Dawn opened her eyes, and a second later she sprang into a seated position while anxiously observing the space.
She was on her own in the bed and her sight moved over a tan-colored three-seater sofa, a coffee table with a narrow blue vase and flowers on it, two tan-colored sofa chairs… bathroom's door was open… a few pieces of clothing scattered on the floor, the ones she and George wore last night…
It all reminded her that she didn't dream or imagine the last two days. She touched the base of her neck on the left side just to make sure and inhaled a shaky breath. The area was still tender as George's mark was forming there.
The diminished scent of the meadow and clover told her that George was not there for some time, but she still hoped to see his figure.
Dawn came to the packhouse many times, and the guest bedrooms on the second floor were mostly the same, but whenever she came to the second floor, it was to clean or bring towels or change bedsheets, and this was different. Without George, she felt out of place. What should she do?
It took Dawn a few endless seconds to notice a small note on the pillow next to her and she grabbed it. A note from George. Dawn's eyes moved over the words multiple times, hoping to get more information than just how he had some business to take care of.
Where was George? Why did he leave without waking her up? Was there some trouble?
Her heart tightened.
What if Marcy was better? What if he decided to go back to Marcy and leave Dawn?
Just as her anxiety was spiking, the door opened, and she saw George entering the room. Relief washed over her, but then her heart tightened again when she saw his stern expression she couldn't read. Something was wrong.
George closed the door behind him and looked at Dawn who was sitting on the bed and bunching a white bedsheet in her chest area. He wished that she didn't cover her wonderful breasts. Unruly strands of her short blonde hair were sticking out from sleeping, but no matter how George looked at Dawn, she was perfect.
George's anxiety was building up as he thought about the big secret he needed to reveal and her big grayish-blue eyes looking at him with anticipation only made it harder.
George told himself that he needed to do this. Talia was right. It was necessary. Postponing it will only make it worse. As a confirmation of urgency, George could feel the air around Dawn changing, and he knew that she was assimilating his Alpha gene. Dawn needed to start practicing to control her aura.
After their discussion about handling Alpha Edward, it was highly probable that George will return to the Red Moon pack with James. George had to return, otherwise his decade of planning and training will be wasted. How can he avenge his parents if he gives up his current position?
While thinking about going back, George remembered that four of them came to the Dark Howlers pack. It was him, James, Marcy, and... Nora. George totally forgot to ask Alpha Damon about Nora. She was in the dungeon. Will Alpha Damon release her?
If Nora was not aware of what happened between Marcy and George, she will probably be irritable that she was imprisoned, shocked to hear that Marcy is not coming back with them… and maybe surprised that Dawn will join them as George's mate.
With Dawn going to the Red Moon pack, another worry clouded George's mind. If Alpha Edward gets a whiff that there is Alpha female in his pack, he won't stand it. It will expose George's identity or worse… Alpha Edward might set his eyes on Dawn. Everyone knows that Alpha Edward is sleeping around, and an Alpha female will definitely attract his attention. George's jaw tightened as he tried to push aside this last thought.
Will Dawn dislike him for not telling her right away that he was an Alpha? She even comforted him how she would support him if Alpha Edward doesn't take him in, and he let her talk, touched by her concern.
But this was more than just his identity. It was about what he wanted to do with it.
He wanted revenge, he was set to kill, and if Dawn follows him, she will be in danger. He didn't want to leave her behind, but he didn't want her to come to the Red Moon pack without knowing what that means.
George wanted to give Dawn time to consider her options. Telling her on the day they should leave wouldn't be fair and taking her with him and keeping her in the dark will be unfair and unsafe.
Objectively, he should ask her to stay in the Dark Howlers pack and pick her up when the danger was gone, but he was too selfish, to needy for her scent of cinnamon and those addictive sparks that make his soul hum in pleasure whenever they touch.
But no matter what he wanted, he needed to tell her what's at stake and to let her decide. No pressure. Can he do that? George was not sure. What if she decides to stay behind? The Red Moon pack is known to treat Omegas badly, and even though Dawn is not an Omega, she will need to act as one, at least until he deals with Alpha Edward.
The mental image of Dawn saying that she would rather be anywhere other than with him was creating a painful hole in his stomach.
From the moment he saw Dawn at the door of the room where he laid listlessly, the whole world regained color and his soul stirred to connect with hers and… he didn't want to mess this up.
If Dawn decides to follow him, they will come up with a way to delay her joining the Red Moon pack officially. George will say that they just mated, and their bond is still strengthening, and that should give them a week or two maybe, and after that… George will put things in motion and Dawn won't need to pledge her loyalty to Alpha Edward because she will be able to keep her head high as George's Luna.
Ah, there were so many things to consider. What if Dawn finds it overwhelming and decides that she doesn't want any of it?
George exhaled sharply, allowing his anxiety to be visible. When was the last time he was this nervous?
"Did you sleep well?", George asked while moving slowly toward the bed.
Dawn nodded stiffly and returned the question. "You?"
"It would be better if I didn't need to leave early.", George responded and sat at the edge of the bed. "Dawn, we need to talk."
Dawn felt knots forming in her stomach. Why was he so serious? This can't be good. With every passing heartbeat, the mental image of Marcy and George became clearer and Dawn saw herself fading in the background.
George's brows came together when he saw tears swelling in Dawn's eyes. He thought that the anxiety he was feeling was his only, but now it seemed that it was hers as well.
