Fated

Chapter Six: Sophia

Sophia's P.O.V.

I can feel my heart racing in my chest, nervous adrenaline coursing through my system as I pace around the party, weaving through group after group of pack members.

Trying not to make eye contact with anyone, I keep my head down; I will not be held back right now. If the other pack members think I'm rude, so be it. I'll be their Luna soon anyway; they'll get over it.

This matter is urgent.

It's finally Isaac's birthday.

He'll finally realise.

But I need to get to him before Claire does.

He's such a good guy, I don't know how he'll respond to Claire's pregnancy... But he's my  mate. Mine. I need to find him first.

My heart pangs, twisting in my chest as possible scenarios spin through my head.

How could this happen? How could my mate have gotten another wolf pregnant?

I grab my chest as the tears threaten to spill from my eyes, so I push through the crowds with even more might than before. I can feel the tension in my tight dress mounting with each forceful step I take. If it rips, so be it.

I will find him first. 

Honing my recently strengthened wolf-senses, I catch his scent and practically run towards him, a few stitches in my dress tearing at the thigh.

Mate! Mate! I feel my wolf calling out.

As I approach the large garden area, I catch the scent of someone else... Claire.

No. Please, no.

My pace quickens. I rush through the garden, following their scents, hoping that Isaac just has Claire's scent on him from some other time...

My ears pick up some noise. I follow the sound to an enclosed space of the garden, a gazebo-like structure, lit up for Isaac's birthday. I slow down now, my senses telling me to approach with caution, even my wolf having quietened down.

The sound of Claire's voice...

"I'm pregnant," My heart drops, my stomach clenches, my face contorts in pain.

I cannot move after hearing her tell him those words. The words I should have been telling him someday as his mate. Barely able to make out the shape of Isaac between the hedge, I am unable to remove my eyes from him now. Desperately hoping some part of him can sense me, can sense us...

I barely recognise the rest of the words to spill from Claire's mouth, my mind unable to bear them. Without realising, a whimper starts slipping from my mouth. My reactions at least return for this, and I can cover the sound with a fake cough, at least able to hide my pain.

"Sophia?? It's you." Isaac stares at me in realisation.

He finally knows... And it's too late...

I quickly excuse myself, removing myself from this situation. My wolf cries as I walk away from my mate, barely managing to force myself away.

Sophia... Our mate... We must go back to him.

Alisa... I want to as well, so badly... But - we can't right now.

Sophia, I will take control if you do not go back. I will resolve this situation. Let me out.

No other she-wolf can carry the cub of our mate. 

Alisa, no. Please, wait. Just give me some time. Give our mate some time. There is so much for us to process... We will figure this out and everything will be as the Goddess made it to be.

Alisa quietens down, for now, softly crying for our mate.

As the daughter of the Gamma, I have a responsibility to stay at this party, Especially as the future Luna of this pack. So I cannot go home. Instead, I make my way to the private bathroom in Isaac's bedroom, the most secluded area of the mansion.

Isaac's P.O.V.

"I'm pregnant" Claire's words ring through my ears.

Claire is pregnant.

Claire is pregnant, and with our cub. My wolf, Alex, repeats.

Alex... She isn't our mate... I...

What do we do?

No, Isaac, she is not our mate. But she is carrying our cub. We must protect her until our cub is birthed. We cannot let any harm come to her.

With that, my wolf leaves, expecting me to deal with sorting this issue somehow. Lazy wolf...

My attention moves back to Claire as she trails off, "I'm looking forward to being a mother and meeting our cub, so, so much..."

I let out a tense breath in attempt to calm myself down, "Yeah... I am too." Knowing she is carrying my cub, I do feel a strengthened bond to her, a primal need to look after her and protect her. All I wish for right now is, to be honest, to speak to my little, growing cub in her belly. I pull her in for a tight hug, only thinking about the fact that she is carrying my cub.

"Isaac, wasn't there something you wanted to tell me?" Claire's question interrupts my moment. My whole body tenses involuntarily.

I had wanted to explain to her that... That she isn't my mate... How can I tell her this now? How can I hurt her when she is carrying my cub?

"I just wanted to tell you... That umm... you are my mate! I can feel the bond between us." I struggle to put the words together, the sounds of them burning my throat with each syllable.

I hate myself. I hate myself so much.

Isaac! Isaac how could you tell her this??  Alex has returned. How could you lie and tell someone they are our mate? The mother of your cub, no less. The Goddess will punish us for this. 

You must make this right. Correct yourself, immediately. 

Alex. I can't. Listen to me- this has to be the way, for now at least. Claire will turn 19 herself in a couple of months. Let's just keep this up until then. 

A sudden cough interrupts our conflict, Alex no longer able to reply as we both freeze. 

Mate.

I whip around as quickly as I can, standing in awe at the vision before me. I have noticed Sophia's beauty before, but seeing her now - no one could ever compare.

"Sophia?? It's you," Is all I can get out, in complete awe at this sudden explosion of emotions I'm feeling. I thought I knew love... But this... This feeling is incomparable, incomprehensible. 

I've f****d everything up already.

I'm completely lost in thought before I realise Sophia is leaving. I know I need to go after her, but how do I excuse myself from this.

I quickly inform Claire that we should get back to the party.

Isaac, we need to find our mate. She is hurting. Can't you feel her pain?

Yes, Alex, I know.  I need to get away from Claire first.

Then do it. Now.

"Claire, I should get back to meeting the other leaders from the other packs. Why don't you try to have some fun in the meantime?" I attempt to warm my tone for her, to make it friendly, when in reality all I am feeling is tension.

"Um..." She hesitates while glancing around at the groups of people. Her face appears tense while she considers, before taking a deep breath and relaxing a little, "Sure, Isaac. Take your time. Try to enjoy your party though, please. I'll try to find Sophia." She gives me a small, warm smile.

Isaac, we need to find Sophia. Not her. Stop her.

"Oh, um, Claire actually, maybe you could help with greeting some of the other pack members yourself? Sophia seemed a little sick, she might have gone home. It'll be hard to find her now anyway."

Claire bites her lip. "I'll let you know if I find her, okay Claire?" I try to soothe her a little.

She relaxes a little at that and agrees, skipping off to greet people and mingle with the other packs. Maybe not the best idea, given she will not be our packs Luna... But, it can't be helped.

Now, to find my mate.