Jade didn’t suspect that anything was off. Over the years, there were many women associating themselves with Alpha Damon, so Jade assumed that it was one more fake news, but now she realized that she got herself into a heap of trouble. Will she be able to get out of this with her life intact? What if they really break her legs?
Maya and Caden entered the living room to find the scene of Jade kneeling on the floor with Talia, Dawn, Mindy, Damon, George, and Gideon standing in a loose circle around her.
”What did we miss?”, Caden asked.
They were both out in the field when Damon called them to come to the packhouse because Talia lost consciousness, and this was not what they expected to see.
”I want to know how she got in.”, Damon said dryly. “We had shuffling of patrols and loosening protocols, but that doesn’t explain how she got in without permission.”
Caden was aware of Jade coming into their territory, so he explained, “As Beta’s daughter of the pack that is on friendly terms with us, no one questioned her when she said that she wanted to meet with you.”
Caden swallowed hard when he saw Damon’s glare directed at him, so Beta lowered his head with, “This won’t happen again.”
”What did Jade do?”, Maya asked, obviously referring to the fact that Jade was kneeling.
”She came here with an intention to become Alpha Damon’s Luna.”, Zina responded, and Maya looked at Talia nervously.
They could all feel Talia’s anger swelling again.
”Kitten, you should calm down…”, Damon pleaded at Talia who was so tense that it felt like she was going to snap any moment.
”Don’t tell me to calm down!”, Talia erupted. “How can I calm down in front of a woman who came here to take my spot!? And not only my spot, but she wanted to be the Luna of the Dark Howlers pack. Do you know how that would impact the pack if you hurt your fated mate because of a random woman? How would you explain to the pack members when the Moon Goddess punishes you?”
Damon realized that under that anger, Talia was onto something. “What do you suggest?”
”Miss Jade is making a point how she is Beta’s daughter. She used her status gained by birth, to come to this packhouse and get close to you. I refuse to believe that she came here on her own. The Silverfur pack needs to be held responsible.”
”You mean…”, Damon drawled and waited for Talia to finish.
”I want Alpha Adam to apologize and compensate us for the stress. I was so upset that I fainted. What if I fell and hit my head? That could be dangerous! I will need something like recurring payment to assure their sincerity.”
Damon hid his laughter behind a cough. His kitten wanted a tribute! After losing one million dollars on the bet at the Council of Alphas, Alpha Adam was definitely furious and now he will be stuck with a tribute! Will he refuse, knowing that Jade was detained in the Dark Howlers pack? Well, there was one way to find out.
Damon could feel that Talia’s emotions were unstable, but he was delighted about the way how she twisted this to benefit the Dark Howlers pack. Another tribute. No matter how angry she was, she was still thinking about the pack. She was a fantastic Luna!
”Caden”, Damon called. “Get in touch with Alpha Adam and Beta Milo and ask them to explain Jade’s presence. I want an online meeting with them where we will discuss how Jade harmed my Luna.”
”I didn’t…”, Jade protested, but no one paid attention to her.
”Don’t forget to ask for educational compensation.”, Mindy chimed in from the side. Seeing Damon’s and Talia’s questioning looks, Mindy explained, “By allowing Jade to work here as an Omega, we are educating her about hierarchy and how every member of the pack is important. Other than that, she will get lodging and food, and all that costs money.”
Maya and Caden exchanged confused glances. Jade will stay in their pack as an Omega? They needed more information, but they knew that this was not the right time to ask.
”You want to charge my father for making me work here?”, Jade asked in disbelief.
”Not your father, but your pack.”, Mindy responded.
Dawn nodded in agreement and added, “Everyone knows that the Dark Howlers pack has the highest score related to the living condition among all packs. By allowing you to spend time here and experience it first-hand, you will not only learn, but you will get to carry that knowledge with you back to the Silverfur pack. That’s priceless.”
Jade gaped at Dawn like she spoke in a foreign language. What kind of nonsense was that? They were keeping Jade here forcefully and asking for the Silverfur pack to pay the fees? Isn’t that extortion? Was she a hostage?
Damon’s chin shivered from the suppressed laughter. He knew that Talia was impressive and that Dawn had spunk, but even the dildo-gifting woman was vicious, and he approved.
Clamor at the door got everyone’s attention, and they turned to see Doctor Travis arriving with his medical bag.
”Where is my patient?”, he asked. They said it was urgent, but no one seemed to be sick or hurt.
Talia gestured toward Jade. “She needs a checkup.”
”I want to make sure you are fine.”, Damon said to Talia in a low voice and continued through the mind-link, ‘Your eyes showed black streaks and…’
’And Doctor Travis can’t do anything about it.’, Talia interjected.
Damon had to admit that was true. He moved closer to Talia and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her to lean on him.
’How are you feeling?’, Damon asked through their mind-link.
She was not sure how to describe it. ‘Nervous. Edgy. I want to scream.’
’Don’t hold it in.’
Talia lifted her head to look at him. ‘Do you really want me to scream at you?’
’If it’s going to help, go for it.’ He would gladly be her punching bag.
’I feel like ripping Jade into pieces. I feel like erasing every woman you ever touched. Will that help? Or will that turn me into nasty shits as they are? Or maybe it’s not them, but it’s you. I know, it’s not fair, but you asked me how I feel and there it is. I hate everything about this situation, and I hate that I can’t do anything about the way I feel, and bullying one of the numerous women you shagged is not helping. How do I get rid of this hate?’
Damon’s heart tightened. He knew that this was not Talia. She never hated. This was the dark magic that was corrupting her pure heart and it was his fault. If he was not this dirty, there would be no trigger for the darkness, and if he was not so weak, he would be able to resist the dark magic which seeped from him into his mate.
’Damon?’
’Yes, kitten?’
’Will you love me if I change?’
Damon’s heart cracked. In all this mess that he created, Talia was concerned if his feelings for her will change.
He cupped her cheeks and kissed her gently on the lips while talking through their mind-link, ‘We are all changing, kitten. It would be strange if you stayed the same considering everything you’ve been through. I will love you no matter what happens. I am right here, and we will get through this together. We are planning to visit witches. When we get there, you can ask them more about dark magic and we will find a way to fix it. And maybe this is not a bad thing. Everyone should have some negativity to keep us on the edge.’ He tried to sound cheerful.
Damon remembered that mates balance each other. What if Talia made him a better person and she got his darkness in return? And he was back to blaming himself.
