Chapter 9: Fractured Dawn
1282 Words
Morning light filtered through heavy curtains, casting soft patterns across the bedroom floor. Sofia hadn’t slept much. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw Julian’s face — the raw shock when he felt their son move, the possessive hunger in his eyes, the way his hand had trembled against her stomach.
She hated how much she still wanted him. The mate bond was a cruel, stubborn thing.
A soft knock sounded on the door.
“It’s Marcus,” the Beta called. “I brought breakfast. And clothes from your apartment.”
Sofia opened the door cautiously. Marcus stood there with a tray and a duffel bag. His expression was carefully neutral, but she could see the tension in his shoulders.
“Thank you,” she said quietly, taking the items. “Any word on the rogues?”
“One’s talking. The others… not so much.” He hesitated. “Julian wants to see you in the dining room when you’re ready.”
“I’m not hungry,” she lied.
Marcus gave her a knowing look. “The baby needs food, Sofia. Even if you don’t want to face the Alpha.”
She closed the door and dressed quickly in her own clothes — soft jeans and a loose sweater that hid her still-small bump. The familiar fabrics gave her a small sense of control.
Downstairs, the scent of coffee and bacon greeted her. Julian sat at the head of a long oak table, looking every inch the powerful Alpha even in a simple black button-down. His hair was slightly tousled, like he’d run his hands through it too many times. When she entered, his eyes snapped to her immediately.
“Sofia.”
The way he said her name sent unwanted warmth spreading through her chest. She ignored it and took a seat at the opposite end of the table.
Marcus quietly excused himself, leaving them alone.
Julian pushed a plate toward her — eggs, fruit, toast. “Eat.”
“I’m not one of your pack wolves to command,” she replied, but she picked up a fork anyway. The baby came first.
They ate in thick silence for several minutes. Finally, Julian spoke.
“I’ve arranged for your things to be moved here. You’ll stay until we neutralize the threat.”
Sofia set her fork down hard. “I have a job. An apartment. A life. You don’t get to bulldoze it just because you suddenly decided I’m useful again.”
His eyes flashed. “This isn’t about usefulness. Those rogues knew your new name. They knew you were pregnant. Someone close to the pack sold you out.”
The words chilled her. She thought of Lila, of her quiet new life in Silverhaven. “Then handle your traitor problem and leave me out of it.”
Julian leaned forward, elbows on the table. “You are in it. You’re carrying the future of the Blackwood line. And whether you like it or not, the mate bond is still alive. I can feel your emotions through it — your fear, your anger… your want.”
Heat flooded her cheeks. “Stop.”
“I won’t,” he said, voice dropping. “I made the biggest mistake of my life that night. I know that now. Let me protect what’s mine.”
“I am not yours,” she hissed, standing abruptly. The power inside her chest flared hot. The lights in the dining room flickered. “You rejected me, Julian. You chose another woman while I was carrying your child. Do you have any idea what that felt like? Walking away from the pack while your howl followed me like a curse?”
He stood too, moving around the table with predatory grace. “I hear it every night. My wolf hasn’t forgiven me either.”
Sofia backed up until her hips hit the sideboard. Julian stopped just short of touching her, but close enough that she could feel his breath.
“I’m not asking you to forgive me today,” he murmured. “Just… stay. Let me keep you and our son safe. Once the threat is gone, if you still want to leave, I’ll… consider it.”
“Liar,” she whispered. “You won’t let us go.”
His hand rose slowly, giving her time to pull away. When she didn’t, his fingers brushed her bruised cheek with surprising gentleness. “You’ve awakened something powerful, Sofia. I can feel it humming under your skin. The pack needs that strength. I need it.”
For a moment, the air between them thickened with everything unsaid. The fated pull. Old love. New resentment. Sofia’s gaze dropped to his lips, and she hated herself for it.
The sound of a phone ringing shattered the moment.
Julian pulled his cell from his pocket, frowning at the unknown number. He answered on speaker.
“Blackwood.”
A distorted, mechanical voice came through. “Congratulations on finding your rejected mate, Alpha. Such a shame she won’t be yours for long.”
Sofia’s blood turned to ice.
“Who is this?” Julian growled, stepping closer to her protectively.
“The one who knows your bloodline is cursed without a True Alpha. The boy will secure our future… or end yours. Deliver the mother and child by the next full moon, or we’ll take them ourselves. And we won’t be as gentle as the rogues.”
The line went dead.
Julian cursed violently, slamming the phone down. He turned to Sofia, eyes blazing with fury and fear.
“They’re not rogues,” he said grimly. “That voice… it sounded like someone using a pack encryption line. This is internal.”
Sofia wrapped her arms around herself, the reality crashing down. She wasn’t just running from Julian anymore. She was caught in something much bigger.
“I need to call Lila,” she said suddenly. “She’ll be worried. And if they know about me, they might know about her.”
Julian nodded once. “Marcus will bring her here under protection. But Sofia…” He reached out and gently took her hands. “You’re not facing this alone anymore. Whether you hate me or not, I will burn down anyone who tries to take you or our son.”
She pulled her hands away, but slower this time. The power inside her responded to his vow, humming in agreement even as her heart resisted.
“I don’t trust you,” she said softly.
“I know.” His voice was rough. “But trust this — no one will touch what’s mine again.”
Later that afternoon, while Julian coordinated with his wolves in the study, Sofia stood at the large window overlooking the garden. Her hand rested on her belly.
The baby moved again — stronger this time. A tiny push against her palm.
She closed her eyes and whispered, “I’ll protect you, Lucas. No matter what it costs.”
She hadn’t consciously chosen the name, but it felt right. Lucas. Light. Strength.
A notification buzzed on the new phone Julian had given her. An unknown number.
She opened the message.
Unknown: Pretty little omega playing house in the city. We see you. We see the Alpha hovering. The full moon is coming. Choose your side wisely… or lose everything.
Sofia’s grip tightened on the phone until her knuckles turned white. The lights in the room flickered again as her power surged with protective rage.
Julian appeared in the doorway, sensing the shift. “What is it?”
She turned to him, eyes glowing soft gold.
“They just threatened our son.”
The slow burn of revenge had officially begun.
- Writer
