"Cora", James called and placed a gentle kiss at the curve where her neck met her shoulder, right where his mark should come. "I want to make love to you. I want to mark you as mine. But not when you are upset. I don't want you to regret it as something that was done in the spur of the moment."
Cornelia wanted to deny the upset part, but she didn't want to lie to him.
"So, now what?", Cornelia asked.
James moved to lay next to Cornelia and he pulled her in an embrace before responding, "Now we talk. Tell me, what happened in that room after I left? What got you upset?" She didn't respond, so he continued guessing. "Was it about us? Was it about me?" Cornelia and Yasmin were on their own for no more than two minutes, so they probably continued talking about James.
Cornelia shot him a quick glance, and that confirmed it.
"It's about me.", he said dejectedly while tightening his hold on her, fearing that she will escape him.
"Did Yasmin tell you to leave me?"
"No.", Cornelia responded right away.
"Then?", he asked, and it took him a moment to realize it was the opposite. Yasmin told Cornelia to embrace the bond no matter how weak it is, and Cornelia was against it. OK, not completely against it because she was right here, on the bed, in his arms, but she was not willing to relax and enjoy it either.
"Cora, I'm sorry for not feeling the bond. I don't feel it, but I know you are my other half. If I could, I would fast forward the time. Maybe we could both go to a two year-long sleep, or at least I would, and when I open my eyes, my wolf will confirm without any doubt that you are my mate, you will be confident in me, I will claim you, and our future can begin."
"But what about…"
James quickly kissed her, to prevent her from finishing that question. He didn't know if she would say that his ideas were stupid, or if she would talk about his father, or about his age, or about witches used for breeding, or about where they would live... because none of those mattered.
"We are mates, and we belong together", James spoke against her lips. "Whoever stands in our way, we will deal with it because that's what mates do. The Moon Goddess wouldn't let me meet you if there was no way for us to be together. I am not an expert but I know that my kind meets mate when we are ready."
Cornelia felt guilt washing over her. He was so much younger compared to her, but why did she end up being the immature one? Why did she run? Was it so difficult to open up? Why couldn't she give him a chance?
How could he talk with such conviction when he didn't feel the bond? And she even considered using magic to increase his perception of energies; she wanted to change him, yet he was already perfect, and she was the faulty one. And he knew that, and he still looked at her like she couldn't do any wrong.
Cornelia hugged him tightly and nestled her head under his chin.
"Hold me, James.", she asked softly. "Right now, I need you to hold me, and we will talk later. I promise, I won't run anymore."
Cornelia felt James' lips pressing at the top of her head and then his arms tightened around her in a solid hold. She relaxed in acknowledgment that James had the power to calm down her unsettling thoughts and he made her feel at home.
Now if only she could stop worrying about what the future might bring, everything would be great.
In the main hallway…
"Why are we here this early?", Liam grumbled while checking the time. It was just the three of them, and they were standing there for ten minutes already!
"This is our first time here and we shouldn't be late.", Sandy gave a lame excuse as to why she nagged Keith and Liam to get ready and come down before others.
Liam made a face at Sandy. "Really? Since when are you worried about what others think? Aren't you just eager to go to the cafeteria and see unmated guys?"
"Lower your voice." Sandy hissed while looking around nervously.
"Are you worried that someone will find out about your lecherous nature?", Liam said mockingly and turned to Keith. "Tell her."
"Tell me, what?", Sandy asked.
Keith didn't want to meddle in this useless chatter, but he didn't want them to embarrass him either. "Sandy, did you forget that members of the Midnight Guardians pack are waiting for their mates? No matter how many single guys are there, no one will spare you a glance if you are not his mate."
"Why are you making it sound like I'm a molester?", Sandy asked while her eyes darted between Keith and Liam.
Liam gestured toward Sandy's outfit. It was a bright red tight minidress with a generous cleavage. She had high-heeled shoes and makeup on.
"Are you telling me that you are not going there to attract attention? Do you think you have a chance to catch a guy's eye if you are not his mate?"
Sandy puffed her cheeks in anger at Liam. "Listen, you…"
"What's going on?", Talia asked while coming down the stairs. Damon was right behind her.
Sandy made a pitiful face. "Keith and Liam are bullying me."
Keith was alarmed. Why did she call him out?
Liam didn't want Talia to know about their petty bickering, but Sandy made them look like bad guys and he had to speak up.
"We were just pointing out that Sandy shouldn't be so excited about going to the cafeteria."
Keith groaned while cursing his luck. Why did Liam say 'WE'? Both Liam and Sandy were dragging him into this!
"Why are you making it sound like I'm exaggerating? Didn't you make some nasty accusations?", Sandy shot back.
"First of all, we are your superiors, and you shouldn't talk like that.", Liam said matter-of-factly. "Member of this pack are just like us and you are acting like a sex-deprived woman who never saw a man. As a warrior, you saw plenty of naked dudes, why are these special? And if you think I'm exaggerating, look at your getup! It's more appropriate for the Shifters than for dinner."
Sandy's eyes were flickering with anger. "Superiors? Keith, yes. But you, we are the same rank! The fact that you have a few extra points means nothing. I will catch up by end of the year. Wait until I get promoted and I make you plank until the pain is the only thing you know."
Sandy put her arms akimbo and narrowed her eyes at Liam. "You won't understand why I dressed up, even if I draw a map for you. How can guys at home be compared to these? You are all second-hand items anyone can afford. Going to the cafeteria of the Midnight Guardians pack is like going to Tiffany's." She gestured toward her dress. "I need to look fancy so I can look at all that high-class merchandise in style."
Liam and Keith both gaped at Sandy. How many times did she insult them in those few seconds? They were both good-looking guys, capable warriors, and why did she talk about them like they were faulty?
Sandy was huffing with anger and then she froze like someone pushed the pause button on a remote.
"Sandy?", Talia called with concern obvious in her voice. Did Sandy have a stroke?
Slowly, very slowly, Sandy turned to look behind her, up the stairs, and Talia followed to see what got Sandy's attention.
Tyler was coming down with Kai and Meg behind him. They all had bright smiles on their faces and then Tyler's steps halted suddenly.
"What the…?", Kai ended with a curse under his breath when he bumped into Tyler's back unexpectedly.
"Tyler? Why did you stop?", Meg asked while craning her neck to see her friend who was standing there like a rock and staring at the people below.
One second, two, three… Talia raised her hands to cover her half-open mouth, but she couldn't suppress the squeal that erupted from her.
"Ahhh!"
Mates!
