"I assume you have a plan," Owen said to George. "Will you tell me about it, or are you expecting me to just nod at whatever you say?"
George glanced at the packhouse in the distance. "Ana believes that you stepped in to protect your mate. We will go with that. Dawn is your mate who is working in my villa."
Owen saw so many holes in that story. "I am sleeping in the barracks. I spend days at the training grounds and with the guys, and we are not exactly close. When did I find time for a mate?"
"Alpha Edward won't bother with details," George said with confidence. "However, if the topic arises, Dawn has a room in my villa, just like any other Omega working for me. You are spending time with her at my place. Since you don't have private quarters, it will be believable. Pick one of your missions outside the pack as the one when you met Dawn, no less than two months ago. Dawn didn't join the pack yet because she is acclimating, but you will do that formality soon and at that time you will announce her as your mate and request private quarters." George thought how that was a good story. It was more-less what he was planning to do with Dawn before he considered the risks of exposing that he had a mate. "Because Dawn didn't join our pack, I'm keeping an eye on her in my villa, to ensure she is not a spy."
Owen was impressed with George's plan. No wonder people spoke highly about him as a Commander. But Owen had other concerns. "What about Zina?"
"Zina is Dawn's friend and is considering joining our pack, so she is staying at my villa. She arrived today."
"Will Alpha Edward buy it?"
"As long as our stories match," George said, and he hoped he was right about this.
Owen had many questions, but they were approaching the packhouse and he knew that he needed to keep those for later.
Meeting with the Alpha was nerve-wracking.
Owen followed George into Alpha Edward's study. It was the first time for Owen to come here.
George and Owen saluted and stood straight in front of Alpha Edward and Beta Raymond, waiting for the duo to acknowledge them.
James was also sitting on the sofa chair. After exchanging nods with George, James returned his attention to the reports in his hands.
George stood in front of Alpha Edward in silence. He hated this silent show of power. It was Alpha Edward's way to reinforce his position as the important one and how others need to wait for him.
George was uneasy about Owen's presence. Owen was necessary to make George's story believable, but it could also backfire big time.
Sure, there was a time when Owen and George were close. Actually, Owen was one of the few people George could call friends. However, those days were long gone as George became a General and Owen didn't, and since then, the rift between them was only increasing and now George didn't know where they stood.
What if Owen says that Dawn was George's mate? What if he exposes George as an Alpha?
In the worst case, George will fight his way out. Taking down Alpha Edward won't be a big deal. However, what about Beta Raymond and Owen? If they manage to land a single punch, it can get George out of balance. What if Alpha Edward calls for reinforcements?
James was also there. Considering that George kept Cornelia's secret, the teen will definitely come to his aid, or at least not act against him. Probably.
"Commander George," Alpha Edward called. "Thank you for coming here on short notice. Did I disturb your dinner?"
George was confused by this question. "No. I didn't get a chance to eat."
"That makes us even," Alpha Edward said and when he saw that George didn't understand, he explained, "You detained an Omega who is organizing our meals, so our dinner is late. I hear your Omegas are capable. Should I ask them to work in the packhouse and serve high-ranking members?"
George was not sure if Alpha Edward was serious or if this was some kind of test, but George's answer was the same.
"Are you telling me that this whole packhouse relies on one Omega? I will be glad to lend you my Omegas, but I will say in advance that you can't keep them, no matter how good their cooking is."
Alpha Edward narrowed his eyes at George. "Will you fight me over a few Omegas?"
"Not a few. Only one. Estelle is with me for a long time, and she knows my preferences when it comes to food. I'm not sure if her cooking will suit your taste. An Omega of her age is not easy to learn new recipes."
Alpha Edward stared at George for a long second, and then he chuckled. "Let's stop with this nonsense and tell me why you disturbed the rhythm of the packhouse over a spat between Omegas at the market."
"I'm sure you heard what happened."
"I want to hear it from you."
George told what he prepared in advance. How his Omegas were shopping for ingredients, and Ana got in their way.
"They are my Omegas, and it would look bad on me if I let others prevent them from completing their tasks."
"Your Omegas?" Alpha Edward asked. "And are you saying that your Omegas are above mine?"
"I didn't realize she was yours, Alpha," George responded right away. "I thought she worked in the packhouse, which meant that she works for the pack."
George could see that this won't work, so he switched to plan B.
"The thing is that one of those Omegas is Lieutenant Owen's mate. He saw his mate in trouble and his wolf took over."
Alpha Edward was eyeing Owen who was quick to lower his head.
"Alpha," George called. "If this was an argument between two warriors, I would tell them to take it outside the market. Lieutenant Owen warned Ana that she should step away from his mate, yet she refused. After that, I asked warriors to detain her. I did it to teach her obedience. Omega can't go against a warrior. It was a policy we always enforced. Is this something worth your time? I am aware of rules and I did what's best for the given situation."
Alpha Edward nodded after a long second and George felt like a big burden fell off his chest. In the next moment, Alpha Edward spoke again, and George's insides tightened.
"I hear that there was a new face present as well."
"Yes, we have a guest…" George told the story of how the newcomer (aka Zina) is an Omega from a small pack and is considering joining the Red Moon pack because Dawn is her friend.
"It is nice of you to keep two Omegas in your house for observation," Alpha Edward said.
"I do what I can, just like anyone else in this pack."
Alpha Edward approved. "Did you hear that, Raymond? This should be spread so that no one dares to question if George became a Commander too soon. This type of dedication and loyalty is difficult to find."
George lowered his head. "Your words honor me, Alpha."
Alpha Edward turned to look at Owen. "I guess I should congratulate you on finding your mate, Lieutenant Owen. When will I get to meet her?" Before Owen could respond, Alpha Edward was talking again, "How about you join us at the event tomorrow? Make sure to bring your mate's friend as well…"
