Chapter 173

Chapter 173
Sophia's POV:
The silver moonlight streamed through the cottage windows as I stood on the small balcony, breathing in the cool night air.
I felt Lucas's familiar warmth before his arms encircled my waist from behind, his chin resting gently on my shoulder.
"What are you thinking？" he murmured against my neck.
"This peaceful happiness," I replied, leaning back into his solid chest. "It feels... unreal somehow. Like it might disappear if I breathe too hard."
His arms tightened around me, and I could hear the smile in his voice. "Then let's do something that feels real."
Then his hands began to explore, gentle but deliberate, tracing patterns along my arms before moving to my waist.
The pregnancy had heightened my sensitivity to everything, especially his presence.
Amy, I called to my wolf. Is it... safe?
The baby is fine, Amy assured me, her voice warm with understanding. But you should take the lead. Let your body guide you, and don't let him put any pressure on the bump.
Lucas's lips found the sensitive spot behind my ear, and I couldn't suppress the soft gasp that escaped me. His hands continued to roam, gentle but possessive.
"Sophia," he whispered, turning me around to face him."I noticed your reaction when we were talking about Micheal earlier today, and I must admit, I felt a bit jealous."
I felt my heart skip a beat at the mention of Michael's name, but I kept my expression neutral. "Why?"
Lucas's grip on my waist tightened slightly. "He's young, handsome, powerful." His eyes searched mine. "Sometimes I wonder if I’m better than him, Sophia. "
The vulnerability in his voice broke my heart. I cupped his face in both hands, forcing him to look at me. "Lucas, listen to me very carefully. Yes, you've made mistakes in the past that hurt me deeply. You chose others over me, you let your family's opinions matter more than my feelings."
I saw him flinch at my words, but I pressed on, my voice growing stronger. "But if you've truly changed, if you're really willing to put us first this time, then my commitment to you will never waver. No one can tear apart a relationship that both are determined to protect and cherish."
My thumbs traced along his cheekbones as I held his gaze. "But the moment you give up, the moment you choose anyone or anything over us again, I'll walk away and never look back. Do you understand?"
Instead of answering with words, Lucas captured my lips in a kiss that was both tender and desperate. I could taste his relief, his gratitude, his love, and underneath it all, that wild, untamed need that made my knees weak.
Take control, Amy reminded me as Lucas's hands began to wander. You lead.
I gently pushed him back toward the bedroom, my hands working at the buttons of his shirt. "Let me," I murmured when he tried to take over, and something in my tone made him still, his eyes darkening with understanding.
What followed was soft and careful, with me setting the pace, guiding every touch and caress.
Lucas, for all his Alpha dominance, surrendered completely to my lead, his hands trembling as they mapped the curves of my body with reverence.
But as the pleasure built to its crescendo, something strange happened.
In the moment of ultimate intimacy, when my vision should have been filled with Lucas's beloved face, I saw someone else entirely.
Michael.
His piercing blue eyes, his gentle smile, and his golden hair. The shock of the vision sent me spiraling into an unexpected second climax, more intense than the first, leaving me gasping and shaking in Lucas's arms.
I forced myself to focus on the man actually holding me, not the phantom my mind had conjured.
Lucas pressed a kiss to my forehead, his lips lingering there as his hands traced soothing circles along my back. "You're trembling," he murmured softly, reaching for the blanket to pull it over both of us. "Are you cold?"
"No," I whispered, nestling closer to his warmth. "Just... tired. It's been such a long day."
His arms tightened around me protectively as he settled us both more comfortably on the bed. "Close your eyes, love. Just rest."
His hand moved to stroke my hair in slow, rhythmic motions, the same way he used to when I couldn't sleep during those early days of our marriage.
"Sleep, Sophia," he murmured against the top of my head, his voice dropping to that soothing tone that never failed to calm me. "I'll be right here when you wake up."
My mind kept returning to that impossible vision, to the way my body had responded to the mere thought of Michael.
This must be the stress, I told myself firmly, my heart still racing.
I pressed closer to Lucas, using his solid warmth to anchor myself to reality. Just stress-induced hallucinations, I reasoned.
---
I woke the next morning to find Lucas's side of the bed empty, but there was a note on his pillow written in his distinctive handwriting:
My darling Sophia,
Border patrol reports possible rogue activity near the Starlight Pack boundaries. I need to investigate personally, but I should be back by evening. Please don't worry.
All my love,
Lucas
Ruth appeared in the doorway with a breakfast tray, practically glowing with excitement. "Sophia! I have the most wonderful news!"
"What is it, Ruth?" I asked, though her enthusiasm was infectious.
"That treacherous girl Grace – the one who betrayed you to that horrible Isabelle? She faced pack justice yesterday!"
Ruth's eyes sparkled with satisfaction. "Full execution, as is proper for traitors. And the best part? Isabelle was forced to watch every moment of it!"
I felt a complex mix of emotions wash over me.
"I suppose justice has been served," I said quietly.
"Oh, but Isabelle doesn't get punished, Sophia!" Ruth insisted. "According to pack law, betrayal of the Luna is treason. And making Isabelle watch? Well, that was just—"
Ruth's words were cut off by the sound of angry footsteps echoing through the hallway, followed by a voice I'd hoped never to hear again, raised in fury:
"WHERE IS SHE? WHERE IS THAT MANIPULATIVE OMEGA WITCH?"
My blood ran cold. Elena.
I took a deep breath and rose from the bed, wrapping my robe tightly around myself. "Ruth, step back."
The door to my chambers burst open without ceremony, and Elena Stone stormed in like an avenging fury. Her usually pristine appearance was disheveled – her deep red silk dress wrinkled and stained, her hair wild, her eyes blazing with hatred.
"You!" she snarled, pointing an accusatory finger at me. "You're behind all of this!"
"Elena," I said calmly, though my heart was racing. "You look like you've just been released from somewhere... unpleasant."
"Don't you dare take that tone with me, you little witch!" Elena spat, stepping closer.
"Do you think I don't know what you've done?" Elena snarled, pointing an accusatory finger at me. "Do you think I don't see how you've twisted my son's mind against his own family?"
Ruth moved to intervene, but Elena ignored her.
"Stay out of this, servant," Elena commanded coldly before turning her fury back to me. "You think you're so clever, don't you? Using your wiles and whatever dark magic you've learned to turn Lucas against his father, against everything we've built!"
"I don't know what you're talking about," I replied, but Elena was beyond reason.
"James is EXILED!" she screamed. "Exiled from his own pack because of YOU! And now my daughter..." Her voice cracked slightly. "My poor Isabelle can barely speak. She hasn't slept since they forced her to watch that execution. She just sits there, staring at nothing, reliving that horror over and over!"
Elena wasn't finished. "She's traumatized because of YOUR vindictive need for revenge! You couldn't be satisfied with just stealing my son – you had to destroy his entire family!"
"Your daughter made her choices," I said quietly. "Just as your husband did. They both got exactly what they deserved - the consequences of their own actions. When you do terrible things to innocent people, you should expect to face the punishment that follows."
"She's just a child!" Elena sobbed, revealing a mother's desperate love. "She's my baby, and now she won't even look at me. She flinches every time someone raises their voice. You've broken her!"
I watched Elena's anguish, and something bitter twisted in my chest.
This woman, who had shown me nothing but cruelty and disdain, was now breaking apart over her daughter's suffering.
But she'd never shown this kind of desperate love for Lucas. Never fought this hard to protect him from the damage James had inflicted. Never wept for the pain her husband had caused her son.