Chapter 0141

My chest tightens as Adrian turns away, his broad shoulders disappearing into the distance. A piece of my soul seems to walk away with him. I don't move until the last glimpse of him vanishes, then force myself to face the house—and Sebastian.

"Sebastian." His name tastes unfamiliar on my tongue now. That easy grin of his still warms me, but differently. I step into his embrace, breathing in his familiar pine scent.

"So, you and Adrian, huh?" His chuckle holds an edge. "What happened to waiting for me?"

I smack his chest playfully. "Yes, Adrian and I are together. And for the record, he's respected every boundary I've set."

"Boundaries?" His nose wrinkles. "Is that why you reek of him? Your whole house smells like Blackthorn Pack."

"Did you come here to interrogate me?" My fingers curl into fists. He lost the right to question my choices when he disappeared.

"No." He exhales sharply. "I just didn't expect... this. I don't even smell your father here—just you two. It threw me off. I'm sorry. Can we reset?"

I nod, leading him inside. "Hungry? I can whip something up."

"I'm good."

After grabbing two beers, we settle in the living room. The glass bottle sweats in my palm as I ask, "Any luck finding Victor Blackwood?"

Sebastian's fingers flex against my knee. "He's a ghost. My best trackers can't pin him down." He takes a swig. "Where's your father?"

I recount everything—the Fae realm, my parents' wolves, how Grant stayed behind to share Evander and Valeria's story with Oberon.

Sebastian's brows lift. "Your mother's wolf spirit... you think she's hiding in the human world?"

"Oberon believes so." I chew my lip. "But if Valeria knows Selene is her daughter, why stay away for thirteen years?"

His expression darkens. "You think an Alpha's holding her captive? That'd be hard to hide this long."

"She wouldn't abandon me willingly." My voice cracks. "Evander wouldn't have either."

We finish our drinks and I fetch another round, catching up on lost time until Sebastian stands abruptly. "I need to keep searching." His thumb brushes my cheek. "But I'll be here for your birthday. Promise."

When his lips meet mine, it's like kissing a photograph—a memory with no heartbeat. No spark. Just warmth where fire used to live.

He feels the difference too. His smile falters as we walk to the door.

"Don't count me out yet, Evelyn." His knuckles graze my jaw. "Wait until your birthday. I'd be good to you—fated or not."

I hug him tightly. "I'm not deciding anything yet."

From the porch, I watch his car disappear down the gravel drive. My mind agrees to wait. But Selene howls in protest, and my heart? It's already chosen.

The shower scalds my skin as I wash away Sebastian's scent. Adrian will come tonight—he always does since we returned. I won't let another man's smell linger between us.

When I call, he arrives before I can hang up. Theron must have sprinted the whole way. The moment Adrian steps inside, his arms band around me, his nose buried in my damp hair.

"You showered."

I tilt my face up. "I didn't want you uncomfortable."

His stormy eyes search mine, the unspoken question loud between us.

"Nothing happened." I press his palm to my racing heart. "My feelings for Sebastian have changed. He's family now." Step by step, I back toward the stairs, pulling him with me. "But you..."

I place his other hand low on my stomach, where heat pools. "You're everywhere."

His growl vibrates through me as I dart upstairs. He catches me at the bedroom door, and for the rest of the night, I show him exactly how much I crave his particular flavor of dessert.