Chapter 124

Sophia

The morning sun filtered through the tattered curtains of my quaint cottage, casting a soft glow on the mismatched furniture that filled the room. I stretched lazily, savoring the quiet moments before the day's chaos inevitably ensued.

My peace was short-lived, however, as a loud crash echoed from the kitchen, followed by a string of colorful curses.

“Blast these confounded tea leaves!” I muttered, rushing to the scene of the crime. The culprit: my beloved teapot, now lying in pieces on the floor, surrounded by a puddle of rapidly cooling Earl Grey. Mark was standing tall but hunched, holding surprised to be just holding the handle.

My face twisted, he was too strong for his own good. Ugh.

I sighed, grabbing a towel to mop up the mess. “Is it too much to ask for one morning without disaster, big guy? I told you, ceramic isn’t like forks or wood spoons. It can break.”

I approached, gently knocked his chest with my knuckle. “You get that yet or am I gonna lose another pot?”

He blinked and nodded before plucking the towel from my hand and beating me to the mess.

I tilted my head. “Ah, you sure you don’t want help? I don’t want my floor sticky if you do it wrong, you know.”

He paused, only to look up with that quiet smile.

I stiffened but just as he finished sweeping up the last of the porcelain shards, a series of sharp knocks resonated from the front door.

I froze, heart pounding. Visitors were a rarity, and unexpected ones seldom brought good news.

Taking a deep breath, I smoothed my apron and approached the door, plastering on a polite smile. “Yes?” I called, motioning Mark to the closet before opening it just a crack.

To my complete heart dropping, a group of my ex pack stood on my doorstep, led by none other than Miles, the Beta, and Alexander’s right hand man. His stern expression did little to quell the unease bubbling in my stomach.

“Good morning, Sophia,” he began, his tone clipped. His eyes trailed over my body quizzically.

I folded my arms. “Hello? What?”

His brows knitted. “Are you… covered in dirt? In an apron?”

I scoffed, “Sorry I couldn’t get my gold out for your grand visit. What do you want, beta?”

He almost smirked, like there was a apart of me he expected. Maybe it was the attitude.

“We've been tracking Mark's scent, and it leads here. Have you seen anything unusual?”

Unusual? In my humble abode? Perish the thought.

I widened my eyes in feigned innocence. “Mark? I know no such pack member, for I am exiled. Miles, I assure you, nothing out of the ordinary has occurred here. Unless you count my tragic teapot incident this morning.”

His gaze remained unwavering, suspicion etched into every line of his face. “May we come in?”

I hesitated, glancing over my shoulder. Mark was currently concealed in my bedroom closet, luckily his scent masked by an old wolf trick I'd learned in my youth.

Those old tricks came in handy.

But still, allowing the pack inside was a gamble, but refusing would only raise further suspicion.

With a resigned sigh, I stepped aside, gesturing for them to enter. “By all means, come in, and please track in some mud on your cheap boots. But do mind the broken teapot; I'd hate for anyone to cut themselves.”

They filed in, eyes scanning every nook and cranny. I trailed behind, heart pounding in my chest. As they approached the hallway leading to my bedroom, I fought to maintain my composure.

Miles paused outside the closed door, his hand hovering over the handle. I forced a casual tone. “Is there something specific you're looking for, pervert?”

He glanced at me, his expression tight. “Just being thorough, please remain professional, Sophia.”

“Thorough is one thing,” I replied, folding my arms across my chest. “Invasive is another. Unless you have a real warrant, I suggest you respect my privacy, and my panties in there.”

A tense silence hung between us before he finally lowered his hand, conceding. “Very well. But if we find out you're hiding something…”

I cut him off, my patience wearing thin. “If you find out I'm hiding something, feel free to return with your accusations. Until then, I'd appreciate it if you'd stop harassing me. Or have you and your pack not cursed me enough already with this poverty?”

“What you have now is nothing but the wreckage of your own doing,” Miles snapped faster then I thought from the typically

My brow fell low, my lip curling slightly. What an ass.

The Betas exchanged uncertain glances. Finally, Miles nodded curtly with a sigh. “We'll be going. But this isn't over.”

I offered him a saccharine smile. “I wouldn't expect anything less, beta.”

Once they departed, I locked the door and leaned against it, exhaling a shaky breath. “You can come out now,” I called softly.

The closet door creaked open, and Mark emerged, his expression a mixture of guilt and gratitude. He was rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly, almost like he was sorry.

I held up a hand. “Don’t even start, big guy. No puppy eyes. Come on, we got a long day in the garden. Ugh, those snails are so gross.”

He blinked, clearly taken aback, but my heart sunk a second timewhen he shook his head.

Mark hesitated, glancing toward the door. I knew what those eyes were saying, ‘I should go. It's not safe for you to be associated with me.’

I’ve seen them before.

I moved to block his path, my back to the doorway with every ounce of determination I could muster. Mark's eyes, a stormy blend of guilt and resolve, met mine.

“Are… are you tying to just leave?” I scoffed, crossing my arms defiantly. “You think I haven't faced those idiots before? Besides, you owe me. My favorite teapot lies in ruins because of you.”

He blinked, clearly confused.

“And maybe, I like… your help!” I retorted, refusing to let him see the tremor of fear beneath my bravado. “And let's not forget the garden. The garden! You promised to help, and I intend to hold you to that.”

Mark's gaze softened, the corners of his mouth twitching upward.

“So stay,” I replied, lifting my chin. “Are you going to honor your commitments, or are you all bark and no bite?”

For a moment, the tension hung thick between us. Then, with a resigned sigh, Mark stepped back, running a hand through his unruly hair.

I knew I had won.

Relief washed over me, though I masked it with a nonchalant shrug. “Good. Now, let's have some tea—once I find a suitable replacement for my dearly departed teapot.”

Later, as I busied myself garden with him, I couldn't help but steal glances at Mark. I can’t believe he had tried to leave… or maybe he had just had enough of me.

There was a serenity about him in these moments, a stark contrast to the turmoil that had brought him to my doorstep.

‘You're staring,’ his eyes practically remarked without looking up, a teasing lilt in them.

I huffed, arching a brow as if to say back, ‘I most certainly am not.’

He chuckled, the sound rich and warm. Liar.

I tossed a clump of soil at him, unable to suppress my grin. “Careful, big guy, or I'll make you replant the entire bed. The one with all the snails.”

Mark's laughter faded after a momment, replaced by a contemplative silence. I knew he had a lot on his mind, but it’s not like I could ask.

He studied me, his gaze intense yet gentle.

“What?” I rolled my eyes. “I get I’m pretty but it’s rude to stare—”

His large hand plucked a leaf from my hair, tossing it away.

And I don’t know why it left me practically disarmed in the dirt. The dirt of all places.