The Hybrid's Ex

Chapter 21

In Sofia’s Cabin:

Sofia stood by the window, her gaze fixed on the forest beyond the cabin, as she waited for Hope to explain herself.

The atmosphere in the room was tense after the incident at school, and she knew this was a conversation that needed to happen.

"Hope, did you know what you did?" Sofia asked, turning to face her.

Hope looked down, regret evident in her expression. "I’m sorry," she muttered, feeling the weight of her actions.

She hadn’t meant to offend Issy, but it was clear she had stepped into something she didn’t fully understand.

Sofia sighed, softening her tone. "Hope, you disrespected her runes. Shadowhunters wear them with pride and honor—they’re not just marks; they are a part of their strength."

"What are runes?" Elijah’s voice broke the silence as he leaned against the doorframe, genuinely curious.

Sofia turned to him, her expression calm as she explained. "Runes are what Hope called tattoos. They’re ancient symbols that give Shadowhunters their powers. They are the source of their strength in battle, protection, and healing."

Elijah nodded thoughtfully, absorbing the information.

"What do you mean by Shadowhunters?" Hayley asked, her brows furrowed in confusion as she stood beside Hope.

"Shadowhunters are half-angel, half-human," Sofia began, looking at Hayley directly. "They were created to protect the mundane world from the Downworlders—vampires, werewolves, and other creatures of the night."

Hope’s face fell further, realizing the depth of her mistake. "I screwed up on my first day, didn’t I?" she murmured more to herself than anyone else, feeling a pit of guilt settle in her stomach.

Sofia placed a hand on Hope’s shoulder, her expression gentle. "It’s okay, Hope. You didn’t know. Just give Issy some time. Normally, it’s Jace who loses his temper in situations like this, not Issy."

The tension in the room lessened slightly, but before they could continue, the school bell rang, signaling the start of the day.

"Hope, did you get your schedule from Ric?" Sofia asked, referring to Alaric Saltzman, the headmaster of the school.

"Yes, Mrs. Salvatore," Hope replied politely, standing up and preparing to head out.

Klaus, who had been watching the exchange silently, growled softly at the title. The name "Mrs. Salvatore" irked him, a reminder of Sofia’s past with Damon.

Sofia noticed the subtle reaction but chose to ignore it. She smiled at Hope. "Okay, have a good day at school," she said, her tone light as Hayley and Elijah followed Hope out of the cabin.

Once they had left, the air grew tense again as Sofia and Klaus remained behind, alone. Sofia crossed her arms and faced Klaus, her voice laced with exasperation. "What do you want, Klaus?"

Klaus, always a master at keeping his emotions masked, softened his usual smirk. "I just wanted to talk to you, my love," he said, his voice carrying a familiar charm.

But Sofia wasn’t falling for it. "Only talk to me if it’s related to Hope. Otherwise, I don’t even want to see your face." Her voice was sharp, filled with the sass that Klaus both loved and dreaded.

Klaus sighed, clearly frustrated by the distance between them. "I just wanted to confirm that you and the kids are coming to the Mikaelson dinner tonight?" he asked, his tone more serious now.

Sofia hesitated for a moment before answering. "Yes, we’re all coming to the dinner tonight," she replied, her tone firm but lacking the warmth that had once been there.