“You remember that. I expect you in three days. Enough dilly-dallying.”
I open my mouth to protest, but she sweeps out of the room, falling into step with Genevieve Shadows, who is one of her oldest friends.
People file out and leave until it’s just me and my alphas.
“Tomorrow is the Valentine’s Day match.”
I swallow hard.
“This could be your life. Living here, contributing, part of the community, with us beside you, doing our best to show you how completely we love you,” Mack says. “Because, Sofia Sol, we do love you, more than anything; we always have.”
“Choose us tomorrow,” Eli murmurs. “Choose this life with us.”
“But-”
Devon puts his hands on my shoulders. “No more buts, no more of anything else interfering. You need to look into yourself and decide if you want us. The rest we can work out.”
I stare at him, unwilling to voice the single thought that’s screaming at me; I already chose you.
“Hopefully, we will see you tomorrow,” Mack says. “But no matter what happens, you will always have our love.”
They leave, Danger whining sadly. Why are they leaving?
“Well, that was intense,” Pops says. “Come on, cocoa time.”
I follow him back into the kitchen and sit down at the island. A mug is set in front of me.
“That was a good thing you did today, Sofa,” Dad says. “I’m so proud of you.”
I hold the mug tight. “Even though I don’t have a job or money, and I came back here without-”
“You don’t need those things to be you. Everyone goes through hard and difficult times. But you saved a life today. You proved that the morals and values we gave you have turned you into one of the best people. That’s all a parent can ask for.”
“We are just so glad you came home,” Mum says.
“They want me to join their pack. To bond with them.”
“What do you want to do?”
I open my mouth to tell them, but the words disappear, all I can see is this future looming before me, and I hunger for it.
“I want them. More than I’ve wanted anything. It feels like I’ve spent my whole life wanting them.”
“So take a chance. Take a risk.”
“There are things-“
“All these things can be worked out, my darling. What truly matters is finding someone who loves you. Finding a place that is home. You used to fight for everything you believed in. Why won’t you fight for this?” Mum points out and leans against Dad.
I stay silent.
“Something for you to think about. We’re not going to judge you one way or another for whatever you decide.”
They wander off, but Sebastian comes and sits down next to me. Things have been tense between us, and I hate it.
“Sorry for not believing you about the seagull thing,” he mutters.
I splutter a surprised laugh. “Yeah, I wouldn’t have believed me either.”
