NATHAN’S POV(Replay…)The sharp wail of the fire alarm cut through the restaurant like a knife.For a second, everything froze, knife stopped cutting through meat, spoons halfway to hungry mouths….Then the tension snapped.Shouts rang out, chairs scraped against the floor, and the air buzzed with the energy of urgent movement. Waiters guided customers toward the exits, and the low thread of panic weaved through the space.I was already on my feet, my wolf thrumming beneath my skin. My senses sharpened, my instincts screaming at me to find them.The twins.My eyes locked onto them instantly.Kate had a hand on Alexia’s shoulder, guiding them through the crowd with steady authority. Alex, less concerned, kept glancing around as if he wasn’t fully grasping the situation.Shit. I didn’t even hesitate – I moved.“Kate!” My voice cut through the chaos as I reached them. She turned, brows furrowed. “Where’s the owner?” My voice was steady, but inside, my pulse was hammering against my ribs
NATHAN’S POVThe cold night air bit at my skin as I watched the car disappear down the street, taking the twins – my twins – with it. My chest was tight, thoughts running in circles, my wolf pacing, howling inside me.Sophia.It had always been Sophia.The realization hadn’t fully settled and hadn’t rooted itself deep enough for me to grasp what it truly meant, but I knew one thing for certain – this changed everything.Behind me, the team was waiting. I could feel their eyes on me, silent questions filling the air between us.“Okay.” Priya finally broke the quiet. “What was that?”I turned, still caught in a daze, as the four of them stood in a loose semi-circle, their faces a mix of confusion and expectation."What do you mean?" I asked, my own voice sounding distant to my ears.Jacob scoffed. “Oh, I don’t know. Maybe the part where two kids ran up to you like they knew you? Or the part where you started acting like the world had just tilted on its damn axis?”I exhaled sharply, run
NATHAN'S POVThe night stretched on, cold and quiet, as I sat in the clearing, elbows braced on my knees, hands clasped so tight my knuckles ached. The world around me hadn’t changed, but inside, everything had. So much had.Sophia.Alex. Alexia.My children.My mate.And I had let her go. No – I had done worse.I had banished her.The weight of the memory pressed down on me, heavy as stone. My wolf was pacing, snarling, furious with me in a way he hadn’t been in years. Just when our relationship had gotten better.I had known this was missing, some wound I never let heal, but I never imagined it would return to me like this.Sophia had stayed away because I had given her no other choice.I exhaled sharply, scrubbing a hand down my face.What the hell had I done?A rustle in the trees. Then a voice, calm and steady.“I thought I felt you out here.”I looked up. Elara.She stood at the edge of the clearing, arms crossed, sharp eyes assessing me the way she always did. She took in my po
NATHAN'S POVIt had been days since I left Elara’s woods, but I hadn’t seen Sophia or the twins yet. Not because I didn’t want to – because I knew this time, I had to do it right. I wasn’t going to storm into her life, demanding anything or expecting forgiveness. No. That wasn’t how I would win her back.So, instead, I focused on what I could do.I found out everything I could about her life now. About her.Il Cuore di Sofia. Her restaurant.It had been a quiet obsession ever since I learned its name. The place was thriving. Booked out for weeks, gaining recognition even among the city’s elite. She had built something incredible –without me. The knowledge was almost a blow to me but damn it, I had never been prouder of her.I found out she had kept it exclusive. A place where every plate had her touch and where she knew her customers by name. She was just like that – warm, steady, pouring her heart into everything she did. The woman I had once known had never backed down from a chal
SOPHIA’S POVThe front door swung open, and the twins ran in with a whirlwind of energy, their voices overlapping in a chaotic symphony that only they could carry.“Mommy! There was a fire!” Alex announced, eyes wide, bouncing on his toes like he had just witnessed the most exciting event of his life.Alexia followed more quietly, clutching her backpack to her chest. Her eyes flickered toward me, watching for my reaction. Already knew there was a fire as Kate had already told me about it but I decided to play dumb.“A fire?” I crouched down, brushing a stray curl from Alexia’s face before turning to Alex. “Are you both okay?”“It wasn’t our building,” Alex assured me, waving his hands for emphasis. “It was next door. The firefighters were super cool! They had big hoses and everything!”Alexia nodded solemnly. “We weren’t in any real danger. Kate made sure we got outside quickly.”I glanced at Kate, who stood in the doorway, looking calm but tired. I gave her a grateful smile. “Thank y
SOPHIA'S POVThe boutique felt like a sanctuary, every detail carefully curated – the gentle hum of music, the soft lighting that made everything feel cinematic. I couldn’t help but think back to how I'd have felt years ago. Probably feel a little out of place, standing there in my jeans and sweater while holding a dress that seemed destined for someone more glamorous.But I wasn't that person anymore.“You’ve gotta own it,” Grace said, watching me with a knowing smile. “This night is all about you, Sophia. You deserve it.”I raised an eyebrow, jokingly. “You mean I deserve to be wrapped in a small fortune?”Grace laughed. “Absolutely. You’ve worked hard for this. Let yourself have it for once.”Alexia tugged at my hand. “I think you’re the prettiest mommy ever, even without the dress.”My heart swelled at that. “You’re my favorite little girl in the world, you know that?”She nodded, her curls bouncing. “But if you wear this dress, you’ll look like the queens in those movies we watch
SOPHIA’S POVThe doorbell rang precisely at seven, its chime echoing softly through the house. I smoothed my dress one last time, nerves fluttering beneath my skin – not because of the award but because of him. Lucas had always had that effect on me.When I opened the door, he stood there in a perfectly tailored suit, his dark hair slightly tousled and eyes warm with quiet admiration. He had a gift for looking effortlessly handsome.“Wow.” He said, his voice low, a slow smile spreading across his face. “You look... Incredible.”My heart did a little flip, but I kept my cool. “Thank you. You clean up pretty well yourself.”He chuckled, offering his arm. “Shall we?”I took it, feeling a rush of warmth as his fingers brushed against mine.The car ride was pleasant, filled with easy conversation and soft jazz playing from the speakers. Lucas had a way of making everything feel light, even when my nerves threatened to get the best of me.“Are you ready for all the attention tonight?” He as
SOPHIA'S POVThe air seemed thicker, charged with something I hadn’t felt in years. My breath hitched as my wolf stirred, a low hum beneath my skin. I didn’t need to turn around to know who it was – my instincts screamed his name before my mind could catch up.Nathan.Slowly, I turned on my heels, my eyes locking onto his. He stood tall and demanding, dressed in a tailored black suit that seemed to enhance every sharp angle and commanding presence he always possessed. His gaze pierced through the few people standing between us, landing squarely on me.For a moment, the world faded. The hum of conversation, the clinking of glasses – all of it blurred into the background. The only thing I could focus on was him.The man I once loved. The man who once banished me. The man who shattered my heart and left me to pick up the pieces on my own.His eyes flickered with something raw – regret, perhaps – but I didn’t care. I couldn’t care. Memories rushed to the surface, each one a dagger to the
SOPHIA'S POVI stepped inside, the familiar scent of home greeting me, but something was... wrong. The door clicked softly behind me, and the silence that followed was almost suffocating. I hadn’t expected the house to feel so still, so quiet. But it was more than that. It felt empty in a way that twisted something deep inside me.I hesitated, standing in the entryway. The house was usually alive with noise – Alex and Alexia’s laughter, their endless chatter, the thumping of their footsteps as they ran through the halls. But now… nothing.I swallowed hard, the unease crawling up my spine as my fingers curled around my bag. I’d seen the note at the door, my heart already racing before I even touched it.“I'm here for you Sophia. Miss me?” The words had burned into my mind, and now, with the house so eerily silent, my stomach twisted painfully.“Alex? Alexia?” I called, my voice too small in the empty air. It felt like I was shouting into a void. No answer. Just that thick, pressing sil
SOPHIA'S POVLola was quiet for a moment, her hand loosely wrapped around her mug. Then, with a glance that was far too knowing for my liking, she said gently, “So… how do you really feel about him?”Her words settled like mist in the cozy room, quiet and unassuming, but thick enough that I couldn’t ignore them.I stared into my tea like it might offer a better answer than I could. It didn’t. “I don’t know.” I said, which was technically true, if you just didn't count all the parts of me screaming otherwise.Lola’s eyebrows shot up. “Oh, please. That’s the most suspicious ‘I don’t know’ I’ve heard all week – and I’ve had three customer complaints and a guy who claimed his espresso was ‘emotionally cold.’”I laughed despite myself. “Emotionally cold?”“He said it lacked soul. I gave him a biscotti and told him to take it up with his therapist.”I nearly spit my tea. “God, I’ve missed this.”“What, sarcasm and caffeine-fueled delusions?”“Exactly that.” I smiled, then let it slip. “And…
SOPHIA'S POVThe warmth of the mug seeped into my fingers as I curled them tighter around it, watching the steam swirl into the quiet kitchen. It seemed like Elara had offered me tea more out of habit than anything else, but I had accepted with a small, grateful smile, and she nodded, a smile on her own face, the kind that made you feel like she already knew what you needed.We walked in silence from the woods, the smell of nature and moonlight still clinging to my skin. I didn't know moonlight has its own scent till today. Was this how freeing it could be? Was this what I'd been missing? Been denying myself in the name of protection? The streets beyond this clove were empty this late, the world hushed and still. And now, with a cup in hand and the ache of the shift softened into a gentle hum beneath my skin, I finally felt grounded.At peace.Well, almost.“Elara?” I asked, glancing up from my mug. “How often do you walk these woods?”She arched a silver brow, blowing on her tea. “A
NATHAN'S POVI didn’t slam the door.Didn’t storm off, didn’t shout or demand she choose me. That had been the old me – the boy who thought power alone could win devotion.I left Sophia’s house with my jaw clenched, my fists loose at my sides, and a storm brewing behind my ribs. Lucas had looked so damn settled in her space, and she hadn’t stopped him. Not really. Not even when the kids had lit up at the sight of me, not when the air had pulsed between us like a heartbeat.I got in the car and pulled away slowly, like I wasn’t unraveling inside.But I was.I couldn’t go home. Not to the penthouse with its cold silence and reminders of what I’d lost. So I drove with no destination until the buildings thinned and the edges of the city blurred.Eventually, I ended up at the overlook above the river, where the world fell quiet and I could breathe.Almost.The next day came with emails, missed calls, and two back-to-back meetings. Camille cornered me in the hallway with her usual stack of
SOPHIA'S POVThe laughter came first – sharp and clear, like little bells ringing through the living room.“Okay, okay, one more time.” I laughed, holding up the deck of cards.“No!” Alex shouted, laughing uncontrollably and holding his tummy as he fell over onto the cushions. “You’re cheating!”“I am not!” I defended dramatically, spreading my hands. “I’m just really good at Go Fish.”“You peeked!” Alexia accused with narrowed eyes and a smug little grin, arms crossed as if she were the judge and jury both.“I did not peek! That’s called strategic intuition.”“Mom.” Alex groaned from the floor, face stuffed into a throw pillow then turned to Alexia. “She’s using grown up words again. That means she’s lying.”I fell back onto the carpet in mock defeat, while both kids climbed over me like little wolves claiming victory. It was past their bedtime, the dishes from dinner was still in the sink, and I had at least two voicemails from Kate about tomorrow’s delivery schedule. But none of it
SOPHIA'S POVI couldn’t taste the waffles.Couldn’t even tell if they were burnt or perfect, though I watched Lucas flip them with his usual confidence and pride. I watched Alex drizzle syrup across his plate like it was a masterpiece. I watched Alexia pick at hers, pulling the edges apart like she was unspooling something too tightly wound.And across the table – Nathan.His presence alone changed the air in the room. Like a low growl under a wolf's breath . He sat with poise, talking softly to Alex as if they’d always known each other. Asking questions about school, about drawings, about dreams. And somehow – somehow – Alex opened up. Completely. Like he’d been waiting to be heard in exactly that tone, with exactly that warmth.It scared me. How easy it was.“You okay?” Lucas’s voice cut into the quiet.I blinked. He was watching me from the other end of the table, his jaw tight, his expression blank. Dangerous.“Yeah.” I said too fast. “Just tired.”“Didn’t sleep again?”I shrugged
NATHAN'S POVThe door swung open.And there she was.Sophia.Barefoot, wearing worn jeans and a soft sweater that still somehow managed to knock the breath from my lungs. Her hair was loose around her shoulders, her cheeks flushed like she’d been running — or panicking. Knowing the absolute fucking love of my life – probably both.Her eyes locked onto mine. For a second, neither of us moved.I tightened my grip on the paper bag and the small wooden box in my other hand. Gifts. Pathetic offerings for the things I really wanted — her forgiveness. My children’s acceptance. A place at their table. In their lives.“Hi.” I said, voice rougher than I intended.“Hi.” She breathed back.I saw it then — the war happening inside her. The way her body wanted to lean toward me but her mind pulled her back. Fear. Guilt. Hope.All tangled together. Dammit. Not still.“I brought something.” I said quietly, lifting the bag a little.Sophia blinked like she’d forgotten how to speak. Then she stepped as
SOPHIA’S POV The sun filtered gently through the curtains, casting warm stripes across the wooden floor. For once, the house was quiet – not with the eerie kind of silence that came from something being wrong, but the kind that only came after a storm. I stood in the kitchen, barefoot, a mug of tea cradled in my hands. “Ow, hot.” I burned my fingers as I dipped it in the mug to taste the tea. Then replied myself, “Of course it's hot you dummy. You just made it.” I sighed and leaned my head lightly against the cabinet door as I stared at the empty hallway beyond. The twins were still asleep, for now. I had let them sleep in. I’d taken the day off. No Kate, no kitchen, no demands. I texted her before dawn. “Can’t come in today. Family stuff. I trust you.” I didn’t say more, and she didn’t ask. She just sent back a thumbs-up and a heart. I knew she would understand even with no explanation. The truth was, I didn’t even know how to put words to what had happened last night. I wa
VICTORIA'S POVThe air reeked of stale beer, sweat, and desperation. Ew.But, it was exactly the kind of place I’d expect to find a disgraced Alpha drowning in his own failure. Go figure.The bar was tucked into the corner of a forgotten alley, away from prying eyes by broken neon signs and shattered dreams. How do the humans say it again? Ahh, yes. What a boulevard of broken dreams.I stood outside for a moment, letting my eyes adjust to the dim glow bleeding through the fogged windows. The faint thundering boom of music sounded from within – some cheap EDM beat vibrating through shitty speakers – and over all of that, somehow louder than it all, the rough voices of men exchanging bets, boasts, and laughter that reeked of low intelligence.I pushed the door open.The warmth inside hit me like a wall, thick with body heat and alcohol fumes. It was a human dive, alright. Ugh.Cheap wood paneling, flickering lights, a couple of dart boards with knives sticking out of them. A fight was b