NATHAN'S POVI walked with Victoria's father to his house, leaving the scene of their heated fight. I pushed down my impatience, trying to be considerate, as the man had been injured in the fight and winced with each step he took. “Are you sure you're alright?” I ask him. “Yes, Alpha Nathan. It's just a little bruise. See, werewolf healing is already kicking in,” he said, pointing at the healing wound on his shin. I watched, always fascinated to see werewolves' extraordinary abilities in action. Being a werewolf does not detach me from appreciating the gifts we had. Werewolf healing was one of the traits that kicked in first in a young wolf. I guess even the Luna goddess knew we'd need it, being the creatures that we were. It also really helped with shifting, as that process was often painful at first and could make a weaker wolf pass out in the process. My lips quirked into a small smile as I remembered how much it had saved me as a young wolf, always getting into trouble. “Is so
SOPHIA’S POVMy foot is on the accelerator as I drive as fast as I can to the school without breaking the speed limit. The situation is not the most ideal one, and it's starting to get to me. How do I deal with this? It kills me to lie to my children or hide anything from them, but it's dangerous for them to know the truth.I tap my finger nervously against the wheel, my grip tightening. I don't even notice Lucas move until he's faced me, placing his hand on mine and gently easing the grip I have on the wheel. He starts rubbing small circles on my knuckles, and my tension flows out of my body. I slow down and start to drive at a normal pace.I had no idea how soothing just his presence and that simple action would be.“Want to talk about it?” he said, his voice calm and velvety as he spoke.I don't know what it was about him, but he seemed to always be there at the right time, whenever I needed him.I tried to think about how best to convey my thoughts, and my anxiety about the situat
SOPHIA'S POV“What do you mean, Mrs. Jones?”I think my tone unsettles her a bit, so I make a conscious effort to soften it. When she hesitates to respond, I ask again, “Mrs. Jones, I said, what do you mean by ‘that might be problematic?’” My voice carries a hint of desperation, though I try to keep it respectful.She lets out a nervous laugh and adjusts her glasses. “Well, you see, the nurse insists she's not crazy and locked them in a room. She refuses to tell us which one. We’ve searched everywhere.”I must not have heard her right. “She did what?”“Miss Lancaster, you need to calm down. The police are on their way right now, and we'll find them before you know it.”I was not hearing any of that. “Where is she?”“Ma'am, you just need to wait for—” The principal tries to calm me down, but I cut her off. I stand up, letting her know I mean business.“Where is the nurse?”“I—she's also locked, but in her office. She refuses to come out after what she did.”I don't know where I'm going
SOPHIA'S POVWe enter the car, and after making sure they're all buckled in and not in any way injured, I turn on the engine and lay my head on the steering wheel. I just had to take a moment to process everything that happened.Today could have gone so bad, in so many ways, and I couldn't even begin to think about that. I thought about the nurse who had insisted that she had seen Alex get healed. I'm just thanking my lucky stars that no one believed her.On the one hand, I felt bad that everyone thought she was crazy, but if anyone decided to investigate further, it would have brought even more attention to them than they already had. I had worked so hard to get them to this point in their lives. I refuse to lose everything.And there's also the matter of my children….I turn back to look at them. “You're all good, baby? She didn't do anything to you guys?”“We're fine, mommy.” They answer, their voices low. I search their faces, but it's not revealing much. That alone scares me more
SOPHIA'S POVMrs. Jackson exclaims and pulls him over for a hug. With the fence in between them, I don't know how she did it, but she managed to squeeze Lucas in her arms.“Oh, I never thought I'd see you in person. You look so handsome. Are you two dating?”“No ma'am, we're not,” Lucas answers for me, chuckling.I decided it was time for that conversation to end. “Well, Mrs. Jackson, we'll see you later. Sure you won't get someone to help you out with your gardening every now and then?”“Oh no, no, my youngest, he's getting his PhD soon, and he'll be back to keep me company. He has three degrees now. He's also quite the handsome fellow. Around your age too.”If I didn't know any better, I would have thought Mrs. Jackson was advertising her son to me. I laugh at her antics. “I'm sure he's quite the person. I look forward to meeting him.”“Alright, dear. You take care of her, you hear me? She's a good one.” She pats Lucas's arm as she releases him.We wave her goodbye and head in, remo
SOPHIA'S POV Feeling his hands on my waist, I shivered at the warmth of his touch and my body froze up.“It's not a date.” I offered up resistance and Lucas just grinned and leaned closer.“Does that mean you don't want to go?”“You... I will…” My words trailed off as I felt his hands creep up and they rested on the small of my back and pulled me closer to him.“Then it's a date,” Lucas said once again and I didn't have any words left to deny him and nodded.But his hands still did not leave and his touch became scalding as I became aware of the nature of our contact.“Lucas…” Not exactly sure what I was threatening him with, I growled…. or at least, attempted to but for some reason, it came out weak.Lucas did not reply and just gazed into my eyes and I averted my gaze.“Look at me.” He said softly and his grip weakened as he raised his hand to my head and I felt like I could break free at any moment.But I couldn't. Or perhaps, I didn't want to. Perhaps something somewhere within m
NATHAN'S POVSuspicious. That was what my mind had been telling me ever since that day.Victoria had been by my side for years. There was no way she could have betrayed me.I tried to reason with my suspicions when my wolf, which usually stayed dormant, came up.“What if she did?” It left me with that, and it stayed in my mind.I did not want to pursue that line of thought because it would only mean one thing: a man who was foolish enough to believe the words of his childhood friend over the words of his destined one.“I told you it wasn't me!” A yell broke me free of my thoughts, and I looked over to find a group of children glaring at one child.That one child had tears in her eyes, but she still stood her ground as she looked at the kids surrounding her.“Then who did? Claire said it was you, and we found you next to it.” I narrowed my gaze to another girl, who was sobbing as a few boys comforted her.“I told you it was Claire! She broke it and ran away. I was just trying to fix it
NATHAN’S POV“The person from five years ago was now the head of the Silverfang pack.”The words just kept ringing in my head from what he said. Why? Why now? Why were the pieces of the puzzle just coming together now?“Are you sure?” I ask him, just to leave no room for doubt.“Yes, Alpha, I am.”“Thank you, Theon. You may leave now.”He bows and leaves the grounds. I take my time walking to my home. There’s, after all, no need to rush. No mate waiting for me at home, for her husband to come home.Although I had spent all this time trying to take my mind off Sophia and move on, there was something about that day that had just kept nagging me. But I did not think it through. I banished her immediately.As soon as I found out that she had left, I had called a council meeting to discuss what happened. They had been very confused, as not everyone had knowledge of what happened.I decided to inform them.“So, as most of you know, I banished my mate, and she is no longer welcome in the pac
SOPHIA’S POV The morning sun filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow over Alex's room. His fever had finally broken, and his soft, even breaths signaled the end of a week-long battle with illness. He had been well enough when he left the hospital two days ago, but he had gone under again unexpectedly. I couldn't risk taking him back to the hospital again. It was a miracle they had not detected anything wrong with his vitals. During my labor with the twins, they had thought something was unusual with my readings but attributed it to the birth. Now, there was nothing that would stop them from taking a better look at him and finding out something they shouldn't. I gently brushed a curl from his forehead, my heart swelling with relief. “Mommy?” His voice was a mere whisper. “Yes, my love?” I leaned in, my hand still resting on his cheek. “I'm hungry.” A faint smile played on his lips. “That's the best news I've heard all week.” I chuckled softly. “How about some pancak
NATHAN'S POVThe air smelled strange—thick with human sweat, oil, and something bitter and metallic. Not like the forests of my home, where I had grown up there, and being here was somewhat unsettling. There, the earth beneath my feet was soft, the wind carrying scents of pine and prey.Here, in Brooklyn, the ground was hard, the sky choked with light. Yet even amidst this chaos, I could feel the pull of nature, her heartbeat buried beneath layers of concrete. It was what Elara had sent me to do. I just knew it. Why else would she send me out of the Willows?No. That wasn't right.She didn't send me out. I decided to leave. After spending five days there, I wanted to know how the world was outside that haven for creatures like us.Seeing that little boy ignited something in me that I didn't know, nor could I place a finger on. He looked so free, like the world was his to explore, and venture on a journey that only he knew the path of.Elara had sensed something in me when I got back t
SOFIA'S POV “Mr. Walters, what can I do for you?” I said, fixing a pleasant smile on my face. “Miss Sophia, no need to be so formal. Call me Simon. You've earned it, after this wonderful birthday you've thrown me. It's ten over ten from me.” “Thank you, Simon. Happy birthday once again, sir.” I nodded with a smile. “I must admit, when I picked this restaurant from Andrew's recommendations, I had my reservations, but this has surpassed my expectations. Reminds me of the good old days when the restaurant business had both class and originality, ay? Good job, Andrew,” he said, his laugh booming as he slapped the back of someone on his right. Just so happened to be Andrew. It was funny to watch Andrew sputter as he tried to come up with a response. “Thank you, sir.” “He's a good lad. Here, have my business card. We'll speak more later,” he said, reaching into his suit pocket and bringing out a card. I was stunned for a moment, then regained my composure, accepting the card. “Thank
SOPHIA'S POVThe kitchen of my restaurant hummed with activity, pots clanging and orders being shouted back and forth as I tried to stay focused on the task at hand. The birthday party for the President of The Fusion Flavors was being hosted.It was already underway, but my mind wasn’t on the hors d’oeuvres or the champagne flutes being filled in the dining room.It was on Alex.I can't believe he fainted, collapsing in the back seat of the car without warning. I could still picture his limp body as I scooped him up and rushed him to the hospital, Alexia clutching my arm, her wide, terrified eyes echoing the panic I felt. The image was still clear in my mind as I tried to make sure everything was going smoothly.I hadn't wanted to leave him, but Lucas had arrived after about two hours.I looked up when he came in. “Lucas.”“I came over as fast as I could. Is he okay?”“Yeah, he's stable now.” I still couldn't get over the fact he was here. “How are you here?”“Grace called me. She sai
SOPHIA'S POVThe insistent chirping of my phone alarm dragged me from sleep. It's five in the morning. Another day, another phase of life.Today, however, felt different. Today was the day the CEO of "The Fusion Flavor," the biggest in the culinary industry, had booked my restaurant for the President's birthday party. I had to be there on time, making sure everything was where it was supposed to be.Kate was also coming in today. It was going to be an all-hands-on-deck day. Today was going to be perfect.Groaning, I swung my legs over the side of the bed. My twins, Alex and Alexia, were still fast asleep, their tiny chests rising and falling in rhythmic slumber. I tiptoed out of the room, the floorboards creaking a soft protest under my bare feet.The kitchen was a flurry of activity. I quickly brewed a pot of strong coffee, the aroma already invigorating. My mind raced. Would the CEO be impressed with our locally sourced produce? Would he enjoy the signature dish, my mentor's secret
NATHAN'S POVThe moon hung heavy in the sky, casting long shadows across the clearing. My pack, a cacophony of growls and snarls, watched me with a mixture of fear and awe. I, their Alpha, was leaving them.“I'll be back soon. No one else can know I'm gone.”I looked at the small gathering of the people I trusted—Theon, Rachel, and Beta Lewis amongst others.I was leaving them for the unknown, for the treacherous human world.But they didn't know that.All I had told the small gathering of wolves was that I was going to hunt for Malachi before he came to hunt for us.But, unbeknownst to them, I was really going to search for my mate and follow Elder Jesper’s advice.Elder Jesper, the only werewolf I knew who knows about the ancient ways, could not come with me. He was still severely injured from Malachi's attack, and it was all he could do to guide me onto the right path. But he had also given me one last tool. He knew someone who had left the werewolf world and now lived among the hu
SOPHIA'S POVThe sun, a warm beacon in the cerulean sky, cast long shadows as we made our way through the park. It was a late morning on the next day. Their school had called earlier that morning to inform us, the parents, that it was a fumigation day and the kids had to stay home. I had to call Kate to let her know I wouldn't be coming in and that all the preparations for the President of The Fusion Flavors—his birthday was tomorrow—had to go perfectly.Alex, my adventurous son, was already racing ahead, while Alexia, ever the cautious one, clung to my hand.The kids had been asking me to go to the park for weeks now, so I figured, why not?And here I am, hours later, wondering why I agreed to this on my one day off and why it was this crowded on a Tuesday morning.Walking beside me was Lucas, his easy smile and gentle eyes making my heart flutter a little faster than usual. This wasn't just a simple family outing; it was a chance to spend time with Lucas, a friend who was slowly—but
SOPHIA'S POVThe aroma of cinnamon and apples filled the kitchen as I stirred the pot of simmering stew. I had just gotten back from work, and the day was eventful. Just thinking about the lady from earlier filled my heart with different emotions. I liked that I had been able to help her, and she had been better when she left, but I didn't like that the type of thing that happened to me happened to a lot of women everywhere.I knew there were good men out there. My dad was one of them, and my brothers were too if they had grown up. Tears threatened to well up in my eyes, but I shut them down.There were good men out there. And speaking of good men….I checked my watch, noting the time was six o'clock. That means that he'll be here soon. He's always on time.Alex, my curious little whirlwind, perched on a stool beside me, his brow furrowed in concentration. “Mommy,” he began, his voice serious, “where did we come from?”I smiled, knowing this was the beginning of many such conversation
SOPHIA'S POVThe aroma of freshly brewed coffee and freshly baked and cooked meals filled the air as I unlocked the door to "Sophia’s heart," my little haven, my pride and joy.Having dropped my kids off at school, it was time to begin the day. I entered my car to begin the drive to work.But after settling in my seat, I had taken a moment for myself. Watching them enter the school gates and waving them goodbye had filled my heart with a sense of accomplishment that could not be rivaled. They had grown up to be such amazing children."Five years ago, I wouldn't have thought this possible. In fact, I would have told myself it wasn't. That I wasn't fit to be a mother or to own a restaurant. It had seemed like such a daunting task, but if there's anything I've learned, it's that with every new thing in life, you have to carry yourself with the determination and poise you hope to project to it. Having an open mind, and not limiting yourself to any construct or standard, helped in more way