Dawn and Zina didn't like Nora polluting the space with her presence, and they had a bad feeling when they saw Ana. Why did she come? Considering their encounter at the market, Ana was definitely up to no good.
Nora didn't know much about Zina, but she was aware that Dawn was George's mate and the mistress of this villa, and everyone knew that George was not to be trifled with. And then there was Talia, who could decide on Nora's life and death with a thought. Nora didn't dare to show attitude while wondering why those three were sitting there.
Dawn and Zina felt Talia's chilling aura that leaked from the moment the newcomers appeared. Dawn and Zina assumed that Talia's reaction was due to Nora. It was normal for Talia to show hostility because Nora was throwing herself at Damon to the point of ending in the dungeon of the Dark Howlers pack.
Talia's vision zeroed on a female that was standing behind Nora.
How could Talia forget her bully? More than Marcy and any other member of the Red Moon pack, Ana was the leader of bullies, the main character in nightmares that plagued Talia's dreams and reality, and here she was… standing behind Nora and looking around the living room without acknowledging the presence of her hosts. How rude. As always. Ana was so full of herself that she overlooked the danger she was in.
Ana was happy to see Zina and Dawn present. She didn't care much about Talia, but she was delighted that Commander George and Owen were not in attendance. It was perfect for Ana to cause a mess. The only question was how to make those two pay for all the trouble they caused on the previous day.
"This is what Miss Nora brought," Estelle broke the intense silence while placing the dresses on the backrest of the sofa chair that was free.
"Thank you, Estelle. We will call you if we need something," Dawn said, and Estelle was glad she could leave the living room.
Estelle was the only Omega in the Red Moon pack who knew about George's true identity, which meant Estelle was aware that Dawn was her Luna, and Luna could take care of herself. In the worst case, Dawn will kill them, and Estelle will get the task of digging a hole deep enough to hide their bodies so no one can find them.
"Where are two females we should help get ready?" Nora asked Dawn politely. She wanted to be done with this business as soon as possible. She will come up with an excuse to her father later.
"You are looking at them," Dawn responded while gesturing at herself and Zina.
Nora's face fell. "The two of you?"
Dawn smirked and instructed, "Show us what you've brought."
Nora had so many questions. Her father told her it was two random Omegas. How can Commander George's mate be random? Ana provoked them on the market! Well, Ana should deal with her mess.
Nora waved at Ana with urgency. "Open them."
Ana was not willing. "Why should I serve Omegas?"
"Because I say so!" Nora hissed and turned to Ana. "You volunteered to come as my helper. Help, or I will send you back, and my father will hear about this."
Nora made sure to hint how Ana came here of her own volition. Nora didn't want to be caught in whatever was about to happen between Ana and Dawn... and Talia.
Ana was confused to see that Nora was… scared. What the heck was going on?
Ana tugged on a zipper angrily, tearing the delicate plastic in the process.
"I hope you won't accuse us of breaking those," Dawn said to Nora.
"Of course, not. It's just a bag. You will get to keep what you choose."
Dawn cocked an eyebrow. "Does that mean Ana tore my garment bag?"
Ana couldn't hold it in anymore. "Who do you think you are? Just because we got orders to bring these and help you get ready, you can't boss us around. You should be grateful that… ugh…" Ana groaned when she felt an aura pressing on her.
Talia stood up and stalked to Ana.
"Miss Nora, your Omegas have no manners," Talia said. "I remember when you visited, you said that our Omegas lack discipline. How do you explain this?"
Nora's lips trembled as she was suppressing her smile. Nora hoped that Ana would step on a landmine and invoke George's wrath, but upsetting Talia was an unexpected treat.
"I apologize," Nora said with an exaggerated sigh. "We didn't teach them properly."
"Who are you?" Ana asked Talia angrily the moment Talia retracted her aura.
Talia was now standing only a step away from Ana. "You don't know who I am? I must say that I'm disappointed."
Ana's brows came together in confusion. Why did Talia sound like they should know each other? And why was Talia's scent familiar?
Talia watched as Ana's expression changed while pieces fell into place.
"You are the rat who lived in the attic," Ana said in disbelief. "How is this possible?"
"Is it so difficult to believe that a girl you bullied for years is right in front of you?"
Dawn and Zina knew that Talia came from the Red Moon pack, but they didn't know the details.
Dawn's heart ached when she remembered Talia's sorry appearance when she came to the Dark Howlers pack. A small, skinny girl, covered in bruises, quiet… and in the light of this information, it all made sense.
Nora was totally confused. Why did Ana mention the attic? Nora recollected Marcy talking about a girl who stayed in the attic of their packhouse. Nora never paid attention to Omegas, and she never cared about dusty places like a basement or an attic, so she didn't take note of random talk about an Omega who disappeared from there, but… was that Talia?
Talia enjoyed seeing Ana's face losing color as she realized the reality where a nobody from the attic now stood in front of her and was preventing her from moving.
Ana couldn't move a finger, and she knew it was because of Talia.
"You… you…" Ana stuttered while struggling to talk. "You can't do this. Alpha Edward will investigate. He will punish you for harming me."
Talia shook her head. "It seems that a lowly Omega like yourself didn't hear the latest news. I wonder if Alpha Edward will care about an Omega to the point of offending an Alpha he wants an alliance with."
Ana's eyes flashed in disbelief. "An Alpha?"
Zina was happy she got to see that pompous Omega reduced to her size of nothingness, and she bit her lip so she doesn't spill the beans about Talia being not only Damon's Luna but also Alpha Natalia. Those were Talia's news to share, and she will do it in just a few hours, and Zina will be right there to witness it.
"Open the garment bags," Talia ordered Ana, who moved robotically, unable to resist the command.
They all stood in silence and watched as Ana took one by one dress out of garment bags and arranged them on the sofa carefully.
