Cora Confides in Roger (Third Person)

As Sinclair and Ella raced through the winding streets of the Vanaran capital, Roger watched Cora. Amazement etched her face as she watched her sister, as if unable to believe her own eyes. The wind stirred her black hair, carrying its familiar scent to the rugged wolf.

Roger had stayed close to Cora since their escape from Moon Valley. When he'd arrived at her doorstep, announcing their need to flee, she'd been too stunned to respond. He'd packed her bag while she stood in shocked silence, speaking only when directly questioned. In the car, he and Henry had explained the situation as best they could, but he felt her fear keenly, triggering his protective instincts. He felt a strange kinship with her—like him, she watched a younger sibling take the world by storm. Though she never voiced dissatisfaction, Roger wondered…

Moving beside her, he watched the frolicking pair shrink to tiny dots in the distance. "Amazing, isn't it?" he remarked, startling her. "A month ago, we didn't even think she had a wolf—and now this."

Cora shook her head. "I can't comprehend it. I've known Ella my whole life… she's always been different, but I thought that was just… Ella being Ella."

"What do you mean?" Roger asked, his curiosity piqued.

A wry smile stretched her lips. "I don't need to tell you what it's like growing up in someone's shadow," she murmured thoughtfully. "And don't get me wrong, Ella made incredible sacrifices for me; she cared for me through thick and thin. But I'd be lying if I said I never resented her—for being so much better at everything, for being strong and brave enough to face things I couldn't." She paused, closing her eyes with regret. "I'm not proud of it, but sometimes I even blamed her for protecting me instead of letting me suffer—how's that for ungrateful?"

Roger shrugged. "It's natural to want to fight your own battles," he empathized, meeting her gaze. "And just because you aren't proud of a feeling doesn't make it invalid."

Cora's eyes widened slightly under his intense gaze; a flutter of excitement stirred within her. When had anyone looked at her so intently, as if seeing her very core? Roger's wolf sensed her interest and shifted closer as she continued. "Well, it makes sense now," she said. "Why Ella always drew people to her, why she was always the smartest, strongest, and fastest, even though she's so small."

"I understand," Roger nodded, glancing one last time at Sinclair and Ella before turning back to Cora. "But understanding doesn't make it any less surreal."

"You can say that again," Cora chuckled, wondering why she'd followed his movements so instinctively. "And the funny thing is, the wolf isn't even the strangest part—it's how different she is with Dominic."

"How so?" Roger asked, guiding her toward an ice cream parlor, his hand resting on the small of her back.

"In the best way," Cora smiled, though her eyes didn't fully share the sentiment. Roger knew enough of their story to sense past darkness lingering even in their happiest moments. "I always knew our upbringing took a toll on Ella, but she always kept it bottled up. She never trusted anyone enough to rely on them, never knew how to open up or be vulnerable."

As they entered the shop, Roger processed this. He knew Sinclair would never tolerate his mate keeping him at a distance or facing troubles alone. "I knew all that," he said, "but I didn't realize how it weighed her down… trapped her. The Ella I knew wasn't playful or free-spirited. She was brave, defiant, and darkly funny at times, but this Ella? The one who throws off her humanity in the street and runs off into the sunset to play, even with the world on fire?" Cora shook her head. "No one deserves such happiness more than Ella, and I hate that I've never seen this side of her before."

They paused in the doorway, and Roger studied her intently. "Do you feel guilty? That you weren't able to bring out this side of her?"

Cora gave a sardonic laugh. "I feel guilty for a lot of things," she confessed. "But not this. She needed to find her mate to feel safe enough to come out of her shell. That's not something I could ever have done for her."

"And you?" Roger asked slyly, guiding her to the counter. "What would it take to make you come out of your shell?"

Cora blinked in surprise. "What makes you think I haven't already?"

Roger chuckled, noticing her blush. "A lifetime of experience," he answered vaguely.

"Well, it's not exactly easy," Cora hedged. "I'm on the run in a country I didn't even know existed until yesterday."

Roger flashed his fangs. "So? That's not stopping your sister."

"My sister is drunk on love," Cora reminded him. "Dreams she never knew she had are coming true."

"And your dreams?" Roger pressed, his demeanor growing increasingly predatory. The more she spoke, the more intriguing she became. He wanted to push her buttons, to see her reaction.

"What can I get you?" The teenager behind the counter smiled, oblivious to the charged conversation. Cora welcomed the distraction. They ordered, and Roger followed her to a table, keeping his father and Gabriel in sight. The Alpha and the King were in deep conversation, and though Roger felt he should be with his pack, he couldn't tear his focus from the human.

"So, what do you think of all this?" Cora asked, gesturing to the city.

Roger chuckled. "You can't throw me off that easily, Cora." He savored her name, testing the sound. It seemed to surprise her; she shivered slightly.

"I don't know what you mean," Cora lied, earning a low growl from the wolf. Her jaw dropped. "Are you growling at me?"

"That's what happens when people lie to me," Roger said coolly, raising an eyebrow.

"Oh, like you're so perfect?" Cora accused, crossing her arms. "I know you were working with the Prince against your family. You expect me to believe you never lied to further your political games?"

"And now you're shifting the focus onto me," he observed. "I won't deny my past wrongs, but if you expect me to talk about them, I expect honesty in return."

Cora, both affronted and excited, pushed back from her chair. "Look, I don't know why you think you have the right to speak to me like this, but I don't owe you anything—least of all my honesty."

"No? I did save your life a few days ago," Roger reminded her, mischief sparking in his dark eyes.

"Only because Dominic asked you to," Cora argued. "Don't pretend you would have thought of me otherwise."

Roger dipped his head. "You may have a point," he conceded, but his eyes flashed with his wolf's intent. "But make no mistake, little human, that's the last time I'll ever fail to think of you again."

Cora, unsure how to react, turned and fled.