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 POVThe boutique felt like a sanctuary, every detail carefully curated – the gentle hum of music, the soft lighting that made everything feel cinematic. I couldn’t help but think back to how I'd have felt years ago. Probably feel a little out of place, standing there in my jeans and sweater while holding a dress that seemed destined for someone more glamorous.But I wasn't that person anymore.“You’ve gotta own it,” Grace said, watching me with a knowing smile. “This night is all about you, Sophia. You deserve it.”I raised an eyebrow, jokingly. “You mean I deserve to be wrapped in a small fortune?”Grace laughed. “Absolutely. You’ve worked hard for this. Let yourself have it for once.”Alexia tugged at my hand. “I think you’re the prettiest mommy ever, even without the dress.”My heart swelled at that. “You’re my favorite little girl in the world, you know that?”She nodded, her curls bouncing. “But if you wear this dress, you’ll look like the queens in those movies we watch
SOPHIA’S POVThe doorbell rang precisely at seven, its chime echoing softly through the house. I smoothed my dress one last time, nerves fluttering beneath my skin – not because of the award but because of him. Lucas had always had that effect on me.When I opened the door, he stood there in a perfectly tailored suit, his dark hair slightly tousled and eyes warm with quiet admiration. He had a gift for looking effortlessly handsome.“Wow.” He said, his voice low, a slow smile spreading across his face. “You look... Incredible.”My heart did a little flip, but I kept my cool. “Thank you. You clean up pretty well yourself.”He chuckled, offering his arm. “Shall we?”I took it, feeling a rush of warmth as his fingers brushed against mine.The car ride was pleasant, filled with easy conversation and soft jazz playing from the speakers. Lucas had a way of making everything feel light, even when my nerves threatened to get the best of me.“Are you ready for all the attention tonight?” He as
SOPHIA'S POVThe air seemed thicker, charged with something I hadn’t felt in years. My breath hitched as my wolf stirred, a low hum beneath my skin. I didn’t need to turn around to know who it was – my instincts screamed his name before my mind could catch up.Nathan.Slowly, I turned on my heels, my eyes locking onto his. He stood tall and demanding, dressed in a tailored black suit that seemed to enhance every sharp angle and commanding presence he always possessed. His gaze pierced through the few people standing between us, landing squarely on me.For a moment, the world faded. The hum of conversation, the clinking of glasses – all of it blurred into the background. The only thing I could focus on was him.The man I once loved. The man who once banished me. The man who shattered my heart and left me to pick up the pieces on my own.His eyes flickered with something raw – regret, perhaps – but I didn’t care. I couldn’t care. Memories rushed to the surface, each one a dagger to the
SOPHIA’S POVThe moment stretched, thick with tension, as Nathan stood before me, his eyes locked onto the emerald pendant around my neck.“That necklace.” He said, his voice low and deliberate. “It suits you.”I arched my brow. “Thanks. Lucas thought so too.”Nathan’s jaw clenched, his gaze flickering briefly before meeting mine again. His presence was overwhelming, suffocating in the way it always had been – demanding attention, commanding space. He looked like he belonged here, yet somehow out of place in my world, a ghost from a past I’d long tried to bury.But ghosts didn’t just disappear, did they? They lingered, waiting for the right moment to reappear.Nathan took a step closer, his eyes never leaving mine. “We need to talk, Sophia.”I laughed softly, the sound hollow and sharp. “We don’t, actually. I think we’ve said all there is to say.”Nathan’s jaw tightened, his gaze flickering briefly before meeting mine again. His intensity hadn’t dimmed; if anything, it had sharpened.
SOPHIA’S POVThe house felt lighter. Warmer. As if the weight that had been pressing down for days had finally eased.Alex was better.It was like waking up from a nightmare only to realize that morning had come, and the world hadn’t ended after all. One day, he had been weak, fevered, and barely able to hold a conversation without exhaustion pulling him under. The next, his color had returned, his fever had vanished, and his laughter – his bright, carefree laughter – filled the house once more.It was a miracle.I didn’t trust miracles.I watched him now from across the living room as he sat with Alexia on the floor, eagerly showing her a new book I had picked up for him. His hands moved animatedly as he explained something to her, his voice filled with excitement, no trace of the weakness that had held him captive just days ago.I should have been relieved. And I was. But beneath that relief lay something else – something sharp and uneasy.Nathan.The thought of him sent a fresh wav
LUCAS' POVThe morning light streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows of my office, illuminating the sleek, modern space with a golden hue. The city stretched out below me, a sea of movement, a constant reminder that the world never stopped in New York City – not for heartbreak, not for personal enta, and certainly not for me.I welcomed it.It was easier to focus on work than to dwell on the mess I had walked away from last night.Sophia.Nathan.The weight of that confrontation still sat heavily on my chest, but I pushed it aside. There was no room for distractions today.A sharp knock on the door pulled me back."Come in," I called.Emma, my executive assistant, strode inside, tablet in hand, her usual efficiency cutting through the air like a blade.“The acquisition is finalized.” She said without preamble. "Emerald Ventures wasn’t happy about it, but they didn’t have much of a choice. Their client signed with us the moment the ink dried."I allowed myself a small, satisfied
SOPHIA'S POVThe house was too quiet.Even with Alex and Alexia upstairs, even with Elara somewhere in the background, the silence pressed in on me like a tangible weight.Nathan’s presence still lingered in the air, thick and suffocating, despite the fact that he’d left a few minutes ago. And Lucas – Lucas had barely said a word before leaving, his jaw tight, his expression unreadable.I let out a slow breath, pressing a hand to my temple.What the hell just happened?I had spent years keeping my past buried, locked away behind carefully constructed walls. And yet, in the span of a single night, it had cracked open, spilling out at my doorstep. Nathan was here. Lucas had confronted him. And in the middle of it all was me – standing between two men, two forces that refused to yield.A bitter laugh escaped me. Perfect.Just what I needed right now. A mate coming back to claim me and Lucas being there. I turned away from the front door, heading upstairs. My body was tense with the weig
NATHAN'S POVThe moment Lucas spoke those words, “He was looking for you,” something inside me snapped into focus.I had spent weeks fighting my instincts, pulling back, restraining myself. I had let go of vengeance when my home was burned down. I had turned the other cheek when my own pack doubted me.But this?Someone dared to come after my mate?I took a slow step forward, my wolf rising to the surface. The low growl rumbled in my chest, barely contained. “Tell me everything you know.”Lucas didn’t move from the steps. He didn’t even flinch. If anything, his stance grew firmer, as if planting himself between me and Sophia. His sharp blue eyes locked onto mine, unwavering.“I’m handling it.”A slow, humorless chuckle left my lips. “You’re handling it?”“Yes.”I took another step forward. “I don’t think you understand what’s happening here.”Lucas scoffed, crossing his arms. “Oh, I understand just fine. Someone attacked my friend, and now you’re looking for an excuse to sink your tee
SOPHIA'S POV The knock at the door wasn’t just a sound – it was a shift in the air, a weight pressing against my chest. I froze. For a moment, I convinced myself I had imagined it. That my desperation had conjured up something that wasn’t real. But then it came again – firm, deliberate. I glanced at the time on the wall, several hours after I'd called him. Could it finally be him? “Go, child. Open the door.” Elara gently pushed me towards the door. I barely realized I was moving until I was standing in front of the door, hand hovering over the handle. The mate bond was still there, faint but present, like an unsteady heartbeat beneath my skin. It thrummed softly, the connection between us impossible to ignore. I sucked in a sharp breath and pulled the door open. And there he was. Nathan stood on my doorstep, drenched in sweat, his dark shirt clinging to his broad frame. His breathing was uneven, his chest rising and falling with the force of it. His eyes – sharp, gray, pierci
SOPHIA'S POV The moment the bond snapped taut, I gasped, my breath catching in my throat. It was like a thread pulled too tight – painful, urgent, undeniable. The kitchen blurred, the dim glow of the light overhead fading into the background as something else took hold. A presence. Strong. Familiar. Nathan. My knees buckled, and I gripped the counter, my fingers digging into the cool surface as the bond flared to life with a force I hadn’t expected. It pulsed, thrumming like a second heartbeat, and I knew – he heard me. He was listening. The connection flowed through me, raw and overwhelming. But just as quickly as it surged, the exhaustion followed. A crushing weight pressed down on me, the sheer force of it nearly suffocating. Elara had left the room, and I had no idea where she was. I had no idea how long it had taken me to reach him. I had no idea. Period. Would he come? I wasn’t sure I had the right to ask for him. Not after everything. Not after I had pushed him away, r
NATHAN'S POVThe next morning came all too quickly. Sleep had eluded me, like a partner hell-bent on being away from me. I'd spent the night roaming my pack, the one place I'd considered my only home, but now seemed like the farthest thing from it. But I couldn't just bring myself to leave. This was where I'd had the best memories with Sophia, where the good times still shone.But now perhaps, the bad times were starting to outshine the good here. Is this not a sign? That I should find somewhere new?I sighed, almost wishing for the days when the Luna goddess appeared to guide me. But I also knew that if I were to see her now, it would not be without danger following behind. I didn't realize it until I was there, but I was back at the edge of the territory, where Malachi had stabbed me. And had survived. My smile was melancholic when it crossed my face. In many ways, that was the cannon event for everything. “No Nathan. This all started when you banished our love. Our mate.” My wo
NATHAN'S POVThe moment I returned, I could feel it. The shift in the air.The crowd had gathered near the ruins of my home, their eyes on me the second I stepped into their sights. But this wasn’t the usual respect, the unwavering loyalty I had once commanded. This was hesitation, doubt.And resentment.Whispers spread through the pack, a quiet murmur of voices laced with frustration and disbelief. I heard bits and pieces – enough to know what they were saying."He let them go?""How could he spare her?""What kind of Alpha does that?"I could see it in their eyes – the ones who had once stood at my side, wolves I had fought for, bled for. Some still believed in me, but others? They wanted blood. They wanted a leader who would avenge, not restrain.Theon stood by my side, his expression dark as he scanned the gathered wolves. He had known this would happen. We both had.But knowing didn’t make it easier.The silence stretched, suffocating. Then, a voice cut through it."Alpha.” An ol
SOPHIA'S POVElara stood in my doorway, the morning light catching in her silver-streaked hair, her piercing gaze locking onto mine. There was something unreadable in her eyes, something weighty – like she already knew the depths of my desperation.I swallowed hard. “I need your help.”Elara’s gaze flickered past me, her face betraying nothing. “I know.” She said simply. “Let me in.”I stepped aside, my heart pounding as she crossed the threshold. She moved with quiet confidence, her presence filling the space in a way that was both grounding and unnerving.She took one look at Alex and let out a slow breath."Tell me everything.” She murmured, kneeling beside him.I didn't hesitate. “I followed the instructions exactly. The herbs, the remedy – I did everything right.” My voice cracked. “And it worked. For a little while. But then he got worse. Worse than before.”Elara pressed the back of her hand to Alex's forehead. His fever had climbed again overnight, his breathing shallow, his s