Sophia's POV

I stepped out of the cemetery, the weight of grief pressing down on me so heavily I could barely lift my feet.

My phone buzzed in my hand. A message from Ava: "Sophia, I'm at the Fortune Lounge. Won't be back anytime soon. Come by and pick up the apartment key."

An address followed.

I hailed a taxi and headed toward the Fortune Lounge.

By the time I arrived, dusk was settling in, the sky fading to a deepening blue.

I stepped out and glanced up at the opulent building, a tight knot of anxiety twisting in my chest.

Once, I could have walked through doors like this without a second thought. Now, I felt like an intruder—completely out of place.

As I neared the entrance, a sleek black Bentley slowed to a stop at the curb.

The door swung open, revealing a tall man in a black trench coat.

His dark curls stirred softly in the breeze. His high-bridged nose, sharp jawline, and austere features were unmistakable.

Xavier.

My heart plummeted. What was he doing here?

Before I could gather my thoughts, another figure stepped out of the car.

A woman.

Chestnut hair cascading down her shoulders, a lithe figure, and a faint, contemptuous smile curling her lips.

Avery—my stepmother.

The sight of her ignited a fury so fierce I thought I might combust.

My fingers clenched into tight fists, nails biting into my palms. My whole body trembled—not with fear, but with raw, blazing anger.

I wanted nothing more than to storm forward and tear her to pieces, to make her pay for everything she'd done.

But reason tightened its invisible leash around me.

Not here. Not now. Don't expose yourself.

I melted into the nearby shadows, watching as they entered the club.

Questions swirled in my mind.

Why was Xavier meeting Avery?

Was he there to help her? Was he aligned with Lucas and Isabella?

I forced myself to breathe evenly.

I needed to know why they were here. I needed to understand the nature of their connection.

I stepped toward the entrance, intending to follow—but a security guard blocked my path.

"Members only. Please show your ID."

Damn it. I hadn't realized this was a private club.

There was no choice but to wait outside.

Twenty minutes later, Xavier and Avery emerged.

I tailed them cautiously, keeping to the shadows, careful not to reveal myself.

My wolf was weak—barely perceptible—and that weakness became my shield.

My heart pounded louder with each step.

Rounding a corner, a powerful hand yanked me aside, pinning my shoulder firmly against the wall.

Dark eyes, gleaming like cold obsidian, locked onto mine.

"Following me?"

"Crazy?" I spat, shoving against him in frustration, but he didn't budge.

Xavier's gaze held me in place for what felt like an eternity before he finally eased his grip.

My phone vibrated inside my coat pocket. It was Ava.

Rubbing my aching neck, I answered.

"I'm outside. Bring the key."

"On my way, babe."

By the time I hung up, Xavier had vanished.

Ava hurried out moments later, her footsteps light on the pavement.

"It's still early. Want to come in and hang out for a bit?"

I shook my head, forcing a polite smile. "Not in the mood."

I took the key, waved goodbye, and headed toward the nearest bus stop.

Barely a block away, a familiar black Bentley slowed beside me.

The window rolled down, revealing Xavier's sharp, angular face.

"Get in."

I was about to refuse when a flash of memory stopped me—him and Avery stepping out of that car together.

Before I could stop myself, I slid into the passenger seat.

"Where to?" he asked curtly, eyes forward.

His sudden shift to politeness baffled me, but reason warned me—stay away from this man.

Yet every thought of Avery dissolved my fear.

Anyone connected to those three was a target for my revenge. I wouldn't let any of them slip away.

I turned toward him, voice trembling but edged with fierce anger.

"What were you talking about with Avery?"

His eyes hardened, cold and unreadable.

"That's none of your concern."

His indifference stabbed me like a poisoned dagger, igniting a fire inside.

My fists clenched tighter, nails digging into my skin.

"Don't lie. You're working with her. What are you planning?"

Just saying her name sent my emotions spiraling.

A surge of power surged through me, raw and uncontrollable.

My wolf, Amelia, howled in my mind, sensing my rage, craving release—to tear those bastards apart.

My bones creaked faintly, a subtle yet unsettling reminder of the beast within.

The skin at the nape of my neck prickled as if a thousand ants were crawling beneath it.

That familiar, wild power clawed at the edges of my sanity, threatening to break free.

Xavier's eyes flickered—surprise, then something deeper, more complex.

His voice dropped low, commanding. "Sophia, calm down."

But calm was beyond reach.

"Damn it." Suddenly, his hand shot out, gripping the back of my neck with searing force.

Before I could react, his lips crashed onto mine.

The kiss was harsh, possessive, all-consuming.

His tongue pried past my teeth, silencing the scream rising in my throat.

The scent of cedar and smoke overwhelmed me, drowning out everything else.

His other hand clamped onto my waist, heat burning through my shirt.

I struggled, dizzy and disoriented, claws raking his back—only to be met with an even fiercer response.

He pinned me firmly against the seat, breath hot against my ear.

"Don't move," he murmured, voice thick with warning, sending a shiver down my spine.

My body betrayed me, trembling as the furious blaze inside me slowly dimmed, replaced by an unfamiliar, molten ache that sapped my strength.

When his fingers tangled in my hair, tracing the most vulnerable spot at my neck, I shuddered.

All my rage and hatred unraveled into quiet, fragile sobs.

Confused and breathless, I blinked as the storm within me stilled.

When reason finally returned, I shoved him away with all my strength.

The sharp jolt of my back hitting the seat sobered me instantly.

My eyes locked on the faint bite marks I'd left on his collarbone and the fire still burning deep in his gaze.

Shame and fury crashed over me in waves.

"Stay away from me!" I snarled.

His reply was ice cold, dousing my anger like a bucket of freezing water.

"Do you really want to shift in front of Avery?"

His words hit me like a hammer.

He was right.

I had almost lost myself—because of her.

Because of this burning hatred.