Chapter 5 - Change
Sophia tried to hide her hurt as she noticed Luke turn the corner again. Was it just a coincidence or is he avoiding me? She hadn't seen Luke's shadow for nearly a week now, since that night. Every time she saw him, he went in the other direction. What game is he playing?
Just as she was about to close her locker, she noticed Timmy looking a bit perplexed standing next to her. Timmy was one of the shyest people she knew. She used to help him out with his algebra before this whole becoming wolven thing got her busy.
"Hi Timmy. How's it going? You doing okay in your algebra?"
"Actually Sophia, I know that you're probably busy with Luke Cates and you could just tell me that... erm, I need some help with my algebra assignment. Would you mind helping me?"
"Sure Timmy. No problem. How about I meet you at the Diner tonight? Say around seven?"
"Yeah. Hey Sophia, thanks."
Just then she noticed Luke walking right past her. She made sure that she was heard when she said
"You know Timmy, I'm looking forward to meeting you tonight. Consider it a date."
---
Later that night, Sophia was in the Diner tutoring Timmy. She noticed that the hill kids were looking particularly murderous at them. Luke still hadn't arrived.
Speak of the devil, there he was coming in. Dammit what is that bitch Prestley doing right next to him?
Ignoring him, Sophia swung her concentration to what Timmy had been saying.
Red flashed in his eyes when Luke saw them both together. So he leaves her alone for just a few days and she goes running off to the next male in the vicinity. A poor choice of male specimen at that. Striding across the room he lifted the little brat out of his chair smoothly and sent him flying across the room.
"Luke. What the bloody hell is wrong with you?"
Wincing at the tone in Sophia's voice, he turned around slowly. Only to find her flashing amber eyes.
"Sophia, so help me god. You better not be up to anything like last time with that Scott dude. If I find you running around with another useless ungulate male, you wouldn't like what happens."
"What would happen Luke? And who are you to come around and tell me who I can be with?"
"I'm your mate. You're my woman and that comes with a certain amount of respect towards me."
"Excuuse me. Your WOMAN? Of all the chauvinistic things to say. Your just full of it Lucas Cates. You have been avoiding me for the whole of last week and you have the balls to say that. You may be self-proclaimed Alpha over the rest of your bratpack. But I'm not one of them. Oooh, you make me so mad! Just you see, there'll be dancing naked clowns on my desk before I ever speak to you. And Luke, you better stay away from me and my ungulate friends or you will regret the day we met."
Sophia gathered the slightly shocked Timmy and stomped out of the Diner fuming. Luke stared at the swinging door. Damnit he knew he'd regret saying that. Of all the wrong things to do when your trying to woo your woman, that must top the list.
P/S to self, never call Sophia my Woman to her face again.
---
Luke sighed as Sophia purposely turned around and headed the other way when she saw him coming down the hall. It had been already two long days since Sophia had imposed the silent treatment on him. He watched her disappearing form until he noticed that Prestley had sidled up to him.
"Luke, all of us can see that Sophia isn't going to go back to you. Forget her. But, I know something that can help you with that."
Prestley slowly began to rub his lower back, her hands moving downwards. Luke practically leaped out of the way. Prestley pouted.
Damn that Sophia, how did she manage to cast a spell on our Alpha?
She had to win Luke back through any means. She wasn't about to let some half-breed take her place as the Alpha's mate.
"You know Luke, there is one way you can possibly get Sophia back. You could make her jealous."
Luke turned around to face Prestley. For the first time, she had actually said something intelligent.
"You're willing to help me get Sophia back?"
"It will be my pleasure."
---
Sophia watched as Luke and Prestley cozied up once again at the Diner. Damn Lucas Cates. Did he have to come to the Diner every night with that Bitch to show off? And did he have to sit in her section every single time?
Sophia was fuming at that grin Prestley was having on her face. She was fairly tempted to walk up there and wipe that grin off Prestley. Glancing at the clock, she realized her shift was almost over. Catching up with Michelle, the other waitress on duty, she got her to cover Luke's table and went to grab her purse and leave.
Luke watched as Sophia walked out of the Diner. So much for Prestley's plan. Sophia hadn't responded to it the way he hoped she would. It had been more than two weeks. This nonsense had to stop now or he couldn't stand being without Sophia any longer. Pushing Prestley away, he got to his feet and strode out as well.
Sophia got home slightly later since she had decided to break her dad's order and go for a run. Both her dad and Sherman still insisted she keep her pelt color under wraps until Sherman figured it out.
But the run hadn't worked as she had hoped it would. If anything, she only thought about Luke even more. His cheeky grin, those green eyes and the way his lips felt on hers. Chucking her purse on the bed, she switched on the light. A lone white sheet pinned to the back of her door caught her eye. Worry crept into her eyes as she read it.
If you want Lucas Cates alive, you'll come to the meeting cabin alone. Do not alert your father, or I promise you, the next time you meet Cates, it will be in a morgue.
Quickly, grabbing her dad's pistol that she kept in her drawer, she rushed out of the house.
Oh god, if something happens to Luke, I'll never forgive myself
In the night, the cabin was creepily quiet. Only the sounds of crickets broke the monotony. Softly treading the ground, she rapped on the door. The door swung open as she tried the knob. The cabin was filled with darkness. Slowly Sophia walked in. Her new wolven senses instantly picked up that someone was in the cabin.
"Hello?" Sophia whispered.
Sophia's eyes grew wide with worry. What could have possibly happened to Luke? She wanted him. Heaven help her, she suddenly realized that she couldn't live without Lucas Cates. She needed his strength and tenderness and love.
Why hadn't she just told him the truth when she had a chance? How could she risk losing the most important person in her life over something as stupid as him calling her his woman? She bent her head, her breath catching on a sob. No, Luke had to be okay. Pushing her senses further, she tried to recognize the scent. It was strongly familiar.
Suddenly, behind her something hit the floor with a soft thud. She spun around with a gasp. Her wolf instincts immediately coming to the surface. A boot lay on its side, spotlighted by a ray of moonlight escaping from a crack in the window.
From the darkness, its partner came flying through the air, landing near her feet, followed by a shirt. Sophia instantly recognized the shirt as Luke's. A belt fell to the floor. And then a pair of jeans. Instantly, she knew that Luke was the one who had sent her the note.
"Luke," she cried out laughingly. Relief flooding her system. "What are you doing?" Jazz music floated through the air and suddenly the dim lights came on.
"Why, making good on our bet of course." Luke growled.
Sophia covered her mouth with her hand. Luke was standing on the dining table, his body gloriously naked spare for a round red clown's nose. He gave her a wolfish grin and slowly gyrated his hips.
"You made me come all the way up here just to watch you dance naked on the table? Right now? You are so going to get in trouble," she scolded him.
"Yeah, dance, beg, plead pathetically... anything to get you back. Now, I think you'd really like my special table solo. Unless you have a better place for me to dance like this."
Luke answered her, a devilish glint entering his eyes. Laughter rang throughout the cabin. Sophia sent a coy mental note to Luke.
I have a much better place
Luke was momentarily taken aback as Sophia walked up to him and climbed onto the table. Pulling him down with her, she captured his mouth in a claiming kiss.
"I can't believe I'm saying this but I've missed you Lucas Cates."
"And I've missed you too. Promise me we won't let anything this stupid break us up again."
"Definitely. The next time I'll just bash you up until you can't speak."
The both of them lay horizontal on the table. Their kisses grew frantic. Trying to regain control, Luke tried to pull back only to have Sophia stop him.
"I'm ready Luke. I want to take the next step."
"Sophia, are you sure? Once we do this, we can't look back."
"Yes, Luke. I haven't been surer of anything in my life."
---
Luke opened his eyes to the morning sunlight. Had last night really happened? He was about to stretch when he realized there was a pair of arms hugging him tightly. Sophia's arms. Damn this felt good. He wouldn't mind having to wake up to that feeling every day. He smiled as he took in the sleeping person curled up against him. Her hair was slightly disheveled, the sunlight highlighting it. Her skin felt silky smooth against his chest. Her breathing pattern changed, alerting him to the fact that she was awake.
"Morning babe."
Sophia smiled a sleepy smile and looked up. Honey brown eyes met jade green ones. Last night was one of the best in her life. Although she had reservations earlier about losing her virginity, she was glad that she had shared it with Luke. Only he could bring out feelings in her that she never knew she had before.
"So what did you have planned for today?"
"Nothing much, just some reading, a date with my gorgeous ungulate boyfriend later and oh, avoiding you."
"Well, guess you'll have to change your plans then. You can tell your ungulate boyfriend to shove off too. I don't plan on leaving you alone today... Or any other."
"And I wouldn't have it any other way."
"Enough talking. I'm starving."
"Too bad. I had other things in mind. Things that would mean us staying in this spot for the rest of the morning."