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
SophiaEven the slightest doubts are removed when I see Layla standing in Mikhail's bedroom window.Surprisingly, there is no ache in my heart.Perhaps acceptance has a comfort in it; it makes the pain go away.I have accepted my fate of always being unwanted and unloved.Maybe that's why it doesn't hurt anymore.I stare up at the window for a few more moments, watching Layla’s silhouette. She looks so confident, so sure of her place in Mikhail’s life.The reality is sinking in, and with it comes a strange sense of peace. I am unwanted and unloved, and there is a certain clarity in knowing where I stand.There’s no point in lingering, no point in hoping for something that will never be. However, there is a part of me that wants to see where all this will take me. How much more do I have in me to endure? I want to push myself to the point that I finally break. I want to free myself from everything... every bond... even from myself.Call me insane... but I will continue to be the mat
MikhailWith each moment passing, I feel like being trapped in this web of conflicting emotions.I don't know what to do or how to suppress these urges which are rising in me.Earlier, I used to consider these emotions to be just because of my wolf, but today, I realized they are not.When today I couldn't find Sophia, the restlessness... the fear... the feeling of being lost was not just my wolf's; it was mine as well.The thought of her being gone, of her not being here, sent me into a panic that I couldn’t control. My heart raced, my thoughts spiraled, and for a moment, I felt like I was drowning.At that moment, I realized I needed her, not just because of our bond, but because she’s gradually become something more to me.I don't have a name for my feelings for her, but now I am certain I do feel something for her—something powerful and deep.I might not want this mate bond, but still, I want her in my life. And that's what I am certain about.I had almost lost my shit until I was
MikhailI step forward, closing the distance between us, but before I can take another, a low growl rumbles from Sophia’s chest.It’s quiet, but it’s there. A warning.I stop in my tracks, lifting an eyebrow as I glance at her.Did she just growl at me?Sophia clenches her eyes shut for a second before shaking her head, a small laugh escaping her lips. She looks almost embarrassed, like she hadn’t meant for it to slip out. "Sorry," she mutters, letting out a breath. "My wolf is in overprotective mode. She’s being territorial over Rose."She doesn’t need to explain. I can see it in the way her arms tighten around Rose, the way she angles her body just slightly, like she’s shielding her. Even though I would never be a threat, her instincts don’t care. She’s protecting our daughter the only way she knows how.Rose, completely oblivious to her mother’s fierce protectiveness, giggles against Sophia’s chest. Her tiny hands grip at her mom’s shirt, her small fingers curling into the fabric a
MikhailSophia's grip on my hand tightens the closer we get to the house. Her steps pick up, her breathing shifts, and I can feel the energy rolling off her in waves. It’s a mix of excitement and something raw, something untamed. Her wolf is on edge, not out of fear but out of that deep, instinctual protectiveness only a mother has for her pup.I can almost hear her wolf pacing beneath the surface, waiting, ready. It’s not aggression, not really. It’s just that fierce need to see her pup, to hold her, to make sure she’s safe.I squeeze her hand comfortingly.She turns her head to me, and the second our eyes meet, a smile breaks across her face.It’s so bright, so full of joy that it knocks the air from my lungs.She doesn’t say anything. She doesn’t need to.I just squeeze her hand again, letting her know I feel it too.However, I can’t stop myself. The second that smile lights up her face, I lean in and press a kiss right to it.She lets out a small, surprised breath, but then her gr
MikhailThe cool air dries our clothes as we walk back, the scent of damp fabric mixing with the crisp night breeze. Sophia insisted on washing them before she sees Rose. She said she doesn’t want to carry any negativity these clothes might have absorbed and risk letting it touch our daughter in any way.If it were up to me, I would have burned them the second we stepped out of that place. But Sophia shot that idea down fast. Apparently, walking home with nothing on wasn’t an option for her. I reminded her that we’re shifters; nudity isn’t exactly a big deal. She reminded me that we don’t have spare clothes stashed anywhere nearby and that she’s not about to greet our daughter in our birthday suits.Our fingers find each other without a second thought. Sophia’s hand slides into mine, warm and familiar, as it belongs there. I curl my fingers around hers, holding tight but not too tight, just enough to let her know I’m here. That I’m not letting go.We walk in sync, step by step, and th
MikhailLying on the cool grass with one hand tucked behind my head and the other wrapped around Sophia, I let the night settle around us. Her head rests against my chest, her breath warm and steady, her fingers tracing slow, lazy patterns over my skin.The lake’s water washed away the blood and the weight of everything that happened. Now, under the soft glow of the moon, nothing else matters. There is scent of damp earth and fresh water in the air, wrapping around us like a quiet lullaby.Sophia shifts closer, her bare skin warm against mine. I tighten my hold, running my fingers along her spine in slow, soothing strokes.“This feels nice,” she murmurs, her voice soft, almost drowsy.I press a kiss to the top of her head, letting my lips linger. “Yeah. It does.”Sophia shifts against me, her body warm and soft completely opposite to mine. I feel her move, her fingers reaching across my chest, searching.I glance down just as she stretches her hand toward mine, trying to grab it. A s
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