Chapter 100
SOPHIA’S POV
After Damien went upstairs, I sat in the living room trying to calm my racing heart. My wolf was still agitated from our standoff, wanting to either submit to our alpha mate or challenge him further. I pushed both urges down and checked the time. Ashley needed to be at school in forty-five minutes.
I went upstairs to hurry her along. On my way, I heard a frustrated grunt coming from the master bedroom. The door was slightly open and I couldn’t help glancing inside.
Damien stood at the ironing board. His brows were furrowed with concentration. He had the iron pressed against his shirt, but the steam wasn’t on. The wrinkles weren’t budging, and I could see his jaw clenching with each failed attempt.
For a man who commanded entire boardrooms and led a pack, he looked completely out of his depth with a simple household appliance.
Despite how mad I was, something in me softened. Maybe it was the mate bond trying to pull me toward him or maybe I was just tired of all the fighting.
I pushed the door open wider. “You need to turn the steam on p>
Damien looked up in surprise. “I thought you weren’t helping p>
“I’m not.” I walked over anyway “I’m just pointing out that you’re doing it wrong p>
I reached past him to flip the steam switch. Our arms brushed, and I felt the electric spark of the mate bond. My wolf whimpered with longing.
“Here,” I said. “Let me show you p>
I took the iron from his hand. As I did that, my fingers accidentally touched his. The contact sent warmth spreading through my arm. I had to fight the urge to lean closer, to breathe in his scent.
Focus, I told myself. Just iron the damn shirt and leave.
I pressed the iron against the fabric. The wrinkles began to disappear under the heat and steam. Damien stood close, too close, watching my movements.
“You make it look easy,” he said quietly.
“It is easy p>
I shifted the shirt to get a different angle, and that’s when my hand slipped. The edge of the iron touched my wrist, and pain shot through my arm.
“Ah!” I screamed, holding my wrist. The burn wasn’t serious. It was just a small red mark, but it hurt.
“Are you okay?” Damien asked, looking at the burn.
I waited for him to do something, to grab my hand, to look at the injury. That’s what a mate should do. That’s what he would have done for Tiffany.
But he just stood there.
“I’m fine,” I said.
I turned back to the ironing board. I ironed the shirt despite the burning pain in my wrist. My wolf howled at the rejection, at the lack of care from our mate.
When I was done, I handed him the shirt “There. All finished p>
“Sophia p>
“I need to check on Ashley p>
Before I could leave, his words stopped me.
“I think you should stay at the villa for the next few days. To take care of Ashley p>
I stared at him. “What p>
“It makes sense. You’ll be close to her school, and you can make sure she’s properly cared for p>
“I have a job, Damien. I have a home too p>
“But p>
“But what? You want me to drop everything and move back here p>
His jaw clenched. “If you won’t take care of her then who will p>
“Oh really? Like I don’t do enough? How about Tiffany p>
“Tiffany isn’t here right now. She’s gone back to her hometown for a while p>
Something clicked into place. “That’s what this is about? Tiffany is gone, so you need me to fill in p>
“That’s not p>
I laughed “I get it”
Damien sighed “You’re twisting my words p>
“No, I’m understanding them for the first time.” My wolf was snarling now. She was hurt and furious. “I’m the backup plan. When Tiffany’s not available, you remember you have a wife who can cook and clean and raise your child. But the moment she comes back, I’m disposable again p>
“That’s not fai p>
“None of this is fair!” I raised my voice. I couldn’t help it “You know what? I’ll take Ashley to school. I’ll make sure she’s fed and safe. Because she’s my daughter and I love her. But I won’t move back here and pretend to be your wife while you count down the days until your real girlfriend returns p>
“Sophia p>
“We’re done with this conversation p>
I left before he could say another word.
Around two in the afternoon, I started feeling anxious.
Who would pick up Ashley from kindergarten? Damien had said Tiffany wasn’t around. Franca wasn’t authorized to pick up Ashley. The school had strict policies about who could collect the children.
I tried calling Damien but there was no answer.
I called the villa. Franca said Damien had already left for the airport and wouldn’t be back until late.
My stomach dropped. “Who’s picking up Ashley p>
“I… I’m not sure. The Alpha didn’t leave instructions p>
I looked at the clock. Ashley’s school day ended in thirty minutes. I was supposed to work until six.
“I have to go,” I told Dr. Nancy, grabbing my bag.
“Sophia, you can’t just leave in the middle of your shift p>
“My daughter has no one to pick her up from school!” I was already running toward the exit. “I’m sorry, I’ll make up the hours p>
I drove faster than I should have. My wolf was on edge. My maternal instincts were screaming that something was wrong. I made it to Ashley’s kindergarten just as the other parents were leaving with their children.
I ran inside and found Ashley sitting in the classroom. Her face was red from crying. Her teacher was beside her, trying to comfort her, but Ashley’s little body was shaking with sobs.
“Ashley!” I ran to her.
I dropped to my knees and pulled her into my arms.
“Mommy!” She held on to me. “You came! I thought – I thought nobody wanted me p>
My heart shattered into a million pieces. “Oh baby, no. I’m so sorry. I’m here now. I’m here p>
“All the other kids got picked up and I was still here. I was so scared p>
“Shh, it’s okay. I’ve got you.” I held her tight.
“Okay”
I pulled away, looking into her eyes. “Let’s go home. I’ll make dinner”
She smiled through her tears “Okay mom”