Cornelia was first to leave the table. She grabbed an apple and went to her room with, "Let me know when warriors are here so I can head out."
On instinct, James was about to stand up and head after her, but then he stopped halfway. Why would he go after Cornelia? What would he say? Reluctantly, James returned to sit in his chair.
James didn't get it. He met many beauties, but none made him irrational. It was not like him. He rubbed his forehead with force while trying to understand what was going on. He was restless while Cornelia was there, and now that she was gone, it was worse. Or better. He was not sure.
"James, can we have a word?", Petra called.
James glanced to see that Damon was still busy feeding Talia before responding to Petra, "Sure", and then he followed Petra into the garden.
"What are you doing?", Petra asked.
James had a feeling that Petra was poking her nose in his non-existent relationship with Cornelia. "What do you mean?"
"You know what I mean. Are you OK with Cornelia going out with some warriors?"
Was he OK? No. But what could he do? "You don't understand. Things didn't work out."
"What is there to understand? You shouldn't let her go without looking into it thoroughly. What kind of Alpha stays away from his fated mate?"
James paused. Petra hit a sore spot. "Is this only because I'm the future Alpha?"
"Of course not. Everyone is looking for their fated mate because that's the only way we can be truly happy. You are not of age, but she obviously is. Will you wait two years until you seek her? What will you do if you find her and confirm she is your mate, but she already has a man?"
James' temper flared. "Why are you meddling?"
"Because…", Petra paused and pressed her lips into a line. "It was my older sister. She was 15 years old when a guy approached her, and she chickened out. She was attracted to him, but the idea of a mate and spending the rest of their lives together scared her. And do you know what happened when she found him four years later?"
James could guess. "He settled with another woman."
"Yes.", Petra confirmed. "She was human. He didn't mark her, but he couldn't leave her either. He told my sister that he was lonely and drunk, and things happened, and the woman got pregnant. They had a child. He offered my sister to live with them as a second wife. Of course, my sister couldn't accept it, so she rejected the bond. Since then, she is withering away, and it hurts like hell. Our whole family is suffering."
James understood why Petra was so pushy and he wondered if his family would care if he ended up emotionally damaged. Well, definitely not. He was already damaged by the harsh training and discipline his father forced on him. His mother didn't bother to intervene, while his sister was not there.
But even with all that, how was the story of Petra's sister applicable to James' situation? "Did you expect your sister to live with a guy before she was ready?" Or should he go and start a family? He is only sixteen years old! He can't even provide for himself. And who knows how Alpha Edward would react if James brings in a woman with him?
"Of course, she was too young to live with him, but if she agreed to dating, it would be different. Mates don't hurt each other. He wouldn't force her if she was not willing and ready, and if she was by his side, he wouldn't look for other women.", Petra said in one breath. "Listen, James, I'm not saying that you should jump on Cornelia and claim her as your mate. But I am saying that if you let her go, you will regret it."
James opened his mouth to respond when a shout came from the door.
"James! It's time."
It was Caden.
"I need to go."
"Think about what I said!", Petra pleaded.
James didn't turn to respond.
Petra looked at James' departing back and she knew that the story about her sister moved him, but she also had a feeling that it was not enough. James needed proof that Cornelia was his mate.
Petra got an idea and she dashed toward the dining room, hoping that the person of interest was still there.
"Shaman Gideon!", Petra called when she saw Gideon leaving the dining room with Mindy by his side. "Can I have a minute of your time?"
Gideon groaned. He was about to go with Mindy to their room and enjoy some alone time before they go to the tailor for the final fitting for Mindy's ceremonial clothes, and now this youngster was cutting into their time. If he knew that the packhouse would be so lively, they would stay in their cabin and come only for the ceremony. But Mindy was already facing the girl, so Gideon grumbled, "Speak."
Petra realized that Gideon was not in a good mood. "I was wondering if you have a way to tell if two people are mates."
Gideon's brows came together in a frown. "Why would they need me to tell them?"
"Because they are not of age."
"If their wolves are not telling them they are mates, it means they are not ready.", Gideon said.
"But what if one is underage, and the other one doesn't have a wolf?"
Gideon thought how this was oddly specific. "If you want my help, I need you to stop talking in riddles."
Petra glanced around, to make sure no one else was in the hallway, and then she spoke in a whisper, "I suspect that James and Cornelia are mates."
Gideon blinked. The clumsy youngster from the Red Moon pack and a witch? He would pay for a ticket to watch that movie!
Well, James was not clumsy, but Gideon saw him nearly dropping a serving plate with sausages, and then choking on water, and staring at the plate with food and... Gideon didn't have a good opinion of James.
"What makes you think they are mates?", Gideon asked.
"Cornelia approached James last night, but he bailed because he didn't feel it.", Petra said. "Is there a potion or a ceremony that will tell James if she is his mate?"
"What's with the urgency?", Gideon grumbled.
"Cornelia will spend the day with some random warriors instead of with James. What if they are mates and this day apart draws a wedge between them? James will go to his pack soon, when will they meet next time?"
Mindy's whole body was bouncing from excitement. "There must be something you can do so they realize they are mates."
Gideon turned to Mindy. "What makes you think they are mates?"
"Because of Talia.", Mindy said matter-of-factly. "She has the power to matchmake mates."
"She does?", Gideon asked with disbelief obvious in his voice.
"She does.", Mindy confirmed with confidence. "Mates are popping up around Talia like mushrooms after the rain!"
