The Reaping

Chapter 9

Cora

I 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 up as he talks about our future children. So far all we have done is hold hands, but that is more than I have ever done before. I push myself to shake these thoughts from my head and start back completing the tasks that he has for me.

"Cora I am having some lunch brought in for us. So when you get to a stopping point we can eat together." I look up from the files I am working on and smile. I see that twinkle again and know that if we were at home he would be smiling. Wow, I just thought of his house as my home. It is amazing how quickly something can change in your life. I can't help but wonder what else will be changing for me.

"Is there someone here that cooks for you?" I ask as I am placing the file in the correct order.

"Yes, there is a cafeteria here that cooks for all of the Chosen that work here at headquarters. The food is usually very good. You may even get to try things that you have never had before." As he says this I can tell that he is still upset about the things that we talked about last night.

"Well, that is quite exciting. I am amazed at the splendor that headquarters." I gave him a knowing look that said I know what you're thinking. I see a slight pink tint to the tops of his ears and I have to stifle the giggle that wants to make its way out of my mouth.

Lunch was something that I have never had before. Today they were serving salmon. Now I have had trout and catfish before but nothing compares to what I just ate. I think that I have found a new favorite food. Looking at my plate I understand more how much the villages are put into a corner on what they can and cannot do.

There is virtually no trading among the villages. The only thing that does happen is that we have to send a large portion of our resources back to the Chosen. As I had previously told Thomas beef and many other foods were a treat in the villages. The thing that still bothers me is that Thomas believes that there have been shipments of food to the villages. Either they were never sent or the leaders of the villages were keeping them for themselves and not distributing them to the people.

These thoughts continue to stay in the front of my mind as we finish our day in the office. As we are walking out to the car I see a face that I had hoped that I wouldn't have to see for a while. Michael was standing there watching our every move. I tried to pretend I didn't notice but he continued to stare as he made his way over to us.

"Cora fancy us meeting here!" I felt Thomas stop and tense. I knew that I had reasons to hate the guy but I never knew what all happened between the two men. I knew that at the reaping Thomas told me of what Michael had said about me, but I was unsure as to what else he may have said or done to get on Thomas's bad side.

"Well, that is to be expected since I am now the female leader of the Chosen. I'm more curious as to why you are here and talking to me." I see the corner of Thomas's lip switch like he wants to smile. His grip tightens on my hand and I know that he is dying to laugh at this back and forth that will happening.

"I work here now baby. Didn't he tell you? I'm the newest member of the Chosen." As soon as the work baby leaves his mouth and I have to put a death grip on Thomas. His eyes burn with a fire that I have never seen in a man. It isn't just anger, it's the need to protect. If I didn't know any better I would think he was a wild animal trying to protect his mate.

"I knew that much at the reaping. You scored very high on the male rating. But you still haven't answered my question of why are you talking to me. After that shameful lie that you told about me, I would have thought that you would have at the very least tried to stay clear of us." I turned and say that Thomas was still glaring daggers at Michael who was oblivious to the whole thing.

"See that's the thing. I never lied about any of it. I'm not sure how you pulled it off but you found a way to lie about your being a virgin. Did you offer to sleep with the doctor? Or maybe you just found another way to pay him off? Or did you....." The next thing I know I have pulled my fist back and I'm ready to hit him. The man I thought of as a friend. The one that I thought I might have been happy with. Was he always a snake in the grass or is this a new thing?

I feel a hand take my fist and lower it. I look over to see Thomas holding the fist and looking me straight in the eye. I see pride, happiness, and another emotion that I can't quite put my finger on. I slowly open my fist and nod my head letting him know that I will not do anything else.

"Michael I am only going to tell you this once so listen well. You may now be a member of the Chosen but don't for one minute think that I believe you. I am your leader and Cora is my mate and also your leader. Do not show disrespect toward her again. You may like what happens if you do." Thomas turns holding my hand and leads me to the car.

I can tell by the way he is driving that he is itching to get it off his chest, but he is waiting until we get back. Now that I think about it, his office and car are most likely bugged so that those who are against him can here in dealings. With these thoughts more and more things are starting to click into place. The big question now is what have I gotten myself into?