Chapter 392: Questions Answered

My eyes snapped open as I gasped, thrilled to have finally met my wolf—who had been here all along. My mother smiled warmly, but Roger’s face registered only shock as he stared at me wide-eyed.

“Can you—can you sense her?” I asked, thrilled and curious.

“Um, yeah, Cora,” he replied, looking me up and down in fascinated shock. “Can’t you feel mine?”

I felt my wolf turn, searching for him. Then, suddenly—like a slap in the face—I felt Roger’s wolf on the other side of our instantly forming bond.

I gasped, my knees going weak at the intensity. Roger was up in an instant, catching me before I fell. It felt as if gravity shifted; what had been down was now sideways, and at the center of everything was Roger.

“Hey,” he said anxiously, looking down at me as my shy wolf hesitantly tapped her nose against his across our mating bond.

Roger’s wolf let out a joyous bay and leaped forward, making my wolf skitter back. But he didn't stop, instantly closing the distance, nuzzling her, nipping playfully at her shoulder, and burying his nose in her fur.

My new wolf shied again, not from fear, but because it was all so new. I felt Roger’s wolf respond, prancing around her joyfully, reassuring her with his body language that he was thrilled she was there and ready to play whenever she was. Tears welled up as Roger laughed and hugged me close while I adjusted to everything.

I clung to my mate, my fated mate—the truth of it now deeply physical—before remembering my mother's presence and our incredible rudeness. Slowly, reluctantly, I pushed Roger away slightly and turned to her.

“I’m sorry,” I said, wiping my tears. “I’m just—”

“It’s all right, daughter,” she said, smiling from her chair. “It does me good to see you so happy.”

Holding Roger’s hand, we returned to our chairs, composing ourselves.

“So,” I began hesitantly, “um, does this mean I’ll be able to take Roger’s mark?”

“Yes,” the Goddess said, nodding. “It may take your human body longer to heal from it,” she added, shrugging, “but your sister can help. And it will do you no harm.”

“What about other humans?” I asked, thinking of the vision of Rafe finding his true love, a human girl. “Could they take a mark if they wanted one?”

“They could,” my mother said with a smile, “though they might not find the same joy in it as wolves do. Your wolf, Cora, will crave it. She probably already does.”

I felt the truth of it as my wolf pressed closer to Roger’s, looking up into his face. I grinned, knowing my mother was right.

Oh geeze, I thought, chagrined but smiling. Convincing Roger not to mark me the moment we leave the temple will be quite a struggle. I want it to be special. I knew he'd want to sink his teeth into me in the back of that RV—if not sooner—but no. I wanted more than that.

Another question arose. “Does this mean…um,” I hesitated, searching for the words. “Will I be able to shift into my wolf?”

“I’m sorry, my darling,” my mother said quietly, shaking her head. “Your spirit is that of a wolf, but your body is still human. It’s incapable of shifting.”

A brief pang of disappointment passed. I’d already received so much more than I’d hoped for.

“What about the baby?” Roger asked, interrupting with a very important question. I perked up, my wolf mirroring my curiosity. “Will the baby be able to shift?”

He tried to hide his anxiety, but his tense face betrayed him. He badly wanted to bond with his child in this way, as he had with his parents.

“As you are the father of Cora’s child, Roger,” my mother said—a phrasing that also confirmed it was my child, eliminating my fear of dark god involvement—“the child’s body isn’t entirely human, as Cora’s is. Your children’s experiences may be unique, but yes,” she smiled, “they will be able to transform, as you can.”

A sigh of relief escaped Roger as he hung his head, his shoulders shaking. I smiled at my mate as he looked down, trying to compose himself. I was so pleased he’d have this connection with his children.

He looked up, apology evident. “Cora,” he whispered, “I know it seems—I mean, I’ll love our children no matter what—but I just—”

“It’s all right,” I said, taking his hand. “I get it,” I nodded, smiling. My wolf playfully nudged his. “I really do.”

He exhaled, and we turned our attention back to my mother, though I felt guilty asking for more.

“You two have a beautiful future ahead of you,” she said quietly. “It will bring me much joy to see it unfold.” Sadly, she stood. “My time runs short. Anything else before I go?”

“Please,” I said, leaning forward, feeling selfish. She smiled, inviting me to ask.

I bit my lip. “Ella’s gift,” I blurted out. “It can do such wonderful things. I want to do more of that, to heal people as she did. I know she passed it to me, but—could I…?”

I ran out of words; asking for such an incredible gift felt terrible. I hung my head, ashamed.

To my shock, my mother laughed, lifting my chin. “You have your own gift, Cora,” she said quietly, “already within you.”