SOPHIA'S POV
The 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 going," I said, tucking my hair behind my ear. "Ooh! Yeah! I was actually looking for a bakery called Sophia's Sweet Treats." I was about to say something when he gasped. "Are you the Sophia of Sophia's Sweet Treats?" he asked with wide eyes, making me laugh. Who is this guy who has made me laugh so much in a few minutes? "Yeah! That's me. Flesh and blood," I said as I walked towards my bakery, unsure of what to do with the stranger behind me. Then it hit me. Wait. My pocket! I had forgotten to check my trousers pocket in my foggy state, clouded by the emotions of everything going on. I had been so focused on my bag that I didn’t think to check my pocket. I always forget them there sometimes, but this time, I didn’t even consider it. I reached into the side pocket of my trousers, and sure enough, the soft jingle of keys greeted me. I let out a relieved breath. How could I have missed them? "I've heard so much about your treats. I can't wait to have a taste of them," he said behind me, suddenly bringing me out of my thoughts. I scoffed. "Well, you'll have to wait. I'm just starting my day," I announced to him. But that didn’t stop Lucas from following me inside my dusty shop. "That's not a problem. I can help with little things. I'm on lunch break, so I don't have a problem helping out," he said and started rolling up his sleeves. He was serious, and I didn’t know why he would want to help out. "Are you sure about that? I don't want to..." I tried to decline his offer for help, which I knew I needed. "It's fine, Sophia. By the way, why are you just resuming work now? Did something happen?" he asked as he picked up a broom. "It's a long story," I replied as I started cleaning the tables and chairs. "Make it short," he simply said, and I rolled my eyes. "Don't you think you're asking too many questions for someone you just met?" He was such an inquisitive person, and it left me confused about how to deal with that. "Are we not friends?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. I sighed. "We're not enemies, Lucas. Besides, if we were not friends, I wouldn't even let you walk into my bakery." He smiled at that. "Great! Friends ought to know about each other and ask questions," he replied. "Is this a kind of question-and-answer session or an interview?" I asked as I became uncomfortable with his questions. "Come on, Sophia. Loosen up a bit." "Fine. What would you like to know?" He paused for a bit before speaking again. "Why did you lock your bakery for two days? I mean, I came here countless times, and it was locked. I almost gave up. You know, for someone who people talk so much about, I wasn't expecting such... disappearance." "Lucas..." "What happened? Did you travel? Were you sick?" "You won't stop asking, right?" "Nope." "Fine. I went for a pregnancy test," I blurted out. "Oh!" "Yeah, and I found out I'm pregnant. It ruined my mood, so I had to stay back at home for a while." I had no idea why I just told a stranger I had met today, who claimed to be my friend, this part of my life. Maybe it’s because I needed a friend or because I needed to let my feelings out. "Oh dear! I'm so sorry. I absolutely had no idea." "Now you do," I said and walked away to get my ingredients. "Now I see why you didn't want to say anything. I'm sorry, Sophia." I nodded as I continued my work. He sighed, not knowing what else to say. "Sophia?" he called, and I turned to look at him. "Uhm. Lunch break is over. I need to head back to the office, okay?" "That's fine. Thanks for helping out." "The pleasure is all mine," he said with a smile and headed out of the bakery. Did I scare him off by talking about my pregnancy? Well, whoever wants to be friends with me should accept me for who I am. I started preparing my treats as customers began to come in, one after another. ✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✧✦✧ Later that day….. "Hello!" someone said while walking towards me. "We've closed for the day, sir," I answered, recognizing it was a male voice. "I know," the person said, making me look up. It was Lucas. "What are you doing here?" "I came to see my friend and to have some treats. Do you have any left?" he asked, taking his seat. I sighed. "Yeah, but the bakery is closed. I'm exhausted. It’s been a long day for me," I said. I wasn’t even expecting him to come back, but here he is, asking for my treat. "I'll be very fast, but if you don't want me to have a taste, I can take my leave," he said and stood up. "Oh! It’s fine. I'll bring it in a moment." I quickly microwaved it and served him. He told me to join him, but I declined, saying I needed to clean up. "Sophia?" he called, and I hummed in response. "I don't think I'll ever stop coming here," Lucas said, beaming with a smile and a mouth full of food.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
SOPHIA'S POVAs the doctor had predicted, a few weeks later, I found myself nearing my due date. The excitement and anticipation intensified with each passing day.It had now been eight months since my last visit to the hospital, and the time for labor had finally arrived. While my pregnancy was shorter than the typical nine months—common for a werewolf—I felt ready to welcome my children into the world. I gave birth to twins, whom I named Alex and Alexia. Although everyone was surprised by the timing of my delivery, I was grateful to bring my babies into the world in good health. The process of labor took longer than I had anticipated, but the moment I laid eyes on my children, all my discomforts faded away. They were beautiful!Alexia looked more like me; she took after my blue eyes, while Alex was a replica of Nathan with his light gray eyes. I stared at my children as a tear rolled down my face. I kissed them both as I dropped them gently in the crib. In no time, they were both a
NATHAN'S POVRunning every morning is my favorite part of being Alpha. I love how fast my paws take me whenever I run in my wolf form. It was a form of workout for my wolf, and it kept my mind at ease as I only focused on running and my environment. I'd been running for the past thirty minutes, so I decided it was time to go home. I ran towards the pack house as the gates opened the moment my wolf was spotted from afar."Good morning, Alpha.""Welcome, Alpha." Some pack members greeted me the moment I shifted back to my human form. I nodded to their greetings as I walked straight to my room to take a cold shower.An hour later, I was in my office. I had so much to do. If I had a beta, it would have been easier, but I have yet to appoint one. I’m trying to be careful so that I don’t make a mistake. The last Beta of my pack was killed in a rogue attack on his way back to the pack. I had to appeal for an acting Beta from Moonshine Pack—Victoria's father—to fill in until I’m ready to appo
SOPHIA'S POVThat week flew by in a blur. My delivery was smooth, the twins were healthy, and after all the necessary checks and monitoring, we were allowed to go home.The place I called home was a cozy two-bedroom flat nestled in the heart of the town. I had fallen in love with it at first sight, and it had once been the only slim ray of light in my life.I gazed at the building as it came into view, the drive from the hospital a long one.“So, which one is yours?” Lucas asked, looking around the block.“That one,” I said, pointing at the one with the little lights twinkling around the edges.“I don't think I even needed to ask you. I could tell right away as soon as you pointed it out. It looks very you,” Lucas chuckled as he pulled into the driveway.“Hey.” I lightly punched him on the shoulder. “It just shows personality. And I'll decide to take that as a compliment.”“Whatever you say, Sophia,” he said as he killed the engine.“Hey,” I said as he opened his side of the car. “Tha
SOFIA'S POV Five years later… “Mommy, mommy!” My twins chorused as they tugged my hands, pulling me forward. Alex tried to simultaneously pull his sister forward too, forgetting we were already moving at the same pace. He nearly tripped over his own feet but quickly regained his balance. “Yes, my babies? Alex, be careful. Come here, hold my other hand.” I reached out, and he walked over and slipped his tiny hand into mine. “Mommy, New York is huge! Has it always been this big? Mommy, what's that thing there? Mommy, it's going so fast!” Alex spoke quickly, his words tumbling over each other like they couldn't wait to escape. His wide eyes darted around the airport terminal, taking in everything at once. “Slow down, Alex. You're confusing me.” Alexia, his twin sister, complained, her tone much more measured and firm. “But Mommy heard what I said, didn't you, Mommy?” He looked up at me, his eyes the color of clouds. He didn’t even wait for a response before turning back to his sis
SOPHIA'S POVThe rush hour arrived, and the bell on the door chimed accordingly, signaling the entrance of customer after customer. While that usually would have snapped up my attention, the man just a little behind everyone else caught my eye.I watched him raise a sign and read it just as he whispered in my ear, "Need a hand?" That seemed to do the trick, yanking me from my shock. I crossed the space in what usually took me more seconds, shoving against the onslaught of people coming in.I stopped when I was right in front of him.“Hi.” I was breathless from basically sprinting to meet him.“Hey, you.” He stepped closer, into my space. “I see you're a blonde now.”“Why does everyone keep saying that?” I shoved him on the shoulder. “Did you and Grace plan this?”He laughed, catching my hand to stop the attack. “No, we didn't. And hey, is this the greeting I get after all these years?”“It will be if you continue this. You should know not to comment on a woman's hair unless you have
SOPHIA'S POV“Hey hey, stranger danger. It's just me. Calm down, tiger.” Lucas chuckled as he entered the kitchen, holding his hands up in mock surrender. He walked up to me and grabbed the makeshift weapon from my hands, the pan clanging on the board.“Yeah, sorry. I just thought it was someone else.”“Who else could it have been?” Lucas asked, brushing it off.His question brought up a concern that had been lurking in the back of my mind for the past five years. If they ever found out…I shook my head, bringing myself out of it. Not right now. I couldn't worry about that right now. “So, uhm, yeah, you said you wanted to talk?”“Yeah, I wanted to… Are you good?” He looked hesitant to carry on, probably having sensed the change in my mood.“Yeah, definitely. I'm good.” I reassured him, adding a smile for good measure.“You know you can talk to me about anything, yeah? Anything at all.” Lucas probed, his eyes searching. I couldn't afford to give anything away, so I brushed off his conc
Sophia’s POV Five Years Ago… “Are you sure you wanna do this?” Grace asked, following me into the room where I was shoving things into a bag. She had been a constant presence in this house ever since the phone call about a month ago. It was still fresh in my mind… She had arrived and met me watching over the twins. “Hey. You sounded stressed over the phone. You wanna talk about it? And I promise, I’m being a friend and not your therapist right now,” she ended with a little nudge. She waited, but I still said nothing. “Wow. Tough crowd.” “I don’t want to make a mistake with them. Just looking at them… they’re the best thing to ever happen to me. I can’t lose them.” “Hey, hey. You won’t lose them. I promise you.” Grace rubbed my shoulders comfortingly. “But you don’t know that, Grace. You don’t know that.” And she really didn’t know that. There were too many unknowns, and too many factors to consider that could come into play. How was I supposed to balance everything? How was I
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
SOPHIA'S POVThe rain was coming down in sheets, a relentless torrent that had transformed the usually vibrant backyard into a muddy swamp. The rainbow that had been there earlier had disappeared beneath the dark clouds. Inside, the twins, Alex and Alexia, were bouncing off the walls, their energy levels threatening to shatter the windows."Mom," Alex whined, "We're bored!”"I know, darlings." I sighed, peering out the window at the dismal weather. "But it's pouring outside. We can't go anywhere."Alexia, ever the dramatic one, flopped onto the sofa with a theatrical groan. "This is the worst day ever!"After having pancakes for breakfast, I knew having any other thing with too much sugar would be abysmal for the kids, hyping up their energy levels, but I was counting on their werewolf metabolism to solve the problem.I smiled. "Well, let's make it a little less bad." I rummaged through the pantry, pulling out a large bag of flour and a bowl. "How about we bake some cookies?"The twin
NATHAN'S POVElder Jesper’s words snapped me out of my own head. “What did you say?”“Nathan. Let me ask you this. What's stopping you from going to meet her?”“Who? Sophia?” I inquired, the confusion apparent. He only nodded, not giving me a verbal response.“Well, that's because…” I paused, my words trailing off. What was stopping me?What could I say that would actively justify me not going after her?“Where would I start from?” I finally settled on it.“Where? The world is your stepping stone. Begin your journey there. No journey ever began without that first step. And the first step cannot be taken without you making that decision.”“So what are you saying?”“I'm saying, Nathan, that you need to do whatever you can to get Sophia back.”Get her back?The thought seemed almost incomprehensible as it swirled around in my head. Get my mate back?“There is a chance?” I asked, the question coming on in a breath.He nodded. “Although slow, the chance does exist. Listen to me, Nathan. Lo