James kissed Cornelia softly, and he loved that she responded not only with her lips but by the way her body leaned into his.
His cock lurched painfully to remind him that they were awake and waiting, but James wanted to say a few things before things turned heated.
"Last night was fantastic. I have no intention of taking it lightly. If there is Heaven, I was in it, and it was thanks to you. There are so many things I want to do with you, Cora, and we have our lifetimes to do it. Our journey together only started so there is no need to rush, but let's not drag things either because there are certain points we need to address before we can relax." James made a dramatic pause before continuing. "You are the best thing that happened to me, Cora. I am ecstatic that you accepted me as your mate. I promise to treat you well. You won't regret this."
He was thinking about them while she was sleeping, and he had to get it out of his system. He didn't want to allow for the possibility of Cornelia misunderstanding him and putting a distance between them.
Cornelia was looking at James with her eyes open wide. She didn't expect this confession, and James was not done talking.
"I can't stay here, not now. I hope you will come with me to the Red Moon pack because I can't imagine being away from you. I will do everything in my power to keep you safe and by the time we need to go there, I will have a plan for how I will accomplish that. The only thing I need to know is that you are willing to take this risk for me. For us."
Cornelia released a long breath. He was serious and the topic was serious, but she was having difficulty focusing because they were naked in bed, and she could feel his erection on her stomach.
How could he talk so steadily while he was aroused?
Cornelia wanted to assure him that they were on the same page. She could see his insecurity and it was killing her from the inside because she caused it.
"I don't want us to be apart either. However, putting ourselves in a dangerous situation because of our feelings is not justified. Let's assume we find a way for your people to not notice my presence or changes in your behavior when you start disappearing so that you can be with me. No matter how skilled we are or what tricks we use, eventually, someone will notice. Then what?"
He knew that Cornelia had a point. So far, James spent his time studying and training, and if he suddenly starts going somewhere, people will notice. However, his mentor (aka George) was there, and James already planned to use George for openings to spend time with Cornelia. And also… "This won't last longer than two years." His eighteenth birthday was a hard stop. "Before that, we will live somewhere else, wherever you want. I don't plan for us to stay in the Red Moon pack long, but bailing out now is not an option."
Cornelia nodded in understanding. James told her that if he doesn't return home soon, his father will use that against Damon and there was a big chance for a war to start.
"So, what's your plan?", Cornelia asked.
"I'm still thinking about it.", James admitted. Waiting for his eighteenth birthday in the Red Moon pack would be suicidal. He needed to make his exit before that. "As a last resort, I could stage my death in a way that won't implicate others. But I hope to find a more elegant solution."
There was also the scenario of George issuing an Alpha challenge to Alpha Edward, and James had confidence that would end with Alpha Edward's loss. However, that whole play was outside of James' control and even if it happens, no one could predict what members of the Red Moon pack would do without their Alpha, but one thing was certain: it would be chaotic.
"If you need my help, I'm available.", Cornelia said, surprising him with this offer. "How much I understood, your kind is not aware of witches and magic. Maybe I can do something to make your disappearance more believable."
James didn't want to implicate her into his messy life. It was his mess and he wanted to deal with it. "I will keep that in mind."
"I am serious", Cornelia said sternly. Did he think she wouldn't notice he was brushing her off? "We are mates, two halves of a whole, and that whole means good and bad things. Don't keep me out. If I'm facing a problem, would it be OK if I exclude you?"
James smiled at her foolishly. She was serious. Seriously hot and he wanted to devour her.
"I won't exclude you, Cora", James said while pushing her on her back with his body.
He hovered above her, his deep blue eyes staring into her brown ones as he spoke, "Going forward, you will always know exactly where I am and what I'm up to. I can't plan for your assistance because I'm not aware of the extent of what you can do, so I will rely on you to volunteer your services when applicable and I will be happy to accept your help as long as it doesn't put you in danger. Is that acceptable?"
"Yes", she responded happily.
James' eyes moved to the left side of her neck and he smiled at the sight of his mark that was forming there. It looked like a bruise, but he knew that in a few days, it will be a unique pattern to symbolize that Cornelia was his.
"You are wearing my mark now, Cora", he said. His voice was deeper by an octave and it made Cornelia feel butterflies in her stomach that went crazy when his eyes locked on hers with an intensity that left her breathless.
"You are mine", he growled.
"Yours", she confirmed.
James smirked in approval and moved to kiss the spot where his mark was forming. He enjoyed the way Cornelia's body trembled under him.
James heard stories about how the mark is a sensitive spot, almost like an erogenous zone if touched by a mate.
Curious about the effects of his mark, he licked her there, and Cornelia's arms snapped around his torso as a hearty moan escaped her lips. His cock lurched painfully. Damn, he was about to blow! But not yet. While Cornelia slept, James was thinking about the things he wanted to do to her, and now that she was awake and clinging to him, James had no intention of keeping his hands (and the rest of his body) to himself.
James trailed kisses as he moved down her body. Collarbones, and then he kissed each of her breasts and between them, another kiss landed on her navel, and another above her neatly trimmed intimate bush, and then he spread her legs wide as far as they go, and he stared into her glistening pussy.
James took a deep breath, savoring the scent of wild berries that intensified due to her arousal.
"James…", Cornelia called breathily while clutching his hand nervously.
"Let me taste you, Cora", James said, his words splashed against her tender flesh.
