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
Sophia“Sophia, are you cold?” He asks, tightening his hold on my hand that he is holding.The concern in his voice sounds so genuine that anyone can be fooled by his concern."No, I am fine." I shake my head, though he can’t see it.I continue to stare idly ahead without acknowledging the view before my eyes."Come here." Pulling my hand that he is holding, he tugs me slightly.Standing up from my chair, I move near to him.He tugs my hand once again, makes me sit in his lap, and wraps his arms around me."Your hands are freezing, girl." he chuckles lightly and grabs both of my hands in his hands.His big hands swallow mine, and the warmth radiating from his palms instantly warms my cold hands.I stare at our hands.The hands that destiny locked together. I didn't pray for him to be my mate; all I asked destiny to bring that person into my life who is meant for me. Then why am I being bonded to someone who doesn't want me?For him, this mate bond is nothing but a forced relationship
SophiaI wake up feeling off. My body is warmer than usual, and there's a faint ache deep inside me that I can't ignore. Groaning, I push myself up and swing my legs over the side of the bed, rubbing my temples to try and clear my head.It’s too early for this.As I stand up, a wave of dizziness hits me, and I clutch the edge of the nightstand for support. The heat is spreading through my body, making my skin feel flushed and sensitive.I know these signs all too well.Every werewolf who comes to an age knows these signs. I'm starting to go into my first heat.With everything that is happening, it just slipped out of my mind that soon I would be getting into heat as I have found my mate.The realization sends a shiver of panic through me. This is the worst possible time for this to happen. With everything already so strained between Mikhail and me, the last thing I need is to deal with the overwhelming urges that come with being in heat.I nearly doubled over in pain when an excrucia
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
SophiaAfter breakfast, I decided to visit Elder Merope with the hope that she could help me find answers. Since I had never visited her before, I asked for her address from Mikhail.Initially, Mikhail was not happy that I wanted to visit her place because she lives a little away from the main pack and near the pack's territory, but when I assured him that I would inform him instantly if I found anything unusual then, he agreed to let me go without him.As I make my way down the trail, the scent of pine and damp earth wraps around me. A few pack members pass by, offering respectful nods and smiles.One of the older she-wolves waves at me."Good Morning, Luna." She bows her head and smiles at me."Morning." Smiling at her, I walk to her."Would you like to try some of my freshly baked cookies?" She looks at me, hopefully."Of course, I can smell your cookies from quite far away." Momentarily, closing my eyes, I inhale and smile at her. "They smell delicious."She beams at me, eyes crin
SophiaThe air is sharp with the bite of morning as I stretch my limbs, the first traces of light spilling through the trees. My skin tingles, and I feel the familiar pull deep in my bones—my wolf, restless and eager to be free. She’s there, waiting, urging me to give her the control that she wants.I give in.With a sharp exhale, I shift, the bones in my body cracking and realigning, my senses flooding with the sharp clarity of the wolf's world. The air smells richer, the sounds crisper. Every rustle in the leaves, every twitch in the branches, is amplified in a way that feels like everything is coaxing me to let every thought go and focus on this moment.I take off, running through the forest, the ground soft beneath my paws, the wind a steady rush in my fur. My wolf howls with joy, pushing us faster and farther, losing ourselves in the freedom of the run; from a distance, I can hear Mikhail's chuckle as if he is sharing my wolf's joy.The restlessness that’s been gnawing at me begi