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?"
SophiaThe moment we step into the main dining area of the packhouse, silence falls on the entire room. I see some new and some old faces; however, everyone is carrying a similar expression of surprise.Rose's hand slightly tightens on my hand as she looks at everyone... my protective instincts kicking in, wanting to shield her. But I hold myself from acting on them.Mikhail's presence beside us, giving me a sense of comfort and safety, for which I am grateful.He places his hand on the small of my back and slightly guides me forward, making me realize I have stopped walking. My eyes shift to Rose, who is taking small yet confident steps even though I can feel uncertainty emitting from her. She is unsure what to make of these people who are staring at her with bewilderment.Mikhail moves forward, picks Rose in his arms, and stops just a few steps away from the table where most of the pack members are seated.Then looking at me, he subtly motions me to come forward.The room falls into
Sophia Since we, as protectors, often move from one place to another, it's not a big deal for everyone to pack their things up and move to a new place. But for me, it was a big deal, as now, when I come here, this place is going to be my home... a place where I settle because I am not just a protector anymore; I am a Luna of this pack. The place where we were living wasn't safe for us anymore because of the recent rogues and hunters attacks. Jake was already looking for a safe place for everyone to move, as some more wolves with their families had joined us. Everyone's safety is our responsibility as they join us because they trust us to keep them safe. When Mikhail found out, he offered Jake and others a piece of land to move to near his pack, without even bringing anything to my knowledge. Mikhail knew what everyone meant to me and didn't want me to be separated from them.Jake accepted the offer and bought the land from Mikhail. Now, Mikhail and his pack members are helping to b
SophiaThere was a time when I used to wait for the moment that my father would notice me... he would call even if it were to be punished. Because in that moment, I existed for him... But gradually, a realization settled in me that even though I was his daughter, I was nothing to him. I might exist, but for him, I was nothing more than a useless creature living in his pack.Yeah, a creature... not even a person, because the way I was treated, no person would have.But all those things seem like something from a different lifetime because now anything that was a part of my past doesn't matter to me, not even the person who is my father.Holding my hand, Mikhail gently pulls me back, and his eyes roam over my face as if he is searching for something."You don't have to come with me." His eyes settle on mine, his voice laced with a protectiveness that makes me smile, "I will go and see what he wants.""He doesn't affect me... honestly, he never did. If I do not come with you, it will m
Sophia"No, she is not! Because she is my daughter."My heart races while a shiver runs down my body, my head snaps in the direction of the voice, and my eyes connect with the familiar pair of eyes.I see these eyes every day... every day when I see myself in the mirror. I freeze at the spot when I see the woman standing before my eyes. Beside her, there is a man whose murderous glare is fixed on someone behind me.However, when his gaze momentarily flickers in my direction, I notice how subtly they soften before turning impassive again. There is a struggle behind his gaze... an emotional turmoil that somehow I can feel."She is my daughter." She growls again; this time louder than before.Somewhere, her voice sounds so familiar that it makes me frown. Her long hair cascaded down her back in waves, and her hands curled in tight fists, her body slightly trembling with fury.My eyes widen in recognition when I realize this is the same voice that I heard in my dream.The woman, who I b
SophiaThe darkness that held me begins to recede, bit by bit, though I’m not ready to face the world just yet. I’m caught between two realms: the overwhelming truth and the warm embrace of the woman who was supposed to be a ghost in my life.How do I know who's holding me? Her scent surrounds me, comforting yet unfamiliar, filling the hollow space in my chest.I never thought I’d feel this.I’m caught between two realms: the overwhelming truth and the warm embrace of the woman who was supposed to be a ghost in my life.Her soft whispers reach my ears, barely audible, yet laced with the weight of years of loss. She hums a melody—a lullaby maybe—one I don’t remember, but my heart seems to recognize.I want to hold onto this moment, but the pain of everything comes rushing back, suffocating me again. Gregor.The lies.The stolen years. Every single revelation crushes me, and I feel like I’m drowning all over again. I try to push it down, but it claws at my insides, demanding to be ackn
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