Chapter 16
SOPHIA’S POV
When my temporary assignment at the school ended, leaving the small-town school behind felt strange, but also necessary.
I returned to the pack’s hospital, my main work.
My wolf stirred the moment I stepped onto the grounds.
Walking back into the hospital felt like reclaiming a piece of myself I had set aside for too long.
Nurses nodded at me in greeting. Doctors passed by walking quickly. I could hear clipped conversations. The work came back to me easily, like muscle memory.
I changed into my scrubs, tied my hair back, and took a deep breath before stepping into the ward.
My wolf felt content. It was as if she was reminding me that healing – whether human or wolf – had always been my calling.
It was near midday when I heard my name spoken in a voice I hadn’t heard in years. “Sophia p>
I turned, startled, and froze.
“Lance?” I breathed.
He stood there smiling. He was much taller than I remembered. He was broader in the shoulders. The white coat he had on marked him clearly as a surgeon. He had grown into himself.
I didn’t expect to see him here. Lance and I were good friends. We went way back to our college days. I hadn’t seen him for years.
“Wow,” he said, laughing softly. “It really is you p>
I smiled. “I can’t believe this. When did you get back here p>
“A few months ago,” he replied. “I’m in the neurosurgery department. I heard your name on the roster and thought there was no way it could be the same Sophia p>
“Well,” I said lightly, “here I am p>
He studied my face and for a moment, he looked a bit concerned. I saw the emotion in his eyes. “You look… different p>
“Different how p>
“Stronger,” he said honestly. “But tired p>
I let out a small laugh. “That sounds about right p>
He hesitated only a moment before saying, “Wanna go get lunch with me? We have a lot to catch up on p>
I agreed before I could doubt or overthink it. It felt good to say yes. We hadn’t seen each other in forever and it’d be nice to know what was going on in his life these days.
We walked to a quiet café near the hospital. The moment we sat down, conversation flowed easily, as if years hadn’t passed at all.
We talked about college, about sleepless nights and impossible exams, about professors who pushed us to the brink. I laughed more than I expected to.
“So,” Lance said eventually, stirring his drink, “what happened after graduation? You disappeared p>
Life happened, I thought. I had gone through a lot during those years but he didn’t need to know that.
“I got married,” I said simply.
His eyebrows lifted. He looked shocked “Married p>
“Yes. I have a daughter p>
His surprise turned into curiosity. His eyes widened a little “A daughter… wow. I didn’t know p>
“There wasn’t a wedding,” I added quietly. “It just… happened p>
He studied me carefully. “Is that why you stopped pushing for med school? You were always the best among us p>
The words hit harder than I expected. My wolf shifted uneasily. His words made my chest ache. Quickly, I pushed it down. This wasn’t the time to get emotional.
“Things changed,” I said. “Responsibilities changed p>
“But your mind didn’t,” he said gently. “Sophia, you were meant for more. Don’t let your life shrink around circumstances p>
I looked down at my hands. Part of me wanted to argue. Another part wanted to cry. “It’s not that simple p>
“It never is,” he replied. “But that doesn’t mean you give up on yourself p>
When we left the café, his words stayed with me. I felt them echoing quietly in my chest.
That was when I saw them.
Damien stood near the hospital entrance with Ashley beside him. She had her small hand in his. Tiffany was there too. She was dressed as luxuriously as ever. My wolf growled instantly. I felt her retreating behind my ribs as if shielding herself from pain.
Ashley looked at me and showed no reaction at all. She didn’t even smile at me or give me a little wave. Hell, she didn’t even frown. I’d take that over not acknowledging me at all.
It was as if I didn’t exist.
Something inside me went cold.
I didn’t stop to acknowledge her either. I walked past them as though they were strangers and I kept my face calm.
Every instinct screamed to look back, to reach out but I forced myself forward.
I felt Damien’s eyes burn into me.
“Sophia,” he then called.
I didn’t answer.
Lance glanced from me to them, but said nothing. We kept walking.
Behind me, Damien remained still. His expression was unreadable, but his shock was obvious.
He had expected something—anything. Maybe anger, tears or at least, a reaction.
I gave him none.