Cornelia stood in front of the window to look outside, and she pulled on the collar of the t-shirt she was wearing. It was obvious that Cornelia was not comfortable in the clothes that Maya brought.
"How long are we going to be stuck in here?"
Talia knew that Cornelia was eager to explore the world. She didn't cross two realms in order to be trapped in a room.
"Sorry, but until things are back to normal, we need to stay low.", Talia responded, and then she thought of something. "Dinner will be in half an hour. You can join them in the dining room."
Cornelia didn't want to move from one room to another. She wanted to go out.
"I'm not sure that's a good idea. Your mate is already confused. My presence will make it worse because I'm a stranger. It's best if we eat here."
Talia didn't think about it. "It makes sense. Do you want me to bring food here now?"
"That would give us something to do." Cornelia was planning to go out and explore the area while everyone was busy with dinner. She heard that there is a town nearby, and she really wanted to see it.
After confirming with Caden that Damon was in the study, Talia made her way to the kitchen.
She didn't want to bump into him even though her heart pulled her toward the study they used to share before this mess started.
Talia wondered if they will ever get a break. Talia loved Damon and she knew that he loved her back. What they had was real, yet one way or another something would come between them to prevent them from enjoying their happiness. She really didn't need anything other than Damon, but everything was a struggle like they were passing through a series of challenges that would test their commitment to each other.
So far, it was either Damon fighting for them, or they were together. This was the first time for Talia to feel all alone in this struggle, and she feared that she won't have what it takes to preserve and fight for him.
'You are not alone', Liseli said.
Talia was grateful for her wolf, otherwise, she might drown in her insecurities and hide in the corner.
Talia peeked into the kitchen to see Dawn and Zina walking out while pushing a tray with napkins, glasses, utensils, and covered serving plates.
"What can we do for you?", Dawn asked Talia and inched closer to say in a whisper. "Don't worry, Zina and I got everything figured out. The first serving will be plated in advance and we will make sure Alpha Damon gets the right one. Just sit tight and wait for good news."
"Thank you, Dawn.", Talia really needed this encouragement. "I came to grab some food for me and Cornelia."
"You have plenty on the stove or in the oven on warm.", Zina said. "Help yourself. We are going to set up the dining room."
"Where is Steph?"
"She is outside waiting for the baker who is on his way with a lemon cake for dessert.", Zina responded and walked out after Dawn.
Talia got two plates and turned toward the food. She was not hungry, but she knew that she needed to eat something as well. No one will benefit if she collapses from hunger.
The steak looked just right, and there were also salad, mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, and gravy. Everything looked tasty and Talia confirmed that the green gravy smelled of basil and garlic.
Talia was scooping mashed potatoes when…
"Why are you here?"
Talia whipped her head toward the door from where a bitter female voice came. Marcy.
Fury swelled inside Talia.
'How dares this impostor walk here freely and act like she is the boss of everything!?', Liseli shouted in Talia's head, amplifying Talia's displeasure. 'Let's rip her head off!'
'No one will rip anything.', Talia responded.
'Are we letting her have her way?'
'Of course not. Her way would be me to leave, and that's not happening.'
Talia crossed her arms over her chest. "I could ask you the same thing."
Marcy walked into the kitchen to stand in front of Talia confidently. "Damon called me to come here."
"It's ALPHA Damon to you.", Talia squeezed through her teeth.
Marcy smirked. "Not anymore. Didn't you hear? He was protecting me so far, and now that he called me back to the packhouse, it means that the danger is gone. You don't need to be my cover anymore."
"Your cover? Is that what you think I am?"
Marcy lifted her chin and challenged Talia. "You should learn your place, assistant Talia. Starting tomorrow, I will be the future Luna of the Dark Howlers pack, and you will be what you are… just an assistant. It will be up to me to determine your duties. Maybe you could clean my shoes, or maybe you get banished from the pack."
Talia's eyes flashed. "It seems you forgot what happened the last time you flapped your mouth in front of me without thinking it through."
Marcy's smile fell. "You won't dare hurt me. Not now when Damon decided to make me his Luna. I will see that he punishes you."
"You won't be his Luna, Marcy."
"Because you say so?"
"Yes. And because I am his mate."
Marcy blinked a few times rapidly, but she quickly composed herself. "That's just a lie Damon said to make you the target of attackers instead of me, don't tell me you actually believe it. But even if it's true, it doesn't matter. A man like Damon can choose his mate, and he chose me. You are a nobody, an anomaly. He will reject you and mark me and I will be his Luna while you will remain a nobody."
Talia stared at Marcy. Is this why she healed her after George accepted Marcy's rejection? Sure, Marcy didn't know it was Talia, but Marcy should know that she was on the verge of dying and this was her second chance at life. Instead of fixing her ways, Marcy plunged further into darkness.
Would Marcy really get between fated mates just because she wanted to be a Luna? She would destroy two lives, for what? For power? But then, she rejected her bond with George in order to be with Damon. Luckily, George got his second chance for happiness, as for Marcy… she just blew her second chance.
Seeing that Talia didn't respond, Marcy smiled victoriously. "It's difficult to face reality, right? But I advise you to take a step back now and accept your defeat before things get worse."
Talia's shoulders shook as she suppressed a wave of angry laughter. What will Marcy do? Lock her in the attic and beat her up? Marcy did that already and here was Talia, stronger than ever. She came out of that hell thanks to Damon and Talia will be damned if she gives up on him so that wenches like Marcy can have him.
"You have no idea what I went through, Marcy. Do you think you can make it worse!?"
