Karma, Bitch! -bxb-

Chapter 38

*4 1/2 years ago*

Danny's POV

The loud cries of the cub woke me up from my already unrestful sleep. I groaned into my pillow for the tenth time that week.

It's been a week since Sophie came into the household. She's been sleeping with Argus and Clara in their room since we arrived since she seemed so attached to Clara but for some reason every time she sees Argus she starts crying profusely and it takes hours to calm her down again. I've been running on an average of 3 hours of sleep helping them calm her down for a week straight.

On the eight-day, I finally cracked. I marched into their room, shocking the two of them who were desperately trying to calm her down, and picked Sophie up. Her crying faded as she met my eyes and I carried her to my bed, placed her down on my pillow and lied down beside her, wrapping her gently in my arms. "Sophie if you sleep now I'll give you three chocolate chip cookies tomorrow."

As if she understood my words, her eyes faltered shut, and soft breathing soon replaced her sniffles. I was too exhausted and happy to do anything else, and as soon as I relaxed a little, I found myself passed out dead after her.

______

"Morning Danny!" Clara chirped cheerfully. I groaned, unwillingly opening my eyes to Clara who was holding a piping hot frying pan with a large refreshed grin on her face. "Morning...?"

I looked to my side to see Sophie still sleeping soundly. "Do you guys wanna sleep a little more?" Clara whispered, realising Sophie was still asleep. I nodded groggily and laid my head back on the pillow, gently placing a hand over Sophie and returning back to my sleep.

The sleeping arrangement proved to have worked. For the last few weeks, Sophie had begun sleeping with me, and the household finally stopped looking like a pack of zombies. Nonetheless, Sophie proved to really be a toddler as she slept as hard as she played. IT had taken it's toll on my own energy levels.

Six hours later, I was woken up again, this time by a small hand that was surprisingly painful on my face. Sophie giggled on top of me and as soon as our eyes met she squealed and ran off giggling.

I hoisted myself up and dragged my feet straight to the kitchen, following the scent of lunch.

"Oh, afternoon sleeping beauty." Argus chuckled. He was nonchalantly holding a newspaper despite never even bothering checking up with the news while Clara was busy making lunch. Sophie was running around the kitchen giggling, expecting me to catch her.

For a moment it really felt like we were a normal family.

"What're you cooking?" I smiled, crouching down to catch Sophie. She ran up to my arm and wrapped herself on my neck. "You caught me!"

"We're doing Chinese today. Got this great recipe from one of the housewives next door- well- ten miles away next door" Clara's ability to befriend literally anyone astounds me every time. "Sounds great, I'll go get some fresh air with Sophie."

I placed Sophie down and held her hand to the garden. Over the past five weeks, she had completely mastered walking and is already at the same pace as regular two-year-olds despite barely being two herself. Yes, she's a genius.

It wasn't long until she started dashing around the garden, chasing after bugs and letting go of my hand. For a child with such a grim background, she was the brightest kid I'd ever seen. "Don't run too far Soph." I yelled in vain, knowing the child wasn't listening. I chuckled at her adorable squealing.

My eyes continued to follow Sophie before a familiar scent made me go stiff. I sharply turned my head to the direction of the forest and sniffed the air.

It's Ben.

Siren whimpered. The first time he's spoken to me in years. A wave of emotions ran across me. I was happy to feel the closeness of my mate. I was scared to face Ben again after running away. I was curious if he missed me too. I bit my lip, tempted to run up to him, but a familiar scent stopped my trail of thoughts.

Ah, of course. So they're still together.

No way. He's our mate. He's searching for us.

I opened my mouth to rebute, but the fear of Siren going silent again stopped me. Instead, I lowered my gaze down at the dancing grass. I should head inside.

As soon as I turned my head up to call for Sophie, I noticed her missing and my heartbeat quickened. I sniffed the air for her scent, ignoring the two's presence, and rushed for the forest. The fear of running into them or getting noticed blinded by the fear of losing Sophie in the woods.

In a state of panic, I turned into a wolf, making my sense of smell sharper. My eyes scanned the thick surroundings for the pup, pupils shaking urgently. As I was getting deeper and deeper into the forest, I noticed how the two's scent, along with Sophie's was also getting stronger, and my fear re-emerged. I pushed myself to go deeper, despite my reluctance.

There, I finally noticed Sophie, hiding behind a large shrub, her eyes fixed on something. I sighed in relief as my pace slowed to a lurk. I tapped my nose onto the back of her head, she turned in surprise only to smile at my presence. As soon as I was about to scold her, she held a finger in front of her lips and shushed me. Her finger pointed to something behind the shrubs.

Out of a sense of curiosity, I peeked beneath the shrub, only to feel regret in doing so.

If I left off here I'd be a huge ass wouldn't I?

.

.

.

Behind the shrubs, Ben and Alisha, the two people I least wanted to see, not to mention together, were sitting below a tree, his head on her lap as she gently brushed his hair. I couldn't make out what they were saying, but the shiny gold ring on her ring finger shined tantalisingly clear.

My heart shattered once again as I continued to watch their calm giggles and subtle flirting. Ben reached out his hand to her cheeks, pulling her closer into a kiss. But all I could see was the matching gold ring stuck on his hand.

Right. Of course, they're married. What did I expect? That they would be different from Clara and Argus? Who am I even fooling. I felt tears threatening to fall again. I haven't cried since we arrived here.

A soft tap stopped my tears before they fell. I look down at Sophie who smiled in excitement, "Mommy and daddy did that" she giggled quietly, "they did..." her giggles slowly died, leaving an empty expression. Tears welled up in her eyes, but she continued to watch the two. At that moment, any sense of anguish I had over my own pitiful state disappeared.

"Why am I crying in front of a child?", I thought to myself. I found myself truly the most pathetic at that moment. I wiped away the welled up tears and nudged her shoulder again, urging her to go home. She looked at me hesitantly, as if wanting to savour a beautiful memory from the past, but eventually turned into a wolf and followed me back.

And that was the day that I promised to myself that I would protect Sophie, no matter the cost.