"Ki— kidnapper?!" He bellowed utterly dumbfounded.
"Are you deaf?" A low, angry hiss escaped her lips.
Sebastian was baffled. "De—deaf?!"
Aurora charged at him, poised gracefully on her toes, and swept Lucien into her arms. "Are you okay, baby?" She questioned, studying his face warily and intently.
Perplexed by his mother's actions, Lucien nodded hesitantly.
"I believe you are misinterpreting my intentions." Sebastian said. His rich, deep voice thrummed with a subtle allure, captivating her attention with its enchanting tone.
Aurora scoffed in disbelief, her breath coming in hard. "Misinterpreting? How dare you? You were holding my child in your arms!"
This man? She frowned. He was her ex husband.
Wait!
Why on earth was her ex husband here?!
There was a lot happening! First, her mother decided to call her back after fourteen years and now.. the man who had caused her all of this pain was right in front of her.
She was glaring at him, but she was really just looking at him. With a strikingly tall and powerful build, he commanded her attention with his silver eyes, peering through the tangles of his raven black hair. There was no denying the darkness. It was as though her demons were staring back at her.
She clenched her teeth. "You are Sebastian Devereaux."
How on earth could he still look so good?! She struggled mightily to control her glare.
Sebastian's silver eyes twinkled. "You..."
"Oh please." Her laughter was curt and dismissive, interrupting him sharply. She gestured to her kids, and they quickly fell in line, gathering around her with a quiet obedience that spoke volumes about their well-practiced discipline.
"The sadistic Duke who owns half of France is well known to everyone." Her grip on Lucien tightened.
Sebastian locked his gaze on her. Was this the game they were going to play?
"Is that all you are aware of?"
Aurora cocked her brow. "Am I expected to be aware of something more? Oh! You are a kidnapper now." Then she frowned deeply. "Stay away from my children."
She was well aware of his identity.
Duke de Rouvray Sebastian Devereaux was a pure-blooded lycan, hailing from the earliest and most formidable line of lycan beasts. He was the supreme Alpha of the Rouvray Pack, a pack feared and avoided by all, its reputation built on a legacy of bloodshed and unyielding brutality.
One of the most powerful beings in the world was her ex husband.
"Your children?" He asked abruptly, amusement glinting in his eyes.
Aurora inhaled deeply, making every effort to conceal any trace of rage from her expression and speech. She failed. "Are you insane? Why does that sound like a question?"
"Because it is a question." Sebastian took a step forward, sweeping Leon into his arms.
Leon only giggled, shocking Aurora to her core. "Leon..."
"Put him down." She snapped at Sebastian.
"He is not growling at me, is he now?" He taunted.
"I am fine, Mama." Leon laughed, poking Sebastian's cheek playfully.
"Leon.. don't.." Aurora hesitated.
Among the quadruplets, Leon stood out for his hostile nature. Always with a frown on his face, he was fiercely protective of his family, and had never hesitated to attack anyone who came too close. This aggression had nearly landed them in trouble with the authorities on multiple occasions.
But...
"It is okay, Mama, this is Papa." Leon gestured, his hand reaching out to touch his mother.
"Huh??" Aurora gasped in horror and covered his mouth with her hand.
Glancing back at Sebastian, who was still staring at her, she clenched her teeth with absolute distaste. "Put him down."
"And why should I do that?" Sebastian's eyes held hers, his voice grave.
Her legs shook beneath the force of his gaze, but she resisted, returning his stare with equal vigor.
Those eyes... They were the darker shade of her children's eyes. Dense with gravity, dense with unquenchable enigma..... He was their father after all.
"Because I say so." She stood her ground.
However, Sebastian smiled. A charming smile that revealed his dimples, drawing her attention to the sound of her own rapid heartbeat. It was beating so fast that it hurt.
She didn't like this... She didn't want this... She wanted to get out of here!
"Young mistress?" Theodore showed up at the scene wearing a neutral expression.
At last, Aurora broke her stare from those mesmerizing eyes and turned to face Theodore. "You took your time."
"Everything has been prepared. We must leave immediately." Theodore reported completely ignoring Sebastian's presence.
Sebastian's lips curled. There were many ways he could take advantage of this situation. But he chose the peaceful path.
Releasing Leon down to his feet, he took a chocolate bar out of his pocket and gave it to him with great care.
He then gave the others a smile as admiration and excitement filled their eyes.
Aurora placed on a nervous smile, surprised by his actions.
Sebastian waved at her, smirking deviously. "Until we cross paths again, Ma méchante." and he walked away, his face darkening as his attendants surrounded him, escorting him into the train.
Aurora froze for a long time, trying to process those words.
Ma méchante... It has been years... The audacity made her scoff.
"Why is Papa leaving?" Lucien suddenly asked, pouting his lips.
"Mama..." Adrien drawled hesitantly. His mother was acting so strangely. "That was Papa, right?"
"Mama?" Alexandre's hand reached out, his fingers brushing against her dress like a gentle plea.
"Mama?" Leon's eyes never left hers, his features hardened, his brow furrowing in a scowl that seemed to deepen by the second.
She blinked slowly, said nothing and looked at Theodore, who interpreted her action as a sign that she was ready to return to France.