1 It Happened One Night

"I just had the unpleasant sensation of hearing you referred to as my husband", the television blared as Sofia continued to fold clothes and put them into a luggage.

It was one of her favorite movies, It Happened One Night, starring Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert. She'd watched it dozens of times, but she could never tire of the chemistry between two opposites in old Hollywood films like this. For as long as she could remember, watching these films made long before she was born had helped her find comfort during the most difficult times of her life. Because in these kind of movies a stubborn, a self sufficient woman can let her guard in and let a ruggedly handsome man take care of her. And for whatever reason she can look into his smoldering eyes and trust him.

Unfortunately, that is not realistic, at least not at any time in Sofia's life.

'I don't care how handsome Clark Gable was supposed to be in the 1930s, I would not share a hotel room with some man I just met', Sofia thought as she rolled her eyes and scoffed at the tv.

Despite her pessimism, Sofia really secretly wished she could have a whirlwind romance of her own like all of the old films her mother raised her on.... well, without the problematic parts like blatant sexism for instance. But, no, she had no strapping men at arms reach. Instead she was destined to live the life of a werewolf. Speaking of movies, it drove Sofia endlessly mad thinking about how wrong every werewolf movie has gotten the details.

First of all, she wished at times she didn't have to worry about choosing a mate. There was absolutely no destiny in the matter, it was just once you fall in love you mate with that person and are tethered for life. Another reason why she has avoided getting close to people her entire life and lived through the romances she watches on film. Many wolves mate at an early age due to this dynamic, but those like Sofia who managed to guard their hearts, would go their lives alone until that day.

Although Sofia had dreams of living an extraordinary life, it felt there was nothing special about her. Her whole life had been dedicated to working just to stay afloat. Her family owned a small second hand shop and when old enough she got a job of her own as a waitress to help them make ends meet. As Sofia watched the sparks fly between the two characters on her small tv screen, she realized it seemed her desires always contradicted what she stood for. Life had never given her any hand outs and she certainly didn't plan to take any from a man.

Still, it was tiring to work hard her entire life and get nothing she dreamed of in return. When she wasn't day dreaming about attractive old Hollywood actors like young Marlon Brando, she was painting herself into another world. She wondered if all of her hobbies being escapism related was an unhealthy coping mechanism, but nevertheless they were a part of who she was. Since Sofia was a child, she dreamed of traveling the world and painting on countrysides. For now she kept that dream a secret and painted the places she longed to visit.

It felt foolish and stupid to think of traveling when any extra money should be going towards her loved ones. There was a time when her family was doing pretty decent financial wise and she thought she could save to finally see Paris like she dreamed, but just as she was so close to her goal her family lost everything. Over the last six months, Sofia's family's store had been robbed and the rotten thief's managed to get into her dad's safe in the back where he'd stored their entire life savings. She told her father so many times that was not a safe way to store money, but he always insisted banks were a scam.

As she heard a soft knock on the door she paused her movie. Her parents had told her to pack some things, and she thought maybe they would go to their favorite camp ground for the weekend. They already had a season pass to the camp ground since before the robbery occurred so it was a way to get away from their troubles without spending money. Again, Sofia loved escapism. Art and nature were great ways to avoid the stress of working constantly and distracting herself from thinking too much about the future. And adored painting the mountain ranges as they sat right in front of her.

"Come in!", Sofia yelled, smiling at her parents as they came in. Immediately she sensed something off.

"What's wrong, are we cancelling and I should unpack", she said frowning.

Her mom sat on the bed a rested a hand on her knee. In a soft voice she'd never heard her mother use before, she said, "Sweetheart, we have something we didn't want to tell you until now....

We didn't see the point in worrying you even more by telling you ahead of time".

Sofia stomach instantly dropped and she looked between her parents faces, trying to read their expressions.

"Are we losing the shop?", she said quickly grabbing her mothers hand.

"More than unfortunately", she started as she squeezed her daughters hand, "we're losing the house".

She could tell her mother had that look on her face when she was trying to hold it together, but her eyes were glassy with tears that wanted to spill out. It was the same look she got on her face when she'd talk to doctors at her brother's appointments. See, another reason Sofia's realism mindset was despite wolf packs being described as these immortal, impenetrable beings, they could hurt and die like anyone else.

Her brother Vincent's life made this evident. There were complications the day he was born and Sofia's parents almost lost him that day. It seemed everything was fine from that point on, but he always struggled in specific aspects of his life. Later her family found out he had been silently dealing with multiple mental health issues, and it gave them a better understanding of why he suffered from addiction. He had been self medicating for his pain and ultimately the family lost him a few years prior. He was the strongest person Sofia knew and despite time passing, her family hadn't been the same since.

It was like a light in her went out that day and she felt guilty ever letting any of the light back in. Even when she did the things she loved like painting it always felt wrong to do anything for herself. But her brother always told her to keep painting and that she had a gift. Although Sofia didn't feel she was talented, his words kept her painting and probably would for the rest of her life. Vincent was her best friend and no matter how little they had, life was always full of laughter and happiness when they had each other.

Now all she had was memories and this lingering lonely feeling living in her family's house. Still she knew that house held all of their memories from a better time and their family couldn't lose that too.

"Sofia are you okay, you're doing that staring out the window thing again", he father said putting a hand on her shoulder.

Immediately she snapped out of her thoughts and glanced up at her dad, breathing out, "I'll pick up another job-", her mother immediately cut her off.

"Honey, you already work over time at the diner and burn yourself out taking those long drives to art fairs to sell your work. It's time you get a different kind of job, one where you can finally have time to fully dedicate yourself to painting like you said you always wanted to when you were in high school".

"Mom I didn't get how the world worked then, I hadn't even reached my full wolf form and was so naive".

"It doesn't matter anyways, Sofia, another job would not cover how much we owed. Your father and I wanted you and Vincent to feel safe, so we never told you how much we were falling behind on paying the mortgage", she took a deep breath before continuing, "but there is one way you can help us".

"Anything, I'd do anything for you guys", Sofia said without missing a beat.

"Well when a wolf has gone as long as you have without finding a mate, you know the higher ups at the pack start to look for ways to rectify the situation..."

"You know how that makes me feel mom, I'm not in a situation that needs to be 'rectified'", Sofia said using air quotes with her fingers. "I just have no interest in anyone I've ever met in this city".

Her father interjected "Sofia you've always done well leading others and they just want more for you. You'll never be in a high ranks in the pack if you don't start taking having a mate more seriously. Darling, I wish you understood you weren't meant to do everything on your own. It's good to have a partner to depend on."

Sofia stood up heaving out an exasperated sigh, "what's wrong with being independent. Besides I want to travel the world one day, how am I supposed to do that if I'm tied down to some man who expects me to obey HIS will. In fact, why are we even talking about this, what does this have to do with helping us save our house!"

Her father paused for a few seconds before blurring out, "Angelo finished his doctorate program he completed abroad and after working for the past few years out there he has finally returned. He is ready to resume his title as alpha".

"Dad, if I don't date in general what makes you think I'd date an alpha even if they were interested".

Alpha's were known for being terrifying and she knew she spoke her mind way too much to ever be compatible with someone like that. Plus she was too much of a secret hopeless romantic to be with someone so cold. She knew she'd never find someone like in the movies, but she'd rather be alone then be with someone as callous and cruel to have what it takes to be an alpha. Sofia was 22 and he had to be somewhere in his 30s, so she hadn't seen Angelo since she was incredibly young. Still the rumors continued to linger of the alpha who abandoned his pack to become a doctor. Funny someone who was know for being merciless, did all that work for a career all about healing people.

"Well the elders of the pack think someone like you is exactly what the alpha needs. And I can't say I disagree. The alpha would be lucky to have my strong, independent girl", her father smiled rubbing her back.

"There is something that relates this to us saving our house though...", her father continued while him and his wife made nervous eye contact. "As you know our pack stays involved in many businesses that help maintain their success... The elders feel that Angelo has betrayed many people's trust from leaving his pack and significant work has to be done to gain that trust back."

Sofia stared at her parents puzzled, wondering where they were going with this.

After taking a pause her father continued, "At Angelo's age the elders told him the only way he would let him back as alpha was if he were to get married. They offered this deal to as soon as he graduated doctorate school, but he just now has accepted the offer."

Sofia stiffened at their words. They couldn't be going where she thought she was with this.

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A.N. - Hello, new friends! I don't know if anyone will read this, but I thought I'd throw my hat in the ring for a contest. If you could vote or give it points it would mean the world. I'd love to make some friends through this too! I'm a hopeless romantic just like the character, so I hope this will be as fun for everyone else to simp over as it will be for me lol. This story goes out to all my fellow big dreamers and optimistic realists! I hope whoever read's this has a wonderful day.