*

  A silver glow, a silent call, a bond unbroken, yet unknown. No words are spoken, yet in her chest, One truth remains “he is hers”.

  *

  ---

  The compound bustled with quiet urgency as Sophia and her mother burst through the gates, carrying Sam. A few pack members paused, their gazes lingering on the strange scene, but none dared to ask questions when they caught sight of the blood-stained young man in the Alpha’s arms.

  Sophia hovered closely, her breaths quick and shallow as her mother carried Sam into the infirmary. The scent of antiseptic and herbs filled the room, mingling with the copper tang of blood.

  “Get the healer” her mother barked to a nearby pack member, who rushed off without hesitation. She laid Sam gently on one of the clean beds, the white sheets instantly soaking up the blood from his shoulder. Sophia winced at the sight, her chest tightening.

  “He’ll be fine, Sophia,” her mother said, her voice steady, though her eyes betrayed her own concern.

  Sophia didn’t answer, her gaze locked on Sam’s pale face. She felt her wolf stir within her, restless and protective.

  Moments later, Dr. Elena, the pack’s lead healer, arrived, her sharp eyes taking in the scene with a single glance. “What happened?” she asked briskly, pulling on gloves.

  “Kael happened, again.” Sophia’s mother replied coldly. “He and his lackeys attacked my daughter. This boy was caught in the aftermath.”

  Dr. Elena’s lips pressed into a thin line as she nodded, already pulling out supplies. “His injuries are severe, but his body is responding to the bite. He’ll heal quickly.” She began cleaning Sam’s wounds with practiced efficiency.

  “Sophia,” her mother said softly, placing a hand on her shoulder. “You need to clean up. You’re covered in blood.”

  Sophia didn’t move, her feet planted firmly by Sam’s bedside. “I’m not leaving him,” she said, her voice low but unyielding.

  Her mother sighed, recognizing the stubborn set of her daughter’s jaw. She didn’t argue. Instead, she turned and left, her steps measured. Sophia barely noticed, her focus entirely on Sam’s shallow breathing and the way his chest rose and fell with effort.

  Minutes passed, then an hour. Dr. Elena worked silently, her movements precise. Finally, she stepped back, wiping her hands on a cloth. “He’ll be stable now,” she said, her voice calm. “But the transformation process will be hard on him. He needs rest and so do you.”

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  Sophia nodded absently, but she didn’t move from her spot.

  Her mother returned shortly after, carrying a bundle of clean clothes. She set them down beside Sophia and spoke with gentle firmness. “Change.”

  Sophia glanced at her, frowning.

  “I’m not asking,” her mother added, her tone leaving no room for argument.

  Reluctantly, Sophia stood and took the clothes. She changed quickly, her movements stiff, before sinking back into the chair beside Sam.

  Her mother joined her, sitting down with a quiet sigh. For a while, they sat in silence, the tension in the room heavy.

  “Talk to me, Sophia,” her mother said finally. “Tell me what you’re feeling right now.”

  Sophia hesitated, her gaze dropping to her hands. “I don’t know,” she admitted. “I... I feel like I can’t leave him. Like I have to stay close. It started when I first met him.” She swallowed hard, her voice trembling slightly. “I was injured, bleeding, and he helped me. He didn’t have to. He could’ve run or ignored me, but he didn’t.”

  Her mother listened quietly, her expression softening as Sophia continued.

  “He talked to me,” Sophia said, her voice thick with emotion. “He told me about his past. About his pain. And... it hurt. Hearing how much he’s suffered. I wanted to protect him. To shield him from everything.” She paused, taking a shaky breath. “And my wolf... she keeps telling me to stay close to him. She’s been restless ever since I met him.”

  Her mother chuckled softly, breaking the tension.

  Sophia’s head snapped up, her eyes narrowing. “What’s so funny?”

  Ignoring the glare, her mother reached out and brushed a strand of hair from Sophia’s face. “You already know the answer, don’t you, dear?”

  Sophia blinked, taken aback. “What are you talking about?”

  Her mother’s smile was knowing. “Stop thinking so hard. Connect with your wolf. She knows the answer, and so do you.”

  Frustration flared in Sophia’s chest. She opened her mouth to argue, but her mother’s calm gaze stopped her. With a reluctant sigh, she closed her eyes and tried to focus.

  It was easier than she expected. The noise of the infirmary faded, replaced by the steady rhythm of her heartbeat. A hush settled over her mind, and then…

  Moonlight.

  Cool silver light bathed the world around her, stretching over endless fields of tall grass that swayed in a wind she couldn’t feel. The sky above was deep and endless, scattered with stars that pulsed faintly, as if watching.

  Sophia’s wolf stood ahead, waiting. Its silver fur glowed under the moon’s gaze, every muscle poised with silent intensity. It’s blue eyes locked onto hers, unblinking, filled with something vast and certain.

  A strange pressure built in her chest something heavy, urgent. She took a step forward, but the weight only grew.

  “What is it?” she whispered, her voice lost in the open stillness. “Why are you making us so restless?”

  The wolf’s ears flicked, but it didn’t answer with words. Instead, it moved, circling her in slow, deliberate steps. Its presence was overwhelmingly warm, protective, a force pressing into every part of her being.

  Sophia’s breathing hitched.

  A pulse.

  It wasn’t a sound. It wasn’t even a thought. It was a truth, raw and undeniable, sinking into her bones like it had always been there, waiting for her to see it.

  Mate.

  The word reverberated through her, sinking into every part of her being. She staggered back, her eyes wide.

  When she opened them again, she was back in the infirmary. Her mother’s gaze met hers, calm and knowing.

  “Well?” her mother asked softly.

  Sophia turned her gaze to Sam, lying still on the bed, his chest rising and falling with quiet effort. A rush of emotions swelled in her chest—protectiveness, longing, something deeper that she couldn’t name.

  Her mother smiled gently. “You’ve found him, haven’t you?”

  Sophia didn’t answer, but she didn’t need to. The truth was written all over her face.

  Queen