Chapter 56 56
Fernando was left utterly speechless by her innocent confession. For a fleeting second, his heart forgot how to beat, and for the first time in his life, his throat tightened until it burned. Words failed him.
She loves him.
“You succeeded,” Hunter snarled inside his head, anger lacing the words. In some twisted way, Fernando knew the truth he had influenced her, nudged her emotions without fully realizing where it would lead. Yet not everything between them was manipulation. Most of it… just happened. Naturally. Purely. No hidden agenda.
And still, he couldn’t understand his own emotions.
“I k-know it’s s-shocking for y-you,” she rushed softly, her words tumbling over one another. “B-but your c-care is all I w-want… Y-you protected me when I h-had no one…”
Her voice trembled.
“Y-you did so much for me… y-you saved me.”
Each word squeezed the air from his lungs.
“It’s o-okay if y-you d-don’t f-feel the same,” she continued, offering him a fragile smile that twisted his chest. “I’ll s-still feel this way… b-because it’s not in my control.”
Her blue eyes sparkled with warmth, with happiness so pure it hurt to look at.
“I will protect you,” he breathed.
It was the most honest thing he had ever said.
She smiled softly. “I know.”
Her voice was a lullaby, easing the storm clawing inside his chest. Gently, he guided her head to rest against his chest, right above his heart. She slowly wrapped an arm around his torso, hugging him as though she belonged there.
“Sleep, Ana,” he whispered, fingers threading through her hair while his other arm secured her waist.
A small hum escaped her lips, and within minutes, she drifted into deep, peaceful sleep.
Fernando didn’t.
Her confession echoed relentlessly in his mind, looping over and over as he shut his eyes and drew in a steady breath. Suddenly, the thought of her discovering the truth about him filled him with dread.
She would be traumatized.
She would stop loving him.
And for the first time in his life, fear bloomed in his chest.
Fear an emotion so foreign it barely felt real. He was the beast others feared, the man who inspired terror without effort… yet now, he tasted it himself.
He was afraid of losing the pure love of his mate.
Fuck.
He had fucked up.
Fuck.
Fuck.
Fuck.
But one look at her peaceful, innocent face eased the beast inside him just a little.
With enemies closing in and danger looming, he considered taking her to his pack house. Leaving her alone here felt reckless unacceptable. The mere thought of their hands on her made something vicious coil inside him.
Maybe he could wait a few more days.
Or maybe this was just his heart grasping for sanity.
Holding her smaller, delicate form close, Fernando finally surrendered to sleep falling into the most peaceful rest he had ever known.
The next morning, he woke to an empty bed.
Sofía was already gone.
Disappointment flickered through him he had wanted to wake to her face. He rose, showered, and dressed. Since it was a day off for both of them, he decided he would take her out that evening.
Meanwhile, Sofía was buzzing with nervous excitement.
A soft blush lingered on her cheeks as she slipped out of his arms earlier that morning. Escaping his hold without waking him had been difficult, but she managed. Now she moved around the kitchen, busy preparing breakfast.
She felt him before she saw him.
“What are you making?” His deep morning voice sounded behind her and yes, she was hopelessly in love with that too.
“U-uhh…” she murmured, not turning around. “C-creamy waffles, French toast, scrambled eggs… a-and pancakes.”
“That’s a lot of breakfast,” he said, clearly surprised.
“Is something special today?”
He moved to her side, leaning casually against the island, watching her.
She flushed instantly.
Why didn’t I just make something simple?
“N-nope,” she stuttered, painfully aware of his intense gaze burning into her.
“Ahan…” he mused, folding his arms across his chest. The thin white fabric stretched over his biceps, making her swallow hard.
“I’ll be having dinner out tonight,” he added casually. “Probably won’t be back until late.”
The smile slipped from her face.
“O-okay,” she whispered, eyes dropping.
She buried herself in cooking, but her heart sank. She had hoped foolishly that they might spend time together today. It was a holiday, after all. But he had plans.
And it wasn’t as if he owed her anything.
He hadn’t confessed.
She had.
She reminded herself not to expect things no matter how kind someone was. It was a lesson she had learned long ago.
With a quiet sigh, she forced herself to think positively.
“At least we’ll have breakfast together.”
“You can wait in the lounge,” she said softly. “It’ll be ready in a few minutes.”
She didn’t look at him. Her smile was there but it didn’t reach her eyes.
“Won’t you ask where I’m going,” he pressed gently, “or who I’ll be with?”
She blinked, eyes fixed on the bowl in her hands.
“No,” she replied politely.
Even though he called her his girlfriend, it was always him who claimed her openly. She never did nor did she know if he would let her.
Her answer caught him off guard.
Abruptly, he grabbed her arm and pulled her toward him. She gasped as she lost her balance, colliding into his chest.
Their eyes locked.
He inhaled sharply, staring down at her innocent, beautiful face.
“As much as you’re mine,” he said firmly, “I’m yours.”
Her heart stumbled.
“You have every right to ask me anything without hesitation.” His tone was curt, absolute.
“Am I clear?”
He had no idea what those words were doing to her heart.
But they were undoing her beautifully.