The Wolf That Saved Me

Chapter 7: Misery Loves Company

The cabin was eerily quiet when Michael and Sophia stepped inside. The storm outside had settled into a low murmur, the wind whispering through the trees, but inside, the tension between them crackled like an unspoken promise.

Michael ran a hand through his hair, exhaling sharply as he moved toward the fireplace. The weight of the night pressed down on him, Olivia’s words still burned in his mind, her accusations cutting deeper than he wanted to admit. He had spent years building walls around himself, making sure no one could get close enough to break them. And yet, she had managed to shatter them with a few well-aimed truths.

“You’re thinking too much again,” Sophia’s voice broke through the silence.

Michael didn’t turn around. “And you’re always too calm.”

She hummed in amusement, stepping closer. “Because I understand you. And I know exactly what you need.”

He stiffened when he felt her fingers skim over his shoulder, light and deliberate. Sophia always knew how to touch him, just enough to stir something deep inside him but never enough to push him over the edge. Not until he let her.

“I don’t think this is a good idea,” he muttered, though his voice lacked conviction.

Sophia moved in front of him, tilting her head as she studied his face. “Why?”

Michael let out a dry chuckle. “Because I actually think you might be worse for me than Elias.”

She smirked. “That’s not true. I don’t destroy you. I remind you that you’re still alive.”

Her hand slid up his chest, fingers splaying over his heartbeat. He hated how much she affected him, how she could unravel the tightly bound control he clung to so desperately. He had spent years avoiding intimacy, avoiding the risk of needing someone. But Sophia was different. She didn’t demand anything from him. She didn’t need saving or protecting. She simply existed alongside him, unafraid of the darkness he carried.

And right now, he needed that.

Michael let out a breath, his resistance wavering, and that was all the invitation Sophia needed. She leaned in, brushing her lips against his—a question rather than a demand. When he didn’t pull away, she deepened the kiss, her fingers slipping into his hair, pulling him closer.

The tension between them snapped like a frayed wire.

Michael’s hands gripped her waist, dragging her against him as he lost himself in the heat of the moment. The firelight cast flickering shadows across the room as they moved together, a silent understanding passing between them. He wasn’t thinking anymore, wasn’t dwelling on the past or the future. There was only this. Only her.

Sophia pushed him back onto the couch, straddling him with a knowing smirk. “See?” she whispered against his lips. “You think too much.”

Michael exhaled a laugh, his hands trailing down her back as he let himself forget, just for a little while.

The night stretched on, time losing meaning as they tangled together in the dim light of the cabin. And for the first time in what felt like forever, Michael allowed himself to let go.

When it was over, Sophia curled against his side, her fingers tracing idle patterns over his chest. The silence between them wasn’t heavy. It wasn’t awkward. It was simply… there. Comfortable in a way he hadn’t expected.

“You’re not as alone as you think,” she murmured sleepily.

Michael didn’t answer, just tightened his arm around her and stared at the ceiling, his thoughts a storm he wasn’t ready to face.

For tonight, at least, he’d let himself believe her.

(OLIVIA’S POV)

The walk to the cabin felt longer than usual, like every step carried the weight of last night’s argument.

I had let my emotions get the best of me, and even though I still believed everything I said, I regretted the way I said it. Maybe Michael didn’t deserve my anger…not all of it, at least. So I was here, swallowing my pride, ready to apologize.

But the second I pushed open the cabin door, every thought left my mind.

There they were.

Michael and Sophia, tangled together on the couch, his arm draped over her in a way that felt too natural, too easy. Their bodies molded together, her head resting against his chest, and his face so peaceful, so unlike the guarded man I knew.

A strange, uncomfortable weight settled in my stomach. I had no right to feel this way, but that didn’t stop the sharp sting that shot through me. Like I had lost something I didn’t even realize I wanted. Like I had stepped into a game I didn’t know I was playing and had already lost.

I turned on my heel and rushed out, my pulse pounding in my ears. I needed to get away, needed to breathe.

But before I could make it too far, a blur of movement flashed before me, and then,

Michael.

Standing in front of me, arms crossed, looking at me like I was the one who had something to explain.

"You and Sophia? Really?" I snapped, barely able to keep the bitterness from my voice.

His expression didn’t shift. "What’s the problem? I thought you’d be happy. I’m no longer alone. Isn’t that what you wanted?"

I let out a humorless laugh. "Oh, right. Because that’s what this is about. You proving a point? You really think this is what I wanted?"

His eyes narrowed. "You were the one who said I keep everyone at arm’s length. You were the one who said I didn’t let anyone in. So, what? Now that I have, you’re mad?"

I clenched my fists. "That’s not…" I stopped myself, inhaling sharply. "This isn’t about that. It’s about you pretending like you don’t care, and then the second I leave, you—" I shook my head, not even sure how to finish the sentence.

He stepped closer, voice lowering. "The second you leave, what?"

I swallowed hard, refusing to back down. "You jump into her arms like it means nothing."

Michael scoffed. "And why do you care, Olivia?"

I opened my mouth, then shut it. I didn’t have an answer that didn’t expose me.

"You don’t get to be mad at me for this," he continued, his voice edged with frustration. "You made it clear where we stand. You don’t trust me, you don’t want to be involved in my world so what is this really about?"

I hated that he was right. Hated that I had no argument that didn’t sound hypocritical. But still, something in me ached.

"Forget it," I muttered, stepping back. "I shouldn’t have come."

I turned to leave, but his voice stopped me.

"Olivia." I froze, waiting, hoping, dreading.

But he didn’t say anything else and I didn’t turn around.

Sophia stepped outside, her eyes immediately landing on Olivia and Michael standing a few feet apart, tension thick in the air.

“Listen, Olivia, I get it. You’re upset. And Michael,” she turned to him, “….you’re being dense.”

Michael frowned but said nothing.

Sophia exhaled, choosing her words carefully. “Look, Olivia, I know this situation is… complicated. But that doesn’t change the fact that we still have work to do. You need to learn how to control your powers, remember?”Olivia hesitated.

Sophia could see the war in her eyes…the stubbornness, the anger, but also the undeniable truth. She did need help. And despite everything, Sophia still wanted to be there for her.

Michael immediately interjected. “I was supposed to train her.”

Sophia glanced at him, raising an eyebrow. “Michael, do you really think she’ll listen to you right now?”

Silence.

Sophia turned back to Olivia. “I’ll help you. If you still want me to.”

A long pause stretched between them. Olivia’s gaze flickered between the two of them before finally settling on Sophia.

“…Fine.”

Michael stiffened beside her, but he didn’t argue. He knew he had lost this round.

Sophia gave a small nod, but deep inside, she felt the shift in the dynamic. Things between the three of them were only going to get more complicated. And she wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or a very, very bad one.