In Cornelia's room, Cornelia was tidying up her desk under James's watchful eyes that never left her.
Her room was spacious enough to allow for a queen-size bed, a work area with a desk and a chair, a sitting area with a sofa and a coffee table, a comfy-looking chaise under the window, and plenty of space between those to move about.
James observed that Cornelia's room had everything to make it cozy without being cluttered, but the best thing was that it carried the scent of wild berries that were sweet with just a pinch of tartness, James' favorite.
After a day with the witches, they had dinner, and James finally got his chance for some privacy with Cornelia.
Being in her room was like he got a peek into her past, something private; it was special.
The only thing that could make this better would be if she got within the touching distance, and they did the naughty, but James understood that her wearing a t-shirt and shorts when all witches were nearly naked (not that James really looked) was a sign that Cornelia was not ready for that final step.
It was like a knife in his heart. His own mate was not embracing him. Was this how the Moon Goddess punished him because he was a fraud?
Cornelia glanced at James, and her eyes flashed with excitement when their gazes met. Her chocolate-colored skin covered most of the blush that invaded her cheeks, but James was familiar with those subtle changes, which told him that his presence was impacting her, so he still had hope that they will make progress.
Cornelia kept the papers on the desk and moved to sit next to James on the sofa.
"What do you think about this place?" Cornelia asked.
"It smells like you. Sweet and seductive wild berries." He licked his lips and inched toward her. "And I want to eat them all."
James was delighted that Cornelia leaned into him to respond to his kisses, and the way she held onto him was the best thing ever. Too bad that was as far as it went.
James knew that he shouldn't be greedy. This should be good enough, and if he pushes too hard, it might backfire. But he couldn't stop himself from wanting more. Why would the Moon Goddess allow him to cross paths with his mate if he couldn't claim her as his?
He was aware that he didn't feel the bond fully, but that didn't mean his desire for her was not maddening.
"Cora," James called, his breath splashed on her lips. "I want you to do the ritual to boost my wolf."
Cornelia's eyebrows came together in obvious disapproval. "Did you talk to Yasmin?"
He wanted to deny it, but he didn't want to lie. How can he tell her that he had a chat with Yasmin, who already knew about that option and that Cornelia was against it? Yasmin quickly suggested knocking out Cornelia so she won't interfere with the ritual, and Yasmin would boost James' wolf, and then… he was not sure what would be next, but he knew that Yasmin was serious.
James couldn't admit to any of it without getting into trouble, so he dodged answering Cornelia's question by asking, "Will she do the ritual?"
"Not if you ask me."
James exhaled in frustration. He knew that Cornelia didn't approve. There were risks, and she didn't want to put him in danger, but he hated their current situation. "Cora, we are stuck in a stalemate. I don't want to part from you, and I know that you feel the same. Unfortunately, without me feeling the bond, you are reluctant to…"
"How will feeling the bond change things?" Cornelia asked him. "Will that help you deal with your father? Will that give you the strength to protect me? Or will that make you stay here? We could stay here. Your father will never find you."
James' conscience forced him to shake his head. "I would love to stay and forget everything in the human realm, but I can't. If I don't return, my father will use that as a reason to act against the Dark Howlers pack, and the consequences will be unimaginable." Actually, he could imagine the carnage and Alpha Edward not caring about the casualties as long as he could get the power and territory he craved for.
"So, why would you risk going through the ritual if it won't solve the practical problems we are facing?" Cornelia asked.
"It would give me the taste of how it is to feel the bond, and it will assure you that we are soulmates. With that, you won't doubt my sincerity and…"
"Enough, James.", Cornelia interrupted him, her tone more sad than angry. "This is not about me doubting you because I don't. I know that your feelings for me are true, but I also know that you are not ready. Would you ask me to go through the ritual if you knew that it could cripple me?"
She put her hand on his cheek, and he leaned into her palm.
"There are no benefits big enough to justify you getting hurt. I don't want you to get hurt. I won't allow it."
James knew she was right. He couldn't stay with witches forever, so he had to ask, "Will you consider coming with me to the Red Moon pack?"
"What about your father? I assume I won't be welcome as your mate. Do you expect me to hide in the closet, and you will sneak food for me so I don't starve? How long can we keep that going on until someone finds me? We both know that the most practical thing is that we separate. You want to be with me, I want to be with you, and our desires match. However, that doesn't rationalize a decision for any of us to get into serious trouble. What if your father imprisons me? Did you forget the story where witches are used for breeding? Will you be fine if my presence is exposed? How will you protect me?"
James' heart cracked. He hated that he didn't have an Alpha aura, a strong one like Alpha Damon. He would use it to fight off anyone who dared to endanger Cornelia, and he would protect her and keep her safe by his side. But he didn't have that damned aura, and he needed to work with what he had.
"Let's not think about this as all or nothing.", he said with all the seriousness in the world. "There must be a way for us to be together without risking our lives."
"How?" She asked.
James knew that she couldn't stay in the packhouse of the Red Moon pack. If they hide the fact she is his mate, Cornelia will be treated worse than Omega, and if Alpha Edward gets a whiff of Cornelia's identity, she will probably face even worse.
James remembered when Dawn and George offered for Cornelia to stay with them. Was that offer still valid? Maybe they could work with that.
James regretted that George and Dawn were not here with them because he wanted to discuss that option in more detail. Until then… "We will figure out something."
