Chapter 96 - You Must Sleep With Me

Leland had secretly and uselessly hoped that if perhaps the two of them were to marry each other and form a mate bond… a miracle could happen and Sophie could actually love him.

Maybe once the two of them had their own litter of lycan pups, Sophie would look warmly at Leland as she once did with her husband and then truly think of him as someone she could love.

However, since Sophie had a child from her previous husband, the woman's heart would never be truly his. It was now an impossible dream of Leland's. This was an unexpected blow and he was still processing it.

In his mind, Leland imagined how Sophie would always remember her first husband and look back on her past days with Nicholas with fondness as she took care of the child that was born from their love.

She would always have space in her heart for Nicholas and a reminder of what their love used to be like. That meant she would never be able to fully love Leland or even consider loving him.

Leland said it was a marriage of convenience, but he had secretly hoped that it would blossom into love.

However, now all of his dreams and wishes were destroyed. 

Angry and hot tears stung his eyes and he furiously wiped at them.

The devastation that latched on his heart was critically damaging to Leland's mind and soul. Nobody would ever love him and that was really the truth. Even his mother hated him.

The only one who loved him enough and took care of him was now dead. He had not even managed to avenge her death.

Before, Leland dared to hope otherwise, but the words of his mother came back to him.

"You're already too late, you fool."

Leland ground his teeth and shook his head. The Alpha was so disappointed at himself for even actually considering that he could perhaps start a new life with Sophie and that she would love him when given time.

He was a truly foolish and desperate man.

"So what…?!" Leland muttered to himself as he killed whatever affection and longing he had for Sophie. "I just need to protect her." 

That was all he really needed to do.

***

Sophie anxiously waited at Duke Romanov's study and did not know if she should leave or stay here. She knew that she needed to apologize to the Duke properly and yet what if he came back and was upset because she did not leave?

What should she do???

What if the duke called her a thief and then said that she was snooping around his castle just so that Duke Romanov had a legitimate excuse as to why he fired her? Perhaps it was better that she left and returned to her room?

But what if the man became furious that Sophie left the study without his permission? 

The man did not dismiss her yet, so technically, Duke Romanov could make her stay in his study all night without even taking another step.

Such punishments before were something that Sophie experienced in the past.

There were so many circumstances and scenarios that wrestled in her mind that she barely noticed when Leland returned from behind her and came through the doors. 

The man had quickly rushed back to his study. He was hoping that Sophie was still around. Leland was relieved to find her still in the room and had been waiting for him all this time.

The alpha gently called out to her.

"Miss Hansley." 

"Duke Romanov!" Sophie's eyes widened and she quickly bowed to the man.

"Forgive my episode earlier…" Leland said and cleared his throat. He took his place by his table and looked at Sophie with a look of a man that had already decided to go along with his plans irrespective of his own longing towards her.

"Ah, you had the right to be upset, Duke Romanov." Sophie lowered her head. "I have failed to mention my pregnancy to you because I was in dire need of this job, my lord."

"I understand your circumstances," Leland said with difficulty. "It did upset me as your employer, but I believe that we can still proceed with the marriage. You will find the situation even better for you and your child."

"Duke Romanov—" Sophie's eyes widened and she couldn't help but look up slightly at him. "I… I cannot comprehend why you still wish to proceed with it."

Leland looked at Sophie flatly. There were no emotions shown on the surface. In his eyes, there was only a strange depth that made Sophie feel enchanted. She felt like whatever the man asked of her, she would say yes.

However, she didn't want to say yes. She didn't want to incur the man's wrath if she said yes only to leave him when she could take care of herself and her baby and didn't need him anymore.

Gosh, this made Sophie feel like a user. No.. she should say no to the duke's offer. Otherwise, she would definitely become a user.

She didn't love him. The only way she would accept his proposal was to get his protection and resources… 

She could do it if their relationship was mere as the employer and the employee. She could just leave… and the duke could look for another employee.

However, marriage was a different animal. She couldn't leave the man once they were bound in marriage. If she did, she would only destroy his reputation, even though the marriage was a sham in the first place.

And this would hurt the duke's heart. He would feel used.

No… Sophie should stay away and not let this man misunderstand her. She bit her lip and muttered her rejection. "I… I can't."

"I will only ask one thing from you," Leland slowly spoke as he gauged her expression. It was as if he didn't hear her trying to reject his proposal.

The man continued with a cold voice. "I hope that you can listen to this one request and then I will not bother you in any way from your child-rearing duties and you can live comfortably here in the castle."

"What is it, Duke Romanov?" Sophie didn't know why her mouth asked that question. Did she really want to know?

"You must sleep with me once, Miss Hansley," Leland said.