~ the Red Moon pack ~
Alpha Edward thought how Marcy's words made sense, but he still wanted to confirm, "You are fine with waiting until our previously arranged date to go to the Dark Howlers pack?"
What Marcy really wanted was to return to Paris and continue with her life outside of these power-hungry games. Was that an option? Of course, not.
Marcy told herself that she feels this way only because she didn't see Damon in nearly two weeks. When they reunite, she will fall under the spell of attraction caused by his domineering aura.
Every she-wolf is weak toward powerful men, and Damon is at the top of that desirability ladder.
But no matter how powerful or attractive Damon is, it's undeniable that Luna of the Dark Howlers pack is in an amazing position, and she shouldn't delude herself that she can return to how her life was. Her father wouldn't allow it.
Once Damon puts his mark on her, the bond will form between them and Marcy will have eyes only for him, and then she will be happy there.
Sometimes, Marcy would wonder, after Damon marks her, will she feel the same attraction she felt for George? Her heart still aches whenever she thinks about those Adonis-like features. His scent. His touch. Everything about George felt right, made for her. Everything, except for his status.
Marcy reminded herself to focus. Her father was watching, and she can't get lost in daydreaming about a guy who was her whole world for a few short minutes until she rejected him.
When facing Alpha Edward's suspicious gaze, Marcy realized that she needs to tread carefully.
Refusing to participate in his plans related to her becoming the Luna of the Dark Howlers pack was not an option. Her father was always greedy for more, and disobedience leads to punishments.
"I don't mind going earlier to the Dark Howlers pack, but I don't see an urgency to push for it.", Marcy said. "Is it worth endangering our shaky relationship with Alpha Damon in exchange for only a few days? It won't serve any good if he believes that we are forcing him into this marriage. What if he holds a grudge? I believe that we should let him have his way until the deadline he set himself. How about you give him a reminder that his last night's debauchery went viral and that he should do it low-key in order not to offend me?"
After a moment of thought, Alpha Edward agreed with Marcy's suggestion. He wondered, why did he allow Nora to spur him into thinking how Damon is slipping away? After all, it's just one woman. Even if it was five women at the same time, it wouldn't be a big deal. Every Alpha has his share of women before he settles with his mate, and Damon is not different.
To Alpha Edward, this showed Nora's impatience and immaturity, while Marcy demonstrated a good head on her shoulders. He approved. By staying calm and thinking rationally, Marcy will be useful, as long as she prioritizes him and the Red Moon pack.
He was aware that now he can control Marcy, but what will happen when she becomes Damon's Luna? She will be part of a different pack, with a power of her own. If she plays her cards right, Damon will do whatever she wants, and Marcy was smart.
Alpha Edward spent a lot of time and effort to get Marcy engaged to Damon, with the goal of getting more influence and power, and if Marcy turns her back on him, it will be all for naught.
Because of this, Alpha Edward told himself that he should treat Marcy right so that when the time comes, she doesn't alienate herself from him.
"I like that you think long term.", he praised her. "Don't worry about this and focus on getting yourself pampered. No matter how well Alpha Damon treats you as his Luna, nothing compares to the home where you grew up. You will go to the Dark Howlers pack in a week. Make use of your time here."
Marcy smiled at this small victory and thought about pushing her luck a bit more. "Daddy, can I ask for one thing?"
Alpha Edward gestured for Marcy to go ahead.
"I'm not sure if Nora should accompany me to the Dark Howlers pack."
"What's wrong with Nora? Did you have an argument?"
Everything is wrong with Nora. Backstabbing whore! "It's nothing like that, daddy. I am the princess of the Red Moon pack, and I'm going to spend some time with my future Alpha, and what's Nora's role? My moral support? A good Luna doesn't need moral support. Will she be the third wheel? I'm confident that Alpha Damon and I don't need one of those. Or is Nora going as security? She doesn't look like a warrior."
Seeing that Alpha Edward frowned, Marcy quickly backtracked, "I don't mind Nora going, but we should think about the message we are sending. If you can give me a few of our warriors, that would be for the best. Get someone you trust; you know that there are many who won't be pleased that I'm Alpha Damon's Luna. What if I get attacked?"
Alpha Edward contemplated this in silence for some time before agreeing. "Safety comes first. I will let you know who will accompany you once I pick suitable candidates."
Marcy was almost happy with this outcome. She was back to not rushing to meet with Damon, and the only thing she needed to figure out was Nora.
It's one thing to sleep with Alpha Damon, but why was Nora adamant about going with Marcy? And it seemed that Nora wanted just the two of them to go. Why? So that she can get rid of Marcy without witnesses?
Actually, Marcy could see that happening. And her father is so power-hungry that he won't think twice before telling Nora to continue with the plan instead of Marcy.
Maybe Marcy can't remove Nora from the group, but if there are more people going, it will be difficult for Nora to do whatever she is scheming.
~ the Dark Howlers pack ~
Later that afternoon...
Maddox and Mindy were next to their car, in front of the packhouse of the Dark Howlers pack. They were exchanging some last words with Damon before leaving, and Talia observed the scene from the door.
Before stepping outside, Maddox shook hands with Talia, and Mindy gave her a hug. Both of them told Talia to stay in touch and that she is welcome to visit the Blue River pack anytime. It was the first time for Talia to go through such a parting ceremony and she was content with staying at the door and giving Damon privacy. He must have some Alpha things to talk about, and Talia was planning to wave as Maddox and Mindy drive away.
As a bonus, Talia got the pleasure of looking at Damon without appearing rude or out of place. Caden and Maya were a few steps away, also looking toward the trio.
Now that Damon was in his business mode, dashing and dressed up in black trousers and a crisp white shirt, talking seriously to Maddox and Mindy, Talia wondered if their morning cuddles with kissing were just figments of her imagination. Is it possible that she was in Damon's embrace? His hands were in her hair, his lips on hers, and he was telling her how she tastes sweet, and he can't have enough of her kisses. His voice was deep and magnetizing and everything smelled of the forest and the dark chocolate. It was surreal.
Just thinking about Damon's icy-blue eyes that were burning with unknown fire made Talia press her legs together. Oh, God! She was getting aroused just like that! How inappropriate.
With her peripheral vision, Talia noticed movement, and she turned to see Axel coming down from the second floor with his Beta Kai and Gamma Tyler by his side.
Kai and Tyler are about Axel's age; their fathers are respectively Beta and Gamma in the Midnight Guardians pack where important roles are being inherited from parents to children. When Axel officially becomes the Alpha of the Midnight Guardians pack, Kai and Tyler will take over the roles that their fathers are currently holding.
Kai and Tyler are decent fighters, but their real strengths are in managing people, analyzing situations, and loyalty to Axel and the Midnight Guardians pack.
From the day they were born, Kai and Tyler were groomed for serving their Alpha and the pack, and they are very good at what they are doing.
Since they arrived at the Dark Howlers pack, Kai and Tyler were in the common building with other members of their pack who came to participate in the Summer Solstice festival, and they joined Axel in time for lunch with everyone.
During lunch, Talia noticed that Kai is the chatty one, while Tyler's personality aligns with Axel's (the quiet type). They were polite and Talia admired how Kai and Tyler treated her with respect, and at the same time, they were talking to Alphas as equals. It's a difficult balance to strike as most of the werewolves would either submit to Alphas or get drunk on power and look down on the weaker ones.
Seeing that the trio was approaching her, Talia realized that in just a bit, all guests will leave, and the packhouse will return to its previous quiet self.
It was hectic, but Talia saw the last few days as a valuable experience. After all, since she came to the Dark Howlers pack, she was never bored.
