SOPHIA'S POVLast night with Lucas was incredible. It had been such a long time since I had enjoyed myself to that extent, and it was honestly freeing.I thought about the events as I poured hot water into my coffee maker. It was one of the few human pleasures I had allowed myself to enjoy over the last couple of years. At first, I did not enjoy the taste, but I soon realized it was a constant staple in the lives of humans, particularly New Yorkers. And I must admit, it does have a certain taste to it that grows on you in a way other beverages do not.After pressing and separating the liquid, I poured it into a cup, taking a whiff of it.Hmmm, the smell is just divine.Taking a sip, I savored the flavor while savoring a flavor of a different kind – the one from the memories of yesterday. Unfortunately, we had to leave immediately after the storm passed, with Lucas leaving to see his sister in the hospital and me taking a cab home.It had been sweet how much he had apologized for not b
SOPHIA'S POVThey raced to the kitchen, energy fueling each step. They were starting to become more energetic. With each new age, brought new surprises.I remember when Alexia was three years old, and while Alex hadn't shown any signs, she had looked like she was five years old already. They didn't look like twins for almost three months until Alex caught up to her, and now he's starting to look like the other one. Which is only fair. Male wolves tend to grow faster than female ones as they grow older.And now, he's the one showing more advanced growth changes. And soon, Alexia will too…My mind flashed back to when they were three. We were still in Italy then, and they had just started to talk properly a bit. Alexia's hair had grown past her shoulders by this point, and Alex's hair was almost the same length. They had looked almost unidentifiable like they were the same person. The only difference was Alex had grey eyes, and Alexia had blue eyes. Back then, my hardest problem was hav
NATHAN'S POVThe scent of smoke and blood still clung to my skin, a grim reminder of the battle we had just endured. My muscles ached, a dull throb echoing with every labored breath. But the victory over Malachi, coupled with the rescue of Victoria, outweighed any physical pain. I had promised to bring her home, and I had.As soon as we crossed the pack borders, a wave of relief washed over me. The familiar scent of pine needles and damp earth filled my senses, a comforting balm to my weary soul. I could almost hear the rhythmic thumping of pack gongs, a welcome sign that we were not alone and that all was well.The sight that greeted us was a mixture of relief and apprehension. My warriors, battered but unbroken, were tending to the wounded. The air was thick with the scent of healing herbs and the low growls of concern.I saw someone rush towards me, and for a moment, it looked like Sophia. My heart leaped to my throat, and I slowed down. My arms seemed to move of their own accord a
NATHAN'S POVVictoria got up and ran out of the clearing.“Wait!” The word had barely gotten out of my mouth when I could no longer see her again. I knew what I had said that was wrong, but I still didn't understand why she took it so personally every time.She stormed off, leaving me alone with my thoughts. I had many questions, and none of them had been answered. Victoria's reaction was only partly valid, seeing as I didn't outrightly accuse her of anything.Or was it the timing? Was her ordeal with Malachi too much for her to revisit?I don't like fighting with Victoria, and knowing what happened last time we spoke, and she had ended up kidnapped, I made up my mind to resolve this as soon as possible. I didn't want this to go on for quite a time.I stayed out late, gazing at the stars. The moon was beautiful today. I could still see as it shone clearly, illuminating the clearing. Nature was one of my best parts of being a werewolf. There was just something about being out in the op
NATHAN'S POVI stopped in my tracks, listening. Something was off.I stayed like that for moments before brushing the nagging feeling off. I began to move now, but lightly, my feet padding along the grass, not making any unnecessary movements.But the joy of the hunt, the thrill of the chase, felt muted. A nagging unease gnawed at me, a discordant note in the symphony of the night. "Why?" I growl, the sound echoing through my mind.A voice, raw and guttural, responds from the depths of my soul, "She's gone.""I know." I acknowledged him, the word tasting like ash in my mouth."You banished her," the voice snarls, "Your Luna, our mate.""She betrayed me," I defended, my voice tight. "She slept with another."The voice is silent for a long moment, then, "You have no proof.""I saw them," I insist, the memory of the fleeting but long-lasting image, the scent of another wolf clinging to her, still fresh in my mind. I had gone to the room with Victoria, intent on proving her wrong.Instead
SOPHIA'S POVThe aroma of melting butter filled the kitchen, a comforting scent that always brought a smile to my face. Rain lashed against the windows, a perfect excuse for an indoor adventure. Today, my two little pumpkins, Alex and Alexia, were celebrating having turned five, and although that was months ago, I still wanted to make it extra special for them."Okay, my little chefs," I announced, gathering them around the counter."Today, we're making the most delicious banana pancakes you've ever tasted."Alex, with his bright gray eyes sparkling, clapped his hands. "Pancakes! With bananas?""Well, that is what you guys ordered, is it not?" I said with a playful grin on my face.Alexia, ever the serious one, furrowed her brow. "But Mommy, how do we make them stick together?""That's where the magic happens, Alexia," I chuckled, handing her a bowl. "We're going to whisk flour, sugar, and milk together.""That's right, Alexia, that's where the magic happens!" He stuck his tongue out
NATHAN'S POVStill watching the path Victoria had left on, my mind wandered, going through the memories.Five years ago, two months after Sophia's banishmentThe full moon hung heavy in the sky, casting long, eerie shadows across the pack grounds. I paced restlessly in my chambers, the silence deafening—not the external silence of the night, but the internal one.My wolf, a fierce protector and loyal companion, had fallen silent after I banished my mate, Sophia. I thought it had been a joke, a cruel joke but one nonetheless—but I couldn't have been more wrong. My wolf still didn't answer my calls, no matter what I did. I had stood for hours under the moonlight, hoping it would cajole him out.I had run laps around the pack for days on end, hoping against hope that it would prompt him out, that the feel of my feet pounding against the grounds would ignite his feeling to touch the earth again. But nothing.He had ignored my calls, my summons, my pleas. All for what?Because of our mate.
NATHAN'S POVNow, as I walked back to my home, the heaviness of the consequences of my decision lay heavily on my shoulders. The conviction of that day had lasted only so long before it crumpled under the weight of the hopelessness of the situation.I had gone through different stages. At first, I was hopeful I would find her. No one knew I had been searching. I had kept up pretenses, my facade one that showed I had moved on, embodying the persona of one not mated at all.Only Victoria had known I still hadn't rejected her, and even so, she had only suspected.I had spent weeks searching, going on runs where I could secretly search for her, but all my attempts were in vain, as she had been nowhere to be found. It was like she had disappeared from the face of the earth.Slowly, my hope had turned into frustration, as finding her had been the only way to seal the rift between my wolf and me. I had gotten it in my head that it was the only way to reconcile with him, for the doors that ha
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