His Claim

10

It is a bit later in the day already so not many people are out. I followed quietly behind Corbin who had let go of my hand.

"Erin seems friendlier with you."

"Oh yeah. I apologized about the nightmares and stopped them. I guess it helps that Lily is a very kind person."

"She is. You seem to be very friendly with her too. She also really likes you."

"Oh yes. Strange enough the first time I went into Erin's mind Lily stopped me from really hurting him...that night...I could have....." I space out as I think of what would have happened.I would have ravaged his mind, torn him apart until I found the information Marcel wanted. I would have barely thought twice about it, I would just be glad to have Marcel's praise. I would have destroyed his mind, making it impossible to put back together.

It was something I had done to countless people. Sometimes they died right after or went mad and died that way. They had mates....or families. I plucked their lives right out of this world so easily. Marcel was his sweetest when I got the information he wanted. I thrived in the short lived fantasy we would have before Marcel got bored and hurt me once more.

...You're not much better than me hum? You see it now?...

"Ember!" Corbin gripped tightly onto my shoulders. He was shaking me. I gasped softly and looked up at him.

"I am sorry," I whispered. He let out a soft sigh and wiped the tears that had spilled over my cheek. His thumbs sent that strange tingle through my skin. But this time it didn't feel that foreign, it brought a warmth to my face. I brought my hands up putting mine over his as I enjoyed the soft tingle, how Corbin's smell seemed to calm my senses. These feelings immediately got Marcel out of my mind, his haunting voice finally being silent.

"I do want to apologize to you. I've approached you, kissed you, and held you without your concent. I will do anything for your forgiveness Ember, I beg you, tell me whatever I must do," he says truthfully. I'm a bit shaken by his strange speech. I suddenly get bashfull and shake my head.
"It is weird," i mummble. He stops for a moment staring at me. He throws his head back laughing a deep chest laugh.

"Tell me what things do you like?" he suddenly asks.

I opened my eyes to stare at him, "Something I like?" That had been such a strange question.

His cheeks turn red and he abruptly stands up straighter. He puts a hand on his hip, the other running through his hair, "I meant like...a desert, something sweet, or an activity. Or jewelry, flowers, stones. What do you like?"

I recall him asking to know more about me. "Um...I like ice cream, swimming, silver, lilacs, and emeralds," I say answering the things he had mentioned. It had been awhile since someone had asked me that. Not since I first met Marcel.

"Ice cream is perfect," he said, pulling me across the street. The sweet scent hit me and I wanted to stay here forever.

"Alpha!" young girl squealed and bowed slightly.

"Hi Rain. I want my usual and," he looks down at me, "What would you like Ember?"

"Um just the same thing, please," I say a bit startled and Corbin chuckles.

"Give her the normal portion."

I looked at Rain but she was still her eyes focused on us. I narrowed my eyes and followed her gaze, she was looking at our hands.

"Corbin," I gasped and pulled my hand from his. I turned away feeling as if we had been caught in some act. I could hear Corbin chuckling but I felt this was not a funny thing.
I don't even remember when I started to hold his hand.
"Here you go," I heard Rain's voice. When I turned Corbin handed me a waffle cone with chocolate ice cream.