His Claim

11

I follow Clara back to the pack house, everyone's eyes on us. I realized that the day I made everyone cry...it was because I shared a glimpse of my guilt. The ever too heavy burden I would carry for the rest of life. I had touched them, confused them. They should hate me want me dead, yet they carried sympathy for me.

Sympathy I did not deserve.
But I hoped I could earn a sliver of it.
I look up as I see a few wolves standing in front of Corbin. I recognized his black wolf, next to him was Erin, then Lily as a small grey wolf. On the other side of Corbin was a blonde wolf whose eyes were narrowed on me. Marie . Lily bounces towards me doing the same thing Clara did.

She rubs up against me affectionately as I move to step in front of Corbin. I was bigger than Erins wolf but still much smaller than Corbin. It seemed he was almost smiling. I put my head under his chin and he licked the top of my head. I let out a sigh as I shifted back. I felt emotionally drained. Soon everyone was shifting back. I picked up the bags I had carried in my mouth here. Everyone was silent as we put on clothes. I stored my things in Lily and Erin's room. I wasn't really sure where else to put them and I didn't really have a room of my own. I pull on the shorts and hoodie I had gotten.

"I am starving after that little show," Erin said, finally breaking the silence as we made our way to the dining room.

"Nothing is more powerful than a mothers love for her child," Lily said, tears forming in her eyes again. She let out a shaky sigh as she wrapped an arm around me. I was surprised when I saw the dinner table was completely full. We sat down and the conversation continued. I ate silently, resting up against Lily who was very talkative. Corbin kept looking at me but it seemed he was keeping some distance. He left dinner early due to some issue him and Marie needed to talk about. I didn't protest as Erin picked me up and carried me to their room. I was exhausted and just wanted to sleep. Lily and Erin sandwiched me again, I felt so safe in their embrace.

That night, Lily and Erin clung to me so hard I thought they might accidentally kill me in my sleep. Two days peaceful days passed with no more crazy emotions. I clung to Lily's side the majority of the day. Although no one spoke to me, I had gotten a few smiles and hellos. Which was a huge step for me. I didn't see much of Corbin, apparently he was really busy. And when I did see him he was with Marie. I wondered what kind of relationship they had, and why I felt almost jealous. She was a beautiful woman... Lily was talking to the gardener when Marie came running up to us.

"Where is Corbin?" Lily asked as she neared us.

"In his office, he asked to get you," she smiled at us.

"Alright let's go," Lily said holding my hand. Marie came up to my other side and grasped my hand.

"Oh you can leave Ember in my care. We haven't spent quality time together," Marie said, "How does tea and cookies sound Ember? I know a wonderful spot in the gardens."

I looked up at Lily and gave her a small smile. She looked absolutely irritated. "It's okay Lily," I reassured her.

Lily glared at Marie for a moment longer before letting go of me. "Fine, but if you do anything to hurt her Marie....I will make sure you never come here again."

"Don't worry Lily, I won't strangle her," Marie said in a not too convincing way. Lily sighed and marched off.

"Alright then, I am sure you know. But I am Marie Airea of the Siren Pack. Oh you are a born rogue I am sure you don't know where that is. But it is next to the ocean," Marie pats my hand as she pulls us through the backyard gardens. We reach a small table with tea and treats already waiting. I was hungry so I was excited to eat.

I stared up at her beautiful blue eyes as she poured us tea. In the city I am sure she would have been a model, she was absolutely stunning.

"You are very beautiful," I said softly, still staring at her. She turned to face me, her cheeks suddenly red.

"What-I- okay. Thank you," she stammered and sat down. I was a bit confused why she acted so alien towards my complement, I am sure she heard it all the time. "So Ember. What are your plans?"

It was time for me to act alien towards her comment, "My plans?"

"Are you our Ally or not? You seem to make a lot of people cry around here, yet you haven't proved to be of any use to anyone here," she crossed her arms over her chest, "Corbin has always been a softy and I won't have some viper taking advantage of him."

I suddenly lost my appetite. I myself had been thinking that. What could I do for them. I wished to return Risa to Clara, but...I didn't hold that type of power. All I could do was ask and I wasn't sure if my messaged travel to marcels mind over this distance

...You can't do anything can you? So useless...

I tensed as my heart stalled and I gripped the front of my dress. "I-I don't have any useful information...I don't even know what the street the pack house is on is called. I-I"

"Oh geez calm down! You...you look so much like her" Marie groaned in frustration. I looked up at her and she was rubbing her temples. "Listen, I just need to know that you love Corbin. He is my dear younger cousin and his love for others can make him blind."

Hearing her call him cousin brought a relief to me that I hadn't realize I wanted. "Do I love him?" I tilt my head confused. Her head whipped around to look at me.

"Don't act stupid, I know he is your mate. He might have not told me but I can tell!"

It felt like the world fell around me. Hearing Corbin being called my mate made my heart pound in my chest. "No, um Marcel-"

"Do you truly believe Marcel is your mate? I've heard about the condition you were in, the scars on your back. Rogues don't have real mates."

"But I am a-"

"Your wolf is almost as big as Corbin. You have alphas blood in you. They never go rogue."

I stared up at her in shock. But my father went crazy...but...then there was my mom.

"I won't hurt Corbin," I stood up and raced back inside. I heard Marie calling after me but I just kept on going. I ran straight to Lily's room. My mind raced with questions and concerns. Corbin wasn't my mate, he wasn't. He was just nice to me.

...And you take advantage of kind people don't you? My poor little flower can't grow all by herself...

"No stop it!" I yelled as I slammed the door shut. I crawled under the blankets, trying to hide myself.