Thea’s POV

“Sebastian?” My voice shot up eight octaves. “What are you doing here?” My cheeks burned. Being caught by my ex-husband as I was about to enter a sex toy shop had to be one of the most excruciatingly embarrassing moments of my life.

His gaze shifted to the, shall we say, inappropriate items in the store window, and the corner of his mouth curved upward. “I was about to ask you the same question.”

Despite the panic, I tried to remain composed. “It’s none of your business.”

“A pregnant she-wolf standing in front of a sex toy shop isn’t exactly a common sight,” he said, raising an eyebrow, his eyes holding a teasing quality I’d never seen before.

“I’m here to buy maternity clothes and some baby stuff,” I lied, taking a deep breath and turning to leave. What irritated me most was that, instead of walking away, he followed me.

“I didn’t know you were the type to use those things,” his voice trailed behind me.

That comment ignited my fury. I stopped abruptly and spun around. “Who the fuck do you think you are to judge my life? First of all, you have no idea what kind of person I am. You never tried to find out, mainly because you thought I was beneath you, that being wolfless made me somehow less. Second, what’s wrong with using vibrators and dildos to satisfy myself? How I deal with my physical needs isn’t for you to judge. I have every fucking right to decide how I get my pleasure!”

His eyes narrowed dangerously, anger flashing within them. But I didn’t care. I turned and walked away.

“Thea…”

“Don’t follow me!” I quickened my pace, hoping to distance myself from the large Alpha striding behind me.

“There’s a maternity store over there,” he said calmly.

I stopped, looking where he pointed. Damn it, I’d lied, but I did need maternity clothes; my belly was starting to show prominently.

Before I could respond, Sebastian was walking toward the store. I hesitated, then reluctantly followed. At the entrance, I held out my arm to stop him.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

“Accompanying you to pick out clothes,” he said as if it were perfectly natural.

“I don’t need you. Leo is your son, and I completely respect that. But this pup,” I pointed to my belly, “has nothing to do with you. You have no obligation or right to be involved.”

He didn’t back down. He stepped closer, until I felt the heat and Alpha aura radiating from him.

“Whether you believe it or not, I genuinely want to help. It’s not safe for you to be shopping alone while pregnant.”

His gaze was no longer cold and distant, but held a warmth I didn’t dare interpret.

“Can I help you with anything?” A store clerk’s voice broke the tension.

“We’re looking for maternity clothes,” Sebastian answered. “My wife needs some comfortable garments.”

What the fuck? Wife? His audacity left me speechless. We were divorced. Who did he think he was?

“Of course! We just received a new collection, and I’m sure your wife will love it. Please, follow me,” the clerk said enthusiastically.

Before I could protest, Sebastian gently placed his arm around my shoulders, guiding me to follow the clerk. His touch felt smooth and natural, as if he had every right to touch me.

As soon as the clerk walked away, I shook off his hand, glaring at him. “What the hell was that about?”

“What was what?” he asked lazily.

“Don’t play dumb! Why did you call me your wife? Did you forget we’re divorced? Or are you currently dating Aurora?” I hissed.

“These are our styles,” the clerk interrupted, approaching with a pile of clothes. She always seemed to interrupt just when I was about to unleash my anger. I could only follow her, suppressing my rage.

“Go try them on,” Sebastian said, seemingly unaffected by my anger.

Grabbing a dress, I stomped toward the changing room. If he thought I was going to model for him, he was dead wrong.

Taking off my clothes, I slipped into the dress. The moment I saw myself in the mirror, my anger vanished. I looked incredibly elegant and beautiful. The dress magically enhanced my figure and baby bump. It fit perfectly. After admiring it, I immediately called for the clerk.

Irritatingly, Sebastian’s taste was impeccable. Every item he chose fit well and was elegant yet comfortable.

Just as I was about to try on jeans, the door opened. His scent told me it wasn’t a store employee. I froze, our gazes meeting through the mirror. He held a white top, and I was in my bra and panties.

“Fuck, Sebastian!” I whispered harshly, trying to cover myself.

This reminded me I also needed maternity bras.

He said nothing. His eyes slowly roamed over my body, feeling like a gentle caress, making me deeply uncomfortable.

I grabbed a long skirt as a shield. He dropped the top and walked toward me, seemingly hypnotized.

Before I could react, he trapped me between his body and the mirror. My breathing quickened; I panicked. I never imagined finding myself in this situation with Sebastian.

“You… you can’t come in here,” I said, my voice unsteady. Looking at him, I couldn’t help but remember our intimate moments. But those were fake, weren’t they?

He scanned my body, almost burning me with his gaze. Pregnancy had made obvious changes, and his reaction shocked me.

“You’re more beautiful than before,” he whispered, his voice husky. He raised his hand, his fingertips lightly touching my neck, collarbone, then trailing down my curves.

I should have pushed him away. This was wrong. But my body trembled under his touch. His scent surrounded me, making me dizzy.

“They’re bigger than I remember,” he said, his voice rough and breathless as his hand hovered near my cleavage, making my knees weak.