Chapter 4

Sophia braced for the impact, but it never came. Instead, something swift came from the side and dug its fangs into the rouge’s flesh. It had grey fur and it moved with lethal precision. The air was filled with snarls and the sickening crunch of bones.

Her instincts screamed at her to run then she rushed behind a nearby Sofa, peeking out just in time to see the chaos unfold. Blood splashed across the wooden floors, claws tore into flesh and fangs sank into throats. The wolves fought with a terrifying grace.

Tears welled up in Sophia’s eyes. She had just arrived and already, death surrounded her. But the worst part?, she knew this was only the beginning.

The battle slowly died down. Some wolves fled, their howls fading into the night. Sophia watched the three wolves standing tall in the aftermath.

She recognized two of them instantly. The massive black wolf with piercing emerald eyes was Richard, his presence was intimidating even in his beastly form. Then beside him was Seth, the sleek white wolf with icy blue eyes. She had seen them shift before.

But the third wolf, the one who saved her. He was different, his fur was a cool shade of grey, his eyes looked just like Seth’s, but they were unsettlingly sharp and calculating. He stood apart from them, his presence oddly disconnected, as If he had assessed the whole situation before it happened. They began to shift back to their human form.

The sound of bones snapping, limbs twisting echoed through the room. Sophia watched as the gray wolf became a man—a man who looked almost identical to Seth, but with sharper features and colder eyes—he was Seth’s twin brother.

They all stood there, surprisingly calm, as if the fight had never happened. They were obviously used to things like this happening.

Lilith moved towards Richard, her hands brushing over his arms, assessing him to see if there were any injuries. Then without another word, she took his hand and pulled him away.

Sophia was furious, so that was it?. He had already forgotten her? So soon?. Sadness enveloped her but then—

“Where is Sophia?” Richard’s voice was low, dark and dangerous.

Sophia’s breathe caught, maybe she was wrong. Maybe he hadn’t forgotten her.

Lilith stiffened beside him “ don’t worry about that human, I’m sure she’s fine wherever she is” she tugged at his arm, trying to pull him away but Richard didn’t budge. His expression became darker, his emerald eyes glowing with something dangerous.

“I said— where is Sophia?” His voice thundered through the room.

Liliths jaw tightened, a flash of hatred crossed her face as she turned toward Sophia’s hiding spot.

He cares?, the thought sent a chill down Sophia’s spine.

“I…I’m here” Sophia finally whispered, stepping out from behind the sofa.

Richard strode towards her, his gaze scanning her body for injuries. “Are you hurt”, his voice was hard.

“No, I’m fine” she said swallowing. “He saved me before the wolf could attack”. She pointed towards Seth’s twin.

Richard didn’t spare him a glance. “The maid will show you to your room” and with that he turned and walked away with Lilith still clinging to him.

Sophia just stood there, confusion and frustration was boiling inside her. What was she to him?, a responsibility or a problem?. A scoff snapped her out of her thoughts.

“You’re too weak. I don’t know how you ended up here but pray you last long”. Sophia turned, it was Seth’s twin brother, the same man who had saved her. He just passed her without looking back at her.

His words were like the edge of a knife, they sliced through her. She had never felt so weak, so powerless. Tears burned in her eyes. If she couldn’t even protect herself…how was she supposed to protect her child?.

A softer voice broke her out of her thoughts. “Hey, don’t mind him”. Seth, the only person who has been nice to her since she came. “This world…the one you’re now a part of—it’s not easy to adjust to” he said, stepping closer. His voice was gentle and tinged with regret. “And I’m sorry you got dragged into it”

Sophia clenched her fists, everything that had happened replayed in her mind like brutal film, one that she couldn’t escape.

“I don’t know what to think anymore” Sophia admitted. “Now I’m seen as weak because I’m..human.”

Seth sighed “Don’t listen to Liam. He can be harsh but he’s not heartless, he’s just guarded”.

Sophia blinked at him, Seth was different. He didn’t look at her like Richard did. There was something genuine in his eyes, something that made her feel safe.

“You’re not alone” he said firmly. “I’ll help you however I can”. A small sense of hope and comfort spread through her. For the first since she arrived here, she felt warmth.

“Thank you” she whispered. Seth gave a small sad smile. “Don’t thank me yet, you still have a long way to go”.

Sophia exhaled shakily. “I don’t know if I can do this”

“You won’t have to do it alone” Seth placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “We’ll figure it out…okay?”

Sophia nodded even though she still had doubts in her mind. How much longer could she last here?, she was surrounded by werewolves, trapped in an unfamiliar world with dominance and deceit with no way out. But for now she had no choice but to survive.

A maid arrived to escort her to her room, a warm bath was already waiting, the water scented like lavender and she sank into it—the only good thing that had happened today. She closed her eyes trying to relax into the peaceful moment, but it didn’t last long.

A light creak echoed through the room, her eyes snapped open. A shadow stood outside her bathroom door and then she heard a voice. A low, dark and dangerous voice

“You don’t belong here. Leave while you still can… before it’s too late”