Page 86 of Rejected By a Wolf

Again, it was Lance who answered. “If he tried telling anyone, they would’ve already known. This whole island knows. He made quite a show of protecting you out in that arena. Several times.”

She whipped her head in Lance’s direction. “I can protect myself, you know.” Antonio couldn’t hide the grin that followed, enjoying the scene unfolding in front of him. His fierce fey didn’t cower in front of anyone, not even a werewolf.

Lance looked just as impressed.“You sure can. You think I didn’t watch you fight that banshee? It was damn impressive.”

Sophia’s hardened stance relaxed a bit as she said, “Damn right it was.”

All three of them broke out in a shared laughter.

“I like this one. I like this one a lot.” Lance told Antonio. “She’s better in every way.” A look of warning flashed acrossLance’s eyes, as if warning Antonio not to ruin this, though they both knew it was already too late. What was done was done. There was no taking it back. Not that Antonio would if he could.

“Better than Giselle?” Uncertainty danced over Sophia’s eyes. It was then that Antonio realized she still had no idea he had chosenagainstreviving Giselle. How could she have any idea? He never told her.

Antonio debated telling her now, but feared it would raise too many questions. Questions they didn’t have time for. Not tonight, at least. So he bit his tongue, deciding it was a conversation best left for the morning.

“Better than that bitch?” Lance snorted. “Absolutely. There’s no comparison.”

Sophia smiled, but it didn’t meet her eyes. She glanced at Antonio, her expression unsure.

She’ll know in the morning,he assured himself.

“He’s right. She’s nothing like you. She couldn’t compare if she tried.” He was such a fool to have ever told Sophia otherwise.

Again, she smiled. Again, that smile didn’t reach her eyes.

Thankfully, Lance changed the topic, alleviating the stifling uneasiness in the air. “Considering you two lustful romantics won’t be staying in this beauty tonight, I’ll hold down the fort. No need to thank me.” He carried himself over to one of the beds, sitting on it with a sigh as he worked a knot out of his neck. “Don’t think I can take sleeping against that tree another night.” He snapped his head to the side, his neck cracking as he did.

“You’ve been…what?”When Lance had told Antonio he’d rather sleep under the stars than share a tent with him and Sophia, Antonio assumed he was kidding.

Lance smirked, a twinkle of playfulness in his eye.

“I don’t understand. We aren’t sleeping here tonight?” Sophia asked Antonio.

“You won’t besleepinganywhere.” Lance broke out in laughter. “But if you choose to spend your night here. Well, gods help everyone nearby if you did.” When Sophia didn’t laugh, giving Lance a questioning look instead, Lance frowned, his confusion somehow matching hers.

“Alright, let’s park the jokes for now.” Antonio couldn’t remember if he ever told Lance about Sophia’s innocence.

“Ah, she’ll know what I’m talking about soon enough.”

Sophia stiffened.

Antonio groaned, pressing a reassuring hand on the small of her back. “Don’t scare the girl.” Though Lance wasn’twrong.

Eyes on Sophia, Lance assured her, “No need to worry.” He canted his head toward the front of the tent, urging them to leave. “You two better get going, time’s running out.” He winked at Sophia. “Don’t stress, you’re going to love it.”

Antonio hissed. “Watch yourself.” He warned Lance as he guided Sophia outside with him.

Despite Antonio’s threat, the two of them shared amicable looks. And as Antonio passed by Lance, his friend mouthed a warning only Antonio could see:For years, I’ve missed you. Don’t make me miss you again.

Antonio didn’t respond, leaving the tent without another word.

How could he give Lance the assurance he was looking for? How could he, when he couldn’t even give that assurance to himself?

Chapter Fifty-Three

Sophia Brenning

Anticipation oozed through Sophia as she and Antonio strolled down a grass covered road flanked by two cliffs.

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