The afternoon passed quickly with preparations for the upcoming party.
Everyone helped, and the packhouse was buzzing with activity.
Zina, Stephanie, Ivy, and Lily were busy in the kitchen, Rose was all over the place, and they also had a few additional Omegas to help where needed.
Other than food preparations, the main activity revolved around setting up the event hall and the garden with tables, chairs, and decorations.
The guests were supposed to arrive at five o'clock in the afternoon, so when Damon noticed that it was about one hour before the party started, he thanked Tony, Kalina, Paul, Nate, Greg, and Mindy for their help, and told them to go and get ready. The rest will be done by Omegas.
Mindy also got a task to mind-link Maddox and to remind him that he and Tanya should make appearances. Considering who was coming, Damon wanted to maximize high-ranking people who were on good terms with Talia.
During the afternoon, Dawn and George came to the packhouse.
When Dawn mind-linked Maya about this (Talia doesn't have the mind-link, and Dawn didn't dare to disturb Alpha Damon), Talia suggested that they arrange a room for them on the second floor. Since the group from the Midnight pack left abruptly with Meg, they already had rooms that were recently set up with toiletries and everything, and Rose needed only a few minutes to change bedsheets and bring fresh towels.
George was on the first floor only because of Marcy and because they wanted to give not-so-welcome treatment to the group from the Red Moon pack. However, a lot of things happened, and considering that George is an Alpha and Dawn's mate, Talia thought that he shouldn't get unfavorable treatment, so they moved his stuff into the room that Rose prepared.
Under Dawn's guidance, the newly mated couple changed their location, and settled into a room on the second floor of the packhouse, without bumping into anyone.
Of course, Talia asked Damon if he agreed with this room upgrade, and Damon approved.
Talia got another idea.
"You said that we should entertain James because he is helpful and we can't trust him. How about we set up three rooms on the first floor and ask Petra, Erik, and Zack to stay there while James is visiting? They were getting along well during breakfast, and based on reports they sent through the day, they were having fun…"
Damon liked this. As a bonus, Erik, Petra, and Zack can keep an eye on James.
In a room on the second floor…
Dawn laid on the bed, sprawled on top of George whose arms were around her naked form, and she was beaming from happiness.
So many things happened, that she didn't have the time to process them.
She found her mate, got marked, and for the last couple of hours, they were having fantastic sex. Dawn was not sure if he grinned more while exploring her body, or while eating cinnamon rolls she prepared for him.
It was beyond her wildest imagination, and now, Dawn was staying in a room on the second floor of the packhouse! That's for important people!
Dawn would think how all this was just a wonderful dream, but the sparks of their bond prickled her skin wherever they touched and happiness pouring into her through the mate bond was real, and it was coming from George, and it confirmed that he was elated by the current events, just as she was.
George gazed at Dawn with a smile in his eyes, and he relished the sense of belonging he didn't know before.
His eyes sparkled when his attention fell on the mark that was forming on her neck. He gently touched her there, and Dawn inhaled a shaky breath, her eyelids falling halfway instantly as a wave of arousal swelled within her. That was such a sensitive spot.
Dawn's eyes lost focus for a moment, and he frowned with concern.
"What is it?", he asked. He knew that she was contacted through the mind-link and the fact that she was visibly surprised got him curious.
"It was Alpha Damon. He said that we can join the party if we want. He said that it will be good for you.", Dawn said and thought for a moment before saying, "I guess that as a Commander, you should represent your pack."
Dawn wondered if George will return to the Red Moon pack and risk scolding from Alpha Edward, or if he will stay here. She told him how that was a possibility. Did he have time to think about it? Probably not.
Dawn would love it if they decided to call the Dark Howlers pack their home. Dawn had many friends here, and she heard rumors that Omegas get bad treatment in the Red Moon pack. Sure, George has a status, but without his protection, she was a nobody. Things will be great when they are together, but what will happen when he goes to train, or on a mission?
If they go there, she will need to sever her ties to the Dark Howlers pack, and join the Red Moon pack, and that was not something she was looking forward to.
George didn't notice Dawn's mood dropping, as he was having his own worries.
As a Commander, George was not invited to social gatherings even at the Red Moon pack. His instincts told him that Damon's invitation was confirmation of how they know about his identity.
That brought George to another question, how did they find out about the rejection? Marcy was unconscious and she couldn't tell anyone what happened, and just by finding two incapacitated people, they should think about sickness, poison, attack, anything other than rejection by a mate. After all, that rarely happens.
George remembered that Dawn told him with certainty how she knew what got him into that state, and that pointed to the possibility of cameras in the room.
Well, that explained Damon's change in attitude when he congratulated him on finding his mate. He knew.
Damn it! Things just got complicated.
But Damon didn't call him out, and George was not sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing.
"George?"
Dawn's voice got George's attention.
"We don't need to go if you don't want to.", Dawn said.
George realized that his expression was not good, and Dawn was worried about him.
"Do you want to go?", he asked.
Was he kidding? Yes! For years, Dawn watched these parties from the side, and the fact that Alpha Damon rarely threw parties only made them more special. This was Dawn's chance to attend such a fancy occasion and not because she was serving drinks. But she also wanted to stay in bed with George.
George could see her expressions changing.
If it was up to him, he wouldn't go. But Alpha Damon's invitation was not for Commander George; it was for Alpha George. And it seemed that Dawn wanted to go. How can he decline this to his adorable mate?
George chuckled and rolled them over, ending on top of her.
"How about this…?", he paused to kiss her chin. "We will go. If you like it, we will stay, and if you don't like it, we will leave."
Dawn smiled brightly. She loved that he made it about her. Dawn knew that compared to George, she was a nobody, yet he treated her like she was important. She really really liked that.
"I accept to attend this party as your date, Commander George."
George hummed in approval. "As my date. As my mate."
Dawn sucked in a sharp breath and her brows came together.
"What?", he asked.
"I don't have anything to wear."
George propped himself on his elbows and glanced down at her naked body. "You are perfect. Stunning."
Dawn's cheeks heated. George just complimented her! That will never get old.
"But I don't want anyone to see you like this. That's mine.", George said grimly, and his tone softened as he continued, "Don't worry about the clothes. This is not a formal party. And even if it is, as my mate, you can wear whatever you want."
"Ha-ha…", Dawn laughed mockingly. "That's a good one. Maybe you can show up in a t-shirt and jeans and look amazing, but a girl needs a dress."
Dawn's eyes lost focus for a moment as she mind-linked Zina.
"Done?", George asked when Dawn's attention was back on him.
"Yes.", she confirmed.
George hummed in approval and glanced at the time.
Dawn didn't miss this, and the fire in his eyes told her that they won't be resting.
She hugged him tightly and returned his kisses, ready to get lost in his passionate embrace again.
