I was too damn scared of letting anyone see how I really felt about her. And because I was too fucking stupid and selfish to see it was getting to her. I let her bat back my jabs and assumed she didn’t take it to heart. But of course she did. She has the biggest heartof anyone I know. And she had no fucking idea what was going on in my head.
Because I didn’t tell her. And that needs to change.
“Come with me,” I order, grabbing her hand. My tone brooks no arguments, but when has that ever stopped Sofia? She pulls away from me as soon as our skin touches. Like I fucking burn her. My wolf whines about how little she wants my touch. How much I’ve fucked things up.
“My wolf is hanging on by a thread here. I know I don’t deserve it, but can you please let me be close to you?”
I take her hand again, and she scoffs. Something flickers in her gaze—pity perhaps, and definitely softness—because she doesn’t pull away this time. I lead her back to the warriors. I march her back out to the main room of the training arena. Already hating how her scent is diluted by other shifters and the larger room. I want to lock us away from the world until I can get her to forgive me. But first I need her to see how incredible everyone sees her. How they respect her. How she doesn’t have to prove a damn thing.
“You four,” I bark, addressing the group stretching nearby. “Answer me honestly. What’s your opinion of Sofia?”
She pulls her hand back, crosses her arms and huffs out a breath, refusing to look at me or anyone else. My wolf whines, but I push him down. This is for our mate. He should be happy about that.
Confusion flickers across their faces. “In what way, Beta?” one asks cautiously.
“Doesn’t matter. First thing that comes to mind.”
“She’s a badass.”
“Stronger than any warrior. She never stays down, never lets anyone get the better of her.”
“She’s kind. Sometimes I find the new moves hard to understand. But Sofia will stay late with me until I get it. She’s really good at explaining things. Please don’t tell him I said it, but even better than Jackson.”
“She’s hot as hell.”
That last one gets a growl from me and a laugh from Sofia and a few others. “See? No one thinks—” I start, but she silences me with a raised hand.
“Okay, we’re all aware of how much of a sexy badass bitch I am now,” she says with a smirk. “But tell your beta what you thought of mebeforewarrior training. Be honest, I won’t be offended.”
The warriors glance at each other; they almost collectively shuffle. Their discomfort is palpable. What the hell is that about? Sofia smirks at me, crosses her arms in front of her and cocks a hip.
“Go on, tell him what you thought of me before seeing me in all my glory,” she says, flicking her hair over her shoulder.
“Well… that you were a princess,” one mutters. “Didn’t think you trained much.”
“Yeah, I wasn’t expecting you to knock me on my ass,” another admits.
The others nod, and Sofia grins at them. “Thanks, guys.” She shoots me a glare and stalks off. I follow behind her, glancing backwards at the warriors who stand still, clearly confused as fuck about what just happened.
I stare after her, realization dawning heavy and ugly. She thought I hated her. She thought I made her look like a spoiled princess who didn’t bother to train.
And fuck, she’s right. I did. Partly due to being overprotective but mainly because I couldn’t handle anyone seeing the truth—that I was in love with her. That I’ve always loved her and didn’t know how to face it when that love shifted into want.
For the first time, I fully take in the cracks in Sofia’s tough exterior. The way her eyes get the slightest watery sheen before she blinks it away. The way her sweet scent takes on a hint of the saltiness of sadness. What I thought was banter we were both involved in, she saw very differently.
Sofia always seemed so confident. So self-assured. I thought I pissed her off, sure, but I didn’t realize I was hurting her. Shame bubbles up from my gut. I’m such a damn idiot. A failure of a mate. The one goal in life for all male shifters, to find and satisfy their mate and I fucked it up so colossally. She saw it as a rejection. And it’s all my fault because I couldn’t deal with how in love with her I was.
Well, that changes now.
I turn back to the group and let out a howl to get everyone’s attention.
“Listen up. There seems to have been a serious miscommunication. I want to set the record straight. Sofia Rivera is a fucking queen. And she always has been. She’s hardworking, fiercely loyal, ridiculously smart, and yeah,” I glance back at her frozen figure, and her wide eyes, “hot as hell.
“I was so aware of these things that I couldn’t bear to be in the same room as her since my return from beta training. She is way too good for me, so I never imagined she would be my mate. But she is. And I will spend the rest of my life apologizing to her for being such a fucking fool. I’m sorry, prin—Sofia. You are a goddess. I don’t deserve you. But I’m still going to fight for you every damn day until I win you over.”
Her breath hitches audibly. She doesn’t move. Doesn’t speak. Her wolf is pressed forward, her eyes burning with liquid gold, but her human side fights to keep her walls up. And for the first time—possibly ever—Sofia is rendered silent.
“That being said, you lot are also all idiots for letting me sway your opinions of this fucking incredible alpha wolf. Now apologize to her with five laps of the lake.”
