Sophia Mikhail’s eyes darken, his wolf surfacing just beneath the surface as he watches me. The intensity in his gaze sends shivers down my spine. A flicker of raw emotion crosses his face as his grip tightens slightly on my waist.He leans in, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear, his fingers lingering on my skin.“Sophia...” he breathes out, his voice rough, almost pleading. I can see the struggle to restrain himself from giving in to his wolf's demand.He’s giving me an out, one final chance to back away.But there’s no hesitation in me now. I nod, my voice steady despite the rapid beat of my heart. “I’ve never been more sure.”“I want this. I need this, Mikhail. I need you.” My hand slips up to his chest, feeling the rapid beat of his heart beneath my fingers. “We’ve been through too much to be afraid now.”My wolf stirs, urging me forward, craving the connection that only Mikhail can give. I tilt my head slightly, baring my neck, exposing the place where his mark once was, n
Sophia Mikhail’s body is warm against mine, his breath steady as he rests beside me on the cool grass. I can still feel the pulsing heat of the mark he left on my neck, the bond between us glowing like an ember that refuses to burn out. My fingers absentmindedly trace the edge of the mark, a shiver coursing through me as the connection sparks again. I glance over at Mikhail, his eyes half-lidded, watching me with that intense, affectionate gaze that makes my heart skip. He shifts, propping himself up on one elbow, his hand reaching out to brush my hair away from my face. His touch is tender, yet there’s an unspoken hunger in the way his fingers linger on my skin. “Are you okay?” he asks softly, his voice a low rumble that reverberates through me. His eyes trace the mark decorating my neck, and a hint of pride glints in his eyes. I nod and sigh happily, though the intensity of everything we’ve just shared is still coursing through my veins. “I’m more than okay,” I whisper, th
SophiaWe shift back into our human forms as soon as we reach the house. As soon as my shift completes, I watch Mikhail's wolf receding as he shifts back into his human form.My eyes involuntarily travel to Mikhail's neck, and I notice how the new mark slightly differs from the previous mark when we completed the mating bond the first time before the rejection.Even when one of the mates is human, a mark appears on the other when their blood mixes, a subtle sign of the connection. At that time, we completed the mating bond by human and wolf marking. And the mark that appeared on his neck was much smaller, almost like a bruise, but still it was dark enough for other werewolves to see that he is mated. But now, what I'm looking at is far from subtle.The two puncture marks are still there, but now there's a crescent below the marks—a soft, almost ethereal halo surrounding it. My heart pounds in my chest as I step closer, unable to tear my gaze away. My hand moves without thinking, fi
MikhailThe new mark on my neck hums with energy, pulsing with her heartbeat. The Moon Goddess has made our reunion something so much more. The bond isn't just a connection anymore; it feels like our souls have woven together tighter and more complete than ever before like the universe tilted and settled into place.There is a feeling of contentment that is running inside my veins... and this feeling is not just mine, but my wolf's as well.The restlessness he had been experiencing for the last few days has diminished, replaced by this feeling of serenity. Maybe this is what he needed—a connection with his mate to settle the chaos inside him.As we walk, I catch a glimpse of her out of the corner of my eye. She's tense, her fingers unconsciously brushing the crescent on her chest. I hate seeing her like this—worry shadowing her features, her lips pressed together in that way that means she's overthinking.I pull her closer, letting our fingers intertwine, and press a kiss to her foreh
SophiaI want to be with Mikhail, but there's a knot of fear in my chest when I think about going back. A hesitancy that I can't quite name.I try to quiet my thoughts, but they keep spiraling.I should feel content, safe even, but the idea of returning to his pack stirs something inside me. It feels like standing at the edge of a cliff, knowing you have to jump but not entirely sure where you’ll land.Maybe the thought of facing his pack members, who already knew about the reality of my first-mate bond with Mikhail while I was unaware of the truth, makes me anxious.What they would think of me? How stupid I was because I was living in a fool's paradise while the reality of my mate bond was in front of me.My thoughts keep drifting back to the past, to Layla and the doubts she planted in my mind. Even though I trust Mikhail now, even though I know he loves me without the bond forcing him to... those doubts still cling to me, sharp and cutting like glass shards. I hate it. I hate how,
SophiaThe decision had been made the moment Mikhail told me that we had to return with him... and it seemed like everybody knew that it was just a matter of time before I gave in to his decision because it was the best option in the given circumstances.But that doesn’t make it any easier.My heart feels heavy at the thought of leaving the people who became more than just friends. Jake, Lucas, Caleb... they walked into my life when I was broken, when I needed someone to lean on, and without even realizing it, they became the brothers I never had. They were my strength when I felt weak, my comfort when the weight of the world threatened to crush me.And now I have to leave them.I try to steady my breathing, but the thought keeps twisting in my chest, making it hard to breathe. Leaving them feels like tearing away a part of myself, and it’s not the same as when I left my old pack—when I walked away from my so-called family without looking back. This... this is different.This time, it
SophiaShe hasn’t changed much.Same perfect posture, same cold beauty.Her eyes are on Mikhail, of course. They always were.However, when her gaze flickers at me, I see shock passing through them, which is instantly replaced by hate. Just to piss her off even more, I smile at her.I love being petty.Mikhail’s entire body is taut with fury. His hands clench the steering wheel so tightly that I can see the whites of his knuckles. I know without him saying a word that, seeing her has stirred something deep inside him... regret or maybe even guilt. But above all it is rage."Stay in the car,” he says quietly, his voice a controlled, dangerous calm. The cold fury radiating from him is unmistakable. He’s not asking me. He’s telling me.His eyes flick to mine for the briefest second, and I see it there—the protective instinct, the need to shield me from this. But that’s not how I work. Not anymore.When I decided to return, I knew she was going to be there because even though I hate he
SophiaMikhail stay close beside me as we watch Layla's retreating figure. Tension slightly releases his body once she is gone."Go back and sit in the car." He places his hand on the small of my back and gently nudges me towards the car.Nodding my head, I sit back in the car while he goes to the wolves standing near the border. It takes me a moment to realize these are not just pack members, every wolf who is standing here is a warrior.This makes Layla's presence here even more absurd because, as far as I remember, she doesn't hold any such rank in the pack.I watch Mikhail talking with his wolves before he returns to the car and drives the car through the borders.Instantly, some of the warriors shift into their wolves and start following our car."Wolves are coming with us." Rose's little voice, filled with awe, reaches our ears.Mikhail and I share a look and smile, listening to her."These are your wolves, Rose." Mikhail looks at her through the rearview mirror, "That's why the
MikhailI burst into a sprint, the bond's silence tearing through me like a jagged blade.Each step pounds against the earth, my wolf's restlessness and my desperation driving me faster.The world blurs around me, trees and buildings nothing more than streaks of color as I push myself harder."Sophia!" I mindlink again, hoping to get a response from her.But the void answers me. Hollow. Dead.The absence feels like a gaping wound, a suffocating emptiness that claws at my chest.My lungs burn, not from exertion but from the sheer panic constricting my breath.The mate bond is supposed to be the unbreakable connection between us, an eternal thread that binds us, no matter the distance.So why can't I feel her?I push harder, my claws digging into the earth as I leap over a low wall."Sophia! Answer me!"Nothing.I snarl, the sound ripping from my throat as I surge forward again.My wolf's fury roars in my ears, a wild, unrelenting force demanding to find her. Demanding to protect her.T
MikhailFrom the beginning, there's been nothing to hide.I've never felt shame or regret for the things I've done to claim my revenge. They were choices I made with clarity, knowing the full weight of the consequences of my actions. But telling Sophia, peeling back the layers of who I am, admitting to the blood I've spilled and the darkness I've carried... feels different. It doesn't feel like a confession. It feels like freedom.It's as if I've ripped open a part of myself I've kept locked away. And instead of flinching, she listened... and in her gaze steady, there was understanding.My kindhearted mate didn't judge me for my actions but understood me.It feels as though a veil has been lifted between us, one I hadn't realized was there until this moment. Now, we are both truly bare in front of each other.Her acceptance isn't blind; it's deliberate. She knows my flaws and my sins, and still, she chose me.I am definitely Moon Goddess's favorite; that is why she gave me Sophia.I
SophiaThe soft glow of evening filters through my window as I finish tying a delicate bow on the basket I’ve been working on. The woven basket is filled to the brim with goodies, a homemade vegetable and chicken stew to nourish the new mother, some soft blankets for the pup, and a few herbal teas to help with her recovery, along with some other baby essentials like diapers, warm clothes, and beanies. I’ve tucked in a small stuffed duck for the pup too, because I remember how much Rose loved grasping her soft toy with her tiny fingers.It feels right to do this, to bring something personal, something thoughtful. Being Luna means more than holding a title. It means being there for the pack, celebrating their joys, and comforting their sorrows. Mikhail told me that it is a tradition in their pack that Luna welcomes the newest members of the pack and is one of the first guests to visit the new mom and the pup. So, here I am prepared to welcome our new member.As I step outside, the cr
Sophia Mikhail pulls me into his arms, his grip firm yet tender, as though he’s trying to anchor himself to the present and shake off the ghosts of his past. His breath brushes against my neck, warm and steady, and I can feel his body relaxing in my embrace. Wrapping my arms tightly around him, I hold him close. My fingers find their way to his hair, threading through the soft strands as I kiss his cheek. I can feel his emotions, raw and unguarded. There’s a strange lightness in him now, as if the burden he’s carried for so long has finally begun to ease. It’s subtle, but I know him well enough to see it, to feel it. With everything that we shared—our past, our experiences, our feelings—the bond between us felt stronger and more real. Closing my eyes, I take a steady breath and let the familiar warmth of my power flow through me. I send it through the connection that ties us together. I can feel his pain, his hurt... his struggles, and I want to erase them and fill every corner
Sophia“I had just gone through my first shift. Since our healing strengthened when we found our wolves, everyone thought that maybe after my first shift, I would gain my sight or it would improve. But things weren't simple; even in my wolf form, I was blind. Not as blind as I were in my human form, but still blind." He absentmindedly continues to play with the lock of my hair as if it is the thing that's holding him to the present. "My wolf was wild, and lack of vision made him almost feral. My father's training turned even harsher because he had to help my wolf reign his energy. Even now, a part of him is still feral."A small pout forms on my lips because I don't think his wolf is feral. He has that wild energy that surrounds him, but it makes him lethal and powerful. He is magnificent.Mine. A word echoes in my mind as my wolf agrees with me."In front of you, he behaves like a lovestruck crazy beast, but he is still feral." He softly chuckles and taps my lips with his finger as
Sophia I shift slightly, propping myself up on one elbow so I can look at him. He still looks lost in his thoughts, but knowing him, I know he is alert and ready to take down any threat if it appears.His guards are never down... even while sleeping, there is alertness about him. It's like his mind is up and working even when his body is resting.The gentle sway of leaves above us fills the silence, but a question forms on my lips, one I hadn’t thought to ask until now.“Mikhail,” I begin, my voice low but steady, “tell me about yourself."He blinks as if he’s not quite sure he heard me correctly.Then, with a slow, deliberate movement, he turns to face me fully. A mischievous smile curves at the corners of his lips, one I know all too well—one I’ve seen a thousand times, used to distract, to shift focus, to keep things light. But this time, it doesn’t work.I stay quiet, my expression unchanged as I wait for him to acknowledge the question that still lingers in the air between us.H
SophiaThe nagging feeling is still there, but it is not as intense as before. When I considered what I could lose instead of gain if anything went wrong, the decision wasn't that difficult for me.Despite all the threats and dangers surrounding us, I am living my dream. And to ruin to find out something that I will eventually find out one day would be foolish of me. And how would I know that I would find out the truth one day? No matter how much anyone tries, the truth always makes itself known."Still thinking about everything?" Mikhail rubs his thumbs over my knuckles and lightly tugs my hand to get my attention."Yeah." Nodding my head, I pull all my hair to my side."Where are we going?" I ask, finally noticing that this isn't the path that I took from home to Elder Merope's place."Finally, you noticed." Mikhail smirks and teases me, "And here I was, getting worried about how clueless my mate was, that anyone could kidnap her, and she wouldn't even be suspicious.""I am with you
SophiaAbruptly, there is a knock on the door, sharp and insistent.Before I can even blink, the door swings open, and there he is—Mikhail. His tall figure fills the doorway, eyes locked on me with that familiar intensity that makes my pulse race.Mikhail strides in, eyes blazing with urgency. My heart lurches at the sight of him, and the tension that gripped my body eases in an instant."Sophia," he says, his voice low, almost a growl. "Are you okay?" He doesn’t wait for me to answer, his eyes scanning me like he can see right through to whatever’s going on inside me.I don't need to speak, though. He can feel it. I know he can. His wolf is connected to me, just as mine is connected to him, and right now, I’m a storm of emotions thrashing inside. He can feel that, too. The worry, the anxiety, the anger swirling inside me like a tornado, too strong to be ignored."Your emotions," he continues, stepping closer, his gaze tightening, "they’re… they’re driving my wolf crazy with worry. It
Sophia"Sophia." Elder Merope looks at me warmly, "I am sure there was some reason why you came here to visit me today." There is a knowing glint in her gaze."Yes." Sighing, I run my hand through my hair and nod my head. "Something doesn't feel right." She silently gaze at me for a few moments, before she gestures for me to follow her to the back of the room where a wide window overlooks a small, flourishing garden. The space is filled with pots of all sizes, some spilling over with herbs and flowers that I don't recognize, their leaves brushing against one another in a soft rustle. Sunlight streams through the glass, painting everything in golden hues."These plants are special," Merope explains as she picks up a small watering can and hands it to me. "They require care and attention, but they give back much more than they take."I take the can, feeling the cool metal in my palm, and move to the nearest pot—a cluster of deep purple blooms that seem to shimmer when the light catches