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
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 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
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
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
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
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
SOPHIA'S POVThe clock on the wall ticked softly, marking the slow passage of time. I sat on the edge of Alex’s bed, gently smoothing his tousled hair as he slept. His fever had finally broken, and the color was beginning to return to his cheeks, but my nerves still buzzed with residual worry. He looked much better after the day he spent with Alexia. I had never seen his twin fuss over him that much, but it was really heartwarming to watch.It was a Friday night, and although things would be hectic at the restaurant on a usual day, the weather forecast had informed us about the unusual stormy skies for New York City.Still, knowing the residents of this city, they would still find a way to enjoy the night to the fullest. I had left Kate in charge, and there was nothing sweeter than being your own boss and being able to choose your moments.The sound of the light rain tapping against the window was a soothing rhythm, a quiet lull after the chaotic past few days.A sharp knock at the fr
LUCAS' POVThe morning light streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows of my office, illuminating the sleek, modern space with a golden hue. The city stretched out below me, a sea of movement, a constant reminder that the world never stopped in New York City – not for heartbreak, not for personal enta, and certainly not for me.I welcomed it.It was easier to focus on work than to dwell on the mess I had walked away from last night.Sophia.Nathan.The weight of that confrontation still sat heavily on my chest, but I pushed it aside. There was no room for distractions today.A sharp knock on the door pulled me back."Come in," I called.Emma, my executive assistant, strode inside, tablet in hand, her usual efficiency cutting through the air like a blade.“The acquisition is finalized.” She said without preamble. "Emerald Ventures wasn’t happy about it, but they didn’t have much of a choice. Their client signed with us the moment the ink dried."I allowed myself a small, satisfied
SOPHIA'S POVThe house was too quiet.Even with Alex and Alexia upstairs, even with Elara somewhere in the background, the silence pressed in on me like a tangible weight.Nathan’s presence still lingered in the air, thick and suffocating, despite the fact that he’d left a few minutes ago. And Lucas – Lucas had barely said a word before leaving, his jaw tight, his expression unreadable.I let out a slow breath, pressing a hand to my temple.What the hell just happened?I had spent years keeping my past buried, locked away behind carefully constructed walls. And yet, in the span of a single night, it had cracked open, spilling out at my doorstep. Nathan was here. Lucas had confronted him. And in the middle of it all was me – standing between two men, two forces that refused to yield.A bitter laugh escaped me. Perfect.Just what I needed right now. A mate coming back to claim me and Lucas being there. I turned away from the front door, heading upstairs. My body was tense with the weig
NATHAN'S POVThe moment Lucas spoke those words, “He was looking for you,” something inside me snapped into focus.I had spent weeks fighting my instincts, pulling back, restraining myself. I had let go of vengeance when my home was burned down. I had turned the other cheek when my own pack doubted me.But this?Someone dared to come after my mate?I took a slow step forward, my wolf rising to the surface. The low growl rumbled in my chest, barely contained. “Tell me everything you know.”Lucas didn’t move from the steps. He didn’t even flinch. If anything, his stance grew firmer, as if planting himself between me and Sophia. His sharp blue eyes locked onto mine, unwavering.“I’m handling it.”A slow, humorless chuckle left my lips. “You’re handling it?”“Yes.”I took another step forward. “I don’t think you understand what’s happening here.”Lucas scoffed, crossing his arms. “Oh, I understand just fine. Someone attacked my friend, and now you’re looking for an excuse to sink your tee
SOPHIA'S POV The knock at the door wasn’t just a sound – it was a shift in the air, a weight pressing against my chest. I froze. For a moment, I convinced myself I had imagined it. That my desperation had conjured up something that wasn’t real. But then it came again – firm, deliberate. I glanced at the time on the wall, several hours after I'd called him. Could it finally be him? “Go, child. Open the door.” Elara gently pushed me towards the door. I barely realized I was moving until I was standing in front of the door, hand hovering over the handle. The mate bond was still there, faint but present, like an unsteady heartbeat beneath my skin. It thrummed softly, the connection between us impossible to ignore. I sucked in a sharp breath and pulled the door open. And there he was. Nathan stood on my doorstep, drenched in sweat, his dark shirt clinging to his broad frame. His breathing was uneven, his chest rising and falling with the force of it. His eyes – sharp, gray, pierci
SOPHIA'S POV The moment the bond snapped taut, I gasped, my breath catching in my throat. It was like a thread pulled too tight – painful, urgent, undeniable. The kitchen blurred, the dim glow of the light overhead fading into the background as something else took hold. A presence. Strong. Familiar. Nathan. My knees buckled, and I gripped the counter, my fingers digging into the cool surface as the bond flared to life with a force I hadn’t expected. It pulsed, thrumming like a second heartbeat, and I knew – he heard me. He was listening. The connection flowed through me, raw and overwhelming. But just as quickly as it surged, the exhaustion followed. A crushing weight pressed down on me, the sheer force of it nearly suffocating. Elara had left the room, and I had no idea where she was. I had no idea how long it had taken me to reach him. I had no idea. Period. Would he come? I wasn’t sure I had the right to ask for him. Not after everything. Not after I had pushed him away, r
NATHAN'S POVThe next morning came all too quickly. Sleep had eluded me, like a partner hell-bent on being away from me. I'd spent the night roaming my pack, the one place I'd considered my only home, but now seemed like the farthest thing from it. But I couldn't just bring myself to leave. This was where I'd had the best memories with Sophia, where the good times still shone.But now perhaps, the bad times were starting to outshine the good here. Is this not a sign? That I should find somewhere new?I sighed, almost wishing for the days when the Luna goddess appeared to guide me. But I also knew that if I were to see her now, it would not be without danger following behind. I didn't realize it until I was there, but I was back at the edge of the territory, where Malachi had stabbed me. And had survived. My smile was melancholic when it crossed my face. In many ways, that was the cannon event for everything. “No Nathan. This all started when you banished our love. Our mate.” My wo
NATHAN'S POVThe moment I returned, I could feel it. The shift in the air.The crowd had gathered near the ruins of my home, their eyes on me the second I stepped into their sights. But this wasn’t the usual respect, the unwavering loyalty I had once commanded. This was hesitation, doubt.And resentment.Whispers spread through the pack, a quiet murmur of voices laced with frustration and disbelief. I heard bits and pieces – enough to know what they were saying."He let them go?""How could he spare her?""What kind of Alpha does that?"I could see it in their eyes – the ones who had once stood at my side, wolves I had fought for, bled for. Some still believed in me, but others? They wanted blood. They wanted a leader who would avenge, not restrain.Theon stood by my side, his expression dark as he scanned the gathered wolves. He had known this would happen. We both had.But knowing didn’t make it easier.The silence stretched, suffocating. Then, a voice cut through it."Alpha.” An ol
SOPHIA'S POVElara stood in my doorway, the morning light catching in her silver-streaked hair, her piercing gaze locking onto mine. There was something unreadable in her eyes, something weighty – like she already knew the depths of my desperation.I swallowed hard. “I need your help.”Elara’s gaze flickered past me, her face betraying nothing. “I know.” She said simply. “Let me in.”I stepped aside, my heart pounding as she crossed the threshold. She moved with quiet confidence, her presence filling the space in a way that was both grounding and unnerving.She took one look at Alex and let out a slow breath."Tell me everything.” She murmured, kneeling beside him.I didn't hesitate. “I followed the instructions exactly. The herbs, the remedy – I did everything right.” My voice cracked. “And it worked. For a little while. But then he got worse. Worse than before.”Elara pressed the back of her hand to Alex's forehead. His fever had climbed again overnight, his breathing shallow, his s
SOPHIA’S POVAlex's ragged breathing filled the apartment, each shallow inhale like a blade to my chest, hacking away at my heart. His small frame was curled on the couch, with blankets piled over him, but he still shivered. His skin was pale, slick with sweat, and the dark circles under his eyes had deepened.The remedy was supposed to help. Instead, it had made things worse.I ran my fingers through his damp curls, my heart squeezing as he stirred restlessly.“Mom…” His voice was weak, barely above a whisper."I'm here, baby,” I murmured, brushing his cheek. “I'm right here.”But I wasn't enough.I pressed my lips together, trying to suppress the wave of frustration and fear threatening to drown me. I had done everything right – followed the instructions exactly. So why was my son suffering more than before?There was only one person who might have the answers.Elara.But she was nowhere to be found.I had spent the last few days calling in favors, digging through old contacts, and