"Introduce me as your special advisor", Cornelia demanded from Talia. "Considering the mystery surrounding the Midnight Guardians pack, no one will dare to question it."
Talia didn't see a problem with introducing Cornelia as an advisor, or as anything else Cornelia wanted. After all, other than Yasmin, Cornelia was the second witch that provided assistance without demanding some kind of a deal for the smallest things. In addition to that, Cornelia was mated to James, a teenage genius, and doing a favor to Cornelia will definitely help them keep James as their ally.
However, Talia was concerned about Cornelia's safety. If Cornelia gets compromised and people realize her special background, Cornelia will get a big invisible target on her back. It will also cause a cascading effect where everyone close to Cornelia will be put under scrutiny. Talia already had so many problems on her hands that she didn't want to add more.
But even with weighing all that, Talia couldn't just refuse Cornelia.
Talia needed a few moments to come up with something.
"Cornelia", Talia called. "Promise that no matter what happens, you won't reveal your identity as a witch."
Cornelia was quick to agree. "No one will find out." And live to tell about it. She kept this second part to herself.
Seeing that Talia was reluctant, Cornelia decided to give her another push. "Do you want us to make a deal?"
Talia refused. "That won't be necessary. I consider you as my friend and friends help each other when they can."
Cornelia was surprised that Talia called her a friend, but the witch didn't care about that mushy stuff. Her mate was pressured to go against their bond or suffer consequences, and Cornelia had no intention of giving up here.
"Talia", Cornelia spoke solemnly. "My mate is facing a tough situation. Without my involvement, he will end up harmed, no matter what he does. I need to help him. I need to try. Please…" Cornelia didn't say more, but Talia didn't need to hear anything else.
"I understand. Feel free to use identity as my special advisor. But promise me one thing."
"Another promise?", Cornelia asked suspiciously.
"If you are over your head, tell me. Damon and I will help you. And it's not just the two of us. Our friends also believe in the mate bond, and no one approves of Alpha Edward's methods. Don't think that turning Alpha Edward into a frog will solve anything. He is still alive because he is crafty and dangerous, and his disappearance will have unimaginable consequences." This was the reason why George still didn't issue an Alpha challenge to Alpha Edward. George was ensuring that the society of werewolves won't blow into shit after he defeats Alpha Edward. The old guy had many spies with orders to eliminate certain people if anything happens to him.
Cornelia was confused. She only wanted to save James from sluts, yet Talia was talking about Alpha Edward. Cornelia didn't think that the old guy was worth mentioning. "What are you trying to say?"
"You are not alone, and you should reach out if you need assistance."
Cornelia agreed. "That is something I can promise."
With James-related business out of the way, Cornelia thought of giving some information, "James is coming here with Alpha Edward, Luna Layla, and Nora."
Both Damon and Talia frowned at the mention of Nora.
Nora was one of the few outsiders who were in close contact with Talia, and Nora doesn't know that Talia (Damon's mate) is Alpha Natalia Moonrider. Sure, Nora took the blood oath not to harm Talia (among other people), but what if she recognizes Talia and speaks without thinking? Nora was not the sharpest tool in the shed.
Cornelia left the study, leaving Damon and Talia behind.
"Are you worried about Cornelia and James?", Damon asked.
"Yes, and also…" She lifted her head to look at him. "Isn't Marcy here? What if her parents or Nora see her?"
Damon's mouth formed a big 'O'. He forgot about Marcy!
"I will talk to Max so he can make sure it doesn't happen", he said.
Damon guessed that Maddox won't be happy. Maddox was still angry at Damon for setting him up with keeping Marcy in his pack, and when Damon reminds him that the group from the Red Moon pack will be in attendance… it won't be good.
"Kitten, can you come with me to talk to Max?"
With Talia present, Maddox will control his temper.
Unsuspecting Talia agreed.
Later that day…
Cornelia was about to knock on the door, but before her knuckles connected with the wooden surface, the door opened.
"Oh!", Mindy exclaimed in surprise.
Gideon opened the door, and Mindy was quick to exit only to nearly bump into Cornelia.
"Did you come to visit us? Or do you have some business with Gideon?", Mindy asked Cornelia who was eyeing their outfits.
Mindy was wearing a pastel orange summer dress and had her hair in a French braid, while Gideon wore a dark brown suit, and his hair was neatly slicked back.
"Sorry", Cornelia said. "Actually, I was hoping to talk to you, Mindy. Uhm… did the ceremony move to earlier in the day?"
"No", Mindy responded with a smile as she realized that Cornelia was referring to their dress-up. "We are going to meet my parents." She inched closer to straighten Gideon's necktie. "First impression is important."
Gideon was visibly nervous. He was going to meet his in-laws. The bad thing was that they were actually younger than he was, and he worried what they will think about him. What will he do if they don't approve? Will his pumpkin-infused princess like him less? What if she rejects him as her mate?
Gideon inhaled a shaky breath and smiled ugly a Cornelia.
Cornelia's eyebrows shoot up. Why was Gideon showing his teeth? Was that a threat? Was he about to bite her?
Seeing that neither Gideon nor Cornelia spoke, Mindy said, "We are going to be late, but we can spare a minute. Cornelia, can you tell me quickly why you are here?"
"It's not important. We can talk later."
Mindy didn't have time to coddle the witch. Gideon was on the verge of falling apart, no matter how much she told him that her parents were not scary. Did Maddox frighten Gideon when Mindy was not looking?
Cornelia watched as Mindy and Gideon moved down the hallway and then she followed dejectedly.
Now that her status as Talia's special advisor was confirmed, Cornelia didn't have much to do, so she relaxed in her room while thinking about when James will arrive and how he will react when he sees her... And then it hit her: that was a fancy party and she had nothing to wear!
Since she was staying in the human realm, Cornelia had a few sets of casual clothing that she would wear while in the Dark Howlers pack. During nights she would be naked with James, and she didn't go anywhere else.
That was why she went to see Mindy, with the hope that Mindy will have a dress Cornelia could wear. They were about the same size (with Cornelia being wider in the hips), as for other females, Talia was too skinny, Maya was too tall, Meg was petite, and Cornelia didn't know anyone else.
Now what?
