Drake
Sophie freezes like a deer in headlights, her gold-flecked eyes going wide. “What do you mean?”
I can feel her unease as if it is my own, and I can imagine what she’s thinking. Before Bastien turned up, there were a few occasions when I thought Selene might have picked up on my feelings for her. Every time was a trial. The anxiety was excruciating, a sudden vulnerability so overpowering it made my knees go weak.
Poor little mate, my wolf thinks fondly. She’s absolutely beside herself.
I almost feel guilty, for while Sophie frets, I’m filled with assurance. I don’t have to worry about my love being returned this time; I know how deeply she cares. I know we are fated.
I meant to give Sophie more time to recover from the turbulent events of last month. She clearly isn’t ready to reveal her feelings to me, but I’m starting to think giving her space is doing more harm than good.
In a matter of weeks Sophie has gone from someone controlling her entire life, to complete freedom. I didn’t want to do to her what Bastien did to Selene, and trade her cage or iron for one of gold – taking care of her so completely she never learned to do it for herself. However I’m starting to see the answer wasn’t leaving her entirely to her own devices, but finding some sort of middle ground.
“Sophie, I know everything in your life is uncertain right now,” I begin gently. “And this probably isn’t the right time to make any major life decisions – but I can’t take this any longer.”
“Can’t take what?” She murmurs, peeking up at me from beneath her lashes.
Sighing I answer, “Pretending like there are only platonic feelings between us.”
Some unknown emotion flickers in Sophie’s wary countenance. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She lies, crossing her slender arms protectively over her chest.
“Careful little lamb, I don’t appreciate being lied to.” I growl, pinning her with a disapproving gaze. “Especially over matters of such significance.”
My mate stares at the ground, shifting her weight from one small foot to the other and looking very guilty indeed.
“Is there anything you’d like to tell me?” I press.
To my surprise, a mutinous expression comes over her face, “you seem to have all the answers, Drake.” She mutters, “why do you even bother asking?”
“Come on, Soph.” I encourage, giving her tiny waist a squeeze. “Don’t be like that.”
“Like what!” She snaps, her plump bottom lip quivering.
“You could start by telling me why you’re so upset with me.” I suggest, letting her pull free of my grip and watching her start to pace across the stone floor.
For a few long moments that’s all she does, working herself up into a lather and shooting me adorable glares while she tries to decide what to do.
“What do you want me to say?” She finally bursts out, her skin flushed bright pink. “That I’m in love with you? That I have been since we were children and not being with you is tearing me to absolute pieces?” Sophie demands, throwing her arms up in exasperation. “Is that what you wanted? Was it everything you hoped, was it really worth destroying our friendship?!”
“Absolutely it is!” I bite back, and her eyes well with tears. “Because we’ll be trading it in for something so much better!”
“What are you talking about?” Sophie cries.
“We’re meant to be together, Sophie.” I proclaim, catching her wrists before she can dance back out of my reach, and pulling her flush against me. “I’m sorry I didn’t see it sooner, but I do now.”
Sophie shakes her head in disbelief, a rogue tear sliding down her cheek, “what, so you’re making fun of me now?”
My brow knits together in confusion, how could she think such a thing. “Of course not!” I correct her fiercely. “Sophie I’m trying to tell you I’m in love with you too.”
Before I can say another word, my mate raises her sweet voice to a near shout, “Don’t!” She objects, trying to push me away with all her strength and getting nowhere. “This isn’t- I don’t want that, not like this!”
“Why not?” I interrogate, holding her tight.
“Because it’s cruel, Drake!” She exclaims, her voice so shaky she can barely get the words out.
“How?” I question desperately.
“I’ve spent the last four years living in Selene Durand’s shadow, and I refuse to do it for the rest of my life.” She hiccups, “I’m never going to be Selene, and you know it!”
“Baby, I don’t want you to be Selene.” My wolf is close to the surface now, and I have to force the words out through clenched fangs.
I’m not the only one, Sophie’s brilliant eyes are glowing, her muscles wound tight as a spring. “Who’s lying now?” She hisses, “you can’t have the woman of your dreams so you’re settling for some cheap imitation.”
“Don’t call yourself that!” I rumble furiously.
“Why not?” She counters, “it’s the truth! You have a type Drake. You like broken women, ones you think you can save.” Sophie lobs the accusation like a verbal grenade. “You had the perfect damsel in Selene, but she already had a mate, so you looked around and found the first mistreated she-wolf you could find and decided she’d have to do, right?”
“Wrong!” I snarl, softening my hold on her lithe wrists when she flinches in pain, “I was never in love with Selene-“
“Stop lying!” Sophie explodes, “I heard you professing your feelings for her the day after Bastien claimed her, I saw you try to kiss her!”
“Yes, you did,” I concede, “but I was wrong. I thought I loved her, but only until I learned you were in danger. The moment I realized I might lose you, I realized how wrong I was about Selene. I didn’t know what love was before, but I do now.”
“Do you even hear what you’re saying?” She scowls, “you just admitted you didn’t want me until you thought I needed saving.”
My hands are shaking with anger now, but thankfully Sophie is too worked up to notice. “Enough!” I thunder, grasping her nape and dipping my head until our lips are nearly touching, staring into her bloodshot eyes so intensely she freezes in place. “Would you like me to tell you the difference between you and Selene, Sophie?”
“I already know!” She tries to say, “She’s beautiful and experienced -“
“Selene isn’t the one who takes my breath away when she smiles at me.” I correct her harshly, barely resisting the urge to give her a shake. “Selene isn’t the one whose scent makes me dizzy with the need to claim her. Selene isn’t the one who makes me want to neglect all my responsibilities so I can spend all day and night by her side.”
Sophie is staring up at me in abject shock, appearing so lost I want to cuddle her close and wipe away all her tears. But not yet, “And Selene isn’t the one who makes me feel like my heart has leapt right out of my chest and now beats in her tiny hands.” I conclude. “Selene isn’t my mate, you are!”
For the first time, it seems like my words have broken through her stubborn little head. “I am?” She peeps uncertainly.
“You are.” I confirm, “and if I have to spend every day for the rest of our lives proving it to you, I gladly will.” I vow, finally softening my possessive grip. “But we will be mated whether you’re convinced or not. You will be my wife.”
To my surprise, Sophie looks away from me, forcing her hand between our bodies so she can pinch her left arm. I yank the little pincers free when she winces. “What are you doing?”
“I think I’m dreaming.” She explains, her voice barely louder than a whisper.
For the first time since this conversation began, a wide smile stretches over my face. “You should have said so,” I tease, dropping a kiss to her cheek, “I have a much better way of testing that out.”
“You do?” Sophie wonders aloud, her long lashes fluttering when I place a matching kiss on her other cheek.
“Oh yes.” I grin, trailing my lips over her jaw, “not nearly as painful, and much – much – more fun.”
“How do you do it?” She asks breathlessly, her soft form melting against me.
“Like this.” I explain, tenderly kissing her damp eyelids one after the other. “And this,” I add, depositing another kiss on the tip of her nose.
When I finally move to claim her luscious mouth, Sophie already looks as if she’s in a daze. Hmm, my wolf assesses thoughtfully, we might have to repeat this lesson a lot. Just to make sure it sinks in.
I couldn’t agree more. I think back, catching my mate’s mouth in the first of a lifetime of kisses.
As soon as our lips connect, I feel like a missing puzzle piece has finally fallen into place. Sophie moans, her lips parting in invitation, and all I can think is that nothing has ever felt so right.
