Shifting Desires–1
Sebastian’s POV
Today was the monthly gathering between our Packs. The Ashworth and Sterling Packs had maintained this tradition for generations, long before I was born. As the two most powerful werewolf families in Moon Bay, these meetings were crucial for maintaining our respective powers and territories.
The bond between our Packs originated from the deep friendship between our mothers. In the werewolf world, connections between two families often determined how the fates of their descendants would intertwine, and we were the perfect example of that rule.
“Dad, why are you driving like an old man? Grandpa’s barbecue is definitely ready by now, I can smell it from here!” Leo complained, his little face scrunched up in frustration.
If it weren’t for Leo, I wouldn’t have stepped foot at this gathering. There was a time‘ when I loved these Pack events, especially when I was certain Thea wouldn’t be attending. I viewed these occasions as sanctuaries from her–places where, except for Leo, everyone harbored hostility toward that wolfless woman, which made me feel comfortable.
Now, everything had changed. I was disgusted with myself and with how Pack members had treated Thea with such cruelty. The regret was eating me alive.
“I’m already speeding up, little one,” I tried to soften my tone.
“No, you’re not! Even Grandma drives faster than you!” he countered, rolling his adorable
eyes.
Just got mocked by a six–year–old pup? My wolf rumbled with amusement, and I shook my head with a slight laugh, increasing my speed a bit.
The car fell silent again, and my thoughts were immediately consumed by Thea.
When I went to her house to pick up Leo, the moment she opened the door, she radiated a kind of brilliance that was difficult to describe.
I felt like I was looking at a fertility goddess full of maternal light, dressed in a flowing white dress, her hair cascading down like a waterfall, her slightly swollen belly and skin as perfect as porcelain. My wolf immediately began clawing at my heart, and I could feel his
1/3
Shifting Desires–1
desire, while I myself could barely control the urge to pull her into my arms and lock us away in her bedroom for hours.
She is ours, my wolf declared to me, and for the first time, I didn’t argue back.
This reaction to Thea was unprecedented, catching me completely off guard. I couldn’t think about anything that wasn’t related to her. Her presence invaded almost every moment of mine, no matter how I tried to distract myself.
I was terrified by this obsession. Multiple times, I found myself wondering what she was doing, if she was eating properly, getting enough rest. I’d even considered assigning servants to help with her housework, to ensure her safety.
These thoughts shocked me. I had never considered doing more for Thea–now, caring for her needs had almost become instinctual without my wolf having to urge me, which stirred something profound within me.
“Dad?” Leo’s voice snapped me out of my trance.
“Hmm? What is it?”
“We’re already here. How long are you planning to stay in the car?”
I realized we were parked in front of my parents‘ house, and I had no recollection of how we’d gotten there. I’d been so lost in my thoughts that I’d driven as if sleepwalking.
I knew it was dangerous, especially with Leo in the car, but I just couldn’t help it.
“Sorry, got lost in my thoughts,” I explained, “Let’s go, smell that barbecue, I’m sure Grandpa saved the best parts for you.”
“Dad, you’ve been spacing out a lot lately,” he observed keenly, “Is something wrong?”
I didn’t want to worry him, and I certainly couldn’t tell him that my distress stemmed from his beautiful mother, the woman I had rejected.
“Pack business is a bit complicated, but nothing for you to worry about,” I said dismissively.
He nodded, a barely perceptible gleam of cunning in his eyes, then unbuckled his seatbelt
and got out. I locked the car, and together we walked toward the mansion.
2/3
Shifting Desires–1
The door opened before we reached it, with Margaret standing there, smiling.
“Grandma!” Leo cheered, rushing forward.
“My little Alpha,” she bent down to receive her grandson’s hug, “I’ve missed you so much.”
Without a doubt, despite Thea being wolfless, my parents and Margaret adored Leo. His bloodline, pure with Alpha heritage from both families, made him the Pack’s future hope. Unfortunately, as Leo’s mother, Thea had always been viewed as a stain, unloved by us because of what we believed she’d done to Aurora and me.
“Where’s your mother? I sent her an invitation,” Margaret asked, her gaze scanning behind us for any sign of Thea.
Shifting Desires–2
“Mom went to the Kincaids‘,” Leo said proudly. “She said Grandma Seraphina and Grandpa Maximus were away on business last week and couldn’t see each other, so she’s visiting
them today.”
Leo seemed unaware of the change, but I felt it immediately.
Margaret’s expression froze, a flash of pain crossing her eyes. For her, watching Thea build a relationship with her biological parents while being unable to repair her own relationship with Thea, despite her efforts, must be heartbreaking.
She had burned all her bridges. The damage done to Thea was too deep for forgiveness. Thea wanted nothing to do with the Sterling and Ashworth Packs anymore.
The only reason I was still in her life was because I was Leo’s father, and because of my forceful intervention as Alpha. Otherwise, she would have pushed me away as coldly as
she did everyone else.
“Well, maybe next time,” Margaret gave him a sad smile.
Her emotions were volatile, ready to break at any moment. Leo was oblivious to the
internal strife within our two Packs. I couldn’t let him see his grandmother fall apart in
front of him. Once he discovered the truth about how Thea had been treated, with his
loyalty to his mother, he would explode. I was certain we would immediately become his
enemies, and he would cut ties with us all.
“Let’s go inside,” I skillfully changed the subject, “I’m sure everyone else is here.”
Margaret nodded, excusing herself to fix her makeup, but really to compose herself. Leo and I headed to the backyard, which was the main area for the gathering.
Everyone had arrived, and Leo ran forward happily, greeting everyone except Aurora. He didn’t even glance her way. He disliked her and wasn’t afraid to show it.
“My heir has finally graced us with his presence,” my father said, half–jokingly slapping my shoulder.
He knew it would irritate me, but he did it anyway.
1/4
Shifting Desires–2
“Yeah,” I mumbled in response, already wanting this to be over.
“Looks like our Alpha is thrilled about the family gathering,” Damien remarked mercilessly from the side.
I glared at him. He didn’t even flinch. Probably because as my twin brother, he was the only one who didn’t cower under my gaze.
“Come here, Sebastian, give me a hug,” Mom smiled at me. “I’ve missed you.”
I wrapped one arm around her waist, holding her close. “Missed you too.”
As we separated, Margaret returned. Her eyes were red, her face flushed.
Leo was already seated at the table, deep in conversation with Roman, his plate piled high
with barbecue.
Roman had invited Iris, but she declined. She said she didn’t want to be around people
who had hurt Thea.
Her friendship with Thea was putting strain on her mate relationship with Roman. Roman was terrified of losing her, as he was one of those who had truly hurt her friend. The only thread keeping their relationship intact was Roman’s genuine remorse for his past
actions.
“Sebastian, I need to talk to you,” Aurora’s voice came from behind me, piercing my sensitive hearing like steel needles.
Damn, I hadn’t noticed her approach.
“Actually, I don’t think that’s necessary,” I responded simply, meeting her gaze directly.
I had been deliberately avoiding her for some time now. Her spiteful comments about Leo still angered me, and more importantly, I no longer wanted her near me. Especially not when my mind was consumed with Thea.
I had once loved this woman standing before me deeply. Throughout my seven–year marriage to her sister, my heart had remained with Aurora. I had been certain she was the only one I ever wanted to choose, the only one my wolf would ever respond to.
I had constantly yearned for her to return to me. I had sworn that if she came back and
2/4
4:03 pm
Shifting Desires–2
was willing to give me a chance, I would immediately divorce Thea and build the new family I had always envisioned with Aurora.
Yet now, months after her return, I found myself unable to locate that love I had believed was eternal. Love I had sworn no other woman would ever have.
I felt like I was going insane. One minute I was proclaiming my love for Aurora, the next I didn’t want her near me. One minute I was certain I hated Thea with all my being, the next, I couldn’t stay away from her.
Everything about these sisters was giving me a headache.
“Sebastian, please-”
“Enough,” I suppressed a growl in my throat, finding it hard to breathe.
I saw tears fill her eyes, but I also realized I no longer cared as much as I once did.
Without offering comfort, without even another glance her way, I turned and walked away, my wolf approving of the decision in my heart.
For years, I had been thinking “what if.” What if I could finally have the woman I had always loved? What if we married and built a family? What if everything went according to the plan we had years ago?
These questions had circled in my mind for years, particularly intense in the early days after Aurora’s return to the Pack. I had thought it was the Goddess giving us a second
chance, but I was wrong.
Aurora and I were completely different now, even our scents no longer harmonized. Even if we had truly mated in the past, there was no guarantee we would have lasted forever.
As my first love, she would always occupy a part of my memory, but now I think it’s time to face the truth. My love for her was dead. And it had probably been dead for many years.
