Chapter 10: How Did You Meet Him?

CORALIE

He seems to understand.

I shake my head. “Had I been in control, I would have handled things differently. The man who’d killed those innocent people was a man of great power. His brother is a power-mad monster, and I’d murdered the only blood relative he’d had left. He has hunted me ever since. By containing my beast, I’ve managed to keep myself hidden. But the enchantment is dulling, or maybe my beast is growing in strength. Being near all of you makes her feel harder to control.”

“Who is this man of great power?”

I look at him closely and sigh, running my hand through my hair.

“Caleb Altier. His brother, Hector Altier, was the man who took the life of more than two dozen innocent men, women, and children.” I clench my fists in my lap as the phantom scent of blood and the haunting cries of the little girl spark inside me.

“Who is Luca to you?”

I draw in a ragged breath. The bitter sting of tears bites at my eyes. “Luca is my brother. When Caleb came for me, Luca tried to hold him off. He was taken, and Caleb still has him. He had a witch from the council place him in a state of suspended animation, a dreamless sleep. They did not account for his ability to astral project. He can travel to anywhere that he has a tether. The only tether he has now is me. I am his anchor. Once I find him, I still have to figure out how to undo what the witch did to him.”

His eyes focus on me with a sympathetic look.

“Can’t you just use a spell or something?”

I chuckle at him and his simplistic view of my world. “It is not that easy. The witch used dark magic. Because of my beast, I can’t give in to the temptation of using dark magic.”

I see the way his brow furrows as a new thought sparks to life.

“What are you, Cora?”

I’m not sure how to answer. I hadn’t expected he’d need an explanation. He’s seen my beast.

“Well, I am not sure what I would be called. The council called me a weapon. The other witches called me an abomination. The wolves called me a hybrid. The vampires call me suflet pereche, or twin soul. I come from a line of witches on my mother’s side and lycans on my father’s. I have inherited some of both sides but belong to neither.”

He sits back and runs a hand over his face. “I apologize for saying you didn’t know about my kind.”

I smile and shrug. “No need to apologize. I have suppressed my lycan side for so long that my abilities are dulled, but they are still there. I shouldn’t have scolded you for taking a chosen mate over a fated mate. Maybe my ability to find my mate is cut off by the enchantment. What if my poor mate is wandering around out there with yours somewhere?”

He smirks and shakes his head. “If your enchantment is dulling, you might find your fated mate. Right?”

I let out a defeated sigh and lean forward, my elbows on my knees. Love was the last thing I needed.

“I don’t deserve a mate. The things I have done, have let happen, I would be surprised if the goddess hasn’t turned her back on me completely.”

I hear the rustling of the weight shifting on the couch, and suddenly he is kneeling before me.

“She hasn’t abandoned you, Cora. I think she has a plan for you that just hasn’t been revealed.”

I take a deep breath and shake off my melancholy to meet his hazel eyes.

“Perhaps I am where I am meant to be. I should have walked away from this, from you, but I couldn’t. I tried so hard to turn my back, but I wasn’t even home for a day before I felt the pull to come back. Something needs me to be here. Maybe it’s to help you.”

I watch as a smile tugs at the corners of his lips. His eyes are full of turmoil.

“Well, you saw what you have to work with. Can you really create a bond between me and the fashion queen? I’m worried she won’t be fertile if we can’t bond.”

I see the hope in his eyes. I know it is only hope for the future of his pack and not for love or companionship.

“If she doesn’t do her part, there’s only so much I can do. Why is she here if she so clearly thinks she’s too good for us?”

His eyes meet mine, and the emotions raging in them are overwhelming. “She wants the title, of course. She wants it to be handed to her on a silver platter. I will talk with her. What else can I do? I’ll make her wear the amulet. I know you said every second counts.”

I smile at his eagerness to make this work even though I know it is not what he wants.

“Do you have any sacred land in your territory? The extra energy could help.”

He flashes a bright smile and nods. “I know just the place. We can scout it out now if you’d like.”

I get up and walk to the kitchen. Grabbing my bag, I secure the strap over my shoulder. “Let’s go.”

He chuckles as he opens the door and gestures for me to exit.