A Chosen Daughter

Chapter 25*N

"Rose?" Rose looks away turning her attention to Sophie, Amber and Kate "yes?"
"How long have the women been missing?" Sophie asks her
"I believe it was the second or third day of you being here ... so that's what? .. four, five days? Sorry .. at this point I'm even unsure what day of the week it is today" Rose tells her sadly, noting Sophie's look of concern and sadness.
"How long have our lads known?" Kate asks
"Erm .." Rose frowns slightly "as far as I'm aware they joined in amongst the first search party's ... " she trails off wary of the other women's annoyed expressions.
"What the hell! We could of been helping too you know! I'm a fair tracker!! Not to mention Leah and her skill sets!" Amber states
"Thank you Amber, it very kind of you to wish to help, but no females have been allowed to join the search party's ... Chris and Daniel believe rogues took them so it's for our own safety!" Grudgingly Amber and Kate nod understanding the threat and in agreement it was best not to place more temptation in the rogues path.

Sophie however looks down at the ground glumly at the mention of Daniels name, she hasn't spoken to him nor really seen him since that first disastrous meeting. Sometimes she feels his presence near or can feel him looking at her, but each time, when she turns or lift her head to return the attention it is to see his back as he walks away in the opposite direction. In fact if it wasn't for the fact that Maya had be sourcing her out several times a day to repeatedly apologise, she would still be of the impression that he was still in a relationship with her or was wanting to be with her - both assumptions were denied and set straight by Maya, when Sophie finally gathered the courage to ask her.

So that leaves the questions why was he avoiding her? Why didn't he even want to talk to her? The only answer Sophie could come up with, repeatedly, is that regardless of whether Maya is involved or not Daniel simply didn't want her! He was not interested in her as a woman and especially not interested in accepting her as his mate. Is it that she isn't pretty enough? Slim enough? Sexy enough? Or is it that she is too innocent and inexperienced? Either way maybe it was a good thing he was avoiding her - it gives her time to prepare herself mentally and emotionally for the pain of true rejection when it finally comes.

Sophie's depressing contemplations didn't go unnoticed. At Roses look of concern directed towards her, Amber and Kates attention turns to their friend also, moving either side of her they press her into side hugs. While Kate's face is full of sympathy, Amber's frown and hard eyes leans more to anger. Seeing the questions in Roses eyes Amber mouths one word to her "Daniel". This however only creates more questions for Rose and she watches Sophie confused 'what has that man done now?!' She thinks to herself, her confusion swiftly turns to anger as she takes stock of Sophie; although she hasn't known the woman long Rose was willing to bet that Sophie was preparing for rejection, or, 'oh dear Goddess he hasn't rejected her has he?! I'm definitely gonna have to have a stern word with that fool!'

Kate breaks Rose from her thoughts as she attempts to lighten the atmosphere and cheer up Sophie "want to be the one to tell Leah?" She asks with a smile, Sophie chuckles looking at her friend with gratitude. "Tell her what?" Rose enquires, the girls all start laughing "that the lads knew days ago!" Amber replies with mischievous glee "who wants to bet they run the second they realise she knows?!" The four of them start laughing as they walk out of the gym.