5. Sophia

                          "Are you going to hide out here forever?" 

"I'm not hiding. This is my way of saving LC's life. If I see her in the next forty-eight hours, I swear I'll rip her apart" 

"She doesn't know who Logan is. You didn't either when you met him. Looks can be deceiving" 

"Are you defending her?" 

Reagan sighs "I've been thinking. What if they're just rumors? You saw the guy. He's smitten. The man you're in love with found his mate and Fred couldn't wait for you. What if this is the goddesses' way of making it up to you?" 

"By sending me a billionaire dickhead? No thanks," it's been two days since Logan showed up at my house. I don't know what he told my mother but she's now obsessed with him. LC has been singing his praises non-stop. Even after I made it clear to both of them that I wasn't looking for a mate, they still wouldn't listen. It doesn't help that he's sent enough gifts to fill my house even after I kicked him out. Now it's not just LC that's pushing me to mate with him. Even Alpha Cahill is on team Logan. 

I asked around about him and all I gathered was that he's filthy rich. Everyone in Solar Pride, which is Logan's pack, is rich. They don't just accept anyone. According to everyone I asked, I should feel lucky that he's set his eyes on me. I thought Reagan would understand why I didn't want to mate with him but I was wrong. It looks like she's joined the Logan wagon. 

"What if you never find someone to settle down with?" 

"Then so be it. You heard the bartender. He's a sadistic asshole" 

"Do you know that bartender? Why are you so quick to trust him and disregard Logan?" 

"How much did he pay you?" 

Hurt flashes across her eyes "That's mean. You think I'd accept money or anything from him?" 

"Honestly? I don't know" jumping to my feet, I decide to leave. Maybe I shouldn't have come to her either "I'm going to take a walk to clear my head. Don't tell LC I was here" I leave before she can say something else. It's hard to believe that it's been less than a week since I met Fred, rejected him, and went to a club where I met Logan. I should have just nursed my broken heart at home. Why did I think going out was a good idea? 

Venturing into the forest, I take a deep breath. Trying to release all the tension in my body. Am I judging Logan harshly? Maybe the bartender was wrong about him. I know firsthand how rumors can ruin someone's reputation. Haven't I been judged solely because I'm LC's daughter? People could be wrong about him too. Maybe I should give him a chance. We don't have to mate immediately. We could go on dates and get to know each other. Letting him spend his money on me doesn't sound like a bad idea. After everything I've been through, don't I deserve a little spoiling? Behind me, a twig snaps under someone's foot. Whipping my head around, I see Nova walking toward me. How the fuck did I not hear him approach? What does he want?

"If you're here to pick a fight, I'll advise you to leave. I'm not in the mood to put up with your shit today" 

"I don't pick fights with girls" 

"No. You just taunt them and assume they'd spread their legs for you because you're the Alpha's son" he looks away as if he's ashamed of that. Which is un-Nova-like. He's a  condescending ass.

"I apologized for that" after Reagan went to town on him and his crew.

"Why are you here?" 

"I heard you're mating with Alpha Logan" 

It's impossible to stop my eye roll "Did your father send you here to convince me?" 

"Maybe. Is he your mate?" 

"No. And you can save your speech because I'm not mating with him" I was thinking about giving him a chance but now that they're pushing me to do it, I've changed my mind. Forget dating him, I don't even want to see his face. 

"Good" 

I pause "What?" 

"If you don't want to mate with him then don't do it. No one will force you to do it" 

Okay...

"Weren't you sent here to convince me otherwise?" 

"It's your life. Besides, I don't like that asshole. Something about him seems off" 

"Right? I thought I was the only one who thought that" 

"Who wants to mate with a stranger he met at a club? Even if you were fated, I'd think he'd take time to get to know you instead of throwing his money around. I don't trust him" 

"So what do you suggest I do? Even your dad is pushing me to be with him" 

"You have two options" 

I unconsciously take a step toward him "Let's hear them"

"You can tell them we're together" 

I deflate, disappointed that I let him get my hopes up "I don't even know why I thought you were serious" 

"We don't have to be together. We can pretend and tell them the reason you're reluctant is because you're in love with me" 

"In your dreams" I huff walking past him but he grabs my arm. Pulling me to a stop. 

"What's wrong with me? Don't I look like the kind of man who can satisfy you?" 

"Honestly, no one would buy it. We both know that" 

"We can prove it to them. There are different ways I can think of to prove to everyone that you're my woman" his voice drops an octave and heat flares in his eyes, making me wonder if I missed something. Is he propositioning me? The Nova Cahill? No fucking way. But as I look into his eyes, it occurs to me that he's not joking.

"You're serious" it's not a question but a statement "Wow, uh, no. I'm not interested" 

"I know you think I'm a dick because I was mean to you when you arrived, but that was years ago. I'm not the same immature kid. Give me a chance to show you that I've changed" 

"Dude, isn't this supposed to be an act?" He blinks, looking momentarily shocked. As if he can't believe he just said all that. Taking that chance, I yank my arm out of his hold and walk back. Leaving him in the forest. This time when he approaches, I'm very aware of his presence. 

"Or you can leave" 

There it is.

"I was wondering when you would kick us out" 

"I'm not kicking you out. You can leave for a few years and come back after everything is settled. My dad will step down as Alpha in a year. After I take over, I can forbid Logan from setting foot in my territory. You won't have to worry about him" 

"Are you possessed? Why are you suddenly being nice to me?" 

"Take it as my apology for being an ass" my steps falter, not sure if this is a prank or if he's being real. Nova walks ahead of me. When he's a few steps away, he stops and looks over his shoulder "Sophia" he says my name for possibly the first time since I ever met him "The fact that you don't know it makes you more irresistible" 

"Know what?" 

"How many men will be willing to forsake their fated mates for you" 

Say what now?

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