Mikhail Hearing Rose's cries was one of the most painful things that I could have ever experienced... and trust me, I have experienced hell. I felt so helpless and angry because there was nothing I could do. Her grip on me not once loosened as if she was still scared that someone might hurt her, and it broke my heart. The face on which I have always seen a bright, mischievous smile was coated with fear.So I can't even imagine how Sophia might be feeling when Rose feared her as well, it must have devastated her. The moment I step into the living room with Rose cradled in my arms, I feel the weight of Sophia’s eyes on me. Her presence is like gravity—impossible to ignore, even from across the room. But now all I can think about is Sophia. I lower myself onto the couch as gently as I can, careful not to wake Rose. She shifts slightly in her sleep, her little head resting against me, completely unaware of the chaos that almost consumed us both. I feel the low rumble of my wolf,
SophiaI still feel the heat of his touch, the way his lips melded against mine, desperate and raw, yet it only deepened the ache inside me. Could I trust him? Could I trust a man who shattered me?What is the guarantee that he will not once again break my heart? The weight of Mikhail's kiss lingers on my lips, a confusing mix of comfort and pain. But somewhere, my heart knows that there is no turning back because the sincerity that I have felt through his actions has managed to crack the walls that I had built around my heart.I turn my gaze away from Mikhail before he can catch me staring at him as he stands near the window and looks outside.Rose shifts in her sleep, her small body curled up on the couch. The innocence on her face, untouched by the horrors we’ve faced, soothes a part of me. But my heart clenches painfully when I remember how she recoiled from me earlier—how her eyes filled with fear, the same fear I saw in the eyes of the enemies I've defeated. My own daughter was
Sophia Mikhail and Jake instantly stop talking and turn to me when I step outside the house. The bright light of the afternoon sun causes me to squint as I walk toward them.Mikhail subtly shifted in front of me, shielding my eyes from the sun's glare. When I glance at Jake, he has a teasing look in his eyes as he raises his eyebrows at me questioningly. Embarrassment coats my face, and I try my best to hide the blush because everything feels so awkward. But I guess I failed because now even Mikhail has a hint of a playful smile on his lips.Jake, sensing my awkwardness, clears his throat and turns serious before he speaks."Sophia, I feel it is time that you should tell Rose about Mikhail. She should know that he is her father. We all can see she already loves him, and somewhere, she recognizes him as someone who is strongly connected to her. We can see the connection between them from the moment they have met, earlier, we couldn't understand why, but now we know the reason." Jake gl
SophiaSince the moment Rose was born, I promised myself to protect her from every pain and harm. That even included keeping her away from her father because I didn't trust him to accept her. I was afraid of her sharing the same fate as mine.But Mikhail proved me wrong.He loves Rose, and there is no doubt about it. The way he looks at her, the bond they already share—it’s undeniable. And it fills me with an emotion I can’t quite explain.There’s a part of me- the selfish part-that still wants to keep Rose all to myself, that protective instinct that tells me she’s mine and only mine. But I know that’s not fair.Not to her and certainly not to Mikhail.They belong to each other too, and it’s time I fully accept that.Rose is just waking up, and momentarily, fear grips my heart as her sleepy eyes look at me. I still can't entirely shake away the image of her fearful eyes looking at me. Picking her up, I hold her while slightly rocking her.But when her eyes meet mine, all I see is tru
SophiaSince that moment when Rose called Mikhail "Dada," the weight that I had carried on my heart for so long has lifted, but only partially.Seeing the two of them bond so easily, so naturally, brings me happiness I didn't expect. Rose needs him, and as much as I feared this moment, I know that their relationship is important. Mikhail has a right to be a part of her life, and she has a right to know him as her father.But me?I find myself pulling back.It's not something obvious—at least, I don't think it is. I still smile, laugh, and share in their little moments together. When Rose reaches for him with those tiny arms, her bright eyes full of joy, I can't help but feel relief. I want this for her, for them. But when it's just Mikhail and me, a distance settles between us, unspoken but heavy. I'm careful not to let it show too much, yet the space is there. I know he senses it, but he hasn't said anything. Not yet.How could I not put distance between us? I still remember the pain
SophiaI can’t find my voice, the words tangled in my throat. I want to ask him what he means, why he’s saying this now, but the look in his eyes stops me. It’s raw, unguarded, and it holds something I haven’t seen in him for a long time—vulnerability.I glance at Rose, her tiny body curled up on the couch, breathing softly, completely unaware of the chaos swirling inside me. This tension between Mikhail and me isn’t just about us anymore. Rose is in the middle of it, and that thought burns more than anything else.I stand up, needing to move, needing space to think, but Mikhail steps in front of me before I can make it to the door. His expression is unreadable, his eyes searching mine for something I’m not sure I can give.“Sophia, we need to talk. Really talk. This—what we’re doing—it’s not working. We can't avoid our past forever.” He’s right. We can’t keep avoiding the conversation, skirting around the things that need to be said. It’s not just our lives hanging in the balance any
SophiaThe silence between us lingers, but it's no longer as suffocating as it was before. Mikhail's confession—raw, vulnerable, and painfully honest—left me reeling, but also… lighter. It's not forgiveness, not yet, but maybe it's the start of something.A new beginning? I don’t know.He stays quiet beside me as we walk back through the woods, the tension that once hung heavy between us, easing into something softer.Not quite peace, but not war either.The wind has settled, leaving a soft, cool breeze that dances through the trees, rustling the leaves in a way that almost feels like the world is finally exhaling along with me.I glance at him, catching his eyes for just a second before looking away, pretending to focus on the path ahead. I feel his gaze on me, the intensity of it. There’s something different in his expression now—determination, maybe? Or is it hope?Stopping, I bend down to pick up one of the wildflowers I often take whenever I take this path.I look up just in time
MikhailThe scent of them is like a poison cloud, thick and heavy in the air. Hunters, their presence a constant threat, a shadow that lingers in the corners of our world. I crouch lower, my muscles tense, my wolf snarling inside me, a caged beast eager to be unleashed.Jake and Caleb are beside me, their breaths coming in ragged gasps, the weight of the situation pressing down on us. We're outnumbered, but that won't stop me.I can hear their voices now, faint but clear, a chorus of low growls and hushed whispers. They're circling, closing in, their intentions as clear as the moonlit sky above.I raise my head, my eyes scanning the darkness. I can see their shapes, shadowy figures moving through the trees, their weapons glinting in the moonlight. They're hunters, but they're not like the hunters we've faced before. These are different, their eyes filled with a feral hunger, a thirst for blood.They charge, their screams echoing through the forest, a chilling sound that sends a shiver
MikhailFrom the beginning, there's been nothing to hide.I've never felt shame or regret for the things I've done to claim my revenge. They were choices I made with clarity, knowing the full weight of the consequences of my actions. But telling Sophia, peeling back the layers of who I am, admitting to the blood I've spilled and the darkness I've carried... feels different. It doesn't feel like a confession. It feels like freedom.It's as if I've ripped open a part of myself I've kept locked away. And instead of flinching, she listened... and in her gaze steady, there was understanding.My kindhearted mate didn't judge me for my actions but understood me.It feels as though a veil has been lifted between us, one I hadn't realized was there until this moment. Now, we are both truly bare in front of each other.Her acceptance isn't blind; it's deliberate. She knows my flaws and my sins, and still, she chose me.I am definitely Moon Goddess's favorite; that is why she gave me Sophia.I
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