NATHAN’S POV I wasn’t sure how I got talked into this. One minute, we were wrapping up in the office, victorious after forcing Richard to back off. The next, I was standing outside Priya’s apartment, a six-pack of beer in one hand, wondering how the hell I ended up agreeing to a team movie night. It was just one night. I could survive that much. I knocked, and within seconds, Priya swung the door open, grinning like she’d just won the lottery. “Nathan. I mean, Mr Bennet. I mean– Boss. You came.” She was clearly surprised to see me here. “Unfortunately,” I muttered, stepping inside. The place was not what I expected. I figured it’d be a half-hearted gathering, maybe some drinks and casual conversation before everyone left early. But no – Priya had gone all in. The living room was set up like an actual movie theater. It was all dimmed lights, a projector screen, and a ridiculous amount of snacks spread across the coffee table. Camille was on the couch, scrolling through her
NATHAN’S POV I took a deep breath.The office smelled like fresh coffee and ambition. It was the kind of energy I liked – focused, efficient, and completely under control.Months ago, this was just a concept. Now, it was a certified company. My company. Even thinking the words filled me with a sense of accomplishment I never thought I would entertain. But I’d be damned if I let anything undermine this.I leaned back in my chair, letting the thought settle. The space was modern, sleek, and exactly what I’d envisioned – clean lines, high-tech security, and a team that actually gave a damn. The transition had been smoother than I expected. There were challenges, of course, but nothing we couldn’t handle. We were pulling in clients, the work was steady, and the company’s name was already starting to gain weight.Everything was going according to plan.And yet…I glanced at the skyline through my office window, fingers drumming against the desk. My wolf stirred beneath my skin, restless.
NATHAN’S POVThe door to the restaurant swung open, and I wasn’t sure what I was expecting – but it sure as hell wasn’t them.The twins.Alex spotted me first, his eyes lighting up with instant recognition. Before I could process it, he was already making a beeline for our table, moving with the same boundless energy I remembered from the museum.Alexia followed a few steps behind, more reserved, but still watching me intently.I tensed up. I could feel my whole body on edge and operating on “what the fuck?” What the hell were they doing here? The people I had tried so hard to find? It was almost too good to be true.My wolf was up, pacing, as he tried his best not to get his hopes up. And I was with him on this. Although I couldn't deny the obvious connection between us, I had to approach this well. My team had gone completely silent, their conversation dying as they took in the sight of the two kids heading straight for me.Alex skidded to a stop next to my chair, looking up at me
NATHAN’S POV(Replay…)The sharp wail of the fire alarm cut through the restaurant like a knife.For a second, everything froze, knife stopped cutting through meat, spoons halfway to hungry mouths….Then the tension snapped.Shouts rang out, chairs scraped against the floor, and the air buzzed with the energy of urgent movement. Waiters guided customers toward the exits, and the low thread of panic weaved through the space.I was already on my feet, my wolf thrumming beneath my skin. My senses sharpened, my instincts screaming at me to find them.The twins.My eyes locked onto them instantly.Kate had a hand on Alexia’s shoulder, guiding them through the crowd with steady authority. Alex, less concerned, kept glancing around as if he wasn’t fully grasping the situation.Shit. I didn’t even hesitate – I moved.“Kate!” My voice cut through the chaos as I reached them. She turned, brows furrowed. “Where’s the owner?” My voice was steady, but inside, my pulse was hammering against my ribs
NATHAN’S POVThe cold night air bit at my skin as I watched the car disappear down the street, taking the twins – my twins – with it. My chest was tight, thoughts running in circles, my wolf pacing, howling inside me.Sophia.It had always been Sophia.The realization hadn’t fully settled and hadn’t rooted itself deep enough for me to grasp what it truly meant, but I knew one thing for certain – this changed everything.Behind me, the team was waiting. I could feel their eyes on me, silent questions filling the air between us.“Okay.” Priya finally broke the quiet. “What was that?”I turned, still caught in a daze, as the four of them stood in a loose semi-circle, their faces a mix of confusion and expectation."What do you mean?" I asked, my own voice sounding distant to my ears.Jacob scoffed. “Oh, I don’t know. Maybe the part where two kids ran up to you like they knew you? Or the part where you started acting like the world had just tilted on its damn axis?”I exhaled sharply, run
NATHAN'S POVThe night stretched on, cold and quiet, as I sat in the clearing, elbows braced on my knees, hands clasped so tight my knuckles ached. The world around me hadn’t changed, but inside, everything had. So much had.Sophia.Alex. Alexia.My children.My mate.And I had let her go. No – I had done worse.I had banished her.The weight of the memory pressed down on me, heavy as stone. My wolf was pacing, snarling, furious with me in a way he hadn’t been in years. Just when our relationship had gotten better.I had known this was missing, some wound I never let heal, but I never imagined it would return to me like this.Sophia had stayed away because I had given her no other choice.I exhaled sharply, scrubbing a hand down my face.What the hell had I done?A rustle in the trees. Then a voice, calm and steady.“I thought I felt you out here.”I looked up. Elara.She stood at the edge of the clearing, arms crossed, sharp eyes assessing me the way she always did. She took in my po
NATHAN'S POVIt had been days since I left Elara’s woods, but I hadn’t seen Sophia or the twins yet. Not because I didn’t want to – because I knew this time, I had to do it right. I wasn’t going to storm into her life, demanding anything or expecting forgiveness. No. That wasn’t how I would win her back.So, instead, I focused on what I could do.I found out everything I could about her life now. About her.Il Cuore di Sofia. Her restaurant.It had been a quiet obsession ever since I learned its name. The place was thriving. Booked out for weeks, gaining recognition even among the city’s elite. She had built something incredible –without me. The knowledge was almost a blow to me but damn it, I had never been prouder of her.I found out she had kept it exclusive. A place where every plate had her touch and where she knew her customers by name. She was just like that – warm, steady, pouring her heart into everything she did. The woman I had once known had never backed down from a chal
SOPHIA’S POVThe front door swung open, and the twins ran in with a whirlwind of energy, their voices overlapping in a chaotic symphony that only they could carry.“Mommy! There was a fire!” Alex announced, eyes wide, bouncing on his toes like he had just witnessed the most exciting event of his life.Alexia followed more quietly, clutching her backpack to her chest. Her eyes flickered toward me, watching for my reaction. Already knew there was a fire as Kate had already told me about it but I decided to play dumb.“A fire?” I crouched down, brushing a stray curl from Alexia’s face before turning to Alex. “Are you both okay?”“It wasn’t our building,” Alex assured me, waving his hands for emphasis. “It was next door. The firefighters were super cool! They had big hoses and everything!”Alexia nodded solemnly. “We weren’t in any real danger. Kate made sure we got outside quickly.”I glanced at Kate, who stood in the doorway, looking calm but tired. I gave her a grateful smile. “Thank y
SOPHIA'S POVI was still smirking when I set my phone down. Leave it to Maria and Grace to turn a casual morning chat into a remake of a freshly produced detective show about my love life.I shook my head, stretching my arms over my head as I stood from the couch. It had been a good call – lighthearted, full of laughter. The kind that made you forget, just for a little while, about everything else.Maybe that was why I had let my guard down.I ran a hand through my hair, exhaling as I headed toward the kitchen to rinse out my coffee cup. I had been up for a while now, yet the house remained silent. The twins usually slept in on weekends, but even then, I should have heard some noise by now – kids moving under blankets, quiet giggles, footsteps running down the hall.Instead, there was only stillness.I frowned but shook off the unease creeping in. Maybe they were just extra tired. Last night had been a long one, and after all the excitement, I wouldn’t blame them for sleeping in.Just
SOPHIA'S POVThe morning sun streamed through my bedroom window, warm and golden. I stretched under the covers, letting the quiet sink in.For once, there was no rush. No stress pressing down on my chest. Just peace.It had been a long time since I’d felt this way.Nathan.The thought came uninvited, making my stomach twist. Last night had been a mistake. A moment of weakness.But deep down, I knew that wasn’t true.I sighed, rubbing my temples. I can’t do this. I can’t let myself go back.“Then why are you thinking about him?” my wolf asked, her voice calm but firm.I hesitated. Because I don’t know what to do.“Yes, you do.”I shook my head, pushing the covers off. It doesn’t matter. “Last night doesn’t change anything.”“You keep telling yourself that.”Ignoring her, I got out of bed and grabbed my robe. I had things to do – breakfast to make, the kids to check on.The house was unusually quiet – a rare moment of peace. The kids were still asleep, and for once, there were no urgent
VICTORIA’S POVBanishment was supposed to be a punishment. A lesson. A fate worse than death.But for me, it had been a gift.I thrived in the shadows.The pack had cast me out, turned their backs on me, left me to rot in exile – but I was not broken. If anything, I was stronger. Smarter. More patient. I had learned the art of waiting, of watching, of planting whispers in the right ears.And now, the time was near.I stood at the edge of the clearing, concealed by the thick canopy of the trees. The cold wind carried the scent of home – the home that had been stolen from me. The pack had changed since my exile. There were cracks in their unity, doubts growing beneath the surface. Nathan’s leadership had wavered. His own people questioned him, and all because of her.Sophia.The name alone made my wolf bristle inside me."He still went back to her." My wolf’s voice slithered into my mind, her tone low and sharp.I clenched my fists. “Yes. Like a fool.”Nathan should have moved on by now
NATHAN'S POVThe night air was crisp, carrying the scent of damp earth and New York, mingling with the lingering aromas of the celebration. Laughter and warmth had filled Sophia’s home for hours, wrapping around everyone like a familiar embrace of friendship. But now, as I led her away from the house, away from the others, the world seemed quieter. More intimate.She didn’t resist.That in itself said everything.Sophia walked beside me, her steps measured but unhurried, her hand still warm from where I had taken it in mine. I had expected her to pull away, to hesitate, to remind me that things weren’t the way they used to be. But she hadn’t. And so I held on, just enough to let her know I was here, that I wasn’t letting go. Not tonight.Not ever.I glanced at her from the corner of my eye. She was beautiful like this – lit only by the moon, the glow of distant lanterns softening her features. There was something in her expression I couldn’t quite place, something between nostalgia a
LUCAS' POVI exhaled sharply as the jet touched down, the soft hum of the landing doing little to soothe the irritation clawing at my nerves and seeping up my bones. Seventy-two hours. That’s how long I’d spent in Canada, buried in negotiations that refused to go my way. Every time I thought the deal was closing, something else got in the way – legal hurdles, financial concerns, last-minute hesitations from the other side. Just a bunch of jargon.The delay was supposed to be minor – just a few signatures, a handshake, and I’d be on the next flight home. Instead, I found myself trapped in a boardroom in Vancouver, staring down a table full of indecisive executives who suddenly couldn’t agree on anything.“This isn’t what we discussed.” I said, barely keeping my frustration in check. “We agreed on the terms weeks ago.”One of the older men, Dawson, adjusted his glasses and gave me a condescending smile. “Yes, but given the recent market shifts, we need to reevaluate the risk factors.”M
SOPHIA'S POVLaughter filled the air, warm and bright, wrapping around me like an old but comfortable blanket.The restaurant had been transformed in record time – streamers hung from the ceiling, fairy lights twinkled like stars, and the long communal table was packed with friends, drinks, and enough food to feed a small army. Someone had even put on music, something upbeat and festive, and the energy in the room crackled with celebration.Maria, of course, had gone overboard.“To our very own Master Chef!” She shouted, raising her glass dramatically, her voice carrying over the noise. “I mean, technically that’s not the title, but we all know who the real winner is!”A chorus of cheers went up, followed by a loud whoop from Grace, who sat at the head of the table, looking entirely too pleased. “Damn right! She owned that competition! I nearly punched the screen when that Emelia chick started whining about a rematch. And that's saying something because I'm all about controlling your
SOPHIA'S POVThe venue was nothing short of stunning.Polished marble floors, chandeliers casting a warm glow, and sleek stainless steel workstations lined up neatly. The air buzzed with quiet anticipation as chefs prepped their stations, checking their ingredients and supplies. I could tell the air in the room was charged with energy the minute I stepped in.Goddamn. Even my wolf was impressed, from where she watched.I adjusted the strap of my apron, taking in the space. This competition wasn’t televised, but that didn’t make it any less intense. Winning meant prestige, respect, and proving that I belonged among the best.And across the room, Emelia stood with that same smirk I’d seen a dozen times before.Maria, standing beside me, let out a low whistle. “Damn. They really went all out. Makes our kitchen look like a food truck.”I shot her a look. “‘Our’ kitchen is just fine.”“Yeah, yeah.” She said, waving a hand. “You ready?”I nodded, rolling my shoulders. “As I’ll ever be.”The
SOPHIA'S POVAs the speeches ended and the twins basked in the love everyone was showering them with, I took a moment to breathe. The party had gone smoother than I expected, despite the clear and obvious tension between Nathan and Lucas. But I knew that was only because they’d been kept busy with the kids and giving them gifts.Now, with the formalities over, I had work to do.I glanced over at Maria and Frank, who stood near the drink table, deep in conversation. Well, that was a good start. Frank was laughing at something Maria said, and she had that intrigued glint in her eyes. Still, I wasn’t about to leave things to chance.Grabbing a fresh plate of food, I made my way toward them, wearing my best innocent smile. “Hey, you two. Enjoying yourselves?”Frank wiped his hands on a napkin. “Your food is top notch, as always, Sophia.”Maria smirked. “Yeah, yeah, don’t think flattery will get you more free meals.”I laughed and casually glanced around. “You know, since you two are alre
SOPHIA'S POVThe kitchen was chaos personified.Cake batter smudged my cheek, frosting covered my fingers, and the sweet scent of vanilla and chocolate filled the air. The twins’ birthday was supposed to be a joyful, carefree day, but with the competition looming over me like a highly upset storm cloud, it was hard to not focus on the stress completely.I had spent the past week obsessing over menu plans, supplier issues, and last minute adjustments. I did not want to be caught lacking. But today, none of that mattered. Today was about Alex and Alexia. I owed them this.Kate nudged me with her elbow as she carefully arranged cupcakes on a tray. “You look like you’re planning world domination, not a birthday party.”I huffed out a laugh. “Same thing. I should write a book titled, ‘How to successfully plan world domination’ don't you think?”She smirked. “Slow your roll soldier. You sure inviting both of them is a good idea?”I stiffened. “They’ll deal with it.”Kate gave me a knowing l