Page 74 of Alpha's Hidden Gem

Lila texts Sophie back, "We are still at The Night Owl."

As Sophie arrives, my wolf immediately senses her nervous energy. She slides into the booth beside us, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her shirt.

"What's going on, Soph?" Lila asks, her brow furrowed with concern. "Is everything okay?"

Sophie takes a deep breath, her eyes darting between Lila and me. "I got a letter today," she begins, her voice trembling slightly. "It's from a lawyer in Millfield. About a distant relative's will."

My protective instincts surge as I lean closer to Sophie. "Can we see the letter?" I prompt gently, my mind already racing with possibilities.

Sophie nods, pulling an envelope from her pocket and placing it on the table. Her fingers trace the edges before she carefully slides it over to me.

I scan the contents quickly, my eyes widening. It's indeed from a law firm, informing Sophie that she's been named in the will of a great-aunt. The details are vague, but it's clear that this news has thrown Sophie for a loop.

"I didn't even know I had relatives in Millfield," Sophie admits, her voice small in the cozy confines of our booth.

Lila reaches across the table, placing a comforting hand on Sophie's. "This is quite a surprise, isn't it? But it could be an exciting opportunity to learn more about your family history."

I nod in agreement, giving Sophie's shoulder a gentle squeeze. "We're here for you, love. Whatever you decide to do about this, we'll support you."

Sophie leans into me, a small smile playing on her lips. "Thanks, you two. I don't know what I'd do without you."

Lila grins, her eyes sparkling with mischief in the dim light of the bar. "Well, for starters, The Night Owl wouldn't run nearly as smoothly without our star manager."

We all laugh, the tension breaking. It's true - in the months since we opened The Night Owl, Sophie's expert management has been crucial to our success.

"You know," I say, glancing around our bustling establishment, "when we started this place, I never imagined we'd be sitting here months later, not just running a successful business, but facing new adventures together."

Lila nods enthusiastically. "Life's funny that way, isn't it? Sophie, why don't we look into this Millfield situation tomorrow? We can do some research, maybe make a plan."

Sophie's smile widens. "That sounds perfect. You know, when I first started managing here, I thought it was just a job. I never imagined I'd find a new family... and maybe rediscover an old one too."

As we sit in our booth, surrounded by the fruits of our labor and the warmth of our bond, I can't help but feel a sense of pride and anticipation. The Night Owl has become more successful than we'd ever dreamed, and now life seems to be throwing us a new adventure.

With Lila and Sophie by my side, I'm ready for whatever comes next. Our story, it seems, is far from over.

THE END