SophiaHis body stiffens at my words, and I can see the internal struggle in his eyes. The darkness in them slowly fades, replaced by a flicker of relief and an emotion that is unreadable.He closes his eyes and takes a deep breath, his entire frame relaxing just a fraction as he processes what I’ve said."Thank the goddess," he mutters under his breath. When he opens his eyes again, they’re back to their usual intense blue the storm within them momentarily calmed. He looks at me, and there’s a softness there, a vulnerability that I rarely see. "Thank you," he says, his voice barely above a whisper, but I can hear the sincerity in it. "Thank you." He repeats and without even saying I know that he is thanking me for allowing him to be a part of her life.The moment I accepted that she is his daughter... is the moment that I granted him the chance to be part of her life. For me, she will always come first... even before me... even before my feelings.And I can't deprive her of her fath
SophiaWe walk in silence, the sounds of the forest enveloping us. The crunch of leaves beneath our feet, the distant call of an owl, the soft whisper of the wind through the trees—these are the only noises that fill the air between us. Yet, the silence isn’t empty. It’s thick, almost alive, vibrating with all the things left unsaid, all the emotions neither of us is willing to voice.I can feel Mikhail’s presence beside me, a tangible heat that’s both comforting and unnerving. It’s been so long since we’ve been this close since we’ve shared even a moment of calm together. I don’t trust this peace between us, don’t trust the way my heart seems to be steady in his presence, as if it remembers a time when he was my entire world... my everything.You’ve hurt me so much, Mikhail.My thoughts bitter and sharp.How can I ever forgive you?Every step feels heavy like I’m trudging through thick mud, my legs unwilling to carry me forward. My mind drifts back to the past, to the times when ever
Mikhail The silence between us is suffocating, pressing down on me with a weight I didn’t know I could bear. I steal a glance at Sophia walking beside me, her face expresses nothing, calmness. But I can sense the storm beneath her composed exterior, the whirlwind of emotions she’s trying so hard to hide. I know I’m the cause of that storm, and the guilt twists like a knife in my gut.I never meant to hurt her.But I did.I don't know if she will ever forgive me for that.And I don’t know if I’ll ever forgive myself for that.For so long, I fought against this bond, against what the Moon Goddess had chosen for me. I was a fool, too blind and too stubborn to see what was right in front of me. I was too caught up in my own foolishness, my own insecurities, to realize that Sophia was everything I ever needed. That she was the one I’d been searching for, even when I didn’t know it myself.I took her for granted.Took us for granted. I never wanted to accept it—the bond, the love, the co
SophiaThe morning light filters through the curtains, casting a soft, golden hue over the room. I blink awake, momentarily disoriented, before a tiny hand reaches out to touch my face.Pushing back my gloomy feelings, the remnants of last night, I turn on my side to watch Rose, who seems to have just woken up."Mommy," Rose whispers, her big, blue eyes—so much like Mikhail's—wide with curiosity and still a bit sleepy. "Wake up, Mommy!"They both share the same eye color; however, unlike Mikhail's, Rose's blue looks bright and lively.I can't help but smile, the heaviness in my chest lifting a little at the sight of her. "Good morning, my little sunshine," I murmur, pressing a kiss to her forehead. She giggles, her laughter bright and sweet, filling the room with a lightness I desperately need."Mornin'!" she replies with a cheerful bounce, her hair sticking up in all directions. I reach out to smooth it down, but it springs back up stubbornly. She giggles again, swatting at my hand.
MikhailThe restless energy pulses beneath my skin, the wolf inside me pacing back and forth, agitated and anxious. I stare out the window of the room I am currently staying. Even though I should have returned back to my pack now, since I found Sophia, I am not ready to leave yet.I told Russo that I would shift to the nearby motel, but he refused, saying it was better if I stayed here because, in that way, I would be near to her. Luna Leah was also happy to find out that Sophia is alive and I have found her.The rogue attack yesterday… has rattled me.And then Sophia's doubts that those rogues were after my daughter made me see red.I have made so many enemies and could be anyone, but how did they find out about my daughter?But whoever they are... they made the biggest mistake of their lives by trying to hurt my pup. I will give them a slow, painful death once I find out who they are because no one deserves to live when they even think about hurting who is mine.Rose's face comes be
SophiaWatching Mikhail and Rose together stirs a confusing storm of emotions within me. It’s hard to keep my heart from softening at the sight of them playing on the floor, their laughter echoing through the room. I see the way Mikhail looks at her—with a tenderness and protectiveness that makes it clear he’s already in love with our daughter. It’s hard not to be affected by that.I wrap my arms around myself, leaning against the doorway as I watch them. Mikhail has a way with Rose that I didn’t expect. He’s gentle, patient, and he doesn’t seem to mind making a fool of himself for her amusement. I see Rose light up in his presence, and I realize just how much she’s missed having a father figure. It’s something I’ve never been able to give her, something I’ve kept her from—maybe out of fear, maybe out of my own pain.And now… seeing them together like this, I wonder if I made the right choice by keeping them away.Mikhail looks up, catching my eye, and for a moment, everything else fa
Mikhail Watching Rose run around the room with her stuffed wolf in one hand and a cookie in the other, I feel a strange warmth spreading through my chest, something I haven’t felt in a long time. I never imagined this—having a daughter, feeling this kind of love. It’s a kind of love that’s pure, unconditional, and fiercely protective. It’s terrifying and exhilarating all at once.I glance up and see Sophia standing in the doorway, her arms wrapped around herself. She’s watching us with a look I can’t quite decipher—somewhere between longing and fear. My heart tightens at the sight of her. I want to reach out to her, to tell her how much I regret everything, how sorry I am for the pain I caused. But I know that words won’t be enough. Not now. Maybe not ever.I turn my attention back to Rose, who’s now climbing onto my lap, giggling as she tries to stuff the cookie into my mouth. I pretend to bite it, making her laugh even harder. Her laughter is like music, soothing the ache in my che
MikhailSophia’s threat hangs heavy in the air, and I can feel the gravity of her words settling in my bones.I don’t doubt her for a second.I know she means every word, and honestly, I don’t blame her.If I were in her shoes, I’d feel the same way. Hell, I’d probably feel worse.But as I watch her now, her gaze softening as she looks at Rose, I feel a flicker of hope. It’s small, almost invisible, but it’s there. Maybe, just maybe, there’s a chance for us to find some kind of peace… for Rose’s sake. Maybe, in time, we can rebuild what was lost. Or at least start fresh.I crouch down beside Rose, watching as she carefully places another block on top of her tower.She’s so focused and so determined, and I can’t help but smile. She’s got Sophia’s spirit, her fire.And maybe a bit of my stubbornness, too.“Careful, little wolf,” I say softly, steadying her hand. “You don’t want it to fall.”She looks up at me, her eyes shining with mischief. “If it falls, I build again,” she declares wi