Chapter 9

Sophia

Of all the things I expected, moving in with Alex wasn't one of them.

"Are you sure about this?" I ask, looking around the modest, four-bedroom house. The decorations are sparse, and it's put together quite simply. It's more than obvious that he barely lives in it.

When Alex doesn't answer, I look over my shoulder at him. He's trying to hide it, but I can see the nervousness on his face.

"Is something wrong?" I ask him.

He tries to brush it off, sticking his hands in his pockets. "It might not be what you expected, but you can do whatever you like with the house. I've never had a reason to put too much effort into it. In fact, I was going to build a one-bedroom place, but the others got involved, and they ended up adding rooms during construction. I know it's not much—"

"I think it's lovely," I interrupt him with a small smile. "I don't like mansions anyway."

He visibly relaxes.

"I—"

Whatever he was going to say is cut off when Lily shouts from the railing on the second floor, "Can I have the bedroom at the end of the hallway?"

"No," Alex growls irritably. "That's Sophia's and my room!"

When he refers to his bedroom as belonging to both of us, I feel my chest tighten with emotion. There was no hesitation in his voice. I don't know why it's important to me, but it matters. As I look around his living room, it occurs to me that when he put me up in the guest house, it felt like a sort of rejection.

"Why didn't you want me to stay here when we first arrived?" I can't stop myself from asking him the question that has started eating at me.

Alex presses his lips together into a thin line and takes his time to answer. Finally, when he does, his answer surprises me. "I was hoping I would have time to redo this place before I brought you here. I mean, it's not exactly—I just wanted you to have something nicer."

It's my first time seeing him so flustered and embarrassed.

"That's it? You thought I wouldn't like your house?"

"It's not that. I just thought you deserved better," he admits.

I shrug. "We could be living in a tent, and I would still like it."

He turns a bit red in the face. "I can do much better than a tent for you."

I give him an amused look. "I know. I just wish you wouldn't overthink things so much. I love your home."

Alex puts his arm around my shoulders. "It wasn't much of a home; just a place to sleep at night. But the minute you walked in, even without doing anything, you made it home."

"Smooth talker," I laugh.

He chuckles. "Why would I bother smooth-talking you? You're already mine. But I will always tell you the truth. This house—no, our home is now yours to do with as you wish. You can decorate it any way you like."

I swallow hard and lean into him. After a moment, I say. "I don't know much about decorating, but that chair has to go."

Alex follows my gaze to an olive green, high-back chair with stains on it that can probably be seen from the moon.

"Why?" He looks shocked.

"Because it looks like somebody pooped, peed, and vomited on it."

"I thought it was artsy."

I stare at him and then at the chair before my eyes swivel back to his. "Did you now? I guess the smell of it escaped you?"

"I thought artsy things were supposed to be peculiar," he defends himself.

"That's artists. Artists are supposed to be peculiar. Not furniture. I'm pretty sure something died on that chair, Alex."

He doesn't look entirely convinced. "Are you sure we can't just clean it or something?"

Clearly, the chair is important to him.

When he catches me looking at him, he gives me a wry smile. "That was the first thing I purchased for this house. I thought it really brought the room together."

I don't want to hurt his feelings, so I decide not to say anything further on the subject. I'll keep my opinions to myself.

"I guess we can get rid of it," he says, breaking the silence. "I'll give you my credit card. We actually have some good furniture shops in the village."

Obviously, if the chair is that important to him, I won't get rid of it. I'll see if I can clean it. The smell coming from it is terrible. I'm surprised Alex has been able to sleep in this house with that smell. It has probably sunk into the walls at this point.

The chair soon becomes a non-issue. Alex can't be glued to my side the whole day, and once he's made sure I've settled in, he leaves me and Lily there with Saul to watch over us. The moment Alex leaves, though, a barrage of female, wolf shifter neighbors arrives, all bearing something or other to eat.

Saul looks entertained as I'm forced to deal with nosy women who want to pry into what's really going on between me and Alex.

It's not as if I haven't encountered curious people before, but nobody has ever been terribly interested in my life. Suddenly being forced into the spotlight has me floundering. Obviously, I cannot reveal my relationship to Alex just yet. And I cannot let Lily become a target; some of these women are curious about the witch who is willing to set up shop within their village. If Lily lets anything slip, there's a chance it will get back to Karina's people.

"It's really sweet of Alex to let the two of you stay in his own home," one of the women who's still lingering around says sweetly, her eyes sharp as they study me.

"It is." I smile, trying not to betray my nervousness.

"Very unlike him, though," she murmurs.

What was her name again? Marley? Marissa? Something starting with an "M."

"After all, he's the Alpha. He could've had you stay with anyone, but with him?" She finishes off the sentence with a little titter. "But then again, everyone saw what happened yesterday afternoon. I mean, not everyone. I certainly didn't witness anything, and Goddess forbid I should spread gossip. But there were murmurs that you and Alex were…quite close."

I blink at her slowly before asking innocently, "Are we close? Well, yes, and after the incident at the guest house, he decided to bring us here straightaway."

"Oh, not that." The woman begins to look mildly annoyed at my constant deflection of her questions. "When it was just you and him on the street. I mean, obviously people like to spread rumors, and I would never, but there is always some truth to them, hmm?"

"Is there?" I ask vaguely before glancing down at what she brought over. "This really does look like a wonderful pie. Smells fantastic. Thank you so much for coming by."

"Wait!" the woman says frantically as I guide her out of the kitchen and toward the front door. "How about a cup of tea?"

"Oh, I have no idea where things are in this house, and I really don't want to impose any more on Alex's hospitality," I tell her affably. "And Lily and I have to get to work, as well. It was wonderful to have the neighbors drop by and let us know how welcome we are, though. I'll tell Alex you were here. Goodbye."

As I close the door, I hear Saul howl with laughter from the living room.

Back in the kitchen, I sniff the pie and raise my eyebrows. It does smell good. I cut myself a slice and carry it to the couch where Saul is sitting, still chuckling.

"Can I have a bite?" The mirth dies down as he immediately looks interested.

"No. You were too busy laughing to help me, so you don't get any of my pie. Go get your own."

Saul shoots me a dirty look before getting to his feet and shuffling toward the kitchen. "Some hospitality."

I ignore him because Lily chooses that moment to enter the room.

"Is Alex bringing over one of the children tonight?" she asks, her expression serious. "We need to assess how deep you'll go under. Everything is ready on my end."

"Not tonight, but—"

There's a knock on the front door. I hand Lily my plate to go see who it is.

To my surprise, Nathan is standing there, his face pale and jaw set. In his arms, he's holding a little girl who is less than a year old and clutching him tightly. I can tell that they're related because they have the same blonde hair and blue eyes.

"My sister," he introduces her breathlessly before pushing past me into the house.

Saul barges out of the kitchen, and his eyes tighten. "What are you doing, Nathan?"

Nathan's eyes are almost frantic as he thrusts his baby sister at me. "I snuck her out. Can you try undoing the link?"

His voice is pleading. I exchange a look with Saul before nodding slowly.

I've just taken the girl into my arms when Saul bursts out, "Are you crazy, Nathan? Do you have any idea what the nannies will do if they find out you took Lexie—"

"I can't wait anymore." Nathan's hands are shaking. "I don't know why Alex is taking so long, but I cannot put this off any longer. Sophia thinks she can help her. So, why not try? I've set up a distraction at the nursery. They won't notice she's gone. Sophia, please. She's all I have."

Saul is about to say something else, but I hold up a hand, stopping him in his tracks. "That's enough. She's here now. Lily?"

Understanding what I need, Lily pushes the wooden coffee table to the side, clearing a space in the center of the room. We sit down on the floor, the little girl in my lap; I hold her as Lily wraps her hands around my wrists. Saul is going around the room closing the curtains, and I see Nathan stand guard by the door.

I begin.

It's easier than the last time. I can sense the tainted magic, and I follow the trail to the same tangled, black threads. My determination is stronger this time because I know what has to be done.

I begin pulling apart the threads one by one, and whenever I slow down, I feel something akin to a burst of energy, and then I begin all over again. This time is definitely easier, I realize dimly as I untangle the threads, getting closer and closer to the child's core. But soon, even the short bursts of power moving through me are not helping. I'm beginning to tire out, and a strange exhaustion is filling me.

I need to rest. I want to close my eyes, go to sleep, and not wake up.

Remembering my promise to Alex, I pause. Something isn't right. I need to stop.

I release the threads from my hands and allow myself to drift away from them. As I do, I feel constant boosts of magic being forced into me. I even out my breathing and focus on getting back.

How do I get back?

Last time it was easy because I was jerked awake. This time there's no one shaking me. I have to wake myself up.

"Sophia."

"Sophia, come back."

That's Alex's voice.

I search for the source of the sound and make my way toward it.

He's calling for me over and over again, his voice getting louder by the second. My consciousness is still wandering in the dark, trying not to feel scared. I told him I would do this, and I have to. There is no room for fear. I have to be confident in my own abilities.

"Sophia."

There's a strain in his voice now, and I reach out as if to grab it, to grab him.

I blink. When my eyes fully open, Alex is holding me in his arms, staring at me, looking terrified. My body feels weak and cold, but I know that if I show him the extent of it, he will never let me do this again.

So, I force a smile onto my lips. "You certainly took your time getting here." It doesn't help that my voice sounds so raspy. I can see the anger now forming behind his eyes, and without missing a beat, I say, "Is somebody going to get me some water?"

I hear movement, but my eyes are focused on Alex.

I am in so much trouble.

He straightens me up and holds a glass of cold water to my lips. I would rather have something hot, but I don't complain. Sipping the water, I begin to feel more like myself.

That's when I notice something.

My lap is empty.

Lexie is gone.

"Where's Nathan's sister?" I demand.

"He took her," Lily tells me, and when I look her way, I can see how exhausted she looks.

"When?" I demand.

"Two hours ago?" Lily replies, exchanging a look with Alex for confirmation.

How is that possible?

"What's wrong?" Alex looks worried now. "Are you feeling sick?"

"I'm fine." I try to sit up, but my energy isn't all there. While I'm not at death's door like last time, my body feels like it has been sucked dry. "I could still see the threads. Even when you took her from me, I could still see the dark magic around her core, and I was still undoing it. The process wasn't interrupted."

The color drains from Lily's cheeks. "Are you sure?"

I nod. "I'm telling you. I only stopped when I started feeling like I would fall asleep. It seemed dangerous to me, so I decided to pull back."

She doesn't look convinced. "That's simply not possible. The object that the magic is being cast upon has to be in the vicinity. If you were still undoing the threads, that means…"

She pauses, deep in thought.

I take the time to look up at Alex. "When did you get here?"

"Around the same time Nathan took his sister from you." Alex doesn't look very pleased. "Why didn't you wait for me?"

I could easily throw Nathan under the bus, but he was desperate, and I can understand why.

"I wanted to do it." I sigh. "I have to try, Alex. I told you that Lily would help me. And it worked, didn't it?"

"It wasn't easy," Lily admits. "Undoing the magic is fairly difficult. I'm not even entirely sure this is dark magic. It is magic, but if it were simply dark magic, I would be able to undo it, as well. The fact that I cannot interfere with it means the witch who cast this spell doesn't practice necromancy."

She sits down on the couch, watching me. "I'm more concerned about the fact that you were able to keep working on undoing the magic when the child was gone. That means you have the ability to cast magic at a distance. That is extremely rare for a witch. I don't know a single one who can do that."

"But I'm not a witch," I remind her.

A strange expression crosses her face. "You're right. You're not a witch. I need to stop thinking of you as one."

She gets to her feet and wobbles. Alex grabs her arm to steady her.

"I'm all right," she says as she pushes his hand away. "I just need something to eat and I'll be fine. Maybe a few hours of shuteye as well. How much did you get done?" she asks me curiously.

"It was easier this time," I tell her. "Last time—Well, you know how that was, but the bursts of energy that I was getting from you today definitely helped. I was able to focus more. I'll need to see Lexie again tomorrow." My eyes dart toward Alex, and I already know what he's thinking. "And don't you say I can't. This is happening. I can handle it."

He doesn't look entirely pleased with me. I wait for Lily to leave the room before murmuring to him, "You're not just my mate, Alex. You're also an Alpha. You have a duty to your pack. You can't forget that because of me."

His expression is torn. "I don't want to lose you, Sophia. Not to my selfishness."

"It's not selfishness when you're trying to protect your pack, which is soon going to be my pack, as well. Shouldn't I be allowed to do something for them?"

He sighs, lowering his forehead against mine. "Why do you have to be so stubborn? And right all the time?"

"Well, one of us has to be," I say, patting his hand. "May as well be me."

Alex pinches my cheek in retaliation, making me shove him away from me. "Stop it!"

"Come on. Let's get you something to eat." He scoops me up in his arms like a bride and carries me to the kitchen.

"Neighbors," I inform him as he looks at the casseroles and minced meat pies stuffed in his small fridge. There's enough food to feed us for a couple of days. "They wanted to know why I was in your home."

His lips twitch. "Really?"

"They're pretty nosy, you know."

"Do I ever," he agrees before preparing a plate for me. Once he sets it before me, he also makes one for Lily, who has her head on the kitchen table, sighing dramatically.

"I'm going to starve to death here."

I cover my mouth to hide my laughter.

I've barely finished eating when exhaustion hits me like a ton of bricks. I go from eating happily to barely being able to keep my eyes open. My face nearly falls into the soft yogurt dessert when Alex decides it's time to get me to bed. He picks me up in his arms again; I don't put up a fight, settling comfortably there. Even though I am beyond tired, and still a little weak, I feel satisfied. Today was a success. If I keep moving at this pace, I can start saving the pups of this pack.

The happy thought makes me smile sleepily.

I'll be useful to Alex. I know he says it doesn't matter, but it does to me. My eyes flutter shut, and I feel my head rest against his chest as he carries me to the bedroom.

***

I don't know how long I sleep for, but my stomach is rumbling when I wake up. I roll over in bed only to realize that Alex isn't there.

This is starting to become a very common occurrence. Why is it that he only remembers he has to be somewhere once we are in bed?

I'm about to sit up and call out for him when I hear the bathroom door open. The only light in the room is coming from the two small lamps on either side of the bed. They're casting a warm, comforting glow, and it's enough for me to see every inch of Alex as he walks into the bedroom, fresh from the shower, a towel wrapped around his waist.

My eyes trace over the water droplets as they make their way down his thick frame before disappearing into the white towel.

It's not fair. It's not fair that he looks so good. And it's definitely not fair that I cannot control my body's reactions to him. The smell of my arousal must have hit him because he immediately looks in my direction.

"You're awake?"

I have no choice but to sit up in the bed. If I'm getting a show, why not watch it in comfort?

"What time is it?" I ask idly, marveling at his muscles. Is it just me, or am I growing a little more brazen the more time I spend around him? Normally, I would have blushed seeing him in such a compromising position, but now I just enjoy the sight. "I'm hungry," I say, my lower body throbbing in need. I can feel the desire building within me.

And clearly, so can Alex.

"Sophia," he breathes, tension and heat in his voice.

"What?" I pull my knees to my chest. "I'm just watching you."

"You mean, leering at me." Alex narrows his eyes.

I grin at him. "Is it a crime to leer at my mate? Would you rather I go leer at some other male in this village?"

He's upon me in a flash, his wolf in his eyes and his voice dangerously low. "Say that again."

My smirk broadens. "Should I go leer at—"

I can't finish my sentence because he slams his mouth down on mine in a punishing kiss.

My back arches almost immediately, my hands coming to wrap around him, desperate fingers threading through his hair.

His kiss is hard ,but I don't care.

His touch makes me delirious.

As he moves his mouth against mine, I can feel my heart racing. My wolf is forcing its way to the forefront, and in the heat of the moment, I simply don't care.

Alex's hands graze against the sides of my breasts as he holds me to him.

His tongue dances with mine, heat and fire building within us both. I didn't realize how pent up this need was inside me till his fingers are digging in my sides. His kisses make me feel like I can finally breathe again.

If Alex thought he would be able to stop with a single kiss, it's proving harder for him right now.

When he pulls away with a groan, I see the hunger and frustration in his eyes. My eyes focus on his when he tries to move away from me, and I dig my claws into his skin.

"Where are you going?" I demand, my voice husky and filled with hurt.

"Sophia," he breathes, and I dig my claws even deeper, drawing blood, my wolf anxious and irate.

"Don't you want me?"