Sinclair

It’s mid-morning by the time I leave Roger’s house, and I dial Cora’s phone number, both because she needs to know about what happened, and because I need help caring for Ella. Despite the doctor’s promises, I’m worried that Ella won’t recover as quickly as he’s predicting and if anyone knows what to expect, her sister surely must.

“Mr Sinclair?” She sounds uncertain as she answers, as if she suspects her caller lD might be lying to her.

“Good morning, Cora.”I greet her, taking a deep breath. “l’m sorry to disturb you when you’re at work, but I’m calling with some bad news.”

I can feel the anxiety in her sharp intake of breath, and worry imbues her soft voice, “ls Ella okay? Is the baby?”

“They’re both at home resting.” I share, hoping this will assuage the worst of her fears. “But there was another attack last night.”

“Another one?” Cora squeaks, indignation bleeding into her voice as she continues. “I thought you were supposed to be this all powerful Alpha? You’re supposed to be keeping her safe! My sister has known you for a month and she’s already had people trying to kill her twice!”

I understand her outrage, and I agree with it completely. “I know. You have every right to be upset with me. I’m not very happy with myself right now. I failed her.” I confess, exhaling heavily. “I’m not turning out to be a very good father so far.”

“I..” Cora doesn’t seem to know what to makę of this. “Tsk,” She clears her throat. “Well is she alright?

Does she need anything?”

“She’s a bit scraped up, but I’m afraid the worst damage was psychological.It wasn’t Iike last time. She… she didn’t recognize me afterwards.'”I wonder if the human can hear how upsetting I find this particular detail, but when she remains silent I forge on. “She’s in a deep state of shock- the doctor used the word dissociative, like she completely disconnected from her body to protect her mind.”

Cora swears, but she doesn’t sound surprised. “I’ll leave work right now.” She offers, “I can be there within a half hour.”

I should voice my next thought. Ella hasn’t spoken to me much about her childhood, but I know that she feels

the alley, refusing to show her upset to Cora, insisting she was fine. “And… I don’t want to sound insensitive because I know you love Ella and

right about that. Ella has always been the caretaker…

“So l think it would

Cora agrees, “But I can still help you. I know all her creature comforts, the things that soothe her

to make this call before Ella wakes. By the time she returns to consciousness I can have all her favorite things already

-” Cora

Dominic, Cora.”I

not my place to tell you the details.. but

a dreadful premonition that I don’t want to hear whatever it is she’s about to

trails off for a moment, sounding positively miserable. My mind immediately floods with horrible images of Ella, even more sweet

l told you she dissociated.” I guess, hating every word of

not wrong either. She wants to protect the people she cares about even when she’s

we have in common. I

the same coin.”I say instead. “Whether she’s doing it to protect herself from the pain or put on

Cora murmurs, in the tone of someone

L inquire, not liking this one

that way… I wonder if maybe we’re wrong about it being for someone else.” Cora shares. “I mean maybe that’s how it started, but at the end of the day it still means she never learned how to cope with

her life, it won’t matter if her sister is there or not, she’ll try to do the same with this – because it’s all she knows. Only now do I realize

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