Sophia’s POV
He let out a sigh, his expression a mix of weariness and resolution. “It was a tough conversation, my love. I had to be honest with her about us.”
I nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. “And how did she take it?”
Alexander’s smile was as endearing as it was helpless, a silent acknowledgment of the complexity of the situation. His playful glance met my eyes, and his words carried a sense of amusement as he explained, “I simply shared some facts with her.”
I understood the delicacy of the matter and felt a hint of embarrassment under his gaze. My eyes met his in a moment of unspoken understanding, and I found myself lowering my head, my cheeks warming under his scrutiny. His teasing tone pulled me from my thoughts, and I glanced up at him, my lips curving into a shy smile.
“Jealous?” he inquired, amusement dancing in his eyes.
The question caught me off guard, and my blush deepened. I attempted to turn my head away, feigning nonchalance as I stammered, “N-no, of course not.”
However, before I could escape his gaze, Daisy’s mischievous voice cut through the air, shattering my facade. “Oh, come on, Mom! You nearly drowned that poor plant!”
My face turned an even deeper shade of red, mortification sweeping over me. Alexander’s laughter filled the space, a warm and genuine sound that eased my embarrassment. “Well, I suppose it’s better than drowning our entire garden,” he remarked with a playful wink.
I shot him a mock glare, my embarrassment now intermingled with fond exasperation. “You’re enjoying this far too much.”
He stepped closer, his eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that sent a shiver down my spine. “Only because I find your blush utterly irresistible.”
I could feel the heat rising to my cheeks once more, and I attempted to regain my composure. “Flattery won’t save you from my terrible plant-tending skills.”
His expression softened, his gaze holding mine in a tender embrace. “You don’t need to worry about plants, my love. My heart belongs to you.”
His words were a soothing balm to my self-consciousness, a reminder that our connection was stronger than any awkward moment.
In the tranquil embrace of the night, the soft glow of moonlight seeped through the curtains, casting gentle patterns on the walls of the room. My phone broke the silence, its insistent ringing pulling me from the edge of slumber.
The past three days in Shadow City had been a whirlwind of emotions, and I hadn’t used my phone much due to the poor signal in this remote place. I fumbled for my phone on the nightstand, the screen illuminating with a flurry of notifications-messages and missed calls, each one a beacon of urgency.
My heart quickened as I saw the names-Tyler and Jake. They were my closest friends, and rarely had they ever bombarded me with so many messages and calls. I knew immediately that something important must have happened. My fingers trembled slightly as I unlocked my phone, the messages coming into focus:
“Where are you?”
“We’ve been looking for you at the company, and you’re not at home either.”
“Is everything okay? Are you with Alexander?”
The messages continued, a growing sense of concern evident in each word. I read through the barrage of messages, my heart racing as I pieced together the urgency of the situation. Alexander’s name in Tyler and Jake’s messages was like a puzzle piece that didn’t quite fit.
A mixture of guilt and uncertainty churned within me. I had left without telling anyone about my plans to come here with Alexander. Tyler and Jake were my confidants, but the werewolf situation in Shadow City was something they weren’t privy to. The secrecy weighed heavily on me as I contemplated how to respond.
With a deep breath, I composed my thoughts and began typing a message to Tyler:
“Hey, sorry for not responding earlier. I’m in a place with poor signal, and my phone hasn’t been working well. I’m safe, don’t worry. Just needed some time away. I’ll explain everything once I’m back.”
I hesitated before pressing send, my thumb hovering over the screen. It was a half-truth-I was safe, but the rest was a tangled web of secrets I couldn’t unravel just yet. Alexander’s involvement added an extra layer of complexity that I wasn’t prepared to unveil.
As I awaited Tyler’s response, my thoughts drifted to Alexander, who was likely in his own room nearby. Our shared journey had brought us closer, the challenges we faced cementing a bond that was both fragile and unbreakable. The night was a silent witness to the emotions that swirled within me-gratitude, confusion, and a growing affection that I couldn’t deny.
A gentle chime from my phone pulled me from my reverie, and I read Tyler’s response:
“Okay, just let us know when you’re back. We were really worried. Take care.”
Relief flooded over me, mingling with the guilt that still lingered. I typed a quick “Thank you” in response before setting my phone aside. The room was shrouded in darkness once more, a cocoon of solitude that enveloped me. The choices I’d made, the secrets I’d kept-they all weighed heavily on my heart.