Behind the willow

Secrets within

James watched Sophia carefully, his shoulders tense as though bracing for a storm. Her piercing gaze demanded answers, and he knew he couldn’t delay the truth any longer. He gestured toward the living room, his voice low and steady.

“Let’s sit,” he said.

But Sophia didn’t move. “No. Say it here. All of it.”

James sighed, running a hand through his hair. The weight of the secrets he’d carried for so long seemed heavier now. “Fine. But I need you to listen, Sophia. Really listen.”

Sophia crossed her arms, her chin lifting defiantly. “I’m listening.”

James began slowly, choosing his words carefully.

“Wolves like me—we’re not just some myth or accident of nature. We’re tied to the land, to the moon, to forces older than you can imagine. There’s a balance we’re sworn to protect, but that balance comes with rules. Rules about who we can trust, who we can bring into our lives.”

He hesitated, glancing toward the window where the ocean shimmered under the rising sun. “The pack Amanda mentioned—the one I used to be part of—they don’t take kindly to outsiders. Humans, especially. They see your kind as a risk.”

Sophia’s heart pounded, but she kept her voice steady. “And me? Why am I a risk?”

James’s jaw clenched. “Because of the prophecy Amanda brought up. It’s ancient, and no one knows how much of it is true. But it says a human bound to a wolf will either unite the packs and bring peace… or bring ruin to us all. They’ll destroy everything.”

Sophia’s breath caught. “You think that’s me?”

“I don’t know,” James admitted, his golden eyes meeting hers with raw honesty. “But the moment I saw you again, Sophia, I felt it—something more than a connection. A pull. Like fate itself was throwing you into my world. And that scares the hell out of me.”

Sophia’s voice rose, tinged with disbelief. “So, what? You’ve just been hoping I’ll magically prove you right or wrong?”

James stepped closer, his expression pained. “I’ve been trying to keep you safe. If the pack finds out about you, they’ll come after you, and I can’t let that happen. But Amanda… she’s unpredictable. If she’s here, others will follow.”

Sophia shook her head, her mind reeling. “You should’ve told me from the start, James. I deserve to know what’s coming, especially if it’s about me.”

“You’re right,” he said softly. “I should’ve told you. But I was afraid. Afraid of what you’d think of me. Afraid of what this prophecy could mean. And… afraid of what I feel for you.”

Sophia froze, her breath hitching at his admission. The room seemed to shrink around them, the air thick with the weight of unspoken words.

“What you feel for me?” she whispered.

James stepped closer, his hand hovering near her cheek but not quite touching. “Sophia, I’ve fought it every step of the way. But I can’t deny it anymore. You’re more than just a connection to some prophecy. You’re…” He stopped, his voice breaking.

She looked up at him, her eyes wide with both fear and hope. “Then stop fighting it, James. Tell me what we do next.”

His hand finally cupped her cheek, his thumb brushing her skin as he whispered, “We prepare. For whatever’s coming. And we face it together.”

Outside, beneath the shadow of the willow tree, Amanda watched the house with a knowing smirk. “Together,” she murmured to herself. “Let’s see how long that lasts.”