When Talia and Damon reached the packhouse, Damon headed to the study in order to figure out guards for the house where Marcy and George were, and Talia went to the kitchen in order to get food for George.
Dawn and Zina were sitting on barstools and leaning over the kitchen island while commenting on an article in WW magazine that was open in front of them. It was obvious they were idling.
"There is no work at the time. All guests are busy with something. Why are you here?", Talia asked.
"Ivy and Lily are in town with Rose, and we volunteered to stay back. What if Commander George needs something?", Zina asked cheekily, and Dawn nodded in agreement.
Talia shook her head at her silly friends. She wanted to tell them that he was in the other house, in a zombie-like state, but she realized that she didn't think that through, so she went with the official version, "Marcy and Commander George went to tour our territory and won't be back for some time."
Dawn and Zina showed disappointed looks, and Talia felt guilty for lying to them, but she will tell them the truth once she figures out how to say it.
Everything happened so quickly and even Talia needed some time to process things.
Talia went to the pantry and fridge and picked up a few items from each. There were plenty of leftovers from lunch.
Talia took a picnic basket that will be perfect to take the food for two patients in one go, and she will have a free hand to fetch some of the herbs on her way.
"Are you going on a picnic with Alpha Damon?", Dawn asked with a knowing smile.
I wish. "Something like that.", Talia responded. "Tonight, plan to stay a bit longer after dinner. I have an important task for you." By then, Talia will figure out how to tell them about the current situation.
Zina eyed Talia curiously. "Important task?" It must be more than just important if Talia announced it in advance. Normally, they just get instructions that end with: do it right now.
"You will find out what it is then.", Talia said mysteriously. "It's nothing too demanding, but it will require secrecy."
"Oh…", A sound escaped Dawn's lips. "So, you want us to do something secretly and no one to know about it."
"That's demanding already.", Zina said through giggles. "Are you planning a super-sexy surprise for Alpha Damon, and you want us to operate the fog machine?"
Dawn rolled her eyes. "What fog machine? It must be to set up a romantic spot that will provide privacy…"
"Nonsense.", Zina cut off Dawn. "It will be a sexy performance and she needs background dancers…"
Talia shook her head at her two friends who were guessing naughty stuff, but she didn't want to give them any hints at that time.
Talia knew that she shouldn't disclose that George is an Alpha, but… should she tell them that he ended up in a sorry condition because of the severed mate bond? Maybe she could say that rogues attacked him. But how can she explain Marcy's condition? And how can they be bedridden due to an attack when none of them has visible injuries?
Talia was never good at lying, so she needed to prepare for this. The truth was the best option, but Talia was not sure how much of the truth she should reveal. The good thing was that she had until evening to prepare for this reveal.
Talia was pleased with herself that she convinced Damon to deal with his matters and not tag along with her. It was just Talia bringing food and flowers, and she had no intention to linger.
In the garden, she collected lavender and passionflower, and on her way through the forest, she got chamomile. Travis gave her a few more herbs on the list, but they were not on the way, and she didn't have much time.
Talia remembered Gideon's garden, and there Talia saw a few plants she was looking for. Talia decided to ask Gideon for some when she gets a chance.
Talia knew that dried plants will release more of their fragrance, and she thought of storing them in cloth pouches that can be kept next to her two patients, but that will take a few days to prepare, and she really hoped that George and Marcy will snap out of it by then.
Talia's first destination was the kitchen. She found two vases and separated flowers so that both Marcy and George have some in their rooms.
With a vase and a bowl of fruits, Talia went to Marcy's room first.
Marcy was still unconscious, lying on the bed, like sleeping, and there was a small frown on her now pale face.
Talia didn't forgive Marcy for what she did in the Red Moon pack. And she didn't forgive Marcy's naughty attitude from earlier that day.
However, Talia felt sorry that Marcy was in such a bad condition. No one deserves to lose a mate.
Talia didn't get it, why did Marcy reject George as her mate?
Talia remembered that she was scared of Damon at first, and then she thought how he was willful and unstable, and she didn't know they were mates, but even with that, Talia craved for Damon's proximity. When he was around, she was not alone. At that time, Talia thought that he was only playing with her, but she still cherished every moment they spent together.
Talia gave Damon many of her firsts and she wouldn't regret a single one because it felt so right that it couldn't be wrong.
As a total opposite of that, Marcy rejected her mate. Why would anyone reject a person who was created to make them happy? Or maybe it's not happy.
The Moon Goddess pairs werewolves to form a perfect match, giving them exactly what they need, and maybe Marcy and George were not supposed to make each other happy, maybe it was something else, and what that else might be… only the two of them knew.
Talia went back to the kitchen to fetch a tray with food that was prepared for George. This one had more than just fruits, and it also came with a vase of fragrant flowers.
In George's room, Talia placed the tray with food and the vase on the bedside table and looked at George.
George was on the bed, staring at the ceiling with an unfocused gaze. The only difference between him and Marcy was that his eyes were open.
Unsure if she should say anything to him, Talia turned to rearrange flowers in the vase. Just coming and going without a word felt weird.
Can he even hear her? Doctor Travis said that he can.
Will he approve of her talking? Well, if he tells her to shut up, at least it will be some reaction, and anything will be better than this.
Talia steeled her resolve and spoke to George, "I brought you food."
He didn't move a muscle.
"I'm sorry you went through that experience. I can't imagine how much it hurts to be rejected by a mate." Just the thought of Damon pushing her away was giving Talia a glimpse of anguish that comes with the soul being torn apart. "We won't tell anyone about what happened, unless we have to, and we estimate that we can conceal this for a few days. Focus on yourself and getting better."
Talia made a step closer to the bed.
"I don't expect you to respond to me, but I hope you are listening. I know it hurts, but you can't do this to yourself. There must be people waiting for you to return home. Think about them."
