Chapter 84 84
Corinne took it upon herself to parade Sofía through every inch of the mansion, as if she had personally built the place and was now unveiling her masterpiece. The two girls wandered through the sprawling estate while Corinne chattered endlessly, her voice bubbling with excitement as she described every room, every detail, every story tied to the walls.
Sofía discovered a library so enormous it could swallow her whole, shelves stretching high and wide with the scent of old paper lingering in the air. There was a fully equipped gym that looked more like a professional training facility than something tucked inside a private home. A miniature movie theater with plush seating and dim lighting. A vast swimming pool glistening in the backyard. And then the garden acres upon acres of breathtaking greenery, manicured hedges and blooming flowers swaying gently in the breeze.
It was heaven. There was no other word for it.
By afternoon, Corinne finally escorted her back to the bedroom. After the grand tour, exhaustion clung to Sofía’s limbs.
She closed the door behind her and walked further inside before letting herself fall onto the enormous, soft bed, his bed. The mattress dipped beneath her weight, welcoming and warm.
Heat crept into her cheeks when she remembered that he had changed the sheets while she was bathing. He had done that for her. The thought made her blush deepen. How unexpectedly thoughtful of him.
Rolling onto her back, she stared up at the ceiling, her thoughts drifting aimlessly.
She felt… light.
Happy.
Strangely content.
Sleep claimed her without warning, pulling her under so completely that when she finally stirred again, the sky outside had darkened into evening. She had slept like the dead for hours.
Startled, she hurried to freshen up before stepping out of the room. Hunger gnawed at her stomach, and an unfamiliar sadness tugged at her chest when she realized she hadn’t seen Fernando since morning.
She didn’t even know where he was.
Making her way to the kitchen, she barely crossed the threshold before every maid inside straightened simultaneously. One of them approached her respectfully.
“You need something, ma’am?”
“Oh!” Sofía blinked, caught off guard. The woman looked much older than her, and being addressed that way felt wrong so very wrong.
“P-please don’t call me ma’am. My name is Sofía. You can call me Sof… or Sofía. Whatever you like,” she said softly.
A collective “aww” rippled through the staff, and the way they looked at her fond, almost adoring made her cheeks burn bright red.
They hadn’t expected their Alpha to choose a mate who seemed so gentle, so innocent, someone whose kindness radiated without effort.
“Alright, Sofía,” the older woman said warmly. “I’m Estelle, the head maid here. You didn’t have lunch. You must be starving.”
She guided Sofía to sit on a bar stool near the island counter and began preparing something for her.
As Estelle worked, Sofía slowly relaxed, chatting with the staff and learning a few of their names. Laughter bubbled easily between them. When Estelle finally placed a perfectly made, mouthwatering cheese sandwich in front of her, Sofía’s eyes lit up. She ate happily, making small conversation in between bites.
In that short span of time, she learned how deeply everyone respected Fernando. The reverence in their voices when they spoke of him was unmistakable. He was their king in every werewolf sense of the word.
After thanking them, she returned to the bedroom.
Boredom crept in almost immediately.
Estelle had mentioned that dinner was served for everyone at eight. But it was only six.
She wandered aimlessly around the room until her gaze landed on the landline phone. And like a spark igniting in her mind, she remembered Alfonso.
Her best friend.
With everything that had happened, she had completely forgotten to contact him. Guilt punched her straight in the chest. He must be out of his mind with worry.
Grabbing the phone, she quickly dialed his number. It rang twice before he answered.
“Who’s this?”
His voice.
God, she missed him.
“Sofía. Your best pal,” she said with a small chuckle.
There was a sharp intake of breath on the other end. “Oh my God, Sofía. Where the fuck have you been?” Alfonso demanded, exasperation pouring through the line.
She sighed softly. “I’m good. How are you?”
He exhaled heavily. “I was so damn scared for you. You can’t even imagine the kind of scenarios my brain came up with.”
Her chest tightened. She hated that she had put him through that, even if none of it had been in her control.
“I’m sorry,” she murmured.
A pause.
“Apology accepted. Now tell me how are you?” His voice softened.
A smile spread across her face. “I’m as always… amazing.”
He huffed out a small laugh, and soon they were talking and talking, the conversation flowing effortlessly. It felt so good so grounding to hear him again after what felt like ages.
Eventually, she switched on the LCD and idly flipped through channels while they continued chatting. Just as she settled into the familiarity of it all, a knock echoed at the door.
Her heart leapt.
She immediately stood, turned off the television, smoothed her clothes, and walked to the door. Taking a few steadying breaths, she forced a smile onto her face, ready to see him.
But when she opened it, it was a maid.
Her smile faltered.
“Alpha is asking for your presence in his office,” the maid informed politely.
Sofía’s heart flipped inside her chest.
She nodded and stepped out. The maid led her down the corridor toward the south wing. As they walked, Sofía couldn’t help wondering how far his office was tucked away in this enormous mansion.
They stopped in front of a large black door at the very end of the hallway.
“He’s waiting for you,” the maid said with a playful giggle before hurrying off.
Sofía stood there, face flushed, watching her retreat.
She inhaled deeply and knocked softly.
Ever since last night, everything felt different. It was as if she could sense him more acutely his emotions brushing against her own, the invisible thread connecting them tightening with awareness. Even his scent seemed stronger in her memory.
“Come in,” his voice called from inside.
She twisted the doorknob and stepped in.
The sight of him made her stomach erupt in butterflies. Her heart tumbled wildly in her chest.
“Ana,” he said, his voice low.
“Fernando…” she whispered.
His gaze dragged slowly from her head to her toes, unhurried, assessing. Then he crooked his index finger, silently commanding her closer.
Sofía swallowed.
The look in his eyes was unmistakable. And the way she could feel his emotions through their bond only fueled the heat pooling inside her.
With measured, hesitant steps, she approached him and stopped a foot away from his chair.
“Come closer,” he said, spinning the chair slightly so she stood directly in front of him.
She took another step, now positioned between his legs.
“Sit down.” He patted his thigh.
The dominance in his tone sent tingles spiraling low in her belly.
She swallowed again before carefully lowering herself onto his thigh, keeping a careful distance from the obvious hardness pressing against his trousers.
His hand slid to her waist. Without warning, he tugged her firmly against him.
She gasped, her palms flying to his chest, heat sparking where they touched.
“Are you sore, baby?” he asked.