Is She My Mate?

James - POV

I straightened up upon hearing Rita confirm that Alice was alive. "So, the woman I glimpsed was Alice, my mate?" I queried. Rita gave a confirming nod, her hand busily penning something on paper.

"Why didn't she come to meet me if she's alive? Does she despise me that much?" I wondered inwardly.

"It's good to know Alice is alive," Archer admitted, sighing with relief.

"Indeed. Now I can relay this news to Ella. She won't be burdened by guilt anymore," Darcus chimed in.

"Here is the address." Rita handed me a paper slip pointing towards Alice's whereabouts in New York. I compensated Rita generously, and in return, she handed me Alice's yellow stone, imbued with the warmth of her dragon power.

"Thank you," I uttered. Rita looked surprised at my gesture, nodded in response, and then took her leave.

"You all can go. I won't assail any realms anymore," I assured the others. Noticing Dave's sigh of relief at my words, guilt washed over me. I realized the depth of my blind rage t