I spent every waking hour looking for Sophia, so much so that I forgot about everything else that was going on in the Pack.
It didn’t take long for everyone in the Pack to find out what I was doing. They all came to talk to me one by one.
“Your legal wife is Ella,” they said. “And Maya—she’s your daughter, yours and Ella’s by blood.” Why do you keep going after Sophia? She went away by herself. She gave up her spot so Ella could be your Luna. Why can’t you just let it go?”
Their words made me angry. I jumped up and yelled, “I love Sophia!” That was just an old feeling for Ella, nothing more. “I’ll take Maya’s inheritance away right away if Sophia comes back.”
The room went silent in shock. Then someone, who was either braver or more foolish than the rest, spoke up with doubt in their voice.
“You married Ella first and then made a fake certificate to get Sophia. Wasn’t that because you always meant to get rid of Sophia and officially get back together with Ella?”
The rage came out of me in a flash.
My power grew, and the floor under my foot cracked and broke because of how angry I was.
“Not true!”I growled, “If anyone says Sophia isn’t my true mate again, I won’t let them go.”
There was a heavy, complete silence. The room, which had been full of voices, was now only filled with the sound of still breathing. My Alpha presence stifled all dissent.
When I got back to the manor, I opened the door and saw someone sitting on the couch in the living room.
My heart raced.
I didn’t think about it and moved quickly to pull the figure into my arms.
“Thank God you came back, Sophia,” I said, feeling so relieved. I knew you couldn’t just walk away from me.
But in the dark, the smell was wrong. The shape was too thin. The voice, which was soft and sad, wasn’t Sophia’s.
“David,” Ella whispered, her eyes full of disappointment and anger. “It’s me.” The doctor told me that my injuries were bad… I missed you, though, so I left and came home.
She turned her head up towards me, looking weak and sad. The blood-stained bandages on her shoulder looked like a badge of pain.
But I didn’t feel anything.
No warmth. No love. No guilt.
I let her leave.
“You are hurt. I said coldly, “You should be in the healing lodge.” “This house is mine and Sophia’s.” Don’t come back unless you need to. Tomorrow, we’ll go to the Werewolf Affairs Division and end our relationship. “Take Maya with you. I’ll take away her inheritance.”
Ella turned white.
“Fine, you don’t want me,” she said, her voice shaking. “But Maya is your daughter.” Are you ready to give up your dog just for Sophia? Right now, she’s sick. “She just wants to see her dad…”
I pushed her hand away and looked away sharply.
“Go.” I don’t want to see anyone but Sophia.
Her eyes got bigger and shone with tears. She slowly got up, and every line of her body showed how much pain she was in.
“David,” she yelled, her voice breaking. “I’m the one you married, not her!” Sophia is gone! She’s never coming back!”
She stepped closer, desperate, and reached for me again.
“Have you ever thought about marking me? We could all live together as a real family. Isn’t that what counts?”
I slapped her hand away and growled.
“Leave! Sophia is the only person I love. Go away. Now!”
Ella ran out of the house crying.
The smell of jasmine, which was her scent, still hung in the air in the hall, like a film I couldn’t scrub off. I rubbed my nose in frustration.
