SophiaClosing my eyes, I take a deep breath, and then again, I try to imagine myself speaking. Opening my mouth, I force my vocal cords to work while trying to make a sound... but all I get is to manage a grunting sound.Sweating starts to form on my forehead as the sun beats down on my skin... but the exhaustion that I am feeling is from pushing myself hard to speak.Last night, Rose told me she wants me to talk normally like everyone... she doesn't want me to talk to her in her head.I don't know how to explain to her that I try so hard to be a normal mom for her, but I can't.Looking up, I wipe my fingers beneath my eyes and clear the tears that escape my eyes.My emotions are all over the place, and it has something to do with Mikhail.Seeing him again was a reality check for me because, for all these years, I thought his presence wouldn't affect me, but I was wrong.He still affects me.And I don't know what to do about it; his presence rattled me from inside, stirring those emo
Sophia We've been sparring for too long, and I can see the fatigue in his movements, the way his breath comes in short, labored bursts. He's growing impatient, ready to end this fight. I can see it in the way his eyes dart toward me, the frustration evident in his furrowed brow.Up until now, I’ve only been dodging his attacks, testing his endurance, and letting him wear himself out. But now, I feel the familiar coil of strength in my muscles, the readiness to strike back. It’s time to switch from defense to offense.With a calculated step, I move forward.My body and movements, controlled with the training that has strengthened me and made me quick at my feet.My opponent’s eyes widen in surprise as he realizes the change in my stance, but it's too late for him to react. I feint to the left, drawing his attention, and then I strike with precision—a quick, sharp blow to his side that makes him stumble back.Bryan grunts, recovering quickly, but I don't give him a chance to regain his
SophiaEvery time I use my powers, I give away a part of myself. And yet, I can't stop. Not when I know I can help, when I know I can make a difference, no matter the cost.But the cost is getting harder to bear.My blessing is a curse as well, and there is no way to break this curse.A sharp pain slices through my chest, and I gasp, clutching Lucas's tightly in mine.He holds my hand tighter, his face a mask of determination. "You need to rest," he says, his voice cracking slightly at the end. "You're going to be okay."Caleb slips his arms under my legs and back and picks me up. He carries me back home while Lucas is still holding my hand. Jake is already inside the house, checking up on Rose before he nods at Caleb to take me inside.I can't let Rose see me in this condition. So I asked Jake to make sure she is not around.Gently, Caleb lowers me in the bed and sits beside me. His face seems like it is made of stone as he stares blankly ahead.Each of them is protective in their own
SophiaTonight, something feels different.I shift slightly, trying to shake off the feeling, but it only grows stronger, more insistent.I am caught in that place between waking and sleeping when I feel it—a presence. I feel someone running their hand over my face, the feather-light touch tracing the contours of my face and then running their finger along with my lips.But then, suddenly, the feeling is gone.My eyes fly open, heart pounding in my chest. I strain my senses, listening for any sound, any movement, but there is nothing. Just silence. I try to convince myself it's my imagination, a trick of my mind, but I know better because I can feel him. I can still feel someone's touch on my skin... a touch which feels so familiar.A scent that I can recognize anywhere is wafting through the room along with the breeze.I know the feel of eyes watching me, the weight of someone's gaze in the darkness.Slowly, I turn my head, scanning the room. At first, I see nothing, just the familia
MikhailMy mind... my heart... everything is telling me she is Sophia. Because there is no other reason, why I would have such strong feelings for some shewolf whom I have just met. It doesn't make sense.I know sneaking into her room in the middle of the night is wrong. But at this moment, no right or wrong is important. I will deal with the consequences later because, right now, I need to find the truth.Quietly, I sneak into her room in the darkness of the night. The chaos inside me settles down just by the glimpse of her peaceful sleeping face. I feel mesmerized just by the sight of her, because even if I want can't descirbe her beauty in words. And I am not just talking about physical beauty, her beauty radiates from inside. I've been standing here for what feels like an eternity, watching her sleep. The moonlight filters through the open window, casting soft shadows on her face. She looks so peaceful, so innocent.But I can't just stand here and watch her all night. I need ans
MikhailShe keeps looking at me, and behind her blank gaze, there are so many emotions that she is trying to hide.Moments pass as we continue to stare at each other... both dealing with the war of emotions that is raging inside us.Her lips part like she wants to say something... but no words come out of her mouth. My heart wrenches when I see her struggling to speak, but then a helpless look passes over her face when she can't.What happened to her? What caused her to lose her voice?Another question added to an already pile of unanswered questions.Her face tells that she is struggling and trying to get hold of herself.I want to reach out to her... hold her... comfort her, and tell her that trust me once again and I promise that I will make everything alright.I don't know how I am going to do it, but what I know is that I will not let her struggle anymore.Suddenly, she looks at me.Her gaze is ablaze with fire as a low, ferocious growl erupts from her.My eyes widen in shock, be
SophiaAgain, he is doing it, again.How effortlessly lies roll out of his mouth... that even after being betrayed by him, he has sown the seed of doubt in my heart.I started doubting my decision to keep Rose away from him because I felt he would take her away from me. Alphas are protective and possessive about their blood, and even if he would not have loved her, he would have wanted her to be within his pack.Just like what my father did.Just like what he did when he claimed me and kept me in his pack because his wolf needed his mate. No, I can't trust him. My wolf has retreated back but is still on edge because, just like his, I also have an Alpha wolf. She is feeling protective of her pup, and currently, Mikhail is a threat in her eyes.I take a few steps back so that I am standing at a safe distance from him. Swallowing, I take a deep breath before I glance at him again."Leave..." My voice sounds raspy, and my throat hurts as I manage to speak this word.I can barely recogni
Sophia"Slow down, little wolf." I run behind Rose as she sprints through the narrow paths of the wood.Her giggles echo through the woods as she runs as fast as her little legs can."Mama, Rose Alpha." She squeals when I pretend to catch her."Oh, so Rose is an Alpha," I repeat the sentence, correcting her so that she can learn. "Hmm." Pressing her lips, she nods her head, causing her hair tie to loose.I smile as I watch her tiny figure dart through the trees, her laughter bubbling like a stream. "Well, Alpha Rose," I call after her, "you're quite the speedy one! But remember, even Alphas need to be careful in the woods."Rose's bright eyes glance back at me, twinkling with mischief. "Mama can't catch me!" she teases, her voice full of innocence and joy.I slow my pace, pretending to be out of breath, my hands on my knees. "Oh no, Alpha Rose is too fast for me!" I pant dramatically.She giggles again, the sound pure and musical, filling the forest with life. Her hair tie slips comp
Jake“How do you know Anastasia?” I ask, trying hard to keep my voice level. I don’t want to scare him off if he’s got real information. But damn, it’s tough when every second I can feel her pain twisting inside me like a knife.He leans on that broken branch a little, then shrugs like it’s no big deal. “We are… or were… friends.” His voice drops a little at the end, more to himself than to any of us. “I’m saying were because I know once she sees me, she’ll probably try to kill me for abandoning her.”He gives a short, humorless laugh that doesn’t reach his eyes. I don't laugh with him. None of us do.“That’s not what you should be worried about,” he says, looking back up at me, his eyes sharp. “Your focus should be on Ana. I don’t trust a damn soul over there. They’re vultures, all of them. But Ana’s smart. Smarter than most. She’ll know what’s going on. I trust her to get herself out.”I am still skeptical whether to trust a word coming out of his mouth, especially when I heard he a
JakeMy body shakes as my wolf pushes harder, breaking through the thin line between us. My skin stretches, bones shift, and I fight the change with everything I’ve got, but it’s like he doesn’t care. He’s done waiting.He’s angry. And scared.And so am I.Sophia’s voice is somewhere nearby, soft but panicked. “Jake? What’s happening? Jake!”But I can’t answer. I can barely breathe.All I know is I feel her. Anastasia. Not just the bond tugging... this is something more.She’s hurting.And that pain? It’s mine now, too.I slam a fist into the dirt and snarl, trying to get control back, trying not to lose it completely.Pain flares in my body like a wildfire, and I can hardly breathe. My vision goes all hazy, like I'm looking through a foggy window. I blink hard, trying to clear my head, but it’s no use. Everything around me turns into a blur. I’m dimly aware of the sounds around me, but they’re distant, like I’m submerged underwater. My mind is racing, but it’s too focused on one thin
JakeThere’s this heat sitting right under my skin, like fire trying to crawl out of my bones. It’s been there since I woke up, simmering just below the surface. I keep telling myself it’s nothing, that I’m overthinking it, but I know better.Something’s wrong.I can’t explain it, not in a way that makes sense. It’s like my instincts are pulling at me, dragging my thoughts to one place. Or rather… one person.Anastasia.I close my eyes and try to focus on the reports in front of me, but it’s useless. All I can see is her face. The way she looked when she left.... not angry, not cold, just… hurt.I didn’t want her to leave. Not like that.I wanted more time. Just a little more. I would’ve stolen her from the world if I could, even if it was selfish. But after that talk she had with Sophia, I saw it in her eyes... she was hurting.From Sophia's words, she might have gotten the impression that Sophia is against our bond, which is untrue. However, Sophia is slightly disappointed with me.
Anastasia“I don’t think this plan will work.”Ethan leans forward in his chair, arms crossed, wearing that annoyed look like everything’s just wasting his time.Pete just finished laying out the whole plan — my plan — and I can already feel the tension rising.“We’re not weak,” Ethan adds, like he’s trying to remind everyone of something they never forgot. “We don’t need to waste time spying on mutts. We should just attack, wipe them out, and take their Luna. Simple.”He shrugs like he just solved everything in two seconds. Like it’s just that easy.I can't stop myself from rolling my eyes, as I shake my head.Since everything is taking a three-sixty turn, all the high-ranking hunters are also part of this meeting, even Edwin and his group.Edwin, who’s been quiet the whole time, finally speaks up.“One of the biggest mistakes any hunter can make is to underestimate their enemy,” he says, his eyes locked on Ethan like he’s done babysitting his ego. “What do you think they are, helples
AnastasiaI keep my eyes forward, lips pressed in a straight line, like none of this rattles me. Like I’m not absolutely burning from the inside out. Pete’s words keep echoing in my head. Take away their Luna.He knows. He has to. That look he gave me… like he was testing me. Like he wanted to see if I’d crack. I can’t show it though. That’s what he wants. To see me flinch, to catch some hint of guilt or panic in my eyes. But he’s not getting that. Not from me. I’ve had too much practice keeping my mask in place, hiding the cracks. I can rage later.Right now, I have to think.I have to warn Jake.But how?I can’t just send a message. I know better. Cellphones are a joke in this place. Everything’s tracked. Calls, texts, even burner phones—Pete’s paranoia makes sure nothing slips through. He’s probably waiting for me to try, just so he can pounce with evidence.And if I get caught trying to contact someone outside the group, especially someone like Jake? That’d be the end of everythin
AnastasiaFrom Jake’s place, I head straight home. I don’t stop anywhere. No detours. Just straight to my parents’ house. My bag’s already half-packed, but I need a few more things, and more than that, I need to see them before I go.Mom’s in the kitchen when I walk in, humming under her breath while chopping something. She looks up and her face lights up, but it dims just a little when she sees my expression. She knows that look. The look that say she would like the news that I have to share. She doesn’t say anything though, just wipes her hands and pulls me into a hug.Dad walks in a moment later, looking like he’s been working in the garage. He pauses when he sees me, his brows pulling together just slightly. Like he’s trying to read the tension in the air. He's never been the emotional type, but I can tell he's not thrilled I’m heading out again.I sit them both down, explaining the basics. Just enough so they’re not left in the dark if something happens. I tell them that if anyth
AnastasiaThe sky’s just beginning to lighten when my eyes blink open. It’s quiet, the kind of soft stillness that only comes just before dawn, and the world feels like it’s holding its breath. I barely slept, and I know Jake didn’t either, but we’re both wired like this. Waking up early isn’t something we plan... it just happens because it a habit ingrained in us since forever. And honestly, I kinda love it.Jake’s still in bed beside me, his arm draped across my waist like he has no intention of letting go. I shift just a little, and his grip tightens. His voice is low and raspy near my ear, “You're up too?”“Barely,” I murmur, nuzzling into his chest. “But if you’re awake, then I’m awake.”He hums before kissing the top of my head, and for a few more minutes we just lie there, wrapped up in each other, like time doesn’t exist yet. I wish it really didn’t.Eventually, I give him a lazy smirk and peel back the covers. “Shower?”He stretches, gives me that slow grin I love, and follow
Anastasia Jake’s eyebrow lifts real slow when I reach into the front of my dress and pull out my car keys. His eyes don’t leave mine for even a second as I click the unlock button and toss the keys at him. He catches them like it’s nothing, fingers curling around them with ease. Then, without a word, his hand comes around the back of my neck, firm and warm, pulling me in. His lips crash into mine, and it’s not soft or sweet. It’s deep and consuming and exactly what I need. “Where you wanna go?” he murmurs as we start walking toward the car, his voice still a little rough from the kiss. I glance at him, not even thinking twice. “As long as you’re with me, I don’t care.” My fingers brush his as we walk. “I’m running low on my vitamin J, so all I want right now is to be with you and away from all these fuckers who are testing my tolerance.” He laughs, the sound low and familiar and the only thing that’s felt right all night. Then he opens the passenger door for me, holding it like so
Anastasia I knew I wouldn’t be the same when I came back, but I didn’t think it would feel like this. It’s not just sadness. It’s something deeper. There’s this hollow space inside me, like something important is missing and nothing fits right anymore. Like I left a part of myself behind and now I’m walking around trying to function without it. And maybe that’s exactly what happened. Maybe I did leave a part of me behind. With him. With Jake. The distance between us is eating at me. Four days. Just four damn days, but it feels like I’ve been stuck in this weird stretch of time where everything moves in slow motion and nothing feels real. It’s like my body’s here, going through the motions, but my heart’s somewhere else, still wrapped up in the way his voice sounds when he says my name or how his eyes lock on mine like they know me better than I know myself. Every second drags like it’s meant to remind me I’m not where I’m supposed to be. It punishes me for leaving, and no matter