Chapter 127: Scout

​The sun was high in the sky when Sofia finally stirred. She woke up in the soft silence of the luxury penthouse, her body feeling a strange mixture of heavy exhaustion and a new, buzzing energy that sat right under her skin.

​She sat up, the silk sheets sliding down her body. She looked at her hands, half-expecting them to be different, but they looked the same—though her skin seemed to have a faint, healthy glow.

​The sudden ringing of the doorbell made her jump.

Her heart immediately began racing.

Alaric?

Damien?

She pulled her robe tight around her and walked to the door, peeking through the lens. It wasn’t either of them. A man in a delivery uniform stood there, holding a large, elegant box and a heavy envelope.

​”Delivery for Miss Sofia,” the man said through the door.

​Sofia opened it just a crack, taking the items with a quiet “thank you” before locking the door again. She sat on the floor and opened the envelope first. Inside was a thick stack of cash—more money than she had ever seen in her life.

​A small, cream-colored note fell out. The handwriting was bold and familiar.

​This is your back-pay and salary for your time at the factory. You earned this, Sofia. It is yours to use as you see fit. — Alaric.

​Sofia sighed, feeling a lump in her throat. It was thoughtful of him. He knew she wanted to be independent, and he was giving her the means to do it without making it feel like a handout.

​Determined to start her new life, Sofia took a long, hot bath. She watched the water swirl, feeling the last of the “fever” wash away. She dressed in a simple but high-quality outfit from the closet—a soft sweater and jeans that hugged her curves—and decided she couldn’t stay locked away. She needed to breathe.

​She walked out of the apartment building and stepped onto the busy city street. The air felt different today. It was as if she could pick up every scent: the rain on the pavement, the coffee from a block away, and the distinct, muskier scents of other wolves nearby.

​She felt alive. She felt free.

​She walked until she found a small, sunlit restaurant. She took a seat at a corner table and ordered a large breakfast. As she waited, she watched the people passing by the window.

But ​as she ate, Sofia felt a strange, tingling sensation at the back of her neck. It wasn’t the heavy, familiar pressure of Alaric or Damien. This was different—sharper and colder.

​She took a bite of her toast, trying to look normal, but her new ability was already shifting into gear. The quiet murmur of the restaurant was suddenly pierced by a voice that wasn’t spoken aloud.

​”Is that her? The scent is faint under the perfume, but it’s there… silver and roses.”

​Sofia’s hand froze. She didn’t look up.

​”She’s beautiful. Too soft to be a legend. If I grab her now and get her to the van, the Alpha will reward me with a rank of my own.”

​The thought was dark and oily. Sofia felt a spike of fear, but her White Wolf growled inside her, steadying her nerves. She realized she wasn’t just hearing a man who liked her; she was hearing a predator.

​She slowly lifted her eyes and scanned the room. A man sat two tables away, dressed in a dark hoodie, pretending to read a menu. He wasn’t an Alpha, but he was a wolf—a scout.

​Sofia ignored him and continued eating her breakfast, her focus seemingly on the toast in front of her. A few days ago, the mere presence of a strange wolf would have sent her into a paralyzing panic, but today was different. The White Wolf purred with a cold, calm confidence inside her chest.

​”Let me go over there and pretend like I’m interested in her,” the man thought, his voice overconfident. “She’s just a girl. She’ll fall for it.”

​He stood up from his table and walked over, sliding into the seat across from her with a charming, practiced smile. “Is this seat taken? You looked a little lonely, and a beauty like you shouldn’t eat alone.”

​Sofia didn’t even look up at first. “The seat is taken now, isn’t it?” she replied calmly.

​”Woah, she really is a beauty,” the man’s mind raced as he took in her glowing skin and curvy body on the seat. “The King is going to be pleased. This is going to be easier than I thought.”

​He leaned in, trying to catch her scent, his eyes darkening. “You’re new in town, aren’t you? I know all the best spots. Why don’t you let me take you out tonight? I could show you a real good time.”

​Sofia finally set her fork down. She looked him dead in the eye, her gaze boring into his. She was tired of the pretending, tired of his presence.

​”Do you know I could kill you with a snap of my fingers?” she asked, her voice low and deadly.

​She was bluffing—she didn’t even know the full extent of her abilities yet—but the power vibrating in her voice made the air around the table turn cold.

​The man froze, his smile faltering. “What the hell?” he thought, a spike of genuine fear hitting him. “How did she… she sounds like an Alpha. No, stronger.”

​”I know a wolf scout when I see one,” Sofia continued, leaning forward until she saw him flinch. “Now leave before I send you to meet your ancestors. You have ten seconds.”

​The man scrambled out of his seat, nearly knocking over his coffee. He didn’t look back as he practically ran toward the door. Sofia watched him go, feeling a dark spark of satisfaction.

​But as the man stepped out of her sight, he made a mind link to the rogue king. “My King… I found her. The White Wolf is at the diner on 5th. She’s alone and she looks dangerous, but she’s definitely the one. Send the hunters immediately.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep