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Chapter 19 - Sonya

We’re at the town’s annual fall festival, and the air is crisp with the scent of caramel apples and spiced cider. Booths line the streets, offering everything from homemade crafts to local baked goods, and families stroll around, enjoying the mild weather. It’s one of those perfect days that feels like it should be captured in a postcard—blue skies, golden leaves drifting down, and the distant sound of a band playing upbeat tunes near the gazebo.

Jack insisted we come, saying he wanted to take advantage of his time off and show Fiona all the things he loved about Green Lake. So here we are, weaving through the crowds with Fiona nestled comfortably in my arms. She’s wide-eyed, soaking up every bit of the bustling scene, her tiny fingers reaching for the swirling leaves that dance around us. Her laughter is contagious, and I can’t help but smile as she babbles at every new sight.

Jack walks beside us, his hand lightly brushing against my back every now and then, a constant, comforting presence. “I used to come here every year as a kid,” he says, his voice tinged with nostalgia. “My mom would always buy me one of those giant turkey legs, and I’d make a mess of myself. She pretended to be annoyed, but I knew she loved it.”

I glance at him, touched by the glimpse into his past. “You must have been a handful.”

He chuckles, running a hand through his hair. “You have no idea.”

We find a spot near the playground and lay out a blanket on the grass. Jack sets Fiona down with her toys, propping her up with a few pillows. She coos happily, batting at the plush animals and crinkly book I brought along. Watching her play, the three of us surrounded by the festival activities, I feel a sense of contentment I haven’t known in a long time.

We’re not alone for long. Jack’s friends drop by, and I’m introduced to Liam and Sophie, a warm and friendly couple who welcome me like I’ve been part of their circle for years. They chat easily, asking me questions about Stardust Hollow and sharing stories about their own lives. It’s the kind of easy conversation that makes me feel included, like I finally belong somewhere.

Sophie glances at Fiona. “She’s adorable. You make a great little family.”

Jack grins, and his eyes meet mine briefly before he turns back to Sophie. “Thanks. She’s pretty amazing.”

Just as we’re settling into the relaxed atmosphere, laughter and chatter flowing around us, a sudden burst of shouting catches everyone’s attention. A couple from the pack is arguing near one of the food stalls, their voices rising above the din of the festival. The woman is visibly upset. Her face is flushed as she jabs a finger at the man, who looks equally furious with his fists clenched at his sides.

“Dammit, Carla, you’re not listening to me!” the man shouts. “I’m telling you, it wasn’t like that!”

“Oh, really, Marcus?” Carla fires back, her eyes blazing with anger. “Because from where I’m standing, it sure as hell looked like you were flirting with her. Right in front of me, no less! You think I’m just going to stand here and take that?”

People are starting to back away, not wanting to get caught in the crossfire. Jack tenses beside me, clearly debating whether to step in.

“Let me handle this,” I offer, squeezing his arm gently before getting up. Jack hesitates, but he nods, his trust in me evident in the way he steps back.

I approach the arguing couple, keeping my movements calm and my voice steady. “Hey,” I say softly, positioning myself between them. “I know you’re upset, but this isn’t the place for this. You’re surrounded by people who are just trying to have a good time. Maybe take a step back, calm down, and talk this out away from the crowd.”

Carla’s glare shifts to me, her chest heaving as she struggles to rein in her emotions. “Do you have any idea what it’s like?” she snaps, tears brimming in her eyes. “He’s constantly doing this—pushing boundaries, acting like I’m supposed to just be okay with it.”

I meet her gaze, nodding empathetically. “I get it. Trust me, I do. But you’re not going to solve anything by yelling at each other in front of everyone. You deserve a real conversation, not this public spectacle.”

Marcus runs a hand through his hair, his expression softening as he looks at Carla. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t trying to embarrass you. I just… I screwed up, okay? But I need you to believe me when I say it wasn’t intentional.”

Carla’s resolve falters. Her posture relaxes a bit as she takes in his words. She glances around, noticing the eyes on them, and her shoulders slump in resignation. “Fine,” she mutters, wiping at her eyes. “But we’re talking about this later. In private.”

“Yeah, we will. I promise.”

They move off together, still tense but no longer on the brink of exploding, and I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. As I turn back to Jack and the others, there’s a mixture of admiration and surprise on their faces. Jack’s watching me with an intensity that makes my heart skip a beat.

“That was impressive,” he comments, his voice low and filled with pride. “I’ve seen pack members handle fights before, but you… you handled that like you’ve been doing it all your life.”

Jack’s eyes are still on me, his admiration clear as day, and I can’t help the flush that creeps up my neck. It’s not like I did anything groundbreaking, just stepped in when things got heated. But the way he’s looking at me now, like I’m some kind of superhero, sends a warm flutter through my chest.

“Seriously, Sonya. Maybe we should make you an official adviser or something. We could use someone like you to whip these younger shifters into shape. You’ve got that whole peacemaker vibe down to an art.”

I laugh, shaking my head. “Oh, please. I’m not even part of Green Lake, remember? I’m just passing through.”

“You could be, you know. If you wanted to be.”

There’s something in his voice, something that lingers between playful and serious, and it tugs at the part of me that’s been yearning for a place to belong. I’ve spent so much time convincing myself that Green Lake is just a pit stop, a way to dodge my past until the dust settles. But lately, the idea of staying, of planting roots somewhere new, doesn’t seem so far-fetched. Especially when Jack’s around, making it all feel a little less daunting.

“Yeah, but I’m not,” I remind him, keeping my tone light even as my heart beats a little faster. “I mean, this is your home, your pack. I’d just be a stranger trying to play mediator.”

Jack quirks an eyebrow, crossing his arms as he leans in closer. “You don’t give yourself enough credit. What you did back there? Not everyone can handle something like that, especially with people they don’t even know. But you? You made it look easy.”

I bite my lip, glancing away as the reality of his words settles over me. He’s right—I did step in without thinking twice, without feeling out of place or uncertain. It was like second nature, like I’d been part of their pack all along.

Jack nudges my shoulder. “You know, the pack isn’t just about blood or bonds. It’s about finding where you fit, where you feel at home. And from where I’m standing, you fit here pretty damn well.”

I open my mouth to respond, but the words get stuck. Because I want to believe him, want to believe that maybe, just maybe, there’s a spot for me here, too. But the fear is still there, lurking beneath the surface, reminding me of every time I’ve tried to belong somewhere and ended up getting burned.

“I don’t know,” I finally say, my voice quiet. “It’s not that simple.”

Jack watches me for a beat, like he’s trying to read between the lines of everything I’m not saying. “Doesn’t have to be,” he murmurs. “Just think about it, okay?”

Before I can respond, the distant sound of someone calling his name cuts through the moment, breaking the spell.

Jack sighs, glancing over his shoulder, then back at me with a small, apologetic smile. “I’ll be right back,” he says, giving my hand a quick squeeze before turning to go.

As I watch him walk away, my heart pulls in two different directions. There’s a part of me that wants to take the leap, to see if this place—if Jack—could really be my home. But then there’s the other part, the one that’s still holding back, still afraid to let go of the past. And as I stand there, caught between what could be and what I’m running from, I know that eventually, I’ll have to make a choice.

But for now, all I can do is watch Jack’s retreating figure and wonder where this path might lead if I just have the courage to follow it.

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