Breaking the Cycle: Thea’s POV

I sat in the kitchen, absently stirring my melting ice cream while Roman’s visit replayed in my mind. He’d left hours ago, but his desperate pleading still echoed in my ears. It was nearly four, and I anxiously awaited Leo’s return from school. Sebastian would be back later, giving me time to consider Aurora’s situation.

Aurora and I had never been close friends, largely because I was jealous of her relationship with Sebastian. Back then, she mostly ignored me. Her hostility only surfaced after she discovered Sebastian and I had slept together. I didn’t blame her; I probably would have reacted similarly. I never held her subsequent attitude against her. But this Aurora was different. I couldn't determine if heartbreak or something else had caused this change.

Then there was Roman. His cutting remarks, angry and disgusted looks, and deliberate emotional cruelty made me question whether I should help them. What right did he have to ask this of me? Would I be cruel or selfish by not pleading their case to Sebastian? Either way, I didn't owe them anything.

A frustrated scream followed by a loud thud broke my thoughts. I hopped off the barstool, abandoning my half-eaten ice cream, and rushed to the living room. To my surprise, I found Leo looking ready to commit murder. He angrily threw his backpack onto the sofa and let out another low growl, filled with anger and frustration.

“What’s wrong, Sweetheart?” I asked softly, cautiously approaching him. “What’s got you so angry?”

He looked up, fire burning in his green eyes—so similar to his father’s. Leo was usually calm; nothing fazed him. Whatever had him this furious had to be significant.

“That girl again!” he shouted, pacing.

“What girl?”

“Piper!”

He spat out her name like it was vile. Like he couldn't stand the taste of it on his lips.

“The one who’s been leaving you notes?” I asked.

He nodded.

“What did she do this time?” I asked curiously. Whoever this girl was, getting my son this worked up was quite an achievement.

His cheeks flushed pink, and he mumbled something.

“You’ll have to be clearer, Leo. I didn’t catch a word.”

After a deep breath, he said, “She said that one day she’s going to marry me and we’re going to have lots of babies.”

I swear I tried to keep a straight face, to hide my amusement, but it was a losing battle.

“Mom!” he glared. “This isn’t funny.”

“I’m sorry, Leo.” I tried to hug him, but he refused.

“I’m guessing you don’t like her?” I asked.

“Of course not. I find her really annoying; in fact, I hate her,” he paused. “And even if I don’t find my mate, if I ever choose to marry someone, it would be someone like you. Elegant, classy, and beautiful. A very smart woman. Not a girl who finds mud and bugs amusing.”

I stared at him, noting the stubborn look in his eyes. Leo was definitely going to grow up to be a force to be reckoned with, like his father. He was so young and already knew what he wanted in life and in his Luna.

“Did you talk to her like I told you to?”

“Yes, but she wouldn’t listen.”

Honestly, I had no idea how to handle this. Besides annoying him, Piper didn’t seem to be causing any harm.

“First of all, you shouldn’t hate anyone…”

“But she…”

“No buts, Leo,” I admonished. “I’ve told you many times. Hating someone takes a lot of energy, energy that could be used for something productive.”

He nodded reluctantly.

“Second, she probably just has a crush on you. It’s normal for boys and girls to have crushes; it shouldn’t worry you because, with time, these feelings fade. So don’t let it bother you. If it gets too much, talk to your teacher, okay?”

I hoped I was right, that it was just a crush. If it was something else, like what I felt for Sebastian at that age, then this girl was in for serious trouble. I knew firsthand what unrequited love felt like. It hurt like hell.

“Okay, Mom,” he said, calmer this time.

I hugged him. “Now go change out of your uniform.”

“Thanks, Mom,” he kissed my cheek. “You always make me feel better.”

He grabbed his bag and ran upstairs just as Sebastian walked in.

“Why are you kneeling on the floor?” he asked, confused.

“You’re home early.”

“Yeah… decided to finish the rest of the work at home,” he replied. “You still haven’t answered my question.”

“Oh, I was just talking with Leo. Seems like a little girl has a crush on him and won’t leave him alone, though according to him, he’s not a fan.”

I had many expectations for Sebastian’s reaction. I hadn’t expected him to pull me up from the floor and kiss me passionately.

When he finally released me, he grinned while I tried to recover from that scorching kiss.

“That reminds me of us. You always hanging around, following me. I used to hate it, it drove me crazy, but now I can’t get enough of you… maybe our son has found his one.”

I smiled, saying nothing. He gave me a light peck and said he’d be in his office. After he left, I stood in the middle of the living room, my heart clenched tight. Sebastian was right. That’s how we started.

My only prayer was, for Piper’s sake, that her feelings were just a passing crush, because I couldn’t bear it if history repeated itself with our son and a girl got hurt like I once did.