Sophia’s POV
Alex opened the car door and pulled me out even before Hunter managed to stop fully. I chuckled and hugged him back tightly. I missed him.
“The car was still moving, Alex,” I heard Hunter grunt angrily.
Alex just growled at him.
“Are you okay?” Alex asked me. “Is it back? Can you feel it? Are you in pain?”
I rubbed his back and shook my head.
“I am okay,” I said. “I can’t feel it yet.”
Alex sighed in relief and let me go. He looked me up and down and I saw him relax a little after he was sure that I was okay.
I looked behind him and smiled at my parents. My mom reached out for me and I hugged her tightly.
“Congratulations, honey,” she said quietly. “You have an amazing mate.”
I smiled and nodded. She was right. My mate was the most amazing man in the world.
My dad was on the phone with someone, but he pulled me into a tight hug and kissed the top of my head.
“Yes, Mom, she is back,” I heard my dad say and a huge smile spread across my face.
“Is that grandma?” I asked and he nodded.
He gave me the phone immediately and I grabbed it.
“Grandma!” I exclaimed excitedly.
I missed her so much. I was so worried about her. My dad didn’t tell me much. I knew that her condition worsened and that she was resting at Uncle Drake’s pack. She was there with my aunt and cousins. I was glad, though. I wanted them as far away from this mess as possible.
“Hi, Muffin,” my grandma said softly. “I miss you.”
Tears gathered in my eyes. I missed hearing her call me that. She called me muffin because I always begged her to make me some. I loved them so much and I would eat them until I was sick.
“I miss you too, Grandma,” I said as I felt a tear fall on my cheek. “How are you?”
“A bit better, sweetie,” she said. “Amy and Drake are spoiling me. I will have to tell your dad that my standards have gone up.”
I chuckled and looked at my dad. He just shook his head and smiled.
“How is Aunt Daisy?” I asked my grandma. “How are the kids?”
“They are all great, Muffin,” my grandma said. “I feel like a queen. They are spoiling me a lot.”
“You deserve it, Grandma,” I said softly. “I want you to be as pampered as possible. We have a lot to gossip about when you come back.”
My grandma laughed and a warm feeling spread around my body. I missed her so much.
“Oh, I can’t wait, Muffin,” she said. “I will be back soon, okay? You won’t be in there for long, I am sure of it. You have an amazing mom who will find a way. I am sure of it.”
I looked at my mom and smiled.
“I know,” I said as I approached my mom and leaned my head on her shoulder. “She is the best.”
My mom smiled and wrapped her arms around me. She kissed my forehead and rubbed my back gently.
“Will you put your dad back on the phone, Muffin?” my grandma asked. “I need to talk to him about something.”
I looked at my dad and he reached for the phone immediately.
“Of course, Grandma,” I said. “I love you so much.”
“I love you too, Muffin,” she said softly.
I gave my phone to my dad. He took it from me and walked a bit further to talk to my grandma.
“Where are others?” I asked.
“Anna is making lunch,” my mom said as she ran her fingers through my hair. “Hunter’s parents went on a run. It’s been a while since they shifted and their wolves became anxious. Andrew and Mason are in the room making sure that we didn’t forget anything.”
I nodded and let go of my mom. Alex pulled me back to him immediately. I wrapped my arm around his waist and looked up at him. I smiled and leaned my head on his chest.
“Is the room ready?” I asked and Alex tensed up.
“It is,” he said. “I thought that we could spend the rest of the day together. You can go in there tonight.”
I wanted to go now. I was already on the verge of changing my mind and I knew that it would be harder for me to go in there if I stayed with them longer.
“I want to go now, Alex,” I said quietly. “It will be harder later.”
Alex tightened his arms around me. I rubbed his back and looked back up at him. The pain I saw on his face almost made me whimper. I gave him a reassuring smile.
“I put your favorite blanket in there,” Alex said quietly. “There are more in the closet if you get cold.”
My heart clenched. I nodded and took a deep breath.
“Is there anything else you want me to bring you?” Alex asked and I shook my head.
“My blanket is all I need,” I said, giving him another small smile.
The blanket he was talking about was actually his. He borrowed it to me when we were kids while I was struggling with a pretty bad darkness attack. I never gave it back to him. It became my solace and I couldn’t let it go.
Alex leaned in and kissed my forehead. I let him go and looked at my mom.
“Can you give me some of your books, Mom?” I asked her. “I would like to make use of my time in there. Maybe I find something.”
My mom gave me a small smile and nodded.
“They are already in there, honey,” she said.
I smiled and looked at my dad who approached us.
“Is grandma okay?” I asked and he gave me a small smile.
“She is fine, princess,” my dad said as he reached out for me. “She just wanted me to explain our next steps.”
I nodded as I walked into his arms and hugged him tightly. I took a deep breath and let my dad’s familiar scent soothe me.
“Are you ready, honey?” my mom asked and I nodded.
It was time for me to get back in there. I had full confidence that my mom would find a way soon. I had full confidence that I would be back in my family’s arms in just a few short days.
I had to believe it. I couldn’t let myself believe anything else.
I would be back with my family in no time. I was sure of it.
