It's been a whole week since Sophia has been living with Lazarus and his pack. For many years, it had been only Sophia and her mom, she never had a house full with many people and different personalities. Now, in this huge manor, every day was an adventure. Lazarus and his pack were loud and hectic, definitely caused trouble and had a lot of fun doing it. She found herself surrounded by people who took her small little world and made it so vast, but she had to admit that it was a bit scary. The Iron Blood pack lived a fast-paced life full of danger and politics, a world she still wondered if she fit into. She found herself on the outside looking in.

Especially on this breezy night when everyone had gathered outside on the porch to enjoy the starry sky and dancing moon. She sat on the chair with her legs bent in front of her, as she watched the wolves run off into the woods. She still couldn't believe her own eyes as she witnessed Isaiah, Ashley, Ronin, Justin, Lazarus and the kids turn into their wolf forms. They were running through the woods, enjoying their gift which was phenomenal and special, something that she didn't have. She couldn't run as a wolf with Lazarus like Ashley did with Isaiah and Marcello did with Zeiden.

What if a wolf that was Lazarus's true mate appeared? Her stomach sank at that thought. What if his wolf needed a wolf as well? Despite the warm night, she had a chill crawl down her body and freeze her hands and feet.

A wolf shifted back and revealed Zeiden who ran up the few steps and joined her, he was beaming with excitement which was probably because of the run.

"Water?" she asked as she passed a cup to him.

"Thanks," he gladly accepted and downed the cool liquid quickly.

"How is it?" she asked him.

He tilted his head. "The water?"

She chuckled. "No," she said. "How was the run?"

Zeiden's light blue eyes flashed with a playful gleam. "Exhilarating," he answered with a smirk.

Sophia looked back on the field to the other wolves.

He put the glass down then and faced her. "What's wrong?" he asked.

She smiled at his kind eyes. "I don't know if talking about it will make it better," she believed.

"You won't know unless you try," he replied.

She drew in a shaky breath. "Can I really be considered a pack member if I'm not like you?" she asked. "I can't turn into a wolf and run with your brother. I don't know what's it's like and I will never be able to bond with Lazarus like how your kind does."

"I'm sorry you feel that way," he said, "but I know Lazarus doesn't see it like that."

"I know-" her words fell.

A silence passed as softly as the breeze did.

"When I was a kid growing up in the Petrov Pack," he started, "my father taught us to be nothing but animals raging inside a cage."

Sophia was caught off guard that Zeiden brought up his old pack.

"He controlled the doors of our cage and our prey," he continued. "He showed me that being a wolf was all about lusting for the kill and enjoying the taste of blood, and I believed him." Zeiden looked up at the wolves running across the field and howling at the moon. "Until, one day I didn't follow my father's command and couldn't kill my own family-" the pain etched in his voice ached through Sophia- "I knew that my father would punish me or maybe even kill me. I was ready for it, but then my brothers protected me." Zeiden's boyish grin appeared. "Isaiah and Lazarus stood in front of me ready to take any punishment my father had planned, even if that meant death." He looked at Sophia. "Being a wolf isn't just about the animal, it's about loyalty and trust. My brothers had my back and I always have theirs. Will you have my brother's back, Sophia?"

Sophia didn't realize tears came down her cheek until it dripped on her hand. "Yes, I will have his back," she said.

Zeiden nodded in approval. "I know you will," he said before he reached over and wiped her tears. "Now, stop crying otherwise Lazarus will have my head on a stake for it." She couldn't help but laugh and it seemed that was his motive.

"Oh shit, here he comes-" Zeiden shot to his feet in a hurry- "It wasn't my fault, Lazarus!" The massive gold wolf charged straight for Zeiden and knocked him to the ground barring his sharp fangs at him. "Get off me, you beast!" He kicked at the wolf but still couldn't get him to budge.

Sophia hurried to them. "Don't hurt him, Lazarus," she tried to get the wolf's attention onto her, "I only cried, it's not a big deal!" The wolf came to sudden halt and stared at her with his daunting green eyes. He released his paw off Zeiden's throat when he turned to look at her. She smiled letting him know she was fine. He responded gently, licking her cheek of the fallen tear. He leaned his snout closer and nuzzled her neck, she ran her fingers through his soft fur.

"Yeah, get off me, you big brute!" Zeiden suddenly kicked the wolf off him.

Sophia never thought in a million years that she would be begging a wolf and a man to stop fighting, but here she was telling Lazarus not to kill Zeiden.

The golden wolf ran after Zeiden who bolted down the porch and towards another wolf, that appeared from the woods. He had a dark amber coat of fur and was leaner than Lazarus's wolf, she guessed that must Marcello because he ran straight for Zeiden when he saw that he was in danger. The two wolves stood guard against each other barring their teeth and growling proudly. The wolves were quickly stopped when Evelyn rushed between them to join.

Sophia saw the golden wolf that belonged to her makes his way towards the porch where she stood. He climbed up the stairs and shifted back into his human form right before her eyes, it was mesmerizing. He didn't say anything yet spoke more than words ever could with his strong green eyes, she listened with her heart and understood that he was concerned for her.

"Why'd you cry?" he asked.

"It was nothing. I just cry easy," she mumbled.

"That's not reassuring," he remarked.

She chuckled. "My dad used to say the same thing," she said. "He would tell me to toughen my heart up."

Lazarus cupped her nape, titling her head up to face him. "You're perfect just the way you are," he whispered against her lips.

She smiled before he kissed her, slowly and seductively. He took her mouth with ravenous greed that always weakened her knees. His lips moved over her mouth and took what he wanted from her. She met his tongue and was just as eager for his taste as he was for hers. He kissed her hard and deep reminding her whose arms surrounded her, whose hands touched her body and whose heart claimed her soul.

"Take me to bed," she whispered.

Lazarus took her to their room and kissed away all the worries in her head and soothed her heart.

It was a beautiful day, sunny with a clear blue sky shining above them.

Sophia walked down the street hand-in-hand with Vivian and Evelyn after school finished for the day. They agreed this morning she'd bring cupcakes for the family as a treat. She'd let the kids pick which one they'd prefer and then help her pick the rest. Lazarus promised to meet them at the shop, so she hoped to see him soon.

Just as they made their way down the street, Sophia noticed that Vivian had calmed a lot since that day she had the incident at school. She guessed Rosalie must have talked it out with the kid. Sophia was glad, she truly believed that Vivian deserved the best and Rosalie was meant for her.

"What cupcakes do you want, ladies?" asked Sophia.

"I want the one that has rainbow sprinkles and a unicorn," said Evelyn brightly.

Sophia looked over to Vivian then. "What about you, Vivian?"

"I think I'd like a cupcake that looks like a flower," she told her.

She smiled. "What about your parents?" she asked them both now. "What should we get them?"

"Mom and dad love strawberry," Evelyn pointed out.

"Triple chocolate for Adrik and butterscotch for aunt Rosa," Vivian added.

"Anything for uncle Zar," Evelyn remarked, "as long as Ms. Bloom picks it."

Sophia couldn't believe she blushed at the child's remark. "You are in trouble for that," she said.

"You're not my teacher though," she retorted.

Sophia shook her head. "You never know, one day I might be," she said.

They turned the last pathway near the shop, which was right across the street in front of them. It wasn't busy around this area, not many cars or people. She stopped on the path and the three of them waited to cross the road.

"Look, it's uncle Zar!" Evelyn shouted.

Sophia followed Evelyn's arm that pointed ahead and she spotted the truck parked in the front of the shop with Lazarus leaned against it. He was in the clothes she chose for him this morning when they finally got out of bed. The white shirt clung to his body, the short sleeves displayed his strong arms and those tattoos she loved. He had tied his hair and opened a few more buttons of his collar, she remembered kissing him on his neck this morning, it reddened her cheeks just thinking about it.

It was like he sensed them too. His gaze turned and saw them waiting by the lights. She waved at him and smiled. She definitely saw the small lift of his lips and the hidden gleam he had this morning when he didn't let her shower alone.

Sophia realized that this was it. She loved him and wanted to be with him forever. She'd never lose herself or be afraid of being in this relationship. Everything about this felt perfect. Lazarus was all she ever needed in life. She could face her parents and tell them that she found someone who fills her heart with joy and completes her body and soul. He was her mate for life.

Suddenly, her vision was blocked by a massive black veil. A van pulled up in front of her and she fell back with the kids in her arms. She tried to run but it was too late. Several men jumped out of the car and shoved her into the back, they pushed Evelyn and Vivian inside too and they shut the door and drove down the road.

In seconds, everything crumbled around her and she knew that this was it. She was going to die and so were the kids.

"Who are you?" she asked brazenly. "Why are you doing this?"

A man in the driver's seat had a heinous dragon tattoo on his neck. "Shut her up," he snarled at the one beside her.

Someone smacked her across her face before they bound her hands and mouth and put a veil over her head, just like they did for the kids. It was hard to breathe and she only kept her eyes open to remember Lazarus running across the road to get to them.

Everything went black with that memory lingering...