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
SOFIA'S POV"Slut!""Wake up, you slut!"The voice echoed in my ears like a slap—sharp and piercing. My arm was tapped roughly, and a sickening weight pressed down on me, making my body feel like it was sinking into the bed.But I didn’t move. My eyelids were too heavy, my body too weak, as though something was forcing me to stay still.Then, the voice came again, louder this time."You whore, I said wake up!"My chest rose and fell with a shaky breath as I forced my eyes open. The first thing I saw was Victoria's face, her lips curled into a sneer, eyes burning with disgust.I blinked, confused. My surroundings felt wrong and strange. I should be in Nathan's room, not here. This wasn’t his room. This wasn’t where I was supposed to be.Then it hit me. I was in the garden last night with a glass of wine, preparing for the most important day of my life. I was going to be made Luna of the pack. Nathan had called me and told me he had a surprise for me.But now... how had I ended up here?
SOFIA'S POV"Wh—what are you saying?”"Have you forgotten today is our coronation?" I said, my voice trembling as I reached for him, hoping to make him see reason.But Nathan scoffed, the sound sharp and dismissive, and I felt it deep in my chest.He didn’t even spare me a second glance as I chased after him. It wasn’t until I realized I was still not dressed that the gravity of the situation hit me.In a daze, I quickly rushed back to the room to change, but it felt like my body was on autopilot, the motions mechanical as I scrambled into my clothes.I hurried out, desperate to get to the palace—to Nathan. I had to reach him before the coronation began.The palace grounds were already teeming with people. Their voices rose in a cacophony that made my head spin, but I pushed through the crowd, ignoring the curious glances and whispers that followed me. I was numb to the attention. The only thing that mattered was reaching Nathan.Finally, I saw him. There he was—standing with Victoria
NATHAN'S POV"She's not in the Pack, Alpha," the messenger said while bowing his head."She's not in the Pack?" I asked as if I hadn't heard him the first time."Yes, Alpha. Some people said she moved out of the Pack after you banished her," he said, stating a fact that I had forgotten. I had acted irrationally, and now I think I regret it."Alright. You may leave," I dismissed him, and he left with a bow.She left, I said to myself."Of course, she'll leave. You used your Alpha voice on her and told her never to return," my wolf said, blaming me for the umpteenth time since that fateful day.I know; it’s my fault. I should have at least heard her out. I should have listened, just once, instead of acting in the heat of the moment. But… What if it’s true? What if she really did sleep with that person?I could feel my wolf ignoring me, silent again, leaving me stranded in my own tangled thoughts. Since the incident, he had hardly spoken to me without reminding me of my mistake. He came
SOPHIA'SPOVToday has been really busy for me. Customers kept coming and going, and I barely had time to catch my breath. At one point, I had to quickly mix the dough just in case I needed to make more. All I kept hearing was, "Can I have that?" "Oh! This looks nice, can I have two of them?" "Oh! My husband loved the doughnuts from last time; I think I want to place an order."It was one voice after another, a chorus of demands that made my heart race with excitement. I was glad things were moving fine for me. I was starting to get my life back to normal. At least now, I could afford some things for myself without having to disturb Dr. Grace about my needs. The freedom felt refreshing. I was also glad I could do something for myself, and I had Dr. Grace to thank for all this. Speaking of Dr. Grace, we had missed two sessions. Though she was done with the conference, she had something important to take care of. I couldn’t wait to see her again to tell her about the progress of my baker
SOPHIA'S POV"Hey, Sophia." Dr. Grace called happily as I entered her office. "It feels like forever since I last saw you!" She looked so happy to see me after not seeing me for about a week. She hugged me tightly and smiled, showing her gap teeth. But her smile turned into a frown when she saw my face. I obviously didn't smile back at her."Sophia? Are you okay? What is it, darling?" Her voice softened with concern as she searched my face, but I was silent as I couldn't even form words. I couldn't even lie this time by saying, "I'm fine," as it was clear that I was not."Sophia, have you been crying again?" she asked with a frown. "Come and have your seat, dear." She pulled me to the chair, and I sat down with the strength left in me. She walked back to her chair and sighed heavily as she stared at me in silence. She looked at me with pity—the same pity I saw in her eyes the day we first met at the park. She was starting to have some faith in me, and now it's all pity."Sophia...""H
SOPHIA'S POVThe stranger stared back at me like he could see my soul. He looked lost, and my back was starting to ache. I cleared my throat, and that seemed to bring him back. He pulled me up and took a step back."I'm sorry, miss, I wasn't looking," he said, looking a bit nervous."No, I'm sorry. I was searching for something in my bag. I didn't know..." I trailed off, looking away. There was an awkward silence. I didn’t walk away or feel the need to, and neither did he."My name is Lucas," he said, breaking the awkward silence between us and stretching out his hand with a broad smile."Sophia," I replied, meeting his big hand with my slim one."A beautiful name for a beautiful lady?" he said, and I scoffed."Isn't that a cliché, Lucas?" I asked, tilting my head a little to the side with a silly smile plastered on my face."You got me right there, but I'm not just saying it—I do mean it," he said with a serious expression. I quickly untangled my hand from his hold."I should get goi
SOPHIA'S POVSeven months later…Lucas never stopped coming to my bakery. Sometimes, he’s there first thing in the morning, grabbing pastries for himself and his friends; other times, he’ll pop in during his lunch break or swing by after work just to check on me.Over these past seven months, I've grown accustomed to his presence. Though he can be a bit nosy when it comes to my past, he’s genuinely kind and always knows how to bring a smile to my face. Our friendship has blossomed, and I’ve come to treasure his company. In a way, he’s been an anchor—someone I never expected but am grateful to have during this time.Meanwhile, my stomach was big enough to let everyone around me know I was pregnant. Pregnancy isn't something that could be hidden anyway—not like I even plan on hiding it. I was ready to take good care of myself and my baby. Moving to New York was a good decision, and I was glad I made that choice."Sophia?" Lucas called one afternoon when he stopped by during his lunch br
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
SOPHIA’S POVAlex's ragged breathing filled the apartment, each shallow inhale like a blade to my chest, hacking away at my heart. His small frame was curled on the couch, with blankets piled over him, but he still shivered. His skin was pale, slick with sweat, and the dark circles under his eyes had deepened.The remedy was supposed to help. Instead, it had made things worse.I ran my fingers through his damp curls, my heart squeezing as he stirred restlessly.“Mom…” His voice was weak, barely above a whisper."I'm here, baby,” I murmured, brushing his cheek. “I'm right here.”But I wasn't enough.I pressed my lips together, trying to suppress the wave of frustration and fear threatening to drown me. I had done everything right – followed the instructions exactly. So why was my son suffering more than before?There was only one person who might have the answers.Elara.But she was nowhere to be found.I had spent the last few days calling in favors, digging through old contacts, and