Thea’s POV

When I saw Seraphina and Maximus on my doorstep, I knew they’d seen the damn article. Iris had sent me the link as soon as I got home. It made me even angrier than I already was. I hadn’t been ready for everyone to know about my pregnancy, but those fucking paparazzi had plastered it all over the Pack communications network. To be honest, I wasn’t too worried about other people’s reactions; my only concern was Seraphina and Maximus. I still hadn’t found the right way to tell them. The situation was even more complicated because Kane still refused to communicate with them.

A few minutes before they arrived, the article vanished from the internet. I strongly suspected Sebastian’s involvement. Just thinking about his name made my blood boil. I tried to shake off what had happened in that fitting room and focused on my biological parents, standing before me, looking confused.

“You saw the article, didn’t you?” I asked directly. The house was quiet; Leo hadn’t returned from school yet.

“Yes,” Maximus answered briefly, his eyes fixed on mine.

“I know we haven’t spent much time together, but why didn’t you tell us?” Seraphina asked softly. “A new life is the Goddess’s blessing. I thought we were past the stage where you felt you couldn’t talk to us.”

I could feel her hurt, and it ached my heart. They had always been good to me, the kind of parents I’d always wanted. But how could I explain this?

“You have to believe me, I wanted to tell you so many times, I just didn’t know how,” I answered quietly, my gaze falling to my trembling hands.

“Why would telling us be difficult?” Maximus frowned, confused, trying to understand my reasons, but nothing seemed to make sense.

“Because of who the baby’s father is.”

I heard Seraphina gasp. “You mean Sebastian isn’t the father?” Why did everyone assume Sebastian was the father? We were divorced, damn it.

I nodded, still looking down. It was only now that I realized I’d slept with their foster son. I was certain Kane had never told them, making this even harder. Worse, Kane had known about our relationship all along and still slept with me.

“You should know that we would never judge you, Thea. Whoever the father is, it doesn’t matter,” Seraphina added, seeing my hesitation.

“Even if the baby’s father is Kane?” I choked out.

It still felt like a sin. Although Kane and I weren’t blood-related, he was their son in every sense that mattered.

A heavy silence fell as they stared at me in shock, their mouths opening and closing soundlessly. Shit, I knew this was a bad idea. What if they hated me? What if they hated Kane? I sighed deeply. I couldn’t keep this from them forever.

“K-Kane is the father?” Seraphina stuttered, her eyes filling with tears.

“Yes. When I started my relationship with him, I didn’t know he was your foster son.”

“But he knew!” Maximus angrily stood up, growling. His anger was evident. “Is that why he doesn’t want to see us? He went that far, seducing you knowing you were our daughter!”

I was surprised; I’d never heard Maximus curse before.

“He didn’t seduce me. I was willing,” I told him, feeling my cheeks heat up. Of course, if I’d known the truth earlier, I wouldn’t have had a relationship with him, but he didn’t seduce me. Everything was consensual.

“He deceived you, Thea,” Seraphina sighed. “Your father is right. Kane knew the truth, and you didn’t. He basically seduced you knowing he was your foster brother. That’s too much.”

“I know. It makes me feel sick. He won’t be in prison forever, and I did tell him about the baby, but I don’t know how to explain to the child that their father is your son. Whether adopted or not, Kane is still your son.”

This had been one of my biggest worries. I didn’t want my child to look at me negatively later, but telling them the truth meant making their father look like a pervert.

Seraphina stood and sat next to me, pulling me into a tight embrace. Tears filled my eyes. Damn hormones!

“It’s okay, baby, don’t worry. We still love you, and we’ll love this child too,” Maximus added, joining the hug.

We held each other for a while before separating.

“Another pup! That’s wonderful! I need to start shopping!” Seraphina said excitedly, a smile spreading across her face. She was practically bouncing like a schoolgirl.

“How many women can brag about being a grandmother at forty-three? I’m a young, stylish grandma with plenty of energy to play with pups,” she declared proudly.

Maximus and I watched as Seraphina twirled around my living room like a ballerina, unable to contain our laughter. Maximus stood, pulled her into his arms for a kiss, and then spun her around while she laughed gleefully.

I smiled at them. This was the kind of marriage, the kind of love I’d once wanted. I felt a pang in my heart, but I didn’t let it bother me. I’d already given up those fantasies and accepted that kind of love wasn’t in my destiny.

Afterwards, they stayed a little longer before leaving. I felt like a weight had been lifted from my shoulders. My greatest fear had been that they would reject my pup. Seeing them excited about welcoming a new grandchild brought me a lot of peace.

Later, Leo came home, and I busied myself helping him with homework and preparing snacks. I liked being organized, so I sorted out his school uniform and everything he needed for tomorrow. Just as I finished, there was a knock at the door. I shuffled out of Leo’s room to answer it.

“Thea Sterling?” the delivery guy asked. Damn, I needed to change my name back. The Sterling surname didn’t belong to me anymore.

“That’s me.”

“I have a delivery for you.”

“I didn’t order anything,” I told him.

“That’s not my problem.” Before I could say anything else, he shoved the box into my hands and left.

I stared after him in shock, then looked at the package. With no other choice, I brought it inside, closed the door, and walked to the living room.

“What’s that?” Leo asked, eyeing the package.

“I don’t know.”

I considered whether I should open it. I hadn’t forgotten Kane’s warning about an unknown force wanting to harm me. What if there was a bomb or something dangerous inside?

But I didn’t have much time to think because Leo jumped up, grabbed the box, and tore the tape.

“Leo!” I cried out, my heart in my throat.