SOPHIA'S POV"Don't even get your hopes up, bitch. He's mine." I heard Emelia say to me.I ignored her and took another sip of my drink. I knew in my gut that she had just been waiting for Lucas to leave to show her true colors. Turns out, I was right."Don't ignore me when I'm talking to you.""Oh, you were? I couldn't tell.""Listen up, while I'm still being nice. I don't know what you did to him, but I'm getting him out of your clutches."I decided not to correct her assumption that Lucas and I were a thing."Emelia. Jealousy really isn't good for your skin. If the man didn't want you, I highly doubt he's going to now. So I suggest you stop throwing yourself at him.""You bitch!" She seethed."Really? That again? You should definitely get something new," I said to her, the very epitome of cool, calm, and collected."Listen up. You're not even on my level. Didn't you hear me when I said I had two restaurants? Two," she repeated, like I didn't hear her the first time.But luckily, I
SOPHIA'S POVLucas was still in front of me, his hands still on my arms, his gaze still on mine. I couldn't help the shiver that ran down my arms, as he said this. And the man interpreted that as something else entirely.“Cold? Here.” He shrugged out of his jacket, putting it on my shoulders before I could even refuse it. “We'll get your coat soon. I just need to do one more thing, and we'll start heading home.”“That is literally the sweetest thing,” I heard Maria say, and I wanted to correct her assumptions too, but I couldn't bring myself to. I just wanted to soak in this feeling for as long as I could.Wait, what?It must be the champagne. Or the way he has been staring at me. Those stormy and charming grey eyes that you could just get lost in…My eyes trailed down to his lips, and for a brief moment, I wondered how they would feel on mine, on my body…I shivered once again, and the poor, clueless man wrapped the jacket around my shoulders even more. I stared at the muscles that m
SOPHIA'S POVMe? What does Lucas mean by ‘me’? What's he doing up there? The applause in the room was deafening.He had a mischievous glint in his eye and a smirk on his face as the spotlight was on him, illuminating his features. The man looked like he promised sin and decadence like he was absolutely up to no good.As the applause died down, the crowd murmured, heads turning to catch sight of who Sophia Lancaster was, not knowing that the very person they were searching for was me—I who wasn't expecting to be under the spotlight just yet.What was this man up to?Maria squealed right beside me like this was out of her very own scripted book. “Sophia, he said your name. What do you think your man is up to?”“He's not my man, Maria. Frank, tell her.”Frank just shrugged, not looking to get in between the argument.“Coward,” I whisper-yelled to him, and he had the audacity to simply look sheepish. Maria had the man wrapped around her fingers, and she did not even know. For someone who
SOPHIA'S POVAs Lucas's hand rested on the small of my back, guiding me across the dance floor, I felt a jolt of electricity run through my body. Our bodies swayed in perfect harmony, the music and lights blurring around us.He pulled me closer, staring at me like I was the only woman in the world. And, for all the care in the world, like I was the only person in the room.“You know, that dress really brings out the color in your eyes," he said to me, staring into my hazel eyes. “I like the amber and flecks of brown in them swirling around that you could get lost in. Permission to get lost in them, ma'am?” he said, his words teasing but his expression anything but. He looked like, if I gave the word, I'd be whisked out of here and on a plane to Switzerland, lost from the world.I brought my mind back to the present. "Thank you, Lucas. I'm glad you recognize my eyes are my best qualities,” I said, trying to lighten the mood.“As much as I could get lost in them, I wouldn't say your bes
SOPHIA'S POV“What are you doing here?”I really, really do not want to be doing this."You think you've won, don't you?" Emelia spat, her voice venomous. "Stealing Lucas's attention, flaunting yourself."I stood tall, refusing to back down. "Emelia, stop this. You're embarrassing yourself.""Embarrassing myself?" Emelia laughed, a cold, mirthless sound. "You're the one who's embarrassed. A poor restaurant owner, clinging to Lucas's wealth."My temper flared, but I kept my cool. "My restaurant is successful, Emelia. That's more than I can say for you. And Lucas values me for who I am."Emelia sneered. "You'll never be good enough for him."She took a step closer, her voice dropping. "You don't know what Lucas wants. What he needs.""I think I do," I replied firmly.Emelia's eyes flashed. "You're just a temporary distraction. A charity case."The words stung, but I held my ground. “You think I'm the charity case? Look around you, Emelia. You're the one whose restaurant is crumbling. Yo
SOPHIA'S POVThe moment was magical, and the feeling unfurling in my chest was indescribable. It was the first time in a long time that I had really been seen by a man – let myself be seen by a man.Soft music drifted through the air, weaving around us like a spell. Lucas's hand rested on the small of my back, guiding me across the patio with gentle pressure. Stars twinkled above, casting an ethereal glow on the lush greenery. The moon's warm glow wrapped around me, making my wolf sing.As we danced, Lucas's eyes locked onto mine, warm and captivating. "You're radiant tonight, Sophia."Gosh! The endless praises…I smiled, feeling so alive. "You're not so bad yourself.”Our bodies swayed in perfect harmony, the tension between us palpable. The night air filled with the sweet scent of blooming flowers.Suddenly, Lucas's phone vibrated, breaking the spell. He glanced at the screen, his expression tightening."Excuse me," he said, stepping away.I watched as he answered the call, his voice
NATHAN'S POV“Theon, what’s your progress on weakening their defenses?” I asked, marching into the meeting room.“Alpha!” Several people chorused.“Alpha, you should still be resting,” Beta Daniel said. He was the newest addition to the council meeting, replacing Beta Rodney. I'd be lying if I said his absence wasn't felt, but I decided the most I could do now was avenge him.I stood at the head of the table carved out from the stones of the ground, my piercing gaze sweeping across the assembled council members. The air was thick with tension, the weight of our mission settling heavily on my shoulders."My loyal pack," I began, my voice low and commanding. "Our pack mate, Victoria, remains captive under Malachi's tyranny. Tonight, we devise a plan to infiltrate his pack and bring her home."Beta Lewis, Victoria’s father, spoke up, his eyes burning with determination. "We can't wait any longer. Malachi's already broken pack law."Gamma Ava, another new addition, spoke up and nodded vig
NATHAN'S POVThe training ended, and people dispersed, heading home. I noted that they hadn't ignored my advice, walking home in teams of two. While people were shaken by the events of recent times, I knew it would take more than that to break my pack.“Alpha Nathan,” Theon called out to me. I waited for him as I caught my breath, the adrenaline still pumping through me from the fight.“Yes, Theon?” I grabbed water off the holder, chugging it. He waited for me to have my fill before he spoke.“How about you? How many guards would you like situated at your house?”I took a moment to think. “None. Station them around the pack. Protect the pack. They're the number one priority.”“But Alpha, Malachi has already attempted an attack on you. And he managed to get to Rodney too. There's no telling what he's capable of.”“Theon, I appreciate the concern but–”“You're the strongest of us all.” He interrupted me. I let him continue out of respect and his concern for me. “If something happens to
SOPHIA'S POVThis cannot keep happening. I moved quickly, my mind a blur of frantic thoughts as I carried Alex down the hallway, my heart pounding in my chest. His small body felt so fragile in my arms, limp and feverish. I could feel the heat radiating off him, a burning temperature that made my stomach churn. It shouldn't feel possible, and yet, it was.I wasn’t sure how much time had passed, but it felt like the world had slowed down. Every second felt like an eternity as I pushed through the house, my pulse racing. I had to get him help, now.I reached the kitchen, feeling like I was suffocating in the stillness of the house. I set Alex down on the counter, quickly dialing the number I knew all too well, that I had memorised out of necessity but never thinking I would need it again. The phone rang, and I couldn’t stop my hands from trembling.“Come on, come on.” I whispered under my breath, willing the phone to connect.The line clicked, and her voice, calm yet urgent, answered o
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