Page 27 of Rejected By a Wolf

Sophia was his second chance. She was his mate.

She’s mine.

Chapter Seventeen

Sophia Brenning

Sophia couldn’t explain it, but she felt sorightin Antonio’s arms. Unfortunately, that wasn’t exactly a good thing considering he was on the hunt for his mate - a woman who wouldalwayscome before Sophia. Without question.

Considering he was so desperate to find his mate, and she didn’t blame him for that, she couldn’t understand why he helped her tonight. She was certain he wouldn’t, and not just because of what she learned during her earlier conversation with Casper. If she really thought about what he was fighting for in this tournament, it made sense that he wouldn’t come to her aid.

But he did.

Why did he do it? She wanted to ask so badly but didn’t want to bring up the subject of his mate. Especially not while cuddled within the warmth of his hard body. It didn’t feel right.

“You didn’t believe I’d help you tonight.” It wasn’t a question. He knew she didn’t expect him to.

She shook her head. “Why’d you do it?”

His brows furrowed together, making it look as if he was deep in contemplation, as if debating what to say next. But then his features relaxed and he simply said, “I don’t see why not. A word is a word.”

Sophia shrugged as her breathing began regulating, allowing her tofinallycatch her breath. “Sorry I doubted you. It’s nothing against you.”But it has everything to do with your mate!

“I see,” was all he said in response and she couldn’t tell if he was upset with her or not. As always, his expression was unreadable.

He brought a hand to her forehead and pushed a few loose strands of hair behind her ear. When he did, a frown broke out on his face. “You’re bleeding.”

Curious, Sophia brought a hand up to her forehead. Sure enough, her fingers smeared against quite a bit of liquid. She couldn’t remember when during the fighting that her injury came about. Everything that just happened was a blur to her. “Hmm,” was all she said. But when she noticed the worry in Antonio’s eyes she added, “Nothing that won’t heal. ‘Tis but a scratch.” There was never a time when Monty Python quotes didn’t lighten the mood.

But Antonio still seemed upset. Well, Monty Python didn’t lighten the mood for everyone, she supposed.

She couldn’t help but wonder, was he upset forher?

She had to be seeing things. There was no way he could be worried about her. It didn’t make sense. Maybe shewantedhim to like her so badly that her subconscious was playing tricks on her. She did find him incredibly attractive. Only, she was no stranger to being unwanted. Casper didn’t want her and it hurt. She didn’t need her feelings toward someone else to grow when she knew those feelings could never be reciprocated.

So that subconscious mind of hers needed to relax and stop thinking Antonio was worried about her. The two of them could never be and that was that.

But gods, the warmth radiating off his skin right now felt soright.

“Scratch or not, we’re going to have to fix it up.”

Wait, did he just saywe’llhave to fix it up? Her mind wasdefinitelyplaying tricks on her. Either that or she must’ve hit her head incredibly hard. It was one thing for him to have kept his word and helped her in battle, but his wanting to take care of her after already having done good on his word was an entirely different matter.

Realizing she was probably a bit too comfortable in his arms, she wiggled herself free from his hold, sitting upright beside him. His arms lingered for a moment as if she was still laying in them before he let them fall loose at his sides.

“Relax, okay?” Sophia asked of him, though it almost sounded like a command. “You fulfilled your promise to me. You’re have no more obligations to me. So don’t worry about this little ole’ head of mine. I’ll figure it out.”

He looked at her, scrunching his eyes together in what looked like confusion. “I don’t have to worry about you? Iamworried about you. I can’t help it.”

Sophia tried to hide the surprise she was feeling, but knew her expression betrayed her, her eyes having doubled in size. She couldn’t read his emotions, yet she made it way too easy for him to be able to read hers. She was definitely far from some sort of mysterious seductress.

I wear my heart on my sleeve,she thought to herself.And that screws me over constantly.

Sophia began to nervously play with her braids. “I don’t understand.” Her thoughts were in turmoil. She was growing a liking to this werewolf. But knowing that the two of them could never work out made her feelings for him incredibly dangerous for her. She needed to tread lightly or risk getting hurt.

Or she could simply get up and walk away from him right now, putting him in the back of her mind from this point on.

Actually, that sounded like a fantastic idea.

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