Chapter 310

Chapter 309: A Confession No One Asked For

The moment the door clicked shut behind the others, silence folded itself into the room like an unexpected guest.

Sophia blinked after Laia, Joren, Nia, Cat, and Dren as theyleft. She fully expected Micah to follow them.

He didn’t.

He lingered awkwardly near the foot of her bed, shifting his weight from one leg to the other like a man waiting for a punishment he volunteered for.

Sophia narrowed her eyes.

Micah jerked at the question. He cleared his throat once, then again, then a third time like he was warming up to embarrass himself.

“I, uh… I have something to say p>

That immediately put her on edge. Micah wasn’t usually nervous. He wasn’t the type to fidget, and he definitely wasn’t the type to stay behind after everyone else left unless someone was dying or crying or both.

Sophia straightened slightly against the pillows. “Okay… what is it p>

Micah’s eyes flicked up to her face, and for a small, dangerous second he forgot how to breathe. She was still pale from fever, still recovering, her hair tied loosely behind her head, but her blue eyes were sharp and looked as beautiful as ever.

She frowned at him, and that alone sent his heartbeat thudding painfully in his ears.

She was beautiful.

And she wasn’t his. She could never be his.

“Micah?” she repeated, her voice soft but impatient. “What’s wrong with you? What do you want to tell me? Is something the matter p>

Micah swallowed hard. Goddess help him.

“I know this… is probably going to annoy you,” he started quietly. “But… just listen to me first, please p>

Sophia’s brows shot up. “Why would it annoy— You know what, no. Don’t answer that yet. Just tell me, my brain is already making scenarios in my head regarding what you want to tell me p>

“It’s not that bad,” he told her. “At least it’s not something to make you panic. I already know what your answer is going to be p>

“Micah,” she warned. “Stop jumping to conclusions. If you have something to say, just say it p>

He inhaled deeply, bracing himself.

“I know you already have a partner,” he said finally.

Sophia froze immediately because that wasn’t what she had been expecting at all.

He continued before she could interrupt him though, “And I know I don’t have a chance. I’m very aware. But I just— I needed to get this off my chest p>

Sophia stared at him with wide eyes.

Micah kept going, words rushing out now that he’d opened the floodgates:

“I like you p>

Her mouth fell open.

“I’ve liked you since the day I saw you take that test in the training grounds,” Micah said, voice shaking slightly. “I noticed you then. I tried not to. Really. But I did p>

Sophia’s shock was practically a physical presence in the room. Her lips parted, her breath hitched like her brain was stuttering.

Micah lifted a hand to stop her attempt at speaking. “I’m not telling you this because I want anything from you. I’m not expecting you to suddenly look at me and—” He shook his head, face flushing. “I’m not stupid. And I know you’re with Alpha Orion p>

Sophia blinked rapidly. She tried to form words — any words — but nothing came.

“I just wanted you to know,” Micah said softly. “I did like you romantically. For a while.” He sighed. “But I’m going to get rid of that. I’m working on it. I just… needed you to know the truth p>

Sophia finally released a strangled sound. “Micah, what p>

“And I want us to still be friends,” he added quickly. “I still want to look after you like I look after the others. I don’t want things to change. I don’t want you to feel uncomfortable p>

Sophia made another noise — this one bordering on offended disbelief.

“I—” Her voice cracked. “Micah, what in the moon’s name was that p>

He winced. “Yeah, I figured that would be your reaction p>

“No, seriously,” she said,”You think we can ’remain friends’ after you drop something like that on me? Out of nowhere p>

Micah flinched. “I know it wasn’t the smartest decision p>

“It really wasn’t!” she snapped, though her tone wasn’t angry, just overwhelmed. “What possessed you to think this was a good idea? Why would you— Micah, why would you tell me this p>

Micah’s ears went pink. “I thought honesty was better p>

“No! Sometimes ignorance is bliss!” Sophia threw her hands up. “I would’ve loved to remain oblivious! Now I feel bad turning you down even though technically I didn’t even say anything yet p>

Micah rubbed the back of his neck. You’re not turning me down. There was nothing to accept. I already said p>

“But still!” Sophia insisted. “You knew my answer. You said you knew my answer. And you still dropped this on me like a—like a bucket of ice water p>

He stared at the floor. “I’m sorry p>

“You better be,” she muttered. “Because this was absolutely a bad decision p>

Micah winced again.

Sophia’s voice softened — barely, but enough.

“And don’t even try telling me a part of you didn’t hope— even just a tiny, miserable part— that maybe I’d say something different. Because you wouldn’t have told me this otherwise p>

His silence was answer enough.

Sophia sighed, slumping slightly. “Micah… I like you. A lot. As a friend. I don’t want that to change. And while I’m pissed you made this pigheaded decision, I’m going to try, to make sure we stay friends p>

Micah lifted his gaze. There was relief there, strained but real.

“Forgive me for being pigheaded,” he murmured.

Sophia snorted before she could stop herself. “It was a pigheaded decision but I wouldn’t really call you pigheaded p>

His brows rose hopefully.

“You’re smart,” she added. “It was a stupid decision, yes. But you — you’re not stupid p>

Micah let out a laugh at that, shoulders loosening. “Sometimes the truth comes out harsh. I’m sure this is Alpha Orion’s influence p>

Sophia blinked, then unexpectedly laughed. “What does that even mean p>

“Orion doesn’t lie,” Micah said simply. “He’s painfully honest. I think it’s rubbing off on you p>

Sophia gave him a small, reluctant smile. “Maybe p>

Micah took a slow breath, gathering himself again. “I… have one more thing to say p>

Sophia’s eyes widened instantly. “Micah. If that is another confession p>

He shook his head quickly. “No! No, no. Nothing like that p>

He hesitated just a moment — the kind of pause that made truth settle in his voice.

“I just wanted to tell you p>

His gaze softened.

“That you and Alpha Orion look good together p>

Sophia blinked.

Her heart gave a small, startled jump.

Micah gave her a small smile. “Really good p>