Chapter 7

Sophia

I groaned as I stirred awake, my head pounding like a drum. My body felt unusually warm, wrapped in the softness of a bed that definitely wasn’t mine. Something wasn’t right.

My eyes fluttered open, and the moment I took in my surroundings, panic gripped me. The room was huge with high ceilings, dark wooden furniture, a fireplace still burning faintly. The rich scent of pine and something undeniably masculine filled the air.

This wasn’t my room.

I bolted upright, my heart racing. The movement made my head spin, but that was nothing compared to the terror that shot through me when I turned and saw him.

A man.

Sleeping beside me.

I clamped a hand over my mouth to muffle the gasp threatening to escape. Who—? Then it hit me. The ballroom. The drinking. The staring.

The tall guy.

The mysterious, ridiculously handsome guy from last night.

I stared at him, my pulse wild. He looked so different in sleepl,less intimidating, his sharp features relaxed, dark hair tousled against the pillow. But that didn’t change the fact that I was in a stranger’s bed.

What the hell happened?!

I quickly peeked under the covers, relieved to find my dress still on. That was… good. But why was I here? Why was he here?

I needed to get out. Now.

But before I could even move, he shifted, inhaling deeply before his golden eyes cracked open. Sleepy yet piercing, they locked onto mine instantly.

I froze.

For a second, neither of us spoke. My heart pounded so hard I was sure he could hear it. Then, to my utter disbelief, his lips curled into a slow, knowing smirk.

"Good morning to you too, trouble."

The moment his smirk appeared, I knew I had to get out of there. My heart was still racing, my mind scrambling for an explanation,for anything but I didn’t wait around for answers.

“I—I need to go,” I stammered, throwing off the blankets and swinging my legs over the bed. My bare feet touched the cold floor, sending a shiver up my spine. I didn’t dare look back at him.

“Where exactly do you think you’re going?” his voice was deep, still laced with sleep, but there was something almost amused in it.

I ignored him, scanning the room. Where are my shoes? My dress was wrinkled but still on me, which was a relief, but I had no idea how I ended up here in the first place. I needed to leave before things got even weirder.

I spotted my shoes near a chair and hurried toward them. He sighed behind me. “Trouble…”

But I didn’t wait. I shoved my feet into the shoes, grabbed the door handle, and yanked it open. To my surprise, the hallway was empty. Perfect.

I slipped out, quietly shutting the door behind me. My heart pounded in my chest as I moved quickly down the dimly lit corridors. The palace or whatever this place was,was huge, and I had no idea where I was going, but I didn’t stop. I couldn’t.

Guards stood at various posts, but they didn’t seem to be looking for me. They don’t know I’m trying to leave. That worked in my favor. Keeping my head down, I moved swiftly, my mind focused on one thing,getting home.

After what felt like forever, I found an open balcony overlooking the courtyard. A few carriages were stationed below, horses shifting in place. If I could just get out of the building, I could figure something out from there.

Taking a deep breath, I slipped through a side staircase, avoiding any patrols. I had no idea if he had already realized I was gone, but I didn’t plan to wait and find out.

I made it to the courtyard undetected, my pulse hammering. The main gates were guarded, but I spotted a narrow path leading toward the forest. That’s my way out.

Without hesitation, I ran.

I didn’t stop until the towering trees of the woods surrounded me, shielding me from view. Only then did I take a shaky breath.

I had done it. I had escaped.

Now, I just had to get back to my pack before anyone noticed I was missing.

The cold night air bit at my skin as I ran through the dense forest, my breath coming in ragged gasps. My dress, already wrinkled from last night’s mess, snagged on low-hanging branches, but I didn’t stop. I couldn’t.

I had no idea how far his palace was from my pack, but I knew one thingl,I had to get home before anyone noticed I was gone. Before he came looking for me.

The moon hung high in the sky, lighting my path as I navigated through the trees. The forest was eerily quiet, the usual howls and rustling replaced by an unsettling stillness. My heart pounded harder, but I forced myself to focus.

After what felt like hours, exhaustion began creeping in. My legs ached, my throat was dry, and the weight of the night’s events pressed down on me. Just when I thought I might collapse, the scent of familiar wolves hit my nose.

Home.

Relief surged through me as I stumbled forward, breaking through the last of the trees. The sight of the Moonshadow Pack’s gates came into view, the towering wooden structure standing strong against the night.

A pair of guards stood at the entrance, their expressions shifting from boredom to shock the moment they saw me.

"Lady Sophia?" One of them stepped forward, eyes wide. "Where have you been?"

I opened my mouth to answer, but nothing came out. I was too exhausted, too overwhelmed.

The second guard hesitated before turning toward the pack house. "I’ll inform the Alpha!"

Panic shot through me. My father. What was I supposed to tell him?

Before I could think of an excuse, the heavy doors of the pack house swung open, and a familiar figure stepped out.

My stepmother.

Her eyes narrowed the moment she saw me, lips curling into a knowing smirk. "Well, well. Look who finally decided to return."

I swallowed hard, knowing I was about to face far more trouble than just a missing night.