Chapter 29

Sophia

"We're going to have to return that money." I rest my chin in my hand as I look at the elders of the Cross River Wolf pack and the other Alphas of the North Alliance.

"That money belongs to Queen Karina…" One of the elders begins, and I roll my eyes, feeling like we're simply going around in circles. "That was the money Karina stole from the humans after killing them and their families. Those businesses have to be returned to the human governments, as does the money that Karina stole."

"You don't have any proof that she stole it. Those humans donated all their businesses and properties to her…"

The air crackles around me with magic as my frustration peaks. "The Cross River Wolf pack will not keep that money, nor any assets that were acquired through means that can endanger the three alliances. We cannot afford to have the humans as our enemies."

"But …" For some reason, these old men thought I would be easier to convince than my mate.

"Karina kidnapped humansand forced them to sign over their properties, their bank balances, and their successful businesses. She did her research on every target. We have files. She would then murder the remainder of that human's clan, or family, whatever you would like to callit, simply to make sure nobody questioned her control. Do you want to start a war with the humans?"

I snap at the elders who are all just fussy old men, determined to retain some of their control.

"Queen Karina…" one of them began, and I slammed my hand down on the table before me. "Stop calling her that! She was a traitor to all three alliances!"

"You are the traitor!" the elder retorts, his eyes flashing with venom. "Queen Karina would have taken us to great heights. It was time we ruled over the humans instead of cowering in fear from them…"

"Somebody get this man away from me before I make him explode." I rub my temples. "This conversation is done with. There is no debate, and if anybody tries to argue with me, their lands and money will also be seized and handed over to the humans. And this time, it's just because you'd be annoying me. Alex is the one dealing with this, not me, so stop showing up here and wasting my time."

Brian has his people usher the elders of the Cross River Wolf Pack out of the conference room and I sink back into the chair. "Stop letting them in. It's bad enough I'm being forced to deal with all these other problems."

None of the Northern Alphas look insulted. "The North needs a leader. You are the Silver Wolf and you saved the North Alliance. This is your rightful place."

"According to the pack laws," I begin, not for the first time, "It was Alex who killed Karina. He took her life, so he could become the next King of the North Alliance. And let's be honest here, it was his position all along. I don't know why you think having me wear that title is going to magically transform the North into something special."

"If you rule the North, Alex Stone will be right by your side," Another one of the Alphas argues.

"Maybe we should just…" I begin, but I don't get the opportunity to finish my sentence, because the doors of the conference room are thrown open, and Nathan barges in.

I am on my feet before I even realize it. "What's wrong?"

Nathan isn't one to barge in like this unless something has happened.

"Your parents," Nathan says quickly. "You have to come with me."

I thrust the files in front of me into Brian's hands and leap over the table, hurrying after Nathan. I hear Brian sigh heavily just as the doors close behind.

"What happened to my parents?" I demand as I run after Nathan.

"They're awake."

***

I was so desperate for my parents to wake up, but as I stare at them, it's awkward. I still have a hard time imagining Logan as my father. When I enter the room, my mother is leaning against him, the two of them speaking in hushed voices.

"Logan…" I begin, only for my mother to stop me.

"Caleb."

Her eyes are clear. I don't see a hint of the person I recall from the banquet. "Your father's name is Caleb, Sophia."

I open my mouth to say something, but my voice gets stuck in my throat. What am I supposed to say? How do I start a conversation with them?

But it turns out I don't have to speak. My mother gets to her feet. She looks at my father expectantly, and he helps her walk. She's not quite steady on her feet yet, but with his help, she manages to walk across the room to me. Her hands cup my face as she watches me. "Look at you. You're so beautiful. I'm so sorry I couldn't protect you, Sophia."

Her words are followed by a hug so warm that it reaches into the most broken part of my soul. "I did everything I could possibly think of to keep you safe from Robert."

My mother's shoulders are shaking as she holds me. "And yet you had to grow up like an orphan. Elsa told me what you went through."

"Y-you talked to Elsa?" I feel a little bit betrayed that Elsa did not come and get me as soon as my mother woke up.

She laughs lightly. "No. She would tell me when I was in a coma. I heard everything you said to me, sweetheart—what you said, how you cried."

She pulls back slightly and her face is wet from the tears, a sad smile on her lips. "I heard everything. And I am so proud of you. I had no job in raising you, but somehow you grew up to be so intelligent and resourceful, and such a good person. I guess most of the credit goes to Elsa for always looking out for you."

I just shake my head, sinking into her arms. I don't care what she has to say. She can keep talking to me. I just want to be in her arms. I've never been held by my mother before, but when I am for the first time, her hug feels like being wrapped in the world's safest cocoon. I feel like nobody can hurt me when my mother is holding me. My eyes water, and I close them.

My mother studies my face. "I did everything in my power to keep both you and Caleb safe. But I did fail you, Sophia. Your father and I always dreamed of giving you a life unlike ours. But we never got to do that. You lived in hardship and heartbreak. I am so sorry for that."

I shake my head. "I'm just glad you're awake now."

Caleb steps toward me. "I could always feel some link to you. I couldn't explain it."

His voice is gruff. "I've seen you fight, Sophia. I've seen the person you are, and that was when I was looking at you through the eyes of a stranger. From the eyes of a father, you are perfect in every way. You have your mother's smile."

He's reluctant to approach me, but I am not. I step toward him and hug him. Caleb's first reaction is to become stiff and then he relaxes and holds me.

"I have questions," I finally say after a couple of hours. "There are so many of them."

"I'm sure you do." My mother smiles at me.

"Not yet." I get to my feet. "Right now, I want you to rest. We have time. We have all the time in the world."

The two of them exchange a look. "If you want to ask us questions now…"

I shake my head, feeling overwhelmed. "I'm just glad to no longer be an orphan. I need time to process that as well."

I leave them be, and they don't protest.

But once outside, I find myself sinking to the ground,

My parents are awake.

My mother is not dying. My father is alive.

I can only thank the Goddess as I weep.

******

Things start moving quickly once my parents wake up. For starters, Karina's pack is completely dissolved. We also come to a decision for the ruling of the South and the North, because after seeing his daughter awake, my grandfather decides to stay with her, announcing his retirement. At the same time, he also announces, without even consulting me, that I am to be the new ruler of the Central Alliance.

On the one hand, it feels slightly flattering that everybody wants me in their corner. That feeling lasts only a few seconds, however. I can't be pulled in three different directions. The decision we come to is to have a Council to rule all three alliances. The only catch is that any member of the council cannot be an Alpha. I don't have a problem with that. But it does seem that I've swapped one title for another. Now, instead of being the Queen of the South Alliance, I will be the leader of the Council of Three.

The details of this new shift in power take time, and once everything is sorted out, we can finally rest. "So you finally managed to unite all three alliances under one rule?"

I look up at Alex's teasing voice. "If you want to call it that."

He pulls me closer in his arms. "You finally got the answers you needed from your parents?"

I sigh. "It's not very satisfying, but at least I know now. My mother is a little bit crazy so you should watch out for that now that you're stuck with me for life."

Alex snickers. "I don't mind your crazy. So what happened?"

I shrug, leaning against him. "I didn't ask how they met, but they wanted me to know everything. He was a mercenary assigned to a pack in the Central Alliance. He met my mother, sparks flew…"

I chuckle at her description of the fated bond.

"She did something to my blood. But she was so weak after childbirth that the magic got messed up. She had been trying to make my blood toxic to anyone who forcibly tried to attack me. I always thought that my scent was dangerous because of some other reason. But it was simply to keep me safe."

"What about the dark witches and Robert?" Alex probes.

A scowl forms on my lips. "Robert found out that my parents were fated mates. It's as we thought. He couldn't kill my father, so he handed him to the witches. The dark witches we encountered used the blood of men to age in reverse. They kept my father alive for years, using his blood. All they had to do was make sure he was alive."

Impatient, I get to my feet. "Did you know my mother wants to go back to the Central Alliance?"

Alex follows me as I pace. "Is it safe for them?"

"Cyrus is no longer controlling the Central Alliance and he seems more focused on my mother's health than anything. They'll be safe. But I told them they should stay with me but…"

"They need time together as well, Sophia." My mate kisses my temple. "They have their own healing to do. As do we. I think we should leave this place tomorrow—find a better home for us."

"Why not here?" I ask Alex. "I know you want to stay here. I have no more responsibilities to anyone alliance in particular. We can stay here."

"Sophia," Alex begins, "this place is—it's a dead zone. Nothing will ever live here or thrive here. It's only darkness over…"

He doesn't get to finish the sentence because I crouch down and touch the ground with my hand. Magic courses through me, and suddenly, the ground around me begins to glow. Fresh grass sprouts up, andAlex catches his breath. "How is this possible?"

I smile at him.

"Everything is possible. I want to live here, Alex. I want to create new memories here with you. Your pack will never be happy in the South, and I want to be happy with you here. I'll heal this land, inch by inch. What do you say? Should we call this place home once again?"

Alex is pale, and then he swoops me up in his arms, laughing. "You mean it?"

I nod, beaming at the joy in his eyes.

I cup his face, smiling. "A new beginning for us. We deserve that. I want a garden for when we have our first child. My home is where you are, Alex. It will always be where you are. So, let's build it here."

Alex lowers me down till our face are inches apart. "How is it possible that you make me fall in love with you even more every day? How do you know just how to fix every hurt in my heart?"

I kiss his cheek and then his mouth. "Should I ask you the same question?"

As we hold each other, my heart blooms with hope, just like the flowerblooming at my feet.

A new future.

A better life.

One filled with love and laughter.