~ the Dark Howlers pack ~
Marcy followed after a warrior absentmindedly while staring blankly at her suitcase that the warrior was pulling by his side.
Marcy's memories of the last few weeks were blurred, like she was drunk most of the time, and she had difficulty processing her current situation. Was she really going to a shelter with a fake identity? What did she do that she needed to hide like a criminal?
Talia injected Marcy with a concoction that should make Marcy forget the last few minutes, and turn hazy one hour before that, but that was the expected effect on werewolves. Since Marcy's wolf was gone, the effect of drugs was much stronger. Marcy's memory of the last few weeks was messed up, but she remembered clearly what Talia told her before Marcy left the study to pack.
Was she leaving the Dark Howlers pack just like that? Was her father after her? Did she make a public speech about how she wanted to travel the world instead of being Damon's Luna? Why would she do that? Why would she abandon the life filled with riches and comforts in order to live in some crappy shelter? And why would she defy her father when being with Damon worked in her favor?
Marcy's attention got caught by the movement on the side and she saw George with Dawn by his side.
Marcy blinked at the sight of George's imposing visual and his gentle smile that was directed at Dawn, and then Marcy remembered: George was her mate, and he was an Alpha. Surely, he could do something to help Marcy, so she doesn't go to a shelter. Only poor people without a place to stay go there. George wouldn't abandon his mate, even if he has a mistress on the side.
"George!", Marcy called and dashed toward the man. "You need to help me!"
George's steps halted to look at Marcy. "Excuse me?"
Marcy's eyes darted toward Dawn and then back to George. "Can we talk in private?" She didn't want his mistress (aka Dawn) to overhear them.
George refused. "I have no secrets in front of my mate."
For a brief moment, Marcy thought he was talking about her, but then she saw that George pulled Dawn closer to him and a mental image flashed in Marcy's mind of George and Dawn sitting at the dining table and feeding each other. Of course, Marcy rejected George and he accepted it and he got his second chance mate while she got a shelter. Why did it all look like a dream? What about them sharing passionate moments? Were those dreams also?
George shook his head at Marcy who stared at him blankly.
"Since you have nothing to say, we are leaving.", George said.
Marcy waved her hand to stop him from moving away. "Can you talk to my father and ask him not to punish me?"
"Miss Marcy", George called in an official tone. "After what you've done, I'm not sure I can guarantee my safety, and I definitely can't guarantee yours."
Marcy pressed her lips into a line. "So, you can enjoy with your mate, and I…" She couldn't say the word shelter aloud. "I know things. I know you are an Alpha…", Marcy stopped talking when George narrowed his eyes at her.
"And if anyone else finds out about it, there will be no place for you to hide.", George said grimly.
Marcy flinched but then she threw herself at George. "You can't abandon me like this!"
Before she could touch George, Dawn stepped between them and…
'SLAP!'
A harsh slap reinforced by the Alpha aura landed on Marcy's cheek, propelling her backward until she fell on her butt.
Marcy held her throbbing cheek and stared at Dawn in disbelief. Marcy knew that feeling; her father pressured her with his Alpha aura more than once, and she felt it from Talia as well but… Yes, Talia, the wretched assistant who pinned her to the sofa!
Marcy couldn't wrap her head around the fact that Dawn had the Alpha aura. Was it because George marked her? But Alpha Edward marked his mate, and Luna Layla's aura was comparable to a Beta's.
Did Dawn have the Alpha aura because George was stronger than Marcy's father, or was that related to being fated mates? Marcy's stomach sank. If she didn't reject George, she would have that aura now.
"Is the wolf-less runaway girl causing you trouble on her way out?", Mindy asked from the side mockingly and Marcy whipped her head that way to see Mindy and Gideon emerging from the connecting hallway.
Marcy frowned. How did Mindy know that she didn't have a wolf?
"She is not strong enough to cause anything.", Dawn said while wrapping her arms around George, and then she turned to Marcy. "You had your chance with George, and you blew it. He is my mate now and I won't allow you to touch him."
George tightened his hold on Dawn in approval. He loved that she was claiming him so fiercely. Dawn was perfect.
Mindy and Gideon paused next to George and Dawn, and Mindy said, "Everyone is in the study. Alpha Damon doesn't like to wait."
George glanced at Marcy who was still sitting on the floor, and he said, "Enjoy your travels. If you know what's good for you, we won't hear from you again."
Marcy blinked back tears that prickled her eyes. George didn't know she was going to a shelter, and Marcy thought how that was for the best. She will go there and think about things, and she will come up with something, anything… because just giving up and disappearing while everyone else gets to enjoy lavish lifestyles was not fair!
George really didn't know that Marcy was going to the shelter. James' plan was that Marcy will settle in one of the towns of her choice, and Damon will have people keep an eye on her. George didn't care where Marcy will stay, as long as she was far away from him.
Dawn turned in time to see Marcy disappearing through the door as she left the packhouse. She looked pitiful and all alone.
"Are you feeling sorry for her?", George asked.
"A little bit.", Dawn admitted. "I feel like I've stolen something that belongs to her." And that went beyond just George. Dawn got to enjoy the princess treatment and happiness she only dreamed about, and the Alpha aura and the smoking-hot mate were unexpected bonuses.
"You can't steal what's yours, Dawn.", George said. "As for me, I needed to bump into Marcy first so that I can appreciate you more." He took Dawn's hand and pressed it against his chest. "Make no mistake Dawn, this thing here beats only for you."
Dawn smiled dreamily and she got on her toes to give him a kiss on the lips.
George groaned as he wanted to devour his cinnamon-infused beauty right there in the hallway, but… "Let's see what Damon wants." And after that, they will return to their room.
George had no idea how long they will be able to stay in the Dark Howlers pack, but he knew that when they return to the Red Moon pack the honeymoon will be over. Dawn will accompany him, and they will need to be careful, or things could backfire big time.
