Chapter 9: A Promise

Sophia's body was shaking wildly until John needed to wrap his arm around her waist. Then, either the effect of John's warm body or his calming scent, Sophia's body was relaxed at last. 

"Don't move and stay silent. Otherwise, they can hear you, and we will be in trouble."

Sophia said nothing, but she wasn't as tense as before. "Why do you hide? Are you a bad guy?" she whispered. Her innocent eyes glanced at John.

"They are my pack's enemy. I'm a rogue. So, yeah, I'm a bad guy. Are you scared of me now?"

Sophia shook her head and smiled. "I don't believe you," she kept whispering. "Your voice is nice. You're a good one."

John tightened his grip on Sophia's waist. Strangely, her scent calmed him, so he kissed her hair. "What's your name?"

"Sophia. You?"

"John."

Sophia smiled again and turned around. That was when she saw John's shirt was wet with blood. Sophia almost gasped, but luckily, she remembered not to letting out a noise. So, she pointed out John's chest and whispered, "Blood."

"What do you say?"

"Blood. There's blood on your chest. Let me help you."

"No, it's okay."

"One werewolf in my pack died last month because of wounds. I can help you a little though I'm just a pup."

Seeing Sophia's determined gaze, John had no choice but to open his shirt. He didn't want her to make a fuss about his condition. Sophia checked John's wound on the chest. It wasn't as bad as she thought since the blood was dry already. But when she glanced at his upper arm, Sophia grimaced. 

"It must be hurt."

"Hm?"

"Your wound." Sophia pointed at John's upper arm. She inserted her hand into her dress pocket and retrieved a handkerchief. It was her favorite pink handkerchief. There was lace around it. Her mother sewed it for her. There was her initial in the handkerchief's corner: SC.

Sophia bit her lower lip. She didn't know when she could meet with John again. Letting go of the handkerchief was hard for her as she liked it. Yet, when a drop of blood flowed from his arm, Sophia finally made up her mind. "Kneel, please. I can't reach your arm."

John kneeled and let Sophia do what she wanted. She bandaged his upper arm and tied the knot. Sophia smiled as she was satisfied, knowing that she had helped him. But she was also sad because her pretty handkerchief was tainted with John's blood and she might lose the handkerchief forever. Yet Sophia knew she had chosen the right thing to do.

"Why did you do that?" John stared at the handkerchief, bandaging his arm.

"Because you are wounded, and I want to help you." Sophia smiled innocently. "Don't worry. You will be okay soon."

John wrapped both his arms around Sophia's body and gazed into her eyes. "You don't know me at all. We are complete strangers. I may be a kidnapper. Yet, you helped me." He sighed. "In a fierce world like this, meeting with a pure soul is quite a rare occasion."

Sophia only grinned and circled her arms around John's neck. "My momma said all are good. If they are bad, it is because they are hurting. You were wounded before. Now, I hope you are good."

It touched John's heart. Besides Imelda's kindness and Daniel's loyalty, he knew no goodness in his life. Ryan was mostly harsh with him; beating him every time he makes a mistake. His enemies wanted to kill him or used him as bait to conquer his father. The rest he knew only wanted something from him. Meeting such an innocent and trusting soul like Sophia was a bizarre event for him. 

John bent forward. His forehead touched Sophia's forehead. Suddenly, he remembered his late mother. If she were still alive, his father might not be so ruthless as he was now. 

That was when Sophia kissed his neck. "Why do you look sad?"

"I remember my mother."

"I bet she is beautiful."

John nodded as he recalled his mother's picture in his mind. "Yes, she was beautiful."

"Was? Is your momma in Magna's place?"

"How do you know?"

"My momma said it was where Mochi went."

"Mochi?"

"She was my cat. She always waited for me when I went to pick berries. Then, we would play together. But, one day Mochi didn't wait for me anymore. Momma said Mochi was no longer in our place. She went to a better place: Magna's place." Then, Sophia added with a low voice, "I still miss Mochi. She was a good friend."

John caressed Sophia's hair. He could feel how much Sophia loved her cat. The grief of losing someone or something was the same. Time might lessen its sting, but the emptiness would stay there. He might have never known Vivian, but her absence in his life was too hard to ignore.

When he bent his head, John smelled Sophia's scent. Her scent was sweet and calming. Suddenly, without thinking, John kissed her neck and bit it. 

Sophia startled, then pushed John's chest. "W-why did you do that?" 

John blinked a few times. Afterward, he realized what he did. It had done; he couldn't undo it. He had marked Sophia. "Sophia, now, you're mine. You're still too young to understand it, but I promise I'll protect you."

Sophia cupped John's face with both hands. "I heard about it." Her face was red. "Momma once told me that when I am an adult, a handsome werewolf will mark me and make me his mate."

"Yes, Sophia. I should wait until you're an adult. But it happened." Then John removed his necklace: a black necklace with a wolf-shaped pendant. "It belonged to my mother. Now, I will give it to you."

"Why?"

"For a mark that you're mine. I'll wait until you grow up."

Sophia nodded. "Okay."

John placed the necklace on Sophia's neck and locked its clasp. He touched her cheek. "It suits you well. How old are you now?"

"Eight."

"I'm eighteen. Ten years from now, I'll mate with you. Before that, I'll wait until it's time for us to meet."

Sophia startled John as she tiptoed and kissed John's cheek. "I'll wait for you."

"From what pack are you, my little one?"

"The Moon Band pack."

"Okay, ten years from now, maybe I will be an Alpha. I will come to have you when I have been an Alpha."