Sophia had woken early, slipping out of bed before dawn had fully risen. She wanted to make Ethan breakfast and surprise him, as he’d done for her so many times. She was still new to cooking, but she knew that a stack of pancakes and freshly brewed coffee was a solid start. The thought of his smile when he walked into the kitchen made her heart flutter.
She carefully set the table, placing everything just so, and waited until she heard Ethan’s footsteps coming down the stairs. When he entered, the sleepy warmth in his eyes made her heart swell.
As they ate, though, Sophia couldn’t shake the feeling that something was different about him. He seemed distracted, his smile a bit forced, his gaze distant. It wasn’t like him. With the bond between them, she could feel a hint of something—hesitation, maybe even worry—buzzing softly beneath his calm exterior.
“Are you sure everything’s okay?” she asked, her tone gentle but probing.
Ethan looked up, his eyes softening as he met her gaze. “I promise, it’s nothing for you to worry about,” he replied, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze. But even though his words were meant to calm her, she could sense he was holding something back.
She wanted to press further, but with her shift approaching, she knew she had to get ready. She kissed his cheek and headed upstairs, hoping that whatever it was, he’d tell her when he was ready.
Under the shower’s warm stream, she closed her eyes, trying to focus on the bond, to feel more of what he was feeling. But all she got was a hazy sense of protectiveness, of a quiet resolve. If he was worried about something, it was something he planned to handle on his own. Still, she couldn’t shake the unease that lingered in her chest.
Once she was dressed, she went back downstairs, finding him waiting in the kitchen. “Lunch-to-evening shift today,” she reminded him, as she always did. “I’ll see you around eleven?”
“I’ll be there,” Ethan replied, pulling her in for a tight hug. She sank into his embrace, the warmth of his touch settling some of her lingering doubts. When she pulled away, she shot him a reassuring smile.
Outside, she spotted Lila’s car waiting for her. She waved as she approached, and Lila grinned as she rolled down the window. They greeted each other cheerfully, and Sophia hopped into the car, grateful for the light-hearted energy Lila always seemed to bring.
They turned on the radio, singing along to a familiar tune as they drove. Eventually, Sophia’s thoughts drifted back to Ethan, and she glanced over at Lila. “Hey, do you know if there’s anything serious going on with the pack? Like, any issues Ethan might be dealing with?”
Lila raised an eyebrow, surprised by the question. “Nothing I’ve heard of, at least nothing unusual. The rogues have been a little more active, but it’s pretty standard this time of year. Why?”
Sophia shrugged, unsure of how much to share. “He just seemed… I don’t know, a little off this morning. Maybe I’m just reading too much into things.”
Lila shot her a sympathetic look. “I’m sure it’s nothing. You know how protective he is. If it were serious, he’d tell you. But maybe he’s just got a lot on his mind.”
The reassurance helped, and by the time they reached the bar, Sophia felt her spirits lift. Lila smiled as Sophia stepped out of the car, waving as she watched her head toward the entrance.
Taking a deep breath, Sophia stepped into the bar, letting the familiar sounds and scents wash over her. For now, she’d focus on her shift and let the worries of the morning fade away, at least until the night brought her back to Ethan’s side.