Chapter 11 – Showdown

Sophia walked down the path, her mind replaying every moment that had just happened. So that was it. Luke had found out about his kids. She knew he would want her back. Dammit, how could she have been so dumb to be fooled by Prestley. She had thrown away half her life just because she believed the bitch. Maybe it was for the better. If she hadn't left then, she never would have gotten a degree in zoology. Never would have experienced the happiness when they unveiled her art collection at the local gallery with both her kids by her side. No, it was definitely better this way. So why was a part of her still nagging at what could have been?

She hadn't gotten far when a hand clamped hard on her shoulder. She turned around to see Luke, his eyes glittering with determination.

"You know Sophia. I let you walk away once. And that cost me 15 years and the experience of being a father to my children. I won't let you do it."

"Let me go Luke!"

Luke tried to capture her lips with a kiss. But she continued to struggle, unwilling to give in to the heat building in her. Unwilling to loose herself in the dizzying effects his kiss always had. She knew that if she did, there was no going back. But he was too strong and he wasn't taking no for an answer.

Suddenly, a roar and black object jumped out, pushing her and Luke apart. Luke was alert, immediately changing into his wolven form. Sophia shook her head to clear it, struggling to catch her breath. She tried to get up, but pain shot through her from her ankle. She had twisted it on her way down. She noticed the growls growing fiercer before noticing that Luke was staring down at a jet black panther standing in front of her. The wolf was pretty mad, judging by his the amount of froth at his mouth. The panther was hissing ferociously too. Both animals began to circle.

"Luke no!"

But it was too late. The panther had leaped and both were now in a death lock. Biting and clawing each other.

"Guys, stop it. Please."

Sophia tried to get up, but screamed, part out of frustration when the pain at her ankles persisted.

"Both of you, I said ENOUGH!"

She threw a large rock at them, which landed right on the wolf's head. Yelping, it backed away. The panther seemed satisfied, but that was before another rock came flying at it.

"Change so we can speak like rational adults."

Luke was confused at this order. Here he was protecting Sophia from the rogue cat before it harmed her and she wanted him to change?

But before his eyes, the large cat started to shift and soon a man stood in front of him. A man who was rushing to Sophia's aid.

Luke changed too. His shock apparent. He had never heard of other types of skinwalkers. No one had prepared him for that one. Jared on the other hand, was not prepared for Sophia's anger.

"You bloody idiots! Behaving like wild animals. No make that children. What were you thinking Jared when you attacked Luke?"

"Sophia, you were struggling against him. You needed help. Now will you let me finish him."

"I am not a damsel in distress. I could have handled it. And you. I thought that in 15 years you would have done a bit of growing up. Get it into that thick head of yours that there will never be an US ever again. Go running back to your bitch Prestley, I don't need or want you. Neither do the kids."

With that, Sophia took Jared's arm to support herself and limp back to the house. The gesture made Luke see red.

"Oh, I think I understand now why there is no need for me. Found someone else to satisfy your needs huh, Sophia. But get one thing straight Sophia, those are my children, my blood runs through them. And don't you think I'll let you leave Wolf Lake with them. You forget who you are dealing with."

Luke turned, changed and left. The threat sent chills through Sophia's spine. Surely he didn't mean to separate her from her children. She knew full well that he could.

---

"Jared, what in the world are you doing here? Do you realize how dangerous what you just did was? Lucas Cates owns the brewery and his brother in law is Alpha of the pack. Plus they don't take too well to strangers let alone new shapeshifters in town."

"Relax Sophia. Edie called me. She told me about the attack on you. I left as soon as I could. She thought you might need some help. Although she was pretty cryptic about what sort of help that would be. Her brother, Sherman met me at the airstrip and brought me to your house. Your dad said that you were out here."

"Jared. Everything is going okay down here. You need to go as soon as you can."

"Hmm... I haven't been on a vacation in a long time and Wolf Lake sure looks like a good place to do it. I think I'll stick around for a week and you can't chase me away before then. Speaking of which, I'm supposing that guy in the woods was Ava and Adrian's father. You sure the way you dealt with him was right, I mean you were pretty mean. After all, he's just found out about them."

"He is no one Jared. Ava and Adrian grew up without him and they don't need him now. I'll be out of here as soon as I can conclude the business I came to do. Lucas Cates is not in my plans."

"Lie if you want. But don't kid yourself too long. You and I both know that you never got over this dude, you've thought about him every day in the last 15 years. You think I didn't recognize the fact that he looked exactly like the wolf in your paintings? Heck, you still use his name as your artist pseudonym."

"Please spare me the analysis Dr Gallagher. I'm not one of your chimps to psychoanalyze."

"Whatever Soph... boy I'm starved. Any place good to satisfy my feline hunger?"

"Sure, come on up to the house. You can meet my dad and the kids while I open up a can of tuna. Just joking Jared. Don't look like that."

---

It was nearly five days since Jared's arrival in Wolf Lake. The whole town was buzzing with excitement. The gossip was going wild. Sophia's return, Lucas Cates' abandoned wedding and the arrival of a new stranger who had hugged Sophia Donner in the middle of the street.

Luke was on one of his worst moods that week. Even Sean made sure to stay out of his way or risk get his head bitten off. And if that wasn't enough, he had a lunch appointment with his mother today. Things just couldn't get any worse.

Stepping out of his BMW in the town square, he headed down to the restaurant. His mother was already there, sipping a glass of chardonnay.

"Mother."

"Ah, Lucas. You're late. I have been waiting for nearly 10 minutes. Where have you been?"

"Nowhere, just had to finish some work at the brewery. Have you ordered?"

"Yes. I took the liberty of ordering for you. English steak and kidney pie okay for you?"

"Fine."

Luke tried to suppress his annoyance. He knew his mother had a reason for setting up a lunch appointment. But she was taking forever to eat her seafood salad. He watched as she cut the small morsel of shrimp into three even smaller pieces.

"Okay mother. I've waited for nearly an hour now. Why did you call me?"

"Why whatever do you mean Lucas? Can't a mother have lunch with her only son?"

"Sure she can. But not you, you aren't exactly a conventional mother."

"Alright Lucas. I'll cut the sweet talk. You walked out on your wedding without so much of an explanation. Neglected your duty as chairman of the brewery. Well, I want to hear what you have to say about it."

"I walked out because I couldn't go through it. Live in a marriage just for the sake of you and the society. Besides, marrying is not part of my duties as chairman. It's not like I'm the Alpha mother."

"You could have been the Alpha Luke. But you refused and made John Kanin instead. Now, I want a proper answer. Was it because Matt Donner's daughter came back? She is of no consequence. Prestley is the one most suitable for you, not a half breed."

"Yes and no. Sophia was part of the reason. I still love her mother and I took a blood oath with her back then. Also, I just found out that I have children. With Sophia. And I merely tolerated Prestley for your sake, even agreed to marry her because of you. I don't think I want to make the same mistake of listening to you."

"Don't be stupid Lucas. Sophia Donner has been walking around town with an outsider on her arms. The whole town is talking about them."

"I think this conversation has reached its end. Have a nice day mother."

Luke got up and walked out of the door. Just as he reached his car, he noticed that Sophia's lover boy was walking up to him.

"I think we need to talk Mr Cates."

"I don't have anything to say to you."

"Please. It's important. I can't leave until I know that I managed to clear things between you and Sophia. I owe that much to her and the twins."

"Alright. Get in. We'll talk at my office."

"I brought my car. I'll meet you there."

"Fine. Your choice."

---

"So what is so urgent that you need to talk to me about, Mr?"

"Jared Gallagher. Actually it's Dr."

"Fine. Dr Gallagher. So now what do you need?"

"I met Sophia when she first reached San Francisco. We went to the same college, were housemates and even took the same Zoology program."

"That is not my business."

"Oh, I think it is. You see, I think you may have misunderstood the relationship between Sophia and me. She's my best friend and I would die for her. Besides, I'm gay."

"What!?"

"You heard me. I'm gay. But that is not the most important thing. Sophia loves you. She always has and she has never stopped thinking about you. Circumstances drove her away but now she's back and I think the both of you should make up. For the kids sake at least."

"Why are you telling me all this?"

"I told you. I owe it to Sophia. She's been through a lot. She deserves to put some of her regrets to rest. The kids deserve to get to know their father. Especially Ava, lord only knows how long she has left."

Jared's phone rang at that exact moment interrupting him.

"Hello? Adrian, what's wrong, slow down. Okay I'm coming right away."

"I think you better come along Mr Cates. Ava just collapsed. She's being rushed to Wolf Lake General as we speak."