Chapter 4: Time to Say Goodbye

Thea's POV

I couldn't look away.

Sebastian held Aurora like she was made of glass, his fingers gentle as they wiped away her tears. Gone was the cold, commanding Alpha. In his place stood a man I'd never known - one who spoke in soft whispers and touched with tender care.

"I've missed you," he murmured.

My chest felt like someone had ripped it open with bare hands. I couldn't fucking breathe.

I'd known, of course. Known that even without finding his true mate, Sebastian had already chosen Aurora in his heart. She was his chosen mate, even if they weren't officially bonded. But seeing it, watching him cradle her like she was precious while I stood forgotten in the shadows - it destroyed something inside me.

Aurora leaned into him, her beautiful eyes crinkling with sorrow. "I can't believe Daddy's gone."

Sebastian cupped her face in his hands, pressing his forehead against hers in wordless comfort. I swear I could almost see his wolf preening with joy at having her so close. The same wolf that had never once shown an ounce of interest in me, its supposed Luna.

My legs moved before my brain caught up. I stumbled backward, nearly tripping over my own feet in my desperation to escape. The hospital walls felt suffocating, pressing in from all sides with their grief and pain and connection I could never share. I couldn't think. Couldn't stay here and watch the man I loved comfort the woman he'd always wanted.

The night air hit my face like a slap as I burst through the emergency exit. My legs gave out and I slid down the wall, tears finally breaking free. Seven years of pretending I was okay, of telling myself I could live with being second choice - it all came crashing down around me.

"Please Goddess," I whispered, my hands clasped in desperate prayer. "Please make this pain stop."

"Pathetic."

I jerked my head up to find Roman standing over me, his lip curled in disgust.

"What do you want?" I tried to wipe away my tears, but they wouldn't stop falling.

"To understand how you can be so selfish." He shook his head. "Our father is dead, and here you are, crying over a man who was never yours to begin with."

The words hit like physical blows. "Fuck you, Roman."

"Truth hurts, doesn't it?" He crouched down, forcing me to meet his eyes. "Did you really think Sebastian would ever choose you? "A wolfless nobody who can't even shift? He belongs with Aurora. Always has."

"I know that!" The words tore from my throat. "You think I don't know that? I've known it every day for seven years!"

"Then why are you out here throwing a pity party?" His voice dripped contempt. "This is what you deserve, Thea. For being selfish enough to come between them in the first place."

I laughed, the sound bitter and broken. "Right. Because everything's my fault. It always is with this family, isn't it?"

"Seven years ago-"

"Save it." I pushed to my feet, steadying myself against the wall. "I won't interfere with their happiness anymore. Hell, maybe I'll do everyone a favor and leave Moon Bay entirely."

Roman's brow furrowed. "What are you talking about?"

"Nothing." Exhaustion crashed over me. "I need to help Mom with the funeral arrangements."

I walked away, his confused gaze burning into my back. My car sat alone in the parking lot, a perfect metaphor for my life. Always alone, even in a crowd.

The drive home passed in a blur. Inside my empty house, the silence pressed in like a physical weight. I sank onto the couch, finally letting myself fall apart completely. Ugly, gasping sobs that shook my whole body. God, I wished I could go back. Change everything. Marry someone who actually wanted me, not someone who'd always see me as Aurora's replacement.

Three days. Three days since Dad died, and everything was still chaos. Sebastian had tried reaching me through the pack bond multiple times, but I'd ignored him. I couldn't stop imagining him with Aurora, their wolves reuniting after so long apart. The thought made me physically ill.

"Mommy?"

Leo's voice cut through my spiral. I quickly wiped my face, turning to find my son standing there in his too-big black suit, looking smaller than ever. Tears were tracking down his cheeks.

"I miss Grandpa," he whispered.

My heart cracked. felt my own pain fade into the background. Despite everything between my family and me, at least Dad had loved Leo, truly loved him, wolfless mother be damned.

"Did..." Leo's voice cracked. "Did Grandpa know I loved him? Even though I didn't say it last time?"

The question gutted me. Trust a child to voice the fears we all carry. I pulled him into my arms, breathing in his sweet scent.

"Oh baby, he knew. Trust me, he knew."

"Is he with the Goddess now?"

"Yes." I stroked his hair, so like his father's. "And he'll always watch over you."

Leo sniffled. "Will you tell me stories about him?"

"Of course." I managed a smile. "Want to hear about the time Grandpa took you to his special place in the woods? Remember how he showed you all the different animal tracks, taught you which berries were safe to eat? And you found that eagle feather - he was so proud when you spotted it before he did."

Leo nodded eagerly, and I began the story, holding my precious boy close. My son was my whole world now, my reason to keep going.

"Remember all the good times with Grandpa, sweetie," I whispered, smoothing his hair back. "He loved you so much." Leo wiped his eyes and nodded bravely. "We need to be strong now, okay? For Grandpa."

I straightened his crooked tie one last time, my hands lingering for a moment. As we walked out the front door hand in hand, I squeezed his small fingers and made a silent promise to myself.

Time to say goodbye and make my own path.