Mating the Female Alpha
Chapter 58 – A family friend has returned.

Jessie's POV

It was bad enough that Tina's parents didn't show up to her funeral, but now Cora was here. Cora was the last person Jessie wanted and expected to see. She didn't even like Tina. There was no reason she would want to be here other than to get on Landry's good gracious again. She heard that Tina had died and now she thinks she has a shot at Luna Queen.

At one point, Jessie had thought of Cora as a friend. They were the same age and Cora grew up close to the royal family.

She grew up close to Landry.

Landry had never seen Cora as more than a friend even though. She spent most of their childhood making advances toward him.

He always rejected her.

Cora has always been beautiful too; that was part of the reason why Jessie thought Landry was going to be gay. Because he was never interested in women other than the female alpha.

Cora's family were good friends of the royal family and most summers, Cora would spend at the palace. But for some reason, she and Landry had a falling out. Landry banned her from his palace and his life.

Jessie never did find out what happened. But Landry was never the same afterward.

...

Bernice's POV

Cora?

I had never even heard of a Cora before.

Who was this woman? And why did Landry and everyone else around us, look like they have seen a ghost?

She was admittedly beautiful with her long auburn hair and fair skin that basically glowed under the illuminating lighting of the ballroom. She had light freckles around her nose and cheeks; her eyes were large and emerald green, equipped with long lashes that I wasn't convinced were real. She was tall too, almost the height of Landry. But it might have been because of the huge heels she was wearing which showed off her long and flawless legs.

Like everyone else, she wore a black dress, but her dress ended around her knees, which also brought out her legs.

Then there was the matter of her breasts which were also huge and nearly popped out of her dress.

I felt flustered just looking at her.

She brushed her long, slender, manicured fingers through her flawless, silky, hair.

"Please, no need to be so formal with me," she says in the calmest matter to everyone who was bowing.

They all rose their heads to gaze at the angel who had just walked their path.

"I'm only here to pay respects to an old friend, just like all of you. Please, continue with your affairs," she adds, waving them all away.

With hesitation, everyone finally peeled their eyes away from Cora to continue their talking and gossiping. Except now they weren't gossiping about me.

Landry had yet to take his eyes off her though and I couldn't tell what was running through his head. It caused me to feel uneasy. I bit my bottom lip to keep from saying something to him. "Landry..." she says as she finishes approaching. "It's been a long time. How have you been?"

She was disregarding my presence; maybe she hadn't noticed me.

"What are you doing here, Cora?" He asked her, keeping his tone low and calm.

She kept a plastered smile on her face as she spoke.

"I heard about Tina's death, and I had to come here myself to pay my respects. You can't fault me for that."

"You hardly liked Tina," Landry says in return, narrowing his eyes at her. "Is that the only reason you had come here?"

"I came to see you as well,” she admits, raising her brows. "I wanted to make sure you were all right after such a loss." He went to say something more but was interrupted by Jessie.

"Cora," Jessie says in a greeting tone.

Cora's smile widened and they hugged briefly, kissing one another's cheeks.

"Oh, hello, my dear Jessie," Cora greets in return. "What a beautiful home you have here. It's so lovely to see you again."

"I'm honestly surprised you have come here," Jessie says with her own plastered smile. "I know you and Tina hardly got along."

"I've come to see some old friends," she says, glancing over at Landry.

My heart flipped in my chest; it was weighing heavily, and I didn't like this unfamiliar feeling. It was the same feeling that I felt when I heard Landry speaking with Tina in the halls. Right before I threw up.

Oh, goddess.

I couldn't throw up here in front of everybody.

"Is that so wrong?" Cora asks.

"Of course, not," Jessie says, but I knew her tone and how fake it was.

Who was this woman?

"Have you met, Denise? Landry's Omega," Jessie introduces, averting Cora's attention to me.

I felt my face heating under Jessie's words.

Landry's Omega.

As if I was his property.

But I couldn't bring myself to correct her; something inside of me was telling me not to. So, I just plastered my own smile on my face, greeting her as politely as I could.

Cora's eyes narrowed at me; it was clear she didn't realize I was there until that moment.

"Oh," she breathed, trying to sound unbothered. "It's lovely to meet you. I wasn't aware Landry was involved with anyone other than Tina."

"I wasn't involved with Tina," Landry corrected, finally finding his voice. He surprisingly drapes an arm around my shoulder, as if he was putting on an act for her benefit. I stood frozen, unsure of what to say or do. Cora clears her throat and looks around the ballroom curiously.

"I haven't seen Tina's family yet. May you point me in their direction? I must pay my respects to them," Cora exclaims, avoiding my direct stares.

"If you see them, let me know. I'd also like to see them," Jessie mutters with an eye roll. Cora frowns and looks at Jessie, confused. "They haven't shown up," Jessie further explains.

"To Tina's funeral?" Cora gasps. "At all?"

"Nope," Jessie confirms. "I'm not sure where they are. I would like to find that out though."

"I see," Cora says thoughtfully. "Well, I guess I can pay respect to some of her friends then. I do see some familiar faces. If you'll excuse me..."

She pauses before walking away so she can meet Landry's eyes. She was standing so close to us that I could smell her rose scent perfume. She spoke low enough for only Landry's' ears, but I could hear her as well because I was also close enough to Landry's side.

"We simply must catch up later, Landry dear. Perhaps alone?"

I clenched my fist; it was taking everything I had not to lose control right then and there. But I refrained. I watched as she walked away and toward a group of, she-wolves.

Landry said nothing to her in return; he kept his arm around mine.

I looked at Jessie for some answers, but she just grimaced. It was clear she wasn't wanting Cora to be there and telling from Landry's reaction, neither did he.

"Who was that woman?" I found myself asking them.

They both looked at one another before looking at me.

"A family friend,” Jessie explained. "At least, she used to be before..."

"She left," Landry finished for her. "Now she isn't anything but a nuisance."

Even Jessie seemed shocked by his words; his tone was hardened, and his aura was dark.

Whatever happened between Cora and Landry, I knew it couldn't have been good. And I wanted to find out what it was.