Chapter 8

Sophia's pov

My heart pounded as I stood before my stepmother, Evenly, whose smirk sent a cold shiver down my spine. The guards watched in tense silence, their hands twitching at their sides as if they sensed something was off. The night air carried a strange stillness, the usual sounds of the pack grounds eerily absent.

"I-" I started, my throat dry, but Evenly lifted a hand, silencing me.

"You've been gone all night." Her voice was smooth, almost amused, but her emerald eyes gleamed with something darker. "Tell me, dear Sophia, where have you been?"

I swallowed hard. I couldn't tell her the truth. I barely understood it myself. The tall guy.His palace. The strange pull I felt toward him. The way I had woken up beside him and run.

"I... got lost," I lied, forcing myself to hold her gaze.

Evelyne chuckled softly, stepping closer, her gown whispering against the stone pathway. "Lost?" she echoed, tilting her head. "How unfortunate."

There was something unnatural about the way she looked at me,like she knew I was lying. Like she knew exactly where I had been.

I took a step back, suddenly feeling trapped, but before I could move further, a new voice cut through the tension.

"Enough."

I turned to see my father.

Alpha Rhydor emerged from the packhouse, his face lined with exhaustion, his usually strong presence dulled. His gray eyes landed on me, and for the briefest moment, I saw something flicker in them,relief? Worry?

But then it was gone, replaced by the same weary resignation he always carried when Evenly was near.

"Sophia," he said, his voice low. "Come inside. Now."

I hesitated, but something about the way he looked at me,something desperate, almost pleading made me obey. I took a step forward, but as I passed Evenly, she leaned in ever so slightly, her breath brushing against my ear.

"You think you escaped from my wrath," she whispered, her voice so soft that only I could hear. "Your punishment is waiting for you."

A cold shiver crawled down my spine.

I whipped around to face her, but she was already walking away, her expression unreadable.

I didn't know what terrified me more,her words or the sinking feeling in my gut that they were true.

My pulse thundered in my ears as I followed my father into the packhouse. The heavy doors shut behind us with a dull thud, sealing me away from the cold night and from Evenly's piercing gaze.

Father walked ahead, his shoulders tense, his posture stiff. I could feel the weight of his silence, the unspoken words thick between us. Finally, as we reached the dimly lit hall, he stopped and turned to me.

"Where were you?" His voice was quieter than Evelyne's had been, but no less demanding.

My hands clenched at my sides. Lying to Evenly had been easy, almost instinctive. But lying to him? It felt wrong.

"I-" I hesitated. "I can't explain."

Father sighed, running a tired hand through his graying hair. "Sophia..." He hesitated, then lowered his voice. "Do you have any idea what you've done?"

A chill ran through me. He didn't sound angry,he sounded afraid.

"I didn't do anything," I whispered. "I just-" I stopped myself. Saying I had woken up in a stranger's palace sounded insane, even to me. But the way Father was looking at me made me wonder if he already knew.

He exhaled sharply, rubbing his temples. "Did you find your mate?"

My breath caught. "What?"

"Your mate," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. " I heard you went to the annual mating ball."

I lower my gaze, my fingers tighten around the fabric of my dress. Taking a quiet breath, she shook her head.

"No, Father," I said softly. "My mate wasn't there."

I glance up, searching his face for disappointment, but all I saw was something deeper,something unreadable.

"Maybe... maybe he isn't in the pack," I added, trying to keep my voice steady. "Or maybe I just wasn't meant to find him yet."

My stepmother and stepsister's laughter rang from across the room, a cruel reminder to know my place. How will a wolfless bitch go to a mating ball, isn't that hilarious, Sylvia said bursting into another round of laughter. I straighten my spine, refusing to let their presence weaken me.

"I'll be fine," she said, more to herself than to her father. "I always am."

Rhydor looked at Evenly before his gaze locked onto mine, sharp and unreadable. I barely had time to brace myself before he spoke.

"Sophia," he said firmly, crossing his arms, "don't ever sneak out again. If you need to go anywhere, you ask for permission."

I swallowed hard but held my ground. "I just needed some fresh air.."

"No excuses." His voice softened just a little. "You understand me?"

I nodded reluctantly.

"Good," he said. "Now, go in and rest."

I turned to leave, but before I could take a step, Evenly's voice cut through the air like a blade.

"You're not going to punish her for her waywardness?" she demanded, her tone laced with irritation.

Father's jaw tightened. "She's an adult." His words were final, leaving no room for argument.

My stepmother's face twisted for a moment before she exhaled sharply, forcing a smile. "Fine," she muttered. "But I informed her about the mating ball and she told me she is not interested."

I almost scoffed. She hadn't even mentioned it to me before. She just want me to look bad in front of father.

Evenly turn toward her Sylvia,the one she truly cared about. "Come, dear," she said, taking her hand.

As they moved toward the door, I saw it,the sudden shift in her expression. Her smile faltered, her eyes glistening. Then, just as suddenly, she broke down in tears.

I blinked, caught off guard.

"I know you don't regard me as your mother," she sobbed, her voice trembling, " I hope you didn't hurt yourself, I've been meaning to ask you the moment you step foot into the pack. She sobbed faking concern."

My mouth went wide open, closing back on their own for I didn't know what to say.I didn't respond. What was I supposed to say?

Father sighed, rubbing his temple, but he didn't speak either.

Without another word, my stepmother wiped her tears and straightened her shoulders, pulling Sylvia along as they walked out the door.

I did as my father instructed, walking into my room and locking the door behind me. The silence wrapped around me like a heavy cloak, but I pushed the feeling aside.

Taking the small bucket from the bathroom, I turned on the tap, letting the cool water flow. I poured it over myself, shivering at first, but soon, a deep sense of relaxation washed over me. The tension in my muscles eased, the weight of the night slipping away with each drop that trickled down my skin.

Once I was done, I grabbed the only clothes I had,clean but worn, almost in tatters. Evenly has collected all the nice clothes I had, giving them to Sylvia to wear her reason is because I didn't look good in the clothes but her daughter does . I slipped worn, tattered clothes on and climbed onto my bed, sinking into the thin mattress.

My thoughts drifted to the tall, handsome stranger I had met the night before. I didn't even ask for his name. A small sigh left my lips as I replayed the brief encounter in my mind. There was something about him,something that stirred an unfamiliar feeling deep inside me.

Before I could think any further, sleep pulled me under, and I dozed off, lost in dreams of piercing eyes and a presence that still lingered in my thoughts.