Ch. 361..370

Chapter 361 – Top-secret Patients (3) [Bonus Chapter]

Author's note:

Here is a shoutout to Reader2022!

Thank you, Reader2022, for the Magic Castle!

Your generous gift prompted me to release this bonus chapter!

– – –

Note: comments that matter, gifts, and votes are available only on the NovelFire platform , where this novel is published.

Thank you for reading my story from the original source and not supporting people who are publishing my work without permission!

Now back to the novel… ??

– – –

When Talia and Damon reached the packhouse, Damon headed to the study in order to figure out guards for the house where Marcy and George were, and Talia went to the kitchen in order to get food for George.

Dawn and Zina were sitting on barstools and leaning over the kitchen island while commenting on an article in WW magazine that was open in front of them. It was obvious they were idling.

"There is no work at the time. All guests are busy with something. Why are you here?", Talia asked.

"Ivy and Lily are in town with Rose, and we volunteered to stay back. What if Commander George needs something?", Zina asked cheekily, and Dawn nodded in agreement.

Talia shook her head at her silly friends. She wanted to tell them that he was in the other house, in a zombie-like state, but she realized that she didn't think that through, so she went with the official version, "Marcy and Commander George went to tour our territory and won't be back for some time."

Dawn and Zina showed disappointed looks, and Talia felt guilty for lying to them, but she will tell them the truth once she figures out how to say it.

Everything happened so quickly and even Talia needed some time to process things.

Talia went to the pantry and fridge and picked up a few items from each. There were plenty of leftovers from lunch.

Talia took a picnic basket that will be perfect to take the food for two patients in one go, and she will have a free hand to fetch some of the herbs on her way.

"Are you going on a picnic with Alpha Damon?", Dawn asked with a knowing smile.

I wish. "Something like that.", Talia responded. "Tonight, plan to stay a bit longer after dinner. I have an important task for you." By then, Talia will figure out how to tell them about the current situation.

Zina eyed Talia curiously. "Important task?" It must be more than just important if Talia announced it in advance. Normally, they just get instructions that end with: do it right now.

"You will find out what it is then.", Talia said mysteriously. "It's nothing too demanding, but it will require secrecy."

"Oh…", A sound escaped Dawn's lips. "So, you want us to do something secretly and no one to know about it."

"That's demanding already.", Zina said through giggles. "Are you planning a super-sexy surprise for Alpha Damon, and you want us to operate the fog machine?"

Dawn rolled her eyes. "What fog machine? It must be to set up a romantic spot that will provide privacy…"

"Nonsense.", Zina cut off Dawn. "It will be a sexy performance and she needs background dancers…"

Talia shook her head at her two friends who were guessing naughty stuff, but she didn't want to give them any hints at that time.

Talia knew that she shouldn't disclose that George is an Alpha, but… should she tell them that he ended up in a sorry condition because of the severed mate bond? Maybe she could say that rogues attacked him. But how can she explain Marcy's condition? And how can they be bedridden due to an attack when none of them has visible injuries?

Talia was never good at lying, so she needed to prepare for this. The truth was the best option, but Talia was not sure how much of the truth she should reveal. The good thing was that she had until evening to prepare for this reveal.

…

Talia was pleased with herself that she convinced Damon to deal with his matters and not tag along with her. It was just Talia bringing food and flowers, and she had no intention to linger.

In the garden, she collected lavender and passionflower, and on her way through the forest, she got chamomile. Travis gave her a few more herbs on the list, but they were not on the way, and she didn't have much time.

Talia remembered Gideon's garden, and there Talia saw a few plants she was looking for. Talia decided to ask Gideon for some when she gets a chance.

Talia knew that dried plants will release more of their fragrance, and she thought of storing them in cloth pouches that can be kept next to her two patients, but that will take a few days to prepare, and she really hoped that George and Marcy will snap out of it by then.

Talia's first destination was the kitchen. She found two vases and separated flowers so that both Marcy and George have some in their rooms.

With a vase and a bowl of fruits, Talia went to Marcy's room first.

Marcy was still unconscious, lying on the bed, like sleeping, and there was a small frown on her now pale face.

Talia didn't forgive Marcy for what she did in the Red Moon pack. And she didn't forgive Marcy's naughty attitude from earlier that day.

However, Talia felt sorry that Marcy was in such a bad condition. No one deserves to lose a mate.

Talia didn't get it, why did Marcy reject George as her mate?

Talia remembered that she was scared of Damon at first, and then she thought how he was willful and unstable, and she didn't know they were mates, but even with that, Talia craved for Damon's proximity. When he was around, she was not alone. At that time, Talia thought that he was only playing with her, but she still cherished every moment they spent together.

Talia gave Damon many of her firsts and she wouldn't regret a single one because it felt so right that it couldn't be wrong.

As a total opposite of that, Marcy rejected her mate. Why would anyone reject a person who was created to make them happy? Or maybe it's not happy.

The Moon Goddess pairs werewolves to form a perfect match, giving them exactly what they need, and maybe Marcy and George were not supposed to make each other happy, maybe it was something else, and what that else might be… only the two of them knew.

Talia went back to the kitchen to fetch a tray with food that was prepared for George. This one had more than just fruits, and it also came with a vase of fragrant flowers.

In George's room, Talia placed the tray with food and the vase on the bedside table and looked at George.

George was on the bed, staring at the ceiling with an unfocused gaze. The only difference between him and Marcy was that his eyes were open.

Unsure if she should say anything to him, Talia turned to rearrange flowers in the vase. Just coming and going without a word felt weird.

Can he even hear her? Doctor Travis said that he can.

Will he approve of her talking? Well, if he tells her to shut up, at least it will be some reaction, and anything will be better than this.

Talia steeled her resolve and spoke to George, "I brought you food."

He didn't move a muscle.

"I'm sorry you went through that experience. I can't imagine how much it hurts to be rejected by a mate." Just the thought of Damon pushing her away was giving Talia a glimpse of anguish that comes with the soul being torn apart. "We won't tell anyone about what happened, unless we have to, and we estimate that we can conceal this for a few days. Focus on yourself and getting better."

Talia made a step closer to the bed.

"I don't expect you to respond to me, but I hope you are listening. I know it hurts, but you can't do this to yourself. There must be people waiting for you to return home. Think about them."

 

Chapter 362 – George’s Pain

With George not showing any signs that he wanted to communicate, Talia didn't want to linger.

"I will be back in the evening to take this away and bring fresh food. No one will disturb you. If you need anything, you only need to shout, and someone will come to check on you."

She said her goodbyes and left.

What Talia didn't see was that George's eyes moved when Talia closed the door behind her.

George heard Talia. He was aware of everything happening around him, but he didn't have the desire to respond. It was like all that was happening to someone else and he was observing from the third person's point of view.

Detachment allowed him to ease the pain, but the truth was that he felt hollow, like someone removed an important part from his chest. He was an empty shell, without a drive to react to external stimuli.

Why did the Moon Goddess give him Marcy as a mate? To teach him a lesson? To steel his resolve that he needs to demolish the Red Moon pack?

He heard that Marcy was in the room next door and that she was not doing well, and he didn't care. That was a relief. His indifference was proof that the bond was broken, and he won't be influenced by the persistent urge to stick to Marcy and to claim her as his.

The unbelievable part was that if Marcy didn't reject him, he would probably drop the whole revenge part if she asked him to. He would do anything to make her happy, and as the son-in-law of the Red Moon pack with the Alpha bloodline who is definitely more capable than James, the chances were high that George would become the next Alpha of the Red Moon pack without the need to spill blood.

That moment in the garden when he met Marcy the first time, was the fork on George's path, and he could continue with his revenge, or give up on it, and Marcy's rejection decided for him.

After Marcy's rejection, George spent days drifting between anguish and agony, wondering what he did wrong to be rejected by his other half as his heart ached like someone stabbed him repeatedly, and only when numbness replaced pain, he was able to breathe.

George heard updates about Marcy, but he avoided seeing her out of fear that he will experience that pain again. Luckily, she didn't come to the training ground.

When George heard that it's set for Marcy to go to the Dark Howlers pack, he decided to go with her. Did she really think that she will be the Luna of some other Alpha after what she did to him? George was determined to spoil Marcy's plans, even if that meant he needed to go through the same hell again.

It was easy to manipulate Alpha Edward into giving that task to George, and George was surprised that when he finally faced Marcy again, instead of pain there was anger.

Well… things unfolded the way they did, and after George realized that his innocent mate is a slut without a shred of morality, chasing after money and power, just like the rest of her family, he accepted her rejection.

Isn't this what she wanted? She wanted the freedom to be with someone else, and Geroge gave it to her. Marcy was definitely not aware of the pain that comes when mate rejects his other half but George didn't have any desire to think about her anymore.

He needed to focus on himself.

This pain of mate bond breaking completely was stronger than he thought it will be. How long will he need to resemble a normal being? Will he be able to recover? He could barely feel his wolf.

Talia said that they could conceal this for some time, and he knew that he should snap out of it because if Alpha Edward finds out about this, George will be in trouble… but the problem was that George had no willpower to do anything.

The emptiness in his chest was expanding and threatening to engulf him completely, and he hoped that when that happens, the pain will go as well. He was tired… tired of training and fighting and trying and pretending that he is a grateful orphan who made a name for himself among warriors, and he wanted it all to stop.

Why was he struggling? To avenge people who were already dead? Surely, if his parents were anything like what he heard in stories, they would wish for George to leave all this behind and to lead a happy life, but that glimpse of happiness disappeared with Marcy's rejection. There was no point in continuing.

Darkness was consuming him, and he allowed it to happen. He wanted it to end.

– – –

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– – –

After an unknown measure of time, Talia's words echoed in George's mind, 'There must be people waiting for you… think about them…'

He remembered Estelle and other Omegas that are living in his villa. What will happen to them if George gives up and doesn't return to the Red Moon pack?

And it's not just them, there are many others in the Red Moon pack who were originally from the Frostcrest pack.

Every Friday evening, they would gather in the forest behind George's villa. There would be a bonfire and drinks, and they would reminiscence the days from before George could remember. The mood was light, and George would eagerly wait for someone to whisper about Alpha Conor and Luna Eliana, and how amazing they were.

Those Friday evenings were bringing him peace and comfort, and George knew that those people were in the Red Moon pack only because the other option was to rebel and end up as rogues, or in the dungeon, or worse… dead.

If they had a choice, they would still be part of the Frostcrest pack and living their peaceful lives.

Since he found out about his background, George listened to stories of people who had professions like a baker, a hunter, a weaver, a florist, and they were proud to be members of the Frostcrest pack. Those friendly people accepted a life worse than Omegas, working dirty and hard jobs, because that's how the ones who didn't originate from the Red Moon pack were treated.

No one spoke about the future because they didn't want to think about it. They gave up hope for a better tomorrow. Their Alpha and Luna were gone, their prince was missing, and they were looking forward to Friday evenings when they could lift their heads and share their griefs with people who understood their situation.

They thought George Shaw was dead, yet there he was, hidden behind the alias Commander George, listening to their stories that told him there was a group of people happily recollecting the days when his parents were alive, and they had no idea that he was right there… and he could make their dreams come true.

Isn't that what an Alpha should do? Fight for his people?

His father fought and died, and George thought how that was valiant. Shouldn't he do the same? Fight, so that his people can have a better life?

Is that why the Moon Goddess sent him Marcy? Because he was delaying to make his move? Was he getting complacent as the Commander, and he forgot his purpose? Was Marcy a reminder that the Redmayne family is corrupted beyond redemption and that he had to remove them in order for his people to walk with their heads held high all the time?

George rolled to the side and groaned at the pain that wrecked his insides.

He curled into a fetal position and repeated silently that he needs to get through this because Talia was right. Estelle and many others were waiting for him to return, and he will kill Alpha Edward and… he didn't think beyond that, but he knew that he will free the world from the existence of the Red Moon pack. That will be his legacy.

—

Chapter 363 – Concealing The Secret

Maya returned from her shopping with Nora and Mindy, and as soon as they unloaded shopping bags from the car, Maya went to visit Gideon.

After training, Caden went to set up security cameras in the house where Marcy and George were.

Mindy and Kalina were eager to hear more details about the whole Marcy and George business and they met with Talia in the lounge.

After confirming that Nora was in her room, and other guys from the Lightclaw pack were resting, Talia played loud music to cover up their voices as she gave them the latest updates.

Mindy and Kalina were flabbergasted. Talia told them that morning that she suspected how something was happening between Marcy and George, but them being mates brought the whole thing to a totally different level.

Maya told them that she and Mindy will take Nora shopping in an attempt to keep Nora busy after lunch without further explanations, and now it all made sense in a completely unexpected way.

"The story of how they are sightseeing the territory won't hold on for long.", Kalina said. "What will you do if they don't wake up soon? And even if they wake up, they might start shouting how you did something to their wolves and deny the whole mate thing. It's not like you can prove it. The bond is gone now."

Talia shrugged helplessly. "Let's take this one step at a time. We hope they will wake up, and leave this place on their own, otherwise, we will need to come up with some majestic excuse as to why they came here, disappeared, and no one saw them leaving. There is no way we can deliver them in their current state, and if they get worse… I don't want to think about it."

"Don't worry, Lia.", Mindy said. "You can count on us. We will help how much we can."

"Help with what?", Nora's voice came from the door.

Mindy cursed internally. She was about to suggest how they can kill Marcy and George while they are incapacitated. Two people will wear disguises and dress up as Marcy and George in order to make appearances in the human town and leave evidence behind, with the last traces being two plane tickets to Vegas. The official story will be that Marcy and George eloped. The plan needed some polishing here and there, but it was solid. Unfortunately, now that Nora came, Mindy's brilliant plan will need to wait to see the light of day.

"We were talking about the upcoming party.", Kalina was quick to respond. "We are running out of time, and Marcy decided to check out the territory of the Dark Howlers pack."

Nora's eyebrows shot up. "She did? When will she be back?"

"Who knows?", Mindy said. "Marcy is acting like this is a vacation, and all the hard work fell on our shoulders. George is accompanying her."

Kalina bobbed her head. "Well, we were planning to make this a surprise party and we were ready, but Marcy introduced some changes at the last moment, and now we are not sure if she even wants to attend."

Nora smiled brightly. She didn't care about the pesky details. With Marcy and George out of the way, she felt like invisible shackles were gone and she could breathe freely. If it's up to Nora, Marcy and George will be away for a week, or longer. Who cares about an entitled princess and a commander?

"Don't worry, ladies.", Nora said in a singing voice while making her way toward them. "I will help. I got the perfect dress and shoes, so I am available. Let's make this party awesome!"

Talia thought how this will work. This can keep Nora busy and away from the packhouse. Besides, didn't Mindy just volunteer to help?

"That's very generous of you, Nora.", Talia said. "Before dinner, you can go with Mindy to the party store and finalize choices of balloons and streamers. Marcy mentioned that she wants white and purple. Feel free to add a third color."

"Golden!", Nora said immediately.

Talia remembered that in the Red Moon pack everything is glitzy and there is a lot of golden accents. No wonder Nora chose that one.

But just agreeing might be suspicious, so Talia added, "Don't forget that this is the Dark Howlers pack, so you should have some dark gray or black items." Nora nodded earnestly and Talia continued, "In the morning you will check the bakery. We ordered the main cake and pastries. You will need to ensure they are on time and taste samples… With you checking all these, I can focus on watching that everything is set up here properly… The butcher will prepare a boar. Remind him that it needs to be here by noon so that we start roasting it… Soup and appetizers will come from a restaurant…"

The more Talia spoke, the more Nora's face fell. With so many things left to do, she won't have much time to mingle with guys. She was planning to go to the training center and ask a hunk (possibly Alpha Damon) to show her some moves!

Nora reminded herself that she will have plenty of time to flirt at the party. Also, this will be a great chance to show what she can do and leave her personal touch for tomorrow's party, and Alpha Damon will definitely be impressed. Who knows? With Marcy out of the way, Maybe Nora ends up dancing with him tomorrow, and then they will do much more than dancing!

Nora was all giddy while thinking about it.

– – –

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– – –

By dinner time, Damon arranged guards around the house where Marcy and George were, Caden set up cameras so that they could see two patients and if anyone comes close the house, Maya met with Gideon and returned with a bundle of herbs, and Talia spoke with Travis after his evening visit.

Everyone had updates to share, and since Talia didn't have the mind-link, the four of them headed to study after dinner.

They were all thinking about the situation with Marcy and George, and didn't notice that James was trailing them.

"Alpha Damon…", James called as Damon reached to open the door of the study. "Can we have a word?"

Damon looked at the teenager. "In private, or…?"

James glanced at Maya, Caden, and Talia. "They can be present."

Damon had a bad feeling about this. Normally, James was absentminded or trying not to attract attention, yet now he was confident and slightly cocky.

Damon sat behind his desk, and Talia stood by his side. Maya and Caden were also there, with their backs to the wall, and James took a seat on the chair opposite Damon.

"How can I help you?", Damon asked.

"This is about my sister.", James went straight to the point. "Maybe Nora believes nonsense how Marcy and George went sightseeing, but I don't."

 

Chapter 364 – Negotiating With A Teenager [Bonus Chapter]

Author's note:

Here is a shoutout to blackfirerose!

Thank you, blackfirerose, for the Magic Castle!

Your generous gift prompted me to release this bonus chapter!

– – –

Note: comments that matter, gifts, and votes are available only on the NovelFire platform , where this novel is published.

Thank you for reading my story from the original source and not supporting people who are publishing my work without permission!

Now back to the novel… ??

– – –

The air in the study stilled.

James just said how he knows that something was fishy with Marcy and George, and he was not wrong.

Damon, Talia, Maya, and Caden were looking at James, and all of them wondered the same thing: how much did he know?

Damon's expression didn't crack as he asked James, "What are you trying to say?"

"I'm saying that they didn't go sightseeing and you are trying to cover it up.", James responded with confidence.

"That's a serious accusation. How about you explain what gave you the courage to say something like that?.", Damon spoke icily, releasing some of his aura as a warning.

James shrunk a little, feeling as if someone pressed on his shoulders, but he was determined to move on with his plan. Besides, it was too late to back away.

"They didn't join us for dinner. Your Beta made sure that Nora was away for the afternoon while I was stuck in training. Why would Marcy spend a day with George when her goal for coming here was to get close to you? And you said that she might be away longer. Assuming that my sister wanted to see something, she wouldn't go with just George, and she would definitely be back by now. She came here to be your Luna and she can go sightseeing later. But even if my sister would do something like that, George is a different story. He always followed orders and his orders were not do to anything that would jeopardize Marcy's chances to become your Luna. With the two of them alone for a prolonged period, it will create an ambiguous situation." James ended by giving Damon a knowing look.

Damon looked at James in a different light. A dimwitted teenager was actually quite observant.

By now, Damon confirmed that James wanted something. If he already had all those things figured out, he would alert his father, if he wanted to, yet he didn't.

"I also doubt that you want to make my sister your Luna.", James said, and his eyes moved to Talia. "Even a blind person would see that your attention is on Miss Talia. Mistresses stay invisible when the wife is around, or in this case, the future wife, yet you are acting like my sister doesn't exist. Even if you don't want to make my sister your Luna, you shouldn't provoke her openly. My guess is that Miss Talia is to you more than a mistress." James looked at Damon and smiled cockily. "Feel free to interrupt me if I am wrong."

Damon waved at James to continue. "I am interested to hear what else you have to say."

James raised his hands, palms toward Damon. "I didn't come here to provoke you."

Damon leaned over his executive desk, closer to James. "And why are you here?"

"I will keep my assumptions to myself, as long as you give me something in return.", James said.

Damon couldn't believe it. Was he being blackmailed?

"And what is to say I won't kick your ass into the dungeon?"

James was alerted. "There is no need for hostility. You need me."

It was Damon's turn to be surprised. "I do?"

"When George doesn't give his daily report tomorrow morning, my father will start asking questions."

Damon expected that Alpha Edward will keep tabs on Marcy, but he didn't expect daily reports. This might be a problem. But the bigger problem right now was the pompous teenager who caught onto something, and Damon needed to settle things with him first. "And you will go against your father and help me?"

"This is not really against my father. It's just giving you extra time to deal with whatever you are facing. If you can't fix it, my action will only delay my father finding out the truth, and if you fix it, then no harm will be done. In the meantime, I can give reports instead of George. George is my mentor, and he was never good with electronics. I know his passwords and style of writing."

Looking at James' annoyingly confident expression, Damon regretted allowing the group from the Red Moon pack to come here. Surely, just rejecting them from the start wouldn't be this complicated. In less than a day, Marcy and George were bedridden, James was scheming something, and Damon had a feeling that the fourth one (aka Nora) will also cause trouble. During the whole dinner, she was smiling and looking his way, even though he didn't spare her a glance.

Damon was tired of playing games, so he went to the point. "What do you want in return?"

James' face exploded into a grin. He was waiting for this. "I will fake George's reports, and you fake mine."

Damon didn't get it. "Fake what reports?"

"The training ones." James turned to look at Caden. "Create reports on how I am doing great, but not too great. If it's too good, my father will want a demonstration."

"You want to skip training.", Caden concluded.

"You can call it that way if you wish.", James said to Caden, and turned back to Damon. "Assign one or two warriors to drive me around when I need it. I don't have a driver's license and I want to check out Darkbourne and human city. I won't cause trouble. I want to visit arcades, interactive museums, shopping malls, and anything that can be interesting for a teen like me. I have a list…" James reached into the back pocket of his jeans and placed a randomly folded piece of paper. "After breakfast, I will send a report to my father. If you want me to put anything specific in the report, let me know. After that, I will head out and return in the evening. I expect that you give me a credit card for expenses or some cash. If I use my card, my father will find out about it. In exchange, I will make sure that my father doesn't suspect a thing."

Damon looked at the paper that had a number of places like a bowling alley, skydiving center, and go-cart, and he realized that James wanted to have fun outside Alpha Edward's grasp.

James remembered one more thing. "Oh, and if this lasts more than a few days, I want a television and a game console in my room, to keep me busy."

"You are not going to ask what happened to your sister?", Damon asked.

"No.", James said without missing a beat. "The less I know, the better. However, be aware that my father invested a lot to make Marcy your Luna. If you plan to get out of that, you better prepare a good exit strategy and watch your back. There are people in your pack that are supporting my father's agenda in making Marcy your Luna."

Damon frowned at this. He knew about Elder Charlie and Elder Samson, but why did James sound like there are many?

"Do you know who from my pack is involved?"

James shook his head. "I found out this much by pretending to be stupid. George might know since he is the Commander who came to escort my sister here. I'm sure that my father gave him special instructions, but how special… you will need to talk to George about it."

James looked at Damon expectantly. "So? What do you say? Do we have a deal?"

"What about Nora?", Maya asked.

"What about her?", James responded with a question. "She is Beta's daughter no one cares about, and she cares only about herself. To be honest, I can't stand her. If Nora goes missing, people will assume she ran off with some high-ranking member. If you want, I can include that in one of my reports…"

Chapter 365 – James Redmayne

James left the study in a good mood.

He never had a chance to relax and enjoy his youth, and this might be his first and last chance to do so. James was not exaggerating to think that.

From a young age, James was training to improve his strength and stamina. When he was not training, he would study the history of werewolves, military tactics, economics, and anything his father deemed important for an Alpha.

At first, James tried his best to please his father, but soon he realized that no matter how much he tried, and no matter how good he scored, it was never good enough. His father would parade him as some kind of a trophy in front of other Alphas, but when it was just them, James was almost ignored. However, he still pushed himself with the hope he will get the praise that never came.

James was confident that when he gets older, his achievements will also soar, and he will get his father's approval. Little did he know how those were the good days and that the troubles were yet to come.

James was about twelve years old when his wolf stirred, and to James' horror, there was no Alpha aura present.

His trainer at that time said how that was odd. Alpha's aura is not related to age, but it's in one's DNA, and when the wolf just starts appearing, the aura would come out uncontrollably, which didn't happen with James.

James was quick to set up his trainer for stealing and to discredit him. That's how James got as a new trainer the latest rising star in his father's army, George.

George assessed James and he said how there are cases of late bloomers, and James must be it, and Alpha Edward bought it.

James didn't ask if that was the truth or if George lied for him, but it worked for both of them. Since then, James was training hard and trying not to stand out in any way.

However, James was aware that even if the late bloomer story was true, he was running out of time. If by eighteenth birthday James doesn't show he has the Alpha aura, his reputation as the promising Alpha of the next generation will be tarnished.

Does he have that aura? With every passing day, James' hopes were fading, and when he took into consideration his parents' debauchery, James started suspecting that he is not Alpha Edward's biological son. Luna Layla has in her ancestry people with Alpha and Beta genes, but she herself didn't have them until Alpha Edward marked her.

James could dispel his doubts with a DNA test, but his father has people everywhere, and if it turns out that James and Alpha Edward are not related, and Alpha Edward finds out about it… James had no idea what the consequences would be. Would his father kick him out, kill him, or maybe pretend that everything was fine? After all, his father pretends about many things.

Whatever the case will be, James had just over two years before he ran out of time, and he was determined to make it count.

When his father was watching, James was an obedient son, talking only when asked and otherwise pretending not to notice things, but now that he got some leverage, he will have fun, like any other teenager.

Yes, his sister might be in trouble, but James was aware that Marcy wouldn't move a finger for him so, why would he do anything for her?

And did she really think that James didn't notice how Marcy and George spent the night together in the motel? And when George returned, he smelled of Marcy! Gross.

James didn't want to think about Marcy, George, his non-existent Alpha aura, or anything unpleasant, because in the next few days he will have pure fun!

He fist-pumped in the air and entered his room. He wanted to sleep early because tomorrow will be an exciting day!

– – –

— This work is published on the NovelFire platform . Thank you for reading from the original site to support the author! —

– – –

In the study…

After James left, Damon, Talia, Maya, and Caden looked at each other helplessly.

Of course, Damon agreed to collaborate with James, but no one knew if James was an ally or a blackmailer. Probably both, for now.

Damon rubbed his forehead forcibly. He felt like an invisible leash was tightening around his neck, and he didn't like it.

"We need to find out who from our pack is working with Alpha Edward.", Damon said. "When things escalate, I don't want anyone backstabbing me. Now it's about Marcy, tomorrow will be something else, but the constant is that those people are willing to act against me. I want them found."

Damon spoke to Caden. "Talk to Elder Samson and Elder Charlie. See if they know others who are supporting Alpha Edward's agenda. Find out who is their contact in the Red Moon pack, and then see if anyone from our pack was in touch with that person."

"We asked them that and they refused to answer.", Caden said.

"Tell them that this involves the safety of their Luna. If anything happens to her, I will hold them accountable. Exaggerate more if needed."

Caden nodded in agreement, and Damon turned to Maya.

"What did Shaman say about fixing people whose bond was broken?"

"Shaman said that everyone is different, but overall, it's about them finding their will to live. Just as Doctor Travis said, there are ways to calm the mind in order to ease the suicidal tendencies, and they need a strong will and support to snap out of it. Unfortunately for Marcy, her brother doesn't want to know about her state, and her best friend seemed happy that Marcy is not around."

"We shouldn't tell Nora about Marcy's state.", Talia said. "She will only use it to her advantage."

They all agreed with this.

"As for Commander George…", Maya continued. "He is an orphan, no family on file, fanatic about training. He is in a better state compared to Marcy, but there is no guarantee it will improve."

"You brought some herbs.", Talia reminded Maya.

"Yes.", Maya responded and reached into her pocket to get a piece of paper. "Shaman gave me instructions on how to use them…"

Talia took the paper and skimmed through it.

Talia leaned to give Damon a quick kiss. "I will go and handle this. Zina and Dawn are waiting for me in the kitchen."

Damon didn't approve. He knew that Talia wanted to go and visit Marcy and George, and it was dark outside! "Wait until I finish here, and we will go together."

"You deal with things here, and I will do what I can.", Talia said. "It will be faster."

Damon wanted to go with Talia, but he had a lot of things to handle and he knew that Talia had a point. "Be careful. Don't be alone. Keep your phone handy."

"I will. I won't. I will.", Talia said and giggled at his frown. "Don't worry." She winked and left the study.

Damon let out a long breath and shook his head at the silly girl who was adorable even while getting him worried.

 

Chapter 366 – Nyotaimori

Damon had tasks for Caden, "Put extra cameras around James. I want to know when, where, and with whom he is communicating. Monitor the wi-fi traffic."

"You think that he will talk to Alpha Edward?", Caden asked.

"Maybe he already spoke to him.", Maya said with a frown. They didn't anticipate this mess, so they didn't tighten their security.

"I don't think he did.", Damon shared his thoughts. "James looks like a smart guy. If he wanted his father to know, he would tell him and continue to lay low until Alpha Edward makes his move."

"So, you think he is an ally?", Caden asked thoughtfully. "The kid obviously knows more than he allowed us to see. Will he reveal information about the Red Moon pack and Alpha Edward?"

"I don't know.", Damon admitted. "But I know that I don't like our current position. We should treat as a priority to get Marcy and George on their feet. When that happens, James will lose his leverage. I will leave it to Talia and Doctor Travis to take care of the patients."

If Talia could use her power to bring them into reality, that would be great, but Damon didn't know if Talia could actually do something like that. She healed him, but those were physical injuries, and this is different.

Unfortunately, they couldn't just test it out recklessly because of the risk of exposing Talia's powers to Marcy, George, and anyone who might be nearby. They can't use the mermaid excuse when things start flashing in the forest.

When thinking about the pros and cons, Damon decided that it's better for Talia to stay low. Her safety comes first, and he will deal with anything else to the best of his abilities.

Damon spoke to Maya, "Your role is to keep Nora busy. Get some soldiers to distract her. If she can be around and oblivious, that will be for the best. If we put her in the dungeon and ask James to cover up for it, it will be one more thing he has on us."

Maya looked at Damon with a smirk. "What soldiers? She has eyes only for you."

Damon frowned. "What?"

"Didn't you notice how she was looking at you?"

Damon's frown deepened. "I don't care where and how she is looking. Do your best to keep her busy. If Talia loses her temper…" He shook his head.

Maya remembered how Talia forced Jill to kneel in the restroom of the Shifters nightclub and Maya couldn't decide if that would be a good or a bad way to deal with Nora.

While Maya was thinking about Talia making others bow (and kneel) in submission, Damon was talking to Caden, "Let's reinforce security there so that no accidents happen…"

Damon didn't have a problem faking training reports and allowing James to have some fun, but the idea that James had something on Damon was unsettling. And James had more than just a few things.

Rumors were already spreading how Talia came from the Red Moon pack, and if Alpha Edward suspects that Talia is Damon's mate, he won't spare efforts to get his hands on her.

Tomorrow's party couldn't come fast enough.

The best course of action would be to cut ties with Marcy officially and then to introduce Talia as his mate, but now that Marcy was unconscious and rumors about Talia were spreading, Damon needed to do things out of order, and hope for the best.

– – –

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– – –

Talia entered the kitchen to see Dawn and Zina wiping the countertops.

"Did you wait long?", Talia asked.

"No.", Dawn responded. "We are almost done cleaning up."

Both Dawn and Zina looked at Talia expectantly and Talia knew that they wanted to find out about the big secret.

"Give me a minute to compose myself.", Talia said.

Talia was dazed by the overload of events. Her greatest fear was that Marcy will recognize her and cause trouble, or throw herself at Damon, but the reality was that so many other things happened, and Marcy placed Talia as Damon's mistress, and the most Marcy got to touch Damon was a handshake. Once. The whole day was crazy, and it was still not over.

Talia was eager to finish her evening visit to Marcy and George, and then to sink into Damon's comforting embrace.

"Are you OK?"

Zina's question reminded Talia that her expression was not good.

"Yeah. Help me prepare food for one. We should have plenty of leftovers from dinner, right?"

Talia frowned at the sight of Dawn and Zina elbowing each other. "What?"

"Food for one?", Dawn asked with a sly smile on her face. "Small bites?"

Talia shrugged. She didn't really think about the size of bites, but George was sick so… "Sure. If it's not very messy, that will be great."

"I knew it!", Dawn exclaimed. "Nyotaimori. That's so hot! Where are we doing it? Here? Or should we go to your bedroom? Or do you have another place on your mind?"

Talia was confused. Did Dawn just speak a foreign language? "What?"

Zina explained, "Dawn and I had a bet related to why you asked us to stay here for a secret mission. Dawn said that it will be food-related. It's obvious that she won."

Yes, the secretive thing was food-related, and it included taking food to George.

There was no need to take food for Marcy. Talia confirmed through the security video feed that Marcy was still unconscious.

But seeing Dawn's and Zina's elated expressions, Talia had questions. "What is a Nyo-ta-i-mo-ri?"

Dawn grinned. "It's when you lie down naked, and there is food all over you, and Alpha Damon gets to eat the food, and then he eats you. Traditionally, it's done with sushi, but considering that you are looking at leftovers from dinner, we can improvise…" Dawn paused when she saw Talia's bewildered expression. "Wait. It doesn't seem you are doing that."

"Hehe…", Zina giggled, happy that she didn't lose the bet. "What are we doing?"

"I am amazed at all the ideas you have.", Talia said while shaking her head. "I am intrigued about the human body being used as a serving plate, and I hope to hear more when we have time to chat. But now it's getting late, so we should focus on why we are here. This food is not going to be arranged on me, and it's not for Damon. It's for George…" Talia explained the current situation, and as she talked, the playful atmosphere turned solemn.

Dawn couldn't believe what she heard. "Marcy rejected her fated mate. That's a lot of bad karma right there. The Moon Goddess will punish her harshly. We should stay away from her, so it doesn't rub off on us."

"Why did she reject him?", Zina asked.

Talia shrugged. "Your guess is as good as mine."

"Aww…", Dawn whined. "I would give anything to have a mate like that."

"Like what?", Zina asked.

"Like Commander George.", Dawn said. "He is just the right combination of handsomeness and muscles. I bet that he can give his mate nights filled with carnal pleasures and endless orgasms. Marcy was blind or stupid to say no to that."

"The man is bedridden, and you are thinking about orgasms.", Zina teased Dawn.

"My orgasms have nothing to do with his condition.", Dawn responded matter-of-factly.

 

Chapter 367 – A Second Chance Mate

While thinking about how George was rejected by Marcy, Dawn felt her chest tightening. "I feel sorry for him, and I hope he gets his second chance mate."

Talia's ears perked up. What was that? "What's a second chance mate?"

Zina responded, "Sometimes, fated mates are not destined for a future where both of them grow old together. This is my first time to hear that mates rejected each other, but there are cases where one dies premature death, leaving the other mate behind. They say that the Moon Goddess rewards the worthy ones with a second chance mate, the one that will fill in the gap and make their lives worth living. The legend says that if a mated she-wolf is marked and her mate perishes, if her second chance mate exists, the mark on her neck will fade to make space for the new one."

Talia thought how that was fantastic. She didn't see the mark on Marcy (or George), but she hoped that George will get his second chance mate, someone better than Marcy.

Talia decided to go back to the topic. In order for George to get a second chance mate, he will need to recuperate from his current predicament.

"George is not in a good shape, you can think of him as a patient in a coma. Marcy is still unconscious. If this leaks out, Damon might get in trouble, and this can escalate quickly. Considering Damon's strained relationship with Alpha Edward, and the expectations for Marcy to be Damon's Luna, this situation can easily be misinterpreted. That's why Doctor Travis is working on getting them better. I want to ask you to go there twice a day to take food and ventilate or clean the place when needed. I will go at least once, so we should decide on shifts…"

Talia ended by asking Dawn and Zina to keep it a secret. "Other than the three of us, Damon, Maya, Caden, and Travis know about this. Even the warriors guarding the place don't know who is inside. Be mindful that it shouldn't spread further."

"Of course!", they responded in unison.

Dawn and Zina knew this was important, and Talia told them about it which meant that she trusted them. It was a big deal. After all, Talia was more than just a friend, she was their future Luna, and she shared with them something that might jeopardize the safety of their pack! Suddenly, Dawn and Zina felt the seriousness of the situation pressing on them.

Talia's heart warmed to see her friends were on board. She knew that they would do wonderfully. The whole concept of being a Luna was foreign to Talia, but with her friends helping her out, Talia thought how being the Luna of the Dark Howler's pack won't be so intimidating.

Since Dawn and Zina were aware of the current situation, it was time for planning the practical part.

"I want one of you to deliver breakfast and the other one dinner. You can decide which one of you will be responsible for which. I will handle lunch. In case you want to switch, let me know in advance. Is that fine?"

Damon asked Talia not to go herself, but she wanted to check on Marcy and George. Going once a day won't take much time, and it will give her a chance to get fresh herbs when needed.

Dawn and Zina played rock-paper-scissors and decided that Zina will deliver dinner, and Dawn breakfast.

Talia told them that she will go with both Dawn and Zina the first time, to show them the place.

While chatting, Dawn and Zina helped Talia pack the containers with leftovers from dinner, and a few fresh fruits and Talia got herbs that Maya brought from Gideon.

Dawn stayed to finish up cleaning the kitchen, and Zina went with Talia to deliver dinner to George.

Talia was comforted because her friends were part of this.

And it was not just Dawn and Zina; Maya, Kalina, and Mindy were doing their part also.

…

Zina and Talia returned shortly after Dawn finished cleaning the kitchen.

Zina went to the trashcan to dump the food they brought back.

"What's the situation there?", Dawn asked.

"Everything smells great.", Zina responded. "The flowers Talia put in those rooms are fantastic. I decided to get the same for my place."

Dawn rolled her eyes. She was asking about Marcy and George (well, mostly George), and Zina knew it.

Zina was obviously in the mood to tease Dawn, so the latter turned to Talia to ask, "How are they doing?"

"The same.", Talia responded.

Dawn gestured toward Zina who was busy dumping stuff into the trashcan. "I assume Commander George didn't eat."

"He didn't touch the food.", Talia said dejectedly. "He didn't eat anything since morning. How can he get better if he starves himself?"

"You should see him, D…", Zina said sadly, her playful mood gone. "He is such a yummy man, lying there, unmoving, like a sleeping beauty, waiting for a kiss of his true love to wake up from his slumber."

"So, why didn't you kiss him?", Dawn asked Zina. "Maybe you are the one to break the spell."

Zina made a face. She was almost serious, yet Dawn pulled her back into a playful mood. But that's why Zina loved Dawn, she always knew how to cheer her up. It was impossible to be sad with Dawn around, and Zina was always ready to do the same for her friend.

"I would kiss him if his eyes were not open. It really killed the romance.", Zina said with a grin.

"The man is in a coma, yet you think about romance." Dawn made a thoughtful expression. "You know, if you went for a kiss, it would be a win, no matter how it ended."

Zina cocked an eyebrow, "What do you mean?"

"If he doesn't react, you got a kiss. And if he slaps you, you woke him up.", Dawn said cheekily.

"Oy!", Zina protested. "What do you mean, SLAP me!? How can a man slap a woman because of a kiss?"

"He can. When the kiss is forced."

"Who said anything about forcing? It would be nice and gentle, and I'm sure he would love it. Besides, you will see in the morning when you go to deliver breakfast. He is right in the middle of the bed, not resisting at all. Will you give him that magical kiss? Or will you touch him?"

Dawn's face fell. "You are making it sound like I am a molester." In the next moment, she grinned. "Or… is he naked? I could touch that."

At the thought of naked George, Zina's eyes lit up. She turned to Talia and looked at her expectantly. "When are we going to give him a sponge bath?"

Talia was not sure if she should laugh or cry, but she knew that she shouldn't entertain their wild imagination. Things were getting out of hand quickly. Can she allow Dawn or Zina to go there on their own? George is defenseless! Talia didn't want to think about it.

"OK, ladies. I am leaving now."

Damon was waiting for her. The last text he sent was about him working in the study and that she can find him there when she finishes her work.

 

Chapter 368 – A Late Visit From Nora (1)

In the study…

Maya and Caden left a while ago, and Damon was reading reports. There was always work to do, and he decided to keep busy until Talia finishes with her visit to the patients, so they can go upstairs together.

Everyone was planning to head to the Shifters nightclub, and Damon asked Talia if she wanted to go, but she refused. With everything going on, Talia wanted to stay home, and Damon accepted that wholeheartedly. He would never say no to a night of cuddles (and much more) with his kitten.

Damon told Maya and Caden to go ahead without him and he will join when he finishes work, but Maya and Caden knew that Damon had no intention of joining them.

As a bonus for staying home, Damon got to wrap up extra work while waiting for Talia to finish with Dawn and Zina.

'KNOCK-KNOCK!'

Damon raised his gaze from the monitor to look at the door while wondering why would Talia knock. Maybe she was not sure if Caden and Maya left, or… was she doing some roleplay?

Damon remembered that Talia mentioned see-through nightwear and Damon's imagination went wild. What if she was wearing a sexy number and a coat to cover it up? Should he act like a boss, and Talia will be a disobedient employee that needs punishing? He will punish her until she moans his name breathlessly right on his executive desk, and then they would move on the sofa. Or should they start from his chair? Ah, the options!

'KNOCK-KNOCK-KNOCK!'

This series of knocks came with more urgency.

Damon adjusted his hard-on, ruffled his hair, and leaned lazily in the chair to look extra attractive, and then he called, "Come in!"

The door cracked open, and Damon's expression froze when he saw the person.

Nora.

Damon craned his neck to see if there was anyone behind her and he frowned when she closed the door. It was just Nora.

Somehow, Damon had a bad feeling about this.

So far, three out of four guests from the Red Moon pack caused him trouble, one way or another. Is this the part where he gets four out of four? This must be some kind of a record!

But the worst part was that Nora dared to come to the study without being summoned. If that were Tony or Maddox, Damon would assume they have something pack-related to discuss, but what can Nora talk about with Damon?

Her sickly-seductive smile told him that she didn't come to talk.

"Alpha Damon…", Nora called in a sultry voice that made his insides churn. "Am I disturbing you?"

Yes! I am very much disturbed!

'Kick her out of here!', Damon's wolf growled.

"Miss Nora, can I help you?", Damon asked stiffly while struggling to contain his wolf. Crippling Nora didn't sound like a wise thing to do. 'Calm down! She will leave. No need for violence.'

His wolf grumbled but eased up with hostility.

Nora smiled while making her way toward Damon in slow motion. "I heard that you are working late, and I was wondering if I can help you."

Damon's senses for danger were tingling but he kept his cool expression on. "You are a guest, Miss Nora. It would be impolite if I asked you to work. You should be having fun with…" He wanted to say Marcy, but he realized how that would take her attention to the topic he should avoid. "…other guests."

"Oh, I don't mind. I like to be useful. Besides, who said that working won't be fun?"

Damon remembered that Maya told him how Nora was taken care of. Maya wouldn't lie to Damon, but why was Nora here? "Shouldn't you be in the Shifters nightclub?"

Nora bobbed her head. "I told Mindy that I will go with Maya, and I told Maya that I will go with Mindy, and here I am, available to help you. Is there something I can do to ease your load? Anything is fine." She paused and gave him a seductive look. "Anything."

– – –

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– – –

Damon's brows came together in a frown. The fact that she tricked both Maya and Mindy in order to stay in the packhouse, told Damon that Nora won't give up easily.

"Miss Nora, there is nothing here for you to do. I will get one of my warriors to escort you to the Shifters nightclub so that you don't waste your evening here."

Nora pouted. "Come on, why are you so cold? Don't pretend that you don't remember."

Damon's insides tightened as the sense of crisis enveloped him. "Remember, what?"

"You were visiting the Red Moon pack and I came to your room. I offered you tea, singing a song, a massage, or myself. You picked the last."

Damon thought that the room was spinning as images of him taking Nora from behind flashed in his mind.

Damn it! It would be easier if she came to his study with a knife in her hand.

The only good thing was that Talia was not present to hear Nora's nonsense. Actually, it was not nonsense. It was the only time Damon was with a woman (other than Talia) after he found out that Talia was his mate.

He was stupid and he didn't understand the bond, and he was lucky that Talia's wolf was deep in slumber because if that beast was awake, Talia would feel the pain of her mate betraying her.

Yes, Damon didn't acknowledge their mate connection then, and he didn't know Talia's name or feel the addictive sparks that make him feel alive… but none of those changed the fact that he betrayed Talia. He will never forgive himself that ignorant act, and it seems that Nora didn't forget it.

Guilt was eating Damon from the inside, and he felt the urgency to get Nora out of his sight.

"That was then, Miss Nora. Please leave before someone sees you here and gets a wrong idea." And that someone would be Talia.

Nora cocked an eyebrow. "Are you worried about Marcy? She is not here. I waited for everyone to leave for the Shifters nightclub before coming here. Only some Omegas are around, and I'm sure they are not important." She moved closer to his desk and leaned over it. "No one will know."

Damon felt rage bubbling inside him. He was about to respond, but the words got stuck in his throat when he realized that the door behind Nora was open. He craned his neck to see Talia narrowing her eyes at the scene of Nora leaning over his desk.

He failed to realize in time how the rage that consumed him was not his.

Cold sweat drenched Damon's back. Based on Talia's expression, this was not good. How much did she hear?

—

Chapter 369 – A Late Visit From Nora (2)

Damon cursed internally. Stupid Nora! How is it possible that she ignored the fact that Damon didn't spare her a glance since she arrived at the Dark Howlers pack? Did she think how he was playing coy? And why did she come to the study and flap her mouth?

Damon felt like strangling Nora. The mental image of her dying felt oddly satisfying. Didn't James say no one would miss her?

'Now we are talking!', Damon's wolf exclaimed in his head.

Damon cursed silently. 'Stop with that nonsense. We need to pacify Talia who is about to explode.'

'Mate will be pacified when we snap Nora like a twig.', Damon's wolf said excitedly while urging Damon to spill blood. 'If you did that right away, we wouldn't be in this trouble. Tear her limbs off!'

'You are NOT helping!'

Damon decided to ignore the voice in his head and focus on what mattered. Talia.

"Kit…", he swallowed the rest when Talia shot him a glare, and he understood that the soft approach won't work. He needed a different strategy.

Damon cleared his throat. "Talia, good that you are here. I was just telling Miss Nora how she should go and have fun with other guests."

Nora eyed Talia condescendingly. Yes, Nora noticed the cozy mood between Damon and Talia during dinner, but Nora saw Talia as an assistant who was warming Damon's bed. Surely, a Beta's daughter has an advantage over some skinny nobody, and also… Damon didn't kick her out, which should mean Nora has a chance, and this was not a chance she was willing to pass on easily.

"You think that Miss Nora should go?", Talia asked Damon without removing her gaze from Nora. "I would like her to explain why she is here. It must be important when she came to visit you so late in the evening. I must wonder, if you were not here but in the bedroom, would she go to look for you there?"

Nora rolled her eyes at Talia. "There is no need to talk in riddles. You know very well why I am here."

Talia felt her insides boiling from anger. "What gave you the courage to come and offer yourself to Alpha Damon?"

"What makes you think that you can monopolize him?", Nora responded with a question. "A man like him has a big appetite that little you can't satisfy. Why don't you think about what Alpha Damon needs?"

Talia couldn't believe this. "And you think that he needs you?"

"Well, I am still here. If he didn't want me, he would tell me to scram."

Damon swallowed a mouthful of air. Didn't he tell her to leave already? It seems that Nora filtered out those parts.

Talia's eyes moved to Damon. "Do you want her here?"

Damon shook his head like a rattle drum, but he was behind Nora, so she didn't see how panicked he became.

"Why do you make it sound like I need an invitation?", Nora asked Talia with a frown. "I am a guest in this packhouse, and it's not like I sneaked in without permission. I knocked and Alpha Damon said I can come in. Who are you to decide if I should stay or leave?" Nora's lips lifted into a grin. "Alpha Damon and I are not strangers. You see, when he visited the Red…"

'PAK!'

Damon karate-chopped Nora at the back of her neck and she fell on the floor like a ragdoll.

When Talia appeared, Damon was caught by surprise and he needed a moment to find the right approach and minimize his losses. He knew that if Nora continued talking, he will be in a heap of trouble. He needed to shut her up, and he needed to do it fast, and he did… but how can he explain that he just knocked Nora out?

And here it was, Talia's question full of anger, "Why did you do that?"

Damon felt beads of sweat forming on his forehead.

Think, Damon! Think!

– – –

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– – –

And just like that, in a moment of crisis, Damon got an idea.

"Your eyes."

Talia was confused. "My eyes?"

Damon nodded earnestly. "Specks of silver were emerging, and I had to take Nora out before she realizes how awesome you are. You saw the situation. Nora was here throwing herself shamelessly at me and trying to sow discord in our relationship. I could deal with all that, and I wanted to send her away amicably in order not to escalate and potentially owe James a favor, but if Nora saw your ability, we would be in trouble. I had to act swiftly."

Talia's brows came together. Specks of silver in her eyes? Talia was not sure if Damon was telling the truth or if he was trying to swindle her. Yes, she was angry, and she wanted to slap Nora into tomorrow, but she was not out of control, and there was no hot sensation in her stomach.

After all, everyone knew that Nora was sleeping around and targeting high-ranking members, and Talia was mentally ready that Nora will make her move on Damon. It was just a matter of when.

However, the biggest giveaway of how something was off were Damon's emotions. He was a nervous wreck, and Talia could feel it.

"What was she trying to say, Damon? It sounded like you know each other very well. How come you were not friendly with Nora during dinner? Don't tell me that you fucked her also!? Is that why you made sure she can't talk?", Talia squeezed through her teeth.

Damon's insides were tied into painful knots. Talia said the word 'fuck', which meant she was furious. His kitten never uses such crass words.

He wanted to deny it, but he knew that would be just one lie on top of another.

Damon didn't tell Talia about Nora because it would only upset her, and it wouldn't change anything. When they were at the Lightclaw pack, Damon pretended that he didn't know why Nora would come to his room.

The truth was that Damon barely remembered Nora from the Red Moon pack. Taking Nora from behind was just one of the thousands of similar experiences, and it didn't stand out in any way other than him feeling unsatisfied because he wished that was Talia. If Damon knew that Nora would repeatedly come for seconds, he would chase her away from his room at the Red Moon pack, even without Talia in the picture.

But this was not about one annoying she-wolf who wouldn't take no for an answer. This was about Talia and his guilt that was clashing with Talia's anger and wreaking havoc in his body. His insides were churning, and he thought that he was about to throw up.

Damon shoved his hand into his hair. There was no way he would say that he fucked Nora, but he couldn't lie.

"Do you really want me to answer that?"

Talia pressed her lips into a line, and Damon was quick to approach her.

He wanted to hold her hands, but she stepped away to avoid him. "Don't touch me!"

 

Chapter 370 – A Late Visit From Nora (3)

Talia knew that Damon was promiscuous, and she told herself many times that the past will be in the past, but Nora was right there, and Talia couldn't stop all kinds of thoughts from surfacing into her mind.

"I didn't realize that you came to the Red Moon pack to shag both Nora and Marcy. Did you have more women on your list?", Talia spoke angrily.

Damon cursed under his breath. If he denies sleeping with Marcy, it will confirm that he slept with Nora. Sure, Talia already caught up on that, but he didn't want to say it. And Talia was still talking.

"Did bumping into me at the Red Moon pack disrupt your plans?" Her eyes moved toward Nora. "It seems it didn't because you were dipping your pecker in whoever was willing even after you found out that you have a mate!"

Damon knew he deserved it, but he didn't want to allow this to escalate more than it did already.

"Kitten, listen… you know I was a scoundrel, and I did all kinds of despicable things. However, since I realized what the mate bond is and what we have, I am a changed man." This was the truth. "Don't judge me based on my initial ignorance. Yes, I needed some time to understand what's important, but since you came here I didn't touch any other woman. Please, don't let my past spoil what we have."

Talia's chest was hurting, and she could barely breathe. She felt his remorse and she knew he meant it, but still… "It's easy for you to say. What if that was my past? What if men who bedded me were popping up every few days? How would you deal with it?"

The thought of Talia's non-existent exes was making Damon's temper rise as smoldering jealousy that can only be calmed by spilling blood, but he was aware that he had no right to be upset, so he swallowed all those emotions.

Talia knew everything already and he didn't know how to fix it, so he kept quiet.

If she was shouting at him or hitting him, things would be better, but she looked at him with hurt and disappointment, and that was killing him on the inside.

Seeing that Damon was not saying anything, Talia turned on her heel and moved to leave the study.

"Where are you going?", Damon asked with urgency, and Talia's steps halted.

When she entered the study, Talia felt fury swelling inside her and she thought that she will rip Nora into pieces, but the truth was that Talia was tired of fighting with the ghosts of Damon's past.

Talia's wolf was still sleeping while her powers were emerging, Axel wanted to take her away, more and more people were talking about her as a future Luna, Marcy's and George's situation was threatening to bring many problems, and Talia was not sure how much more she can handle without crumbling.

Her biggest pillar of support was tainted with women who experienced his intimate embrace and that was like a knife lodged into Talia's heart, and every time one of those women emerged, Talia felt like someone twisted the knife, causing her soul to cry in agony.

She wanted to drown in the comfort that came with Damon's proximity, but how can he comfort her when he was the source of her pain?

Talia felt the need to curl into a corner and hide her presence until things get better, or at least until she learns to blur out the mental image of Damon and Nora.

"I'm tired, Damon. I want to rest."

So many things happened, and Talia was looking forward to snuggling with Damon, but instead of belonging his embrace could provide, Talia ended up seeing Nora trying to get her hands on Damon, and she found out that Damon slept not only with socialites, models, princesses, and other women of high society that were trying to be his Luna, but he slept with certified sluts also. How could she be OK with that?

"Kitten…", he called. "Can I say one thing?"

Talia stood motionlessly, silently giving him permission to talk.

"Do you remember when we met in the kitchen of the Red Moon pack?"

Talia nodded. How could she forget? Damon spoke to her, and he examined her bruises under the refrigerator light, and he looked genuinely concerned about her.

Damon continued, "That was the first time I touched you. That was the first time I felt the sparks and knew that the mate bond was real. After that, I didn't touch any other woman. That's the truth."

Talia pressed her lips into a line. She knew he was telling the truth, but did this change things?

Seeing that Talia had no intention to respond, Damon asked, "What do you want me to do with Nora?"

"She is your mess. I don't want to think about her or you. I need time to calm down." And she continued moving toward the door.

The moment Talia's form disappeared from his field of vision, Damon felt rage and anguish swelling within him and he didn't know if those were his or Talia's.

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Damon looked at Nora and he wanted to punch her until she turns into a meat paste. He never hated a person so much.

He hated his past self that was ignorant and stubborn, and he hated the most that he couldn't take it back.

Damon wanted to rush after Talia and fix things, but the reality was that he didn't know what to say. The truth would only make things worse and lying was not an option either because she already knew everything and… he didn't want to lie to her.

Damon moved swiftly behind his desk and opened the security video feed on his computer. His heart calmed a little when he saw Talia entering their room. At least she didn't leave, and that should be a good sign.

He could feel that Talia's anger was morphing into sadness and if he knew how to make it better, he would do it without a second thought.

A minute later, two soldiers were in the study, awaiting orders.

Damon looked at Nora and thought about his options. If he removes the personal hatred he feels due to his predicament, Nora's crime was being a slut, and he didn't know how to punish her for that. Technically, he should warn her to stay away, but he had a feeling that won't work, so he thought of something safer.

"Take her into the dungeon.", Damon said.

He will think about what to do with her later.

The warriors dragged Nora out, and Damon groaned in frustration. He will need to ask James to come up with a coverup story for Nora's absence and he hated the idea of owing another favor to the teenager.

Damned Nora! If she didn't come, he would be enjoying his time with Talia. Talia said that she will wear sexy nightwear, and he imagined ripping it off and feasting on Talia's delicious body… but after this fiasco, Damon will be lucky if Talia doesn't chase him to sleep on the sofa with damned plush toys!

And this time, jumping into a waterfall won't save his sorry ass. He needed something drastic… something that will show Talia how she is special and how he will do anything to make her happy.

Talia's sadness was killing him, and he needed to fix it. Somehow.