NATHAN'S POVSophia’s words still lingered in my mind as I stepped out of my office, the cool evening air wrapping around me.“Thank you, Nathan.”She had said it softly, with sincerity, but also with hesitation, as if she wasn’t sure how much gratitude she wanted to offer me. As if she was still keeping a wall between us.I understood.She had every right to be cautious. I had made mistakes. But I wasn’t the same man I was when I had let her walk away.Now, I was here. And I wasn’t going anywhere.I checked my phone, scrolling through the messages Theon had sent. The pack was restless. Some still questioned my leadership, especially after my decision to show mercy to Victoria and her father. I had anticipated the backlash, but it was clear that my absence was adding fuel to their doubts.Still, my priorities were set.Sophia. Alex. Alexia.They came first.I turned onto the sidewalk, moving through the streets of New York with a purpose. The city was alive, the sounds of distant traf
SOPHIA'S POVThe kitchen was chaos personified.Cake batter smudged my cheek, frosting covered my fingers, and the sweet scent of vanilla and chocolate filled the air. The twins’ birthday was supposed to be a joyful, carefree day, but with the competition looming over me like a highly upset storm cloud, it was hard to not focus on the stress completely.I had spent the past week obsessing over menu plans, supplier issues, and last minute adjustments. I did not want to be caught lacking. But today, none of that mattered. Today was about Alex and Alexia. I owed them this.Kate nudged me with her elbow as she carefully arranged cupcakes on a tray. “You look like you’re planning world domination, not a birthday party.”I huffed out a laugh. “Same thing. I should write a book titled, ‘How to successfully plan world domination’ don't you think?”She smirked. “Slow your roll soldier. You sure inviting both of them is a good idea?”I stiffened. “They’ll deal with it.”Kate gave me a knowing l
SOPHIA'S POVAs the speeches ended and the twins basked in the love everyone was showering them with, I took a moment to breathe. The party had gone smoother than I expected, despite the clear and obvious tension between Nathan and Lucas. But I knew that was only because they’d been kept busy with the kids and giving them gifts.Now, with the formalities over, I had work to do.I glanced over at Maria and Frank, who stood near the drink table, deep in conversation. Well, that was a good start. Frank was laughing at something Maria said, and she had that intrigued glint in her eyes. Still, I wasn’t about to leave things to chance.Grabbing a fresh plate of food, I made my way toward them, wearing my best innocent smile. “Hey, you two. Enjoying yourselves?”Frank wiped his hands on a napkin. “Your food is top notch, as always, Sophia.”Maria smirked. “Yeah, yeah, don’t think flattery will get you more free meals.”I laughed and casually glanced around. “You know, since you two are alre
SOPHIA'S POVThe venue was nothing short of stunning.Polished marble floors, chandeliers casting a warm glow, and sleek stainless steel workstations lined up neatly. The air buzzed with quiet anticipation as chefs prepped their stations, checking their ingredients and supplies. I could tell the air in the room was charged with energy the minute I stepped in.Goddamn. Even my wolf was impressed, from where she watched.I adjusted the strap of my apron, taking in the space. This competition wasn’t televised, but that didn’t make it any less intense. Winning meant prestige, respect, and proving that I belonged among the best.And across the room, Emelia stood with that same smirk I’d seen a dozen times before.Maria, standing beside me, let out a low whistle. “Damn. They really went all out. Makes our kitchen look like a food truck.”I shot her a look. “‘Our’ kitchen is just fine.”“Yeah, yeah.” She said, waving a hand. “You ready?”I nodded, rolling my shoulders. “As I’ll ever be.”The
SOPHIA'S POVLaughter filled the air, warm and bright, wrapping around me like an old but comfortable blanket.The restaurant had been transformed in record time – streamers hung from the ceiling, fairy lights twinkled like stars, and the long communal table was packed with friends, drinks, and enough food to feed a small army. Someone had even put on music, something upbeat and festive, and the energy in the room crackled with celebration.Maria, of course, had gone overboard.“To our very own Master Chef!” She shouted, raising her glass dramatically, her voice carrying over the noise. “I mean, technically that’s not the title, but we all know who the real winner is!”A chorus of cheers went up, followed by a loud whoop from Grace, who sat at the head of the table, looking entirely too pleased. “Damn right! She owned that competition! I nearly punched the screen when that Emelia chick started whining about a rematch. And that's saying something because I'm all about controlling your
LUCAS' POVI exhaled sharply as the jet touched down, the soft hum of the landing doing little to soothe the irritation clawing at my nerves and seeping up my bones. Seventy-two hours. That’s how long I’d spent in Canada, buried in negotiations that refused to go my way. Every time I thought the deal was closing, something else got in the way – legal hurdles, financial concerns, last-minute hesitations from the other side. Just a bunch of jargon.The delay was supposed to be minor – just a few signatures, a handshake, and I’d be on the next flight home. Instead, I found myself trapped in a boardroom in Vancouver, staring down a table full of indecisive executives who suddenly couldn’t agree on anything.“This isn’t what we discussed.” I said, barely keeping my frustration in check. “We agreed on the terms weeks ago.”One of the older men, Dawson, adjusted his glasses and gave me a condescending smile. “Yes, but given the recent market shifts, we need to reevaluate the risk factors.”M
NATHAN'S POVThe night air was crisp, carrying the scent of damp earth and New York, mingling with the lingering aromas of the celebration. Laughter and warmth had filled Sophia’s home for hours, wrapping around everyone like a familiar embrace of friendship. But now, as I led her away from the house, away from the others, the world seemed quieter. More intimate.She didn’t resist.That in itself said everything.Sophia walked beside me, her steps measured but unhurried, her hand still warm from where I had taken it in mine. I had expected her to pull away, to hesitate, to remind me that things weren’t the way they used to be. But she hadn’t. And so I held on, just enough to let her know I was here, that I wasn’t letting go. Not tonight.Not ever.I glanced at her from the corner of my eye. She was beautiful like this – lit only by the moon, the glow of distant lanterns softening her features. There was something in her expression I couldn’t quite place, something between nostalgia a
VICTORIA’S POVBanishment was supposed to be a punishment. A lesson. A fate worse than death.But for me, it had been a gift.I thrived in the shadows.The pack had cast me out, turned their backs on me, left me to rot in exile – but I was not broken. If anything, I was stronger. Smarter. More patient. I had learned the art of waiting, of watching, of planting whispers in the right ears.And now, the time was near.I stood at the edge of the clearing, concealed by the thick canopy of the trees. The cold wind carried the scent of home – the home that had been stolen from me. The pack had changed since my exile. There were cracks in their unity, doubts growing beneath the surface. Nathan’s leadership had wavered. His own people questioned him, and all because of her.Sophia.The name alone made my wolf bristle inside me."He still went back to her." My wolf’s voice slithered into my mind, her tone low and sharp.I clenched my fists. “Yes. Like a fool.”Nathan should have moved on by now
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