#sophden

[sexyrasputin]

for reference for tags

[sexyrasputin]

“No.”

Arden looked at her, feigning hurt. “What do you mean, no?”

Sophie rolled her eyes at him. “I mean, no! You’re a werewolf, you can’t be a vampire for Halloween!”

“Isn’t the whole point of Halloween to dress up and play pretend?” He was teasing her now, using her earlier words against her when she tried to talk him into going as bumblebees. It had been a joke to see how far she could get him to go, but Arden had preferred the idea of a bird and a bee.

Sophie did not prefer said idea.

“Well, yes, but that’s not the point!” she spluttered. Arden still had that sexy, devilish smirk on his face. Despite her (mostly playful) frustration, she wanted to kiss it off him. But that could come later. After she failed to win (Arden would probably always be more stubborn than her).

“Then what’s the point?” Arden was challenging her. She scowled.

“The point is... the point is that vampires and werewolves are both real and probably hate each other! You told me yourself that vampires don’t go near werewolves!” That revelation had come right after Sophie moved in with Arden.

He apparently did not remember this.

“Soph, vampires aren’t real...”

Her eyes blew open wider than the moon. “What? You told me they were!”

“I probably did, but I must have been joking.”

Gone was the devilish grin now. Now he had furrowed brows and a slight frown.

“Arden!” Sophie whined, “why do you never tell me anything correctly? First you just told me that the mark would hurt, not that Nolan would make a big deal out of it. Then you didn’t tell me about the honeymoon stage! Now you’re saying you lied about vampires being real?” She wasn’t actually angry. Arden did truly forget the first two times. Sophie wasn’t upset about that. And she wasn’t technically upset about the vampire thing. It was annoying, since it had stressed her out for a few hours at first, but Arden didn’t need to know that. Let him think she was upset. He could feel bad for a bit.

Arden’s head dropped in shame. Good. Sophie’s plan was working. Usually, she’d never pretend to be upset. And they both knew she was only upset about the vampire thing. But this? This was so trivial that she didn’t feel had toying with Arden on this one.

Plus, the whole wolf clothing replacement hadn’t worked the last time she tried to prank him. She had upped her game. This would work. It had to.

“Sorry,” he mumbled. “I guess I should let you know that when a rogue werewolf bites a human in wolf form, they can make them a werewolf, too.”

Sophie blanched. “They what?” Her voice was a shriek, and not for the first time, Sophie regretted that everyone else in the house had superhearing. Even being on the top floor, with only offices underneath them on the second floor, she knew that people could probably hear every word.

Arden finally looked up, that devilish grin back on his face.

Oh how Sophie wanted to kill him sometimes. And by that she meant kiss him until he gave up and stopped teasing her. Not that she didn’t love the teasing, it was wonderful in a weird way, but kissing him was a great way to work out frustrations.

Sophie stormed over, folding her arms over her chest. Arden laughed at her, but he pulled her into a hug.

She still wasn’t actually upset, so she wrapped her arms back around her mate. “You’re lucky I love you.”

“I am.” His emphatic words were sweet, and Sophie snuggled closer.

“You’re also lucky I don’t actually care about vampires being real or not. But you’re still not going as one for Halloween. Black is not my color and I’m not dressing up as an angel again. I only do Halloween costumes once.”

The rumbling in his chest clued Sophie into his laughter before the sounds left his mouth. She rolled her eyes.

“Fine, no vampires or angels. I do have one idea, though...”

“What’s that?” Sophie looked up to him, quizzical. He was grinning even more now.

“You go as a werewolf, and I go as a human.”

“Arden!” But she was laughing, too.

“What? You said Halloween is all about dressing up as something we’re not. You’re not a wolf, I’m not a human,” he laughed.

Arden, Sophie hated to admit, had a point. “Fine. But I’m gonna pick out my own outfit. And yours.” She’d make him wear something ridiculous. Maybe she could get Nolan and Violet to help her with that...

Arden sighed. “Fine. But only ‘cause I love you.”

Sophie looked up to him with her own mischievous grin. “I love you, too.”

His gaze narrowed. “I’m gonna regret agreeing to this, aren’t I?”

“No, ‘cause it’s your idea.” Arden groaned. She took the chance to stand on her tiptoes and kiss his cheek.

“I’m lucky to have you, too,” Sophie said. Arden’s grin was now sweet, no longer teasing and scheming. That didn’t stop Sophie from wanting to kiss it off his face, though. So she kissed him.

Maybe she couldn’t prank him like she wanted to, but at least she could always kiss him like she wanted to.

[sexyrasputin]

Sophie had been on a cooking kick the last few days, which sadly meant being in Zan’s territory. That being said, Zan was hiding out in her room and giving Sophie space, for which she was supremely grateful.

But cooking meant grocery shopping, and since Zan was hiding out, that meant Sophie had to go get the ingredients she wanted herself. Which of course meant that Arden had tagged along. He claimed boredom, but Sophie knew he just wanted every second of time with her that he could get. Not that she could blame him. Sophie felt the same way with him after their time apart.

“Can you go get the vegetable broth? I’ll pick up the heavy cream,” she said to Arden, looking up at him with her wide eyes.

“Can’t we go together?” he asked with a small frown. Sophie giggled at his petulance. Clingy Arden was cute.

“Efficiency is key. This sauce takes a few hours to cook and I want to eat it for our dinner tonight.” Considering how it was already well past two in the afternoon, they needed to be quick if they were going to eat at six.

With a playful scowl and some muttered words, Arden headed in the opposite direction of her. Not for the first time, Sophie wished she had werewolf hearing. But also, then she’d hear almost everything that went on in the pack house. Maybe she was fine with her human hearing. Kaya and Demetrius’ room may have been in the basement, but Sophie wasn’t about to take any chances with them and hearing any noises they made.

She hummed to herself as she walked towards the dairy section, a basket hanging from her arm. Of course, though, she managed to trip on her own feet. Luckily, though, Sophie caught herself against one of the shelves, nearly knocking some boxes off in the process. Great. Her klutziness had somehow gotten better since reuniting with Arden, even better than it had been before their separation of sorts. Too bad her curse hadn’t dissipated completely. One day she’d get the crystals in her ears figured out so she could actually have a normal balance.

“Sophie?” someone asked. Her head shot up, looking straight ahead. The same someone chuckled and walked into view. “I thought that was you. I’d recognize that tripping anywhere.”

She turned to better face her new companion, a grin spreading across her face at the sight of him.

“Nick, hey! I haven’t seen you in ages.” Sophie had dated Nick for well over a year, and they’d somehow managed to stay friends after they both naturally fell out of love. They didn’t talk very often, but it was a fun surprise to see him!

“How have you been, Soph?” he asked, a smile as bright as hers on his face.

“I’ve been pretty good. College is going well, I’ve moved out, I’m just enjoying life.” Oh, and werewolves existed and she’d met her soulmate. But Nick didn’t need to know that bit. “How have you been? Did you get to go on that study abroad trip yet?”

For years, her ex had dreamed of studying in Germany. They’d been great friends up until they broke up, and now they were just good friends, so Sophie knew almost everything about Nick.

He shook his head. “No, but I have it scheduled for next year. I’m working at my dad’s office downtown until then to save up more money.”

Before Sophie could reply, a familiar arm snaked around her waist. Her grin grew brighter as Arden made contact.

“Who’s this?” he asked, his voice gruffer than usual. Sophie rolled her eyes. Of course Arden was going to get possessive and protective; he was an alpha male.

“This is Nick. He’s one of my oldest friends,” she introduced. “Nick, this is my boyfriend, Arden.” Also known as the love of her life, but again, Nick didn’t need to know that.

“How come I haven’t about him before then?” Arden asked Sophie with a frown.

“Because he and I grew apart after we broke up. He’ll always be a great friend, though.” Arden hmphed, and Sophie looked over to see if Nick was being judgmental or if he was scared.

Turns out he was in awe.

“Wait, Sophie, are you telling me you managed to date the guy you had a crush on for half of high school?”

A blush covered Sophie’s cheeks, and she didn’t have to look at her mate to know he was smirking. Of course Nick had to remember her major crush. Which really wasn’t embarrassing, but Arden’s reaction of pride and overconfidence always made her blush.

“Yeah, we’ve been together for a few months,” Sophie answered, subconsciously leaning against Arden. She let go of the shelf she’d still been holding onto.

“How’d you two even get together? We always thought you were a drug dealer or something.”

This time Arden was the one laughing.

“It was fate. Or destiny,” Sophie answered as Arden calmed down.

“Or a horse,” Nick retorted with ease, sending both him and Sophie into a fit of giggles.

“Hey, babe. Efficiency,” Arden whispered a few minutes later after she and Nick had gone on talking. Her eyes opened wider.

“Crap! You’re right. I have to go make this special cream sauce for dinner. It was really great seeing you, Nick! We’ll have to get together sometime,” Sophie grinned. She stepped out of Arden’s arms, giving her old friend a quick hug before waving goodbye and walking in the opposite direction.

Sophie was almost entirely sure that Arden glared at Nick as she walked away. She didn’t want to confirm, though.

“Somebody gets jealous,” Sophie teased, poking Arden’s side as they walked towards the rest of their ingredients.

“I was not jealous,” he grumbled weakly. They both knew it was a lie, and Sophie couldn’t help but giggle at the fact.

“Okay, Arden. But you totally got jealous. At least you’re cute when you’re like that.” He wasn’t the possessive, controlling jealous type. He was just the possessive jealous type. Which meant he was very cute.

“So I’m cute, huh? I’m glad you acknowledged it.”

“Yeah, but I’m cuter.”

Arden stopped in the middle of the aisle, smiling down at his mate.

“You are, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.” Sophie giggled again, pulling Arden’s face towards her for a sweet kiss. She pulled away quickly.

“Efficiency, Arden. Let’s keep going.”

[sexyrasputin]

She hadn’t planned on drinking. And she certainly hadn’t planned on getting drunk. But alas. That clearly hadn’t worked out the way she thought it would.

And now here she was, stumbling up to the front door of the pack house and fumbling with the handle. After a few moments, she managed to open it and practically tumbled into the front room.

Maybe going out with Kaela and Jenny hadn’t been her best idea.

“Sophie? Are you okay?” Violet asked, hurrying over to Sophie as she lay face down on the hardwood floor.

“I think I’m drunk,” she hiccuped, not moving from where she lay. Violet furrowed her brows, sitting down besides Sophie. Arden was not going to be happy about this.

“Why?” Violet asked. She knew her friend hadn’t been doing great, but if Sophie was drinking, then this was way worse than they had all realized.

“Because I had alcohol, I think,” she answered seriously. Violet sighed, and crouched instead of sitting.

“Can you get up, Sophie?”

“Probably.”

“Are you gonna get up?”

“Eventually.” With a few murmured words, Violet pulled her phone out and dialed Nolan. He’d know what to do.

“Hey, babe, what’s up?” he greeted cheerily. But he was always happy when talking to Violet.

“Sophie is drunk and lying face down on the ground. I think she’s okay, but she isn’t getting up, either. Can you come help?” she asked nervously. Hopefully her mate wasn’t with Arden. He wouldn’t exactly handle this well.

“No, but Arden can,” Nolan answered, definitely smirking. It was almost as if he had planned this.

“Nol, I don’t think that’s a very good idea...” Actually, she knew that wasn’t a very good idea, but glancing back down at Sophie (who was now humming), she couldn’t think of a better one. They were mates...

“I think it’s a great idea. Why don’t you come join me upstairs and we can let the lovebirds deal with themselves?” Violet sighed, but agreed, and hung up the phone. Now she just had to wait for Arden to show. Luckily, he was there what must have been two seconds later.

“Why is she drunk? Who let her get drunk?” Arden growled, glaring at a terrified Violet. Sure, she finally called him Arden now and not Alpha Mitchell, but that didn’t make him less horrifying.

“I’m-I’m not sure why. I only know she went out with her friends,” she stammered, backing up. Arden grumbled something explicit and scooped a loopy Sophie into his arms. Violet just knew this wasn’t going to end well.

////

“I’m dizzy,” Sophie whimpered as Arden carried her upstairs. He knew he’d regret this later, but he’d take care of her in his room. It was more comfortable than the room she was staying in, and it should have been their room to begin with.

“You’re drunk, Sophie, what did you expect?” Arden grumbled. He wanted to be angry at her for being stupid and getting drunk for the first time, but he only felt concern. Not that he’d let her see that. He was still frustrated with her indecisiveness about what she wanted from him.

But he couldn’t believe she was stupid enough to get drunk. This wasn’t the Sophie he knew and loved. Something really was wrong here, way more than he had realized before.

“I dunno,” Sophie murmured, pulling Arden out of his thoughts. “I expected it to be more fun. It’s always more fun when you’re not the drunk one.” She’d been around her friends when they were drunk, but this was the first time they’d convinced her to drink anything. Sure, they didn’t know any of the details of what was wrong between her and Arden, but they knew there was plenty of trouble in paradise, to the point where it had become hell.

“Why’d you get drunk?” Arden sighed, setting his intoxicated mate down on what used to be her side of the bed. She immediately snuggled up with one of his pillows in her arms, already curled under the blanket.

“Can you tuck me in?” Sophie yawned, already having forgotten about his question. His bed was too comfortable to think about why she was drunk. Grumbling something only a werewolf could hear, he complied and wrapped his blankets around her. It looked like he’d be sleeping on the couch tonight, because no way was he going to recreate what happened last time. Sophie didn’t know what she wanted yet, so he wasn’t going to push his luck. Even if it did mean he’d sleep even worse than usual since his precious mate was a few feet away, and he couldn’t hold her in any way.

“Why’d you get drunk?” Arden asked again, slightly gentler this time.

“I dunno,” she answered, but he knew it was a lie. Sophie looked away, and then to another spot, and then another. So she was even worse at lying when drunk. He sighed again, running a hand through his dark hair.

“Soph, why are you drunk?” he asked a third time. Impatience started to fill his soul, a feeling he’d never felt with Sophie before Zan happened. Arden focused his gaze on his mate, who now had tears in her eyes.

“Because— because I wanted to?” That also wasn’t true. He gave her a flat look, one which only made her cry and broke his heart entirely. Crap. He’d made her cry.

“I don’t feel good, Arden,” she whimpered, looking up at him through her eyelashes. “Can you hold me?” And there went his heart again.

“I can’t. You’ll just get mad at me for it when you’re sober,” he told her dejectedly.

“Please?” A shake of his head.

“Pretty please?” Another shake and more tears from her.

“I’ll tell you why I drank,” Sophie bargained through the waterworks and sniffles. In defeat, Arden sighed, and laid now next to his mate. Hesitantly, and way too slowly, he placed an arm around her. And in an instant, his heart began to heal. He had his love back in his arms, if only for the night.

“I want you, Arden,” Sophie finally spoke, surprising him immensely. She wanted him? Didn’t she hate his guts half the time? No, Sophie didn’t want him. She couldn’t want him.

“That’s the alcohol talking, Soph,” he sighed in frustration, but he didn’t pull away.

“No. It’s why I drank. Because I want you. But I’m also scared,” she murmured weakly. He froze. She wanted him, but she was scared? What was she scared of? Was she scared of him? There went his heart. Again. Sophie was scared of Arden. Now there were tears in his eyes.

“I’m so sorry, Sophie.” His whispered words brought a shrug.

“It’s okay. Can we be quiet now? I want to sleep while I’m not dizzy.”

Arden stayed with Sophie until she fell asleep, but at that painful point, he pulled away and moved to the couch. Maybe Sophie did want him, but that was the alcohol bringing it out, and she wouldn’t want to admit that in the morning.

[sexyrasputin]

sophie is back (and sadly so are other certain ppl)

So desperately did Sophie want for everything to be okay again. She wanted to go back to the normalcy she had grown up with and had grown comfortable with with Arden. Sophie wanted nothing to do with werewolves, with packs, with mates, with anything complicated. She just wanted to go back to before Demetrius interrupted her life and set everything on a downhill slope.

But Arden had said something completely true that night. Life was never going to go back to her version of normal ever again. It would always be Arden's version of normal.

Sometimes she wished she had never met him.

The thought hit with a speeding train to the stomach. No. No she didn't wish she hadn't met Arden. She didn't fully regret everything with him. She just wished she could have done it differently. Maybe they could have taken things more slowly. Maybe he could have told her about werewolves and mates when they were both closer to ready. Maybe they could have had a normal relationship before everything came to light. Then none of this chaos would have happened, right?

But no. Zan would have happened no matter what. Zan, the creator of all chaos in the house. Zan, who just loved playing Moon Goddess.

Sophie understood why Zan hated Arden and why she hated almost everybody. She knew Zan's story about inadequacy, about never fitting into the human or werewolf worlds, about a mother who didn't want her, about a dead best friend and the twin brother who caused the death living it up and having what appeared to be a perfect life. Sophie knew all of that. But that didn't excuse Zan's behavior. That didn't excuse purposefully ruining Sophie's relationship with Arden. Her "friend" had claimed that she had Sophie's best interests at heart, but the only interests in Zan's heart were her own. If she even had a heart. According to Ben she did, but Ben saw the good in even the scum of the earth. He'd be able to find the positive traits in Sophie's dad.

Shaking her head and trying not to explode with anger, especially after Demetrius' comment about Arden not doing anything for her, she fell back against her bed. What hurt and angered her the most was that he was right. Arden wouldn't do anything for Sophie anymore. As scared as she was of him, of the chaos he brought wherever he went, she still loved him. She still wanted to be with him. At least sometimes she did. And Sophie had ruined whatever relationship they had had.

A few minutes passed of silent crying, her shoulders shaking as she gasped for breath. In a house full of werewolves, she knew people heard her. But just like Arden, they didn't care about her anymore either. She had truly ruined everything. And to think that while things sucked before Zan revealed the truth that should have come from Arden, Sophie had thought she was alone then. But she had had a lot more people to lose than just her little siblings.

Slowly, Sophie forced herself to sit up against the wall, her wolf stuffed animal and Nunny hugged tightly to her chest.

Before any more crying and wallowing in her misery could happen, her door opened. The daggers in her eyes matched the fury in Sophie's heart as she met Zan's gaze.

"Go away, Zan. I don't want to hear it." Zan, unfortunately, did not go away. Instead, she waltzed in and sat at the desk that was still covered with her belongings.

"No, Sophie. You're gonna hear it. I can't believe you went to Arden last night! Don't you know how horrible he is for you?" she exclaimed, her voice echoing out of the small room and through the open door. More than likely, without advanced hearing, the whole house could hear her.

"Oh, you can't believe that I had a nightmare and that I still care about him? You can't believe that my emotions aren't cut and dry like yours? You can't believe that I actually have emotions other than anger?" Sophie spat out, her tone acerbic and acidic. She really, really wished that Zan was the one who had never come into her life. Losing her siblings had been hard enough, but losing Arden, maybe once and for all? Sophie wasn't sure she'd survive that one.

"Yeah, I can't! You know what a monster he is and what he's like!" Zan screamed back.

"No, Zan, I know what a monster you are. You don't care about me at all and we both know it. Everybody knows it. You only care about hurting Arden. I get it, your best friend died and he's probably to blame. But did you ever realize that he lost his sister? And that you are a constant reminder of that? Did you ever realize that I've lost a sister and a mom, that I know exactly what you're going through? People suck, Zan. Grow up and get used to it. That or get out of all of our lives, because the only one that wants you here anymore is your mate."

Sophie didn't know where the confidence to stand up to Zan had come from. She didn't know where that empathy for Arden or her own anger had come from. But it was about dang time that it got out.

Even without supernaturally skilled hearing, Sophie could hear someone breathing in the doorway. She could see out of the corner of her eyes Ben's familiar light hair. Yeah, he'd come to try and keep the peace. But that wasn't possible anymore. Not after Zan had encouraged Sophie to ruin the last good thing in her life.

Zan stood up from the desk, seething with bitter anger. Sophie knew that Zan knew she was right. She could see it in her face, in the tense lines in her forehead and the guilt in her eyes. Zan hated herself as much as everybody else hated her.

For a few tense moments there was silent, but it snapped when Zan picked up a picture frame and threw it against the wall over Sophie's head.

"Zan! Don't!" Ben raced into the room, grabbing hold of his mate before she could throw something else, something that definitely would have hit Sophie in the face.

"Get out of this house already, Zan, if you hate us all so much. Goodness knows we feel the same way about you." Zan's jaw dropped open at Sophie's cruel comment, something that sounded like something Arden would say. Ben glared at Sophie, and this was the first time she had ever seen him angry. Guilt tried to creep into her heart, but the anger fenced off her emotions. Nothing more was said as Ben pulling a screaming Zan out of the room and slammed the door behind him. Yeah, maybe Sophie had just burned the only bridges she had left, but she knew this time it was for the best.

[sexyrasputin]

serious sophie

Truth be told, Sophie hadn't wanted to help Arden. But she found herself walking up to his bathroom and helping him anyways. Then, like the utter idiot she was, she had kissed him. Passionately.

At least Sophie never claimed she was smart. If she had been smart she never would have chosen Arden over her family in the first place, no matter how much she loved him. And after hearing about what Arden had done, well, Sophie wasn't so sure she loved him that much anymore.

It wasn't like he had done anything inherently wrong, but he wasn't the man she thought him to be. And she wasn't sure she could continue to love him.

Sophie paced the floor of Zan's room--her room now--with a hand in her hair. She wanted to talk to Violet or Ben, but they would just try and coax her to get back together with Arden, or at least give him another chance. So Zan sat on Sophie's bed, watching as she paced frantically.

"I can't believe I kissed him, Zan. That was such a stupid mistake!" she whimpered. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Zan nod in agreement. Not helpful, but at least her friend was honest.

"Yeah, it was. But hey, you're out of here in a few weeks when you move into the dorms, right?" With an anguished sigh, Sophie stopped in her tracks.

"No, actually. Because my dad officially disowned me and is no longer going to be paying for my college. And while my scholarships cover tuition, they only cover half of even the cheapest dorm options, and I can't take out a loan by myself. So I'm stuck." Tears filled Sophie's eyes as she finally let the troubling news out. For a week she had been trying to pretend it wasn't true, and she had been trying to contact her dad as usual. Sophie didn't like not having her family. She had made a major mistake. She had given up everything good in her life, everything that really mattered, for a crazy werewolf with anger issues who was now putting her life at risk just by being important to him. Yeah, Sophie had messed up big time.

The sobs came slowly, but Sophie crawled into her bed, grasping Nunny tightly. But even her comfort blanket couldn't help now. Her head was so dizzy still. She couldn't focus or think or concentrate or anything. Her heart ached more than it had when her Mom left or when Jessie had died. Something about losing the man she thought she loved because he wasn't who she thought he was in addition to losing her family absolutely wrecked Sophie.

"I just- I don't know what I'm going to do Zan. I'm basically stuck here until I can get a job and save up enough to get my own crappy place. And I just- I feel so alone. I left my family, and it's not like I can trust Arden, even when he's literally all my brain will let me think about. And on top of it all I'm completely dizzy, worse than my worst concussion, and nothing is helping," she whimpered. Zan sat up straighter. Dizzy? She knew that feeling all too well. After the whole mess with Ben that had gone on for two years, well, Zan knew what it was like to be dizzy. And as much as she hated it, Arden was the only solution.

"Sophie, the reason you're so dizzy is because of the mate bo-" A pillow hit Zan in the face before she could finish.

"Enough with the stupid mate business! I'm sick of this. I'm sick of being involved here and with werewolves and having a soulmate or whatever, especially one that clearly isn't actually my soul mate! I just want to go home!" Full body sobs wracked Sophie, and she tried to muffle her crying with her blanket but it wasn't working. She couldn't stop crying. Everything inside of her hurt. She just wanted things to go back to the way they were before she met Arden on the day of Annabeth's funeral. The sister he'd been so stupid with that she got killed.

Realistically, Sophie knew that Arden would never live down the guilt of his sister dying. Sophie still blamed herself for Jessie's death, and her sister's suicide had had absolutely nothing to do with anybody but the bullies at school and their mom. So actually being the cause of it? As well as so many other lives? Sophie couldn't imagine the guilt that wracked Arden constantly. And she didn't want to. She didn't even want to understand what he was going through. She didn't want to feel sympathy or empathy. All she wanted was to forget about him for good and never ever see him again. But judging by her current financial predicaments and this stupid mate bond bull crap, that would never be possible.

For the first time ever, Sophie understood how Jessie could ever feel so hopeless and alone that she took her own life.

[sexyrasputin]

After a few blissful days at the cabin, Sophie and Arden finally returned to the pack house. They’d spent the night in their room, cuddling and kissing more than sleeping. Sophie was tired now as Arden cooked her chocolate chip pancakes, but he seemed as awake as ever. Probably because he was used to not getting sleep.

“Good morning,” Violet greeted, walking into the kitchen with Nolan in tow. Sophie spun around on the stool to see them. But this was Sophie, and she nearly fell off the stool as she spun. Sighing, she caught herself on one of the other stools before sitting straighter.

“Morning.” The effervescent grin on Sophie’s face must have triggered something in Nolan, who bent in two and began to (from the looks and sounds of it) dry heave. Worry flashed over Sophie’s face, but after looking around, it seemed she was the only one concerned. Arden had an amused glare, and Violet looked horrified.

None of this stopped Nolan as he continued to (apparently pretend) to throw up.

“Uh, is he okay?” Sophie asked, facing her best friend with concern. Violet sighed, but Arden interrupted before she could answer.

“He’s just being an annoying idiot again.” Sophie looked back over to her mate before glancing at a now laughing Nolan.

“I can see that. Is anyone going to tell me why? Because everybody seems to know but me...” she trailed off, eyeing Nolan nervously as he stood with a stupid grin.

“It’s nothing, you just reek,” he explained a little too happily. Violet gasped loudly, and Sophie froze. She had showered that morning! No way she smelled. Did she smell? Arden hadn’t said anything. He was probably just being too nice.

“Skredsvig,” Arden growled lowly. Nolan kept grinning. “Get out of here before I make you leave.” He walked over to his beta, and despite only being an inch or two taller, he seemed much bigger.

“What he meant to say, Soph, is that you smell like Arden,” Violet explained quietly, not quite sure how to explain whatever was going on. She bit her lip before continuing. “When someone marks their mate, especially the Alpha marking the Luna, the girl will smell like her mate more than anything else. It’s mostly really strong for a few days.” Okay, so she didn’t smell of body odor. That was a relief. But still! This did not warrant Nolan’s reaction! No wonder Arden was pissed. But as she glanced over at the two best friends, Sophie was surprised to see a smile poking through Arden’s glare. Nolan, being Nolan, was still cracking up. Arden could at least pretend to be mad...

“You didn’t tell me that! You just said it would hurt,” Sophie grumbled to her own mate. His shoulders dropped, and after shoving Nolan (admittedly lightly) he walked back over to Sophie.

“Sorry, Soph. I didn’t think anybody would say anything. Apparently that was a mistake.” Arden kissed Sophie’s reddening cheek, and she saw as he pulled away that he had a proud grin on his face. A proud and possessive grin, at that. She grumbled incoherently, still pouting.

“I’m really sorry about Nolan, Sophie. He doesn’t have room to talk, anyways.” Violet offered Nolan a pointed look, and he stopped laughing long enough to give her a loving smile.

“You could at least be nice about it, Nol,” Violet reminded. “Now apologize. You can’t tell people that they reek. It’s not nice.” His shoulders fell with an overly dramatic sigh.

“Sorry, Sophie. That wasn’t nice. But Arden’s reaction was worth it.” Arden straightened beside Sophie, ready to throw his best friend out of the room if necessary. Sophie rolled her eyes at the two boys.

“Your mate is right, Skredsvig. You have no room to talk. It’s been what, two weeks? I haven’t said anything,” Arden said. Nolan looked, date Sophie think it, embarrassed. He knew he’d been caught in the wrong.

“I’m really sorry, Soph. Nolan, let’s go now. We can eat breakfast later,” Violet chided, grabbing her mate’s hand and leading him away.

As soon as they left the room, Arden started cackling.

“Arden!” Sophie squealed. “Why didn’t you warn me?” He shrugged.

“It’s a good thing. Now everybody knows your mine.” There was that possessive grin again. She’d never admit it, but it was a really sexy grin.

“Like they didn’t already,” she said with a roll of her eyes. “Now check on the pancakes so they don’t burn.” She was hungry, and Nolan’s antics only made her hungrier. He relented, going over and flipping their breakfast.

“If it makes you feel better, Sophie, I figured since I didn’t say anything about Nolan marking Violet that he wouldn’t say anything.” She gave him a playful glare.

“He’s your best friend. You should know full well by now that he is going to make fun of everything you do for the rest of our lives.” That sane possessive grin showed up for the third time that morning.

“Our lives, you say?”

Sophie rolled her eyes at him. “Even I can figure out that you marking me means I’m not going anywhere. Yes, our lives.” Yet again, Arden left his post as breakfast chef, coming over and pulling his mate into a deep kiss. She was going to push him away, but Sophie liked kissing him too much to do that. As long as they pulled apart before the pancakes burned then they’d be just fine.

[sexyrasputin]

Arden loved her and Sophie was back in his arms and everything felt right again. The never ending dizziness that had accompanied her through their whole separation had finally dissipated for good. Her heart floated in her chest, full of light and sunshine. Everything felt right again.

Sophie’s smiles widened as she, curled up in her mate’s arms, thought about their evening together. Arden had finally told her all about Annabeth, and Sophie agreed that she would have loved her. After the anniversary she’d have to tell him all about her dead sister. But not that day. It was Arden’s day to mourn. Anyways, the first anniversary was always the hardest.

“Thank you for telling me about Annabeth, Arden,” Sophie whispered, eyes contently closed. Beneath her she could feel his breathing and his heartbeat, both nice and relaxed. She didn’t need werewolf senses to know he was finally happy.

Arden opened his mouth to reply, but the cabin door burst open. His arms that had been loosely wrapped around her were now tight and protective. Arden sat up, ready to protect his precious mate who he just got back. If this was Demetrius again, or another rogue or another pack, he was going to lose all control. Not today.

Nolan walked around the corner, a crap eating grin on his face.

Sophie felt Arden’s arms relax around her, but only a little bit. He was still tense.

“What are you doing here, Skredsvig?” Arden barked out. Nolan’s grin grew.

“Making sure you guys finally got back together. Kaya owes me twenty bucks now. Also, I had to make sure Sophie didn’t dump your sorry self in the lake if you tried to keep ignoring her.”

Arden opened his mouth to issue a scathing reply, Sophie was sure, but she spoke first.

“Nolan, as sweet as you think your intentions are, you need to leave. Does Violet know you’re here?” If she did, well, Sophie doubted she did. Violet was the only person on the planet who could persuade Nolan not to do something stupid when it came to Arden.

“Nope, because she would have stopped me.” Sophie’s mate growled lowly as Nolan continued to stand there, still not leaving. He wrapped his arms tighter around the sweet blonde.

“Leave,” Arden commanded in his fancy Alpha tone that Sophie could sense but thankfully didn’t affect her.

“You keep forgetting the beta loophole where that doesn’t work on me if you’re upset,” Nolan countered with that same annoying grin. He was enjoying this way too much.

Arden muttered something about there being no use in the power of it didn’t work on his beta, but Sophie was taking the smart route. She pulled out her phone and dialed Violet, who picked up almost immediately.

“Sophie, are you okay?” Worry filled her tone. It made sense. Violet knew when was going to see Arden; Violet also knew that Sophie never called people.

“I’m fine, but Nolan won’t be for long. He’s at the cabin with Arden and me and he won’t leave.” Sophie watched with quiet amusement as the color drained from Nolan’s cheery expression. So much for that stupid grin of his.

Violet groaned, and Sophie was grateful the two men had werewolf senses to hear this. Arden knew Violet was on their side and Nolan knew he was in trouble.

“I’m sorry, Sophie. I’m gonna call him now. Enjoy your time with Alph- Arden.” Violet hung up, and Sophie had to admit she was a little surprised that her friend didn’t call Arden Alpha Mitchell anymore. That was a new one. But definitely a good one.

Nolan’s phone started ringing, and Love Story by Taylor Swift played loud and clear. He did love his songs as ring tones, and clearly that much hadn’t changed with Violet.

“Hi, Vi,” Nolan breathed out in answering the phone. His already pale face became paler as Violet talked, something Sophie couldn’t hear. But she knew her friend, and she knew that she was using her disappointed tone. That, even though it was likely accidental, would always get Nolan back in line.

“Yeah, okay. And yes, I made a bet with Kaya. I won, by the w— you’re right. It doesn’t matter. Okay, love you, too. I’ll be there soon.” Nolan hung up and glared fiercely at the now happy couple.

“You two suck,” he grumbled, “but enjoy your happy reunion. Use protection. We don’t need little Ardens running around here anytime soon.”

Sophie gaped after Nolan as he shut the door on his way out. That. Well. Sophie didn’t even know what to think (other than her incredibly sexy mate was very attractive) (and that they had just made up after a few months of distance so sex was a little quick).

“I’m so sorry about him, Soph. And we don’t have to—“ she didn’t give him a chance to finish, even with her bright red cheeks.

“It’s Nolan, it’s expected. And I know, there’s no pressure. I’m happy to just cuddle with you here all night,” she reassured. Arden laid back down, pulling her with him with a laugh on her end.

“I love you, Sophie,” he breathed out. The words were still foreign to her ears, words she had thought earlier that she’d never hear him say. But he said them, and he meant them. That was the best part of all.

“I love you, too, Arden,” Sophie giggled, happily laying her head back against his bare chest. Yeah, she loved him more than she knew what to do about, but at least she wasn’t going to lose him anytime soon.