into our seats when sandalwood and rain scent washed over me. Sebastian dropped into the chair beside me, his massive frame making the wooden seat look almost comically small.

“What are you doing?” I whispered, my whole body tensed.

“Sitting with my son.” His voice was clipped and professional.

Before I could respond, Leo squeezed past my legs. “I want to sit between you and Daddy,” he announced, his small face serious. Thank the Goddess for my boy and his perfect timing.

The temple elder stepped forward to begin the ceremony, his weathered hands raising the sacred moonstone. “We gather today to bid farewell to Alpha Derek Sterling, beloved leader, mate, and father…”

Father. The word echoed hollowly in my chest. What kind of father looks at his newborn daughter and sees only shame? What kind of father tells his pack that his youngest is a mistake?

Around us, people bowed their heads and began to pray. I watched my mother sob quietly in the front row, Roman’s arm around her shoulders. Aurora sat on her other side, her perfect profile wet with artful tears. Sebastian’s eyes were closed, his lips moving silently along with the others.

What would my own funeral look like? The thought hit me suddenly, making my breath catch. Would anyone even come? Or would they all breathe a collective sigh of relief that the Pack’s greatest embarrassment was finally gone?

It felt like time stood still during the ceremony. Leo dozed against my arm while I sat rigid, hyperaware of Sebastian’s presence beside me. His arm would occasionally brush mine as he shifted, each touch sending unwanted sparks through my skin. Until now my traitorous body still responded to him like a flower turning toward the sun.

Finally, the Elder concluded the prayers. I stood quickly, ready to escape, but Aurora’s voice cut through the murmuring crowd.

“Thea. A word?”

She stood blocking the aisle, perfectly poised as always, but her smile was ice.

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