Chasing His Wolfless Luna Back Chapter 195: A Sharp Turn for the Worse

Thea's POV

I tried to tear my gaze away from her, but it was nearly impossible. Her pain was so intense that it tugged at my heartstrings, even though I wasn't sure why I cared at all.

Aurora sat alone in a corner, withdrawn from everyone. Margaret was busy socializing, and so was Roman. Her posture and expression were completely unwelcoming. She looked like she might break at any second, but what disturbed me most was the raw anguish in her eyes. I understood pain; after all, hadn't I experienced it countless times myself?

"What are you staring at, Thea?" Iris's voice sounded distant, like it was coming from miles away.

As if hypnotized, I couldn't look away. I couldn't see anything else, just her.

Sophia shook me, and I finally managed to turn to her. She gave me a puzzled look. I didn't understand it, but for some strange reason, I wanted to comfort Aurora.

"Why are you staring at Aurora like a deer caught in headlights?" Sophia asked, frowning.

I shifted my gaze back to the woman, but her eyes were no longer on me. Instead, they were firmly fixed on the table.

"Her pain..." I stammered those two words, unable to complete the sentence.

"I guess karma finally caught up with her... From what I know, guilt and regret are hitting her hard, and she's not handling it well," Iris told us, her eyes drifting toward Aurora.

I glanced at Jaxon, but his expression was detached and calm, revealing nothing. Either all his feelings for Aurora had vanished, or they'd transformed into hatred, or he was simply hiding them. Burying them deep inside so he wouldn't have to feel that constant heartache.

My gaze shifted from him to her and finally landed on Sebastian. He was busy chatting with Damien, his father, and the other men. Roman was there too, but you could feel a slight tension between them. Sebastian was laughing, with Phoenix safely nestled in his arms.

I wondered how things would have played out if I'd given up my obsession with Sebastian. From a mature adult's perspective, was it my obsession that had ruined four lives?

Think about it? If I hadn't followed Sebastian that night, none of what happened would have occurred. I wouldn't have slept with Sebastian, we wouldn't have gotten married, Sebastian and Aurora wouldn't have broken up, neither Sebastian nor Aurora would have been devastated, which means Aurora wouldn't have gotten involved with Jaxon, and she wouldn't have strung him along for years.

Losing Sebastian would have been painful, but I think I might have eventually moved on, and so would Jaxon. In fact, I believe he was already starting to move on before he slept with Aurora.

With a sigh, I stood up. "I'll be right back." I made an excuse to leave the table.

I walked inside and sat in the living room for a while. My heart felt unbearably heavy with the realization that I might have been the cause of four people's heartache and misery.

I knew everyone made choices. Everyone had their own path to walk. I fully understood that ultimately every choice Sebastian, Jaxon, and Aurora made was their own responsibility, and the mistakes they committed weren't my fault, but I still couldn't help feeling like I was the catalyst; my obsession was what set them on their respective paths.

"Are you okay, Thea?" Mary's voice startled me so badly I nearly fell over.

"Yes," I lied. "I was just thinking."

"Well, it's time to cut the cake," she informed me, and I stared at her in surprise.

Seriously, what time was it? Had I only been away from my friends for about five minutes?

"Already?" I asked in confusion, "Have people finished eating?"

She gave me a strange look, but I ignored it and stood up. Stretching, I tried to release the tension in my sore bones.

"It's been over an hour, Thea."

That was surprising. I hadn't expected to get lost in my thoughts for so long. It felt like I'd only been gone for about five to ten minutes. I guess time flies when you're deep in thought.

"Why didn't anyone call me?" I asked as we started walking toward the back door.

"We did want to, but Alpha told us not to disturb you until it was time for the cake." She answered gently. "He said you've been busy this week with planning and just needed some time alone."

I nodded, feeling a small warmth toward him in my heart. I'd been questioning whether we should really be together throughout this time, but then he did things like this. It might seem small and insignificant, but to me, it meant a lot. It showed his consideration for my needs. I wanted time alone, and he respected that.

"Leo, it's time for cake," I called his name as soon as I got outside.

He turned his head in my direction, then ran toward me with a bright smile. A few minutes later, Sebastian joined us, taking Phoenix from my parents.

"Happy birthday to you..." We all started singing, and I could see Leo basking in the glory and attention.

Once we finished, he blew out the candles, and the entire backyard erupted in cheers, most of the happy shouts coming from our family.

The noise was too loud, and Phoenix started crying, but she immediately stopped when both Sebastian and I kissed her on the cheeks. We hadn't planned this; it just happened, but that didn't stop our guests from letting out an "aww."

"Happy birthday, Leo. I love you so much. Always remember that." I hugged him tightly, and he hugged me back.

"I love you too, Mom."

Then he cut the cake. I fed him a piece, and Sebastian did the same. Then he fed us cake in return. The cake was distributed among the guests, after which Leo began opening his presents.

Seeing him so happy, with Wyatt standing beside him wearing an equally bright smile, I realized something in that moment. I didn't know how Aurora felt, but I knew that Sebastian and I, as well as Jaxon, would never regret having these pups, despite everything we'd been through.

"Hello, Luna," a tiny voice pulled me from my thoughts.

I looked down to find an adorable little girl in a blue chiffon dress. She had an oval face, pretty amber eyes behind glasses, and light blonde hair tied in small pigtails. She instantly captured my heart.

"Yes, sweetheart." I crouched down to her eye level.

"You're really pretty," she told me with a smile, looking at me like I'd hung the moon and stars for her.

"Thank you, little one, and if I may ask, who might you be?"

Her smile widened, and I couldn't stop thinking about how cute she was. She would definitely grow up to be a striking beauty.

"I'm Piper, and I just wanted you to know that I'm going to marry Leo someday."

I couldn't help but laugh. So this was the girl that had my son in knots. Nevertheless, I liked her; she was straightforward, confident, and unafraid to speak her mind. All qualities I admired and wished I'd had when I was younger.

"Is that so?" I teased her.

She nodded. "Yes. He says he doesn't like me; you see, he thinks I'm weird because I like to study bugs and plants. I want to be a biologist someday, but you'll see, I'm going to make him change his mind," she told me confidently.

The light inside me dimmed a little. How could I explain to this charming little girl that you can't change someone's mind? Especially a man who doesn't like you?

But didn't you succeed in changing Sebastian's mind?

The question stared me in the face. Yes, I might have changed his mind, but at what cost? Look at all the pain and heartbreak I went through to achieve that goal. I wasn't sure if that pain was worth it. I wouldn't want that burden placed on such an innocent girl.

However, before I could say anything, Mary rushed toward me with worry etched on her face. I stood up.

"What's wrong?" I asked, my anxiety beginning to rise.

She leaned in and whispered, "People from the police station are here, at the door, asking for Aurora."

That couldn't be good.

"Go notify Sebastian and the others. Let me see what this is about. Also, please keep the children outside and entertain the guests while we handle this."

My heart jumped to my throat, concerned about what the police might want with Aurora. Sebastian had already dropped all charges, so she should have been fine.

"Piper, darling, something's come up. I'll talk to you before you leave, okay?" I hurriedly told her.

"Okay, Luna."

After that, I rushed through the house, finding several tall, uniformed men already standing in the living room.

"What can I help you with, officers?" I asked, and they turned to face me.

"We're looking for Aurora Sterling; we were told she might be here," the tall officer answered.

"Why are you looking for me?"

Hearing her voice, I turned to find Aurora standing a few steps away from me. Behind her were Roman, Margaret, Damien, and Sebastian.

"Are you Aurora Sterling?" another officer asked.

"Yes."

They moved quickly. So quickly that before I could even register it, Aurora was being pinned against the sofa, her hands cuffed with silver handcuffs.

"Aurora Sterling, you're under arrest for the attempted murder of Thea Sterling."

Fuck. I did not see that coming.