Chapter 616: The Price of Being Seen

Sophia did not remember the last time she had felt that light.

It lingered even after she left the garden that day, tucked somewhere quiet inside her chest, fragile and glowing in a way she did not have words for.

She had laughed freely. The boy had told her jokes that made her laugh. They had run through the garden together, and she had fallen down numerous times, but that didn’t stop the joy she felt. That didn’t stop the happiness she was currently basking in.

And he had told her he would be her friend forever, her best friend. The only real friend she had was her wolf, and now she had another.

And he wasn’t going to be just her friend for the day, but forever.

Sophia sat on the edge of her bed that night, her fingers curled lightly into the fabric of her dress as she stared at nothing in particular.

She would see him again.

In two days.

That was what he had said.

That was what she had agreed to.

"I’ll speak with my mother," she had told him.

And she had meant it. She was going to ask her mother to let her see the boy again. She wasn’t sure her mother would let her, but she was willing to try.

Sophia lowered her head slowly, her hair slipping forward over her shoulders, the uneven strands catching faint light.

She should have known, though, that things wouldn’t go her way.

She really should.

—

Two days later, Sophia sneaked out again because she had asked her mother if she could see the boy, and her mother had said no. But Sophia wanted to see the boy.

She had promised she would see him in two days. She didn’t plan to waste time. She would just see him and tell him to go. That was all she planned.

But alas, once more, fate had other plans, because when she got to the garden, her mother was right there.

She had not even fully made it all the way into the garden when she saw her mother.

Sophia swallowed when she saw her, fear clouding her features.

"Mum," she said softly.

And it was at that point that the boy showed up, and his eyes were wide in shock when he saw Sophia and her mother.

Sophia stared at the boy in shock too, just as her mother’s smile widened. Sophia knew then that her mother knew the boy was there in the garden.

"Is this why you wished to come out to the garden?" her mother asked her in a soft voice.

Her mother’s gaze was now on the boy, not focusing on Sophia.

Sophia’s heart began to pound.

"No," she said immediately. "I... I don’t even know him."

She lied.

Her mother hummed softly.

"Really?"

Sophia nodded.

"Yes."

Her mother stepped forward, but not toward Sophia—toward the boy.

Sophia reached out without thinking, her fingers clutching lightly at the fabric of her mother’s dress.

"He’s no one," she said quickly. "He probably just got lost."

Her mother paused.

Then looked down at her.

"Is that so?"

Sophia nodded again.

"Yes."

Her mother smiled.

Then she continued walking.

She stopped in front of the boy.

Up close, the difference between them was clearer.

He was trying to stand straight.

Trying not to look afraid.

But his eyes betrayed him.

Her mother tilted her head slightly.

"You look familiar," she said softly.

The boy swallowed audibly.

"What pack do you belong to?" her mother asked.

The boy looked at Sophia, but her mother spoke up. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

"It would do you good to answer me, boy. My daughter is not the one asking you the questions," she said.

The boy nodded. "I... I’m... the Nightshade pack."

Her mother raised a brow at that and then laughed quietly.

But something in it made Sophia’s stomach drop.

"Nightshade," she repeated.

Then her gaze shifted slightly.

Back to Sophia.

Then to him again.

"Do you know her?"

The boy hesitated again and stole a quick glance at Sophia, who shook her head.

They had not known each other for long, but the boy understood immediately.

"No," he said. "I don’t."

Her mother’s smile widened.

"Really?"

"Yes," he said. "I was playing with friends, and I... I got lost along the way."

Her mother studied him for a moment longer.

Then she stepped back.

"Since you got lost and managed to find your way to my garden, then leave," she said.

The boy did not move immediately.

His gaze shifted again.

Back to Sophia.

She mouthed for him to go, and he hesitated again before turning and running away.

But even as he did, he turned occasionally, his gaze searching for Sophia as if making sure she was okay.

At some point, he stopped, and Sophia watched as he turned. It was obvious he was debating approaching her, and Sophia knew if he did, then things would get worse, so she stood where she was, hoping the boy would leave.

And perhaps he heard her, because he turned and left this time without looking back.

The garden fell quiet after he left.

Sophia did not move.

She couldn’t even breathe properly.

"Sophia," her mother said, her gaze now on Sophia.

"Surely," she said lightly, "you do not take me for a fool."

Sophia shook her head immediately.

"I don’t know him."

Her voice was smaller now.

Her mother’s smile did not change.

"I know that you do."

Sophia’s throat tightened.

"I don’t—"

Her mother raised a hand slightly.

And Sophia fell silent.

The gesture was small.

But it was enough.

Her mother stepped closer.

Close enough that Sophia could feel her presence like something pressing against her skin.

"You should not worry," she said softly.

Sophia blinked in shock.

"But you should understand something," her mother said, resting her hand softly against Sophia’s cheek.

"The blood of the Nightshade pack," she said, her voice still soft, still calm, "will be on your hands."

Sophia’s world stopped.

Her knees hit the ground before she realized she had moved.

"I’m sorry," she said immediately.

The words came out broken.

"I’m sorry—I won’t do it again—I promise—I didn’t—"

Tears blurred her vision.

"I’m sorry."

Her mother watched her, a smile on her face.

"Sophia," she said gently.

Sophia’s hands pressed into the ground.

Her shoulders shook.

"I’m sorry."

Her mother crouched in front of her.

Close enough that their eyes met.

"Do you remember what I told you?" she asked softly.

"That everything I do..." her mother continued, brushing a tear from Sophia’s cheek, "...is for you."

Sophia nodded.

"Yes."

"That I love you."

"Yes."

"That I protect you."

"Yes."

Sophia’s voice broke.

Her mother smiled.

"Good."

She leaned in slightly.

"If people find out who you are," she whispered, "it will be dangerous."

Sophia nodded.

"I know."

"And yet," her mother continued softly, "you disobeyed me."

Sophia lowered her head.

"I’m sorry."

Her mother’s smile widened.

"Sorry," she repeated.

Then she tilted her head slightly.

"You do not truly believe that I did not know he was in my garden, do you?"

Sophia stilled.

Her mother’s fingers brushed lightly against her jaw, lifting her gaze.

"I knew," she said softly. "From the moment he stepped inside. From the first time he stepped foot into my garden, I knew. He came with friends too, didn’t he? And even today, he came with some others from his pack."

Sophia’s vision blurred further.

Her chest tightened painfully.

Her mother’s eyes held hers.

"I simply needed a reason, and now," she said gently, "you have given me one."

Sophia would later come to understand that it had never been about the garden, nor her disobedience. He had just made things easier for her mother.

Her hands curled into fists against the ground.

Her shoulders shook.

"I’m sorry," she whispered again.

But her mother was already gone, and her sorry meant nothing.