My Hunted Mate novel Chapter 65

Corinna

Once Gia and Jack agree to keep an eye on Elias for a few minutes, Phoenix and I exit the room. We wander through the house, stopping off at the kitchen to grab one of the many bags of blood stocked in the refrigerator before wandering outside to the gazebo.

Nerves bubble away in the depths of my stomach when Phoenix pulls the jar of Kai's blood from his pocket as soon as we sit on the bench together, he gently places the jar in between us, but doesn't say a word about it, indicating that he is allowing me to take my time.

A feeling of gratitude rises in me from my in-laws respectfulness, a small smile momentarily forms on my lips as I place the bag of blood down next to the jar on the metal of the bench. Phoenix starts to push the swing into a light, rhythmic sway.

" You know, you have fit in here perfectly from the moment Mal found you. You have been unbelievably kind to all of us, you gave us a gift that all of us never thought was possible. " Phoenix mumbles, running his thumb across the face of the silver watch clasped on his wrist, the one I enchanted so he can be protected in the sun. " I don't think I ever properly thanked you for it, so thank you. "

" You don't have to.. " I shift awkwardly at his kind words.

" And I also wanted to thank you for making my brother the happiest I have seen him in a thousand years, for giving him unconditional love and testing him when he has needed to be tested. " Phoenix ignore me, continuing his little speech.

" He.. He died because of me Phoenix, he died trying to protect me. " I whisper sorrowfully.

" It's not your fault Cori, you did what you could. " He shakes his head.

" I couldn't get to him in time, how pathetic is that? There's a chance he could've lived if I had just gotten to him on time. " Tears stream down my face as the overwhelming guilt and grief fill me up.

" You did everything you could. You tried to get to him, you avenged him, you brought him back to life and you did your best to fix the damage that was done to him in the process of rising from the dead. I would hardly call any of that pathetic. " Phoenix musters up a smile, gently shoving my upper arm with his elbow. He pauses, his smile fades as he places his hand on top of mine in a form of comfort. " My brother died to protect the woman he loved, so she can be a mother to their son, pretty honourable death in my book. "

" Thank you. " I sob, leaning across the bench to wrap my arms around him tightly.

Phoenix returns my embrace, then when we separate after a minute or so, he speaks again. " I think you should lead the clan, now that Mal is gone. "

My face contorts into pure shock at his words. " I should what? "

" Dahlia and myself have never been fit to lead, we never wanted to. We let our turned go their own ways without a second thought, we wanted to continue to travel and party when Mal wanted to settle down, take care of the people he had turned. " He explains. " The clan know my sister and I have absolutely no interest in leading them, they'll start to argue amongst them for who will take over and it will no doubt turn violent. You wanted to stand by Mal's side and lead, so by that logic this is your role now that he has passed. "

" I don't know, I don't think Kai would want me to- " I speak, but he cuts me off.

" He would. Trust me. " Phoenix smiles. " Think about it, okay? "

I nod my head, then finally turn my attention to the jar still sitting on the space on the bench between us. With shaky hands, I pick it up, unscrewing the lid, letting the top fall to the ground with a clatter.