Woah, this was a difficult chapter to write for me. *wiping sweat off my forehead* Hope you enjoy reading it!
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
Sophia "Listen to me, pup," I say gently, gathering Rose's soft hair into my hands and starting to brush through the tiny tangles. "Tonight, you’re going to meet a lot of new people." Rose looks up at me with her wide, curious eyes, so innocent and trusting. My heart melts as I continue, keeping my tone calm and clear for her. "These people are very important to your Dada because they’re his people. And now, they’re your people too." She blinks, tilting her head slightly, listening carefully, even though I know she’s only two and may not fully understand everything. Still, I want her to feel comfortable and know that tonight is special. “So, I need you to be nice to them, okay?” I lean forward, catching her gaze to make sure she’s with me. "Okay, Mommy," she nods, her little lips curving into a smile. "I be nice." "My little wolf." I kiss the top of her head softly before I start to make pigtails, my fingers moving slowly so she doesn't get impatient. "Dada's people are nice?"
JakeI skid to a stop near the border, my heart slamming against my ribs so hard it feels like it might shatter. Mikhail and the rest of the patrol are crouched low, hidden behind trees and thick bushes. For a second, I don't get it. Why the hell are we hiding? Anastasia could be right there, so close I can almost taste her in the air.My wolf fights me hard, clawing at the inside of my chest, roaring at me to move, to tear through anything standing between me and her. But my human side digs in, just barely keeping control. I suck in a ragged breath and crouch low, reminding myself that rushing in without thinking could cost Anastasia her life.I notice the black hummer rolling down the old dirt road just outside the border. The windows are tinted so dark I can't see a damn thing inside. Every part of me wants to charge in and flip the damn thing over, but I grind my teeth and stay low."That's them..." Irwin says in a low voice from where he’s crouched behind a fallen log. He nods hi
Jake“How do you know Anastasia?” I ask, trying hard to keep my voice level. I don’t want to scare him off if he’s got real information. But damn, it’s tough when every second I can feel her pain twisting inside me like a knife.He leans on that broken branch a little, then shrugs like it’s no big deal. “We are… or were… friends.” His voice drops a little at the end, more to himself than to any of us. “I’m saying were because I know once she sees me, she’ll probably try to kill me for abandoning her.”He gives a short, humorless laugh that doesn’t reach his eyes. I don't laugh with him. None of us do.“That’s not what you should be worried about,” he says, looking back up at me, his eyes sharp. “Your focus should be on Ana. I don’t trust a damn soul over there. They’re vultures, all of them. But Ana’s smart. Smarter than most. She’ll know what’s going on. I trust her to get herself out.”I am still skeptical whether to trust a word coming out of his mouth, especially when I heard he a
JakeMy body shakes as my wolf pushes harder, breaking through the thin line between us. My skin stretches, bones shift, and I fight the change with everything I’ve got, but it’s like he doesn’t care. He’s done waiting.He’s angry. And scared.And so am I.Sophia’s voice is somewhere nearby, soft but panicked. “Jake? What’s happening? Jake!”But I can’t answer. I can barely breathe.All I know is I feel her. Anastasia. Not just the bond tugging... this is something more.She’s hurting.And that pain? It’s mine now, too.I slam a fist into the dirt and snarl, trying to get control back, trying not to lose it completely.Pain flares in my body like a wildfire, and I can hardly breathe. My vision goes all hazy, like I'm looking through a foggy window. I blink hard, trying to clear my head, but it’s no use. Everything around me turns into a blur. I’m dimly aware of the sounds around me, but they’re distant, like I’m submerged underwater. My mind is racing, but it’s too focused on one thin
JakeThere’s this heat sitting right under my skin, like fire trying to crawl out of my bones. It’s been there since I woke up, simmering just below the surface. I keep telling myself it’s nothing, that I’m overthinking it, but I know better.Something’s wrong.I can’t explain it, not in a way that makes sense. It’s like my instincts are pulling at me, dragging my thoughts to one place. Or rather… one person.Anastasia.I close my eyes and try to focus on the reports in front of me, but it’s useless. All I can see is her face. The way she looked when she left.... not angry, not cold, just… hurt.I didn’t want her to leave. Not like that.I wanted more time. Just a little more. I would’ve stolen her from the world if I could, even if it was selfish. But after that talk she had with Sophia, I saw it in her eyes... she was hurting.From Sophia's words, she might have gotten the impression that Sophia is against our bond, which is untrue. However, Sophia is slightly disappointed with me.
Anastasia“I don’t think this plan will work.”Ethan leans forward in his chair, arms crossed, wearing that annoyed look like everything’s just wasting his time.Pete just finished laying out the whole plan — my plan — and I can already feel the tension rising.“We’re not weak,” Ethan adds, like he’s trying to remind everyone of something they never forgot. “We don’t need to waste time spying on mutts. We should just attack, wipe them out, and take their Luna. Simple.”He shrugs like he just solved everything in two seconds. Like it’s just that easy.I can't stop myself from rolling my eyes, as I shake my head.Since everything is taking a three-sixty turn, all the high-ranking hunters are also part of this meeting, even Edwin and his group.Edwin, who’s been quiet the whole time, finally speaks up.“One of the biggest mistakes any hunter can make is to underestimate their enemy,” he says, his eyes locked on Ethan like he’s done babysitting his ego. “What do you think they are, helples
AnastasiaI keep my eyes forward, lips pressed in a straight line, like none of this rattles me. Like I’m not absolutely burning from the inside out. Pete’s words keep echoing in my head. Take away their Luna.He knows. He has to. That look he gave me… like he was testing me. Like he wanted to see if I’d crack. I can’t show it though. That’s what he wants. To see me flinch, to catch some hint of guilt or panic in my eyes. But he’s not getting that. Not from me. I’ve had too much practice keeping my mask in place, hiding the cracks. I can rage later.Right now, I have to think.I have to warn Jake.But how?I can’t just send a message. I know better. Cellphones are a joke in this place. Everything’s tracked. Calls, texts, even burner phones—Pete’s paranoia makes sure nothing slips through. He’s probably waiting for me to try, just so he can pounce with evidence.And if I get caught trying to contact someone outside the group, especially someone like Jake? That’d be the end of everythin
AnastasiaFrom Jake’s place, I head straight home. I don’t stop anywhere. No detours. Just straight to my parents’ house. My bag’s already half-packed, but I need a few more things, and more than that, I need to see them before I go.Mom’s in the kitchen when I walk in, humming under her breath while chopping something. She looks up and her face lights up, but it dims just a little when she sees my expression. She knows that look. The look that say she would like the news that I have to share. She doesn’t say anything though, just wipes her hands and pulls me into a hug.Dad walks in a moment later, looking like he’s been working in the garage. He pauses when he sees me, his brows pulling together just slightly. Like he’s trying to read the tension in the air. He's never been the emotional type, but I can tell he's not thrilled I’m heading out again.I sit them both down, explaining the basics. Just enough so they’re not left in the dark if something happens. I tell them that if anyth
AnastasiaThe sky’s just beginning to lighten when my eyes blink open. It’s quiet, the kind of soft stillness that only comes just before dawn, and the world feels like it’s holding its breath. I barely slept, and I know Jake didn’t either, but we’re both wired like this. Waking up early isn’t something we plan... it just happens because it a habit ingrained in us since forever. And honestly, I kinda love it.Jake’s still in bed beside me, his arm draped across my waist like he has no intention of letting go. I shift just a little, and his grip tightens. His voice is low and raspy near my ear, “You're up too?”“Barely,” I murmur, nuzzling into his chest. “But if you’re awake, then I’m awake.”He hums before kissing the top of my head, and for a few more minutes we just lie there, wrapped up in each other, like time doesn’t exist yet. I wish it really didn’t.Eventually, I give him a lazy smirk and peel back the covers. “Shower?”He stretches, gives me that slow grin I love, and follow
Anastasia Jake’s eyebrow lifts real slow when I reach into the front of my dress and pull out my car keys. His eyes don’t leave mine for even a second as I click the unlock button and toss the keys at him. He catches them like it’s nothing, fingers curling around them with ease. Then, without a word, his hand comes around the back of my neck, firm and warm, pulling me in. His lips crash into mine, and it’s not soft or sweet. It’s deep and consuming and exactly what I need. “Where you wanna go?” he murmurs as we start walking toward the car, his voice still a little rough from the kiss. I glance at him, not even thinking twice. “As long as you’re with me, I don’t care.” My fingers brush his as we walk. “I’m running low on my vitamin J, so all I want right now is to be with you and away from all these fuckers who are testing my tolerance.” He laughs, the sound low and familiar and the only thing that’s felt right all night. Then he opens the passenger door for me, holding it like so