Damon was alerted when he felt Talia's emotions fluctuating.
He knew that Talia was worried about Marcy and George. She was kind and selfless, and her impulse was to help people, but this was not the right time.
Damon feared that she will use her powers.
What if someone sees how amazing she is? With all the things going on, he really didn't want to add more to it.
He gave her hand a squeeze. "Don't do anything rashly. It's still early to give up hope."
Talia responded with a sad smile. She could feel Damon's worry, and she wanted to assure him that she won't act without thinking.
"I will do my part by providing herbs and food. The two of you continue without me. I will check on Dawn." With that, Talia left the living room.
Travis looked after Talia and smiled dreamily while thinking how their Luna is compassionate. Alpha Damon is just and fierce, and he takes care of his people, but they were missing the soft side that comes out of Talia effortlessly.
In the next moment, Travis broke into a cold sweat as Damon's murderous aura splashed on him.
Travis knew what he did wrong, his head was not just for decoration. He was looking after Alpha's mate with an ambiguous expression that lingered longer than necessary.
And to save his neck, Travis lowered his head in submission.
Travis didn't dare to reveal how he knew that Talia was Damon's mate because Caden told him it was a secret, and Travis didn't want to get into more trouble.
"I had no bad intentions, Alpha. I was just noticing how Talia is a caring person. She would be a great medical professional. That's all."
"It better be…", Damon grumbled and eased up his aura. The more Damon looked at Doctor Travis, the less he liked him. Was he due for survival training? If not, Damon could make it happen.
Dawn and Talia went upstairs together.
Talia held a bowl with fruits and a bag with fresh herbs dangling on her shoulder.
Dawn carried a tray with a full meal that had covered plates with eggs, bacon, and pastries from breakfast, which went great with cream cheese and small jars of jams. On the tray were also a glass of orange juice and a glass of milk.
As something little extra, Dawn brought a plate with cinnamon rolls, her favorites. Dawn knew that she would come to see Commander George in the morning, and she got up extra early to make them with the hope that the soothing scent of cinnamon rolls will stir him out of his daze, at least to eat.
The idea of such a handsome man with a promising future dwindling away because of rejection was eating Dawn alive and she had to do something, anything. Unfortunately, making cinnamon rolls was the most she could do, and she didn't have much hope it will work, but it was more than nothing.
They went to Marcy's room first.
Dawn observed Marcy who was unmoving, and she was not sure if it was right to feel nothing.
Dawn thought that she will feel sorry for the woman in her early twenties that was in such a sorry state. Marcy was the princess of the Red Moon pack, with good looks and great education, she came here to become Luna, yet she fell into a coma.
Dawn also thought that maybe she will despise Marcy for not appreciating all the good things in her life and rejecting the mate bond.
However, instead of any of those, Dawn didn't feel anything.
Dawn watched as Talia arranged herbs in the vase and collected the ones that started drying. They really smelled nice, and Dawn thought of asking Talia if she can get some for her apartment also. It wouldn't be fair if Zina's place smells great and Dawn's was lacking.
Seeing that Dawn was watching her, Talia started explaining what she was doing while wrapping the half-dried plants into paper towels. "I will cut off the wet parts and dry them separately. When they are fully dried, we can use them as spices, to make tea, for scented pouches, or as material for incense burners."
Dawn thought how Talia was amazing, and she remembered how Talia would always keep the leftover food for later. No matter how much they had, Talia never wasted anything.
"OK. We are done here.", Talia announced, and Dawn felt all jittery.
"How do I look?", Dawn asked.
"Are you worried that Commander George won't approve of that smudge on your cheek?"
Dawn started rubbing her left cheek vigorously.
"The other one.", Talia said with a straight face, and she burst into giggles when Dawn switched to rub her right cheek.
It took a second for Dawn to realize… "You are messing with me."
"Don't be silly, Dawn. The man is non-responsive. Even if you have horns sticking out of your head, he won't mind. Or it's more accurate to say that he won't notice."
Dawn made a face and grabbed the tray that she kept on the side. "Lead the way."
The truth was that even Dawn was not sure why she was so self-conscious while thinking about Commander George.
Sure, George was powerful and handsome, but Dawn saw many Alphas and many handsome people, yet none of them invaded her thoughts and affected her emotions to the point of her acting like a flustered teenager who was experiencing her first crush.
Talia entered George's room first and after a quick glance at George, she confirmed what Doctor Travis said. He was not better.
Talia placed the bowl with fruits down and moved toward the vase where herbs were.
Dawn paused in the hallway and peered through the open door to see George lying on the bed and staring blankly at the ceiling.
She expected a heartache, or concern, but instead… she was happy. Or to be more precise, Dawn's wolf was happy and urging her to get inside.
Dawn had no idea what was going on because she never felt like this, but the urge to get closer was overwhelming and she made one step, and another, and another… and she stood at the door and stared at the man who was lying on the bed.
Somehow, George was more handsome than Dawn remembered him to be.
Dawn inhaled deeply and her lungs were filled with the scent of a meadow where many flowers mixed, but the most prominent one was the sweet clover.
Dawn remembered that Zina said how the flowers Talia brought smell fantastic, but how come Dawn didn't pick up this addictive scent in Marcy's room? Did Talia place different ones in this room?
Dawn's heart skipped a beat when she realized that the man on the bed was staring at her. His dark brown eyes seem to peer into her soul, and she was wondering if that was really happening or if she imagined it.
