Chasing His Wolfless Luna Back Chapter 206: What I'm Ready For

Thea's POV

Silence hung between us like an invisible wall. Sebastian stood there, looking like he was wrestling with something, then finally opened his mouth: "I—"

"I know what you want to say, Sebastian." I cut him off. "You want to apologize, want to promise you'll change in the future."

Complex emotions flickered across his face, those green eyes holding a kind of pain I didn't want to examine too closely.

"But I don't want to hear any of that right now." I continued, feeling my voice shake slightly. "Too much shit has happened today..."

I stopped, taking a deep breath. "I'm fucking exhausted, Sebastian. I want to go home. To my house." I needed to go home, let my brain rest. I'd pick up Leo and Phoenix tomorrow.

"Okay." He nodded without arguing.

I turned toward the police cars. For some reason, I flashed back to that time after Derek's funeral when I was attacked by rogues and came out of the hospital planning to pick up Leo from the Sterling house. The old Sebastian would have domineeringly announced he was driving me, would have used that unquestionable Alpha tone to say "you can't drive," completely ignoring whether I wanted it or not, dismissing my opinion unless I firmly refused. But this time he said nothing, didn't even suggest it. Just watched me walk toward one of the police cars. This small change stirred something complex in my chest.

I felt his gaze following me the entire way. When I got in the car, I didn't look back at him. I couldn't. Because I knew if I saw the expression on his face, I might change my mind.

Sitting in the back seat of the police car, watching the streetscape fly past the window, my mind was a tangled mess.

"Diana, are you there?" I asked softly in my mind.

*"I'm here,"* her voice responded gently.

"Do you think I'm being too harsh?" I asked, already knowing the answer deep down. "We're fated mates... does that mean I should immediately forget everything that happened in the past?"

Streetlights flashed by outside the car window, casting moving shadows. Even now, even though we were apart, I could still recall that magnetic field between us when I stood next to Sebastian. While talking to him earlier, I'd been desperately trying to control myself, not to let this mate bond influence my judgment. That pull, that physical instinct to want to be close to him.

"I feel so conflicted," I admitted. "On one hand, I feel like I still can't let him go. But on the other hand... am I fighting against fate? Am I doing the wrong thing?"

*"Thea,"* Diana's voice became gentle and wise, *"there's something you need to know. Sebastian's regard for you now didn't start after we discovered we were mates today."*

I frowned. "What do you mean?"

*"The emotions he's shown you aren't due to the mate bond's influence. These past months, he's been trying to prove himself. Of course, we all know he still has areas where he hasn't done well. But his change is real, Thea. It's a choice from his human side, not driven by his wolf side."*

I leaned back in the seat, thinking about her words. She was right. Even before all this mate business, Sebastian had already told me he loved me.

"So this can still be my choice?"

*"Yes. This is between your human selves, a decision you need to make. But Thea, don't let fear dominate your choice."*

Diana's words echoed in my mind. Sebastian was indeed changing, that much I couldn't deny. The question was whether I was willing to give him another chance. If I did, and things went badly, was I willing to bear the consequences?

More importantly, could I handle it?

When the police car stopped at my house, I was surprised to find two familiar figures standing there. Seraphina and Maximus were waiting by my door, looking somewhat worried.

"Mom? Dad? What are you doing here?" I got out of the car and walked toward them.

Mom immediately came forward and pulled me into an embrace. "So glad you're back, Thea. Sebastian called to tell us you'd recovered your memory and said you were planning to return to your own house. We were worried about you, so we came to check on you."

I hugged her, feeling the warmth of her embrace. "Come in, it's cold outside."

We entered the house, and I made tea for them. As we sat in the living room, guilt washed over me.

"I'm so sorry," I began, "about forgetting you guys before. I know we'd only just connected for a few months, but—"

"Darling, you don't need to apologize." Mom gently interrupted me. "We understand. After all, we've only been part of your life for a few months, while Sebastian... you could say he's had connections to most of your life."

She observed my expression, then carefully added in a soft voice: "And even when you lost your memory, you still kept a place for him in your heart besides Leo, didn't you?"

Her words touched something deep inside me. Even in the most chaotic times, even when I'd forgotten everything else, I still remembered Sebastian. What did that mean?

"We don't want to interfere in your private affairs," Dad gently added, "but as your parents, we care about your happiness. Whatever decision you make, we'll support you."

I nodded gratefully, once again proud to have them as my parents. We chatted for a while, and I told them about what had happened tonight, about Aurora, about Vanessa. I noticed there was no hint in their expressions about what Sebastian and I had newly discovered. They seemed to only know that I'd recovered my memory and wanted to go home to rest.

This made me realize that Sebastian had chosen to respect me. He hadn't told them about my wolf, hadn't told them we'd discovered we were mates. He'd left the disclosure of this important information to me, letting me decide whether and how to tell others.

Though I really wasn't planning to tell them I had a wolf right now. Because that would mean they'd also know Sebastian and I were mates. I wanted to avoid letting others influence my final decision before I made up my mind.

"Actually," Mom's voice brought me back to reality. She set down her teacup, her expression becoming serious, "on our way here, we decided something we wanted to discuss with you."

I looked at her curiously.

"Remember the ball we talked about before?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. "The one to formally announce your status as heir to the Kincaid Pack?"

I nodded. A few months ago, before I was shot by Vanessa, we had indeed discussed this, but it had been postponed due to the series of events that followed.

"We think now is the time," Dad said. "Would you still be willing?"

Looking at them watching me with such loving and eager eyes, I had no reason to refuse. "Of course." I gave them my first real smile of the day.

"Oh that's wonderful, dear." Mom quickly kissed my forehead. "We want to hold it in a week. A traditional moonlight ball, inviting all the important Packs. It will definitely be a night you'll never forget."

A week. So soon? The timing made me feel somewhat nervous.

They stayed a while longer, discussing details of the ball, then left. Alone, I sat in the living room, thinking about everything that had happened tonight.

*"What are you thinking about?"* Diana asked.

"I'm thinking about... the ball next week," I answered. "I have a feeling it's going to be important."

*"Important how?"*

"I don't know. Just... intuition." I stood up and walked to the window, gazing out at the night sky. "It feels like everything is going to converge there. Both good and bad things."

I also thought about Sebastian. Would the ball next week give me answers? I didn't know. But I had a strong premonition that night would change everything.

I just hoped that when the time came, I'd be ready to face whatever was waiting for me.