Chapter 3: Standing Up for Sophie

The warm glow of the café lights reflected on the rain-slicked streets as Alex and Sophie sat across from each other, sharing a quiet moment over cups of coffee. Their laughter mingled with the gentle hum of conversations around them. For Alex, this moment felt perfect—calm, safe, and just the two of them.

But the peaceful atmosphere shattered the moment the door swung open. Seth strode in, his presence immediately shifting the room's energy. His eyes landed on Alex and Sophie, and a smirk tugged at his lips as he sauntered over.

"Well, well," Seth drawled, his tone dripping with mockery. "Isn't this cozy? Alex Sheridan and Sophie Casterwill, the power couple of the Huntik world."

Alex tensed, already sensing where this was headed. Sophie's smile faded, replaced by a guarded expression.

"Seth," she said coolly. "We're trying to have a quiet evening. What do you want?"

Seth ignored her question, his gaze locking on Alex. "What I want? To figure out what you think you're doing here, Alex. Pretending you're one of us? Playing hero? And with Sophie, of all people? Don't kid yourself—you're way out of your league."

Alex clenched his jaw, feeling his patience wear thin. "I'm not pretending to be anything, Seth. I've earned my place on this team, just like everyone else."

Seth let out a sharp laugh, his voice carrying across the café. "Oh, sure. You think you're some big shot because you've got a couple of wins under your belt? Newsflash: you're just a lucky rookie. And Sophie? She's only giving you the time of day out of pity."

Sophie's eyes flashed with anger. "That's enough, Seth. You don't get to talk to him—or me—like that."

But Seth wasn't done. "Oh, I'm just saying what everyone's thinking. You could do so much better than this guy, Sophie. He's not worth your time."

Alex felt his blood boil. Standing up, he towered over Seth, his voice steady but firm. "That's enough, Seth. You don't know anything about me or Sophie. If you've got a problem, take it somewhere else."

Seth sneered, taking a step closer. "What are you gonna do, tough guy? Lecture me?"

Without missing a beat, Alex grabbed Seth by the arm and steered him toward the door. "No, but I will show you the way out."

The other patrons watched in stunned silence as Alex shoved Seth outside, the rain immediately drenching both of them. Seth stumbled but quickly regained his footing, glaring at Alex.

"You're making a mistake, Sheridan," Seth spat. "You'll regret this."

Alex stepped back into the café, letting the door swing shut behind him. He exhaled deeply, the tension in his shoulders slowly easing as he turned back to Sophie.

She was standing now, a small, proud smile on her face. "That was… unexpected."

Alex rubbed the back of his neck, feeling a bit sheepish. "Sorry if I made a scene. I just couldn't sit there and let him talk to you like that."

Sophie stepped closer, her expression softening. "You didn't have to do that, but… thank you. It means a lot."

Alex met her gaze, and for a moment, the world seemed to fade away. "I'll always stand up for you, Sophie. No matter what."

Her smile widened, and without thinking, she reached out, lacing her fingers with his. "You're a good man, Alex. Don't ever forget that."

As they sat back down, the atmosphere shifted once again, the earlier tension replaced by a quiet warmth. For Alex, this wasn't just a victory over Seth—it was a step forward in his relationship with Sophie, one that brought them closer than ever before.

to be cutinued