Chapter 255 Cora receives an unpleasant surprise


    Third person


    ” Well, it looks like you and I are the only bachelors left in this ce , ” Coramented to Gabriel ,


    watching Isabel and James in their far corner of the table . Thankfully, they weren’t as obvious about


    their romance of her as her sister was of her and Sinir .to whom one could easily be shocked if the


    couple did not realize that they had an audience . Isabel and James , on the other hand , had been


    snuggled together for the better part of an hour , close but not really touching . really his _Proximity


    isn’t what gave them away it was theirser focus on each other , not speaking or looking at anyone


    else . _ It was as if they were the only two people in the world . _


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    Cora felt a pang of jealousy and immediately forced her away , embarrassed by the ugly emotion .


    Instead , she tried to concentrate on her conversation with the king . ” Excuse me , but I happen to be


    dating a very handsome wolf named Thomas . “. Gabriel replied , not sounding annoyed in the least by


    her assumption of him.


    ” Oh . ” Cora frowned , obviously disappointed to learn that even the Vanaran king was also part of a


    couple now . ” I’m sorry , I should n’t have assumed , ” she sincerely apologized , even as questions


    welled up in the back of her head.mind . NamelyWhen had he be so sentimental that the sight of


    just one happy couple could make his heart overflow with longing ? What learning about another could


    make her boil with envy ?


    ” Okay . ” _ Gabriel assured him : “ It is intentional . I prefer people to keep guessing about my love life


    . ”


    Cora concentrated enough to sneer sympathetically , ” Yeah , I ‘d imagine there are a hundred too


    many opinions on that particr subject . ” _


    ” You can say that again .” Gabriel chuckled , taking a sip of his wine from him . Then , a mischievous


    expression appeared on his face in the form of a small , secret smile as if he was about to admit


    something he should n’t . goes_ good though _ Someday soon I hope to make it official . _ _ ”


    Cora forced herself to smile . Congrattions ! _ “ To make a rtionship official in the world of


    shapeshifters meant a formal im : another mating ceremony . She tried to hide the sudden ,


    inexplicable pain that swallowed her insides from her , silently wondering if she was freaking out … or


    maybe about to get her period . She was never so moody and she could n’t understand it . _ _


    “ Thank you , but if it happens it will be after the war . Gabriel replied , visibly recanting her own hopes


    of him in favor of realistic expectations . _ _ _ _ _


    ” Are you sure ? Cora asked , nodding at James and Isabel . _ _ ” Maybe they have the right idea ,


    bond while you can . ” _ _ _ _


    It was theirst night in Vanara , either traveling to the halls of Altaran to find E’s mother , or returning


    to the maind with Sinir to face Damon . Either way , they would all be separated by this time


    tomorrow … and goodbyes in times of war . They were the worst of all . _ Cora she knew that there


    were never guarantees in life , and she knew especially the cost of fighting at home . Suddenly, an


    image shed in his mind of her, a bloody vision of the operating room that afternoon , of a resistance


    fighter they had failed to save . Only in his mind ‘s eye of him was Roger ‘s face in that lifeless form ,


    instead of the stranger he had been unable to save .


    “ Cora , are you okay ? Gabriel asked suddenly , worry seizing him as tears welled up on the human ‘s


    lashes .


    “ I’m fine . She assured him through apletely unconvincing smile . _ “ I just need a moment . Some


    fresh air . ” _ She gasped , pushing her chair back . He met E’s concerned gaze and shook his head


    to make sure she was right.her sister did not follow her .Unfortunately , there was nothing she could do


    to stop Roger from following her .


    Cora moved stiffly for the balcony doors and ran out onto the terrace . The gardens were still decorated


    from the night before , though they were much quieter now . Courtiers and delegations , all refugees


    willing and able to fight , _ _everyone was home preparing for war . _ Those who weren’t were back in


    the dining room trying to enjoy what little time they had left together . Cora descended into the maze of


    nts , sucking in great gulps of air as her awareness of her cruelly narrated.the scene . _ _ And


    tonight they ‘ll all go up to their rooms and hold each other tight and make sweet , sweet love and I ‘ll


    be here … staring at a fucking leaf .


    Cora made a face and shook herself a bit , “ Enough ! ” , she scolded herself . “ You’re being a brat . It’s


    not their fault they’re happy . ”


    “ Talking to yourself , little human ? A familiar and infuriatingly deep voice sounded behind her . _ _


    Cora jumped , turning back to look at Roger . ” You know where Ie from , it’s rude to stalk lonely


    women in the dark and listen to their private conversations . ”


    Roger frowned , as if racking his brains . “ No , no , wee from the same ce and I don’t


    remember any rules like that . Also , is it a conversation if you are having it with yourself ? ” _


    “ It’s the most private type of conversation . I answer haughtily , turning my nose towards the


    handsome wolf . _ _ _ ” So do us both a favor and run before you make things even more awkward


    than they already are . ”


    Roger pursed his lips , shoving his hands into his pockets as he crept forward . ” Well, since things are


    already so awkward , I might as well ask why you’re crying … and why you were mad because


    someone is happy . ” Cora crossed from _arms . on his chest From him, wishing he could kill this man


    with his eyes alone … then trying and snorting when the big wolf just chuckled . ” Come on , ” He


    encouraged , moving so close now that they were almost touching . _ _ _ ” Do you know that I can be a


    _ very good listener . ”


    Somehow , Cora doubted that Roger’s services as an impartial friend and advisor extended to her


    feelings for him … not that she had feelings, of course . ” Actually I ‘m going to bed . She lied quickly .


    But listen , in case we do n’t have one opportunity in the Tomorrow I want to thank you for being so


    supportive of me . _ _ _ Tor helping me and getting me out of Moon Valley in the first ce . _ _ _ You


    saved my life . She held out her hand , ” I hope we meet again . ” ”


    Cora was counting the minutes until her and E ‘s departure , and dreading them . She knew that


    saying this goodbye would be difficult , but she was also the one she wanted the most to get out of the


    way . _ _ _ _ _


    ” Oh, I see . ” Roger’s lips unfurled in an utterly devilish smile . “ I was wondering why you didn’t


    mention it . Dominic did n’t tell you . ”


    ” You didn’t tell me what ? Cora snapped , not liking the predatory grin on her face one bit .


    “ Well , since the killer told Damon that the Alpha is dead , his next logical targets are E and the baby


    . _ This possibility seemed to be confirmed when Kieran was approached by Damon , so we made


    arrangements to ensure additional security on his journey . “. Roger exined vaguely , looking like the


    cat that ate the canary . _ “ You must realize that my brother puts the safety of his mate and his son


    even above his own … he will spare no resource or expense for E and Rafe . ”


    ” What are you saying ? E Cora demanded , though she had a terrible feeling that she already knew .


    ” I’m saying you do n’t have to worry about getting separated or something happening to me while


    you’re on Altara .” Roger rified , still smiling as he pushed Cora against the wall .


    ” Why not ? _ Cora swallowed , cursing her body as she instinctively backed away from the wolf .


    Roger bared his fangs . ” Because I’m going with you . ” He stated , in a tone that sent shivers down


    Cora ‘s spine . _ ” I’ll be with you every step of the way . ” Roger continued as Cora ‘s shoulder des


    collided withthe stone , and he loomed over her , taking her cheek in his great hand . ” Day and night ,


    for the next few weeks … on a chain of deserted inds … with nothing to do but watch over your


    sister with a dozen other guards . “” . she purred E, and Cora found hershes droop , wondering if


    he was about to kiss her … and then wondering if she would have the strength to stop him .


    He did n’t . “ I don’t know about you , ” Roger concluded , his dark eyes boring into Cora’s as she


    looked up at him again , nervously licking her lips . His glowing wolf gaze dropped from her to follow


    her little pink tongue from her, and suddenly the Beta wasfinding his pants too tight . _ ” But I’m going


    to work hard to think of ways to entertain ourselves during those long hours on the boat and in the


    temple . ” _ _ _


    Cora’s heart pounded frantically against her ribs , her thighs clenching reflexively to ease the ache in


    her core . “ Surely a temple dedicated to the Goddess is a very holy and sacred ce , ” E Cora


    suggested , her voice quavering . ” Probablywe will have tobe very quiet and respectful while we are


    there . ”


    Rogerughed , a sort of ominous , knowing roar . ” Sweet Cora , is that really what you expect ,


    knowing what you make of our kind ? ” ”


    Suddenly, her mind returned to the changing holidays and traditions she was familiar with , and the few


    she was able to celebrate with E this year . She thought of the Solstice , with its bonfires , moon


    baths , and wild hunt . She thought of the primitive , paganthe energy of those nights , the way they are


    all rooted in ancient magic and base instincts , the raw sensuality they all seemed to bring to the


    surface . She thought of the heady power of being alone with Roger in thesepletely nondescript


    settings , and tried to imagine yourself in a ce of mystery and power , where all your senses would


    be heightened even more .


    And suddenly she understood why Roger seemed so pleased with himself .


    It was clear that he did not expect her to be able to resist once they left together . He nned to make


    her his , sooner rather thanter . _ _ _ _ And the scariest part of all ? Cora had a very bad feeling that


    she was going to have sess .