NATHAN'S POVMy path to Elder Jesper’s home was one that was cut off from the main road, so the chances of me running into other wolves were not one that was high.In my current situation, I do not think I was capable, or rather, willing to carry on mundane conversations. And, if I was being honest, it was also partly to reduce the chances of running into Victoria. Because goddess knew what I would do if I did right now.In my confusion and turmoil, the one thing that made sense was to continue the conversation I had been having with the Elder before I had to go rescue Victoria. Just another thing that has been a lie. I had put my life on hold, and all for what? For all the lies to be revealed. For my perspective to take a dive, as now I didn't even know what to trust.Nothing made sense.But perhaps, this would.The path, a ribbon of faded brown earth, snaked through the emerald tapestry of the forest. Sunlight, although fading, filtered through the dense canopy of leaves, and dapple
NATHAN'S POVIt was all falling apart.My brain heard the words Theon said, but my mind refused to compute them. No, that's impossible. He'll be fine.Those words were on repeat as I ran to his place. “Alpha. I'm on my way there now. There should be two guards stationed there.”“No need. I'm heading there myself.”There's no way something would happen to Elder Jesper. He had been there all my life. He would be fine.The path that led me to his home narrowed down once more, and I found myself at the entrance to his home.The sight that greeted me made my blood run cold. The cabin, once a haven of peace nestled amongst the ancient oaks, was a scene of chaos. Furniture lay overturned, personal belongings scattered like fallen leaves. A half-finished carving, a testament to countless hours of patient labor, lay shattered on the floor, its intricate details now a grotesque parody of their former beauty.This wasn't just a burglary; it was a violation, a desecration of all that was sacred t
NATHAN'S POVThe implication of his words was one that did not fly over my head. I was still reeling from what he said when he let me know there was still more.“There's a piece of inscription on the ground close to the door in the living room. Bring it in. I fear I have some more bad news.”What else could there possibly be?!Leaving the room, I felt the same push against me that I had felt entering the room, and I realized I still didn't know why I could enter and wasn't affected. It was like Elder Jesper could tell the question in my mind because he answered it. “I'll explain it when you get back.”I nodded to indicate that I heard him and continued on my way into the living room. It was still the same mess I had left it entering, and the guards still were not back. Just how long would it take them to find what he wanted?In the mess, it was hard to tell what was what. I ended up with random pieces of wood more times than I could count. But I found what I was looking for sooner, ra
NATHAN'S POVThe words sounded hoarse coming from my throat. They were a truth I had always known, one that it had taken a betrayal to be wrenched from the depths of my soul. I lowered my head, my hair strands pulled away from my face in a hard grip. Saying the words out to another person made it even more real, the words projecting into reality, as they always should have been.My mate had been innocent, and I banished her.Elder Jesper laid a hand on my shoulder. “You did all you could. It wasn't in any way your fault, Nathan. You have to believe that.”Hearing those words made me regret my actions even more. It made it worse that I had lived with myself despite all that. It would have been better to receive judgment from him than to receive this understanding, the feeling of unwavering support I felt from him.“I let her down, Elder. When she needed me the most, I let her down. I don't deserve her. I never did.” My voice broke, tears threatening to break through. I cleared my throa
NATHAN'S POVThey were words that had stayed with me my entire life. I guess I had lost sight of them in light of recent events, but they were words I had vowed to live by regardless. And hearing Elder Jesper say something similar really struck a chord within me.“Yeah. Thanks, Elder Jesper. I needed to hear that.” I really did.“Anytime, Nathan.” He squeezed my shoulders reassuringly, then sat back. “So now, what else happened?”I narrated how Malachi had been involved and how he had never actually slept with her. I explained how it had all just been a plot for Victoria to mate with me and be the Luna of this pack.“Wait. So she found her mate and rejected him because of you?”I nodded in answer, then verbally affirmed too. “Yes. Or so she says. I don't know how true it is or if I want to believe it.”“I understand what you're getting at. She's broken your trust.”“Beyond repair. And not only that, but her mate could also be out there, rejected and thinking it's all my fault. When I
NATHAN'S POVHe stared at me, trying to assess my level of commitment to this. I faced him head-on, letting him know that I'm ready for whatever challenge is thrown my way.He nodded, like he found something he was looking for. “Good. Because Malachi is not going to let you have it that easily. He's going to be back. This is not the last we've seen of him.”“I'm afraid so.” My voice was grave as the possible ways of retaliation from Malachi ran through my head. I knew what he did to Elder Jesper was just one of them.“And you may have gained enemies from this tactic of yours. Like I said earlier, people from both sides are not going to like this. You're telling them to set aside a rivalry almost as old as the packs themselves to work together. There will be bloodshed. Are you prepared for that?”“I don't have a choice. Leaving the pack without a leader and without ties to a strong pack is basically setting them up for failure and up for grabs to whoever finds them vulnerable first. An
NATHAN'S POVElder Jesper’s words snapped me out of my own head. “What did you say?”“Nathan. Let me ask you this. What's stopping you from going to meet her?”“Who? Sophia?” I inquired, the confusion apparent. He only nodded, not giving me a verbal response.“Well, that's because…” I paused, my words trailing off. What was stopping me?What could I say that would actively justify me not going after her?“Where would I start from?” I finally settled on it.“Where? The world is your stepping stone. Begin your journey there. No journey ever began without that first step. And the first step cannot be taken without you making that decision.”“So what are you saying?”“I'm saying, Nathan, that you need to do whatever you can to get Sophia back.”Get her back?The thought seemed almost incomprehensible as it swirled around in my head. Get my mate back?“There is a chance?” I asked, the question coming on in a breath.He nodded. “Although slow, the chance does exist. Listen to me, Nathan. Lo
SOPHIA'S POVThe rain was coming down in sheets, a relentless torrent that had transformed the usually vibrant backyard into a muddy swamp. The rainbow that had been there earlier had disappeared beneath the dark clouds. Inside, the twins, Alex and Alexia, were bouncing off the walls, their energy levels threatening to shatter the windows."Mom," Alex whined, "We're bored!”"I know, darlings." I sighed, peering out the window at the dismal weather. "But it's pouring outside. We can't go anywhere."Alexia, ever the dramatic one, flopped onto the sofa with a theatrical groan. "This is the worst day ever!"After having pancakes for breakfast, I knew having any other thing with too much sugar would be abysmal for the kids, hyping up their energy levels, but I was counting on their werewolf metabolism to solve the problem.I smiled. "Well, let's make it a little less bad." I rummaged through the pantry, pulling out a large bag of flour and a bowl. "How about we bake some cookies?"The twin
MALACHI’S POV The night was thick with shadows, but I was no stranger to darkness. I was, in fact, its most loyal companion. It embraced me, welcomed me, as it had since the day I was driven from the pack, from everything I once had. And now, from my place just outside Sophia’s house, I could feel the tension tightening around me, wrapping like a knot. I stayed hidden, cloaked in the deep darkness of the alleyway, the dim glow of the porch lights casting long, skeletal shadows across the yard. The sound of the wind moved through the trees, but my attention never moved from the house. The world beyond was irrelevant. Unimportant. All that mattered now was her. Sophia. I couldn’t stop myself from watching her, even if every part of me screamed that I should’ve been closer, taking what was rightfully mine. Sophia, with her delicate beauty, the curve of her neck, the soft flicker of light catching the strands of her dark hair. She was standing in the doorway, her expression a mixt
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