Chapter 112
I was starting to learn that the packhouse was always buzzing with activity. From warriors training to the kitchen staff bustling about, there was never a dull moment. Sophie had insisted on giving me a tour of the pack today, and while I was nervous, I couldn’t deny a flicker of excitement at the chance to see more of the place.
“Ready for your grand debut?” Sophie teased as I joined her in the foyer. She had Logan balanced on her hip, and Lily was securely strapped to her chest in a carrier.
“I wouldn’t call it a debut,” I muttered, adjusting the light jacket I’d thrown over my shoulders. “It’s more like... a soft introduction.”
Sophie grinned. “Call it whatever you want. You’ll do great.”
As we stepped outside, the sun bathed the pack’s grounds in a warm glow. Wolves of all ages were scattered around, either training or chatting in groups. Some paused to look our way, offering curious glances or polite nods.
“They’re already warming to you,” Sophie whispered, nudging me.
I smiled awkwardly, waving back at a group of women who greeted me. “I hope so. I feel like such an outsider.”
“You’re not,” Sophie said firmly. “You’re their Luna now. They’ll come around.”
Not everyone, though.
As we made our way toward the pack’s communal area, I spotted Fatima in the distance. She stood with a group of women near the training grounds, her sharp eyes tracking our every move.
“She’s still glaring,” I muttered under my breath.
Sophie followed my gaze and sighed. “She’ll come around... eventually. Just give her time.”
“Time,” I echoed. “Right.”
We continued the tour, Sophie chatting animatedly about the pack’s history and landmarks. Despite my initial nerves, I found myself enjoying the experience. The pack’s energy was warm and inviting, and I caught glimpses of genuine smiles as I interacted with members.
But my attention kept drifting to Jake.
He was near the edge of the training grounds, his commanding presence impossible to ignore. He observed the warriors as they sparred, occasionally stepping in to correct their stances or give advice. His expression was stern but not unkind, and I couldn’t help but admire the way he carried himself.
Yet, even as he exuded authority, there was a distance to him. I noticed the way he avoided looking toward the twins, even when Logan squealed loudly or Lily babbled in Sophie’s arms.
It hurt to see.
“Does he ever... spend time with them?” I asked Sophie quietly as we walked.
Sophie hesitated. “Not often. He’s still healing, I think. It’s complicated.”
I glanced at Logan, who was now reaching for my hair with a curious expression. “It’s not fair to them,” I murmured.
“No,” Sophie agreed. “It’s not.”
By the time we returned to the packhouse, an idea had formed in my mind.
“You’re up to something,” Sophie said as we entered the kitchen. She handed Logan off to a nanny and raised an eyebrow at me.
“I’m not,” I lied, though the grin on my face betrayed me.
“You so are. Spill.”
I leaned against the counter, crossing my arms. “Jake needs to spend time with the twins. Proper time. And I’m going to make sure it happens.”
Sophie’s eyes widened. “You’re brave. He’s not exactly the ‘playtime’ type.”
“Well, he’s going to have to be,” I said, determined. “They’re his kids, Sophie. They deserve his attention.”
“You’re right,” she admitted. “But good luck convincing him.”
Convincing Jake turned out to be exactly as difficult as Sophie predicted.
“You want me to what?” he asked, his voice laced with disbelief.
I stood in his office, hands on my hips, refusing to back down. “Spend a few hours with the twins. Play with them. Bond with them.”
Jake leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temples. “Ayla, I don’t have time for this.”
“Make time,” I shot back.
He frowned, clearly unimpressed by my tone. “This isn’t your decision to make.”
“Maybe not,” I admitted, “but someone has to step up for them. And if it’s not you, then who?”
He stared at me, his jaw tightening. For a moment, I thought he was going to shut me down completely. But then he sighed, leaning forward and pinching the bridge of his nose.
“Fine,” he muttered.
I blinked, surprised. “Really?”
“Don’t make me regret this,” he warned.
I grinned. “You won’t. I promise.”
The next afternoon, we gathered in the pack’s small play area. It was a sunny spot with soft grass, shaded by a few large trees. Sophie brought the twins, who were already squirming with excitement as we set up a blanket and some toys.
Jake arrived late, of course.
He approached reluctantly, his hands stuffed in his pockets and his expression as guarded as ever. I waved him over, trying not to let his reluctance dampen my mood.
“Look who decided to join us,” I teased.
“Don’t push it,” he muttered, though there was no real heat in his words.
As the playdate began, I was pleasantly surprised by how easily Logan and Lily warmed to him. Logan crawled over to Jake almost immediately, babbling nonsensically as he grabbed at his shirt. Jake hesitated, then picked him up with an awkwardness that was almost endearing.
“You’re heavier than you look,” he remarked, earning a giggle from Logan.
Lily, meanwhile, was content to sit in my lap, clutching a small stuffed wolf as she watched her brother interact with their father.
“They love you, you know,” I said softly, glancing at Jake.
He looked at me, something unreadable in his eyes. “I don’t deserve it,” he said quietly.
My heart ached at his words, but before I could respond, Logan let out a loud squeal, demanding our attention.
An hour passed quickly, filled with laughter and small milestones. Jake was stiff at first, but as the twins’ infectious joy wore on him, he started to relax. By the time we took a break, he was smiling faintly—an expression I hadn’t seen before.
I reached for a water bottle from the blanket, and Jake did the same.
Our hands brushed.
It was a fleeting touch, but the jolt that followed was anything but fleeting. A spark—real and undeniable—shot through me, making me gasp softly. I jerked my hand back, staring at Jake in shock.
He froze, his gray eyes wide as he pulled his hand away. For a moment, neither of us spoke. The air between us felt electric, charged with something I couldn’t explain.
“What was that?” I whispered.
Jake shook his head quickly, his expression hardening. “Nothing. It was nothing.”
“But—”
“I have to go,” he interrupted, standing abruptly.
The sudden coldness in his tone stung, and I watched helplessly as he walked away without another word.
The rest of the afternoon passed in a blur. I couldn’t stop thinking about that spark, about the way Jake had looked at me—like he was just as confused and unsettled as I was.
“What happened?” Sophie asked when she found me later.
“Nothing,” I lied, forcing a smile.
But deep down, I knew something had shifted. And no matter how much Jake and I tried to ignore it, that spark wasn’t going away.
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