Chapter 174: Come to me

Sophia’s POV

The living room shone of flickering firelight, the jasmine-scented air heavy with the weight of my fear.

My hands rested on my swollen belly, eight months pregnant, the baby’s gentle kicks a reminder of the life Nelson and I had built, now threatened by rumors, betrayal, and war.

The Lunar Eclipse Festival loomed, a stage for Landon’s violence and Amanda’s vengeance, but Nelson’s absence tonight - summoned to a late council meeting - glared at me, sending a dread that grew with every tick of the clock.

My heart raced, my breath shallow, as I clutched my phone, dialing Nelson, needing his voice to calm me. I need to be sure he got to the council safe and sound.

“Pick up,” I whispered, pacing, the hardwood cold under my bare feet, the fire’s warmth unable to touch the chill in my bones.

The rumors in the newspaper -“Alpha Nelson’s Betrayal”- had shaken the pack, questioning our love, our child, and the council’s summons felt like a judgment, a trap.

“Pick up Nel.” I said quietly as I kept on dialling his number.

When Nelson answered on the fifth ring, his voice was rough, strained, and my stomach dropped, panic surging like a tide.

“Nelson, how did it go? Did you arrive safely? How did the meeting go? what happened?” I asked fastly.

His silence was sharp and heavy, before he spoke, his words clipped, laced with exhaustion.

“There was no meeting, Soph,” he said, his voice low, a growl that sent ice through my veins. “Landon’s rogues ambushed us on the road. I don't know how and Luca’s hurt, but we made it to Ethan’s. I’m fine, just… shaken.”

My breath caught, a sob escaping as I sank onto the couch, my hands trembling, my baby kicking harder, as if sensing my fear.

“Ambushed?” I gasped, my voice breaking, tears spilling hot and fast.

“Nelson, oh my God - are you hurt? Landon’s rogues? How did they know where you were going?”

My mind raced, as Amanda’s face flashed - her knowing smile, her crazy vow to make us pay.

Was she behind this, tied to Landon's death plans? The rumors, her threat, now this attack - it was a web closing around us, and I was trapped, my child’s future at stake.

“I’m coming to you,” I said, my voice rising, panic clawing at my chest as I stood, grabbing my coat, my hands shaking so badly I almost dropped my phone.

“You’re at Ethan’s, I can be there in an hour - Nelson, I can’t lose you, not now, not with the baby… on the way.” I sob.

“No!” His voice cut through, sharp, commanding, stopping me immediately. “Sophia, listen to me. You stay put. It’s not safe. You're eight months pregnant, and Landon’s out there. I’ve called the guards, and told them to tighten security around the house. Lock the doors, stay inside. I’m safe with Ethan, but you need to protect yourself, and our child.”

His words were assuring and smoothing, but my fear was a storm, images of rogues’ claws, Nelson’s blood, flooding my mind.

“But Nelson,” I choked, tears streaming, my hand clutching my belly, “We need to put a stop to Amanda’s madness. What if she told Landon, set this up? I can’t just sit here, waiting, not knowing if you’ll—”

“Sophia, stop,” he said, his voice softer now, but firm, and it steadied me despite the terror.

“I’m fine, I promise. Ethan’s got us in the guest house, guards everywhere. We’ll figure this out. Amanda, Landon, the rumors. But you need to stay safe. The guards are there, and I’ll be home soon. Trust me.”

I nodded, though he couldn’t see, my tears falling, my heart pounding as I sank back onto the couch, the fire’s crackle a mocking contrast to my panic.

“Listen to me Soph.” Nelson says calmly and lovingly.

“We'll put a stop to all these. I just need you to be good for our baby and for yourself. Okay? I'll be back home tomorrow to be by your side.” He said.

“Okay.” I whispered.

“Go to bed. Guards will be at the door. I love you.”

“I love you too,Nel.” I say back.

Then I hung up as I sat alone buried in my thoughts.

Does Amanda hate me so much for her to partner with Landon for vengeance? The council’s summons, the ambush - it felt orchestrated by her and Landon, a trap to break us before the festival.

I stood, locking the doors, my hands trembling as I checked the windows, the guards’ shadows moving outside, their presence a thin shield against my fear.

My baby kicked, a reminder of what I fought for, but the rumors, the pack’s doubt, threatened to tear it all away. I clutched my phone tight. but doubt gnawed at me.

The house creaked, as the night pressed in, and I paced, my breath ragged, my eyes darting to the door, expecting rogues, or worse - Amanda, her smile sharp, her vengeance real.

I wanted to run to Nelson, to Ethan’s, to see him, hold him, but his order, his love, kept me rooted, my fear a chain I couldn’t break.

The festival wasn't far away, Landon’s war, Amanda’s rage,which I couldn’t outrun. My hand rested on my belly, my baby's life I'll fight, but panic clawed at me, like an unknown blade at my throat.

I sank onto the couch, tears falling, the guards’ footsteps outside is like a steady rhythm. Nelson was safe, for now, and I feel a little calm.

The fire dimmed, the night growing colder, and I whispered a prayer, my voice trembling, my heart a battlefield of love and fear.

“Nelson,” I murmured, my voice a plea, my eyes on the door, the guards’ shadows moving, the night hiding dangers I couldn’t name.

“You promised you’d come back to me. Don’t let her- and don’t let Landon take you from us.”

I whispered quietly as I lay down on the bed but sleep was very far from my eyes.