Chapter 421 – Thanks, but No Thanks

Ella

Evening approached in the refugee camp, and I was tired. Cora came to my side, placing a hand on my back. "We should probably head home," she said. I sighed, looking around. I knew I could do more, but…

"I get it, Ells," Cora said, mirroring my gaze. "But there's only so much we can do. And you're a queen, a mom, and a healer now. You've got to find a balance."

"Is it normal to feel guilty?" I asked my sister, a far more experienced healer. "When you prioritize yourself and other things, even though you know you can help people suffering?"

"It is," Cora said with a sigh. "But you, my big-hearted sister, probably feel it more keenly than most."

"Yeah," I said, glancing at Hank. "He, for instance, compartmentalizes well."

"Don't count Hank out," she said softly, shaking her head. "He's got a big heart too. Maybe he just hides it better."

I considered her point, my gaze lingering on Hank. My heart ached for him again, remembering his disappointment when Cora left him for her mate. As much as he loved her, he never stood a chance; Cora and Roger were destined to be together.

But was there someone out there for Hank, too? I desperately hoped so. He deserved happiness, as much as the rest of us.

"Ready, Luna?" Conner asked, approaching with my baby, Rafe, who reached for me with his little hands.

"Sure am!" I said, taking and cuddling him close. Cora laughed, leaning in to fuss over Rafe. I could see her thinking about her own baby, soon to arrive. Together, we started to leave the tent, but a small voice called me back.

"Hey, wolf lady!" a little boy called. I turned, laughing to see little Benny running toward me.

"Well, hey," I said, kneeling and hugging him. "How are you feeling, Bens?"

"It's Benny," he corrected, frowning slightly as he adjusted his glasses. He peered at Rafe. "Is this your baby?"

"Yup," I said, turning Rafe so Benny could see him better. "What do you think of him?"

"I think he's fat," Benny murmured, reaching out to poke Rafe's belly. I burst out laughing, charmed by his honesty. "He's not fat, he's a baby! They're supposed to be chubby so they can grow big and strong."

"Well," Benny said, his eyes wide, fixed on Rafe. "This one's gonna be real big and strong, then."

My laughter intensified as Cora crouched beside us. "Who are you?" Benny asked, looking Cora up and down.

Cora introduced herself as my sister. Benny narrowed his eyes. "Oh," he said. "Are you the human one?"

"Yes," she replied, raising her eyebrows. "Does my reputation precede me?"

"Um, I don't know what that means," Benny replied, blinking at her. This made me laugh again. "But she told me she has a human sister," he continued, nodding toward me. "So, you can't turn into a wolf?"

"Unfortunately not," she said, shrugging. "But I'm going to have a baby soon," she said, placing a hand on her stomach, "and he's going to be able to do it."

"Oh," Benny said, his eyebrows now raised. He paused, then asked, "Does that mean he's going to be fat, too?"

My laughter doubled, causing me to stumble back slightly. Cora steadied me, grinning.

"I don't know," Cora said, grinning at Benny, equally amused. "I guess we'll just have to see, won't we?"

"Hey, Benny," Isabel said, joining them. "You know you're not supposed to sneak out of bed—Dr. Hank said two more days of bed rest before you're cleared to go to the children's home."

"Dr. Hank is full of soup!" Benny said, crossing his arms and frowning at Isabel. His sincere disbelief and frustration sent me into another fit of laughter. Benny grinned at me before taking Isabel's hand. "I don't feel sick at all since the lady came yesterday!" he protested, pointing at me. "I should be allowed to go and find my mom!"

My laughter subsided at the mention of his mother, but I hid my sadness.

"I know, kid," Isabel said, grinning and winking at me. "Maybe we'll have Dr. Hank come and look at you again, see if you can't go tomorrow."

Satisfied, Benny nodded and allowed Isabel to lead him back to bed, calling his goodbyes over his shoulder.

Cora and I watched him go.

"He reminds me of you," Cora said, grinning.

"Really?" I asked.

"Yeah," she said, smiling. "So full of life, ready to question everything even though the world has dealt him a tough hand. He's got Ella Reina vibes for sure."

I suppressed my pleasure at the compliment. Even if it was meant for Benny, he was so cute, vivid, and determined that I was pleased by the comparison.

"Oh, geez," Cora said, putting an arm around me and turning Rafe and me toward the tent entrance.

"What!?" I protested.

"Let's get you out of here," she murmured. "Before you start adopting kids."

I laughed, but didn't protest. As a former orphan, I knew how important loving homes were for these children. I had enough love to make that a reality for a child like me, a child like Benny.

I wondered what Sinclair would think, even hypothetically. I was still pondering this when Cora nudged me as we passed through the camp gates.

"Hmm?" I asked.

"I know we've kind of left it off the table for a bit, Ella," she said seriously. "But…I wanted to talk to you about the wedding."

"Oh!" I exclaimed, my eyes widening. I laughed, shaking my head as Conner opened the car door. I thanked him and strapped Rafe into his car seat as Cora went to the other side. "Honestly, I'm glad you remembered, Cora—because I keep forgetting amongst everything else. But Sinclair is really excited about it! He thinks it's important!"

Cora bit her lip as we buckled in.

"Oh no," I said, seeing her expression and taking her hand. "Oh, Cora, you don't want to do it?"

"It's not that I don't see the importance of it, Ella," she said, shaking her head as she took my hand. "Or that I'm not grateful for you and Sinclair for offering this to us, but…" she sighed. I held her gaze as Conner started driving. "Honestly, Ella, I know I've never talked about getting married before, and this whole mating ceremony idea is incredibly new, but…it's more important to me than I thought it would be."

I nodded, listening.

"And," she continued, "I…I want something that really reflects me and Roger. Something small, intimate, and special—not a spectacle for the whole nation."

"I understand," I said softly. My own large ceremony had been wonderful, but it was just for me. Cora, I knew, wanted the perfect moment for Roger to give her his mark.

"But I don't want to disappoint you," Cora said, looking at me with worried eyes.