Chapter 7

Natasha's POV

Pain ebbed and flowed like the tide. I felt myself lying on something soft, struggling to open my heavy eyelids.

The room was dim, with only a standing lamp casting pools of amber light across the Persian rug. When I tried to prop myself up, a wave of dizziness hit me.

"Don't move," a deep male voice came from beside me. "You've hurt your head pretty badly."

That voice was too familiar. I blinked until my vision finally cleared. Alexander Morgan sat at my bedside, a damp cloth in hand, gently wiping my forehead.

"Where am I...?" My voice came out raspy, my throat feeling like it had been scorched.

"You're back at Morgan Manor," he replied calmly.

Memories flooded back like a tidal wave. I was on the subway, saw werewolves bullying humans, and then... I tried to sit up suddenly, resulting in another jolt of pain.

"Why did you bring me back here?" I asked through gritted teeth, fighting to control the trembling in my voice.

Alexander set down the cloth, his steel-blue eyes glacial as arctic ice. "Why did you leave?"

His question left me speechless. I hadn't expected him to counter, but wasn't my reason for leaving obvious? I couldn't continue serving the high-and-mighty Morgan werewolf family.

"You signed a contract," Alexander said coldly. "Running away like that was extremely rude. I could sue you for breach of contract—can you afford that?"

I let out a bitter laugh and shot back, "If none of you trust me, why not just fire me?"

Alexander's eyes narrowed. "Sophia likes you."

That simple statement, delivered so casually, firmly locked me in this gilded cage. I hated to admit it, but I'd grown attached to that little girl. Sophia's clear eyes and genuine smile made it impossible to just walk away.

Just then, a soft knock sounded at the door before Grace entered with a medical kit.

"Sir, the first aid kit you requested." Her gaze lingered on me briefly before quickly darting away.

"Thank you, Grace," Alexander said quietly as he took the box.

Grace nodded and slipped out silently. Alexander opened the kit, taking out iodine solution and bandages. When he pulled out a small pair of scissors, I instinctively shrank back.

He noticed my reaction, the corner of his mouth quirking upward. "What are you afraid of? Weren't you brave enough to rally everyone against werewolves?"

My face burned instantly with embarrassment and anger. "Thank you for having your people bring me back and save me," I managed to say, acknowledging the truth however reluctantly.

"Then come closer so I can bandage that head wound," he said in a tone that brooked no argument.

After a moment's hesitation, I carefully moved closer. When his fingers touched my scalp, I couldn't help but suck in a sharp breath. The warmth of his fingertips against my skin sent an unwelcome shiver down my spine.

"Sorry," his tone unexpectedly gentle, the steel in his eyes softening to mist. "This will sting a bit."

His movements were gentle and precise, in stark contrast to his usual attitude toward me. I couldn't understand why someone who clearly disliked me would take such careful care of me. I felt confused, my body relaxing slightly despite my mind's protests.

"But you should know," I mustered up the courage to say, my fingers fidgeting with the edge of the blanket, "I don't plan to continue working for you."

"I figured you'd say that." His voice remained calm, his hands never pausing. "I could easily find someone else to fill your position. Honestly, I'm more inclined to do that now, but Sophia seems quite fond of you."

"Sophia knows about us... she probably doesn't want to see me again," I said, my tone unintentionally revealing my disappointment.

Alexander finished the bandaging and stepped back to examine his work. "She's complicated, just like her mother."

This was the first time I'd heard him mention Sophia's mother. Just as I was about to ask more, another knock came at the door.

"Come in," Alexander called, his voice shifting to the softer tone he reserved only for his daughter.

The door opened, and Sophia stood in the doorway, hesitating to enter. Her eyes were red, like she'd been crying.

"Come in, Sophia. Tell Natasha what you want to say," Alexander said softly.

Sophia bit her lower lip and slowly walked into the room.

"Go ahead, Sophia. It's okay," I encouraged her gently.

"I'm sorry I yelled at you," Sophia's voice was barely audible, her eyes fixed on the floor.

My heart softened like butter under her gaze. "It's okay. I understand."

She finally looked up, her pupils constricting sharply when she noticed the bandage on my head. "What happened?"

"I'm fine. Just bumped my head," I said dismissively, not wanting to worry her.

Sophia's eyes darted between Alexander and me, clearly working through something. "I want to hear your explanation," she finally said. "You knew my dad before. Is that why you wanted to take care of me? Why you were so nice to me?"

So that's what she was worried about.

I suddenly understood the source of her anxiety. She feared I liked her only as a way to get close to Alexander, just like those trying to climb the social ladder in the pack hierarchy.

"I... I did know your father before," I admitted honestly. "But I didn't know he was your father, and I didn't know my employer would be him." I paused, watching her reaction. "If you don't want me to care for you because of this, I can leave right now."

After saying this, I pushed myself up, gritting against the pounding in my skull, and slowly walked toward the door. Just as I opened it, I heard hurried footsteps behind me, followed by small hands wrapping tightly around my waist.

"No, I don't want you to go," Sophia's voice trembled with tears.

I turned and crouched down to meet her eyes. "But I did have a connection with your father before. Don't you dislike that?"

Sophia shook her head, tears welling in her eyes. "I believe you. Your kindness to me is real. I can feel it."

Warmth spread through my chest. In the cutthroat world of werewolf aristocracy, having a werewolf child genuinely trust me felt more precious than I could have imagined.

"Alright, I'll stay," I said softly. "But on the condition that you promise to talk to me next time you're angry. Deal?"

"I promise," Sophia replied, a teary smile breaking through. Then she added quietly, "I like you. I want you to be my family."

Those words landed like a warm stone, heavy in my heart. Family. The word struck a chord deep within me, an orphan who'd never known kinship. I didn't know how to respond, my vision blurring slightly as I simply gave her a gentle hug.

After Sophia left, only Alexander and I remained in the room. Silence fell between us, thick with unspoken words.

"So, it's settled? You'll stay?" Alexander finally broke the silence. His tone was neutral, but I could sense the expectation hidden within.

"Yes, I'll stay," I said firmly.

This decision was as much for Sophia as it was for myself.