Confessions–2
I snapped out of that darkness when I realized what leaving Leo would mean. I didn’t want him to think I was weak. More importantly, I didn’t want Aurora to be his stepmother. I knew Sebastian would get back together with her, remembering how strong the feelings between them were, and I was afraid she would transfer her hatred of me
onto Leo.
“Now, seeing the vile things she said about Leo, I’m glad I chose to be strong,” I clenched my fists, remembering Aurora’s threats from days ago. “I won’t let her hurt Leo.”
“You should never have been blamed,” Kane said firmly. “You were both drunk, so neither of you should be blamed. Your parents should be ashamed for placing all the responsibility on an eighteen–year–old girl. And Sebastian–he should have taken responsibility for his actions instead of letting all the blame fall on you. He was already 21 at that time.”
“But I deliberately went to that bar at the Pack boundary,” I bit my lip, remembering my obsession. “I used tracking software to find him… it was terrible.”
“That doesn’t matter. He gave you alcohol knowing you probably couldn’t handle it,” Kane shook his head, slightly displeased. “He, as an Alpha who carried the future of an entire Pack, should have been mature enough to control his behavior, but he didn’t. The more I learn about Sebastian and your family’s behavior, the less I like them.”
I said nothing. When you live on the edges of werewolf society, you feel it more intensely. I was used to being ignored, treated like an outsider. But Kane was the first person to really listen to me, the first to try to understand.
“Come on,” he said, helping me stand up.
“Where are we going?” I asked, not wanting to leave this temporary haven.
I wanted to stay a little longer. I didn’t want to go back to an empty house that would only remind me of memories involving Sebastian, only remind me of those painful years.
“I’m taking you home…” Kane said gently, his hand lightly supporting my shoulder. “I don’t like seeing you trying to escape the pain with alcohol. I’ll protect you, Thea.”
Before I could say anything, he led me through the dance floor and out of the bar. The
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Confessions 2
night chill made me shiver involuntarily, and Kane immediately took off his leather jacket and put it around me, his scent surrounding me, making me feel strangely safe.
He helped me into his car and started driving. We didn’t talk, but the silence between us wasn’t awkward. He respected my space, letting me dwell in my thoughts.
On the way home, I thought about many things–Leo’s smile, Sebastian’s final cruel words, Aurora’s threats, and my parents‘ cold stares. These memories swirled in my mind, but strangely, tonight they didn’t seem as painful. Sure, Kane reminded me it wasn’t my fault, but the guilt of ruining three lives was still there.
Faster than I expected, we arrived at my house. Kane turned off the engine and helped me out of the car like a gentleman.
I took out my keys from my purse and opened the door, moonlight streaming through the windows, illuminating one corner of the living room.
“Want to come in?” I asked him, my voice slightly trembling. “I don’t want tonight to end just yet, I haven’t gotten enough relief.”
“You’re planning to keep drinking just to forget?” he asked.
I nodded.
I just needed a brief escape, even if just for a few hours.
He looked at me, and I saw something I hadn’t seen in a long time flickering in his eyes.
“If that’s the case,” Kane said in a low voice, his tone deepening, “then I have a better
way.”
He stepped over my threshold, gently closing the door behind him. The moonlight outlined the edges of his facial features, and I watched as he came closer, cupping my face and sealing my lips with his.
A strange warmth spread from my chest throughout my body, reminding me of how I felt a long time ago when I still fantasized about having a wolf someday. Maybe this was wrong, maybe I would regret it tomorrow, but right now, I needed this.
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