A L M I R A

Chapter 41
Almira Davenport

The next morning, I woke up in warm arms. I looked around, the bright sun shining through the windows. I sat up and became aware of my nudity before pulling the covers to my chest. Calix laid in bed, still asleep.

I smiled at him before carefully removing my body from his reach. I stood up and let the bed leaning droop off the edge. I made my way quietly to my wardrobe, picking throughout the dresses. My eyes landed on a new dress that was a pale pink.

I picked the dress off of the hanger and slid it over the curves of my body, adjusting it to preference. I began buttoning them in the back before a familiar sensation spread from my back.

Calix stood behind me, buttoning the rest of the buttons for me. "Well good morning," I greeted lightly, turning around after he tied the ribbon for me.

Calix's arms snakes around my waist, pulling me in. Calix's soft lips found their way to mine before he grinned. "Good morning, my love. Rest well?"

I nodded my head, walking over to his wardrobe. I pulled out a full outfit and handed it to him. "I did, although I'm a bit stiff."

"It happens, you'll get over it soon," Calix chuckled.

I rolled my eyes. "Cocky much?"

Calix smirked before throwing his jacket on over his white button up shirt. "Naturally."

I snickered. Calix turned to me before walking to stand in front of me. He rubbed my arms before sighing. "I know it's soon," He started, looking into my eyes, "but we need to have a meeting to talk about everything that's happened."

I nodded my head, my mind relieving the last couple of weeks. All of their dead bodies and the emotions flooded through my mind. "Okay."

"Okay?" Calix raised an eyebrow, looking at me skeptically.

I hummed in response. "I can't dodge the subject for eternity."

Calix paused before turning around, opening the door. "If you say so, then please, after you."

I slid a pair of flats on before walking out of the door, Calix following behind me. We walked to the meeting room where everyone always was already seated.

Cole started absently at Lauren's empty seat. I glanced t her seat before taking a deep breath, sitting down in my own seat. Calix sat beside me and grabbed my hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. I glanced at him before Calix turned to everyone else.

"Thank you all for coming. Facing the dark times we've been through has not been such an easy challenge. However, we cannot dwell on the past forever when there are other pressing matters to attend to," Calix opened, his eyes darting from one person to the next in the door.

"The war," Alexander brought up. "Alastor can't make hybrids anymore because we destroyed the spell. What more can he do now? We have the upper hand! I say, we attack him, and kill Alastor once and for all."

If only Alexander knew of the dark entity Alastor had on his side. "Taking Alastor down now would still be suicide," I objected. "I know things are turning up for us, but do not mistake our luck for an advantage against a man who's had this entire thing planned out detail by detail."

"He has lost the ability to create hybrids, what more could he have?" Alexander retorted, looking at me.

"He still has hybrids. Just because a spell to create something is broken doesn't reverse back the clock of what happened. He still has hybrids, and he has a lot of them. Let's not send our warriors into a suicide mission all because we're getting excited Alastor lost something," I responded. It felt almost as if Alexander was challenging me, but I know this was not the case. Ashli's death still hung over his head, and he wants Alastor to fall as revenge for Ashli. I get it. I have reasons of my own.

"But if we just—"

Cole interjected, glaring at Alexander. "I get you want him dead because of Ashli's death, but I lost my mate to him. Almira lost her sister, you lost your daughter, we all lost Ryker and Estelle. So if Almira and Calix say it's not time to annihilate Alastor, then damn it, it's not time!"

The room fell silent after Cole lashed out. Alexander looked down at the edge of the table, Ambrielle rubbing his back. "My apologies."

I looked at Cole who was shaking. His chest was heaving up and down, his breathing and heartbeat erratic.

Calix cleared his throat, directing the attention back to him. "So, battle strategies."

"I suggest we let Alastor make the next move. We go silent for a bit and he grows either curious, cocky, or anxious. When he arrives to attack, we'll be ready for him," Cole offered, crossing his hands over one another. The war was a distraction from Lauren's absence, that much was obvious.

"It could work," Calix muttered. He contemplated the idea. "Alastor has been known to be a very paranoid type. He's also quite impatient. I think us holding off will be of our best interest."

"So it's settled?" Ambrielle asked, glancing from Cole, to Alexander, to Calix, and then to me.

I nodded my head. "It's settled."

Calix stood up, fixing his coat. "Dismissed."

Everyone stood up and parted ways. Calix went to the office, Ambrielle to the maid quarters, and Alexander behind Calix. Cole sat in his chair and I looked at him, slightly frowning. "Cole? Calix dismissed everyone."

Cole stared at the table, not replying.

I sighed and walked over to him, sitting down in Lauren's seat. He turned to me with eyes full of emotions. "Cole, can I show you something?"

"Like what?" He questioned, looking at me.

"A memory of mine. If you let me into your mind, I can share a memory with you," I replied.

Cole nodded his head and closed his eyes. I played my small hands on the sides of his head, closing his eyes.

A flash of white appeared before Cole and I stood in a flower field, the wind grazing the top of the flowers, blowing them. The view of various types of flowers and tall grasses stretched out as far as the eye could see.

"Where are we?" Cole inquired, looking around.

"We're in a memory, Cole. Turn this way," I said. I turned Cole around and behind us was a small village, two peculiar children sitting on the ground together.

"Almira?" Little Lauren began, looking at the child version of me sitting beside her.

"Yes sister?" I had answered her, setting the basket I had in my arms down.

"Have you ever thought about your mate?" Lauren blurted out, looking at my younger self.

Cole watched my childhood memory fold out in front of us, his eyes fixated on the young girl Lauren once was.

"Not really. I've been reading the books mother picked up for me from the village's library," Young Almira responded, setting the basket down. "Why do you ask?"

Lauren took in the refreshing smell of a couple flowers before turning her back to the flowers. "I've thought about mine. Do you think he'll like me?"

"I think he'll love you, Lauren. What's the sudden thoughts about him for?" My young self persisted, picking flowers before setting them in the basket gently.

"I already know I'm going to love him. I'm just scared he won't love me in return. Rejecting mates is rare, but not impossible. What if I don't suit his expectations and he leaves me? What ever will I do then?" Lauren panicked, pacing the small dirt path outside of the cabin.

Little me walked over to Lauren, hugging her. "You'll both love and cherish each other. I'm sure of it."

Another flash of white blinded Cole and I before we were sitting back in the meeting room. Cole gasped and turned to me. "Why show me that?"

"I want you to know she dreamed of meeting you since we were children. She never did anything with another boy because she dedicated everything to you. Just know, I may not be the best at comforting, but Lauren loved you long before she ever met you," I explained, holding his hands in mine. "I can imagine the pain and torment you're going through isn't easy, but it gets better."

Cole slightly smiles before hugging me. "Thank you, Almira. I really needed that."

I rubbed his back. "I know. I think we all need sympathy and comfort every once in a while."

We both stood up and I brushed off my dress. "I have things to attend to in the office. Get some rest, alright Cole?"

Cole nodded his head before walking out the door. I stood there momentarily watching him before pulling myself together. It wasn't just for Cole, that memory was for me too.

~-~

Calix and I sat outside on the balcony, watching the sunset. "Hey Calix?"

"Hm?"

"Ellie is the last sacrifice," I mumbled, leaning against the back of the seat.

"I know," He responded, wrapping an arm around me.

"Poor Luke," I pitied, my lips forming a frown.

"Just think of it this way, Abelia comes in person for this one. No more secrets, no tragic deaths, but comfort and answers," Calix reassured, rubbing my arm.

I looked up at him, giving him a quick kiss. "That's something I'm actually grateful for. I'm just hoping it's before Alastor attacks again."

"Me too, darling," Calix muttered, pulling me closer to him.

"I'm sorry I kept all those secrets from you," I apologized. I leaned my head against his chest, continuing to stare at the colorful horizon.

"What secrets?" Calix questioned.

His fingers stroked my head, running through my hair. I leaned into his touch before answering. "The blood, Abelia, stuff like that."

Calix sat up and I looked up at him. He looked at me sincerely before tucking a strand of hair back behind my ear. "I'm not mad at you for those. Not even close. The blood, maybe a little, but I didn't like the idea of you hurting yourself for my personal gain. Abelia was something you physically couldn't tell me, even if you didn't want to. Please don't ever mistake those reactions for anger or resentment, love."

I stared into his piercing grey orbs, a smile creeping onto my lips. Calix leaned down to meet my lips. His soft lips on mine was always a feeling I loved. The sparks from the mate bond, the closure that I finally have my mate, and the peace of mind knowing he's mine, all of it from one kiss.

Calix pulled me onto his lap, the two of us deepening the kiss. I slid my hands down his chest before lazily resting my arms on his shoulders. Calix has a firm, but comfortable, grip on my waist, holding me close.

A cough came from behind us. We stopped and gave each other a confused look before turning to see who it was.

"I hate to interrupt, but I have a couple things to do here and I need you two for it," Abelia greeted, her arms crossed. She casually leaned against one of the windows from the balcony, a small grin spread across her face.

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