Chapter 7: Honor His Life by Living Yours

CORALIE

I prepare my famous tea for Marla, something I had used frequently after the death of my parents, and bring her a cup. She drinks it without an ounce of hesitation, and I can feel the moment her grief begins to ease.

“Marla, your mate loved you very much. He would want you to be happy and to live a full life. He would not want you to suffer his loss, but rather celebrate his life. From this day forward, you will honor his life by living yours.” I pull off my tiger’s eye amulet and place it around her neck.

“Thank you, Cora.” Her eyes meet mine, and I feel unease at how much appreciation pours off of her. I don’t want her to feel like she owes me.

I should say something, but thankfully a thundering knock on the door saves me from my speechlessness. I wave my hand, opening the door, knowing that it is the alpha that stands on the other side.

He walks in with an expression of worry and anger until he spots Marla sitting calmly on the couch.

“Marla, I was worried when you didn’t come back.”

I roll my eyes and take a seat in the oversized chair on the other side of the couch.

“Afraid she met an untimely demise at the hands of the wicked witch?” I spout off, with my irritation lacing each word.

His eyes darken before Marla interjects with her sweet voice.

“Alpha, she is kind. She only made me a cup of tea.” The woman grabs his arm gently, and I see his expression soften.

“Marla, why don’t you go get some breakfast?”

She bows her head slightly and gives me a quick glance and a smile before leaving.

“She is a very sweet woman. It’s a shame about her mate.”

He turns to me with his eyes swirling with emotions. “What did you do to her?”

I scoff at his accusatory tone and grab her half-full cup of tea. I take a greedy drink before resting the cup on my lap.

“Not what she asked of me, but enough to help her for now.”

His eyes narrow and he steps closer, his fists clenched tightly at his sides.

“You are not to use your magic on my pack. Do you understand?”

I get why he’d be worried. Our people have some history. But he’s wearing my amulet. He knows my magic is safe.

I stand up, making him take a few short steps back to get out of my way.

“What kind of man would allow his people to suffer when there is a way to ease their pain? She asked for my help. I gave her herbs to mend her broken soul and dull her pain. I assure you, no black magic was used. I do not use the dark arts. I’m not about to start now, even though she had requested I do just that.”

His eyes go wide. He glances back at the door before looking back at me.

“She asked you to use black magic? Marla?”

I sigh and sit back down in the chair, setting the teacup on the coffee table before sitting back.

“I don’t think she realized what she was asking for. She just wanted to speak with her deceased mate. Communing with the dead sounds like a good way to find closure, but for the caster, it welcomes in the darkness as well as the light. It poisons you over time.” I don’t tell him how I know this. “I gave her a more suitable solution, one that I used during my darkest times.”

He sits down on the arm of the couch. His eyes never leave mine.

“I watched you communicating with the dead. So, you lied?”

“You mean Luca.” I’d known this conversation was coming. There was no way Alpha Jordan hadn’t seen me talking to Luca. I lower my gaze and my hand instinctively wraps around the amulet around my neck, the one Luca gave me the night I ran.

“Who was he?”

I blink back my tears, smiling at his misunderstanding of my situation.

“Luca ~is~ the reason I am still alive. Communicating with him is not what you think. He is not dead, not exactly.” I can feel his narrowed gaze on me, and it carries the weight of a thousand unspoken questions.

“How can he not exactly be dead?”

I sink further into the chair and release the breath that I had been holding.

“It is better that you don’t know too much, alpha. Luca’s situation is my burden to bear.”

His eyes soften and he leans forward, his elbows on his knees. “Then we should get to work. Lady Laurent is ready to meet with you so we can plan the mating ritual. Would you like to eat first?”

I shake my head and stand up, smoothing my hands over my dress.

“No, let’s get this over with. Why do I have a feeling that she is not happy about having to work with me?”

He smirks and shrugs as he stands up. His large frame greatly overshadows mine, but somehow it feels nice to stand near him.

“I wouldn’t dare guess what would make her happy. Did Danny warn you that she is an insufferable bitch?”

I don’t even bother to hide the burst of laughter that bubbles out of me.

“No, but that is good to know. Has anyone bothered to warn her that I’m…well, me?”

He chuckles and shakes his head. “No. Maybe we are all hoping she will say the wrong thing and be turned into a toad.” He raises a brow at me playfully.

“You do realize that the mate bond will not help you like her more, right? If you already dislike her, that will be amplified. I can only make what you already want stronger.”

He runs his fingers through his thick brown locks and smiles at me. “I don’t have to like her. I just need her to do her job. Let’s go. We shouldn’t keep her waiting too long.”