Chapter 6 - Sophie

The bathroom mirror reflected Evie and me standing side by side, and for a moment, I couldn’t help but marvel at how surreal everything felt. My soft pink lace dress hugged my figure, the delicate floral appliqués shimmering faintly under the warm bathroom light. The fitted bodice gave way to a flowing A-line skirt, and the soft curls of my hair framed my face, half pinned up at Evie’s suggestion. It was rare that I felt this beautiful, but tonight wasn’t just any night—it was Valentine’s Day, and for the first time, I had someone to share it with.

Evie adjusted the sweetheart neckline of her lavender mermaid gown, and I turned to watch her. The dress hugged her figure like it was made just for her, the appliquéd beads catching the light with every slight movement. Her brown curls cascaded over her shoulders, soft waves framing her glowing amber eyes. She caught me staring and smirked, her cheeks flushing faintly. “You’re staring again, you know.”

“Can you blame me?” I teased, stepping closer. “You look breathtaking.”

Her smirk softened into a tender smile. “You’re the one who’s breathtaking,” she said, brushing a loose curl from my cheek. Her touch lingered, and for a moment, the bond between us pulsed faintly, a quiet hum in the back of my mind. It was a comforting presence, grounding me in the reality that this wasn’t just a dream. We were here, together, and everything was real.

“If you keep looking at me like that, we’re going to miss the party,” she teased, her voice warm with affection.

“Maybe that wouldn’t be so bad,” I replied, half-joking. But I knew we couldn’t skip this. Tonight wasn’t just about us; it was a celebration of our bond, our first public step into the life we were building together.

Evie chuckled, lacing her fingers with mine. “Come on, let’s go make some memories.”

The drive to Argyris’s Castle was serene, the snow-dusted evergreens lining the road glowing faintly under the moonlight. Evie’s hand rested on my thigh as she drove, her thumb brushing absentmindedly over the fabric of my dress. The warmth of her touch eased the nervous fluttering in my stomach. I turned to look at her, marveling at how effortlessly beautiful she was, even in the faint light of the dashboard.

“You okay?” she asked, glancing at me briefly.

“Just taking it all in,” I replied. “A week ago, I was planning to come to this gathering alone. Now, I’m here with you, and it feels… unreal.”

“In a good way, I hope?” she said, her lips curving into a small smile.

“In the best way,” I said, lacing my fingers with hers.

When the castle came into view, I couldn’t help but gasp. The towering spires rose majestically against the dark sky, their gothic architecture breathtakingly beautiful. Warm golden light spilled from the arched windows, illuminating the snow-dusted turrets and casting a soft glow over the surrounding grounds. It looked like something out of a fairy tale.

Evie parked the car, and we entered the crisp evening air. She wrapped an arm around my waist, pulling me close as we made our way to the grand entrance. The warmth of her body against mine was a comfort against the chill, and I leaned into her, savoring the moment.

Inside, the ballroom was a masterpiece of romance and elegance. Crystal chandeliers hung high above, their light refracting off the polished marble floors and casting shimmering patterns across the room. Rich red and gold drapes adorned the walls, and towering arrangements of roses and baby’s breath filled the space with their delicate fragrance. Strings of fairy lights wove through the decor, creating an ambiance that was both intimate and grand. An orchestra played a soft waltz in the corner, their music weaving seamlessly into the hum of conversation and laughter.

Evie and I paused just inside the entrance, taking it all in. “They went all out,” she murmured, her voice tinged with awe.

“It’s incredible,” I agreed, my gaze sweeping over the elegantly dressed couples swaying on the dance floor. “I almost feel like I’m dreaming.”

“You’re not,” she said, her amber eyes soft as they met mine. “This is real, and we’re here together.”

We moved further into the room, and I quickly became aware of the curious glances and hushed whispers that followed us. Eyes flicked to the faint marks on our necks, the Rock family crest unmistakable. I caught snippets of murmured conversations, but Evie seemed unbothered, her hand steady in mine. Her confidence grounded me, and I straightened my posture, determined to follow her lead.

It didn’t take long for us to be approached by a group of her friends. Gavin, a tall, dark-haired wolf with an easy grin, was the first to speak. “Evie! You didn’t tell us you were bringing a mate tonight.”

Evie laughed, her expression warm. “It’s a recent development,” she said, glancing at me shyly. “Everyone, this is Sophie.”

They greeted me warmly, offering congratulations and teasing remarks about Evie keeping it a secret. It was clear they cared deeply for her, and their acceptance of me only made the evening more special.

After mingling, we went to the head table, where Silverclaw’s leadership sat. Alpha Kurt Adler stood as we approached, his sharp features softening with a welcoming smile. “Evie Rock,” he said warmly. “It’s good to see you again. And congratulations on finding your mate.”

“Thank you, Alpha Kurt,” Evie replied, her tone respectful yet familiar. “It’s an honor to be here.”

Luna Isis, her dark hair streaked with blonde framing her striking blue eyes, smiled warmly. “Welcome, Sophie,” she said. “You both look radiant. The bond suits you.”

Beta Collin Kearney and his mate Mary joined the conversation as we exchanged pleasantries. Collin’s voice easily over the noise of the room. “Evie, it’s been too long. How’s Rohan? I still remember the trouble he and Tanner used to get into.”

Evie grinned. “He’s doing great. Still causing trouble, but now it’s usually with his twin daughters.”

Tanner Alston, the Gamma, laughed at that, his surfer-like demeanor putting me at ease. “Rohan always did have a knack for chaos. Glad to see some things don’t change.”

Their easy camaraderie made it clear that Evie’s family history with Silverclaw’s leadership ran deep, and I felt a surge of gratitude for the warm reception.

When we finally stepped onto the dance floor, the orchestra began a soft waltz. Evie turned to me, her amber eyes glowing. “May I have this dance?”

I smiled, slipping my hand into hers. “You may.”

She led me effortlessly, her hand resting on my waist as we moved in perfect harmony. The world around us seemed to fade, leaving only the music and the gentle rhythm of our steps. Her touch was steady and sure, and how she looked at me made my heart flutter. I became acutely aware of the bond between us, the way it pulsed gently in the back of my mind like a comforting melody. It was exhilarating and grounding, a reminder that we were no longer just individuals—we were partners, bound by fate.

The rest of the evening passed in a blur of laughter, dancing, and shared moments of quiet intimacy. After the orchestra’s final song, my phone buzzed. Evie glanced at the screen and said softly, “It’s your parents.”

I stiffened. “I knew this would happen eventually.”

“You don’t have to do this,” she said, her eyes full of concern.

“No, they need to know.”

Evie held the phone up as I pressed the answer button, and my mother’s smiling face filled the screen. “Sophie, ma chérie!” she exclaimed, her warm tone immediately making my chest tighten with apprehension. “You look beautiful!”

“Bonsoir, Maman,” I replied, my voice steady. “Papa is there too?”

My father leaned into the frame, his expression filled with pride. “Of course. How is the gathering? Have you seen anyone you know?”

“It’s been wonderful,” I said, glancing briefly at Evie before continuing. “And… there’s something I want to share with you both.”

I tilted the phone slightly to reveal the faint mark on my neck, the Rock family crest unmistakable. My mother gasped, her eyes lighting up with excitement. “You found your mate!” she cried. “Oh, Sophie, that’s wonderful!”

My father’s smile widened. “Who is it? When can we meet him?”

With a deep breath, I shifted the phone further to show Evie sitting beside me. “This is Evie Rock. She’s my mate.”

The joy on their faces faltered instantly, replaced by confusion and unease. My mother’s brows furrowed, and my father’s smile froze. “Evie is… a woman?” my mother asked, her tone cautious.

“Yes,” I said firmly. “She’s my mate.”

The silence that followed was deafening. My father’s expression darkened, his jaw tightening. “Sophie, this isn’t… natural. Same-sex matings… they aren’t what the Moon Goddess intended.”

Evie stiffened beside me, her amber eyes narrowing. Before I could respond, she leaned forward, her voice sharp and clear. “With all due respect, you don’t get to decide what the Moon Goddess intended. Sophie and I are fated mates, and nothing you say will change that.”

“Evie,” my mother began, her voice trembling, “it’s not that we don’t love Sophie, but—”

“But what?” Evie interrupted, her tone laced with quiet fury. “But you’re uncomfortable? But you don’t approve? Let me tell you something: your discomfort doesn’t matter. What matters is that Sophie is happy and she is loved. If you can’t support her, then that’s your failure as parents, not hers.”

“Watch your tone,” my father said, his voice cold. “We have a right to be concerned.”

“Concerned about what?” Evie shot back. “That your daughter found someone who loves her unconditionally? That she has a partner who will stand by her no matter what? If your concern is that Sophie’s happiness doesn’t align with your outdated beliefs, then you need to reevaluate what being a parent means.”

Tears pricked my eyes as I listened to Evie defend me, her voice unwavering. My mother looked away, her expression a mix of guilt and discomfort. My father opened his mouth to argue, but Evie held up a hand. “I’m not finished. Sophie deserves love and support, not judgment. She has a family and a pack who accept her for who she is. If you can’t do the same, then that’s your loss, not hers.”

The silence that followed was heavy, and my parents exchanged tense glances. Finally, my mother spoke, her voice barely above a whisper. “We need time to process this.”

Evie nodded, her expression firm. “Take all the time you need. But know this: Sophie and I are happy, and we don’t need your approval to live our lives.”

She ended the call before they could respond, setting the phone down with a shaky breath. Then she turned to me, her expression softening. “Are you okay?”

I nodded, though my chest felt tight. “Thank you,” I whispered. “For standing up for me.”

She pulled me into her arms, holding me tightly. “Always,” she murmured. “You’ll never have to face them alone again.”

The tears I’d been holding back finally spilled over, and I buried my face in her shoulder. For a long moment, we stayed like that, the weight of the evening pressing down on us. But as her arms tightened around me, the bond between us humming softly in the back of my mind, I felt a flicker of hope.

“Let’s go home,” she said gently, brushing a tear from my cheek.

The drive back to Mount Hood was quiet, the tension from the call slowly giving way to a comforting sense of peace. By the time we stepped into her apartment, the world outside felt far away. Evie wrapped me in a blanket and pulled me onto the sofa, kissing my temple. “Happy Valentine’s Day, Sophie,” she murmured.

“Happy Valentine’s Day,” I replied, my voice steady now. Despite everything, I knew one thing for certain: I had found my forever in her, and nothing could take that away from us.

As we curled up together, the bond between us pulsing gently, I realized that our future in Bloodmoon would be one of boundless love. Surrounded by those who supported us, we would build a life filled with joy, strength, and the unshakable certainty that we were exactly where we were meant to be.