Page 34 of The Alpha's Fated Destiny

"I'm going to call it a night."

He nods, stepping back. As I open the door and head inside, he says, quietly, "You're doing a fine job, Sophia. Don't doubt yourself."

I close the door behind me.

Leaning against it, I let my eyes flutter shut and sink to the ground.

I'm exhausted.

My knees pulled to my chest, I open my palm and look at the ordinary-looking rock.

Is this really going to help me navigate my way through the Central Alliance?

I close my fist around it, resting my head on my arms.

I just want to save my mother. I don't want to do all of this. This banquet, schmoozing with the other Alphas, trying to settle everyone into a new pack—I don't want to do any of this. None of this is matters to me.

I sigh heavily into the silent room.

I just want to save my mother.

But all I seem to be doing is wasting time.

Despair and guilt sink into my gut, and my wolf paces inside my mind, affected by my worries. I promised to save my mother, but all I'm doing is running around in circles. My fingers grip my hair in frustration.

I'm running out of time!

Why doesn't anybody understand that?

Why are they constantly weighing me down under responsibilities I never wanted?!

Footsteps approach me, and then a pair of familiar arms wrap around me as Elsa murmurs. "It's okay."

My jaw is painfully tight as I try to hold in my emotions.

"Sophia, it's going to be okay."

My shoulders begin to shake under the weight of the world, and Elsa's arms tighten around me, her voice gentle. "One thing at a time. That's how things are done. And you're doing fine. We have time."

She knows.

Even without me saying anything, she knows.

I break in her arms and weep, and Elsa comforts me.

"She knows you're trying. She knows, baby."

My head is buried in her chest, andI cry like a child. I’m so tired and worn out.

"It shouldn't be this hard. I just want her back."

"I know. You're doing all you can, Sophia."

My fingers dig into her arms as the woman who has been a mother to me for most of my life holds me.

I'm just so damn tired.

Chapter 8

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