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6
Cora
I look into his eyes more confused than I think I have ever been. No one has ever said that I am above them. I know my family cares about me but even they have never lifted me above them. Yet I sit here looking into the eyes of the man that leads a whole continent of people and he says that I am greater.
"You look like you don't believe me." He says with a chuckle, and I feel myself begin to relax again. He smiles at me. "Cora I have waited to find someone that I thought I would be able to love. I waited to meet the woman I would fall in love with. I listened to your answer to your questions and I know that you are looking for the same thing. You have never been intimate with anyone and neither have I. I want us to try and make this a real relationship and not just a mating."
I know that I am sitting here with my mouth hanging wide open and look like a total idiot. I take a moment and study this man in front of me. He is beyond handsome and it is obvious
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The Reaping 7
CoraThomas looks at me in anticipation as I sit and contemplate my next answer. I look once again into those eyes that seem to always captivate me and I know how I should answer.“Yes, I did often feel like I had no freedom. I’m not sure how much you have been outside of the headquarters or how many villages you have actually seen, but women are not treated as equals. There are very few men who actually care about their mates. I was lucky enough to live in a home where my father wasn’t physically abusing my mother. Well, at least not where I had ever witnessed it. My grandparents were together before the reaping so they were actually in love.” I see the look on his face and I can see that he has not heard this or at the very least knew that it was a widespread problem. “Most women in my village were with men who would abuse them. They were treated as second class citizens. That is why I have acted the way I have. I was
The Reaping 8
CoraWaking up the next morning I find myself confused as to where I am and what I am doing here. After a few deep breaths and calming myself, I realize that I am Thomas’s house and that this is my new home. Just knowing that he wants to take care of me and make me happy gives me more hope then I have ever had in my life.Thoughts of what my life has been up until now make their way into my head. Had I really spent my life living in fear of what the day may bring, granted my life was never as bad as some in my village? I think that for the most part I have been spared the worst of what this life has to offer, but that still doesn’t mean that my life has been a bed of roses. Knowing that these thoughts were doing nothing to help my mood I decided to get up and start the day.Last night at the end of our date Thomas walked me to the door and told me that today he would have to return to work. He also said that he wanted me to come with him. After givin
The Reaping 9
CoraI could tell that the two of them were having some sort of weird conversation about pasta and bread, but I honestly had no clue as to what it all meant. Thomas was a very different person when he is at headquarters and I can’t help but think that maybe he’s that way to protect himself from those around him. Just from the way he’s talking to Elliot I can see that he trusts this man more than anyone around him. I’m hoping that this means that there will be someone helping us to change this world we call home.I look up and notice that they are saying their goodbyes and I give Elliot a slight smile and wave. I look over to Thomas and see him looking at me with a twinkle in his eye. He is up to something that much I am sure, but what could it be.Thomas begins showing what he would like for me to do in helping him at headquarters. He tells me how the leaders mates would help in the office until children are born. I feel my cheeks heating
The Reaping 10
ThomasI could tell that Cora had questions about what just happened. She was fidgeting in her seat and I could practically see the wheels spinning in her head. Even though we have only been together for a day and a half I can say that I already pick up on her emotions. She has let her guard down with me and so now I can tell what she is feeling, and right now she is curious.“I do not for one second believe a word that man says. I knew the moment he walked into my office that he was going to be in trouble. I told you that I had watched most of your evaluation. I know the doctor who examined you personally and they would never lie about your purity. I’m afraid that Michael has a different idea as to what the Chosen is about than I do. I will explain more later.”She looks over at me and I see the understanding in her eyes. She is a smart little thing to pick up on the subtle hints that I have been giving her all day. Not once has she pressed me
The Reaping 11
Cora “So you’re saying that you two have been working to take down the Chosen before the Reaping?” Elliot smiles like it’s his birthday and he just got the thing he wanted most. Thomas makes his way over to me and takes my hand in his. “Well, it is the three of us, “Rebecca states with a light in her eyes that shows that she is in this for the long haul. “Should I go over the areas that we have been working on Thomas?” “That would be great Rebecca. Let’s all have a seat because this conversation is heavy.” He leads me over to the couches and we take a seat. He never lets go of my hand and I can tell he is wanting to reassure me that everything is going to be ok. “So I guess I should start from the beginning. We all grew up here around headquarters. Just like the girls in the villages I was taken out of school way before most of the boys. I was given a temporary job of inventory for the shipments of food and logging the distribution of the food.” She s
The Reaping 12
ThomasHearing those words come from her mouth hit me light a bolt of lightning. I found myself feeling lightheaded and the thought that I may be going into shock was just around the corner. Not only did she live in a village that she was treated as a second-class citizen but she also had to live in fear of whether the main rapist would find her and do unspeakable things to her. I’m a man and I know that we all have urges, but I have never thought of getting pleasure by taking what I want by force. I couldn’t live with myself if I did something so depraved. I’m ripped from my thoughts by Rebecca running up to Cora and wrapping her arms around her.“I can’t believe that you had to love that way. Here in Headquarters women were never equal to men but they have never been treated that way. To live in fear of just walking doesn’t the street makes my head spin.” She has tears pouring down her face as well and she and Cora are wiping
The Reaping 13
ThomasCora is sitting there with the blanket pulled up to her chin but the look on her face says that she is anything but cold. I knew she was watching me earlier and nothing made me happier than to know that she was just as interested in me physically as well as personality-wise. To most, she may seem like your average girl with flame-red hair, but to me and that moron Michael she is anything but plain. Those doe eyes of hers make me feel like she can see straight into my soul. I catch myself almost shivering when she looks at me for long amounts of time.I have tried my hardest to not come off as a sexually frustrated idiot around her but to be honest it is getting harder to not make a move on her. I know that she was saving herself for her mate, a name which I still have no idea why we use it. I also know that she was tempted to give her first time away to that man. All of this leads me to have no clue what she wants right now.“What has you thinking s
The Reaping 14
CoraThe next morning I found myself waking up surrounded by warmth. There was an arm wrapped tightly around my waist and I was laying on top of Thomas. I mean literally on top of I’m. My face was pressed into his neck as he held me as close to him as possible. I took a moment to just soak in the feeling of this. I know that I am falling in love with him fast. The beat of his heart is giving me a calming sensation that I have never known. He is my peace.“So how long do you plan to lay on me and tempt me?” I feel him adjusting under me and that is when I notice that he is very excited to be beneath me. I lift my head and look him in the eyes knowing that I am blushing but I want to move past that. I roll my hips slightly and kiss him on his neck.“I think I am ready to move now that I got to feel you.” I giggle and jump up before he has the chance to hold me still. I turn and look as see his face is one of lust and loss. I smile and
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