Chapter 12: The Home He Was Never Invited Into

Faye’s POV

The drive to my apartment was quiet.

Leo sat in the back seat with his forehead against the window, watching the city pass by.

Sebastian followed us in a black SUV.

I had expected him to insist on driving us himself.

He didn't.

Maybe he was finally beginning to understand that I wasn't something he could simply claim.

When we reached my building, I carried Leo upstairs.

The apartment was small enough that Sebastian looked completely out of place the moment he stepped inside.

His eyes moved across the tiny living room, the secondhand sofa, the small dining table, and the stack of textbooks beside the window.

There was no luxury here.

No servants.

No guards.

No enormous rooms bearing the Silver Moon crest.

Just my life.

Leo looked around with curiosity.

“Mom, you live here?”

“Yes.”

He pointed toward the small kitchen.

“Do you cook here?”

“Sometimes.”

He thought for a moment.

“Can I stay here too?”

My heart tightened.

Before I could answer, Sebastian spoke.

“Only if your mother agrees.”

I looked at him.

That answer surprised me.

Once, Sebastian would have decided for everyone.

Now he was leaving the choice to me.

I nodded.

“You can stay tonight.”

Leo smiled.

It was a small smile, but it made the entire room feel warmer.

He walked over to the sofa and sat down.

Sebastian remained near the door.

“You can leave,” I said.

His eyes met mine.

“I know.”

“Then why are you still standing there?”

He looked around the apartment again.

“Because this is the first place you've lived where I wasn't part of the decision.”

I didn't know what to say.

Sebastian continued quietly.

“I thought I was giving you a home.”

“But I was really giving you a place inside my life.”

“I never stopped to ask whether you wanted the life I chose.”

I looked away.

“You finally understand.”

He nodded.

“I'm trying to.”

That night, I made pasta for Leo.

He ate two servings and asked for dessert.

I laughed despite myself.

For a little while, everything felt normal.

Just a mother and her son having dinner.

Sebastian sat across from us.

He barely touched his food.

His attention remained on Leo.

After dinner, Leo fell asleep on the sofa.

I covered him with a blanket.

When I turned around, Sebastian was standing beside the window.

“Faye.”

“What?”

“I want to tell you something.”

I waited.

“The elders aren't satisfied with my refusal to name an official Luna.”

I wasn't surprised.

“They're preparing to challenge you?”

“Not directly.”

His expression hardened.

“They're using Leo.”

My stomach dropped.

“How?”

“They believe his bloodline makes him the future of the pack.”

“They want him brought to the territory immediately.”

I looked at my sleeping son.

“No.”

Sebastian nodded.

“That's what I told them.”

“But they won't stop.”

He walked toward me.

“I need to protect him.”

“Then protect him without taking him away from me.”

Sebastian's eyes softened.

“That's what I'm trying to do.”

A long silence followed.

Then my phone rang.

I glanced at the screen.

It was Mrs. Carter from the bakery.

I answered.

“Hello?”

Her voice sounded nervous.

“Faye, I'm sorry to call this late.”

“What's wrong?”

“Two men came into the bakery asking about you.”

My expression changed.

“What did they look like?”

“They were wearing Silver Moon insignia.”

Sebastian's face immediately hardened.

“Did they threaten you?”

“No.”

Mrs. Carter hesitated.

“But they said the Alpha's mate had been taken from the pack and they were searching for her.”

I stared at Sebastian.

His expression was cold with anger.

“They weren't sent by me,” he said.

I believed him.

That was what frightened me.

If Sebastian hadn't sent them, someone else had.

And whoever it was already knew where I worked.

A soft sound came from the sofa.

Leo opened his eyes.

“Mom?”

I immediately walked over.

“I'm here.”

He looked at Sebastian.

Then back at me.

“Are we in trouble?”

I knelt beside him.

“No.”

But Sebastian's eyes told a different story.

Something had begun.

And this time, I wasn't the only person they wanted.

They wanted Leo too.