THE DAUGHTER OF THE HEAD WITCH

Third POV

Sofia's tears fell softly as she turned her face away to wipe them. When she finally looked back, her features regained their composure, an air of softness settling over her. "I don't know if she wants to," she said.

Wyatt's gaze was gentle. "Shall I go tell her you're here?" His tone carried a comforting reassurance.

A faint smile tugged at the corners of Sofia's lips, though her eyes shimmered with doubt. "Do you think she'll be happy? No, I'm so foolish... Perhaps she'll despise me. It's only fitting."

Wyatt's voice carried a note of conviction. "I can sense her feelings, and I assure you, it won't be as you fear. Trust me and the bond between me and Harper's wolf." His words filled the space, brimming with certainty. "She longs for you."

Sofia's laughter rang. Tears, this time born of joy, traced a path down her cheeks. "Then please, go and tell my girl that her mother has returned."

"Of course," Wyatt responded, a playful glint in his eye. He added, "Consider it done. I'll bring her to you."

_

Harper's afternoon was busy. She assisted in a surgery for a young Omega girl named Ruby. The child had sustained an injury to her thigh bone, an ailment that stubbornly resisted healing. The doctors had to fit her with bone spikes. It was a challenging enough procedure for a ten-year-old. Children who were not yet of shift age were not allowed to use any anesthetics so as not to interfere with the wolf's development. Harper's heart swelled with admiration for Ruby's courage. The young girl endured the ordeal without shedding a tear, her eyes merely pooling.

As the operation was about to begin, Harper held Ruby's hand tightly.

"Will this be over quickly, Miss Harper?" Ruby asked.

Harper's reply was gentle, her voice a soothing balm. "Yes, Ruby. It will be quick. I'll be right here with you."

Ruby's nod was resolute, her gaze steady. "I miss Mommy."

Harper squeezed her hand, "Mommy will always be out here for you."

Ruby was lucky that the operation went well. Harper couldn't help but feel happy for Ruby when she saw her mother eagerly greet her little girl. She may not have been the strongest werewolf child, but she seemed to have the best mom.

Harper was told that she was done for the day. She shook the fatigue from her body. Wait. With the familiar scent of tobacco and ore, it looked like Wyatt was coming towards her. She couldn't help but smile. She'd missed him so much.

There was a small current in the air, and when Harper saw the handsome man walking towards her, four eyes met, and Wyatt seemed to be up to something. There was something about his pace that hurried him. "Hey hottie, can I help you?" Harper squeezed her eyes.

Wyatt shook his head and smiled, "I've come bearing a message, for a lady."

Harper's brow arched in intrigue. "Oh? And who might this lady be?"

"Harper, someone wants to see you," Wyatt said.

Harper was a little confused, "Who?"

Wyatt touched the top of Harper's head, "Sofia."

Harper felt frozen all of a sudden, all of her blood crashing into one place. "Sofia? You mean... m-o-m?"

Wyatt nodded, "Indeed, she's here. Specifically for you, Harper."

A torrent of emotions rushed through Harper—a mix of shock, disbelief, and overwhelming longing. "How? Where is she? How did she find me?" Her words tumbled out in a rush, her heart racing.

Wyatt's smile remained, "I'll spare you some details. I believe Sofia wishes to speak with you in person. She's waiting for you in the garden."

Harper's whole body trembled slightly as she began to walk towards the garden. Her pace grew faster and faster, trotting until even Wyatt was far behind him. Harper's mind kept playing what Wyatt had just said, that Mom was waiting for her.

As Harper made her way to the entrance of the garden, she caught a glimpse of Sofia in the distance. Harper felt time and space become abstract. Mum looked that unreal. She also had flaxen hair and looked taller than she thought.

Sofia sensed an eager sight. She turned to see the garden entrance. She knew in that instant that it was her child, "Harper", Sofia walked eagerly towards Harper. As a witch, there were very few things that magic couldn't do. That means she rarely felt overwhelmed. But now was that hand-wringing moment.

They both walked towards each other and Harper felt that the road was longer than she usually walked.

"Harper, little Harper" Sofia called out, and Harper answered her mother's call, finally coming to her. Sofia looked intently at Harper in front of her, trying to see her child a little more clearly. She longed to absorb every nuance, to etch this moment into her heart. They were so similar, with clear green eyes under thin eyebrows. This is her daughter.

All the embarrassment, all the fear Harper had thought, hadn't happened. Mummy was here. Harper's tears arrived before she could say any of the letters.

Sofia held her tightly in her arms, an embrace that Harper had longed for for twenty years, and it finally came true.

"Mom," Harper murmured.

"Yes, Harper," Sofia hugged her baby tighter, "Mommy is here."

Their tears didn't stop for a long time. Harper led Sofia to her room. Harper told her story of the last twenty years at Sofia's insistence. Harper didn't go into too much detail about what the Carter family had done. She doesn't want Sofia to know too much. She tells the parts from when she was demoted to Omega, met Wyatt, and left Slivergray. But it's also enough to make Sofia feel guilty. She keeps saying it's her fault, and Harper tells her that getting to meet Sofia has exceeded all her expectations. This instead brings more tears from Sofia.

"Mom, how did you find me?" Harper changed the subject. Painful memories of the past are enough for today.

Sofia wiped her tears and gave a weak smile, "Honey, I left my mark on you" Sofia gently grabbed Harper's left hand and covered her right palm with it. After interlocking their fingers, a light leaked. Harper's eyes widened as Sofia moved her hand away. A flower-like symbol appeared in both of their palms.

"I can feel you if you are in danger." Sofia's eyes watered, "I'm sorry Mom wasn't there for you at those times, I should have been earlier..."

"Mom," Harper stopped Sofia's word, "I've come back from the dead several times. I think that must have been you protecting me. I know you've been there for me somewhere."

Sofia took Harper's hand back, "I'll always be there for you. Nothing will ever take you away from me again."

Harper nodded, "The witches. Do they know you're here?"

Sofia smiled, "Well, sweetheart, you're the daughter of the head witch now. So there won't be any objections."