Foes, Allies, and Curious Connections–1
Thea’s POV
I stared at the sky, fighting to keep my rising anger at bay. Being pregnant, I really didn’t
need this kind of stress right now.
“Callista, Aurora,” I greeted them briefly, struggling to keep my voice steady.
I’d hoped for a peaceful day, and now all I wanted was to escape this situation as quickly as possible. The last thing I needed was to get caught up in unnecessary drama.
Callista let out a small snort, but I couldn’t care less. My attention was fixed on Aurora.
There was no visible trace of her shoulder injury now, but nothing could erase the memories of that day from my mind–the moment she willingly took a bullet for me.
After the kidnapping, I’d wanted to reach out to thank her, but feared my gesture of goodwill might be taken as sarcasm. After all, in her eyes, I was probably still her enemy.
“I owe you a thank you for what happened that day,” I said, looking directly into her eyes.
I wasn’t sure what reaction I expected, but it definitely wasn’t her contemptuous smirk. Of course, I knew we’d never be best friends, but I’d hoped that after what we’d been through together, we might put aside our differences.
“Don’t flatter yourself, Thea. Who told you I took that bullet for you?” she said with a
scornful curl of her lips.
I sighed and shook my head. Nothing had changed. The familiar bitch was back.
“I’m thankful anyway, Aurora.”
By now, Sophia and Iris had noticed I’d been stopped and turned back. I saw the murderous expressions flash across their faces.
I hadn’t known them long, but that didn’t diminish the warmth that spread through me at
the sight. Having friends felt good.
“Is there a problem here?” Sophia moved closer to me, her voice cautious. “I suggest you don’t mess with a pregnant woman, especially our friend.”
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Fors, Allies, and Curious Connections–1
“How touching, Callista pretended to wipe a tear away. ‘Unwanted little mouse Thea has
found her own kind.”
Iris stepped forward, her fists clenched. I reached out to stop her, shaking my head
slightly.
“Don’t waste your time, Iris. She’s not worth it.”
“Not worth it?” Callista sneered. “The entire Sterling Pack knows who’s worthless. You’re unwelcome, despised. Worse, you spread your legs for anyone. Are you even sure who this child belongs to?”
I rolled my eyes and turned to my friends. “It’s funny how everyone gets to judge my sex life. Yet I’ve only slept with two men in my entire life. If that makes me a whore, what does that make her?” I pointed at Callista.
“You fucking bitch!” she shrieked, her eyes blazing with hatred.
“What? I’m just stating facts. Would you care to share how many mated and unmated males in the Ashworth Pack have had a taste of you?” I shot back.
“Shut up!” she screamed, her face contorting. “Because of you, Sebastian nearly kicked me out of the Pack, and now I’ve lost my job. You ruined everything!”
I couldn’t help but laugh; the accusation was so absurd it was comical. “Even if I wanted to, I couldn’t make Sebastian do anything! He fired you because he finally saw your disgusting nature.”
“I curse you and that bastard in your belly!” she snarled, lunging toward me.
Aurora reached out to stop her, which surprised me. I raised an eyebrow, wondering about
her motives.
“Aurora, do you really think she’s your friend?” I asked directly. “Don’t let her play you. Did you know she’s been trying her hardest to seduce Sebastian into sleeping with her? She even offered to be his mistress, but he refused.”
Aurora’s expression froze, her gaze flicking between Callista and me. Callista looked panicked, like a trapped animal.
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Foes, Allies, and Curious Connections–1
“She’s lying, Aurora. Don’t listen to her!” she pleaded.
Ask any wolf who works at the Pack. They’ll tell you the same thing,” I said calmly. “Have you ever wondered why she hates me so much? It’s because I was once the Luna to the Alpha she wanted. She’s been pursuing Sebastian since the moment he made her his
Liaison. It’s not a secret.”
“Is this true?” Aurora asked in a dangerous tone, while Callista nervously bit her lip.
She’d taken a bullet for me, so the least I could do was help her see the true nature of the person she considered a friend.
“Aurora, I— Callista began to explain, but was silenced by Aurora’s icy glare.
I waved my hand dismissively. “Forget it. I need to get home.”
As I turned to leave, I heard the sharp sound of a slap followed by Callista’s cry of pain. I didn’t look back; these Pack things no longer concerned me.
Foes, Allies, and Curious Connections–2
Once out of their sight, I leaned against a car, taking several deep breaths.
“That was fucking brilliant, Iris said, clapping her hands and laughing. “The way you handled her, you were like a warrior!”
I managed a small smile.
“Thanks, but I need to head home now. Sorry to cut our plans short, but I’m exhausted,” I said, rubbing my swollen belly. “Too much excitement for one day.”
“Don’t worry,” Sophia gently wrapped an arm around me. “We understand. Go home and rest, don’t let those shitheads get to you.”
“What are you two going to do now?” I asked them. I felt bad about canceling our plans, but I knew I needed to get home.
“We’re still going ahead with Iris’s crazy plan to eat some greasy food,” Sophia replied, her face showing something close to dread.
I laughed, hugged them goodbye, and then drove home.
Back at the house, I had barely set down my bag when Leo came rushing down the stairs like he’d seen a lifeline, grabbing my hand.
“Mom! Quick, Wyatt won’t stop crying!” he urged.
“Slow down, Leo. What happened?” I asked, following him upstairs.
“I don’t know,” he said anxiously, tears glistening in his eyes. “Wyatt just got really upset, but he won’t tell me why. I don’t know how to help him.”
When we entered the room, I found Wyatt curled up in the corner. His head was buried between his knees, arms wrapped around himself. He was sobbing. Heart–wrenching sobs. My heart instantly clenched.
I awkwardly knelt in front of him, gently touching his arm. “Wyatt? It’s me. What’s wrong, little man?”
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Foes, Allies, and Curious Connections–2
At the sound of my voice, he jerked his head up, then flung himself into my arms, clinging to my neck as if trying to merge with my body. I lost my balance and sat on the floor, letting him nestle against me.
“Shh, it’s okay,” I soothed, rubbing his back. “Tell me what happened? We’re all worried
about you.”
“1-1 don’t understand,” he hiccupped, his voice choked with tears. “Leo said even though you and his dad don’t live together, you still love him so much… why can’t my mom be like that? Why won’t she even look at me?”
My heart shattered as I held him tighter.
“I only saw her once. She doesn’t want to see me again or be near me. Did I do something wrong? Does she hate me?” he cried. “Am I a bad kid… is that why she doesn’t love me?”
I took his small hand in mine, kissed his forehead, and wiped away his tears with my.
fingers.
“Listen to me, Wyatt,” I said softly. “I don’t have all the answers, but I know one thing-
you’re an amazing little boy. You’re smart, brave, kind… any mother would be proud to
have a son like you.”
I paused, searching for the right words. “So never doubt yourself, sweetheart. I may not know your mother, but it’s her loss, because you’re incredible, and we’re so happy you came into our lives. More importantly, you are loved. Leo and I love you, and in my heart, you’re like a second son to me. And your father definitely loves you.” I poured out my heart. I hoped it was enough to bring him back to us. Every word I spoke was true, and I just hoped he believed me.
His sobbing gradually subsided as he focused on me. “Really? You… you really love me?”
That cautious tone broke my heart and made me furious at the same time. I silently vowed that if I ever met his mother, I’d make her regret hurting an innocent child like this.
“Of course,” I answered firmly. “You’re part of Leo and me now, how could we not love you?”
He calmed down and then leaned forward to kiss my cheek.
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Foes, Allies, and Curious Connections–2
“I love you guys too. I’m glad my dog ran into your yard that day, because that’s how we met you and Leo. I’ve been much happier since I met you both.”
“We’re glad we met you too, Wyatt,” Leo said, hugging him.
He smiled, and his smile instantly lit up the room. He was the spitting image of his father,
but there was something special about his smile, as if I should recognize some important
clue.
I looked at him, feeling something nagging at the back of my mind, but for the life of me,
I couldn’t pinpoint why his smile seemed so familiar, or why I felt like things were about
to come to light.
