Kindred Spirits?-1
Thea’s POV
Three days had passed since Aurora and I were kidnapped. Chief Hawthorne and Sebastian had been searching for Graves, but the bastard had slipped away again. The men they’d captured weren’t talking, refusing to reveal any information about their boss or his whereabouts.
I’d been living in constant fear since then. I didn’t want to go through something like that again, especially over something that had nothing to do with me.
“Mom, can I play video games?” Leo’s question pulled me back to reality.
I’d been keeping myself busy with housework to avoid overthinking everything. Right now, I was folding laundry, and once I finished this task, I’d have nothing left to do.
“Sure. When is Wyatt coming over?” I asked, trying to sound normal.
Those two pups had become inseparable. They were always together at school too. Their relationship reminded me of the special friendship Sebastian, Damien, and Roman had shared growing up.
“Around four,” Leo answered, already heading toward the door.
“Alright, I’ll prepare some snacks for you two.”
He rushed back to plant a quick kiss on my cheek. “You’re the best!”
After he left, I sank back into my thoughts. It seemed like all I’d done these past few days was think, and it was driving me fucking crazy. Even when I slept, these thoughts
wouldn’t leave me alone.
What bothered me most was Sebastian. He’d called several times over the past few days, but I’d just handed the phone to Leo and avoided talking to him myself. I wasn’t in the right headspace to deal with him or his suddenly changed personality.
His behavior over the past few months made no sense. I still didn’t understand why I was suddenly more important to him than Aurora when for seven years I had been nothing. What had changed?
1/3
Kindred Spirits?-1
Nothing was different. I was still the same Thea, the wolfless he had repeatedly refused to
love.
Speaking of which, I was also confused about that moment when I seemed to
unconsciously shift my hand during our escape. But since then, everything had gone back to normal. I hadn’t felt anything inside me that could be called “power,” and even that annoying voice had gone silent. Looking back at the previous two outbursts, their appearance seemed to follow a pattern–they only happened when my emotions or situation reached an extreme. I figured I’d only know what the hell was going on if it
happened again.
Back to Sebastian, if his change had happened a few years ago, I might have embraced the opportunity with open arms. But now, too much had happened, too many words had been said. Some words can’t be taken back once they’re spoken, and some actions can’t be
undone once they’re done.
I couldn’t deny that I once dreamed of Sebastian wanting me, desiring me. But it was too
late now. Those foolish dreams of finding my Prince Charming had long since died.
Sebastian and Kane had both taught me that. They’d shown me that fairy tales were just
stories, and we all know stories are fiction.
The Thea I was now understood that pain was stronger than love. I understood that the
people you love can break you into pieces until you’re scattered on the floor. And once
something breaks, it never returns to its original state–broken hearts and trust included.
Sebastian had already destroyed me once; I couldn’t let it happen again. I didn’t want to
return to those moments when I looked in the mirror and barely recognized the battered woman staring back. I wasn’t willing to take that risk.
Protecting my heart and taking care of my children were my priorities now. That had to
be enough. The love I had around me was sufficient, even if it wasn’t the romantic kind.
A knock at the door interrupted my thoughts. Looking at the time, I realized it was almost four. I’d been sitting here, lost in my own mind for nearly an hour and a half.
I needed to get my shit together. I couldn’t keep going like this.
With a sigh, I stood up. I knew it was probably Wyatt since he was the only one we were expecting. I’d make them the snacks I’d promised and try to get some rest.
2/3
Kindred Spirits?-1
Opening the door, I was surprised to find both Wyatt and his father, Jaxon, standing
outside.
“Hi,” I greeted Jaxon awkwardly after giving Wyatt a hug.
Kindred Spirits?-2
Wyatt didn’t need an invitation; he just rushed past me and headed straight upstairs after saying hello.
Jaxon and I just stood there awkwardly, staring at each other.
I hadn’t seen him since the last time he’d come over. Wyatt visited almost every day, and
Leo sometimes went to their house, but I’d barely seen or interacted with Jaxon. It was like he was avoiding me for some unknown reason.
“Do you want to come in?” I asked when I saw him hesitating.
“Yeah, if you don’t mind.”
I stepped aside to let him enter. He seemed uncertain at first but eventually crossed the threshold into my house.
I led him to the kitchen, motioning for him to sit while I prepared snacks for the kids.
“I heard about what happened to you,” he said after a while. “Just wanted to check that
you’re okay.”
The news wasn’t a secret in this city anymore. Someone had gotten wind of it, and by evening, the story of Aurora and me had spread throughout the entire city. No one knew I was the Kincaid Alpha’s daughter, and I hoped to keep it that way, as I wasn’t ready for the attention that name would bring. Everyone still thought I was just from the Sterling family, and now everyone was speculating why someone would want to kidnap the two Sterling sisters.
“Um–thanks,” I replied. Everything felt so strange and awkward.
“How are your injuries?”
“Much better,” I answered simply.
We fell silent for a moment. Neither of us was sure what to talk about. I almost wished he would leave. I hated awkward situations. They typically made me nervous and
uncomfortable.
1/3
Kindred Spirits?-2
“I’m sorry,” his voice broke the tense atmosphere, making me turn to face him.
“Why are you apologizing?”
“For my attitude toward you. It wasn’t fair, especially when you’ve been nothing but kind to me and my son. I just…”
I stared at him, unsure what to say. This time it wasn’t because of awkwardness, but because of shock. I hadn’t expected this when I invited him in.
“You have to understand, I don’t have the best experience with females, so trusting them
is a bit difficult for me.”
I swallowed, realizing I’d misunderstood him all along.
“Can I assume you were hurt by Wyatt’s mother rather than that she died?” I asked cautiously.
The expression on his face said it all. Whoever Wyatt’s mother was, she had caused him immense pain, and it seemed that pain was still ongoing. He was a man immersed in his suffering. If he wasn’t careful, that pain would consume him.
“Yeah, but I don’t want to talk about it. It’s too fucking painful,” he said quietly, trying to hide the agony that was choking him.
My heart ached for him. Maybe it was because he looked so lonely and lost. Maybe it was because I saw myself in him. Maybe it was because I understood his pain. Whatever the reason, I wanted to help him. I wanted to tell him there was a way to coexist with pain. Jaxon was merely surviving instead of living. That was no way to live, especially when you
had a pup.
“I understand you, Jax. God, I really do, so I’ll accept your apology, and I’ll offer you
friendship,” I told him sincerely.
He looked at me skeptically but eventually nodded, albeit reluctantly.
I didn’t know much about him yet, but I could tell he didn’t have anyone to talk to or support him. Maybe that’s what he needed. Someone in his life who could pull him out of
his shell. Someone who could show him that life was meant to be lived.
2/3
Kindred Spirits?-2
Isn’t that what happened to me? Iris and Kane entered my life and basically showed me the light. Sure, what Kane did was awful, but I’d forever be grateful that he showed me there was more to life than pain and heartbreak.
“Friends?” I asked, extending my hand for him to shake.
“Friends,” he gave me a small smile.
As we shook hands, I couldn’t shake the uncomfortable feeling suddenly churning in my
chest. I didn’t sense danger from him, but something told me Jaxon was destined to move
here for a reason. He had secrets, secrets that were bound to be exposed, and when they were, everything would change.
