Cora got out, her body dripping with warm water, and put on her thin night dress that hung loosely on her shoulders and came to just above her thighs, her wet hair hanging over her shoulders.

The water from her hair seeped into the fabric, but a surprisingly bold side of her didn't bother to alter it. Her exposure to these creatures wasn't long, but it was long enough to know that they didn't shy away from these displays. 

A part of her wanted him to see her like this. She had to be bold if she wanted to become an Omega. She had to have strength if she wanted to own the title of Omni. And right now, she couldn't help it and wanted him. So, she'd subtly, or perhaps not so subtly, reveal that she didn't mind if he looked.

And as that thought made her smile, another part of her weighed it back down. In truth, she was stuck in an awkward duality of desires, one part of her wanting this life and all the luxury, and the other reminding her she hadn't earned it.

That didn't mean she would stop fighting for an Alpha's approval, however, as it was better than remaining without a mate. Acquiring a mate was like creating  one more wall for Grimshaw to climb over. Especially in regards to Ben. If she had a mate and a family here to protect him, then that was enough to convince her to do anything she had to.

The room that Ludovic was in was located just through another set of doors, two guards remaining outside of it with Walder guiding them all and opening the door for her. The stone was cold beneath her feet, but she didn't care. She was to present herself to him, no matter the discomfort.

Mina said, "So, through these doors is a private area for the Alpha. It's a lot more relaxed."

As the door opened, she was greeted with the smell of a hearth and of golden glowing light. The large room was filled with trinkets and furniture, with so many places to sit. Homey. This is homey. It was very much like her own home, in that it felt lived in. Of course the usual, large open windows lined the walls to welcome in the beautiful moonlight, but it also brought the low temperatures. Cora shivered, mostly used to her smaller room with a singular, small window and hearth. 

Sitting by a rumbling fire was Ludovic, leaning back into a chair while wearing his usual garb of leather pants and a cloth tunic tucked into a belt. His eyes moved to her before he faced her, eyeing what she was wore, his gaze lingering where her wet hair tightened her dress. When she gave an involuntary shiver, he looked her over and nodded towards the fire.

That's when Cora noticed Rasha standing next to a window next to the fire, staring at them before saying, "Thank you Wilhemina for your assistance. Please, take Asla away."

Mina connected her gaze with Cora one more time before bowing her head and leaving, Asla following her without speaking. It made Cora understand just how much Ludovic was the Alpha, as this was the first time Asla was so quiet and dutiful.

Once it was only the three of them, with Walder shutting the doors as he left, Rasha spoke, her deep voice carrying over the empty room, "Hello, Cora. It has been a while. Please, come to the fire."

Cora gave a tepid nod and made her way over to the hearth, aware of Ludovic's gaze on her. She was unable to keep her eyes off of Ludovic as she tried to look around the room, always glancing back at him. He watched her with purpose, his hands already undbandaged, although clearly still healing with deep red marks in his palms. So much power...it reminded her of just where she was summoned.

She moved her gaze to Rasha, and politely asked, "What is it that you want?"

Rasha smirked. "For your information, it is rude to ask so directly. Perhaps say 'how can you help us?'"

"Oh," Cora said, not sure how to take the criticism. It made sense as she rarely approached anyone other than her family, or those she knew well. "Sorry."

"No, it's alright. I don't meant that as a scolding. It's just you'll be in higher circles, and it's important to know the decorum. Anyway, that's neither here nor there right now...I bring you here because as he and I were meeting, we overheard your conversation just now—no, we weren't quite spying, but you will understand how far we can hear once you are fully turned—and we both agreed that now is the time to end your period of isolation. This, summoning you here."

Cora swallowed thickly, her heart racing. "What does that mean?"

Rasha looked at the Alpha, who nodded his head to Rasha as if giving permission.

The Seer looked back at Cora and sighed, as if she were about to unload quite the delivery of information. "First, our Alpha wants to ease some of your worries and concerns about the pack and you. He wants you to know that if he had not seen that shadow, he admits that even he might be thinking differently. He agrees that asking his people to defend you is a bold action. But shadow magic is only cast by dark, powerful witches. Meaning it wasn't yours who did it, so someone else did. And that means someone else is still out there, close enough that they are in the caves of our Seers," she paused and added, "there is something else, a caveat that we thought would be good to bring up now. He planned on doing this part, no matter what, before leaving."

"What?" she asked, looking at the flames and enjoying the warmth they gave, although her nerves were also on fire and kept her warm in a different way. She breathed in the smoke of the hearth, as well as the nature of the outside world from the windows, Ludovic's gaze on her in her peripheral.

Rasha laced her fingers and placed her hands in front of her. "He says that tomorrow, we are going to do something to aggravate that spirit. Your witch continues to feel its presence, and she knows how we can lure it out. The point of this is that all the Clan heads will be here tomorrow, before we journey to Ingram. They will witness it, and their own Seers will look into the flames to see what we see."

The mark on her thigh burned, and she realized she forgot all about it, although she also ignored it. "How? What do you mean?"

"That is for Hilda to discuss with you."

"Why am I just hearing of this?" Cora asked. She knew that Rasha and Hilda spent a lot of time together, but this was still shocking to learn.

"She said to keep the discussion to a minimum, and that now was the time to tell you."

"We have to do this tomorrow?" Cora asked, feeling like she was barely holding onto a sliding rope.

"Yes. We must, as Ludovic cannot leave here with loyalties astray. And while we don't leave for a few more days, he needs to ensure the pack is tight before he leaves. Which will take a few days to ensure."

Cora looked back down at the golden, blinding fire, Rasha and Ludovic speaking to each other as Cora considered this news. Honestly, it sounded like a great option to her. Provoking the spirit in front of others?  It covered all of her worries, and even though it could all go wrong, it seemed like a step in the right direction. No matter what, it would be the answers to her worries. People would either accept her after that, or they wouldn't. "I'll do it. I'd like to see it confirmed for myself as well, in front of others."

Rasha echoed that to Ludovic, who gave a single nod in return before he said, "Ra'solla orria yaorra thorlascion."

The Seer looked back at Cora and said, "This is where it gets personal from the Alpha. For the sake of honesty, he wants you to know that when you travel and are turned into a shifter, selecting a mate will be in your best interest, even your sole priority. And given the nature of the danger, he also needs to acquire an Omni mate, especially per request of Ingram, so he can take on her powers. He intends to come back here with someone by his side. He has always wanted to avoid a political arrangement, but our world needs it. Our Seers see that if any Omni gets into the hands of whoever is controlling this shadow magic will be disastrous. We don't know why, but we also don't know the depth of their magic.

"Essentially, he says that you can either go to Ingram and choose among the two other unmated Alphas, or choose him. But once you both go to Ingram, he will have to entertain the other Omnis as potential mates. There are over around five in total, so one should work for him. Unless you choose him before leaving. Then he will honor that decision."

Cora's heart pounded so hard that she wished she could draw a curtain around herself and take nearly two days to process what she just heard. It seemed that in that very moment, he wanted to know where she stood in regards to that special choice.

She was surprised he gave her the choice, compared to Theran, who seemed to just decide her life for her. "Why do I get to choose?" she asked.

With a serious pride, Rasha said, "Because no mate to our new Alpha will be forced into this, even for political purposes. His standards demand a willing mate."

Cora liked that even more and even then she still struggled to commit. More so because it was all so sudden. "How long do I have?"

Rasha didn't need to ask him as she responded with, "As long as you want, but the sooner you commit, the better. Which means if you do not choose him, then when you get to Ingram, you need to be always searching for a potential mate, as he will be doing the same."

Cora looked back down at the warm fire, feeling like it was too much pressure. She looked at Ludovic, her breath hitching,  before she asked, "What do you want me to do?"

Rasha translated the direct question, and he didn't break his eye contact from Cora as he spoke. Rasha spoke as Ludovic's deep, warm voice echoed in the background, "He says he doesn't know you, or the others. He won't have time to know anyone. But he likes what he has seen from you, and his sister likes you. He notes that you are willing to consider Grimshaw for the sake of the others. For him, that is enough to see potential in you.

"He is aware that the two of you hardly know a thing about the other, and he hopes that a week was enough time for you to consider your place here, or at least, to start to adopt a new normal. In truth, it will be years before it settles in, but a week is better than a day. As much as we'd like to afford more time, we cannot; time is running out, and unfortunately, hardly any of the Omnis will get to truly court before choosing a mate. Same for him. Our pack needs an Omega. Ideally, an Alpha will choose someone of their liking, but in wars like this, an Alpha must choose what is best for their pack," Rasha paused when Ludovic was done speaking, and she said, "I think he is saying he will choose you if you choose him, but that he understands it's not an easy choice. In reality, he is politely telling you that he is giving you the first opportunity to choose him, before he looks at others."

Cora's heart raced and she looked at Rasha. She found it funny that her entire life, she had prepared for this moment. It was hard to deny her excitement, especially since Ludovic made her react in ways that flooded her cheeks with warmth.

And yet, now that she was here, only inches away from the exit of this very long tunnel of apprehension, she was overwhelmed. This male before her could very well be someone she'd know for the rest of her life, or be one to break her heart.

She looked at Rasha. "What do you recommend? I don't know him. I don't know the other Alphas. I just, it's such a big decision."

"You were more willing with Theran," Rasha quickly pointed out.

"Well, to save my brother, honestly. This feels more like a genuine choice."

The wisdom of the Seer was as plain as the lines on her forehead. "The answer is probably simpler than you think. How do you feel about Ludovic?"

Cora glanced back at him, and although he was patient with Cora speaking to Rasha, she could see he was burning to know what was being said. His gaze was hot on her, although it wasn't angry or threatening. Just observing.

She looked back at Rasha, thinking his expression over in her head. "Clearly I am alright with, you know, certain aspects," Cora said shyly, trying to ignore the way she became shy out of nowhere.

Rasha chuckled. "I'll be honest. The other two Alphas, which are unmated, are very different from Ludovic. One is actually quite the enemy of Ludovic. The other is more gregarious and honestly, I don't know if you're the right pairing for such an energy. If I were you, I'd take this opportunity that many females want, and I'd run as far and fast as I could with it."

Cora smiled. "Many females?"

Rasha's expression was serious. "There are many that would truly be willing to fight you for this situation. Not now, as that would be cheating while you are a human...but even willing to face you in your Omni state."

As shallow as it was, hearing that others would fight for this made her want it more. It made it seem safer, as she hadn't heard of anyone wanting to be with Theran.

Then, she imagined comparing herself against this Sava that she didn't know a thing about, or against the either females that would want him. Cora asked, "What of him? I must look like a weak human to him."

Rasha considered it and then to Cora's surprise, the Seer addressed Ludovic, who was quick to move his gaze to Rasha, his brow gently raised. Cora nearly protested to not share any of that with him, but it seemed too late. Cora looked down, not able to meet his gaze.

She heard him smirk, and his smooth voice rumbled something in a language that she was only just beginning to understand. She tried to translate pieces, but Rasha was quicker to speak and said, "Well, he said that your doubt no doubt stems from a life of solitude, but his sister, Asla, has said nothing but good words about you, and that is truly the only thing he needs to know. Outside of that, he admires your dedication to your family, to protecting others....and he finds your shyness to be endearing."

She didn't look up, but a smile faltered as she tried to control it, and she had to settle for a small smile. She didn't have any words, although her heart brightened at those words.

Rasha added, "My honest advice, Cora?"——Cora looked up— "Ludovic is interested, even through the small pieces that he knows of you. You also clearly react to him. I have seen many political matings in my life, and very few are able to start off so amicable."

This was it, then. This was the moment. Cora was possibly facing the male that would be her mate. Her husband. Her partner. And she couldn't drag whoever that was, and his family, through whatever Grimshaw would drag her through.  "Maybe once others accept me tomorrow," she said, glancing up at Rasha. "I will agree to it after tomorrow. I can't before that. If everyone rejects me, I refuse to bring others into this."

Rasha relayed that to Ludovic, who rumbled in Dånesh. Rasha echoed, "He says as you wish. He does prefer to get to know you more, before anything official occurs. If tomorrow goes according to plan, he then says that you two will formally get to know one another."

Cora's gut ignited with pleasant nerves and she looked up at him before looking down, unable to control the smile that showed her approval. "Is that all it takes?" Cora asked Rasha. "The deal is done?"

"It might seem like it only took a single conversation. But you have suffered for years, Cora. In silence and solitude. It took your determination, Ludovic's determination, to get where we are. It's more so the moment is more informal than you might have thought, although...if he truly commits, it will feel formal. You will know that he has chosen you, and so will everyone else. If I know Ludovic, then I am certain that once he is public about his mate, he won't be shy about it."

Cora was nervous and excited. She wanted to see him in that state.  She glanced up at him, and he looked at her. He seemed apprehensive, like she was, and yet he also seemed interested.

She looked back at Rasha, the firelight glinting off of the seer's eyes. "So...tomorrow? It all rides on tomorrow?"

Rasha gave a single nod. "If it goes according to plan, and he is pleased with your more private moments together...you two will be mated."