Chapter 2: The Unexpected Visitor

"Who could that be?" Sophia asked, her voice tinged with curiosity rather than fear.

"Are you expecting anybody, Sophia?" Emily asked as well. With a little squint of her face, Sophia replied, "No, I am not."

Emily's eyebrows knitted together in mild confusion. She stood up, her movements deliberate but unhurried. "I'll check," she said, her tone calm.

With cautious steps, Emily approached the door, her heart beating a little faster. She took a deep breath and slowly turned the handle, the door creaking open to reveal a towering figure that seemed to fill the entire doorway.

Standing before them was a man of imposing height, around 6'4", with a muscular build that spoke of both strength and authority. His piercing eyes glowed with an inner fire, exuding a primal, almost feral energy. Wild, tousled hair framed a stern expression, and his leather jacket added to his dangerous aura.

"Who are you?" Emily asked, her voice steady despite the surprise.

The man's gaze flickered over Emily before locking onto Sophia. "Trust me, you don't wanna know who I am, but I'm here for her," he said, his voice a deep, rumbling growl.

Sophia's eyes widened in confusion, her hands gripping the armrests of her chair. "Okay, Alaric, what do you want? I don't understand why you are here, Mr.," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

With the same arrogance, he stepped inside the house without being invited. He scanned the room as he entered, a demeaning look on his face as he advanced toward Sophia.

Immediately, Emily took a step forward, positioning herself protectively between Sophia and Alaric. "Hey, Alaric, or whoever you call yourself," she stated firmly. "You cannot just waltz in here as if you own the place. What do you want with her?"

Alaric's expression hardened, his jaw clenching as he struggled to contain his temper. His hands curled into fists at his sides, and he took a step forward, his presence overwhelming the small room. "Listen to me, you," he said, staring directly at Emily, "don't make me angry. She belongs with me," each word dripping with barely controlled rage.

Even though Emily was afraid, she kept her cool, displaying an aura of boldness she never believed she had.

"Like I told you before," Emily said, "what do you—"

But before Emily could finish her sentence, Sophia placed her hand on her shoulder. Sophia's breath came in short gasps, her confusion palpable. "First of all, I don't know you," she said, her voice quivering while she gave the stranger a firm glare. "Second of all, you came in here like you owned the place, causing trouble. What do you want exactly?"

For a fleeting moment, Alaric's eyes softened as he looked at her, a glimmer of something almost tender flashing in his gaze. But it vanished as quickly as it had appeared, replaced by a steely determination. "I want you and what you carry," he replied, his tone slightly gentler.

Emily's protective instincts flared. She squared her shoulders, refusing to be intimidated. "You need to leave," she said, her voice low and fierce. "You're alarming her."

Alaric's temper flared again, his body tensing as if ready to lash out. But then he took a deep breath, visibly trying to regain control. "She is in danger," he snapped, his eyes blazing as he faced Emily. "If you care about her, you'll let me take her to safety."

Emily stood her ground, her mind racing to decipher the truth behind his words. She glanced back at Sophia, who watched with wide, bewildered eyes.

"Obviously she is, because you are the only danger I can see presently," Emily said, her tone brooking no argument.

Alaric's growling and clenching fists made Sophia nervous, having caught glimpses of his behavior more than once.

"Do you know who I am?" Alaric asked Emily with a definite and defining look.

"I don't, and I don't want to know," she said. "Just leave this place."

As Alaric was about to lose his temper and hurt Emily, raising his hand to hit her, Sophia quickly switched positions with Emily.

"Everyone needs to remain calm," Sophia said.

Somehow, her words made both Alaric and Emily calm down.

"Now let me ask you again, and I want you to answer me," Sophia said. "What do you want with me and why do you think I am in danger?"

Emily turned to Sophia, crouching down to meet her gaze.

Sophia's words were like the coolant needed to bring Alaric back to his senses. He calmed down and began to speak.

"Like I said earlier, I am Alaric," he said. "And what you should also know is this: I am a werewolf."

Hearing this, Sophia quickly turned to look at Emily, causing them both to laugh simultaneously. Sophia turned back and, seeing the expression on Alaric's face, apologized for laughing.

"You see, I would still be indulging your words if not for the fact you mentioned you are a werewolf," Sophia said.

"Listen to me, woman. You don't know what is at stake here, and you need to believe me," said Alaric.

Immediately after, Emily replied, "That you are a make-believe creature?"

"It's okay, Emily," said Sophia, now turning to Alaric. "I know you expect me to believe everything you said, but I really don't. There is no such thing as a werewolf, and whatever danger you think I am in, it's all in your head. To save ourselves some trouble, you should go. I am not the one you are looking for."

After saying all this, Sophia walked towards the door and opened it for Alaric to leave. In anger, Alaric walked to her and said, "You know what? You can decide not to believe me, that's fine. But one thing I will never do is leave you while you are carrying my child."

Hearing this came as an electrifying shock to Emily. Even Sophia gulped when she heard that.

"Sophia, I give you the benefit of the doubt that he is not, but you need to say something about what he just said," Emily said.

Sophia closed the door and walked slowly to Alaric. As she approached him, Alaric's expression softened, believing she was ready to accept him. She stopped right in front of him and looked into his eyes. After a few seconds, she finally spoke.

"I don't know if you're smoking something, but you need to leave my house right now," Sophia said.

"Wait, what did you just say?" Alaric asked, anger mixed with surprise.

"She said you should leave. I believe she was loud and clear enough," Emily taunted.

"Watch your tone, woman," Alaric said in anger.

"Or what?" Emily asked.

"Enough!" Sophia shouted, her voice unexpectedly sounding like the voices of many men, commanding attention.

"Are you alright?" Alaric and Emily asked in unison, surprised by their synchronized response.

"I am fine," Sophia replied. Facing Alaric, she continued, "I don't know what game you're playing, but hear this because I am only going to say it once: you are not the father of my child. I have never met you in my life, so there is no way you are my child's father. And right now, you need to leave."

Alaric's eyes blazed with a mix of frustration and reluctant admiration. "Fine," he growled. "But know this: whether you believe me or not, the child needs me and you do too. We don't have much time." As he moved toward the door to leave, there was another knock.

Alaric opened the door, s

tanding in front of a new figure. Immediately, Alaric, Sophia, and Emily asked, "Who are you?"