It didn’t matter what had just happened. She had birthday cakes to make and an anniversary sheet cake to design. There were no muffins or croissants, and her cookie supply was low.

She pulled her hair on top of her head. For now, Liam Grayson didn’t exist. Bears didn’t live in Bear Lake. She wasn’t the she-alpha. And she hadn’t been claimed by God’s gift to women upstairs only an hour ago.

She tied the apron behind her back and began to work. She had a few quick recipes that would satisfy even her most demanding customers.

Two hours later, Sophia opened the front door to a line that had formed to the next store.

“Good morning.” She smiled at the regular customers. This was good. Busy was good.

Until Noah’s mother walked in.

“Janet?” Sophia walked around from the counter. She hadn’t seen her almost mother-in-law in months. “What are you doing here?”

“Hi, sweetheart.” The woman folded her into a giant hug. “Thought you could use a friendly face today.”

“Today?” Sophia looked around, but the other patrons were eating pastries and drinking coffee. They didn’t seem to notice the conversation.

“Yes.” Janet smiled. “Your blood oath is tonight, isn’t it?”

Sophia felt a sharp stab under her ribs. “You know about that?”

“Of course.”

Sophia took her soft hand in hers and led her to the kitchen, keeping an eye on the customers through the window.

“I had no idea. Really, I didn’t.”

Janet’s eyes softened. “You didn’t think Noah’s father and I expected you to be a nun the rest of your life, did you? You’re the she-alpha. Our family needs you.”

Sophia felt the tears stinging the corners of her eyes. “Liam wasn’t honest about it. About us.”

“Apparently, Noah wasn’t either. You should have known the extent of the pledge you made to him and the clan.”

“I don’t think I can go through with the ceremony. I’m sorry, Janet.”

The older woman patted the sides of her silver bun. She was a stunning woman. Noah had had her eyes. “You can go through with it.”

“It’s too soon. All of it has been too soon.”

“I thought that’s what you would say. Have you thought about Caroline?”

“What does Caroline have to do with this?” She hadn’t seen Noah’s sister in six months. It was easier to keep her distance from everyone.

“She and Daniel are together. She wants to start a family.”

“Oh.” Sophia realized what that meant. They wanted their own brood of bear shifters. “And if I don’t give my oath, no cubs?”

Janet nodded. “Exactly.”

“Why can’t there be another she-alpha? I’m not even a bear shifter. This is complete madness. I’m not Venus or even close to it.”

“Tell me something, Sophia. Did you love my son?”

“You know I did.”

“Then when you took the oath for him, was it with pure intentions?”

Sophia nodded. “It was.”

“And what about Liam? Do you love him?”

Sophia closed her eyes and pictured him. His dark hair. His beautiful eyes. The way he could make her laugh even when she was trying her hardest to be annoyed.

“I do. So much it scares me.”

“Then don’t let what happened with Noah keep you from honoring the oath you’ve already made. He wanted you to make that oath. Caroline needs you to do this. I need you to do this so I can have little grandcubs to spoil. Don’t rob yourself of the chance to be loved by a bear who would give his life for you. Liam has always loved you.”

Sophia’s eyes flashed to hers. “You knew?”

“Of course. You couldn’t walk in a room without him losing his mind over you. He’s loved you a long time. Maybe he didn’t go about this the best way, but I’ve known Liam his entire life. If I had to choose someone for you, it would be him.” She squeezed Sophia’s shoulder.

“This is all so public. I don’t feel like anything is ours.”

“We don’t know anything more about you two than we do about any couple. What do married couples do on their wedding night?” She smiled. “I think you’re just coming out of the dark again, sweetheart.”

“You’re not upset with me that I’m with Liam?”

“No. I could never fault you for following your heart. I will fault you for keeping me from my grandcubs, though.” She winked at her.

“And I suppose I would have Caroline’s wrath, too?”

Janet shrugged. “She wanted to come talk to you herself, but I suggested I speak with you first.”

“I think there’s something I need to do before I can decide.”

“And what is that?”

“I need to talk to Noah.”

* * *

She hadn’t been here since the funeral. She always avoided the cemetery. It seemed strange that a man so strong and powerful could die. He wasn’t supposed to die like that. Sophia knelt in front of the stone, her fingers dropping to trace the letters of his name.

“I’m here, Noah,” she whispered, tugging her coat closer to her chest.

She didn’t know what she expected. It wasn’t as if he was going to whisper through the wind. She was talking to a stone.

“I know I haven’t been here.” She sat on the ground, crossing her legs. “I didn’t want to face this. I know that sounds weak, right? I didn’t want to come here. I still don’t want to be here.” She could feel the anger rising.

“You weren’t supposed to die. You weren’t supposed to leave me.”

She expected tears, but there weren’t any. “So you probably know about Liam. And the clan. He swears you would be okay with this.” She sighed. “And your mom came to see me at the shop today.”

She twiddled a blade of a grass between her fingers. “And now it comes down to this. Do I do the oath tonight? If I don’t, I ruin the clan. Liam will never forgive me. Your sister and your mother will never forgive me. But if I do it, am I just giving in? Is he really the right mate for me? He tricked me. He used me, Noah. He’s your best friend.” She glared at the stone as if it would respond.

It was absurd blaming Noah for all of this, but as she sat and spoke the words, she realized that was exactly what had happened. She was angry at him for leaving. Angry that he was the reason she was at this crossroads. Angry that she was totally and completely in love with another bear.

She could feel it in every breath she took. With every thought. With every ounce of her being. He was in her soul. He had gotten under her skin and made his way to the inside of the fortress she had built around her heart. She didn’t want to live without Liam. She closed her eyes, letting the tears fall to the ground around her.