Previously, on Love bite.

"Hey, Luka...?" I trail off, I was about to ask if he wanted me to apply the Stella Gel one more time for the night, but I gave up when I realized that he has already fallen asleep.

Letting out a sigh, I lay back down and start to feel my eyes get heavy.

As I start to let the darkness take over, one last thought enters my mind as I get into the comfy spot on my pillow.

The countdown to Luka's birthday has begun.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Now Sophie's P.O.V

Three Months Later

Here now sitting at the kitchen table in the early morning light, my eyes not leaving the calendar while I chew through my breakfast of eggs. The house is silent this morning, not even Greg is here to cook. In fact, most of the pack members are still in bed or around the territory. Unlike most days, they have a good reason to sleep in late.

It's June 25th. It's Luka's eighteenth birthday. He'll become alpha tonight. Therefore, most of the pack decided to sleep in late in order to preserve their energy for the ceremony.

In the last few months, I've been training Luka, preparing him for this day. it was a slow process, but an enjoyable one. I watched as my mate almost exploded in anger as he helped me with the task of doing mountains of paperwork.

He inherited that from me.

Snapping out of my thoughts, realizing I'm not alone, I sit back in my chair and wait. Thought you got up when I did, I think to myself, listening to the rhythm of soft thuds hitting the ground. A moment later, none other than Ace walks into the room and smiles at me.

Throughout the last few months, Ace has slowly regained his strength with the help of aunt Sherry, along with Shelby's tender loving care. Now, Ace can pretty much walk on his own with the help of a cane.

"Morning Sophie," He greets, taking each step very carefully.

"Morning Ace," I greet, turning towards him. "Need some help?"

"No Sophie, I've got it," Ace shakes his head. "Thank you though."

Ace approaching the table, I get up and pull one of the empty chairs around, getting it set for him. Turning around, Ace sits down as slowly as he can. He then picks up his cane, placing it on his lap. Carefully, I spin the chair around, facing him towards the table.

Sitting back down myself, Keith connects the mind link to mine, I pick up only a moment later.

"Sophie, it's me. Just wanted to let you know, Quinn and I are on our way back, we have Luka's present. We're just down the street."

"Alright, I'll open up the garage door when you pull down the driveway."

I disconnect the link and let out a sigh. I had to time this surprise for Luka perfectly, I can't believe I just pulled it off. As of now, the future alpha in question isn't even in bed asleep. He and my uncle left a little over an hour ago to go to the D.M.V, Elliot went with them.

"So," Ace says, turning towards me, getting a curious look on his face. "How are you going to surprise Luka with his gift, Sophie?"

Getting a curious look on my own face, I put my thinking cap on and start to think for a moment. I get up from the table again, walking over to one of the random kitchen cabinets and pulling out a tall glass, setting it down on the counter. I turn back to Ace and grin.

"I've got an idea."

***

After opening up the garage door as I saw the two boys pull down the driveway in Luka's new shiny new birthday present, I walked back inside and quickly wrapped the smaller present, red bow and all.

I'm standing it the counter, pouring chocolate milk for Luka using the glass I placed there as I hear him, Elliot, and my uncle approaching. I quickly put the finishing touches on the surprise, making sure everything's in order and nothing's a miss. No sooner do I finish than the three of them come walking through the door. I quickly turn around, putting myself in between the glass, hiding the small box behind my back.

Eyeing me when he first walks into the kitchen, Luka comes over and wraps his arms around my neck. I shift slightly, not dropping the small present.

"Morning Sophie," Luka says, his tone full of joy. "You were asleep when I left, otherwise I would've greeted you then."

I faked being asleep when Luka got up, I had to. Then, once he left, I rocketed up and out in order to put my plan into action.

"Morning Luka, happy birthday."

"It's a happy birthday if I get to spend it with you and the rest of the pack, Sophie."

"Did you get it?"

"Yes," Luka replies. "I got it."

Breaking apart from me, Luka reaches into his pocket and pulls out a plastic card with an image of his now adult looking face, his address, and other info on it. I smile. Perfect, he is going to love this.

"Oh my," I say, moving out of the way, revealing the prepared chocolatey beverage. "What's this?"

Luka's eyes land on the treat, his mouth all but filling with saliva. I swiftly move to the side, allowing my mate to come closer, and to my amazement, still keeping the box hidden, still hiding it behind my back.

"Sophie, what did you do this for?"

"What do you think it's for?" I ask sarcastically. "It's for your birthday. I wasn't here to fix you breakfast, so I thought I'd make it up to you."

"Well Sophie, you didn't have to do that, but I appreciate it," Luka picks up the glass, holding it out. "Thank you so much. Cheers."

Putting the rem of the glass up to his lips, Luka knocks back the drink, downing it in one long continuous gulp. Watching Luka quickly empty the class, I turn my head back to look at Ace who gives me a nod. I turn back, just as Luka is about to take the last sip to finish his glass.

"What the...? Luka trails off, seeing the note I had taped to the bottom of the glass. While Luka's distracted reading the words I had written on the paper, I slowly take the box out from behind my back, balancing it in my hand.

"Well, read it," Elliot encourages. "What's it say?"

"Look up." Following the directions, Luka looks up towards me. There, finally, his eyes land on the small present I have. Walking towards him, I reach out and hand it to Luka.

"Happy birthday, Luka. This is a little something from me and the rest of the pack." I smile, "I hope you like it."

"Thank you, you guys." He pauses, unwrapping the box from the top. Removing the top, Luka looks over the contents, taking in every detail. He looks at me. "A car key?" he says with mock shock and a questioning look on his face. "But Sophie, I don't have a..."

I nod, a grin growing wider on my face.

At the expression on my face, Luka's own expression changes from one of mock shock to one of true shock.

"Really Sophie?" Luka asks, eyes sparkling as he picks up the key, his hand trembling slightly. "You-you bought me a..."

I nod again, this time, throwing my arms around his neck, sparks scattering like fireflies across my shoulder. Luka doesn't object, doing the same.

"Thank you very much, Sophie," Luka then says, the sound muffled slightly by my neck. After another moment of this, Luka pulls back from me just slightly. "What kind is it?" I give him a smirk look.

"Well, what are you doing standing around here asking me for? Let's go check it out"

Walking past the boys, I walk down the hallway towards the garage, Luka, Elliot, and my uncle following behind. The three guys stand against the wall while I open the door. Once open I usher them through the doorway. Luka's eyes start beaming at the new motor vehicle now taking up the spot right beside my silver Porsche.

How could you not notice the dark green Mustang with a large red bow gleaming back at up at us, begging to put the pedal to the metal? Beside me, Elliot's jaw drops in astonishment.

"Dang, Sophie," he begins, finally being able to speak again. "When you told me you were going to go big with Luka's birthday gift, you weren't kidding."

"Elliot, you knew about this bro?" Asks Luka turning sharply towards his brother.

"Yes," Elliot replies, "But Sophie only told me she was getting you a car and she was going to go big; she didn't tell me what kind it was." Elliot then turns his attention towards me, "Sophie, how did you get this?" I turn towards him and smirk like the answer should've been obvious.

"Uncle knows someone in town. After we bought it, we repainted it in Luka's favorite color."

Getting to the car itself, Luka's hand travels along the side all the way around, looking it over from end to tip. Getting around to the other side, Luka's taken by surprise when Keith and Quinn get out of the front seat. Keith turns towards Luka and smiles at him, closing the driver's side door.

"Surprise Luka, you got a car. What do you think?"

You're a bit, late guys.

"I absolutely love it, I know I've already said this once or twice, but thank you, guys," I speak up.

"How did it drive on the way back you two?"

"Runs like a dream, Sophie. Your mate's a lucky guy." Quinn just nods.

"Thanks you two." I hug both of them, while my uncle just shakes their hands in thanks. Letting out a sigh, Keith speaks.

"Well, this has been really fun, but Quinn has to get on patrol, and I've got to get home to check on Alex," Keith holds his hand out. "Happy birthday, Luka. We'll come by later." Luka takes it.

"Okay, Keith and Quinn, thanks." I cut in.

"Alright, you two, thanks for your help." Both Quinn and Keith nod.

Keith then presses the button, opening up the huge metal door. The two boys then duck under it, avoiding hitting their heads. From where I'm standing, I watch both of them shift and take off running.

With the two of them gone, I turn my attention back towards Luka and Elliot. Turning on my feet slightly, I hand Luka the real key to his car and smile.

"Here Luka, why don't you take your new wheels for a spin." Luka takes it, unsure.

"Gee, Sophie, I don't know. You and I have a lot to do before tonight and..." Elliot butts in.

"Come on Luka, let's go for a ride," Elliot then gives Luka a smirk of his own. "Okay, seriously bro. If you won't take a ride in this beauty, I will. You know I will." This time, it's my turn to cut in.

"You only turn eighteen once, why not go for a ride?" Luka gives it a second thought, a slight smile tugging at his lips

"Alright, I'll go for a drive. That actually doesn't sound like a bad idea." Elliot cheers happily.

"Yes! I call shotgun." Elliot then dashes around to the passengers' side door and opens it, getting in. My uncle steps up, putting a hand on Luka's shoulder.

"Have a good time on your drive, and you boys remember to stay safe on the road." Luka nods.

"Thanks, Uncle. We will, and thanks for this."

"You're welcome, my boy. Now, will you stop thanking and start driving." Uncle then steps back, allowing me to step towards Luka. I throw my arms around his neck.

"Yes, like Uncle said, have fun and stay safe." I then pull back and give him a serious look. "But Luka, if I catch word that you've been speeding through town, you'll never hear the end of it from me. Understand?" Luka nods.

"Yes Sophie, I understand." Luka then walks over to the driver's side door and gets in, checking the mirrors. The motor roaring to life, I go up and remove the green bow, so it doesn't fall off in the middle of the road. Just as Luka's about to pull out of the garage, I remember one last thing.

"One more thing, Luka, don't text and drive."

"Sophie Okay," he then pauses, letting something sink in for a second. "I don't even have a cell phone. Werewolves don't need one." From the other side of the car, Elliot interjects.

"Don't worry Sophie, I'll watch him."

That's what I'm afraid of, I think to myself.

"F.Y. I Sophie, I heard that." I smile.

"Good. Well see you when you get back, you boys are good to go."

Luka puts it in drive and starts to pull out into the driveway, double and triple checking his mirrors. Stepping through the doorway, I watch as Luka continues to head up towards the road. Just as he's about to go out of eyesight, I give him a wave goodbye. Watching Luka drive off, my uncle comes up behind me.

"So, tonight's the big night," He then places a hand on my own shoulder. "Time to get ready." I nod and let out a sigh.

"Yea." Right then, a severe pain comes over the link. Not from Luka or Elliot now just a few miles up the road, but from Duke, one of the Ruby Stone wolves inside of the pack hospital. I turn back towards my uncle. "You feel that?" He nods.

"What are you going to do about it, little Sophie?" I think about it for a moment.

"Until Luka becomes Alpha tonight, business is business. Let's go." My Uncle nods.

I shift into my wolf and take off running towards the pack hospital, my uncle hot on my heals. As I run, I work out the kinks.

Man, I really missed running around in my wolf form. I've truly been suffering cabin fever and I didn't even know it.

As the two of us continue to run towards our destination, my brain connects and remembers one teeny tiny detail.

Duke was one of the two wolves that kidnapped Luka who then brought him to Ace.

***

Getting to the pack hospital, my uncle and I shift back and go in, following the sound of struggling and screaming caused by the pain we're feeling at the other end of our connections.

Having once worked here, I know this place like the back of my paw. Once we get near the source of the pain, I see a room with a lot of doctors and nurses around the bed. I speed walk in, my uncle following. From where I am, I can see that the person in question was fighting the nurses and doctors, trying to get up and walk out.

At the sight of us walking in, aunt Sherry looks up at us for a moment before turning back towards the patient lying in the bed.

The other boy standing on the other side of the bed tries to help my aunt subdue Duke, he looks at me and it clicks. It's Jake, Duke's older brother. Abruptly, Duke stops struggling and looks towards me. He smiles.

"Good morning, Alpha Sophie."

"Morning Duke, Jake." I look at my aunt. "What's going on, Aunt Sherry?" Surprisingly, it's Duke who replies first.

"Nothing, Alpha. I just..." His brother looks down towards him.

"I disagree, little brother. I can feel that you're hurting." I interject.

"I'm on your older brother's side, Duke, I can feel that you're in pain about something. In fact, your pain's going all throughout the pack connection. Both pack connections." My aunt says.

"We can too, Sophie. That's the true reason why we're not letting him leave. As you know, if it was for any other reason, then yes, we would let him leave. But not with pain this bad, we need to figure out what's causing this so we can treat it." Turning her attention back towards Duke, my Aunt Sherry asks. "So, Duke, what's wrong? If it's something's serious, we can help."

"Nothing, Doctor Sherry, my brother's overreacting. I just want to get out of here." Jake then gives his brother a look.

"Martha knows something's wrong with you too, you know," he continues. "You don't want to lie to her forever, do you?" Face filling with sorrow at his brother's guilt trip, Duke shakes his head. Now curious, I ask.

"Mate?" Duke nods. An interrogation starts with my aunt a moment later, trying to figure out what's wrong

Not wanting to hear it, I zone out, looking around the room, trying to find my own clues in order to figure out might be wrong. Eyes traveling down all seems normal. That all goes out the window when I land on his leg, the prosthetic one I gave him when he and his brother kidnapped Luka.

Slightly, I get down on one knee and take a closer look, Duke not noticing what I'm up to. The thing looks ancient, looking like it's being held together with things you would find in your barn, a jumble of wires and two rusty metal braces. Taking an even closer look, I think O spot a few bruises dotting the side and front of his knee.

The memory of what I did to him the last time we met flashes through my mind for a split second. I shake it out.

Looking back over his whole leg, or what's left of it, I have an idea of what's wrong but I'm going to have to test it. Getting back up, I look towards my aunt and speak.

"He's right, there's nothing wrong with him." My aunt gives me a confused look, her own face contorting slightly.

"But Sophie, you said you..." I cut her off, putting on a convincing smile.

"I was wrong, Duke's perfectly healthy. He's free to go." Aunt Sherry's face contorts even more.

"Sophie what are you..." At her words, I give her a look that says, 'follow my lead and trust me.''

"Thank you, Alpha." Duke sits up on the side of the bed, I move around to him and hold out my hand. My aunt connects the mind link to mine.

"What are you up to, Little Sophie?"

Ignoring her, I pull on Duke's hand, helping him up. No sooner does he put his weight on his leg, do I look down at it, waiting. Instantly while in mid-first step, Duke grimaces, partly collapsing down, having to grab the bed frame to keep standing. At that same moment, the pain on the connection intensifies.

And that's what I was waiting for.

"We don't have to wonder anymore; I know what's wrong." My aunt comes around and helps me get him back in bed, aided by Jake. Duke's not trying to fight us anymore, realizing we now know the truth. Once we get Duke back in bed and lying down, my aunt asks.

"Well, spill it, Sophie. What is it?" Walking down towards the foot of the bed, I stop and reply.

"It's his prosthetic leg." I get on the bed. At the sensation of me taking off the device from the rest of his body, Duke starts to panic.

"Wait-wait a minute." His body then tenses and starts to squirm uncomfortably all at once. "Not my leg..."

Me getting his leg off, Duke is unable to continue his sentence and lets out a relieved sigh, laying his head back on the pillow. Putting the stump gently on the bed, I hand the clunky prosthetic off to my uncle. He takes it. Looking back towards what's left of Duke's leg, I can now see the extent of his injuries. A group of blue bruises darts up the surface of the skin there. I knew that I just didn't know how bad it was. I look up at my aunt.

"The brace was rubbing against his stump." I look back towards Duke. "How long has this been going on?" He raises his head slightly towards me.

"Ever since I got this thing."

Ever since I gave you this thing you mean, I thought. Jake snaps me out of my daze

"What's the big deal? So the brace is rubbing against his skin a bit, it shouldn't hurt that bad, should it?" I look over the stump for a moment, noticing something else. The skin on what remains of his leg is paler than the rest of his body. I look towards Jake and reply.

"Well, it does if it starts to rub sores on the leg. Even so, there's something more to it than this. simple sores wouldn't cause that kind of pain." I turn back to Duke. "How long do you have your leg on at a time?" Just as Duke is about to reply, Jake cuts his brother off and replies for him.

"He has it on all the time," Jake admits. "From the time he gets up to the time he goes to bed, he even sleeps and showers with it on," he continues. "Even though the pack doctors tell him not to, he refuses to listen."

"Duke, you shouldn't do that. Your prosthetic isn't built for that. It's built for a few hours of activity a day at most, otherwise, things like this can happen." My aunt chimes in.

"Yes, Sophie's right, Duke, you have to listen to your doctors. You can no longer live like you are now." Duke gives is a look, his face now absent of the smile he had when I first walked in.

"You all don't understand; I need to have the leg on."

So, in Duke's mind, he feels like he has to have it on all the time, I thought. But if this is the case then why? I give up and ask.

"Duke, why do you feel like you have to have your leg on all the time?" He gives me a look of despair in return.

"Because I'm ugly, Alpha Sophie," he replies, the words hitting me like a ton of bricks. "That day when they had to remove my leg because of the gangrene, I came out looking like half the man I once was. Now whenever people see me, they only see the disability and not the person. That leg is the only way I can return to a normal life." I lower my gaze from his.

"Look, Duke, I'm sorry for what I did to you. But I had no choice, you and your brother were kidnapping Luka." I stop myself from going any further, now's not the time for setting things straight. "In any case, I can assure you that you're not ugly." His brother pipes in, backing me up.

"The Alpha's right, dude, you should listen to what she has to say." I nod.

"Thank you, Jake. Your disability doesn't make you ugly, Duke and I'm sure most of your pack feels the exact same way, and if by some chance there're some members that don't, just ignore them," I pause to think about it for a second, "Besides I know your mate Martha doesn't think you're ugly, she loves you for you, trust me."

Duke lets out a long low sigh, avoiding any eye contact with me. "Alright, Alpha Sophie."

"Good. Now as for your leg." I look down at the limb in question, I reach out and place my hands on the stump, starting to gently rub on it a bit. on contact, I immediately can feel just how stiff the appendage actually is. There's a deep growl from Luka's connection.

"Easy Luka, eyes on the road. You'll get one of these soon enough birthday boy."

"Anyway, as I was saying. Now as for your leg Duke, I would recommend, leaving your leg off for a few days straight to allow the swelling to go down and the bruises to heal." I look up towards Jake, making sure he's listening before continuing. "And Also, Jake. If his stump gets sore like this a lot, ask his mate to rub it, like I am right now, or at least soak in some warm water and Epsom salt." Jake nods

"Sure Alpha, Martha will be around shortly, I'll tell her then."

I look back down towards Duke and lightly chuckle. "That's going to be some good bonding time with your mate." Duke lifts his head up slightly, one of his eyebrows raised.

'For real?"

"Yes. I try to give Luka a backrub every chance I get, he seems to really enjoy it," a smile grows across my face, and if I'm perfectly honest with you, I think I enjoy giving them just as much as he loves receiving them."

"Alright Alpha, I'll give it a shot and see what happens."

"But what we will do for sure is make you a new prosthetic leg, one with a better fit and better materials."

"You guys can do that?" My aunt speaks up after a while of being silent.

"We sure can. We'll first scan your stump to make a mold, then we'll create a new artificial leg using that mold, so it'll form to your body better." Duke looks over at my aunt.

"What. That's amazing, thank you so much."

"You're quite welcome, Duke. Aunt Sherry let's have that scheduled for tomorrow. I don't want him waiting longer than he has to."

Aunt Sherry nods, "Yes Ma'am, I'll get right on it."

I slide off the bed, turning to face Duke and his brother. "I would love to stick around and talk more but my uncle and I have a lot of things to do to get ready for tonight." I turn my attention to the other side of the room. "Aunt Sherry, after you're done here, can you come by the house and get the..."

"I know what I have to come by and get Little Sophie, say no more."

"Good. Well, goodbye guys, see you tonight."

"Goodbye Alpha," I hear the two boys call after me as I start walking out of the room. "Oh, wait, Alpha," I hear Duke suddenly say from behind me. I turn back.

"Yeah?"

"I wanted to thank you again for setting this up for me. You're much too kind, how can I ever repay you?"

"Oh, you're more than welcome. Just don't try to kidnap my mate again." Duke gives me a smirk in response.

"Don't worry, Alpha Sophie, I've already learned my mistake the hard way."

==========================================

A/N Well that took longer then I planned. Anyways guys that was Chapter 43, hope you like it. I would've had it done a few weeks ago, however about a quarter of the way through, my brain burned out. I'm not talking about just writer's block, my brain was cooked. So I decided to step away from this project temporarily to work on a certain fanfic that popped into my head, and in two weeks, I was back.
 

What do you think Aunt Sherry is coming to get from Sophie? 

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