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