A middle-aged lady came with a big pitcher of coffee and four menus to get their orders.
By the time George, Nora, and Marcy got a cup of coffee (James didn't want any), and they ordered sodas, Nora was ready to order first.
"Sirloin steak, medium…"
"We are out of steak.", the woman interrupted Nora.
"Pot roast with…"
"We are out.", the woman cut off George's order.
Marcy was next. "Chicken skillet…"
"That's out also."
"How about a fish platter?", James asked, already guessing that it won't be available.
The woman grimaced. "Fish is not fresh, so I wouldn't recommend it."
After attempting to order a few more dishes, Nora snapped, "How about you tell us what IS available?"
The woman was not fazed by Nora's attitude. "Sweetie, I would recommend house special. Burger and fries."
"Is that all?", Marcy asked.
The woman shrugged. "If you came earlier, we had chicken wings, salad, and brocolli and cheddar soup. Every day at five o'clock in the afternoon, we send any unsold lunch items to the town's community kitchen, so we are out of those now. In the morning, you can get omelets with bell peppers and mushrooms."
They decided to go with burgers and fries. It seemed they were out of everything else.
The restaurant was in the middle of nowhere and they didn't have a steady flow of customers, so they didn't stock up on food.
While waiting for their food, Marcy flipped through the two pages-long beverage menu like it was the most interesting thing in the world.
James was pleased to see that the humble establishment (how he called it) offered free wi-fi, so he immediately powered up his tablet and started playing a game. Alpha Edward doesn't approve of James doing anything other than training or studying, so James thought of this as a perfect opportunity to get his fill of activities that normal teenagers do, and that also included ignoring everyone who outgrew teenage years.
Marcy looked at her brother whose eyes were shining from excitement as he was completely disconnected from reality.
Since Marcy returned from Europe, she didn't see James other than during meals because he was always busy with things that will make him a good Alpha, and she assumed that he was really into it. But now that she saw him grinning at the silly video game, Marcy suspected that James was a product of their parents, like she was.
From a young age, Marcy was groomed to be a good Luna, sent to Europe so that she gains education and various knowledge about managing home and people, while James got a strict schedule that an Alpha should have (according to their father).
Marcy wondered what would James do if he had the freedom to pick his path. Would he want to lead a pack? She shook those thoughts away. James was still young to have long-term plans for the future, and that was why he was obediently following what Alpha Edward prepared for him. And even if James had any plans, he wouldn't share them with Marcy because they were not close.
Nora was chattering, with George mostly, and by the time food arrived, Marcy suspected that Nora was openly making a move on George.
Of course, George's expression was stoic and didn't reveal anything, but Nora was coquettish and with her hands under the table, Marcy could only imagine what she was doing down there.
Marcy's wolf was raging with jealousy, and Marcy was focused on controlling her actions so that she doesn't end up pouncing on Nora.
With James who ignored Marcy, George emitting intangible pressure that made her nervous, and Nora's voice making her nauseated, Marcy completely lost her appetite.
After pushing the food on her plate for some time, Marcy stood up. "I'm going to get air."
Before this trip, Marcy feared that Nora will try to harm her, but now Marcy realized that the real challenge will be for Marcy not to scratch Nora's face away. Does she need to sleep with every man? Slut!
Marcy stepped out and realized that unless she took a walk along the road or into the surrounding forest, there was no other place she could go, and lingering on the parking lot will only attract unwanted attention, so she headed to her room.
Marcy plopped on the bed and released a slow breath.
With George, Nora, and James still in the restaurant, this might be a good opportunity for Marcy to escape, if she was not in the middle of nowhere!
Also, George had the car keys. Can she ask those bikers to give her a ride somewhere? Where would she go?
As much as Marcy spent a good portion of her life in Europe, it was all prearranged by her parents, and she never made big decisions or took risks on her own.
Marcy gritted her teeth at the thought that her father took her passport that same morning.
"I will keep it safely with other important documents.", Alpha Edward said while explaining how Marcy shouldn't take her passport with her and risk losing it, and since she won't be home for some time, Omegas might misplace it accidentally while cleaning her room. "When you plan an international travel, let me know…"
Yeah, right. Who heard of a Luna traveling the world? Luna is mostly stuck in her pack and travels only on official business, and that is among packs and not across the borders.
And how can Omega accidentally misplace a passport that's safely stored in a drawer of a desk?
Marcy had a feeling that her father was tightening his leash on her.
Did he suspect that something was fishy? She paid attention to her behavior, and it shouldn't be unusual that she packed her jewelry. But maybe she packed too many clothes? She decided to leave one of the suitcases at home and bring only one that had toiletries, jewelry, and a few sets of clothes.
Marcy was dejected. How was she supposed to return to Europe without a passport? She saw in movies that one can be forged, but it's not like there was an online store that offers document-forging services.
Well, she was not really planning to escape to Europe. That was only her backup plan, in case things don't work out with Alpha Damon.
Marcy had some savings on her bank account, and she could sell her jewelry, and that should be enough to get her to Europe and last for some time. Her apartment in Paris was still paid for and she was planning to stay there until she figures out her next steps, but now Europe was not an option. What a bummer!
Marcy frowned at the sound of movement at the door, and that distinct 'click' with clattering told her that her roommate for the night was there.
Marcy closed her eyes and slowed down her breathing. She didn't want to talk to Nora. Maybe she will get ready for bed and fall asleep? One can hope.
