The numbers on the paper began to swim before his eyes. Sighing, Luke tugged and loosened his tie. Goddamit, he hated these things and would no sooner rip them apart if he wasn't expected to look like the Chairman of the brewery.
His concentration was totally blasted since two days ago. Two days ago when Sophia Donner walked into the church at his wedding. He smiled a cynical smile. That girl always had bad timing. The sound of the door crashing open made him look up. He could only stare in silence taking in the figure that stood in front of him.
All those years and she had changed so much. Oh, she still looked terrific and hot but the innocence that was there seemed to have disappeared. He couldn't help but smile a small smile as the passion in his body was awakened.
Boy, did she look hot. The slight baby fat she used to have had melted away, replaced by a strong and trim body. The knit top that she wore hugged the curves of her breasts, as did the tight jeans she wore that ran like liquid along her hips and down to her ankles. She'd changed her hairstyle too. It was cut shorter, layered and now had golden highlights running through it enhancing her beautiful face.
The surprise in Sophia seemed to turn to instant heartache and anger the moment she caught Luke's famous grin almost showing itself.
Oh god, how could he possibly sit there looking so sexy in work wear? He had rolled up the sleeves of his gray shirt showing his muscled arms. His tie had been loosened making him look... sigh.
Then suddenly she felt anger boiling up in her. How could he just sit there looking so smug after all the pain he had put her through? Realization hit her when she suddenly became aware that she was in the head of the brewery's office meaning only one thing... Lucas Cates was the new pack Alpha!
Luke was the first to break the silence.
"So you finally decided to come back to Wolf Lake."
"Couldn't miss the wedding of the year now could I? I'm surprised you and Prestley didn't get married sooner."
"I've had better things to do than get married. How about you? Didn't bring back that ungulate of yours. He doesn't know, does he? But then I heard that you brought back those pups of yours. Careful Sophia, you wouldn't want them to be corrupted by the pack."
"Is that a threat Cates? My life is none of your concern."
"It is very much my concern Sophia, especially if it has anything to do with the pack. And even if you try to run, you'll always be a part of the pack."
"I was never part of the pack Luke. Not back then and not now. I go by my own rule. So I don't have any fucking responsibility to you Cates."
"Very well, why are you here anyway Sophia. I sure as hell know it isn't a courtesy visit."
"Retract the instructions on me and my family or else you'll regret it."
"I don't give a damn about that ungulate family of yours Sophia."
Luke had anticipated something like this happening sooner or later. He had seen the glow in her eyes getting brighter. But he hadn't anticipated how much it would hurt. Emotionally.
Slowly he wiped the running trickles of blood on his cheek where she had swiped at him. He continued unmercifully.
"You know something Donner. That didn't even come close to the amount of hurt you put me through all these years. The shame I had to endure that my half-breed choice had run away into the arms of a useless ungulate."
Luke walked up to Sophia and grabbed her. She tried to fight him but he had toughened up over time. The memory of him being thrown against his car by her appeared in his mind. Luke placed a conquering kiss on Sophia's lips.
She started to try to bite his lips but he could feel her defenses falling and she slowly gave in. Luke pushed her away with such a force she stumbled back. Her eyes staring at him wildly, her body geared to pounce and attack him.
"Well, Donner. The chemistry's still there ain't it. I doubt that even that ungulate of yours could light the fire in you like that."
Sean his assistant burst in at that moment stopping Sophia from saying anything else. Fury flashed in her eyes at Luke.
"Hey, Luke. Sorry for leaving like that. The door was wide open. You okay? What happened?"
Sean was about to turn around to alert the forces when he noticed none other than Sophia Donner standing there. He grinned at Luke.
"Sean, I believe Miss Donner was just about to leave. Would you mind seeing her out?"
"I can see myself out just fine Cates. Goodbye."
"Oh and Sophia, I'm not the Alpha, so I can't give any instructions on your matter. You might want to try and consult the real one about it."
---
Sophia slammed the door shut and turned the key. Tears were now running freely down her
cheeks as she just sat there staring at the brewery building.
"How DARE he turn this all on me? How DARE he kiss me like that? Aaargh, I just want to rip him apart."
But the tiny voice in her head was screaming something totally different.
"You liked the way he kissed you. You wanted more. Don't deny it Sophia. You yourself realized that he had been hurt just the same way as you were. Something's not right with this picture and you know it."
"DAMN you to hell Cates!" Sophia screamed out loud and clear as she stepped on the gas pedal and headed back home.
---
Luke winced as he heard over the mental pathway Sophia's screaming. Somehow he was glad that the connection was back. He had missed it so much. He grinned at the thought of kissing her again. Too bad there was someone else in her life now.
God! She had kids!! A family!! Scowling, he slowly shrugged out of his shirt and started to unbuckle his pants. He needed a nice long run to straighten out this whole thing in his head. It was already starting to give him a headache. He sent Sean a message on the mental link telling him to leave early and get home to Sarah and the kids.
---
"Aw, Adrian! Don't do this. You know how I hate it when you leave me and go running off like that. It's not fair that you get to run that free and fast on four legs while I'm stuck panting here!"
Ava looked around her surroundings. They had gotten bored of sitting in the cabin for so long. Adrian was just itching to run so they snuck out while gramps was talking to Sherman. And now, here she was all alone in the middle of the forest while her brother happily romped about. How she wished she didn't tire so easily these days.
Sighing she sat down on a fallen tree log. Wolf Lake was so beautiful. So fresh and alive with all the sounds of the forest. Nothing like the noise of San Francisco or Los Angeles. She had lived in a city since the day she was born but loved going with her mom on her research trips into the wilderness.
She still didn't understand why mom refused to come back all those years and why she decided to now. She knew something was wrong cos' her mom had been preoccupied about something and definitely more protective. But she would bet her last cent that those men that attacked them had something to do with it.
She heard a branch break somewhere behind her and became acutely aware that someone was watching her. Slowly she turned and scanned the trees and bushes. She felt a little fear trickle into her as she stared at a pair of bright eyes staring back from a nearby bush.
It must be one of the pack. There were no real wolves out here, were there? She drew a deep breath, afraid to move but trying all she could to draw on some vestige of courage deep in her soul.
"Nice day isn't it? How I envy you being able to enjoy it and be one with the forest."
Luke had been surprised to find the girl sitting all alone in the middle of the forest. Even more so when she started to talk to him. He had seen the fear in her eyes when she first spotted him but now, she was trying to make conversation with him although she still didn't dare to move a muscle.
He couldn't help but smile, Sophia's daughter was almost like an exact replica of her. Slowly, he stepped out of the bush.
"Wow, you're a big wolf. You must be very strong in human form too, huh. Although, I haven't seen many people in their wolven forms. Only my mom and brother. I wish I could change too. Then I could run free with the wind like my brother does. I'm Ava by the way. Ava Maria Donner. "
Luke stepped closer to her. She didn't seem so scared anymore, she knew he was a skinwalker and she was daring him to change back, to prove her right. He knew he should just leave, but there was something in her eyes and voice that made him want to stay.
So Sophia had actually named her daughter after her mother. He remembered how she always used to say that she wanted to name her eldest children after their grandparents.
Ava had seen the warmth in the wolf's eyes as he looked at her. And his muzzle was forming a sort of grin now. As he stepped closer, she slowly reached out and stroked his gray fur. It was so soft and yet, she could feel the muscles beneath. This was one wolf you wouldn't want to mess with. He licked her hand and sat beside her then, so she continued talking.
"I grew up in San Francisco, you know. We moved to LA three years ago. I like it here, it's so different from those cities. Peaceful and definitely less pollution you know. Although I do miss my friends back home. It was really weird that mom's letting us miss school this long. Oh and I'm really starting to miss Edie, Edgar and Uncle Jared too. I know it hasn't been that long since we left San Francisco. We went there to visit Edie and Edgar. I feel so alone here. Sure there's Adrian but he's always been not much of a talker, and mom seems so worried about something that she's just so preoccupies, and I don't really know gramps that well yet to really talk to him."
Luke laid his head on her lap and let her continue to stroke his head. She seemed to be at ease doing it. He felt sorry for her. She looked so thin and pale and lonely. He could feel her weakness. She needed a companion, at least for a short while. Maybe he did too.
Suddenly there was a growl and Luke was on his guard immediately. Through the small clearing, a young wolf slowly walked in, challenging him. Although, he was clearly no match for him. Both of Luke and him got a surprise when Ava put herself between them.
"Adrian, hush. This nice wolf was just keeping me company. Unlike you, who ran off leaving me here. So don't try to act like Mr big-shot protector, you're not needed. I already have a protector. I really wish that you two would change back already. It's getting tiring talking to things that won't talk back."
Adrian stared wearily at the other wolf waiting for him to make the first move. God knows who that guy was.
Luke knew that the young pup did not believe that he posed no threat to his sister. So he changed back.
"I'm Luke. Luke Cates."
The young wolf still refused to change, growling even louder now.
"Well, thank you for being so nice and hanging out with me. Quit being such a jackass Adrian. I suggest you change back so that I can make proper introductions or I would be really upset. Good, now Mr Cates, I'd like you to meet my brother. Adrian Willard Donner."
At that very moment, Luke felt his mouth do dry. He felt like he was looking back at his replica when he was that age. Ava telling him the boy's name only confirmed it. These weren't Sophia's and some ungulate fool's children. They were his!!!!
It was like everything went still at that very moment. He had kids. All those nights of agony thinking about someone else caressing Sophia and driving through her. The thought someone else living all his dreams of a family and kids with Sophia. And now, he suddenly realized that someone else didn't even exist.
His revelry was interrupted when Adrian cleared his throat.
"It's getting late Ava. Mom will be looking for us. Let's go."
"Uh- okay. Hey, thanks for keeping me company. See you soon."
In a moment, Luke suddenly realized that he was standing there all alone. Ava and Adrian had left.
Various emotions raced through him. Disbelief then happiness at finding out he had kids which was quickly replaced by hot seething anger at Sophia for depriving him from watching his kids grow up. For leaving him. Sophia Donner had some answering to do and by god, was he going to delay it any longer. Shifting back into his fur, he dashed in search of her.
---
AT THE DONNER HOUSE
"Dad, I need to talk to you."
"Sure, honey. What's up? Did you manage to conclude that business you had in town."
"Actually no. I went to search for the Alpha. I didn't find him at the brewery. It seems that things have changed."
"Oh, you should have asked me first or at least asked me who the new Alpha was. Wolf Lake isn't the same place and system that you left."
A knock at the door interrupted Matt Donner.
"I'll get the door, dad. Hold on to that thought."
Sophia crossed the kitchen towards the hall. She looked into the den for a fleeting moment where the twins were sitting and watching the tv.
"Ruby! John! This is a surprise. Come on in."
"We thought we should come and officially welcome you back. You look gorgeous Soph, I can't believe it's been 15 years. Last I remembered, you were that nerdy girl who used to intimidate the hell out of my brother."
"Well, time and living in the big city can do that to a person. It's so nice to see you two finally together. How'd that happen? I never thought I'd see the day when the pack accepted John."
"It's a long story Sophia. But you'd be shocked at all the changes in Wolf Lake."
"How's it going, John? Everything at the station okay? I was meaning to come up and talk to you about the Davidson case."
"It's fine Matt. You know, sometimes I think you're missing the station and badge too much since you retired."
"Nah, I know it's in good hands. Just remember that you are free to call in any help from me anytime you need it. I know how tough being the Sheriff can be. Just imagine the added burden of being the Alpha to that."
The look of total surprise that hit Sophia's face at that moment caused Ruby to give one of her sultry laughs.
"I'm guessing you haven't heard yet huh. John got elected the new Alpha. After much cajoling that is. He finally agreed to take lead only when Luke was elected chairman of the brewery."
"Yeah, who would have thought I'd be a skinwalker too. Though I suspect Sherman knew all along."
"That is definitely news. Umm, John, would you mind if I talked to you for a moment."
"Sure, Sophia. We'll go into the kitchen."
"I'm not going to beat around the bush John. Did you order any men to drag me and my kids back to Wolf Lake?"
"What? You know I wouldn't do that. Especially after all me and Ruby had been through because of that stupid rule."
"Well, somebody did. That's the only reason I came back after so long. A group of men attacked us and one of them was clearly wolven. I've learned enough to know that only two packs of wolven still exist in the world and the other is too far away to even consider."
"That is worrying Sophia. I'll look into it. Whoever sent them must be up to something. And I can only think its trouble because why would anyone want to waste their time sending attackers so far out. But you sure it wasn't your dad."
"Positive. Dad might be a suspect if these men were just there to kidnap us back. But they were clearly trying to attack me. I think they were just interested in the kids."
"Don't worry Sophia. I'll get into this matter straight away. Shall we head back to the den? I'd like to get acquainted with your kids."
"Sure. C'mon."
---
"When are you going to tell Luke?"
Startled by the question, Sophia turned around to look at Ruby. They had decided to go for a walk to chat.
"Tell him what?"
"Don't play with me Sophia. You know what I'm talking about. Adrian and Ava. They are obviously his."
"How'd you find out?"
"One look at Adrian and you couldn't miss who his father is. He's a carbon copy of Luke!"
"Well, I think it's better that Luke doesn't know. He should be given the chance to continue with his life. I wouldn't want it to interrupt his marriage."
"Luke didn't get married that day Sophia. God, I can't believe you'd act this way. Luke deserves to know he has kids. You know he'd cherish them. Is that why you left? So that you couldn't be tied down?"
"No! I had other reasons for leaving. I didn't even know I was pregnant until I had been living in San Francisco for two months. By then it was too late to turn back. Luke had his life with Prestley. Ours is a story of the past. Telling him will only complicate things."
"Sophia... there was never anything between Luke and Prestley. He was racked with grief for almost a year after you left. Became wild and even an alcoholic. We were all worried about him. Thank god, Vivian, Sherman and your dad managed to convince him to come back to reality and move on. He still always kept you in his heart. Why do you think it took him so long to even agree to get married? He only agreed after some threats from Vivian, not by his own choice!"
Sophia gulped back the tears that threatened to break loose. Deep down she knew that Prestley had lied to her about the pregnancy just to drive her away. She had had a gut feeling about it since she had returned to see Luke and Prestley just about to get married.
Knowing how honor bound Luke was, he would've insisted that they get married as soon as he found out she was or had been pregnant with his offspring. Ruby's words only confirmed the nagging truth that was in her heart.
"I'll tell him, Ruby. Don't worry. I won't go without telling him."
"Sophia.... I know that this is hard. But just talk with him, okay. I know that both of you have suffered your own share of grief. John's waiting. I have to get back to the house."
"I think I'll just continue walking. I need to sort through some things."
"You'd be fine?"
"Don't worry Ruby. Everything's okay. I just need to think this through. I'll be fine alone. Bye."
---
He heard the crunching of the dry leaves as she stepped on them long before she came into view. His breathing slowed down. He looked on intently as she walked onto the path before him. She couldn't see him yet and he was surprised that she hadn't noticed him. He was lucky that she didn't because it bought him the time he needed to put his action into plan.
- Sophia's Inner Voice :
Lies, they were all lies. You know you shouldn't have trusted Prestley so fast. Dammit that's what you get for being so damn gullible. But now what? You know the truth now. What are you going to do about it?
Telling Luke about the kids isn't going to solve any problems. It'll just bring more trouble. But Luke has a right to know about the kids doesn't he? You know in your heart that he does. As much as you couldn't forgive him for getting together with Prestley, you know that the bigger crime is on your side by hiding his kids from him.
Face it, by telling Luke, you'll also be signing your life away to Wolf Lake. The kids' lives too. They won't be able to leave. Neither will you. But you never did think you'd end up missing Wolf Lake.
Sigh, Luke would make such a great dad to Ava and Adrian. You've dreamed about it for years. Maybe Ruby is right. The time has come. How do I start? How do I tell Luke to his face that I took his kids away from him 12 years ago?
Sophia was so deep in her thoughts that it took a moment for her to suddenly register that she was being watched. Her wolven senses immediately took over as her ears scanned the radius around her.
Something was in the shadows of the trees, crouched and breathing slowly... almost as if it was stalking her. She slowed her pace and immediately put her hands to the zipper of her jacket, trying to slowly shed her clothes to change.
But the attack came too fast and before she knew it, she was on the ground, the air knocked out of her. She had closed her eyes as she went down and as she opened it again, she was met with the stare from a pair of golden yellow eyes. The wolf on top of her was growling ferociously. But instinctively she recognized the scent of the wolf. It was a scent that she knew all too well. Talk about a coincidence. Her voice came out as a whisper. But it was a whisper full of emotion that carried out to the wolf's ears as if it was said through a loud speaker.
"Luke, I'm sorry..."
Sophia watched as the muzzle slowly changed back into a human nose and chin. And the heavy weight on top of her was lifted as Luke stood up.
He had started to prowl. And all she could do was stare at him. Her defenses had been let down and she noticed how majestic he looked in naked splendor as he prowled about. She also noticed how angry he was.
"Dammit Sophia. How could you think I'd never find out? I never thought you were that cruel to do such a thing Sophia. Why didn't you tell me? And to leave Wolf Lake and never return with what you know would've been my greatest treasures. Answer me! Don't just sit there with that look in your eyes. Answer me! Cos' I know that mouth of yours can talk. And to think you had the nerve to come up to me yesterday and call me all of those things when it was you who had faulted."
"Luke, I don't know what you're talking about."
"Sophia, don't test my patience. You know perfectly well what I'm talking about. The kids. They're mine. I know it so do you. Why the lies Sophia. What are you hiding? Why did you run?"
"Luke, I really have no perfect answer. I just thought that life would be much simpler for the
both of us without you knowing."
Sophia tried to put a nonchalant face on but Luke grabbed hold of her and started shaking her violently.
"Sophia, god help me! For once, please..."
The walls that Sophia had built around her heart brick by brick for so long came tumbling down. Tears welled up in her eyes.
"I never meant for it to be this way Luke. You know it. The truth is I never knew I was pregnant when I left. And by the time I knew, it was too late to come back. Do you think it was easy to leave everyone I had loved so much? Everything I had known since the day I was born? I did it because I thought I was sacrificing it for you. And also because I couldn't stand being around Wolf Lake if my fears did come true."
"What? Sacrifice for me? What happened Sophia? One minute we were so happy together, the next your gone. I searched Wolf Lake high and low for you and you had left without so much as a goodbye."
"Oh Luke, shit! I never thought I'd turn into a weeping mess when this came out! Okay, dammit. That bitch Prestley told me that she was pregnant with your child. I left Wolf Lake that day because I knew that you would be honor bound to marry her once you found out. I couldn't just stay and watch you two build a happy life together. Not when I had built those same white picket fences dreams about you and me."
After a moment it finally sank in. Luke collapsed to his knees and put his arms around Sophia.
"Sophia..."
The both of them just sat there in the quiet jungle path for what seemed to be an eternity. Holding on to each other, tears flowing freely from their eyes. It was Luke who finally broke the silence.
"Sophia. So many lies have been told. But now that the truth is out, we can go back. We can make things right. Become a family once again. I never really meant to marry Prestley. I only did so after my mom placed pressure on me. My heart was with you even though you had broken it at the time into a gazillion pieces."
"Oh, Luke. You know that's never going to happen. Just a couple of days ago you were prepared to repeat the same vows you made to me to Prestley. We took different paths and we lead different lives. I'll admit that you are the kids' father and you deserve to spend the time and get to know them. But the two of us just can't be together. It just isn't fated."
"You're wrong, Sophia. And I will prove it to you."
"Sigh, Luke... please, leave it as it is."
With that, Sophia turned and walked away, tears coursing down her cheeks as Luke just sat and stared, his own emotions and thoughts running havoc.