Chapter 11 Sophie
SOPHIE
Iwake up in the morning to sunlight streaming through the curtains. It’s the kind of soft, golden light that usually leaves me lost in the beauty of this place. But today? Today, I feel wretched.
Sleep had been a fleeting thing—if it came at all.
Every time I drifted off, flashes of Ethan’s touch burned in my mind, uninvited but relentless.
The way his fingers brushed over my skin, firm yet reverent, and the way his voice had gone all rough and low…
I shiver at the memory, though it only stirs the restless, unfamiliar sensation pooling in my belly.
I push Ethan’s image from my mind, only to be overwhelmed by the memory of Tyler’s mouth at my pulse, the way he scent-marked me so possessively. The thought ignites me all over again, heat pooling low and unrelenting.
I’ve never been this drawn to Alphas before—never felt so utterly consumed that reason and normal social boundaries vanish like smoke.
I squeeze my eyes shut, desperate to think of anything other than Alphas, or the way my body reacts to them, or the primal need clawing at me. I almost succeed—almost—but then Brodie’s image invades my thoughts.
The way he looked at me, like I was something he wanted to devour, to claim.
So much heat and raw possession had burned in his amber eyes.
It was as if his gaze alone could unravel me completely.
My skin tingles just thinking about it, and I shiver, caught between wanting to run and wanting to stay wrapped in their pull forever.
Panting, I throw the covers off, groaning in frustration. My skin feels wrong—overheated, overly sensitive. The sheets feel like sandpaper against me, scratching and abrasive, no matter how much I toss and turn.
There’s a persistent, needy ache thrumming through me, low in my abdomen, and I can’t shake it. My core feels empty, and the sharp pangs of longing make my thighs clench instinctively.
I’ve never been in heat before—never even come close. Could I be in heat now? I always thought I wasn’t much of an Omega. Sure, I had the biology for it, but I never felt the overwhelming surges of emotion or physical need that others talked about.
I’d never even needed suppressants. But this…this feels like something living under my skin, stretching and unfurling with an insistent hunger that I don’t know how to handle.
I try to focus on my breathing, willing the ache away, but it only makes me more aware of the slick beginning to gather between my legs. My scent feels like it’s spiraling out of control, thick and cloying in the air around me.
I squirm in the bed, my hands itching to wander to my clit, to ease the unbearable ache somehow. My fingers hover at the waistband of my shorts before I yank them back, growling in frustration.
“What the fuck is wrong with me?” I mutter, kicking the blankets off entirely.
Sitting up, I rake my hands through my hair and glance at the clock. The morning is nearly gone, and my throat is parched. Coffee and fresh air—that’s what I need. Anything to distract me from this…this thing happening inside me.
The house feels strangely empty as I make my way downstairs, the creak of the steps echoing in the silence. I expect to see Brodie, Tyler, or Ethan lingering in the kitchen or on the porch, but the note on the front door catches my eye instead.
We took the day off. Hope to see you later at the festival.
Brodie
Their absence should feel like a relief, but instead, it leaves a hole in my chest. My body aches with this foreign, restless energy, and without them here, the quiet feels oppressive.
I grab my coffee and step onto the front porch, hoping the cool sea breeze will clear my head. But it feels humid and stifling. Even the rolling hills stretching toward the cliffs and the ocean sparkling in the distance doesn’t settle me.
I sit down on the porch steps, wrapping my hands around my warm mug. The air smells of salt and pine, crisp and clean, but it does little to calm the storm brewing inside me. My mind keeps circling back to the three men who’ve upended my life in the span of weeks.
Ethan’s steady, intense presence. Tyler’s teasing smirks and playful touches. Brodie’s quiet strength and the way he watches me like he sees right through to my soul.
Their scents linger in the house, woven into the fabric of my days. Even now, I can almost sense them—Ethan’s smoky cedar smell, grounding and strong; Tyler’s sharp citrus scent, sparking against my skin; Brodie’s warm amber eyes, soft and unyielding all at once. Together, they feel like home.
But that thought scares me as much as it excites me. It’s only been a week. It seems far too soon for them to be so important in my life.
I sip my coffee, forcing myself to focus on the present. I need to move, to do something before this restless energy consumes me. I sit on the porch, my phone clutched in my hand. My mind drifts to Lily, and a wave of guilt washes over me.
It’s been too long since we really talked, and I hate how I left things all those years ago. But if there’s anyone who might help me sort through this mess—my body, my mind, and all the emotions clawing at me—it’s her.
Taking a deep breath, I type out a message.
Sophie: Hey, Lily. I hope this isn’t a bad time. If you’re free, I’d love to see you. Maybe grab coffee or go for a walk?
I hit send before I can overthink it. Almost immediately, my phone buzzes with a reply.
Lily: Sophie! You’re never a bad time. I’d love to see you. I’ve missed you!
Her words make my chest tighten, a mix of guilt and relief washing over me. I quickly type back.
Sophie: I’ve missed you too. I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to reach out.
Lily: Don’t even worry about that. We’ve got plenty of time to catch up. How about we meet in an hour? At the coffee stand at the festival?
I smile, feeling a little lighter for the first time all morning.
Sophie: That sounds perfect. I’ll see you there!
Lily: Looking forward to it. And Sophie? I’m glad you texted.
Her words linger with me, warming something deep inside of me. Maybe it’s the reassurance I didn’t realize I needed, the gnawing restlessness in my chest eases just a little.
Lily’s always had that effect on me—steady, warm, and grounding, even when I didn’t deserve it.
I tuck my phone into my pocket and head inside, already planning to shower and throw on something that doesn’t scream that I just rolled out of bed.
Ten minutes later, the fresh air hits my face as I step off the porch, deciding that walking to town is exactly what I need. The hour-long trek will help clear my head, and maybe by the time I see Lily, I’ll have sorted through at least some of the chaos swirling inside me.
The gravel crunches underfoot as I follow the winding path down toward town, the sea sparkling in the distance to my right. The festival is already in full swing, music and laughter carrying faintly on the breeze.
Normally, the sound would excite me, but today, it feels like a distant buzz compared to the noise in my head. My body is vibrating, and no matter how many deep breaths I take, the ache under my skin refuses to subside.
The lively hum of the festival hits me long before I reach the edge of town, a buzzing energy that feels both inviting and overwhelming all at once.
At the entrance, amidst the glow of lanterns and swirling laughter, I spot Lily standing by the little food truck coffee cart, her presence a steady anchor in the chaos.
Her familiar smile warms me instantly, and I lift my hand to wave as I approach. She looks…different but the same. Her strawberry blond hair is braided in a thick plait over her shoulder and there’s a glow about her. She’s even more radiant than I remember.
“Sophie!” she calls out, her voice bright as sunshine. She moves toward me, and it’s then that I notice her stomach leading the way. My eyes widen in delighted surprise.
“Oh my God! Lily, you’re pregnant?” I blurt out, my steps faltering as I take her in. A feeling settles deep in my chest that I don’t have words for. It’s envy, jealousy, and sadness but also joy for her.
I’ve never thought of having a family like that. Not until his moment. Before I can stop myself, an image of a toddler flits across my vision. The toddler has dark curls, Tyler’s smile and Ethan’s eyes. I shove the unexpected vision so far down that it will take a backhoe to dredge it up.
Lily laughs softly, brushing her hands over her belly like she’s still getting used to the idea herself. “Surprise,” she says, her tone light but a little guarded.
“Surprise? This is huge! Why didn’t Ethan say anything?” I ask, a mix of excitement and guilt rushing through me. “How far along are you?”
She shrugs, the easy smile staying firmly in place. “Nine months. I guess I’ve been…keeping it low-key. And you and Ethan haven’t exactly been on conversational terms.” She laughs with no censure in her voice.
I blush remembering just how far past conversation we were last night. I can sense there’s more that she’s not saying, but I don’t push. “Well, congratulations,” I say sincerely, stepping forward to pull her into a hug. “You look amazing. Pregnancy suits you.”
She laughs again, patting my back. “Thanks. But I feel like a whale most days.”
We grab our coffee and start walking toward the festival, the sound of children’s laughter mingling with the clinking of game booths and the wafting scent of fried dough. It’s a comforting chaos, and I find myself relaxing a little as we fall into step. I find that I like the energy.
“So,” Lily starts, her tone light but she gives me a teasing side eye as she takes a long drink from her straw. “Tell me about the boys. Seems like you’ve had your hands full since you got back,” she says with a knowing wink.