Luke and Sophia were still entwined moments later. Sophia's breathing
slowly beginning to return to normal, helped by Luke's hands willing to
comfort her. Thankful for this moment, Luke lightly pressed a kiss on top
her head not caring about the fact that she smelled of mud and forest.
Sophia's eyes opened wide when he kissed her, not really knowing how much
he really cared for her till then. She thought their feelings as friends
were mutual, but evidently Luke wanted more than friendship. The thing that
scared Sophia was that she wanted more than friendship too. Luke took a
deep breath noticing her fear, insecurity, and distrust in him right now.
He would make sure that would change in no time at all. It was time for
Sophia to see a different side of Lucas Cates. She had to know that he had
changed and he was willing to forget everything to be with her.
"And so it begins." a voice said from the doorway. Breaking the hold, Sophia turned to see who had said that remark so smugly. Sherman, John, and Ruby had moved a few feet away from the doorway to allow their visitor to see the spectacle at hand. Sophia had expected her father saying those words, but she was surprised when they came from the Alpha's mouth, even though she knew her father was thinking the same. Both Matt and Vivian stood naked in the doorway, the fresh scent of the forest absorbed in their skin.
Sophia looked at Vivian's threatening glare, dismissing it until she got to her father's. She couldn't believe the reaction he had on his face. He was actually smiling. Smiling. Matt Donner never smiles. The grin creeping across his face was almost scaring as it was confusing. Sophia had no idea what was going through her father's mind, but she could have sworn he was on something for that reaction to show. Her attention then moved to Luke who had ignored his mother's glare on him and Sophia and had tightened his hold around Sophia possessively. With that action, Sophia looked right at Luke who kept his gaze locked onto his mother's, matching and defying her threat with one of his own, letting his eyes flash a brilliant gold.
"Luke, we need to talk." Vivian said very sternly before letting her eyes flash gold threatenly at Sophia which made Luke growl aggressively towards his mother and Alpha. Barking her order had caused Sophia to look more worried at Luke who broke the gaze with his mother, sensing Sophia's guilt. Not wanting to be the reason to separate Luke and his mom, Sophia thought about moving away from Luke, but his strength outweighed hers even with white wolven blood in her veins. Catching the hint of guilt and worry mixed with confused in Sophia's eyes, Luke backed down and loosened his grip on Sophia letting his hands grip his knees instead. "Now Luke." Vivian said not losing her tone with her son as she grew impatient. Luke slowly took a deep breath before standing letting his hand slide up his bare thighs. He took his time, knowing that his mother's nerve was thinning by the second.
Luke, please, before your mother kills you. Sophia said interrupting his thoughts and telling him what to do. She didn't need Vivian to be mad on top of being shocked and dismayed with her. Luke looked back at Sophia with a broad smile spreading across her face, loving the fact that she was also barking orders for him as well. It corresponded with his answer back to her.
Yes, ma'am.
Sophia slowly nodded her head, not able to stop her own smile spreading across her face. She couldn't believe how he could make everything something to smile about and always change her mood within seconds. He casually turned his head back towards his mother letting the smile fade and walked out of the room, closing the door behind him.
*******************
"What the hell are you thinking Luke?" Vivian asked her son once he closed the front door, stepping out onto Sherman's front porch.
"I'm thinking how insane my mom is. What's your problem?" Luke asked unsure of his mother's behavior. He admitted that she had been acting weird lately, but he had no idea she would be mad with his infatuation with Sophia. He had been sulking for the past week and now she seemed surprised that Luke would be with her.
"Luke you know what is wrong here. How many times have I told you to get over Sophia. If you want to have your position in the Pack-"
"Fuck my position with the Pack." Luke said interrupting his mother, not really caring about what she had to say. She had pressed him time and time again and regardless of how he acted, he was destined to become Alpha. "I could care less about becoming Alpha." Luke said which was the truth even if he did love the power that came with his position.
"How dare you..." Vivian said anger boiling inside. "I did not work my ass off to get you in the position you are in right now. Luke, your father was Alpha and now I am Alpha, don't waste what others have done to see you happy."
"Happy? Mom are you that blind? For the first time in days, I am happy, and that is because of a person. Not some position within a Pack who has destroyed the one person I actually care about." Luke said not believing he had said so much to his mother, but she had to know the truth. She had to know just how much Sophia had changed his outlook on life and how big of a spot she held in his heart.
"You're calling me blind? Boy Luke, do you have nerve? You are so blinded by some infatuation that you can't even think straight for five seconds to realize what kind of effect Sophia Donner will have on this Pack. Do you even know what color she is? For all you know she could be brown or a dark gray. No son of mine will be caught dead with a weak, half-breed as a mate." Vivian said catching the bright glare of Luke's eyes gone Wolven out of the corner of her very own angered, bright amber eyes.
*********************
"All right, what do we do now?" Sophia asked after she knew Luke and Vivian were far enough away not to hear. The five of them (Sophia, Sherman, Matt, Ruby, and John) had come closer towards Sophia and began to think of how to break the ice of telling Vivian and Luke what happened. Sophia looked around to blank faces, not really knowing how they should go about explaining what had happened nor how much they would tell each other.
"Well I'm sure they both have questions." Sherman said stating the obvious.
"And they'll want answers." Matt finished for him, seeing the worry rise in the room, knowing that they all held secrets to which more and more people were becoming aware of them. "So the next question is who do we tell and how much do we tell?"
"I think Luke doesn't really need to know all the details." Ruby said taking them all by surprise. "C'mon think about it. He hasn't yet freaked out nor asked one question. All he cares about is Sophia's alive. And we don't have to worry about him telling others because he probably won't leave Sophia's side now for fear she'll disappear again." Ruby said stating what everyone else thought, only she had the strength to say it. "So I guess our only problem will be Vivian."
Ruby glanced around the small circle they had formed to see others looking around to find the answer perhaps hidden on someone's face, but all of them came up empty-handed. Suddenly they all looked at Sophia, knowing that it was her secret and her choice to decide what to do with it and who to tell.
"What?" she asked looking around, unsure why she was again the center of attention, something she was going to have to get used to from now on.
"Do you want Vivian to know?" Matt asked Sophia trying to sound like it wasn't a big issue, but Sophia knew that breaking the news to the Alpha that she was the second white wolf in a generation, something that had never happened before, would create utter chaos among the Pack. It also meant that Sophia would now have to spend the rest of her life in Wolf Lake, something she had dreaded for the past 17 years.
"What other choice do I have? I have to tell her." Sophia said knowing that the issue was inescapable.
"Sophia's right. I think that it would be best to tell Vivian." John said surprising them all that he would voice his opinion when he was usually an open-minded, laid back person. Seeing the suspicion on some of their faces, John decided to continue his decision with an explanation. "Listen, Vivian thrives on that whole leadership stuff. Right?" John asked seeing a few nods coming from Sherman and Matt. "What do you think is every leader's number one goal?"
"To gain territory?" Sophia asked unsure about where John was headed with this.
"No, to be remembered." Ruby said figuring out what John was talking about. "She'll be remembered by being the ruler who not only was the first female Alpha, but the Alpha who was the ruler when two white wolves were in the Pack at the same time."
"Right, which means Vivian will have a motive for being very accepting towards your surprising coat color." John finished for her with a smile on his face knowing that they now had something to protect Sophia with.
"Plus, the more Vivian finds out about Sophia being white, the better. When Sophia has to be introduced, shall we say, to the Pack, the Alpha will already be on her side." Matt added, seeking more protection for his daughter. "Although Vivian may not have some strong supporters, most of the Pack respects her and Sherman. Therefore, they'll fall in with her."
Sophia nodded her head approvingly, seeing that she had good reasons to tell Vivian, but still they weren't good enough. They needed something for leverage against Vivian. Sophia didn't know any of her secrets or weaknesses, she barely knew the woman at all, except that she was Luke's mother. She looked once again among the small circle and came to rest her gaze on Ruby across from her. Ruby had a bright, big grin stretching across her face. Sophia could tell how she was trying to hide back the laughs. Confused, Sophia began to wonder what was going on in her mind, only Ruby had blocked her out completely.
"Ruby, tell me what you're thinking." Sophia voiced vocally making everyone turn their attention towards Ruby, adding to Sophia's wonder of what Ruby had up her sleeve.
*******************
"I don't care what color she is; it doesn't matter. All that matters are the feelings I have for her." Luke said not believing that he was telling his mother all of this, but something compelled him to do so just like something attracted him to chasing after Sophia.
"Are they really feelings or just hormones?" Vivian fired back, daring her son to say anything more.
"It's not the same as Presley. Sophia's different."
"That she is Luke. Any she has no authority taking your leadership with Pack away from you." Vivian said keeping her end of the fight even though it was breaking her heart to hurt her son the way she was. "She does not have the blood to stand next to you."
That got to him.
"Funny how she doesn't have the right blood when you're completely head over heels for her father, who would have been Alpha." Luke said hitting so close to home for his mother.
"That does not change the fact that she is still a half-breed and a weaker wolf in our Pack. It's amazing that she survived the flip."
"But she did. Don't you get it she did, and she has her father's blood in her veins. Trust me when I say she's strong. She had the power to outrun me even with a wounded leg. Give her a chance. As Alpha you should at least show that much respect." Luke said stabbing another blow to his mother's heart and he knew it too, seeing it in her eyes.
********************
"Ruby?" Sophia asked leaning towards her more feeling like she was sitting on the edge of a chair with anticipation. "What is going on in that mind of yours?"
"I have got the best reason for you to tell Vivian, but you have to tell her everything." Ruby said making sure Sophia was clear on how much was at stake.
"Okay. Explain." Sophia said growing impatient along with everyone else in the room.
"We obviously know that Luke has displayed feelings for you. In fact, it might as well be written on his face that he loves you. Vivian, however, does not approve having the half-breed as a daughter-in-law because nothing will stop her from making sure that Luke becomes Alpha some day. But what one thing will almost guarantee him with that position is having..." Ruby said finishing letting them all come to terms with what she was thinking.
"A white wolf as a mate." Sophia finished being the first to catch on. "What makes you think that I will become Luke's mate, Ruby?"
"What makes you think you won't?" Ruby fired back looking at Sophia seeing a blush surface to her cheeks. "We all have known since you two were kids that there was a bond between the two of you just like you and me. It was only a matter of time before we all found out that it was your flipping that would change everything. Probably for the better." Ruby finished making Sophia smile.
"So are we all clear with what we have to do?" Ruby asked knowing that this question was really for Sophia, but the others had to be in on it as well. Nods and yeses went all around the circle and everyone was certain what they were doing had to be done, so they just thought they might has well be prepared and perhaps get something out of it.
"All right then, let's get things over with." Sophia said taking a deep breath already regretting coming back to Wolf Lake. Damn that conscience of hers.
"I'll go get Vivian." Matt said standing up and walking towards the door, but he only made it halfway when Luke came walking in the room.
"You'll have to go a lot farther than you think." Luke said trying not to crack a smile. "She got pissed and went home." Luke finished so that Matt understood what happened.
"I'll be back later then. With Vivian." Matt finished knowing that Sophia was off the hook for now, but she would worry about it until it was over. "Sophia, get some rest. You need it, and I'll be back later to check on you." Matt said planting a light kiss on Sophia's cheek before glaring at Luke, making sure the young pup knew that Matt had still not changed his views about him completely. Making sure that Luke caught his drift, he kept his eyes on him until he walked out of the room leaving in search for Vivian.
*******************
"Well it's been an interesting morning, why don't we all get some breakfast?" Sherman asked hoping to pry Luke away from Sophia long enough for her to get some sleep. Getting the point, Ruby and John quickly left the room leaving Luke still at Sophia's bedside and Sherman waiting for him at the door. "Luke. Breakfast?"
Taking a look at Sherman and then returning his attention to Sophia, Luke saw how Sophia lowered herself into the covers, her body calling for much needed sleep, her journey wearing on her aching body. How ever much he wanted to be there with her every second, his stomach began to growl with the mentioning of food and quietly exited the room, Sherman behind him closing the door to drown out some of the noise.
Letting all her aggression out in a deep breath, Sophia closed her eyes, not realizing just how heavy they actually were. With only the falling of her head on the pillow, she quickly fell into the routine of sleep she hadn't experienced in a long time. It felt good to be back in Wolf Lake, her home. Knowing that she was familiar and happy with most of its atmosphere, Sophia allowed herself to fully relax and let her guard down long enough to allow her to heal the damage already done and prepare for more to come.
*******************
"Vivian." Matt called out, his hand still on the doorknob after opening the unlocked door. He had waited a few hours, hoping that in that time Vivian's anger would simmer down, but he had no idea how much it had kept boiling. "Vivian." Matt continued, letting his voice call out in the deserted house. Walking deeper into the spacious living area, Matt saw that the door to the back porch was open letting the scent of the forest hang heavily in the house. Walking towards the back of the house he quickly glanced outside of the door seeing the small frame belonging to Vivian standing on the back porch, resting her elbows on the railing.
"Vivian, we need to talk." Matt said slowly inching his way closer towards her, cautiously aware of the fact that she was mad. It didn't take a mind reader to see that.
"Talk about what Matt? Maybe perhaps the fact that you forgot to tell me that your dead daughter is oops, miracously alive?" Vivian said staring him down. "How in the hell could you forget something like that? Let alone let my son become aware of her ability to change before forewarning me."
"Yes let me think about the possibility of telling the Alpha that my half- human daughter wants to leave Wolf Lake because she has suffered so much pain from being ridiculed over the years. But maybe you have no idea what it feels like being stepped on by others, do you Alpha?" Matt asked not letting Vivian get to him nor threaten his daughter.
"Don't start Matt, you know what sacrifices I have made to make sure my son is happy." Vivian said through her clenched teeth, refraining herself from lashing out at Matt.
"I don't consider sleeping with half of the males in the Pack a sacrifice." Matt said not backing down. "I guess your son does follow your footsteps. He judges just like you do and sleeps around with everyone as well."
That was the last straw. Vivian couldn't bottle her emotions anymore especially when someone assaulted her son whether it was physical or verbal. Lengthening her already long nails, Vivian lashed out at Matt, catching him by surprise, and slicing a razor thin line across his cheek. However slowed his reaction was, Matt didn't flinch nor blink when Vivian 'clawed' him. In fact he didn't even touch his wound knowing that it would begin to heal in seconds.
"Finished yet?" Matt asked sarcastically, keeping his calm about the situation which made Vivian think of his youth and how careless he had been back then, reflecting his present mood. Her cheeks suddenly felt warm and Vivian almost forgot to exhale, remembering and treasuring that feeling once more. Matt had been so cold and uptight the past two decades, it was captivating seeing his old self again.
"Don't you get it?" Matt asked her seeing that she was still upset with the way he acted towards her. "We both will protect our children from any harm and pain. I thought you would see that Vivian especially when your son is completely infatuated with my daughter."
"What?" She asked seeming surprised not from the news but from Matt's playful manner with the situation. The roles were surely reversed this time.
"C'mon, don't tell me you're that blind. You have to see it. Your son is completely head over heels in love with my daughter. I think Sophia's disappearance really did get through to him in more ways than one." Matt said continuing to surprise Vivian further with his odd behavior. "You and I both know that our children have a connection. We've been trying for so long for them to stay away from each other, it may have just pushed them further towards each other."
"My son will not become involved with your daughter." Vivian said sternly as if she was talking to Luke himself.
"He seems pretty convinced who he wants to be with. I'm done fighting with Sophia. If that is what she wants so be it, but as long as she stays safe and happy, I'm content to let Luke be with her." Matt said wishing Sophia could be there just so he could see the look on her face.
"There's no way my son will be caught dead with a half-breed." Vivian said angrily not backing down from her offensive side to getting Luke the highest position within the Pack possible. "Because I have invested too much time and effort for him to become Alpha to waste it on some girl who is an insignificant color and of no importance to the Pack.
"How would you know? Have you even seen her pelt?" Matt tempted trying to stay calm but his anger only grew not letting anyone especially Vivian crawl under his skin about his daughter, the second white wolf of the Pack.
*****************
(A/N- I have the greatest song for this next scene. "Here Without You" by 3 Doors Down is a song to which I feel is exactly what Luke is feeling right now, and what he will be feeling in the next couple of chapters. Haha. I know something you don't. Hope you like it.)
Luke sat down next to Sophia listening to the rhythmatic and steady beating of her heart, loving the sound. Her heart which he vowed to soon own, no matter what the costs were. All that mattered was that she was back and this time to stay. He was sure of that, just as sure as she would be promised to him. Even her father couldn't help her now.
/A hundred days had made me older/ since the last time that I saw your pretty face/
Looking down at her features, Luke saw the sratches, bruises, and stress begin to disappear with her much needed sleep. She had been exhausted and yet he had added to her exhaustion by chasing her in the woods. He kicked himself now for adding to her amount of pain and grief at the moment. She had been through so much this past week, his torture seemed almost minimal. He had drove himself crazy, he had been setback, and maybe shed a tear or two, and even though he didn't know her whole story he could tell by the words she chose and the way she shut herself off, that the past week had been hell for her.
/A thousand lights had made me colder/ and I don't think I can look at this the same/
He remembered the last few days how hard they had been for him, how devastated he had been from her death. He couldn't imagine going through that test again. He was sucked in his own destructive path trying to find her and being stuck in this god forsaken town. She was the only thing that had kept him sane the past few months and when she was gone he literally thought he was going to go crazy.
/But all the miles had separate/ They disappeared now when I'm dreaming of your face/
He remembered all the alcohol he had consumed and the hours spent in the shower trying to get rid of it. He remembered the nights spent at her gravesite trying to find the right words to say that he was sorry, to say goodbye when he was fighting against himself trying to stop himself from giving in the possibility of her being dead. Now he knew the truth, he knew that she was alive and nothing would stop him from professing his true feelings now.
/I'm here without you baby/ but your still on my lonely mind/
Sophia had definitely changed his life, there was no doubt in that. Just how much, he was still coming to terms with along with why she had faked her death. Another question was why she came back if she had wanted out bad enough to let people think that she was dead. What was the Pack going to say about this? And John? And Matt? So many changes were happening and they all started with Sophia. How important was she in his life let alone the lives of everyone else in Wolf Lake?
/I think about you baby/ and I dream about you all the time/
Looking back down at Sophia, watching her body shift under the sheets, Luke's arm moved unwillingly towards her face, wanting everything in his power to hold her and protect her, keep her safe from the Pack and how they would judge her now. He wanted her for himself and no one else. He wanted to feel her skin next to his, loving the difference from her pale, luminescent skin to his richly dark tanned. Pulling back, Luke stopped himself, not wanting to wake her.
/I'm here without you baby/ but your still with me in my dreams/
He had spent so many nights fantasizing about her and now she was lying right in front of her. Innocent and vulnerable. Able for the taking. He could have her and mark her for himself. He could make her dreams come true and change her life forever with his undying love for her. But would she except him?
/And tonight it's only you and me/
He had hurt her before and she had fled, tried of his games. She had lost trust and honesty in his words, seeing them as lies hurting him more than she knew with her doubt in his foolish attempts at showing her how much she meant to him. (Confrontations with Presley and Scott) However, Luke had changed, and it was time that the new Luke stepped out and Sophia saw him for all he was. Now the vulnerable one, he would put his heart on the line ready to be accepted or stabbed.
/The miles just keep rolling/ as the people either way to say hello/
He sensed her pain and distrust in him. That was evident, but what he didn't see, hidden back in the furthest part of Sophia's mind was the aching for him that she desired. Luke saw a great battle coming on for Sophia's heart, when in reality all Sophia wanted was to be able to trust him. She didn't want to just be friends, but she wasn't even sure of what they were right now.
/I heard this life is overrated/ but I hope it gets better as we go/
He had questions that needed answered and she didn't know if she had the courage to tell him what she had kept inside for so long and who she truly was. She was certain if she could trust Luke to keep his word long enough to not spill the beans to the whole Pack that she was alive and the other secrets she held, not yet willing to let others know about those either.
/I'm here without you baby/ but your still on my lonely mind/
It would be the test of all tests if they made it through still together with all the information and feelings that they kept hidden to protect the other. Only time would tell until they would be able to agree to disagree for the sake of the Pack. Only time would bring their hearts together, and only time would bring forth the truth.
/I think about you baby/ and I dream about you all the time/
/I'm here without you baby/ but your still with me in my dreams/
/And tonight girl it's only you and me/
Luke saw truth and beauty in Sophia's life lying in front of him. He saw his future, a brilliant future with the one he loved. He saw everything fitting together perfectly in the end. Stroking her cheek with his thumb, Luke promised his heart and soul to the now fragile yet brave and strong woman he had yet to discover. Placing a light kiss on her lips, Luke tried not to indulge in any more, knowing for certain that she would be his and that they would be united in the Pack no matter what. Including pelt color.
/Everything I know, and anywhere I go/ it gets hard but it won't take away my love/
/And when the last one falls, when it's all said and done/ it gets hard but it won't take away my love/
*****************
Sophia was trying to sleep, but ever since she had flipped, she couldn't seem to be able to get through it all without having some type of vision or dream haunting her. She was currently being sucked into that damn tunnel, the smell musty and the twisting and turning of colors causing her head to spin in unison with the tunnel. Abruptly she stopped almost causing her body to continue spinning, but her fast instincts stopped her.
Before her she saw herself standing in the Wolf Lake forest just beyond the walls confining her in the bedroom she was presently in. Sophia saw herself looking up at the moon, absorbing its effect on her skin. The luminescent feeling she craved, thrumming through her whole body. Her eyes wide upon the intensely glowing orb in that dark sky calling for her to run underneath its sheath every night for the rest of her life. Sophia dropped her head from the night above her to the figure looming in front of her. Bringing her eyes into focus, Sophia saw the magnificent body standing proudly and defiantly in front of her.
She knew that body anywhere. That body that had come to her so many nights when she first had dreams about flipping and even afterwards, her mind playing deceitful tricks in trying to make her heart open again. Yes she had feelings for Luke, so many she tried to hide them instead of showing them, and yes he had those same feelings for her, but just how far was Sophia willing to go this time before he broke her heart again?
Sophia looked into Luke's eyes, daring him to come closer, daring him to touch her skin. That skin that was calling out and wanting his touch with every fiber of her being. His warmth upon her chilled flesh. The flesh he dreamed about tasting the innocence and purity in it. The skin he wanted nothing but to rub up against his. Sophia knew his feelings for he practically broadcasted them out to her, but something inside her was calling her to not trust Luke, to run away from him, to never look at him again, but another part of her pulled her towards him, begging for him to take her in his arms. Begging that he would love her and take away all of her fear so she would never have to experience a broken heart again.
Luke stepped closer to her body, but what she didn't realize was that she, too, also stepped closer. Placing her hands on his bare chest, Sophia tried to stabilize her breathing, tried to stay calm, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't stop her heart and it's irregular beating when she locked eyes with him. Those glorious green orbs holding her attention and pulling her deeper into his soul. So intent of staring into those eyes, Sophia barely saw the closeness of their bodies until it was too late. Her lips were pressed up against Luke's bringing new meaning to the word shock. Her body was trembling and continued to do so as Luke's arms snaked around her body.
Sophia put everything behind her and left her heart do the talking, or should I say acting, concentrating on the thought that Luke had his lips on hers and not-
She had to ruin it. She had to go and think about what she promised herself she wouldn't. Her thoughts were now infected with the pictures of Luke and Presley, their limbs entwined with each others. She saw the passion and the wolf crying out in both of them, her heart breaking once again as a tear painfully tracked its way down her cheek. She felt disgusted in herself, seeing herself falling into another pit of pain and betrayal. Pushing back away from Luke, she was able to push herself out of her vision and back to the confines of that room again.
It only took seconds to notice that she was not alone in that room. That the other person was watching her, and that they were currently brushing away that hurtful tear on her cheek, with that body she dreamed about sitting in front of her.
*****************
"No I have not seen her pelt, but it doesn't take a rocket scientist to know that a half-breed will have no important pelt color within the Pack." Vivian barked back knowing that she was right. "You're daughter is probably the darkest of the wolves in the Pack. It's amazing that she even flipped-"
"She did though. She did flip and she left. Thousand miles away she came back to us in less than two days on a wounded leg. And yet you have the guts to tell me that my daughter isn't strong enough." Matt barked letting it all out.
"I'll admit the wolf within her is much like yours, but you can't deny the fact that her mother was human." Vivian growled out through clenched teeth.
"I thank God for that." Matt fired back stunning Vivian. " I can't believe I actually came here to see if you would accept my daughter into the Pack and let you see her for who she really is, but I now see how clouded your judgment is." Matt said turning as he began to walk away.
"What could possibly change my mind Matt?" Vivian tempted as she crossed her arms over her chest. "Hm?" Vivian seeing that she caught Matt this time for her question stopped him dead in his tracks.
"If only you knew." Matt whispered as he turned back around to face Vivian. He knew that she heard him because her face now displayed confusion instead of optimism.
****************
"Luke?" Sophia asked adjusting her vision by batting away the tears filling her clouded eyes.
Luke sensed her fright, her uneasiness, and her pain in that moment, but what caused them was a completely different problem. He tried to search her mind, but she pushed him back. He wondered why, but so did Sophia? He knew she couldn't stop him from talking vocally so it hurt her heart even more to have his lips talk to her, her eyes unable to stop from looking at him.
"Sophia, what's wrong?" Luke asked having to refrain from using the word 'baby', dying to be able to call her that. "Is it your leg?"
"No." Sophia answered quietly knowing that her leg was still healing and the pain was still there, but just like she blocked Luke out, she blocked out the pain, not wanting it to be a constant reminder of her visions. Visions about death, about grief, and about Luke-
She had to stop thinking about him, but it was so hard to do when all it took was one look at him and he flooded her thoughts for hours.
"I just had a bad dream." Sophia said not wanting to give details but she knew Luke would be curious. Surprisingly, however, he dropped the subject right there and didn't pry into her mind.
"Are you okay now?" he asked stroking back her hair, content to do that for hours.
"Yeah. I'm fine." Sophia replied, closing her eyes to stop the falling of another tear, hearing her heart breaking in the process, but nothing could stop that drop from cascading down her cheek. She couldn't get that haunting picture out of her mind of Luke and Presley together. She wondered what they had done since she had been gone, but Sophia blocked that thought sensing the total corruption of her heart and soul. "Please don't touch me." Sophia whispered, but Luke heard it loud and clear from both Sophia's mouth and the private link they shared.
Luke pulled back in an instant, not wanting to cause her pain, but he still had no idea what was bothering her. He wanted to reach out and hold her to comfort her, but somehow he was able to refrain himself. Although part of her begged to be in his arms, Sophia still couldn't trust him and didn't know if he had changed his ways for her yet. She wasn't about to get her heart stomped on, but at the moment it was tearing into shreds by her own thoughts of how much he had hurt her. If only she knew how much he really cared for her.
Luke saw now that she didn't trust herself with him. That she didn't know just yet what she wanted and only him pushing would drive her farther away. Quietly he stood from his sitting position and began to walk towards the door. Sophia was able to wipe away the tears long enough to see his retreating body. She inwardly cried out for him, but it was too late. She was the one that had pushed him away. Luke heard her cry and turned at the door, knowing that she would be the one tested now. If she wanted him, he would wait for her, willing to take as much time as she needed.
"I love you Sophia." he whispered quietly before walking out of the room not looking back.
Sophia couldn't believe that she was the one to turn on him. She knew that she had made a mistake pushing him away, but had she pushed him away for good. Or was it so bad that she pushed away the one person who had broke her heart countless times before. The one person she cared about more than she knew. The one person she loved.
Luke stepped in the night outside of Sherman's cabin. He would wait for Sophia, how long though he didn't know. He just hoped that she would come to him sooner rather than later. She had left a brand upon his soul and no one could replace that. No one. Taking one last look towards the moon, Luke began to walk into the woods, praying for some sort of miracle that would join Sophia and him together.
/I'm here without you baby/ but you're still on my lonely mind/
/I think about you baby/ And I dream about you all the time/
/I'm here without you baby/ but you're still with me in my dreams/
/And tonight girl, it's only you and me/
(A/N- If you don't already have this song, I strongly, strongly, and again I say strongly (do you get the point?) advise you to get it or download it. Just listening to it will explain everything. At least for me it did. Hope you understand why I used this song in here.)
"And so it begins." a voice said from the doorway. Breaking the hold, Sophia turned to see who had said that remark so smugly. Sherman, John, and Ruby had moved a few feet away from the doorway to allow their visitor to see the spectacle at hand. Sophia had expected her father saying those words, but she was surprised when they came from the Alpha's mouth, even though she knew her father was thinking the same. Both Matt and Vivian stood naked in the doorway, the fresh scent of the forest absorbed in their skin.
Sophia looked at Vivian's threatening glare, dismissing it until she got to her father's. She couldn't believe the reaction he had on his face. He was actually smiling. Smiling. Matt Donner never smiles. The grin creeping across his face was almost scaring as it was confusing. Sophia had no idea what was going through her father's mind, but she could have sworn he was on something for that reaction to show. Her attention then moved to Luke who had ignored his mother's glare on him and Sophia and had tightened his hold around Sophia possessively. With that action, Sophia looked right at Luke who kept his gaze locked onto his mother's, matching and defying her threat with one of his own, letting his eyes flash a brilliant gold.
"Luke, we need to talk." Vivian said very sternly before letting her eyes flash gold threatenly at Sophia which made Luke growl aggressively towards his mother and Alpha. Barking her order had caused Sophia to look more worried at Luke who broke the gaze with his mother, sensing Sophia's guilt. Not wanting to be the reason to separate Luke and his mom, Sophia thought about moving away from Luke, but his strength outweighed hers even with white wolven blood in her veins. Catching the hint of guilt and worry mixed with confused in Sophia's eyes, Luke backed down and loosened his grip on Sophia letting his hands grip his knees instead. "Now Luke." Vivian said not losing her tone with her son as she grew impatient. Luke slowly took a deep breath before standing letting his hand slide up his bare thighs. He took his time, knowing that his mother's nerve was thinning by the second.
Luke, please, before your mother kills you. Sophia said interrupting his thoughts and telling him what to do. She didn't need Vivian to be mad on top of being shocked and dismayed with her. Luke looked back at Sophia with a broad smile spreading across her face, loving the fact that she was also barking orders for him as well. It corresponded with his answer back to her.
Yes, ma'am.
Sophia slowly nodded her head, not able to stop her own smile spreading across her face. She couldn't believe how he could make everything something to smile about and always change her mood within seconds. He casually turned his head back towards his mother letting the smile fade and walked out of the room, closing the door behind him.
*******************
"What the hell are you thinking Luke?" Vivian asked her son once he closed the front door, stepping out onto Sherman's front porch.
"I'm thinking how insane my mom is. What's your problem?" Luke asked unsure of his mother's behavior. He admitted that she had been acting weird lately, but he had no idea she would be mad with his infatuation with Sophia. He had been sulking for the past week and now she seemed surprised that Luke would be with her.
"Luke you know what is wrong here. How many times have I told you to get over Sophia. If you want to have your position in the Pack-"
"Fuck my position with the Pack." Luke said interrupting his mother, not really caring about what she had to say. She had pressed him time and time again and regardless of how he acted, he was destined to become Alpha. "I could care less about becoming Alpha." Luke said which was the truth even if he did love the power that came with his position.
"How dare you..." Vivian said anger boiling inside. "I did not work my ass off to get you in the position you are in right now. Luke, your father was Alpha and now I am Alpha, don't waste what others have done to see you happy."
"Happy? Mom are you that blind? For the first time in days, I am happy, and that is because of a person. Not some position within a Pack who has destroyed the one person I actually care about." Luke said not believing he had said so much to his mother, but she had to know the truth. She had to know just how much Sophia had changed his outlook on life and how big of a spot she held in his heart.
"You're calling me blind? Boy Luke, do you have nerve? You are so blinded by some infatuation that you can't even think straight for five seconds to realize what kind of effect Sophia Donner will have on this Pack. Do you even know what color she is? For all you know she could be brown or a dark gray. No son of mine will be caught dead with a weak, half-breed as a mate." Vivian said catching the bright glare of Luke's eyes gone Wolven out of the corner of her very own angered, bright amber eyes.
*********************
"All right, what do we do now?" Sophia asked after she knew Luke and Vivian were far enough away not to hear. The five of them (Sophia, Sherman, Matt, Ruby, and John) had come closer towards Sophia and began to think of how to break the ice of telling Vivian and Luke what happened. Sophia looked around to blank faces, not really knowing how they should go about explaining what had happened nor how much they would tell each other.
"Well I'm sure they both have questions." Sherman said stating the obvious.
"And they'll want answers." Matt finished for him, seeing the worry rise in the room, knowing that they all held secrets to which more and more people were becoming aware of them. "So the next question is who do we tell and how much do we tell?"
"I think Luke doesn't really need to know all the details." Ruby said taking them all by surprise. "C'mon think about it. He hasn't yet freaked out nor asked one question. All he cares about is Sophia's alive. And we don't have to worry about him telling others because he probably won't leave Sophia's side now for fear she'll disappear again." Ruby said stating what everyone else thought, only she had the strength to say it. "So I guess our only problem will be Vivian."
Ruby glanced around the small circle they had formed to see others looking around to find the answer perhaps hidden on someone's face, but all of them came up empty-handed. Suddenly they all looked at Sophia, knowing that it was her secret and her choice to decide what to do with it and who to tell.
"What?" she asked looking around, unsure why she was again the center of attention, something she was going to have to get used to from now on.
"Do you want Vivian to know?" Matt asked Sophia trying to sound like it wasn't a big issue, but Sophia knew that breaking the news to the Alpha that she was the second white wolf in a generation, something that had never happened before, would create utter chaos among the Pack. It also meant that Sophia would now have to spend the rest of her life in Wolf Lake, something she had dreaded for the past 17 years.
"What other choice do I have? I have to tell her." Sophia said knowing that the issue was inescapable.
"Sophia's right. I think that it would be best to tell Vivian." John said surprising them all that he would voice his opinion when he was usually an open-minded, laid back person. Seeing the suspicion on some of their faces, John decided to continue his decision with an explanation. "Listen, Vivian thrives on that whole leadership stuff. Right?" John asked seeing a few nods coming from Sherman and Matt. "What do you think is every leader's number one goal?"
"To gain territory?" Sophia asked unsure about where John was headed with this.
"No, to be remembered." Ruby said figuring out what John was talking about. "She'll be remembered by being the ruler who not only was the first female Alpha, but the Alpha who was the ruler when two white wolves were in the Pack at the same time."
"Right, which means Vivian will have a motive for being very accepting towards your surprising coat color." John finished for her with a smile on his face knowing that they now had something to protect Sophia with.
"Plus, the more Vivian finds out about Sophia being white, the better. When Sophia has to be introduced, shall we say, to the Pack, the Alpha will already be on her side." Matt added, seeking more protection for his daughter. "Although Vivian may not have some strong supporters, most of the Pack respects her and Sherman. Therefore, they'll fall in with her."
Sophia nodded her head approvingly, seeing that she had good reasons to tell Vivian, but still they weren't good enough. They needed something for leverage against Vivian. Sophia didn't know any of her secrets or weaknesses, she barely knew the woman at all, except that she was Luke's mother. She looked once again among the small circle and came to rest her gaze on Ruby across from her. Ruby had a bright, big grin stretching across her face. Sophia could tell how she was trying to hide back the laughs. Confused, Sophia began to wonder what was going on in her mind, only Ruby had blocked her out completely.
"Ruby, tell me what you're thinking." Sophia voiced vocally making everyone turn their attention towards Ruby, adding to Sophia's wonder of what Ruby had up her sleeve.
*******************
"I don't care what color she is; it doesn't matter. All that matters are the feelings I have for her." Luke said not believing that he was telling his mother all of this, but something compelled him to do so just like something attracted him to chasing after Sophia.
"Are they really feelings or just hormones?" Vivian fired back, daring her son to say anything more.
"It's not the same as Presley. Sophia's different."
"That she is Luke. Any she has no authority taking your leadership with Pack away from you." Vivian said keeping her end of the fight even though it was breaking her heart to hurt her son the way she was. "She does not have the blood to stand next to you."
That got to him.
"Funny how she doesn't have the right blood when you're completely head over heels for her father, who would have been Alpha." Luke said hitting so close to home for his mother.
"That does not change the fact that she is still a half-breed and a weaker wolf in our Pack. It's amazing that she survived the flip."
"But she did. Don't you get it she did, and she has her father's blood in her veins. Trust me when I say she's strong. She had the power to outrun me even with a wounded leg. Give her a chance. As Alpha you should at least show that much respect." Luke said stabbing another blow to his mother's heart and he knew it too, seeing it in her eyes.
********************
"Ruby?" Sophia asked leaning towards her more feeling like she was sitting on the edge of a chair with anticipation. "What is going on in that mind of yours?"
"I have got the best reason for you to tell Vivian, but you have to tell her everything." Ruby said making sure Sophia was clear on how much was at stake.
"Okay. Explain." Sophia said growing impatient along with everyone else in the room.
"We obviously know that Luke has displayed feelings for you. In fact, it might as well be written on his face that he loves you. Vivian, however, does not approve having the half-breed as a daughter-in-law because nothing will stop her from making sure that Luke becomes Alpha some day. But what one thing will almost guarantee him with that position is having..." Ruby said finishing letting them all come to terms with what she was thinking.
"A white wolf as a mate." Sophia finished being the first to catch on. "What makes you think that I will become Luke's mate, Ruby?"
"What makes you think you won't?" Ruby fired back looking at Sophia seeing a blush surface to her cheeks. "We all have known since you two were kids that there was a bond between the two of you just like you and me. It was only a matter of time before we all found out that it was your flipping that would change everything. Probably for the better." Ruby finished making Sophia smile.
"So are we all clear with what we have to do?" Ruby asked knowing that this question was really for Sophia, but the others had to be in on it as well. Nods and yeses went all around the circle and everyone was certain what they were doing had to be done, so they just thought they might has well be prepared and perhaps get something out of it.
"All right then, let's get things over with." Sophia said taking a deep breath already regretting coming back to Wolf Lake. Damn that conscience of hers.
"I'll go get Vivian." Matt said standing up and walking towards the door, but he only made it halfway when Luke came walking in the room.
"You'll have to go a lot farther than you think." Luke said trying not to crack a smile. "She got pissed and went home." Luke finished so that Matt understood what happened.
"I'll be back later then. With Vivian." Matt finished knowing that Sophia was off the hook for now, but she would worry about it until it was over. "Sophia, get some rest. You need it, and I'll be back later to check on you." Matt said planting a light kiss on Sophia's cheek before glaring at Luke, making sure the young pup knew that Matt had still not changed his views about him completely. Making sure that Luke caught his drift, he kept his eyes on him until he walked out of the room leaving in search for Vivian.
*******************
"Well it's been an interesting morning, why don't we all get some breakfast?" Sherman asked hoping to pry Luke away from Sophia long enough for her to get some sleep. Getting the point, Ruby and John quickly left the room leaving Luke still at Sophia's bedside and Sherman waiting for him at the door. "Luke. Breakfast?"
Taking a look at Sherman and then returning his attention to Sophia, Luke saw how Sophia lowered herself into the covers, her body calling for much needed sleep, her journey wearing on her aching body. How ever much he wanted to be there with her every second, his stomach began to growl with the mentioning of food and quietly exited the room, Sherman behind him closing the door to drown out some of the noise.
Letting all her aggression out in a deep breath, Sophia closed her eyes, not realizing just how heavy they actually were. With only the falling of her head on the pillow, she quickly fell into the routine of sleep she hadn't experienced in a long time. It felt good to be back in Wolf Lake, her home. Knowing that she was familiar and happy with most of its atmosphere, Sophia allowed herself to fully relax and let her guard down long enough to allow her to heal the damage already done and prepare for more to come.
*******************
"Vivian." Matt called out, his hand still on the doorknob after opening the unlocked door. He had waited a few hours, hoping that in that time Vivian's anger would simmer down, but he had no idea how much it had kept boiling. "Vivian." Matt continued, letting his voice call out in the deserted house. Walking deeper into the spacious living area, Matt saw that the door to the back porch was open letting the scent of the forest hang heavily in the house. Walking towards the back of the house he quickly glanced outside of the door seeing the small frame belonging to Vivian standing on the back porch, resting her elbows on the railing.
"Vivian, we need to talk." Matt said slowly inching his way closer towards her, cautiously aware of the fact that she was mad. It didn't take a mind reader to see that.
"Talk about what Matt? Maybe perhaps the fact that you forgot to tell me that your dead daughter is oops, miracously alive?" Vivian said staring him down. "How in the hell could you forget something like that? Let alone let my son become aware of her ability to change before forewarning me."
"Yes let me think about the possibility of telling the Alpha that my half- human daughter wants to leave Wolf Lake because she has suffered so much pain from being ridiculed over the years. But maybe you have no idea what it feels like being stepped on by others, do you Alpha?" Matt asked not letting Vivian get to him nor threaten his daughter.
"Don't start Matt, you know what sacrifices I have made to make sure my son is happy." Vivian said through her clenched teeth, refraining herself from lashing out at Matt.
"I don't consider sleeping with half of the males in the Pack a sacrifice." Matt said not backing down. "I guess your son does follow your footsteps. He judges just like you do and sleeps around with everyone as well."
That was the last straw. Vivian couldn't bottle her emotions anymore especially when someone assaulted her son whether it was physical or verbal. Lengthening her already long nails, Vivian lashed out at Matt, catching him by surprise, and slicing a razor thin line across his cheek. However slowed his reaction was, Matt didn't flinch nor blink when Vivian 'clawed' him. In fact he didn't even touch his wound knowing that it would begin to heal in seconds.
"Finished yet?" Matt asked sarcastically, keeping his calm about the situation which made Vivian think of his youth and how careless he had been back then, reflecting his present mood. Her cheeks suddenly felt warm and Vivian almost forgot to exhale, remembering and treasuring that feeling once more. Matt had been so cold and uptight the past two decades, it was captivating seeing his old self again.
"Don't you get it?" Matt asked her seeing that she was still upset with the way he acted towards her. "We both will protect our children from any harm and pain. I thought you would see that Vivian especially when your son is completely infatuated with my daughter."
"What?" She asked seeming surprised not from the news but from Matt's playful manner with the situation. The roles were surely reversed this time.
"C'mon, don't tell me you're that blind. You have to see it. Your son is completely head over heels in love with my daughter. I think Sophia's disappearance really did get through to him in more ways than one." Matt said continuing to surprise Vivian further with his odd behavior. "You and I both know that our children have a connection. We've been trying for so long for them to stay away from each other, it may have just pushed them further towards each other."
"My son will not become involved with your daughter." Vivian said sternly as if she was talking to Luke himself.
"He seems pretty convinced who he wants to be with. I'm done fighting with Sophia. If that is what she wants so be it, but as long as she stays safe and happy, I'm content to let Luke be with her." Matt said wishing Sophia could be there just so he could see the look on her face.
"There's no way my son will be caught dead with a half-breed." Vivian said angrily not backing down from her offensive side to getting Luke the highest position within the Pack possible. "Because I have invested too much time and effort for him to become Alpha to waste it on some girl who is an insignificant color and of no importance to the Pack.
"How would you know? Have you even seen her pelt?" Matt tempted trying to stay calm but his anger only grew not letting anyone especially Vivian crawl under his skin about his daughter, the second white wolf of the Pack.
*****************
(A/N- I have the greatest song for this next scene. "Here Without You" by 3 Doors Down is a song to which I feel is exactly what Luke is feeling right now, and what he will be feeling in the next couple of chapters. Haha. I know something you don't. Hope you like it.)
Luke sat down next to Sophia listening to the rhythmatic and steady beating of her heart, loving the sound. Her heart which he vowed to soon own, no matter what the costs were. All that mattered was that she was back and this time to stay. He was sure of that, just as sure as she would be promised to him. Even her father couldn't help her now.
/A hundred days had made me older/ since the last time that I saw your pretty face/
Looking down at her features, Luke saw the sratches, bruises, and stress begin to disappear with her much needed sleep. She had been exhausted and yet he had added to her exhaustion by chasing her in the woods. He kicked himself now for adding to her amount of pain and grief at the moment. She had been through so much this past week, his torture seemed almost minimal. He had drove himself crazy, he had been setback, and maybe shed a tear or two, and even though he didn't know her whole story he could tell by the words she chose and the way she shut herself off, that the past week had been hell for her.
/A thousand lights had made me colder/ and I don't think I can look at this the same/
He remembered the last few days how hard they had been for him, how devastated he had been from her death. He couldn't imagine going through that test again. He was sucked in his own destructive path trying to find her and being stuck in this god forsaken town. She was the only thing that had kept him sane the past few months and when she was gone he literally thought he was going to go crazy.
/But all the miles had separate/ They disappeared now when I'm dreaming of your face/
He remembered all the alcohol he had consumed and the hours spent in the shower trying to get rid of it. He remembered the nights spent at her gravesite trying to find the right words to say that he was sorry, to say goodbye when he was fighting against himself trying to stop himself from giving in the possibility of her being dead. Now he knew the truth, he knew that she was alive and nothing would stop him from professing his true feelings now.
/I'm here without you baby/ but your still on my lonely mind/
Sophia had definitely changed his life, there was no doubt in that. Just how much, he was still coming to terms with along with why she had faked her death. Another question was why she came back if she had wanted out bad enough to let people think that she was dead. What was the Pack going to say about this? And John? And Matt? So many changes were happening and they all started with Sophia. How important was she in his life let alone the lives of everyone else in Wolf Lake?
/I think about you baby/ and I dream about you all the time/
Looking back down at Sophia, watching her body shift under the sheets, Luke's arm moved unwillingly towards her face, wanting everything in his power to hold her and protect her, keep her safe from the Pack and how they would judge her now. He wanted her for himself and no one else. He wanted to feel her skin next to his, loving the difference from her pale, luminescent skin to his richly dark tanned. Pulling back, Luke stopped himself, not wanting to wake her.
/I'm here without you baby/ but your still with me in my dreams/
He had spent so many nights fantasizing about her and now she was lying right in front of her. Innocent and vulnerable. Able for the taking. He could have her and mark her for himself. He could make her dreams come true and change her life forever with his undying love for her. But would she except him?
/And tonight it's only you and me/
He had hurt her before and she had fled, tried of his games. She had lost trust and honesty in his words, seeing them as lies hurting him more than she knew with her doubt in his foolish attempts at showing her how much she meant to him. (Confrontations with Presley and Scott) However, Luke had changed, and it was time that the new Luke stepped out and Sophia saw him for all he was. Now the vulnerable one, he would put his heart on the line ready to be accepted or stabbed.
/The miles just keep rolling/ as the people either way to say hello/
He sensed her pain and distrust in him. That was evident, but what he didn't see, hidden back in the furthest part of Sophia's mind was the aching for him that she desired. Luke saw a great battle coming on for Sophia's heart, when in reality all Sophia wanted was to be able to trust him. She didn't want to just be friends, but she wasn't even sure of what they were right now.
/I heard this life is overrated/ but I hope it gets better as we go/
He had questions that needed answered and she didn't know if she had the courage to tell him what she had kept inside for so long and who she truly was. She was certain if she could trust Luke to keep his word long enough to not spill the beans to the whole Pack that she was alive and the other secrets she held, not yet willing to let others know about those either.
/I'm here without you baby/ but your still on my lonely mind/
It would be the test of all tests if they made it through still together with all the information and feelings that they kept hidden to protect the other. Only time would tell until they would be able to agree to disagree for the sake of the Pack. Only time would bring their hearts together, and only time would bring forth the truth.
/I think about you baby/ and I dream about you all the time/
/I'm here without you baby/ but your still with me in my dreams/
/And tonight girl it's only you and me/
Luke saw truth and beauty in Sophia's life lying in front of him. He saw his future, a brilliant future with the one he loved. He saw everything fitting together perfectly in the end. Stroking her cheek with his thumb, Luke promised his heart and soul to the now fragile yet brave and strong woman he had yet to discover. Placing a light kiss on her lips, Luke tried not to indulge in any more, knowing for certain that she would be his and that they would be united in the Pack no matter what. Including pelt color.
/Everything I know, and anywhere I go/ it gets hard but it won't take away my love/
/And when the last one falls, when it's all said and done/ it gets hard but it won't take away my love/
*****************
Sophia was trying to sleep, but ever since she had flipped, she couldn't seem to be able to get through it all without having some type of vision or dream haunting her. She was currently being sucked into that damn tunnel, the smell musty and the twisting and turning of colors causing her head to spin in unison with the tunnel. Abruptly she stopped almost causing her body to continue spinning, but her fast instincts stopped her.
Before her she saw herself standing in the Wolf Lake forest just beyond the walls confining her in the bedroom she was presently in. Sophia saw herself looking up at the moon, absorbing its effect on her skin. The luminescent feeling she craved, thrumming through her whole body. Her eyes wide upon the intensely glowing orb in that dark sky calling for her to run underneath its sheath every night for the rest of her life. Sophia dropped her head from the night above her to the figure looming in front of her. Bringing her eyes into focus, Sophia saw the magnificent body standing proudly and defiantly in front of her.
She knew that body anywhere. That body that had come to her so many nights when she first had dreams about flipping and even afterwards, her mind playing deceitful tricks in trying to make her heart open again. Yes she had feelings for Luke, so many she tried to hide them instead of showing them, and yes he had those same feelings for her, but just how far was Sophia willing to go this time before he broke her heart again?
Sophia looked into Luke's eyes, daring him to come closer, daring him to touch her skin. That skin that was calling out and wanting his touch with every fiber of her being. His warmth upon her chilled flesh. The flesh he dreamed about tasting the innocence and purity in it. The skin he wanted nothing but to rub up against his. Sophia knew his feelings for he practically broadcasted them out to her, but something inside her was calling her to not trust Luke, to run away from him, to never look at him again, but another part of her pulled her towards him, begging for him to take her in his arms. Begging that he would love her and take away all of her fear so she would never have to experience a broken heart again.
Luke stepped closer to her body, but what she didn't realize was that she, too, also stepped closer. Placing her hands on his bare chest, Sophia tried to stabilize her breathing, tried to stay calm, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't stop her heart and it's irregular beating when she locked eyes with him. Those glorious green orbs holding her attention and pulling her deeper into his soul. So intent of staring into those eyes, Sophia barely saw the closeness of their bodies until it was too late. Her lips were pressed up against Luke's bringing new meaning to the word shock. Her body was trembling and continued to do so as Luke's arms snaked around her body.
Sophia put everything behind her and left her heart do the talking, or should I say acting, concentrating on the thought that Luke had his lips on hers and not-
She had to ruin it. She had to go and think about what she promised herself she wouldn't. Her thoughts were now infected with the pictures of Luke and Presley, their limbs entwined with each others. She saw the passion and the wolf crying out in both of them, her heart breaking once again as a tear painfully tracked its way down her cheek. She felt disgusted in herself, seeing herself falling into another pit of pain and betrayal. Pushing back away from Luke, she was able to push herself out of her vision and back to the confines of that room again.
It only took seconds to notice that she was not alone in that room. That the other person was watching her, and that they were currently brushing away that hurtful tear on her cheek, with that body she dreamed about sitting in front of her.
*****************
"No I have not seen her pelt, but it doesn't take a rocket scientist to know that a half-breed will have no important pelt color within the Pack." Vivian barked back knowing that she was right. "You're daughter is probably the darkest of the wolves in the Pack. It's amazing that she even flipped-"
"She did though. She did flip and she left. Thousand miles away she came back to us in less than two days on a wounded leg. And yet you have the guts to tell me that my daughter isn't strong enough." Matt barked letting it all out.
"I'll admit the wolf within her is much like yours, but you can't deny the fact that her mother was human." Vivian growled out through clenched teeth.
"I thank God for that." Matt fired back stunning Vivian. " I can't believe I actually came here to see if you would accept my daughter into the Pack and let you see her for who she really is, but I now see how clouded your judgment is." Matt said turning as he began to walk away.
"What could possibly change my mind Matt?" Vivian tempted as she crossed her arms over her chest. "Hm?" Vivian seeing that she caught Matt this time for her question stopped him dead in his tracks.
"If only you knew." Matt whispered as he turned back around to face Vivian. He knew that she heard him because her face now displayed confusion instead of optimism.
****************
"Luke?" Sophia asked adjusting her vision by batting away the tears filling her clouded eyes.
Luke sensed her fright, her uneasiness, and her pain in that moment, but what caused them was a completely different problem. He tried to search her mind, but she pushed him back. He wondered why, but so did Sophia? He knew she couldn't stop him from talking vocally so it hurt her heart even more to have his lips talk to her, her eyes unable to stop from looking at him.
"Sophia, what's wrong?" Luke asked having to refrain from using the word 'baby', dying to be able to call her that. "Is it your leg?"
"No." Sophia answered quietly knowing that her leg was still healing and the pain was still there, but just like she blocked Luke out, she blocked out the pain, not wanting it to be a constant reminder of her visions. Visions about death, about grief, and about Luke-
She had to stop thinking about him, but it was so hard to do when all it took was one look at him and he flooded her thoughts for hours.
"I just had a bad dream." Sophia said not wanting to give details but she knew Luke would be curious. Surprisingly, however, he dropped the subject right there and didn't pry into her mind.
"Are you okay now?" he asked stroking back her hair, content to do that for hours.
"Yeah. I'm fine." Sophia replied, closing her eyes to stop the falling of another tear, hearing her heart breaking in the process, but nothing could stop that drop from cascading down her cheek. She couldn't get that haunting picture out of her mind of Luke and Presley together. She wondered what they had done since she had been gone, but Sophia blocked that thought sensing the total corruption of her heart and soul. "Please don't touch me." Sophia whispered, but Luke heard it loud and clear from both Sophia's mouth and the private link they shared.
Luke pulled back in an instant, not wanting to cause her pain, but he still had no idea what was bothering her. He wanted to reach out and hold her to comfort her, but somehow he was able to refrain himself. Although part of her begged to be in his arms, Sophia still couldn't trust him and didn't know if he had changed his ways for her yet. She wasn't about to get her heart stomped on, but at the moment it was tearing into shreds by her own thoughts of how much he had hurt her. If only she knew how much he really cared for her.
Luke saw now that she didn't trust herself with him. That she didn't know just yet what she wanted and only him pushing would drive her farther away. Quietly he stood from his sitting position and began to walk towards the door. Sophia was able to wipe away the tears long enough to see his retreating body. She inwardly cried out for him, but it was too late. She was the one that had pushed him away. Luke heard her cry and turned at the door, knowing that she would be the one tested now. If she wanted him, he would wait for her, willing to take as much time as she needed.
"I love you Sophia." he whispered quietly before walking out of the room not looking back.
Sophia couldn't believe that she was the one to turn on him. She knew that she had made a mistake pushing him away, but had she pushed him away for good. Or was it so bad that she pushed away the one person who had broke her heart countless times before. The one person she cared about more than she knew. The one person she loved.
Luke stepped in the night outside of Sherman's cabin. He would wait for Sophia, how long though he didn't know. He just hoped that she would come to him sooner rather than later. She had left a brand upon his soul and no one could replace that. No one. Taking one last look towards the moon, Luke began to walk into the woods, praying for some sort of miracle that would join Sophia and him together.
/I'm here without you baby/ but you're still on my lonely mind/
/I think about you baby/ And I dream about you all the time/
/I'm here without you baby/ but you're still with me in my dreams/
/And tonight girl, it's only you and me/
(A/N- If you don't already have this song, I strongly, strongly, and again I say strongly (do you get the point?) advise you to get it or download it. Just listening to it will explain everything. At least for me it did. Hope you understand why I used this song in here.)
