~ the Red Moon pack ~
It's been four days since James, Cornelia, George, Dawn, and Nora returned from the Dark Howlers pack.
Two witches from the Silver Flame Coven were supposed to accompany Cornelia, but one of those two found her mate in the Midnight Guardians pack, and Cornelia thought that considering her plan to accompany James while staying hidden, it would be safer if the second one didn't join her. That sparked the conversation about the safety of the witches, so all six newcomers from the Silver Flame Coven ended up staying in the Midnight Guardians pack, for now.
Just as Talia predicted, on the day before Cornelia and James left the Dark Howlers pack, Cornelia called Damon to talk in private and she reminded him of their deal where he will do something for her in exchange for her performing the chants that removed the dark magic from him. Cornelia asked for Damon to aid James when needed, to which Damon agreed with a clause that as long as it's not unreasonable or puts the Dark Howlers pack in danger, he will do it. Cornelia was fine with that.
Talia promised Dawn and Cornelia that they are welcome at the Dark Howlers pack and at the Midnight Guardians pack at any time (this offer extended to their mates also).
The moment they arrived at the Red Moon pack, George and James went to confront the wrath of Alpha Edward. The old guy was simmering in his anger since Marcy disappeared.
No one got a beating, but there was a lot of shouting, name-calling, and questioning by Alpha Edward.
Other than James and George, Nora was also kneeling on the floor of the study with her head lowered. This time, the three of them were in the same pickle.
Nora got out of the dungeon of the Dark Howlers pack only after taking a blood oath that she won't disclose to Alpha Edward anything that could harm George, James, Damon, or Talia.
James explained to Nora that she needed to keep quiet about Marcy, Talia, and anything else that happened at the Dark Howlers pack because if Alpha Edward suspects anything fishy, they will all be on the chopping block. The safest thing was for everyone to say how Marcy tricked them and no one saw it coming. Nora agreed to roll with it. She was desperate to stay in Alpha Edward's good books. Besides, Alpha Edward knew that Nora was in the dungeon, so her story how she didn't know anything sounded legit. As a bonus, she used that to get pity, and Alpha Edward not only bought her a new wardrobe, but she got extra care during the nights from him.
As for Dawn, she was nervous about coming to the Red Moon pack. Luckily, Dawn immediately saw Estelle as a mother figure who reminded her of Stephanie, and Dawn had a feeling that Estelle will take care of all of them.
As part of the deal for Cornelia to come to the Red Moon pack, Cornelia (and James) got a room on the second floor of George's villa where the newly mated couple spent their nights. During the day, James kept busy with his usual schedule, while Cornelia was in the Dark Howlers pack with Amelia, researching the portals.
Gideon and Mindy would join the witches occasionally, curious to find out more about all the mystical things they were doing there.
So far, three out of four times Dawn came to the Dark Howlers pack with Cornelia. The teleportation magic was handy to move between the packs in a flash. George had his duties, so Dawn spent her day with Zina.
It was just before dinnertime when Dawn and Cornelia appeared in the bedroom on the second floor of George's villa.
George and James still didn't return from their day, so Cornelia went to shower, and Dawn headed to the kitchen to see if she can help Estelle with meal preparations.
It was usual for George to come late. He was always the last one on the training grounds, and even though he tried to come as early as possible, he couldn't break his character and ditch the training. He still didn't announce that Dawn was his mate. George had a plan to make a big deal out of it, but after he heard about the possibility of Alpha Edward setting him up with random women, George thought of waiting a bit before revealing Dawn's existence. If Alpha Edward found out that George had a mate, he will be curious and George wanted to keep Dawn away from that power-hungry lecherous man as long as possible, preferably forever.
George wanted to issue an Alpha challenge right away and be done with it, but he also couldn't rush it as a few more things needed to fall in place.
The situation in the Red Moon pack seemed as usual, but those who paid attention could sense changes in the air that were announcing big changes to come.
While Cornelia was in the shower, James was in the study of the packhouse with his father.
"You are aware of the upcoming Luna ceremony in the Blue River pack", Alpha Edward said.
James confirmed. "Do you have instructions for me while you are away for that function?"
"You are coming with me."
James paused. So far, Alpha Edward didn't mention that James needed to come, so he assumed that only Alpha and Luna will go. Normally, Marcy would accompany them as well (or maybe go as Damon's future Luna), but things didn't turn that way.
Marcy aside, James would often skip these external functions. He was aware that taking Cornelia with him would be dangerous, and he didn't want to leave her behind. Minutes without her were torturous, yet now his father was asking him to attend an event that will last a few days.
James took a moment to calm down his restless wolf before asking calmly, "Is my presence there necessary?"
"Yes.", Alpha Edward said with finality.
James had to try. "It's just a party. Wouldn't I be better off staying to train? What if something happens in the pack? Rogues will know that you are away."
"If something happens, my Beta will handle it.", Alpha Edward said. "You are not a child, and you need to show your face or people will forget I have an heir."
James was not willing, but if he resisted, it will be against his persona of an obedient son. He needed a plan, but he didn't have time to come up with one, so the only thing he could do was to agree. "I understand. Anything else?"
"Yes. I want you to study these."
James frowned when he opened the folder his father gave him. It had three sheets of paper, each with information on a young woman with photos attached.
"What is this?"
"If you are going to philander, you might as well pick from these.", Alpha Edward said.
James couldn't believe this. His father was always talking about how Alphas need to show their proves on the battlefield and in the bedroom, but he never gave him files like this in advance.
James looked up to see Alpha Edward smirking at him.
"Do you think I don't know you are spending nights outside the packhouse?"
