Sophia and Mikhail’s story has finally come to an end… but don’t be sad just yet! Because someone else is waiting for you—ready to pull you into his journey. The question is… are you ready to become a part of his story?
AlexeiHer laugh echoes around us, loud and wild and completely unfiltered, and damn if it doesn’t do something to me. Her whole face lights up, cheeks flushed, eyes crinkling, and for a second, the weight she carries just melts off her. That glow on her face... it loosens something in my chest, something tight that I didn’t even know was wound up. My wolf perks up too, proud like we’ve done something right just by getting her to let go.I don’t think I’ve ever heard anything this honest... this pure before.I think maybe Sophia was right. Everything probably just hit Irene all at once. The changes, the new place, the people, the chaos, it’s been a lot. I didn’t see it at first, but it makes sense now, why she suddenly pulled back. I thought I’d messed something up, but no... she just needs time to settle in. To breathe. I’m glad I stopped by Sophia’s before grabbing groceries. I didn’t think asking her for advice would help this much, but it did.Irene needs space to feel safe. And I
IreneThe moment the door clicks shut behind him, my eyes fill with tears. I press my lips together and try to breathe, but my throat feels tight and sore, like I’ve swallowed something sharp. I blink fast, hoping the tears will stop, but the first one slips down my cheek before I can help it. I wipe it away quickly with the back of my hand.I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I’ve been through worse. I’ve held myself together when the world around me was falling apart. But this... being here, away from my family, in this quiet little house... It’s like everything’s finally caught up to me.I sit at the edge of the bed, fingers curling into the blanket. It’s soft and smells like fresh linen and a faint trace of him. And for some reason, that makes the ache inside me worse.This is the first time I’ve felt alone since I accepted Alexei.All this time, I thought I was doing okay. I told myself I was strong enough. That maybe, in some strange way, this was fate trying to make up for the m
AlexeiAs we pull into the driveway, I catch her looking out the window. Her face is calm, but her eyes are moving like she's soaking it all in. She doesn’t ask where we are, not even a whisper. She trusts me, or at least she’s trying to.Normally, the distance from the packhouse to my place can easily be covered on foot, but since Irene's stuff is in the car, I took the car.I cut the engine and glance her way. “Normally, I stay at the packhouse,” I tell her, keeping my voice easy. “But since you’re with me now, I figured you might want a place that’s a little more... I don’t know, peaceful. A place you can have to yourself.”She turns toward me, blinking like she’s not sure how to take that. “Thanks,” she says quietly. “But I don’t wanna be a bother. I can stay wherever you want me to. I am okay with anything.”I shake my head and reach out, laying my hand over hers. “Irene, you’re not a bother. You’re my responsibility now. It is my duty to take care of you.”She doesn’t pull away.
AlexeiAs the car rolls along the familiar road that winds through the woods toward the packhouse, I catch a flicker of warm light up ahead. I lean forward and my eyes land on something that makes me turn to Sophia in the front seat. Anastasia and Jake left earlier in a separate car, while Mikhail, Sophia, I, and Irene are traveling in one car.“Did you know about this?” My voice is quiet, but my brows lift on their own.Sophia grins like a kid caught sneaking cookies. “Beta Alexei is coming home with his girl. What, you think we weren’t gonna celebrate it?” She shoots me a wink before Mikhail turns the car towards the pack ground.Lanterns hang from the trees, swaying gently in the night breeze, their golden glow flickering like fireflies. Someone’s lit little fires in stone pits, and long wooden tables are packed with food, fresh bread, roasted meat, big bowls of fruit and greens, even pies. Music’s playing too, something soft and familiar with a steady beat that feels like home.Ho
AlexeiElder Merope turns to me with a small nod. "Alexei," she says, "raise your hand. Palm up."I do as she says, lifting my hand in front of me. A second later, she gently takes Irene’s hand and places it in mine.Her skin is cool and soft, and right away, something in my chest relaxes. That feeling... that peace, wraps around me again, just like it always does when she’s close.Her hand’s trembling a little. Not much, but enough that I notice. I wrap my fingers around hers, holding her tight, just enough to let her know she’s not alone.I lean closer, just enough so she can hear me. “You are okay,” I whisper. “You don’t have to worry about anything now.”She doesn’t say anything, but she nods just a little, and her grip lightly tightens on mine.Merope signals to someone, and a few seconds later, two young wolves walk forward, carrying a silver tray between them. It’s covered with a light blue cloth that shimmers under the moonlight.When they reach us, Merope steps closer and slow
AlexeiMikhail places his hand on my shoulder, and I turn slightly to look at him. There’s doubt in his gaze.I should feel the same.It should make me wonder if I know her at all.But it doesn’t.I feel the exact opposite.That raw, messy pain in her eyes... it makes me want to hold her closer. Protect her from every damn thing that ever tried to break her. I don’t need her to be perfect. I just need her to be real. And right now, she’s more real than anyone else I know.“Maria, go prepare Irene for the ceremony,” Dexter says, motioning toward the woman with a small nod.Irene lifts her head, almost instinctively. Her eyes scan the space till they land on me. There’s a flicker of something when our eyes meet... relief, maybe. Like for a second, she can breathe again, just knowing I’m still here.I hold her gaze, give her a small nod. Nothing big, nothing dramatic. Just enough to say, I’ve got you.She exhales softly and turns to walk with Maria. A couple of she-wolves wait by the step