NATHAN'S POVTheon scoffed, crossing his arms as he leaned against the workbench. "You're telling me you dragged me out here to help you make gifts for six-year-olds?"I ignored the sarcasm. “Not just any gifts. They need to mean something.”I had been sitting in my office, my mind not really focused on anything. Not even thoughts of work could get them out of my mind.My twins.My children.I was– no, am, a father.All this time. I had children and they had to grow up thinking they had a father who didn't care about them. Or worse, was dead. My jaw ticked at the thought and I could feel my wolf growl within. He was not happy with that thought.And even though we had no one to blame but ourselves, it doesn't mean I couldn't do anything about it. Purpose fueling each step, I strode out of my office, calling out to Priya, “Cancel all my meetings for the day. I have something important to attend to.”“Thank the Lord. Does that mean we can go home too?” She called out to me.Without tur
NATHAN'S POV Inside, the house smelled warm. Lived in. It wasn’t just a place where Sophia and the twins stayed – it was a home. That realization hit harder than I expected. The warmth of Sophia’s home wrapped around me the moment I stepped inside. It was lived in – filled with soft laughter, scattered toys, and the faintest lingering scent of her. Alex wasted no time, grabbing my hand and dragging me toward the living room. “Come see what we made.” He said excitedly. Alexia followed at a more measured pace, watching with careful eyes. She was wary, but she didn’t shy away. That was progress. Mrs. Jackson closed the door behind us with a slight huff. “Well, don’t just stand there like a statue, Nathan. Shoes off before you track dirt in here.” I blinked at the scolding but complied, taking off my boots. It had been a long time since someone had spoken to me like that. Alex pulled me toward a small table covered in papers, crayons, and what looked like… sticks? No, not sticks.
SOPHIA'S POVThe first thing I noticed when I woke up was warmth.Not just the warmth of the sheets or the soft morning sunlight streaming through the window, but the solid, steady warmth of a body next to mine. A body that, if I shifted even slightly, I would be pressed up against.And I did. Shift, that is.Not on purpose. At least, that’s what I told myself.But the second my leg brushed against his, I froze.Lucas.Memories of last night came rushing back. The slow, deliberate way he had kissed me, the way his hands had traced my skin like he was memorizing me. The way I had let go, completely, without hesitation.No past. No future. Just us.And now… morning had arrived.I let out a slow breath, staring up at the ceiling. This was the part no one ever talked about – the after. The part where reality set in and I had to figure out what the hell this meant.Before I could think too much, Lucas stirred beside me.I could tell the exact moment he woke up. His breathing shifted, and t
SOPHIA'S POVBy the time we made it to the airport, Lucas had already received three more calls from his mother. Each one sharper than the last.“You’re late.”“Do you even remember what I look like?”“Oh, look at that, your sisters are placing bets on whether you’ll actually make it today.”Lucas had groaned at that last one, shooting me a look that said, “See what I deal with?” But the truth was, I kind of liked it. There was something comforting about how effortlessly his family could tease him, how easily they pulled him into their world, even from miles away.Now, as we stepped off the plane and made our way to the rental car, Lucas let out a dramatic sigh. “Alright, sweetheart. Last chance to run before you’re dragged into full-blown Sinclair family madness.”I gave him a dry look as I slid into the passenger seat. “You forget, I deal with hungry customers every single day. Your family doesn’t scare me.”Lucas chuckled as he started the car. “Oh, just wait.”And that was how th
LUCAS' POVI should’ve known better.The moment my mother announced game night, I should’ve grabbed Sophia and run straight for the door. But no, I let my guard down, got comfortable, and now – now I was sitting in the middle of the Sinclair family war zone, aka the living room, with Sophia at my side and absolutely no way out.“We’re playing Secrets and Lies.” Maddie declared, practically bouncing on the couch. “House rules.”I groaned. Of course, we were playing Secrets and Lies.It was a Sinclair family original, designed to break spirits and expose weaknesses. Obviously coined from Two Truths and a Lie, we put our own little spin on it and made it our own thing. The rules were simple. One person made a statement about themselves, and the rest of us had to decide if it was the truth or a lie. If we guessed wrong, the liar got to dare someone to do something ridiculous. If we guessed right, the liars had to do the dare themselves.And with my sisters? These dares were never harmless
SOPHIA'S POV The house had finally quieted down. After an evening filled with laughter, teasing, and fierce competition over board games, the Sinclair family had retreated for the night. Emily had taken the baby to bed, Maddie had declared herself the undefeated champion of trivia – despite Lucas arguing otherwise – and their mother had given me a knowing wink before disappearing down the hall. Now, I stood outside on the back porch, letting the night air cool my flushed skin. The sky stretched endlessly above me, dark and speckled with stars. It was peaceful – the perfect contrast – to the whirlwind of an evening. A soft squeak of the door behind me signaled Lucas’s arrival before I even turned. “Stealing another moment?” He teased, stepping up beside me. His voice was quieter now, more thoughtful. I smiled, glancing at him. “Guess I am. Your family is… A lot.” Lucas let out a short laugh. “You can say it – they’re overwhelming.” “They are,” I admitted, but then I nudged him p
SOPHIA'S POVThe morning air was thick with the scent of coffee and maple syrup. The wisps of aroma weaved through the Sinclair household like a gentle nudge from the arms of slumber, stirring me awake even before I fully opened my eyes. For a moment, I simply lay beneath the covers, savoring the unfamiliar yet strangely comforting feeling of waking up somewhere that wasn’t my own home.The previous night had been filled with warmth – laughter, teasing, the kind of easy chaos that only close-knit families could create. It had been nice, more than nice, and I wasn’t quite ready to step away from it just yet.Still, reality had a way of creeping in. I knew I couldn’t avoid my thoughts forever. Nathan’s unexpected reappearance in my children’s lives, Lucas’s unwavering presence, the weight of everything left unsaid – it all loomed in the back of my mind. But here, at this moment, with the sound of voices filtering through the walls, I let myself breathe.I climbed out of bed and stretche
NATHAN'S POVAlex had no shortage of energy.After fixing the sink and surviving Mrs. Jackson’s sharp tongue, I expected a moment of quiet. But Alex had other plans. He wanted to show me everything – his drawings, his books, even his attempt at a handstand that ended with him toppling over and laughing like it was the best thing in the world.But I knew I wouldn't trade this moment with him for anything in the world. It reminded me just how much of his life I'd been missing and I could have been a part of. Even my wolf lay content as he watched everything unfold. It reminded me why we were doing this. To be a family again. With our mate. To make up for lost time To prove we were worthy. Alexia, on the other hand, sat curled on the couch, her locket resting against her chest, watching me with sharp, knowing eyes. She was thinking. Analyzing. I just knew that a great deal was going on behind her young, bambi-doe eyes, the blue of them that always seemed to look into your soul when they
SOPHIA'S POVI took a deep breath, trying to push away the exhaustion creeping into my bones. The past few days had been relentless – between running the restaurant, preparing for the competition, and making sure the twins were taken care of, I barely had a moment to think. Or breathe.Kate had practically shoved me out of Il Cuore di Sofia tonight, insisting I take a break. “Go. Do something that isn’t work or kids.” She’d said, waving me off like an overbearing mother.So, here I was, walking aimlessly through the quiet streets, a warm cup of tea in hand, letting the night air cool my skin. The competition was on my mind, but instead of focusing on recipes or strategies, I kept circling back to Maria’s odd behavior earlier. She’d called, wanting to talk, but before she could get to the point, something had interrupted her. She promised to call back, but I hadn’t heard from her since.Maybe I was overthinking it.I turned a corner, and just as I lifted my cup for another sip, I froze
MARIA'S POVI adjust my press badge and step into the competition hall, inhaling deeply. Butter, garlic, fresh herbs…“Ahhh, that's the smell. The sweet smell of ambition.” I think to myself while I scan the room, already spotting the clusters of chefs, camera crews, and event organizers buzzing around.“Maria!”I turn and spot Frank waving at me from the judges' table, notebook in hand. I weave through the crowd toward him.“Look who’s already front and center," I tease, nudging him lightly. "Trying to steal my scoop?”“Please. You and I both know you're the queen of food journalism.” He says, smirking. “Besides, I’m here for the drama, not just the food.”“Same. Always.” I admit. “There’s always at least one chef who has a breakdown before the main course round.”Frank snorts. “Oh, it’s practically a requirement. Who do you think it'll be this year?”“Too early to say, but I’d put money on one of the newcomers.”Before Frank could reply, a voice cut in.“Excuse me, are you Maria Cla
SOPHIA'S POVThe evening air was warm, with the golden hour rays in me as I walked with Daniel, the tension from the restaurant still humming through my veins. I let out a slow breath, watching it curl in the cold.“Well, that was something.” Daniel muttered, shoving his hands into his coat pockets. His voice was casual, but I caught the flicker of amusement in his eyes.“Which part?” I shot back. “The part where You and Lucas nearly turned my kid's school into a warzone, or the part where you and Kate decided to have a moment in the middle of a warzone in my restaurant?”Daniel winced. “I wouldn’t call it a moment exactly.”I arched a brow at him. “Oh? Because it looked like a moment to me.”He rubbed the back of his neck, looking sheepish. “Okay, maybe it was a little… something.” He sighed, then smirked. “She called me charming. What was I supposed to do?”I rolled my eyes. “Right, because you have no choice but to react when a woman finds you charming.”“Exactly.” He grinned. “Now
DANIEL'S POVI’ve sat through my fair share of ceremonies – long, bordering on insufferable things filled with speeches no one really listens to, polite applause, and stiff conversations. But this one was different.This was for Alex and Alexia. Sophia's kids. If anyone had told me yesterday when I boarded that flight to New York, that I would be at a kid's award ceremony, particularly the kid whose mom had tried to hit me with a decorative vase my mother had bought on a trip to Japan, I would told them to shut the fuck up and stop being full of shit.“Life is full of funny surprises, isn't it?” I smiled as I said to myself.I leaned back in my seat, watching as students filed across the stage one by one, collecting their awards. The school had gone all out for the event – decorations in the colors of their mascot, fliers with words of encouragement, and a slideshow playing pictures of the kids throughout the year. Parents filled the hall, some recording with their phones, others flo
SOPHIA'S POVThe school parking lot was packed. Parents expertly navigated their cars into the last remaining spots, courtesy of life skills taught by New York's finest, teachers directed those walking, and excited children ran ahead of their families toward the entrance. The buzz of conversation filled the air – greetings flying, people calling out to their friends, laughter ringing out, and the occasional frantic parent calling after a child who had gotten a little too excited.Which was the path Alex was slowly heading down.I barely had time to take in the scene before Alex tugged at my hand.“Mom, hurry!” He whined, practically bouncing on his feet. “We need to get inside first.”Alexia, holding my other hand, rolled her eyes but didn’t let go. “We don’t have to be first, Alex.”Daniel, walking just behind us, chuckled. “You got a hot date with the stage or something, kid?”Alex turned, eyes narrowed, his cute six-year-old mind clearly trying to figure out what a date was. “It’s
SOPHIA'S POV The morning was loud. Not in a bad way – just in the way it always was when Alex and Alexia were full of energy, their voices bouncing around the kitchen as they blew through their breakfast. “Mom, are you coming to school today?” Alex asked between bites of toast. “Yes, but I can’t stay the whole day.” I reminded him for what felt like the tenth time this week. “But the fun stuff is later.” He groaned. “You mean the part where you get to run around like a lunatic after getting your award?” Alex grinned. “Exactly.” Alexia, more focused on tying her shoes than the conversation, perked up. “Mrs. Jackson stopped by earlier! She left something for you.” Oh. That's strange. I was just at her house yesterday and she didn't mention anything. Before I could ask what, the front door opened, and the woman herself strolled in. “Well, well, well, look at this madhouse.” Mrs. Jackson, already teasing right out the gate, said as she stepped inside. Trailing behind her was
SOPHIA'S POV By the time I reached my front door, exhaustion had settled deep in my bones. Between Mrs. Jackson’s relentless teasing, Daniel’s unexpected charm, and that strange feeling I’d had on the walk home, I was ready to shut my brain off for the night. That was the plan. Or so it was – till reality had other ideas. The moment I stepped inside, something felt… off. Not in the same way as before – there was no eerie silence or weird sensation along my spine. No, this was different. This was the kind of “off” that meant my children were up to something. A faint clatter came from the kitchen, followed by hushed whispers. I frowned. My twins were supposed to be asleep. Kicking off my shoes as quietly as possible, I crept toward the kitchen, my senses sharpening. If they were trying to sneak snacks past bedtime again, they were about to get caught. Another clatter. And then– “Oh no! Alex, it’s falling!” “I got it! I got it – uh, nope, I didn't get it.” A loud clatter echo
SOPHIA'S POVI hadn’t planned on walking home with Daniel, but somehow, that’s precisely what ended up happening.Mrs. Jackson had all but shooed us both out the door, saying something about needing peace and quiet before she lost her mind. I’d protested, of course, pointing out that I lived nearby, literally right next to her, and didn’t need an escort, but Daniel had just shrugged and said, “Indulge me. I need to make sure you don’t attack any more innocent civilians on your way home.”So now here we were, walking side by side under the dim glow of the streetlights, after his insistence for us to take a little stroll. The air was crisp and filled with the lingering scent of freshly cut grass and a damp walkway.I pulled my jacket tighter around me, side-eyeing Daniel as he strolled along like this was some kind of leisurely evening walk instead of a completely unnecessary detour. “You know, I’ve survived plenty of walks home alone before tonight.”Daniel smirked. "True, but given yo
SOPHIA'S POVThe tea was good – really good. Mrs. Jackson always had a way of making the simplest things feel like home, like comfort wrapped in a warm mug.Sitting at her kitchen table, I let out a deep breath, letting the last of the adrenaline leave my bones. Sitting opposite me, Mrs. Jackson looked like she was still recovering from the shock of me assaulting her son, while Daniel, who liked to think of himself as the unfortunate victim here, sat with his arms crossed, looking both amused and mildly offended.“You know,” he began, eyeing me over the top of his cup, “most people introduce themselves with a handshake. Not a flying object to the face.”I gave him a tight-lipped smile, almost sarcastic. "Most people don't break into their mother’s house in the middle of the night and rummage through her kitchen like a burglar."Mrs. Jackson, ever the peacekeeper, sighed. "Oh, Sophia, really now. He wasn’t rummaging, he was making tea."“Loudly. He was making tea, loudly.” I pointed ou