Guys, I just need to clarify a few things. I don't ask anyone to comment or review my story. I believe if anyone likes or dislikes my story, they will share their views on their own. If you are asked to comment, it's the platform. I wasn't even aware of it until now. Secondly, the only way any author can interact with their readers is through this note section. On a side note, Kyrsoria, CollyB, and Myra Misiri, do you know how amazing you are?! Hi-fi, for uncovering what Mikhail figured out. You guys rock! XOXOXO
SophiaThe light filters softly through the curtains, warming the room and slowly nudging me awake. I stretch out a hand to the left, reaching for the familiar warmth that I expect to find there. My fingers touch only the coolness of an empty bed.Mikhail's side is cold. He's already gone.My eyes snap open, and I sit up, blinking away the sleep as I glance at the clock on my nightstand.9:30 a.m.I overslept, which isn’t like me. I try to remember the last time I slept this deeply, but it feels like a distant memory. Maybe that’s what peace does—real, settled peace, the kind that sinks into your bones.The bed feels too big and too empty without him here. I reach for the faint scent he’s left behind on his pillow—cedar and rain, the scent that usually lingers in the air long after he’s gone. I close my eyes, breathing it in, as memories of last night return, a series of touches and whispers in the dark. I brush my fingertips over the mark on my neck, where his teeth sank in last nig
MikhailClosing the reports file, I run my hands through my hair.My wolf has been on edge since the moment Alexei informed me that Gregor has been contacting several Alpha. He is calling a summons for Sophia, me, and others to appear before the council. He’s stirring up trouble, claiming that Artemis attacked him and threatened him. The council is going to favor that manipulative bastard because Artemis even attacked the councilmen. Anger pushing through my veins, I never bow down in front of anyone. What does he thinks that I am going to let this council dictate me?Alpha Mikhail, your presence is demanded at the lunch.Sophia mindlinks me, her playful tone cutting through the tension like a knife.In an instant, the anger and frustration that have been churning in my gut ease. Damn it, I love that woman. Her voice is like a balm to my soul, soothing the jagged edges of my thoughts.I can’t help but smile, picturing her in the kitchen, likely humming to herself while swaying her bo
MikhailCrossing my territory, I head toward the construction site where we are helping Jake in building houses for the packless.After gathering information from Sophia, we decided to make different sets of houses for everyone to fulfil their needs. The packless have both mated and unmated wolves, while there are some families, as well. So that they don't have issues settling into their new home, we are trying to keep everyone's requirements in mind while building their house.The sharp, earthy scent of fresh timber and the hum of construction fill the air as I approach the site. My wolves and some of the wolves of the packless are working tirelessly, hauling beams, mixing cement, and stacking bricks to complete the houses as soon as possible.I glance over to where Jake is directing a group, his voice carrying over the sound of hammers and saws. His attention to detail is remarkable, making sure everything is perfect down to the smallest measurement, keeping the comfort and safety o
SophiaI can sense Mikhail’s emotions before I even see him. It’s like a wave crashing over me, a blend of raw anger and frustration simmering beneath the surface. I feel it prickling through our bond, hot and unsettling, making my own pulse quicken.To feel someone else's emotions so intensely feels weird, as if his emotions are my own.My chest tightens as I close my eyes, trying to steady myself, but his rage bleeds into me, unfiltered and sharp.He’s never been one to hold back when he’s furious and it seems like his anger is rubbing on to me.The intensity of his anger begins to fuel mine. And even though it feels foolish suddenly, I feel like killing someone. And I don't even know why. I push aside the book in my lap and stand, my legs already moving, before I make the conscious decision to find him. Dammit, I need to find this crazy wolf because I am seconds away from exploding from this anger.Finally, I reach the edge of the training field, where Mikhail stands alone, fists
MikhailDamn, if I wasn't in love with Sophia, I would be so pissed at almost losing that fight.But I can't bring myself to feel anything but pride.She’s good, and my wolf is pacing in my mind, practically bursting with pride and admiration for our mate.I can feel the thrum of his excitement blending with my own.Sophia is powerful, fierce, and everything that drives me wild.It just strengthened my belief that if there is anyone who could have been my better half, it is her.A part of me is relieved to know that she is capable of protecting herself. She is not vulnerable enough to allow anyone to overpower her.The Alpha blood running in her veins ensures that she never submits to anyone, not even me, her mate.However, the feeling of being seen is something that I have only felt with her, and that makes her even more amazing.As long as I can remember, I have been labeled with so many names... called horrible things... called cruel and ruthless. Some even associated bad luck with
MikhailAtlas and Artemis are the first ones to come, even though I have called them for the meeting in the last.Their hands carry a couple of bags, and the excitement in their eyes says that these are for Rose. Another people add to the ever-growing list of people to spoil my pup with love. Artemis surprises me when she comes and gives me a side hug before she goes inside the house.I watch Artemis disappear inside the house, a smile tugging at her lips as she calls out to Sophia. The sound of their voices mingling reaches my ears, light and carefree. My eyebrows slightly raise at her welcoming behavior."She is in a good mood today." Atlas looks at me and shrugs. "She did go a little overboard with the shopping, but if that makes my mate happy, then I don't mind."This is the point of commonality between me and him. We both desire to keep our mates happy, and the rest of things don't matter to us. “So,” Atlas continues, shifting his stance, “What’s this meeting about?"“We need
SophiaI watch from the doorway as Mom gently tucks Rose under her blanket, smoothing the wisps of hair away from her little face. Rose stirs slightly, murmuring something incoherent before settling back into sleep.The tenderness in Mom's expression stirs something deep inside me—a longing I didn’t even know I was carrying.It’s strange how the past still holds me in its grasp despite everything I’ve gained.I was afraid that she might overlook me because of how she was getting attached to Rose. It is so embarrassing that the years of doubts and feelings of being unwanted made me feel insecure of my own daughter.When Mom turns and sees me, she smiles. It’s warm and genuine, the kind of smile that cradles you in comfort. For a moment, I hesitate, but then she opens her arms, and I step into her embrace without thinking. Her touch is steady and reassuring, and it makes me feel like a child again, safe and loved."Mom, " I breathe out while tightening my hold on her. Just like that, al
Sophia"Your suspicion was right."Elder Merope slowly nods her head as she looks at Mikhail."What suspicion?" I look between Merope and him.Mikhail's body begins to tremble, and his eyes turn darker. He emits low growls while the grip on my hand becomes painfully tight."Somebody tell me what is going on?" Placing my hand on his arm, I look at Elder Merope for answers."Alpha found out why Gregor wants you back." The grave expression on Elder Merope's face only adds more to my anxiety.The growl emitting from Mikhail becomes louder as fur begins to sprout on his skin. Grabbing me with my waist, he picks me up and forces me to sit on his lap while he places his nose against my neck."Let him hold you." Mom glances at Mikhail and then looks at me. "Our touch and our scents calm our mates."Mikhail’s grip tightens around my waist as he pulls me close. I can feel the roughness of fur brushing against my skin, the barely contained wildness radiating from him.His breaths are harsh, ragg
MikhailThe moment I have Sophia in my arms, it feels like my heart is finally able to beat again, like my lungs can take in air properly.I didn’t realize how much I was suffocating until now. Until she was here, pressed against me, where she belongs.Having her back in my arms feels like I’ve gotten my life back, like I’m whole again.But then, she shifts slightly, trying to take a step back.A growl rips from my chest before I can stop it, deep and primal. My arms tighten around her instinctively, refusing to let her move away.My wolf is losing it, clawing at me, desperate to keep her close. Possessiveness surges through me, raw and unrelenting. I don’t want her to go—I can’t let her go. Not even for a second.Sophia laughs softly, the sound light but a little tired. Her arms tighten around me, and for a second, it feels like she’s holding on just as much as I am.“I’m dirty,” she murmurs, tilting her head back just enough to meet my eyes. There’s something teasing there, but also
MikhailShe’s drenched in blood, but it’s not hers. It drips from her fingers, streaks down her arms, soaks into the floor beneath her feet.She’s trying so damn hard to keep it together, to hold back the tears threatening to spill over. But the second I tighten my arms around her, she breaks.A shudder runs through her body, and then she’s shaking, her walls crashing down as she buries herself against me.“I was so afraid I’d lose you…” Her voice cracks, barely more than a whisper. “I’ve lost myself, but I can’t bear to lose you.”She presses her face into my chest, her sobs muffled against me. I hold her tighter, one hand cradling the back of her head, the other gripping her waist like I can somehow keep her from falling apart.“I’m right here,” I murmur against her hair. “I’m not going anywhere.”Her fingers dig into my back, clutching me like I’m the only thing keeping her together. And maybe, in this moment, I am."This darkness is suffocating," she whispers, her voice barely hol
MikhailSophia doesn’t even glance at Artemis. It’s like she’s not even there. But her eyes? They stay locked on mine, unblinking and intense. There’s no sense of recognition in them, no softness, no warmth. Just something cold and distant.Still, I feel her.Our mate bond doesn’t hum with the warmth it once had, but it’s there, faint and pulsing like a thread stretched too thin but refusing to snap completely. She doesn’t say a word, doesn’t make a move. Just keeps staring at me, her gaze drilling into mine like she’s waiting. Then I realize... she’s waiting for me to see her, to really see her. All of her. The darkness she carries, the evil she’s let in, it’s twisted and terrifying, but beneath all that, she’s still my mate. She’s still Sophia.And she needs me to accept that. She’s not looking for judgment or fear. She wants reassurance, a promise that I’m not going anywhere, no matter how deep her shadows run. She needs to know I’m still with her, that I won’t turn my back on he
MikhailSophia's smile falters just enough for me to notice. There’s a flicker in her gaze—unsure, almost fragile—and it hits me like a punch to the gut. My heart clenches as I watch her wrestle with whatever storm is brewing in her mind.“You don’t hate me,” she says, her voice so quiet it feels like a secret.The vulnerable side that wonders if she deserves to be loved.... that her darkness would make me not love her.Anger floods through me, hot and fierce, almost too much to hold back.Because this uncertainty I see flickering in Sophia’s eyes, that doubt gnawing at her, it didn’t just come out of nowhere.It’s him. Gregor. That worthless piece of filth lying broken on the ground. He’s the reason she even questions her worth. He’s the one who planted this poison in her head, making her feel like she can’t be loved, like she’s undeserving of it. Every insult, every cut he threw her way was meant to chip away at her, to leave her feeling unloved and worthless. I take a deep breath,
MikhailGregor’s cries fill the air, raw and broken, as he tries to get away from Sophia. He’s crawling like a beaten dog, dragging himself through his own blood. It smears across the ground, a trail of his pathetic attempt to escape.His hand clamps over the empty socket, but it doesn’t stop the blood. It pours down his face, dripping onto the ground, staining everything in his path. His body shakes like a leaf in a storm, and all the while, Sophia watches him with that same cold, detached look.He’s finally tasting his own medicine, and damn if it doesn’t feel satisfying to watch.All that fake power, that smug confidence he wore like armor, has crumbled. What’s left is the real Gregor: a coward who can’t handle the pain he’s dealt out to others for so long. It’s poetic, really.Sophia stands up slowly, her movements are steady, almost graceful, as she straightens herself. The blood on her claws glistens under the dim light, dark and sticky.Without a flicker of emotion, she wipes t
MikhailSophia somehow lifts Gregor even higher, her claws tearing the tendons of his neck even more.The raw strength in her is unreal. He’s gasping, his hands clawing at her wrist, but she doesn’t flinch. If anything, her expression hardens even more, her jaw set in cold determination.Gregor’s no small guy. He’s built like a damn boulder, broad shoulders, thick arms... he is Alpha even if he is illegitimate; he still has blood in him. Sophia, though? She’s barely half his size, slender and petite compared to him. Normally, anyone would assume she wouldn’t stand a chance against someone like him.But right now, none of that matters. Her strength is something else entirely, something that shouldn’t even be possible. She’s got him off the ground like he weighs nothing, her hand gripping him with ease. Gregor struggles, his muscles flexing as he tries to fight back, but it’s useless. He looks like a child in her grasp, completely powerless.And then, with a sudden force, she hurls him
MikhailSophia’s gaze shifts to me, and for a moment, the cold mask she’s been wearing cracks. Her eyes soften, and a flash of pain crosses her face. It’s so quick that I almost think I imagine it, but then she whispers, her voice trembling with something I can’t quite place."Leave."There’s regret in her tone, maybe even a hint of helplessness. Her eyes shine with unshed tears, and for a second, I forget the darkness radiating from her, the raw power she’s been wielding like a weapon."I am not going anywhere," I hold her gaze steadily.Her lips part, and there’s this flicker of vulnerability in her expression."You wouldn’t want to witness this," Her voice breaking slightly.Something about the way she says it makes my chest tighten. It’s not just the words—it’s the regret laced in them, the quiet plea for me to walk away.The tears glistening in her eyes are such a stark contrast to the ruthless strength she’s been showing. If it weren’t for Gregor dangling helplessly from her cla
MikhailGregor laughs, and then his eyes land on me. There’s a smugness in his gaze, a sick kind of satisfaction that makes my blood boil."It’s been so long since I’ve been with you," he says, his voice dripping with mockery as he shifts his attention back to Sophia. But I know his words are aimed at me. He’s trying to get a rise out of me to prove that he won."So long since I’ve properly held you," Gregor continues, his tone turning low and possessive like he has some kind of claim on her. "But now, my longing will finally end."My wolf growls inside me, but I give him a sharp warning to stay in control. However, it’s taking everything to hold him back because he is on the verge of taking control.This bastard is so twisted he doesn’t even care that the woman he’s drooling over is someone who used to call him father. It churns my stomach just thinking about it. The way he looks at her now, like she’s some prize he’s been waiting to claim, makes me want to rip him apart all over ag
MikhailColdness settles deep in my chest as the silence stretches after her words. I lock away every emotion clawing at me, burying them under a layer of ice. My eyes stay on her face, maybe searching for the glimpse of Sophia that I know.But I find none.Have I really lost her? No, it can't be because a part of me refuses to believe this, even when everything screams that she is gone.“I’ll take you to Gregor.” My voice is flat, my tone sharp as I curtly nod.“What the hell are you saying?” Caleb’s voice cuts through the tension like a whip, his outrage spilling into the air. “You’re gonna take her to that bastard? Are you out of your mind?”Out of the corner of my eye, I see Caleb step forward, his hands balled into fists, but I don’t move. I keep my gaze on Sophia.A small smirk lifts the corner of her lips as she raises an eyebrow like she’s enjoying the chaos her words have created. It’s not a smile I recognize. It’s taunting and cold.“Yes,” I say firmly, ignoring the way Cale