The group from the Red Moon pack was arriving in two vehicles, with four passengers each.
Two high-ranking soldiers were in front of each car, taking turns driving while the back rows were reserved for passengers. In the first car were Alpha Edward and Luna Layla, while in the second car were James and Nora.
They were currently stuck in line at one of the checkpoints through which guests needed to pass in order to enter the territory of the Blue River pack.
Guards stationed there were verifying headcount and invitations. Also, after confirming that only were-people were present inside vehicles, guests were warned that humans will be in attendance and that shifting into their wolf forms or exhibiting their super-strength was prohibited. It was a usual procedure, to avoid exposure, yet there was always a rowdy guest or two who had a few drinks too many that started growing fangs and growled before someone knocked him out.
These kinds of events were a nightmare for security. Guards needed to ensure that only the right people attend the event and that no one will be disturbed by party crashers that included (but were not limited to) bitter ex-es, hopeful mistresses-to-be, malicious rogues, and attention-seekers who wanted to appear in the news on the next day.
Unfortunately, all this tightened security created delays for the people who had the right to attend the event.
James was checking his phone every few minutes. There were six more cars ahead of them and it was taking forever.
James always kept his head cool, but that changed once Cornelia entered his life. He was aware of the effect she had on him, and he knew that with Cornelia by his side everything could collapse, but at the same time, he couldn't stay away from her. It was a form of self-harming pleasurable madness that he sank into willingly.
James left that morning while Cornelia was sleeping. She looked so beautiful and peaceful that he didn't want to disturb her. He scribbled her a note that she should take care of and that they will stay in touch via text messages.
It wouldn't be strange, since every morning James would leave early, and whenever Cornelia woke up, she would teleport to the Dark Howlers pack, and they wouldn't see each other until evening. They had phones to communicate, but only in case of an emergency so that they avoid the possibility of being discovered.
Today was different.
On the previous night, Cornelia saw the files with information on three females that Alpha Edward gave to James, and Cornelia hinted that she will do something about it, and then they had sex and he kind of forgot about it, but now his nerves were acting out.
How can James not worry when Cornelia was not responding to his texts, and he had no idea what she was up to? Or maybe she was not going to do anything… yes, yes, that made sense. His chocolate-colored Goddess was set on testing him. He will need to find a way to avoid those females and survive the next two days without following his father's orders.
"Troubles with your girlfriend?", Nora asked mockingly.
James narrowed his eyes at her while hiding his phone from Nora's curious gaze. "What did you say?"
Nora raised her hands, palms up and she tilted her head at the tinted privacy glass that separated them from the soldiers in front. "I noticed you are nervous, and I thought that we could talk to pass the time."
"Mind your own business", James growled at her menacingly and Nora shrunk in her seat.
The truth was that since they left the Red Moon pack, Nora was dying from boredom and James was completely ignoring her.
She would prefer to be with Alpha Edward in the car, but with Luna Layla present, that wouldn't be appropriate, so she was stuck with this teenager who was easily irritated.
Nora would like to tell Alpha Edward that James brought a woman with him from the Dark Howlers pack, and she would tell about George and Dawn as well, but they forced her to do that stupid blood oath and if she hinted about those secrets, there would be serious consequences, so she had to keep quiet.
Nora couldn't wait to get out of that car, shower, dress up, and mingle. Who knows? Maybe she finds her mate, and he will be tall, handsome, and high-ranking?
The afternoon was trickling away and James was sitting in his room and cursing under his breath at his phone. Why the hell was Cornelia not responding?
Did she get angry at him for coming to this party and leaving her behind?
James rubbed his face with force as insecurities crept into his heart. She told him that it was not a good idea to go ahead with marking and that she shouldn't come to the human realm and… she was right.
At the end of the day, there was a limit to how much his wits can save him, and James had to face the reality that he was just a teenager who had to obey his father in order to survive. He was not qualified to have a mate. A real man would protect his mate and stand for what he believes in, yet here was James… about to attend a party he hated and to be surrounded by people he didn't care about, and all that while his mate was alone somewhere.
He regretted not refusing Alpha Edward the moment he heard that he needed to join this circus. Alpha Edward would be angry and punish him, but even if he got a severe beating, he would end up staying in the Red Moon pack with Cornelia instead of being here.
Oh, God! There will be press coverage and what if Cornelia sees him with some women hanging on his arm? Of course, James wouldn't get close to any random woman, but what if they stick to him while posing for a photo? How will he explain that to Cornelia?
The more he thought about it, the more he wanted to run… run from everything. Maybe that's what he should do. Go home, find Cornelia and run. Surely, Alpha Damon will give them a temporary refuge until they figure out something, or maybe they could go to the Midnight Guardians pack or to the Silver Flame Coven and stay there forever.
'Where are you?', Alpha Edward's stern voice sounded in James' head.
James sucked in a sharp breath while checking the time. How long was he spacing out when his father was this angry? 'I'm almost done getting ready.'
'Hurry up!', Alpha Edward snapped.
James realized that he was running out of time. The sun was getting lower in the sky, and the noise from outside was a giveaway that the event was ongoing, and if James didn't make an appearance, Alpha Edward will send someone for him, and then it won't be good.
James told himself not to panic. He needed to get down there and he will find a way out of this. Surely, with Alpha Damon, Alpha Talia, Maya, Caden, Alpha Tony, Luna Kalina, and other people who were aware that Cornelia was his mate, James will be able to figure out at least one exit strategy.
