SophiaThe last thing I remember is finishing the preparation for dinner, making sure everything was perfect for Mikhail’s return. The effort had taken its toll on me, but I wanted to surprise him.I don't have much to offer him, so I want to do whatever I can to make him feel special.I hope he likes the dinner.Afterward, I stepped outside to get some fresh air and clear my head.I must have fainted.The lack of food and exhaustion from the last night's events must have caught up with me, causing me to faint.Before I can fully gather my thoughts, I hear a deep voice, and the scent that accompanies it is unmistakable.Mikhail.I can feel he is talking to someone else, but after a moment, I feel his hand lightly touching my body, and a low growl emits from him.Fighting the remains of unconsciousness, I open my eyes. My eyes instantly connect with Mikhail's, and it seems like they are looking through me instead of at me.His face is so close to mine, and his hands run across my body
MikhailMy wolf thrashed in me when we heard the pack doctor tell us how underweight she was. She almost seems starved. Now, when I recall how small and fragile she felt in my arms last night, it makes me wonder how it is possible that I overlooked her condition. I can't stop myself from touching her just to confirm the truth behind the doctor's words. I could literally count her ribs when I ran my fingers across her skin.How was my wolf so blinded in the craze of mating bond that we didn't notice this earlier?I have asked Alexei to make sure she is comfortable here, so what is she trying to prove by not eating?When I inquired about her lack of eating, Her answer stunned me. I hadn't considered that she would wait for permission to do something as basic as eating. This makes me wonder what kind of treatment she has gotten in her pack. From her confusion, it seems like she has also been deprived of basic freedoms, like eating.I should not care about it, but something in me stir
SophiaYou will fulfill all the duties of a mate because that is what you are required to do. You will give my wolf what he wants from you.His words keep echoing in my mind, but my heart refuses to acknowledge them because it still believes there will be more to this mate bond. Maybe if I continue to give him what his wolf want then one day even he will see that what we have is much more than these primal needs.I don't want to deny him anything because I am afraid to lose him. He is my mate; he is all I have. I will do whatever I have to do to keep him happy and safe. And it is not that he is forcing me to do something, he has been very careful of my needs and always make sure that I am fine. He is taking what is rightfully his as my mate.He makes me feel cherished... a feeling I never knew.Closing my eyes, I take a deep breath when his hands grab the length of my skirt and pull it up bunching it around my waist. A cold breeze touches my bare skin, causing goosebumps to rise on
MikhailDeath.No matter how much you see, still, you can never get used to it. Losing one of yours is never easy. Their death haunts you. I have lost my entire pack in the past, and I have seen numerous deaths of my own. Yet each life that I lose takes away a piece of my soul of mine and fills it with darkness.These wolves—these people—are mine. They are my responsibility, and I have failed them by not being able to protect them.If I hadn't been so consumed by this mating bond, these wolves might have been alive. But what was I doing? I was busy playing mates with this girl whom I didn't even know anything about.I know it wasn't her fault, yet I can't shake off the anger that I feel towards her.There was no need behind my actions, just pure anger. I wanted to punish her, and I wanted her to feel that she was not the one in control; I was the one who controlled everything.There was this raging storm inside me, and somewhere, unknowingly, she calmed that storm.A small part of me
Sophia I have never known my mother, nor do I have any idea how she looked apart from the knowledge that she had beautiful long hair. But when I was around five years old, I had a dream. In that dream, I heard a woman's voice whose face I couldn't see. She told me something... something that has stayed with me since then. "True power lies in being connected to your roots." I don't know who that voice was, but my heart tells me that it was my mother. I always felt a pull towards our rituals, which were performed by our ancestors, the rituals that are vanishing with time. It hurts me to think that soon a day will come when no one will be aware of our roots, our traditions. These are not mere rituals; they are our connection with our past. So when Mikhail ordered me to attend the warriors' burial, I knew I had to give them the respect they deserved. They died while protecting their people, and they deserve the burial of a true warrior. When everyone was at the clearing, I prep
MikhailThe pack members settle into their seats, utensils clinking against plates and low murmurs filling the dining hall. I can't see their faces, but I can feel the change in their feeling as the grief is slightly lessened by the comfort of knowing their brothers are in the company of the Moon Goddess. Also, somewhere, it is due to that knowledge that I have found my mate.It should not be big news because most of them are aware of my arrangement with Layla and how she is an unofficial Luna of the pack. But maybe because, like other packs, they also believe that my finding a true mate will result in a blessing for the pack; that's why they seem content.I can sense Sophia's shock as well, but she should know I haven't denied her of being my wolf's mate, nor am I going to hide this fact from my pack. No matter how I feel about this mate bond, it is true that she is my true mate... more like my wolf's true mate.The scent of Sophia's meal wafts through the air, and I can feel my pack
SophiaLast night, I couldn't sleep because my heart was heavy with the weight of Mikhail's words. He had already been very clear about what I am to him, but somewhere, there was a hope that maybe once he started looking at me more than someone who is his destined mate, things would change.The hope is not entirely lost because if I lose this hope, then I will not have anything to hold on to. Still, sometimes I wish things were not so complicated, and I would have been mated to someone who would just accept me and love me.Why does he insist on keeping this distance between us? Does he not want a mate? Or is it that even he thinks that I am not worthy enough to be his mate?The last thought breaks something inside me. I push these thoughts aside and focus on the task at hand.Last night at the packhouse, one of the pack members, Sheena, asked me if I could make a beef casserole for her. It is her son's tenth birthday, and since the pack won't be having any celebration, she wants to
MikhailI could feel Sophia's joy when Alexei was here.And I don't like it, especially my wolf.I don't want her as my mate, but until she is, I don't like whatever is brewing between her and Alexei,So, will it be okay for her to be with him after I reject her?This thought doesn't sit right with me."What are you trying to do, Alexei?" I go straight for the question that is on my mind. "Do I have to remind you that I haven't rejected Sophia?"I have never been known to beat around the bushes, so why would I do that now?"Yet," Alexei adds, making me growl lowly."Alexei, if I were you, I would be very careful of whatever next words come out of my mouth," I warn him."You can't stop me from saying the truth, Mikhail." Alexei scoffs, "You don't want her, so don't have the right to act like a jealous mate when someone else talks to her. You don't have the right to be jealous when you are still with Layla, even after you have found your mate.""I am not jealous!" Another growl rumbles
SophiaStaring at myself on the floor, broken and helpless. The sight of me like that twists something deep inside, but then I feel it—something behind me. A presence that sends a chill down my spine, raising goosebumps on my arms.“You’re smarter than I thought,” a familiar voice purrs right in my ear.Selena.Turning my head, I look at her. She smirks, her eyes gleaming with that same malice I’ve come to know too well. “Finally figured out my little secret, huh? Took you long enough.”Ignoring her, I shift my gaze back to myself.Every other emotion drains out of me, leaving just fury in its place. It rises like fire, burning hotter with every word she says.She laughs, the sound sharp and mocking, and then she steps closer, her hand reaching out. She runs her fingers through my hair, just like she did when I was lying there, vulnerable, beaten, barely conscious.I don’t flinch, don’t move. My eyes stay locked on the version of me on the ground, beaten and defeated. The anger inside
SophiaSelena keeps stroking my hair, her fingers moving slow, almost tender, like she’s comforting me. But her eyes give her away. There’s no kindness there, only malice. It’s sharp and cold, the kind of look that causes a shiver to run down my spine.With her other hand, she dips her fingers into the blood pooling around me—my blood—and starts drawing on the floor. At first, I think it’s random, just messy streaks, but the longer I watch, the clearer it becomes that it’s anything but random. The lines twist and curve, forming jagged, alien symbols that I don’t recognize.She’s so precise, like every mark has some deep, dark purpose. Circles overlap in ways that feel too perfect or too intentional. Inside them, symbols appear that almost look like letters, but they’re from no language I’ve ever seen. The air around her gets heavier and darker with each stroke. It feels wrong and unnatural, like the symbols are alive, feeding off something they shouldn’t be.A strange, low sound comes
SophiaOnce Selena finishes eating, she wipes her mouth with the back of her hand like she doesn’t care about the mess. There’s a twisted, sadistic smile on her face as she grins, looking more satisfied than anyone has a right to be. Her wounds are completely healed now, and there’s this weird glow to her skin, like she’s radiating strength.It makes my stomach churn. I can’t stand to look at her, but I can’t seem to look away either.I piece it together slowly, and the realization makes my blood boil. She’s feeding off the young blood, using it to power herself somehow. It’s disgusting, horrifying, and so wrong that it makes my chest ache with rage.The way she looks so pleased with herself, like she’s untouchable, makes me hate her even more.I don’t know how long I’ve been stuck in this memory, but it feels like forever.Selena stands there, basking in whatever power she’s stolen. Her grin is pure evil, and I can feel the hate building inside me like a fire. How could she do this?
SophiaRussells came down here a few more times.Every time, it’s the same: he beats my wolf without a care, like it’s a routine, like she’s nothing but a punching bag to him and then leaves.It's like he is letting out his anger on her for beating him.But then he always got weird pleasure in torturing me, so he might be just beating me for fun because his Alpha has given him a free hand to beat me.Then the door creaks open again, and I brace myself, expecting Russell’s heavy steps. But this time, it’s not him. My eyebrows raise when I see it's Cynthia.She steps into the room quietly, her movements cautious, her body tense like she’s ready to bolt at any moment.This is the first time I’m seeing her without that smug, arrogant look she always has. Gone is the usual disgust she wore like a second skin whenever she looked at me. Instead, there’s something else in her eyes—sympathy. Hurt.It throws me off, and I stare, trying to process what I’m seeing. Cynthia doesn’t say a word, but
SophiaMy knees hit the ground beside her, and my hands tremble as I reach out. She lies there unconscious, her chest rising and falling just enough to let me know she’s alive.Tears threaten to spill as I look at her, beaten and broken.The pain etched into her body feels like it’s carved into my soul, too.I know this isn’t real—just memories. But knowing that doesn’t make it hurt any less.It doesn’t erase the fact that once upon a time, this wasn’t a memory. It was my reality. “I’m sorry,” I whisper, my voice breaking. My apology falls flat in the empty space, swallowed by the stillness of the room.Closing my eyes as tears slip free, hot and heavy. “You deserved better,” I choke out. “I should’ve been stronger. For both of us.”Her body doesn’t move, doesn’t react. Of course, it doesn’t. She’s just a reflection of who I was back then.I close my eyes for a moment, letting the cold from the floor seep into my knees. This place... this moment... it’s like the walls themselves reme
SophiaIt feels so strange to witness this moment because I don’t remember any of it.I remember being locked in that dark basement, the cold, damp air, and the pain that completely overtook my senses when I went through my first shift.But apart from that, my memory is all hazy, like it’s wrapped in fog. It’s like there’s a part of me that was lost back then, a piece that I still can’t quite reach.And there’s this feeling inside me, a deep, gnawing desperation to uncover what’s been locked away all these years. It’s like there’s a door inside my mind that I can’t open, and every time I try, it feels like I’m just brushing up against the edges of it but never quite getting through.I want to remember.I need to know what happened, what I’ve forgotten.It eats me from inside, that longing to understand, to reclaim the memories that are kept away from me.I watch my wolf pacing in the room, her restless energy practically vibrating off her. She moves in tight circles, like she’s itchin
SophiaShe’s here. I can feel her, even though she’s too much of a coward to show herself. She’s playing games, just like always.Every time I think I’ve got the upper hand, she pulls this disappearing act, hiding in the shadows and letting her presence crawl over my skin. It’s her way of saying she’s in control that I’m just a pawn on her board.Tapping into my wolf, I let her strength flow through me. It’s like a spark igniting in my veins, a rush that steadies my hands and sharpens my focus. I need her right now, and she knows it.She growls softly inside me, just enough to remind me she’s here, ready and waiting. The sound hums in the back of my mind, a quiet promise that we’re in this together.My mind starts spinning as random visions crash over me like waves, pulling me under. Some are memories, others are my worst fears. I know this is her doing, trying to mess with my head, but I fight to stay connected to myself instead of letting myself get lost in these visions. I won’t le
SophiaLucas’s presence is a comfort I didn’t know I needed. Just having him here, seeing his face, hearing his voice—it feels like a lifeline. But there’s this small, nagging thought at the back of my mind, this awful what-if that I can’t completely shake. What if he gets stuck here with me? What if this place swallows him up the same way it’s been trying to swallow me?I push that doubt away. No, that’s not going to happen. It can’t. We’re both getting out of here. We have to. Too many people are counting on us, waiting for us. We can’t let them down.Mikhail’s face flashes in my mind, and this wave of longing hits me so hard it feels like I can’t breathe. My heart twists, like someone’s squeezing it too tight, and there’s this emptiness inside me, this awful void where the mate bond should be. It’s like a piece of me is just... missing, and no matter how much I try, I can’t fill it.I don’t even try to reach out to him. I can’t. If I do, he’ll feel everything I’m going through, and
LucasI can’t believe it. Sophia is right in front of me. My mind almost refuses to accept it, but my heart knows it’s her. A flood of emotions hits me all at once, each one fighting for control.Joy. I’ve finally found her. After everything, after searching and fighting, she’s here. Relief washes over me so strong it nearly brings me to my knees.Pain. She looks like she’s barely hanging on. Weak, tired, like the life is being drained out of her. It’s unbearable to see her like this. The glow that always surrounds us is almost dimmed to nothing. This is place is killing her, slowly, and I can feel it.And anger. Burning, searing anger. Whoever did this to her, whoever put her through this hell, will pay. I can’t stop the rage that rises in me, and I don’t even try.“Sophia.” My voice is thick with emotions that I don't try to conceal as I step closer to her.Sophia tries to push herself up, but her legs wobble. Before she can stumble, I’m at her side in a heartbeat, steadying her. She