Sofia spent the rest of training in silence, clearly shaken, though she kept her turmoil contained. Soon after, Leonardo slipped away, following in the direction Fabio had gone. I kept an eye on Sofia, sensing the storm in her mind. We’d only ever discussed mates once, and that was back when she was eighteen-when she still hadn’t felt any pressure to find hers. Sofia’s independence was always her trademark; she believed she’d meet her mate when the time was right. Yet, finding him only for him to bolt… none of us saw that coming. These things just happened, a sudden rupture that left you sifting through the pieces, wondering where everything went wrong.
Back at the house, I had an hour to get ready. A quick shower and a change into jeans and a long-sleeve top felt right-comfort over style, given Leonardo and I would be cooped up on a plane together for hours. As I brushed out my hair, a light knock on the door interrupted me.
“Come in!” I called, peeking out to find Sofia standing there, looking uneasy.
“Hey. Sorry to bother you, especially since you’re getting ready to leave.” She offered a small, almost forced smile.
This was the most tense I’d ever seen her. Stress was the one thing that could render Sofia speechless; anger, she could always channel, but worry seemed to silence her. It dawned on me that she wanted to ask about Fabio. I was the only person here, aside from the local pack members, who knew anything about this town.
A part of me felt a flicker of resentment that she was mated to one of my former bullies, but I couldn’t bring myself to hold it against her. Sofia wasn’t to blame, and it seemed Leonardo’s group had all changed since then. I wasn’t sure what had caused their bond to fray, but I wouldn’t drag my past bitterness into Sofia’s present.
“If it’s about Fabio, just ask,” I said, keeping my tone gentle but even. I despised the pity that sometimes glimmered in others’ eyes, the way it made me feel fragile.
Sofia’s shoulders dropped a little in relief as she sank onto the bed. Some of her tension ebbed, though her expression stayed troubled.
“He ran out on me. Can you believe that?” She scoffed, pushing back some stray hair. “I can’t decide if I should track him down for being a coward or pretend the whole thing never happened.”
“Honestly, I’d pick option A, but I might not be the best person for advice.” I chuckled, sitting beside her. “They’ve all changed, you know. Leonardo, Livia, Dante, Francesca, Fabio-all of them used to be inseparable. Since I got back, the only one who’s still close to Leonardo is Dante. Still, that doesn’t excuse Fabio’s behavior.”
“You’re doing better than you think,” Sofia smirked with a spark in her eye, though her voice wavered. “Should I reject him? I usually have a plan, but right now, I feel lost.”
“I wouldn’t rush to rejection. That’s a step you take only if there’s truly no other way.” My voice softened. “You’re his mate for a reason. If anyone can break through, it’s you.”
She nodded, exhaling a long breath. “I know you’re right. I’ll try being my fabulous self first, make him regret being an ass.” She laughed, her usual confidence slipping back in.
“Maybe start with the nice approach first,” I teased. “Then, if that fails, do what you do best.”
“Nice approach it is.” She grinned, bouncing to her feet. “Thanks for listening, Ella. Enrico would flip if he knew all this.”
“No problem, Sofia,” I said, smiling up at her. “I hope it all works out.”
“Me too.” She paused before adding, “And I hope things work out for you, too, Ella. Not just with Emiliano.”
I forced a weak smile as she left. Just as I exhaled, Sofia poked her head back in, grinning mischievously.
“By the way, totally sleeping in your bed while you’re gone,” she teased before dashing away.
Half an hour later, Leonardo stood in the kitchen, watching as I said goodbye to my friends. Carlo had stopped by with Laura, who even gave me a warm goodbye. The familiar warmth in Carlo’s eyes no longer hurt, and it felt easy to turn away this time. When Enrico pulled me into one of his signature bear hugs, I noticed the irritation in Leonardo’s clenched jaw.
“Take care, Ella,” Enrico murmured, pressing a kiss to my head, his gaze drifting to Leonardo. “I expect you back at training in a few days.”
I laughed. “Already counting the days?”
“Yep,” he grinned. “This is my vacation. I haven’t had one since… never.”
“Pardon me for disturbing your much-deserved break.” I chuckled, feigning guilt.
“Oh, I’ll try to forgive you,” he laughed, releasing me.
I reached for my duffle bag, but Leonardo beat me to it, his gaze intense and unreadable. His simmering frustration was palpable, but I ignored the way it made my heart flutter. Enrico was my friend-a brother, really-and I wasn’t going to distance myself to ease Leonardo’s jealousy.
He left the house without a word, and I waved a final goodbye before following him outside. He tossed my bag into the back of the car, held the door open, then went to the driver’s side in silence. We drove the hour to the airport with an awkward, strained quiet between us. His jaw stayed set the entire way, not relaxing until we boarded the plane.
Once inside the plush cabin, I chose the farthest seat, feeling a need for space. Leonardo glanced at me, curiosity replacing his usual playful amusement.
“You’re close with them?” he finally asked, breaking the silence.
I nodded. “We are. They kind of took me in when my mom and I moved. We’ve been close ever since.”
Leonardo’s gaze grew sharper. “How long has Enrico been in love with you?”
Caught off guard, I almost laughed. “Jealous?”
“Yes, actually.” His face was unreadable, but his gaze felt unnervingly intense, like he could see right through me.
The silence after that was a relief. I pulled out my dad’s lyric book, a Christmas gift from Carlo, and ran my fingers over the familiar pages. I’d been so wrapped up in anger, shutting people out, that I’d nearly forgotten about this. I had no intention of letting Leonardo get close, but at least I’d reconnected with my friends.
After dozing off for a bit, I woke to find Leonardo watching me, a slight smirk playing at his lips.
“You talk in your sleep,” he teased.
Mortified, I rolled my eyes. “I do not.”
I grabbed my bag, intending to check my winter gear. I struggled with the gloves, only for Leonardo to take my hands gently and help. He slipped the gloves on, his touch unexpectedly gentle, and for a second, I glimpsed a softer side to him.
“Don’t want to know what you said, kitten?” he asked, flashing a rare smile, his pale features momentarily softened.
I gritted my teeth, trying not to react. Moments like this, I wondered if Leonardo would always be an enigma to me.
As we stepped off the plane, snowflakes fell in fat clusters, covering the ground in a thick white blanket. The cold bit into my cheeks, but I couldn’t help savoring the crunch of the snow underfoot. Snow had always fascinated me; it hushed the world, silencing even the loudest of thoughts.
“You like the cold?” Leonardo’s voice broke my reverie as he brushed a snowflake off my nose.
“I grew up with heat and humidity,” I admitted. “Snow feels quiet, peaceful. I’ve always loved it.”
His eyes softened, lingering on my flushed cheeks. “I do too.”
Three hours later, after navigating the snowy roads, we finally arrived in Glacial Blu. The town was sparse, with only a few vehicles at the gas station, and the inn was a modest, rustic cabin. The owner, a plump woman in her forties, greeted us warmly but delivered some unexpected news.
“I’m afraid there’s been a mix-up,” she said, looking genuinely apologetic. “There’s only one room ready.”
“One room?” I gasped, barely able to mask my surprise.
Leonardo, barely hiding his satisfaction, chuckled. “Looks like we’ll be sharing, kitten.”
The challenge in his voice was unmistakable, and for the first time, I felt as though I might be getting in over my head.