SOPHIA'S POVI got up and decided that enough was enough and there was no way I was going to let this occupy more space in my head than it already had. “Maybe the kids were up.” Then I looked towards their door and heard no noise coming from within. I frowned. No sound meant trouble. “Alex? Alexia? Are you up yet, my sweet babies?” I called out as I walked to their room. I paused in front of their door before suddenly going in. “Boo!” I said as I entered, meaning to startle them but did not move as I observed the scene in front of me. I watched Alex from the doorway, arms crossed, my chest tight with unease. He was sitting on the couch in the room, fidgeting – his fingers tapping a restless rhythm on his knee. His foot bounced, his jaw clenched, his expression one of intense focus as he stared at the blank television screen.Something was wrong.Lately, I had been noticing little things – things I had told myself were just coincidences, things I had desperately tried to ignore.Th
SOPHIA'S POVThe signs were getting worse.At first, it was just little things – things I could wave off as coincidences. But now, Alex was struggling. He was irritable, restless, and unable to sit still for long periods. His emotions ran hot, shifting from calm to frustration in an instant. And the worst part? He didn’t understand why.And neither did I. This wasn't typical. This wasn't how it was supposed to be. I thought I'd have more time.I had no idea how to help him. I had no one to talk to. Alexia came in. “Mom, have you seen my pink ribbon?”“Have you checked your backpack sweetie?” “You're right Mommy. Lemme go check now.” She said with a grin before running out. Alex walked in right behind her.“Hey, sweetie. How are we doing today?” I pulled him to me and rubbed his arms in concern.“Mom, I don’t feel right.”That’s what he had told me just this morning, eyes wide with confusion, voice so small it made my heart ache. I felt my heart break. And I had done the only thing I
SOPHIA’S POVThe piece of paper lay on the kitchen counter, its old edges curling slightly, almost as if it had been waiting for me to pick it up again. I traced a finger over the handwritten words, my mind running in circles.Could this really help Alex?I had spent the last few days debating whether to try it. The idea of trusting something left behind by a stranger – even one who seemed to know far too much – should have set off alarms in my head. And yet, every time I looked at Alex, at the way he struggled with something he didn't even understand, I knew I had to do something.I didn't even stop to consider who exactly she was – friend or foe? Werewolf or not. If there's anything I've learned in all my years of living here, it is that things were not always as they seemed. People were not always as they seemed. I mean, take a look at me. Masquerading as a human all these years. Trying to find a way for my son, who looks human enough, a remedy to help with this.I could go on all
SOPHIA’S POVAlex's ragged breathing filled the apartment, each shallow inhale like a blade to my chest, hacking away at my heart. His small frame was curled on the couch, with blankets piled over him, but he still shivered. His skin was pale, slick with sweat, and the dark circles under his eyes had deepened.The remedy was supposed to help. Instead, it had made things worse.I ran my fingers through his damp curls, my heart squeezing as he stirred restlessly.“Mom…” His voice was weak, barely above a whisper."I'm here, baby,” I murmured, brushing his cheek. “I'm right here.”But I wasn't enough.I pressed my lips together, trying to suppress the wave of frustration and fear threatening to drown me. I had done everything right – followed the instructions exactly. So why was my son suffering more than before?There was only one person who might have the answers.Elara.But she was nowhere to be found.I had spent the last few days calling in favors, digging through old contacts, and
SOPHIA'S POVElara stood in my doorway, the morning light catching in her silver-streaked hair, her piercing gaze locking onto mine. There was something unreadable in her eyes, something weighty – like she already knew the depths of my desperation.I swallowed hard. “I need your help.”Elara’s gaze flickered past me, her face betraying nothing. “I know.” She said simply. “Let me in.”I stepped aside, my heart pounding as she crossed the threshold. She moved with quiet confidence, her presence filling the space in a way that was both grounding and unnerving.She took one look at Alex and let out a slow breath."Tell me everything.” She murmured, kneeling beside him.I didn't hesitate. “I followed the instructions exactly. The herbs, the remedy – I did everything right.” My voice cracked. “And it worked. For a little while. But then he got worse. Worse than before.”Elara pressed the back of her hand to Alex's forehead. His fever had climbed again overnight, his breathing shallow, his s
NATHAN'S POVThe moment I returned, I could feel it. The shift in the air.The crowd had gathered near the ruins of my home, their eyes on me the second I stepped into their sights. But this wasn’t the usual respect, the unwavering loyalty I had once commanded. This was hesitation, doubt.And resentment.Whispers spread through the pack, a quiet murmur of voices laced with frustration and disbelief. I heard bits and pieces – enough to know what they were saying."He let them go?""How could he spare her?""What kind of Alpha does that?"I could see it in their eyes – the ones who had once stood at my side, wolves I had fought for, bled for. Some still believed in me, but others? They wanted blood. They wanted a leader who would avenge, not restrain.Theon stood by my side, his expression dark as he scanned the gathered wolves. He had known this would happen. We both had.But knowing didn’t make it easier.The silence stretched, suffocating. Then, a voice cut through it."Alpha.” An ol
NATHAN'S POVThe next morning came all too quickly. Sleep had eluded me, like a partner hell-bent on being away from me. I'd spent the night roaming my pack, the one place I'd considered my only home, but now seemed like the farthest thing from it. But I couldn't just bring myself to leave. This was where I'd had the best memories with Sophia, where the good times still shone.But now perhaps, the bad times were starting to outshine the good here. Is this not a sign? That I should find somewhere new?I sighed, almost wishing for the days when the Luna goddess appeared to guide me. But I also knew that if I were to see her now, it would not be without danger following behind. I didn't realize it until I was there, but I was back at the edge of the territory, where Malachi had stabbed me. And had survived. My smile was melancholic when it crossed my face. In many ways, that was the cannon event for everything. “No Nathan. This all started when you banished our love. Our mate.” My wo
SOPHIA'S POV The moment the bond snapped taut, I gasped, my breath catching in my throat. It was like a thread pulled too tight – painful, urgent, undeniable. The kitchen blurred, the dim glow of the light overhead fading into the background as something else took hold. A presence. Strong. Familiar. Nathan. My knees buckled, and I gripped the counter, my fingers digging into the cool surface as the bond flared to life with a force I hadn’t expected. It pulsed, thrumming like a second heartbeat, and I knew – he heard me. He was listening. The connection flowed through me, raw and overwhelming. But just as quickly as it surged, the exhaustion followed. A crushing weight pressed down on me, the sheer force of it nearly suffocating. Elara had left the room, and I had no idea where she was. I had no idea how long it had taken me to reach him. I had no idea. Period. Would he come? I wasn’t sure I had the right to ask for him. Not after everything. Not after I had pushed him away, r
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