Page 53 of The Married Alpha And His Arrow: Vol 2

Sophia smiled, “I’m apologizing to them all. I didn’t actually think I owed them one, but after my wolf didn’t heal me straight after the fight with Haley, she and I talked. She was angry with me too.” I winced, “About me?”

Sophia said, “Not just about you, but you were part of it.” I whispered, “I’m sorry.” Sophia assured me, “It’s ok. I realized Alpha Eric was right. They should’ve forced a mentor on me, but I should’ve asked. I couldn't though because…”

I finished her sentence, “Your father’s advice before he died.” Sophia nodded, “Yes. It trapped me. After talking to Nancy, I feel free from that. I’ve offered to let her stay in my pack even past the end of my mentorship. I don’t know when that will be, but I’m hoping she’ll participate in our lead female warrior event. She’s trying to decide if she can be my mentor, as well as our female lead warrior. I think she can because she’s amazing.”

I was genuinely happy for her, “That’s great.” Sophia sighed, “I wished I didn’t have to get my ass kicked to figure it all out.” I said, “Haley will thaw.” Sophia snorted, “I hurt her friend and she warned me not to do that. She is a dichotomy of a little thing though. When she found out about Wallace, I guess she beat the shit out of a punching bag in Alpha Eric’s gym. She called and requested I let her kill Wallace. I think she invented some curse words.”

I was too shocked to laugh. I questioned, “Wallace is dead?” Sophia said, “Very. Castrated, gutted, and very very dead.” I frowned, “I thought you loved him.” Sophia looked off into the distance answering, “I loved the boy I knew. Haley and I actually talked that through too. Over the phone mind you, but his obsession with me wasn’t healthy and he took advantage of me. Haley pointed out if he truly loved me, he wouldn’t have done that.”

I assured her, “That’s thawed for Haley.” Sophia said, “We aren’t going to be friends anytime soon. She did send me a Haley themed motivational calendar with Alpha Eric yesterday to the meeting. So, she doesn't completely despise me. She also sent me a martini making kit. My martini glass says: I said what I fucking said and I’m not sorry because I’m an Alpha, Bitch.”

I raised an eyebrow, “A Haley themed motivational calendar?” Sophia nodded, “They are her sayings.” I laughed, “I need one of those.” Sophia said, “They are geared specifically to me. You’d need a new one.” I encouraged, “Lay one on me.”

Sophia smiled, “You are not bossy, you’re a fucking boss. You’re the first female Alpha. Today be your bad ass bitch self. It’s lots of things like that. She messes up a lot of sayings, but they kind of work. I’m pretty sure it’s her way of apologizing, on top of her apology for not being able to handle ancient fairy magic she wasn’t ever meant to handle.”

I agreed, “That sounds like her.” We both laughed. I saw how it could've been. She was so easy to talk to. Maybe I’d ruined us by demanding to see our paths. She could've been forcibly marked though. I couldn’t have stood to see her so broken by that, even now.

Sophia sighed, “I can’t be selfish with you. I have a lot of work to do on myself and within my pack. I can’t ask you to wait for me. This has to be my first big move, letting you go.” I disagreed, “You could ask that of me. I’d do it too if it’s what you needed. I just need to be honest with you too. I don’t know if we did wait, that we could live happily ever after.”

I held her hands, “You deserve someone who moves mountains for you. More than finding your Beta. You deserve someone who does more than hold you when someone hurts you.” Sophia whispered, “You deserve someone who chooses you no matter what they know. I’m sorry for the choices that girl made, not knowing that you held a position in the Shroud that I didn’t get an annulment. Even though it’s not fair because I didn’t do that.” She was still right.

She continued, “I thought about it a lot and I was scared three years ago and hiding. I don’t know what I would’ve done, but I wish we did.” So, did I. She told me, “Thank you for keeping me from being forcibly marked. I wouldn’t have recovered.” We were both crying now.

I admitted, “I don’t know if I can do this.” Sophia smiled sadly, “You can. Reject me and find your happiness. You’re ready for it, but I’m not there yet.” Tears were falling down my cheeks. I declined her offer, “No, you reject me. It will hurt you less if you initiate it. Let me do this for you. I didn’t stand in Haley’s way. I didn’t defend you from those shots. It will hurt your wolf more if I reject you.”

Sophia begged, “Please, I don’t want to hurt you.” I didn’t think it would hurt me nearly as bad as it would hurt her. I loved her more like a friend at this point, than how I should’ve loved her. Keeping my distance, I’d essentially friend zoned her. Lexi was right.

I told her, “It’s different for my people. It hurts but not like it does for wolves. Just promise me one thing.” Sophia agreed, “Anything.” I said, “You use that number I gave you anytime you need me. You will ALWAYS be important to me. My Shroud is in your territory, and I want to be your ally. Always. I’ll stay in the shadows and be watching. If you ever need me, promise you’ll call.”

Sophia had more tears running down her face. She sobbed, “You trust me.” I said, “I’m trusting you with this promise here and now. I should’ve given you a chance then, and I took the word of my goddess instead. That killed us before we ever had a chance to start. Let me make for that, please.”

Sophia nodded, “I promise, I’ll call if I ever need your help.” I kissed her on the forehead, “It’s ok, I’ll be ok.” She took a step back, “I... Sophia Thunders, Alpha of Thunders Ridge rej…” her voice broke. I stepped up and squeezed her hands, “It’s ok.”

She took a deep breath, “Reject you Heath Scott as my mate.” I felt a dull ache in my chest. It made me feel bad. It wasn’t like when Noah was rejected because he felt nothing. This hurt me, but not like it should’ve. Lexi was right. Sophia and I both deserved better.

Sophia shook explaining, “You have to accept because I’m a wolf.” I nodded, “I Heath Scott, Leader of the Hood, accept your rejection.” She cried, “You trusted me to know that.” I replied, “You figured it out already.” She wiped her tears, “You didn’t have to confirm it though.” I didn’t. I held her tight, “I know you’ll keep it a secret for me.” She agreed, “I will.”

The ache faded and Sophia stopped shaking. She took a deep breath, “That should've been harder, shouldn’t it?” I said, “I think we both knew we deserve a different kind of love.”

Sophia wiped her tears, “I’m sorry my goddess used you as a lesson I needed.” I said, “I’m not. I don’t think that’s what it was. Haley goes to different realities with Alpha Eric, it’s called the Ribbon. I’ll ask her to check in on us in them. I bet in one reality we are together and happy. It just couldn’t be this one. I just know in one of them different choices were made on both our parts and others. I believe some version of us made it work.”

She wiped her eyes, “That’s kind of beautiful. I’m sorry it couldn't be us too.” I assured her, “You’ll get your second chance, and he’ll love you to pieces.” She smiled, “You get your third chance. She’ll be amazing, I just know it.”

I nodded, “Call me anytime you need me.” She smiled, “I will. I’m keeping my promises from here on out.” I picked her up and flashed her to Tyson. I set her down. I looked him in the eyes, “Take care of her, please.”

Tyson blew out a breath, “I want to punch you in the face, and then thank you for not stringing her along.” I acknowledged, “I’m a brother too so I get it.” Sophia pleaded, “Please Tyson don’t.” I told her, “It’s ok. If it’s what he needs, I’ll let him hit me.”

Tyson growled, “For my sister and the fact that yours brought us together; I’ll give you a pass this once. Hurt her again and I won’t.” I swore, “I never intended to hurt her. I don’t think I even realized I had my own baggage I put on her until my sister pointed out that I had. Along with the fact it wasn’t fair to Sophia.” Tyson stared at me, then nodded, and ran away holding Sophia.

I ran back to Lexi and Chase. Lexi was pacing. Chase tapped her on the shoulder when he spotted me. She whirled and launched herself into my arms. She asked, “Are you ok?” I thought about it and admitted, “I really am. I think we were both relieved.”

She studied me, “You aren’t lying. I told Isaiah you might stay the night with us.” I said, “It’s not like when I lost Dani. It hurt but not like it should’ve.” Chase had obviously overheard and clapped me on the back.

Lexi studied me, “You’re really ok?” I assured her, “Yes.” She happily said, “Let’s get you home then.” Chase and I both stared at her in surprise. I raised an eyebrow, “I’m going to the Shroud.” Lexi smiled, “I know where your home is. We are taking you there.”

Chase and I asked, “Why?” At the same time. Lexi yelled, “Because I freaking said so! Let’s go!” I frowned and looked at Chase who shrugged. He mouthed, “Pregnancy hormones.” It was as good an explanation as any.

I was all wrong for Sophia. I didn’t even consider that side of it until today. I was glad she’d be getting her second chance. He’d better treat her right. If he was another Wallace then he’d die by my hand. I’d never let that happen to her again. She needed to be loved like Alpha Eric loved Haley and like Chase loved Lexi.

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