Chapter 12.1: Her Way
900 Words
Third Person POV
Sofia grinned to herself as she saw that Riley was missing from the dinner table. Already, Riley was making waves, causing conflict in the family, and as usual, Sofia was basking in all the attention she was receiving as a result. She lightly cut into her chicken, savoring the fresh aroma, smirking as she thought about what little food Riley was going to receive to eat.
"How is the discussion going with the Solaris family?" she purred, meeting her parents' eyes expectantly.
She'd wanted Dax for her mate for as long as she could remember. He was so handsome, so strong, and she would fit the role of his luna perfectly. She was good friends with his parents, Alpha Derek and Luna Stephanie, and had been subtly trying to convince them to agree to a betrothal between her and Dax.
"About that honey," her mother spoke softly, and instantly Sofia's eyes flashed, even as she forced herself to remain smiling sweetly, her mask perfectly in place.
Sofia tilted her head and fluttered her eyelids. "What is it, Mama?" she chirped.
"The Solaris family hasn't agreed yet. Dax is opposed to the idea, and they don't want to force him," her father said heavily. "Maybe it would be best for you to wait until you can find your fated mate. Who knows," he tried to soften the blow when he saw how widely upset his daughter was, "your mate might prove to be an Alpha as well."
Sofia fought to remain in control. Her fingers tightened around her knife as she forced herself to take even, deep breaths.
"I don't want any other mate," she said quietly, "I want Dax. He's the only one I'll ever choose."
"Sweetheart, you know I would do anything for you, but I can't force them to agree. It's Dax's decision. Isn't there somebody else you might have your heart set on?" her mother asked, sounding slightly desperate.
She hated to disappoint Sofia. Ever since the incident, Sofia had become plagued with nightmares and panic attacks. It was Luna Adeline who had been there with her daughter every step of the way, comforting her, sleeping in the same room, and going so far as to remove photographs of Riley whenever they upset Sofia to the point she hyperventilated just looking at them. There was nothing she wouldn't do for her.
"Daddy," Sofia beseeched, "you promised you would make this happen for me. Don't you know how important this is to me?" she finished, almost screeching.
It always worked. Her father's eyes softened, and he rubbed his chin, a thoughtful expression on his face.
"I can't force them, but maybe there's another way. They're interested in some of our land," he mused, "I wonder if we could do a trade of some kind and force their hand."
"I don't think that's a good idea. Dax doesn't strike me as the type to like being backed into a corner, and we're good friends of his parents. This is something the kids should work out between themselves. Surely Sofia could try to persuade Dax? Show him how much of an asset she would be as his mate?" Luna Adeline pressed.
"Who knows," her father exhaled, "the Solaris family has old-fashioned values. Short of Sofia getting pregnant by him, I doubt anything else could be used to make Dax take her as his mate and wife."
Sofia's mind began to churn. She tapped the knife thoughtfully on her plate as her parents paused to take a bite of their food. Her mother smiled at her, noting how different Sofia's mood had become.
She hated it when Sofia became quiet and too still. It made the tension in the air grow thicker.
"Let's just give it time, honey. Maybe Dax will have a change of heart," she said kindly as Sofia nodded mutely, "who knows, maybe you are fated mates."
"Exactly," her father agreed, "there's no need to continue stressing over something that has yet to happen. Why, considering your status as my daughter and Dax's status, it's probably you both might be a match anyway."
Sofia wasn't so sure of that. She didn't like to take chances. Didn't like to have her plans be ruined. Something inside of her just knew that she wasn't meant to be Dax's. She slowly dropped her fork back onto the plate and got up from the table as her parents paused to look up at her.
"I'm finished. I have to get some homework done," she said quickly when she saw the concern in both of their eyes.
"Make sure you get plenty of sleep," her mother waved, and her father gave her a wink.
Sofia turned on her heel, rolling her eyes. Her parents had no idea just how far Sofia was willing to go to get what she wanted. She smiled crookedly as she climbed the stairs, her father's voice echoing inside her mind.
"The Solaris family has old-fashioned values. Short of Sofia getting pregnant by him, I doubt anything else could be used to make Dax take her as his mate and wife."
Sofia smirked. If that's what it took to become Dax's mate, then by god, she would do it. No amount of obstacles in her path was going to be enough to prevent her from getting the life she had always wanted. Just wait and see.
- Writer
