Ch. 491..500

Chapter 491 Gaps in memory (1) [Bonus chapter]

Talia approved of Gideon's idea. "We can go with the story that Cornelia is your distant cousin, for now. What else?"

"I told Maya that due to an accident Damon has memory issues and that you will explain once you reach there. Out of guests, everyone left except the group from the Red Moon pack."

Mindy sucked in a sharp breath. "Marcy and Nora."

"Nora is in the dungeon and Marcy is in a separate house.", Talia said, and she hoped that was still the case. She turned to Gideon, and asked reluctantly, "What about Damon?"

"Three hours ago, Alpha Damon wanted to know if there were any immediate dangers to the pack and closed himself in the study. Maya assumed he had urgent matters to deal with and that you were resting upstairs. I told her to keep it a secret that you are back…"

Talia's ears were buzzing, and she didn't hear the rest. Damon was already there! She was running out of time.

"Cornelia, can you prepare a spell to take us to the packhouse as soon as the rooms are ready?"

Gideon's eyes lit up. A spell to move them to the packhouse? He really wanted to see that, but he didn't want to upset Mindy. The worst he could do was to make his mate insecure. Gideon pushed his spell-induced excitement down.

"Is there a clearing outside I could use?", Cornelia asked Gideon.

"Behind the house. Use any place that might be suitable.", Gideon responded, slightly disappointed that she won't do it right there for him to watch.

When Cornelia left to find a spot for the spell, Mindy reached over the table to give Talia's hand a squeeze. "Don't worry, Lia. We will help."

"Princess", Gideon called while pushing Mindy to stand up from his lap. "I need to pack materials. I assume we won't be back until the ceremony."

"I will pack a few changes of clothes for both of us.", Mindy said.

With that, Gideon and Mindy left the table and Talia took her phone and looked at it anxiously.

Eventually, she made a call. "Maya… Yes, it's me… I will explain later. Can you ask Zina and Dawn to come over to the room you are preparing for Gideon's cousin? I want to talk to all of you at the same time. I will need your help. If you can tell Caden that Damon has memory issues, that would be great. Try not to provoke Damon until we come up with a plan. The last thing we want is for him to lose patience and use his aura to have his way…"

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In the packhouse…

"Come in!", Damon called when someone knocked on the door of the study.

He lifted his gaze to see his Beta.

"Caden? Why didn't you use the mind-link?"

Caden shrugged. "I was here, so it was not a big deal to stop by."

Maya told him to wait until Talia comes so they find out the details, but Caden was worried when he heard that Damon has memory issues, and he came to investigate.

"I thought you won't come back until later tonight, or maybe in the morning. Actually, I thought you will come up with an excuse to stay longer."

Damon didn't understand Caden's words. Was he on a vacation? He couldn't remember.

Actually, since he came back, Damon was going through documents related to current and previous issues, and he was anxious that he couldn't remember more than half of them. The dates were there, and that was his handwriting, but he couldn't remember it. And based on the workload, it seems that he was absent for two days, no more than three. Why did it feel like it was so much longer?

It was not just the last three days, but for at least a month his memories were choppy, but he couldn't remember any accident or anything out of place. In bits and pieces he remembered, Damon could clearly see Caden, Maya, Maddox, Tony, and many others talking to him like everything was normal, but Damon knew that something was wrong. Really wrong.

There was a sense of loss and emptiness that was not there before, and it made him uneasy.

However, Damon couldn't admit that to his Beta. Not before he figures out what's going on.

"How can I stay away from here when there is so much work?", Damon said while gesturing at scattered papers on his desk.

"Maya and I got it covered. We prepared everything for your absence, and we said that if anything urgent happens, we will let you know, so you could relax."

Damon snorted. "Me? Relax?"

"Damon…", Caden called cautiously. "Why are you back early?"

Damon pushed the keyboard away and some of the documents fell on the floor, but Damon didn't pay attention to them.

"There was something urging me to come home like we have an emergency. What's the status in the packhouse?" He remembered Maddox and Tony. "Are the guests still here?"

"Most of them left. Only the group from the Red Moon pack is here."

Damon blinked and he remembered James with three teens from the Dark Howlers pack, George with Dawn sitting at the same table with Damon during the party, flashes of Nora coming onto him right in this office, and… "Is Marcy here?"

"She is in the side house, isolated, how you instructed."

Damon couldn't believe that he had a huge memory gap regarding Marcy. He remembered his time in the Red Moon pack, and Marcy coming onto him. And the next was her at the Dark Howlers pack, but it was just some random images that didn't make sense. How did she end up here?

And then there was a nonsense memory of Damon holding Marcy's hand and telling her to rest because in three days he will sort out people who tried to poison her and he will announce to the world who will be his Luna. Was he talking about Marcy as his Luna?

Damon clearly remembered Marcy's enamored gaze full of hope directed at him while bile rose in his throat because he lied. Why the hell would he lie like that? Did he lose his memories or his mind?

Damon didn't want to admit this liability to his Beta, so he asked coolly, "What's the situation with her?"

"Marcy is keeping busy with television and books, and she baked a ton of some super-sweet cookies. She will expect you tomorrow to break the news to her."

"The news? What does she hope I will say?"

"You know, that she will be your Luna.", Caden said while eyeing Damon's reaction. "It's all going according to James' plan."

Damon's brows came together. What James' plan? Did James make a plan for Marcy to be Damon's Luna, and Damon went along with it? What the hell was going on?

 

Chapter 492 Gaps in memory (2)

Based on Damon's lack of reaction at the mentioning of Marcy being Damon's Luna, Caden confirmed that Damon had issues with his head and that was scary because Damon was an Alpha, and the fate of the whole pack was in his hands. He needed to get Damon to open up, at least a little bit.

"We know each other for a long time, Damon. I can see that something is weighing on your mind. Talk to me. I was your wingman since middle school."

Seeing Caden's earnest expression, Damon hesitated. Caden was always by his side as his Beta and as his friend, and if not for Caden watching his back, those Elders would get him many times. Damon shook his head while thinking that this memory issue made him paranoid.

Regardless of if Marcy was a good Luna candidate or not, the mere fact that Damon was being forced into that union was making him reject her. What's the point of being an Alpha of the largest pack in North America if others can dictate his actions? No one can make Damon do anything against his will. No one!

"Can you jog my memory a bit? What stunt did Alpha Edward pull so that Marcy comes here?"

"You really don't remember?", Caden asked. It was not Alpha Edward, but it was Talia who said that Marcy should come so that Damon can deal with her. Even Caden was not sure why Damon agreed with that ridiculous request, but both Damon and Talia were confident how that was the right thing to do, yet now Damon seemed to be oblivious. This was worse than Caden thought.

Caden pointed at the second desk in the study. "Do you remember who sits there? Did you forget why you went on a vacation?"

Damon was still shaking his head. "No."

'Caden!', Maya's voice boomed in Caden's head. 'Where are you? Talia is here and we are waiting for you.'

'Coming.', Caden responded.

Maya warned him not to push Damon's buttons before they come up with a plan, but Caden had to say something.

"You went to the cabin, and asked that no one disturbs you and…", Caden paused.

It's not that Caden didn't want to tell Damon, but Caden knew that this behavior of Damon burying himself in work was Damon before Talia. Damon would spend his days stuck in the study, and when training with warriors was not enough to release steam, Damon would go and find himself a few women to keep busy for a night, and then the cycle would repeat.

If Damon truly reverted to that, he would not listen to anything related to mates, and if Caden brought up Talia, Damon would call him crazy, and probably kick him out. The only way this would work was for Damon to remember on his own.

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"Do you expect me to tell you what you are missing?", Caden asked. "Will you believe me if I tell you that you met your perfect Luna? In two days from now, we have a pack run that the two of you should lead."

"I found my Luna?", Damon asked with disbelief obvious on his face.

"Three nights ago, there was a party, Damon. All Elders were here. Do you remember that?"

Damon's nod stopped abruptly as Caden continued to rain questions, "What happened at that party? Do you remember talking about the pack run? Who was sitting by your side?"

Caden frowned at the sight of Damon who looked at him with a blank face.

"I am telling you as a friend, Damon. Instead of burying yourself in work and risking to make wrong decisions because you don't remember some things, I suggest that you face the elephant in the room. What do you remember from our trip to the Red Moon pack last month?"

Damon frowned. "I remember us going there, Luna Layla welcomed us while making excuses for the rest of her family not being present, luxurious dining room, inspecting warriors. Alpha Edward wanted me to come up with a date when Marcy will be my Luna, but I was not willing." How did he leave without committing to a date or exposing Marcy as not worthy?

"What about our trip back, Damon? How did we get back?"

Damon paused. "In a car, maybe?"

"You don't remember, do you? How far did you go with Marcy?"

An image of Marcy kneeling between his legs flashed in his mind, and her bare ass, but that was it. There was a memory of him taking Nora from behind, but it was fuzzy like it happened to someone else, and he just listened to the story.

"You didn't shag Marcy, even though she was throwing herself at you. You had more than one opportunity to have a go at her, yet you didn't. Do you know why?"

"No.", Damon admitted.

"When we came from the Red Moon pack, Cassie was here. Did you sleep with her?"

Damon remembered Cassie, but nothing more than interaction in the common areas downstairs. "I don't think so."

"How did Cassie leave? Do you remember Maya escorting Cassie after she assaulted our pack member? Who was the MVP of the tournament at the Summer Solstice festival? Who was your date at the Luna announcement party at the Lightclaw pack? Do you remember why the Steelbite pack is giving us an annual tribute? When was the last time you bedded a woman, Damon?"

Damon was frustrated. "Is there a point in these questions, Caden?"

"Since we returned from the Red Moon pack, our lives changed, your life changed, for the better. Look around and notice what is different and remember why before you hurt the people who are dear to you."

Damon couldn't believe that Caden left the study just like that.

Did Caden think that Damon didn't try? Even his wolf was not responding, damn it!

Damon knew that something was off, really off, but he couldn't put his finger on it.

But… Caden mentioned the second desk in the office, and he said that Damon should look around. Was it really possible that someone was sharing his office? It was not Caden nor Maya, they have their space. Who could it be?

Damon stood up slowly and sat on the chair in front of the second desk. The laptop was closed, there was a pencil holder, and otherwise, it was clean. He opened the drawer on the side to see a few notebooks, and when he flipped through them, he saw clumsy handwriting that would belong to a middle schooler. And the content appeared to be matching, maybe high school. Did he adopt a child? A big one?

It didn't make sense.

He opened the laptop that lit up with 'Welcome Talia'.

Damon blinked. Talia. Where did he hear that name? He remembered the girl who was with him in the cave when he woke up.

Did she infiltrate his packhouse before she kidnapped him? But then… she didn't trick only him, but Caden and probably Maya as well. What about Stephanie?

Damon's head ached and he realized that his memories were flakier than he thought. When was the last time he spoke with Stephanie in person?

He had no idea what to think about this, but he had a strong hunch that this was related to the Red Moon pack and Marcy. Caden told him to face the problem head-on. Maybe if he talks to Marcy things will fall into place?

---

 

Chapter 493 Plans with friends

In a guest bedroom on the second floor of the packhouse…

Cornelia stood next to the window and looked outside while Talia spoke about the current situation to Maya, Caden, Dawn, George, and Zina.

Mindy and Gideon were also there, listening to the same story and hoping to hear more compared to what Talia told them the first time.

Maya was upset to hear about this development, but she was a bit excited to be in the same room with a witch. "What kind of magic can she do?", Maya asked Talia while gesturing toward Cornelia.

"I'm sure you can ask about it later.", Caden said.

"Just don't get on her bad side or she will jinx you.", Mindy grumbled.

"Cornelia is not violent.", Talia said. "Cornelia is my friend, here to help, and she jinxed you because you attacked her."

Maya wanted to ask more about that incident, but Caden was now talking.

"I spoke with Damon, and I could see that he was confused. He didn't remember why he left the packhouse, why we had the party with Elders, or why Marcy is here. When I mentioned the pack run, he looked at me like I was talking in a foreign language. It seems that his memories of Talia are gone."

"I am so sorry, Talia…", Dawn said with a shaky voice, on the verge of crying. Dawn couldn't imagine how she would feel if one day George just didn't recognize her. She remembered how cold he was when he arrived; that was while his bond with Marcy was still there. Dawn's heart ached at the thought that he might ignore her like that again.

"Don't be sappy.", Zina said to Dawn. "Talia called us here because she has a plan. Right?"

"Right.", Talia said. "Thanks to Cornelia, I have a potion that will suppress the dark magic and help Damon remember. The potion is temporary, but it should last until the night of the full moon when I can perform the ritual that will purify him completely."

"How will we get him to drink it? Mix it in the water?", Dawn asked.

Talia scrunched her nose. "I'm not sure. It doesn't smell much, but it's green in color."

Dawn grimaced. "Green? How big is the dose to make it effective?"

"One big gulp will do.", Talia responded.

Zina got an idea. "Leave it to me. For dinner, I will make steak, Damon's favorite. I will mix the potion in his serving of herbal sauce. No matter how it tastes, basil and garlic will cover it up."

"I will help.", Dawn volunteered.

Talia looked at the people in the room and she was about to thank them when she saw that Caden's expression changed.

"Did something happen?", Talia asked anxiously.

"Damon asked for Marcy to be brought to the packhouse for dinner.", Caden said and turned to Maya. "He also said to prepare a room on the second floor for her."

Maya couldn't stand the idea of Marcy in the packhouse. It was just like Cassie, but this was worse because Talia was here, and Damon couldn't remember her, and Marcy's crazy obsession with being Damon's Luna overshadowed even the nastiest things that Cassie did. "I refuse. Marcy can't…"

"No.", Talia interrupted Maya. "Damon shouldn't suspect that something is off."

"I agree with Talia.", Caden said. "Damon was always cautious and he is not stupid. He might not remember Talia, but he knew from day one that Marcy was part of Alpha Edward's scheme. Damon wouldn't make Marcy his Luna even without Talia in the picture. That didn't change."

"Maybe he wouldn't make her his Luna. But what if he…", Maya gagged. "With… Marcy…"

"If you refuse to set up the room, he will start doubting you and find someone else to do it.", Talia said sadly.

"Why is Marcy here?", Mindy snapped. "Can't we send her home? Or lock her in the dungeon?"

"No.", Talia responded. "She is part of the bigger plan. Until she fulfills her role, we can't touch her."

Talia didn't like it, but Talia knew that the final part was for Marcy to make a public statement about how she is leaving the Red Moon pack and giving up on being Damon's Luna voluntarily. James got it all figured out. This should relieve the pressure Alpha Edward can exert on Damon and hopefully avoid open war.

Mindy frowned in disapproval. Why did it sound like Marcy was important? What bigger plan? But before she could say anything, George spoke.

"I will make sure Marcy and Damon don't get too close." George turned to look at Dawn. "I know that Talia is your friend, and if she is sad, you will be sad as well. I don't need to get close to Marcy in order to remind her of my existence, and I won't let her touch you. Maybe Damon doesn't remember that Marcy came here to be his Luna while having a mate, but she does."

"We also won't make it easy for her.", Caden assured Talia. "And we should get James on board, or at least warn him about what's going on here."

"No need.", George said. "James is smarter than all of us put together. The moment he sees Marcy in the packhouse, he will figure out that something is off. Besides, this is about getting Damon to remember Talia. Once we accomplish that, everything will go back to normal."

Talia was happy to see her friends gathered and willing to help.

They discussed several strategies for making Marcy's life difficult and not allowing Damon to do anything rashly, and then the people left the room one by one, each with a task.

Dawn and Zina went to start dinner preparations, Stephanie was on her way to the packhouse, and she had no objections to switching the dinner menu to steak instead of meatloaf.

Maya was in charge of getting a room for Marcy, and Caden and George went to keep an eye on Damon.

"We will be in the room next door.", Mindy told Talia and she and Gideon left.

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Cornelia waited for the door to close before speaking to Talia, "You don't trust them."

"What makes you think so?"

Cornelia smirked. "You told them that your mate doesn't remember you, but you didn't tell them that his spirit is weakened. The potion will suppress the rune for memory, but it will have limited effect on freeing his spirit from the shackles of black runes."

"There is no benefit if they know that his power is diminished. In two days, after the main spell is completed, Damon will return to normal. Some things should stay only between mates.", Talia said. Like glowing magic and talking wolves. "Why are you smiling?"

Cornelia shrugged. "Nothing. I just find you interesting. Your mate doesn't remember you, yet you still treat him with care. Don't you feel the urgency to get things back in order? You are above all these people, yet you speak to them as equal. Why don't you use your ranking?"

"I don't need subordinates. If our plan fails, we will end up in a lot of trouble, and I don't want them to think they were forced to follow orders.", Talia said. "Damon is smart and strong, but the most dangerous are his instincts." And there was a chance that he got a power or two because Talia marked him. "If we take the risk to attack him and push the potion down his throat, he will fight back and probably call for reinforcements. Under his aura, Maya, Caden, Marcy, and Gideon will submit. Our chances for a sneak attack are close to zero. We need to approach him with caution." And she didn't want to risk hurting him.

"You don't act like a werewolf."

"I didn't grow up as one."

Cornelia smirked. "As I said, you are interesting."

Talia had a feeling that Cornelia's words had an underlying meaning, but she didn't have the brain capacity to think about it.

She was in the packhouse, and so was Damon. The mate bond urged Talia to get to Damon, but she suppressed it because if she gave in to her instincts, it would only make things worse.

---

Chapter 494 Encounter in the kitchen [Bonus chapter]

Author's note:

Thank you, ErikaJ35, for the Magic Castle gifted on April 8, 2022!

- - -

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... :)

- - -

Cornelia stood in front of the window to look outside, and she pulled on the collar of the t-shirt she was wearing. It was obvious that Cornelia was not comfortable in the clothes that Maya brought.

"How long are we going to be stuck in here?"

Talia knew that Cornelia was eager to explore the world. She didn't cross two realms in order to be trapped in a room.

"Sorry, but until things are back to normal, we need to stay low.", Talia responded, and then she thought of something. "Dinner will be in half an hour. You can join them in the dining room."

Cornelia didn't want to move from one room to another. She wanted to go out.

"I'm not sure that's a good idea. Your mate is already confused. My presence will make it worse because I'm a stranger. It's best if we eat here."

Talia didn't think about it. "It makes sense. Do you want me to bring food here now?"

"That would give us something to do." Cornelia was planning to go out and explore the area while everyone was busy with dinner. She heard that there is a town nearby, and she really wanted to see it.

…

After confirming with Caden that Damon was in the study, Talia made her way to the kitchen.

She didn't want to bump into him even though her heart pulled her toward the study they used to share before this mess started.

Talia wondered if they will ever get a break. Talia loved Damon and she knew that he loved her back. What they had was real, yet one way or another something would come between them to prevent them from enjoying their happiness. She really didn't need anything other than Damon, but everything was a struggle like they were passing through a series of challenges that would test their commitment to each other.

So far, it was either Damon fighting for them, or they were together. This was the first time for Talia to feel all alone in this struggle, and she feared that she won't have what it takes to preserve and fight for him.

'You are not alone', Liseli said.

Talia was grateful for her wolf, otherwise, she might drown in her insecurities and hide in the corner.

Talia peeked into the kitchen to see Dawn and Zina walking out while pushing a tray with napkins, glasses, utensils, and covered serving plates.

"What can we do for you?", Dawn asked Talia and inched closer to say in a whisper. "Don't worry, Zina and I got everything figured out. The first serving will be plated in advance and we will make sure Alpha Damon gets the right one. Just sit tight and wait for good news."

"Thank you, Dawn.", Talia really needed this encouragement. "I came to grab some food for me and Cornelia."

"You have plenty on the stove or in the oven on warm.", Zina said. "Help yourself. We are going to set up the dining room."

"Where is Steph?"

"She is outside waiting for the baker who is on his way with a lemon cake for dessert.", Zina responded and walked out after Dawn.

Talia got two plates and turned toward the food. She was not hungry, but she knew that she needed to eat something as well. No one will benefit if she collapses from hunger.

The steak looked just right, and there were also salad, mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, and gravy. Everything looked tasty and Talia confirmed that the green gravy smelled of basil and garlic.

Talia was scooping mashed potatoes when…

"Why are you here?"

Talia whipped her head toward the door from where a bitter female voice came. Marcy.

Fury swelled inside Talia.

'How dares this impostor walk here freely and act like she is the boss of everything!?', Liseli shouted in Talia's head, amplifying Talia's displeasure. 'Let's rip her head off!'

'No one will rip anything.', Talia responded.

'Are we letting her have her way?'

'Of course not. Her way would be me to leave, and that's not happening.'

Talia crossed her arms over her chest. "I could ask you the same thing."

Marcy walked into the kitchen to stand in front of Talia confidently. "Damon called me to come here."

"It's ALPHA Damon to you.", Talia squeezed through her teeth.

Marcy smirked. "Not anymore. Didn't you hear? He was protecting me so far, and now that he called me back to the packhouse, it means that the danger is gone. You don't need to be my cover anymore."

"Your cover? Is that what you think I am?"

Marcy lifted her chin and challenged Talia. "You should learn your place, assistant Talia. Starting tomorrow, I will be the future Luna of the Dark Howlers pack, and you will be what you are… just an assistant. It will be up to me to determine your duties. Maybe you could clean my shoes, or maybe you get banished from the pack."

Talia's eyes flashed. "It seems you forgot what happened the last time you flapped your mouth in front of me without thinking it through."

Marcy's smile fell. "You won't dare hurt me. Not now when Damon decided to make me his Luna. I will see that he punishes you."

"You won't be his Luna, Marcy."

"Because you say so?"

"Yes. And because I am his mate."

Marcy blinked a few times rapidly, but she quickly composed herself. "That's just a lie Damon said to make you the target of attackers instead of me, don't tell me you actually believe it. But even if it's true, it doesn't matter. A man like Damon can choose his mate, and he chose me. You are a nobody, an anomaly. He will reject you and mark me and I will be his Luna while you will remain a nobody."

Talia stared at Marcy. Is this why she healed her after George accepted Marcy's rejection? Sure, Marcy didn't know it was Talia, but Marcy should know that she was on the verge of dying and this was her second chance at life. Instead of fixing her ways, Marcy plunged further into darkness.

Would Marcy really get between fated mates just because she wanted to be a Luna? She would destroy two lives, for what? For power? But then, she rejected her bond with George in order to be with Damon. Luckily, George got his second chance for happiness, as for Marcy… she just blew her second chance.

Seeing that Talia didn't respond, Marcy smiled victoriously. "It's difficult to face reality, right? But I advise you to take a step back now and accept your defeat before things get worse."

Talia's shoulders shook as she suppressed a wave of angry laughter. What will Marcy do? Lock her in the attic and beat her up? Marcy did that already and here was Talia, stronger than ever. She came out of that hell thanks to Damon and Talia will be damned if she gives up on him so that wenches like Marcy can have him.

"You have no idea what I went through, Marcy. Do you think you can make it worse!?"

 

Chapter 495 Uncomfortable dinner (1) [Bonus chapter]

Author's note:

Thank you, SilaMelei, for the Magic Castle gifted on April 8, 2022!

- - -

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... :)

- - -

Marcy's survival instincts warned her to step away when hair at the back of her neck rose as Talia's face hardened.

"You want to take what doesn't belong to you, Marcy.", Talia spoke in a dangerously low tone and Marcy felt it was difficult to breathe. "I suggest you rethink your priorities and what you want to do because your life will depend on it. Literally."

Marcy swayed when the pressure from all sides increased, and she grabbed the kitchen counter behind her to stabilize herself. Marcy wondered if Talia was crazy. If anything happened to Marcy, Damon would definitely punish the culprits. Wasn't Talia aware of that?

"You... stop...", Marcy spoke with difficulty.

Talia sneered. "You want me to stop? Make me. Shouldn't Damon's Luna be capable of stopping a nobody like me? Look at yourself."

"You can't... Damon..."

"It's ALPHA Damon to you!" Talia was shaking from anger.

How dares this pampered princess say Damon's name like they were familiar? Marcy didn't know anything about Damon. She saw him as a powerful Alpha because her daddy told her that she needs to be Luna. What kind of a Luna will Marcy be? Like her mother? The Dark Howlers pack will be ruined! And Marcy had no idea how caring and cheeky Damon can be or how much Damon's smile made Talia's heart sing. Damon and Talia were one in body and soul even if his mind couldn't remember her, and Liseli had no intention of giving up on Sapa either!

Marcy's face was pale as a sheet of paper, and she was losing consciousness due to pain that assaulted every cell in her body. Talia suppressed her before, but this was much worse.

"Talia…", Dawn called from the door in a strained voice. Zina was behind Dawn in the hallway, on all four, on the floor. "Didn't you say… we need her…"

George's mark gave Dawn a power boost, but in front of Talia's wrath, it was not much.

At the image of her two friends suffering even though her fury was directed at Marcy, Talia took a deep breath and suppressed her aura.

"Sorry, Dawn. Marcy expressed her desire to take what's mine and I lost it. Is Zina OK?"

"I will be fine!", Zina squeaked from the hallway.

"Good.", Talia said and turned to continue putting food into two plates, ignoring Marcy who was scrambling out of the kitchen, nearly crawling while pushing herself with her arms and legs.

Marcy forgot why she came to the kitchen, but she knew that she needed to get away from there. What the hell was wrong with Talia? From where did all that power come from? And how dare those two Omegas (aka Dawn and Zina) ignore the fact that Talia was hostile? Did they forget that Marcy is their future Luna?

Marcy gritted her teeth while cursing Talia silently. 'As soon as Damon makes me his Luna, I will show them who is the boss here!'

The only thing Marcy needed to decide was if it will be a dungeon or hard labor, or just to kick them out of the pack while blacklisting them so that no other pack will dare to take them in.

Marcy decided to drag herself to her room. She was drenched in sweat and shaky. She needed rest and a shower. Once she cozies up to Damon, Talia and everyone else who looks down on Marcy will get what they deserve.

- - -

Marcy entered the dining room to see Maya, Caden, Gideon, Mindy, and George already seated. No one acknowledged her presence, but she didn't let that bother her because of how much she saw, no one knew about pleasantries in this pack. She will teach them basic manners when she becomes their Luna.

Marcy decided to focus on the positives. At least that crazy assistant was not there. Marcy had lingering fear from her previous encounter with Talia and she hoped that Damon will come before Talia.

She thought about where to sit since there were no plates set up, only napkins and utensils were arranged in glasses that were grouped in the middle of the table.

Caden was sitting at one end of the table, so Marcy could guess that Damon will sit opposite Caden. She decided to take a seat on the left from where Damon will be, mostly because that spot gave her the largest distance from George.

Marcy was re-folding the napkin in front of her to keep busy while silently counting seconds until Damon arrives and hopefully make this less awkward. She was happy that she didn't need to wait long.

Damon paused at the door and glanced over the faces of the people present before he moved to his usual seat.

Maya and Caden were expected, but then he saw George, Gideon, Mindy, and on his left was Marcy.

Damon didn't remember mending his relationship with Gideon but it probably happened because there was no other explanation as to why the Shaman was sitting there. Why was Mindy here? Didn't Caden say that the group from the Blue River pack left? And why was Mindy so close to the old guy? Was that a mark on her neck? Did Maddox know about it?

Damon was exasperated. Just how big were his memory gaps?

But Gideon and Mindy aside, Damon didn't like Marcy sitting there; that was the place his future Luna should hold. He shook off the unease. It's just a seat and he shouldn't overthink it.

"Will James be joining us?", Damon asked. He knew there should be one more person, but he didn't want to bother with Nora.

"James is in town with his friends. They are having dinner out and will be back late.", Caden responded.

"Friends?", Marcy asked, unsure if she heard Caden right. Since when did James have time for friends? He was always either training or studying.

"He met three teens from the Dark Howlers pack, and they hit it off well.", Caden said. "They are all exceptional talents, and we have warriors shadowing them to make sure they don't end up in trouble. After hard training, one should enjoy relaxing."

Marcy responded with a stiff smile. She thought that James didn't come to visit her because he was busy training, and now that she heard he was having fun while she was stuck in that house, Marcy didn't like it.

Dawn, Zina, and Stephanie entered with the cart that had plates where food was already arranged, and Zina was quick to snatch the plate closest to her and take it to Damon.

Zina released the breath she was holding when Damon didn't comment on the extra sauce on his plate. It seemed he was hungry because he immediately got busy with food, without waiting for others to be served. Well, Damon never cared much about protocol when eating.

Dawn helped with putting food on the table, and then she grabbed the last two plates, one for George and one for herself before she sat at the table with him.

Marcy was still shaken after her previous encounter with Talia, and she relaxed a bit when she confirmed that Talia won't join them. Did Damon discard that damned assistant already? Or maybe he found out about what happened and Talia got punished. Ha! Suits her well!

But Marcy had another problem at the sight of Dawn... "Do Omegas get to eat at the table with the Alpha?"

 

Chapter 496 Uncomfortable dinner (2)

Author's note:

Thank you, SilaMelei, for the Golden Gachapon gifted on April 9, 2022!

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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 story... :)

. . .

"Who is the Omega you speak of?", Maya asked Marcy even though they all knew she was referring to Dawn.

Marcy glanced at Damon and when he didn't show any visible reaction, she gestured toward Dawn.

"Dawn is not an Omega.", George responded without looking at Marcy. He was already cutting the steak on Dawn's plate. "My mate was kind enough to help in the kitchen. It was her choice to work. Dawn likes to be useful and not idle and wait to be served." His voice was icy, but there was some pride in it also.

"Thank you, babe.", Dawn gushed.

George shot her a smile with, "Anything for you. Feel free to put others in their place. Ignorant people will think of your kindness as a weakness."

George lifted a fork to offer Dawn a piece of steak he cut, and she opened her mouth obediently.

Marcy glared at George and Dawn. Did George call her ignorant?

She felt like someone squeezed her throat because she couldn't breathe at the sight of a mark on Dawn's neck.

Marcy's mind was spinning. Did she hear that right? Dawn was George's mate? Was that his mark on her neck? How was that possible? Was he doing this only to rile her up? Marcy was confident that George was lying because just a few days ago the bond between them broke. Marcy was upset that she collapsed while George was fine. And it's not just that he was fine, but he was already lovey-dovey with another woman, and he even marked her! No, it can't be true. He was putting up a show only to rile her up because she was about to become Damon's Luna!

Marcy had plenty of time to think while she was stuck in that house alone, and she remembered George accepting her rejection while identifying himself as an Alpha. In a way, it made sense because he was strong and there was an air of dignity around him. Marcy thought how that's just a bearing of a Commander, but now she knew that her mate was an Alpha, and she was stupid to reject him.

But she didn't allow herself to dwell on that seatback. It was the right thing to do because she will be Damon's Luna. Yes, yes… she will focus on the handsome man on her right because that's her future.

George, the sparks, his scent of clover, and everything else that happened between them was gone and she shouldn't dwell on it. How can that emotional stuff compare to a life of comfort and security that Damon can provide her?

What was the point of George being an Alpha if he didn't have a pack? George was just a lapdog to her father, while Alpha Damon had thousands of warriors at his disposal, enormous territory, and the massive packhouse.

With that, Marcy pushed unnecessary thoughts about George to the back of her mind.

No one spoke and Marcy's discomfort rose. Why did she feel like an outsider?

Now that she thought about it, it was only couples at the table.

Maya and Caden ignored Marcy, so she didn't bother with them.

George and Dawn were obnoxiously lovey-dovey. Did they need to feed each other? And it was not just them, but Gideon and Mindy were also talking in whispers while Gideon fed both of them. Why were Mindy's hands under the table?

Marcy looked at the fine man on her right who was supposed to be focused on her, yet Damon was stuffing food into his mouth like he didn't eat in days, and he acted like Marcy was not there.

Marcy wondered if this was some kind of test. Surely, as Damon's Luna, she should entertain guests and ensure that the atmosphere was pleasant.

Out of everyone present, Marcy thought that she might try interacting with Mindy.

"Miss Mindy, who is the man by your side?", Marcy asked sweetly.

Mindy's eyes snapped at Marcy and Marcy could clearly feel the hostility rising.

Maya cleared her throat. "I apologize for not introducing everyone." She gestured while talking. "This is Shaman Gideon, Mindy, you all know me and Caden, Commander George, Dawn, Marcy, and our Alpha Damon. James, Petra, Erik, and Zack are also staying in the packhouse, but they are currently out. Oh, and Shaman Gideon's cousin…", Maya's voice trailed, and she looked at Gideon questionably.

"Cornelia was tired from her trip, so she asked for food to be delivered to her room.", Gideon said.

Damon listened to this, and he brushed off mentioning of Cornelia like not important. He had so many gaps in his memory that one more didn't add much to his already bad state. But he noticed that previously black holes in his mind were becoming hazy like something was coming back but he couldn't grasp it yet.

Marcy smiled when Maya ended the introductions of people without mentioning Talia. She was obviously not important.

Marcy turned to look at Damon and she froze when she realized that he was staring at her while chewing absentmindedly.

"Is something wrong?", Marcy asked Damon.

"I don't know. Is it?", Damon responded with a question.

Damon didn't mind that a person was sitting on his left, but Marcy didn't seem right for that position. Was this him remembering something? Damon was not sure. But he kept staring at Marcy like there were answers under her skin.

He put another piece of steak into his mouth and turned to look at Marcy, slowly inspecting her face which was now slightly flushed.

"How is the food, Alpha Damon?"

Dawn's question pulled Damon out of his thoughts. She noticed that Damon's behavior changed, but she expected him to go and find Talia or maybe slap Marcy, but none of that happened.

"It's good.", he said.

"Do you need seconds of anything?" She really wanted to know how much sauce he ate, but she didn't want to be too obvious about it.

"No. If I do, I will help myself.", he responded, thinking that she was being servile because of her past as an Omega. Even if the first serving was plated in advance, they had more food available on the table, and anyone can take more if needed. That's how it always was, Damon remembered that much.

"Why don't you ask me?", Marcy asked Dawn with a smile, thinking that George's so-called mate should serve her. Marcy saw Dawn in the kitchen, and she was sure that Dawn was just an Omega. Marcy didn't buy the story of Dawn working willingly. Who would dirty their hands if they had a choice?

Dawn looked at Marcy and blinked. "Why would I ask you? You have hands."

Marcy's nostrils flared in anger, but she swallowed the curses that threatened to spill out of her mouth. Damon was watching. Marcy plastered a fake smile while chanting silently how she will get back at Dawn after Damon announces her as his Luna.

"Alpha Damon…", Marcy called sweetly, and she put her hand over Damon's wrist that rested on the table as he held the knife.

Damon frowned at the point where their hands connected. Somehow, it didn't feel right. He had no idea why, but it was as if his body was telling him that a touch from a woman shouldn't be this… empty.

 

Chapter 497 Uncomfortable dinner (3)

Damon pulled his hand away from Marcy's grasp. "Yes?"

"I was wondering, what are your plans for tomorrow? Is there anything that involves me?" Marcy really wanted him to talk about the announcement that she will be revealed as his future Luna. Then everyone at the table will get a reminder of how important she is.

Damon put a piece of meat into his mouth, and then he scooped some mashed potato and gravy, and he chewed all that slowly while remembering Caden's words about how Marcy expects Damon to announce that Marcy will be his Luna, but Damon had no intention of doing that. However, he couldn't tell her that without remembering the missing pieces.

Marcy thought that a forever passed before Damon spoke.

"I have a lot of things pending that need to be prioritized. When I have something solid, involving you, you will be informed."

Marcy was not pleased with this response, but there was nothing much she could do.

Damon was not rejecting her, but he was not welcoming either. Was this another test? Or was this how her life will be going forward?

Marcy pressed her lips into a line while thinking about her parents. They were not lovey-dovey either, at least not in front of others. Will Damon be more caring when it's just the two of them? It's not that Marcy was expecting sizzling passion and romance, but after experiencing bliss in George's embrace, Marcy's idea of how a couple should act included desire and some level of conversation that goes beyond Damon issuing orders and Marcy sitting obediently until she was needed.

Marcy got an idea.

"Alpha Damon, I was wondering if you can join me for a walk after dinner."

Damon looked at her blankly. "A what?"

"A walk.", Marcy repeated. "There are a few things I would like to discuss with you, in private. Maybe in the garden?"

Damon's vision blurred as Marcy's image overlapped with another face. That other face was barely noticeable, but Damon saw honey-colored eyes and copper-colored hair and he really hoped to see more of it, because it made him feel something.

"Sure.", Damon responded robotically. "Whenever you are ready."

Marcy gulped some water with haste and stood up. "Now is fine." She couldn't eat in this awkward atmosphere anyway.

Damon followed after Marcy, and they left the dining room in silence.

"Do you think she will try something?", Mindy asked in a whisper.

"Definitely.", Dawn responded, and she went to check Damon's plate and she frowned. "He didn't finish his food."

"How much did he have?", Maya asked.

"Well, he finished the steak and for the rest... about three quarters. It's difficult to tell because he mixed gravy with mashed potatoes.", Dawn said.

"Now what?", Mindy asked.

Gideon responded, "Now, we wait. Cornelia said that it will take some time for the potion to work and if he didn't have the full dose, then..." He was not sure what then.

"Wouldn't it be best for Talia to be with Damon?", Maya asked. "If the magic is cracked even a little bit, the bond could break through."

They all looked at Gideon. He was the expert in that area.

Unfortunately, this was beyond Gideon's expertise. He wanted to tell them to ask Cornelia, but he remembered that the witch said this was the first time for them to create a potion that would suppress the dark magic, and they didn't have much time to test it.

However, Gideon knew one thing. "If Damon's emotions are unstable and Marcy and Talia meet in front of him, it might push him either way."

Mindy groaned and Gideon turned to talk to her. "I know it's hard, but we can't forget that Marcy knows she is the second woman, and she is consciously taking over Talia's spot. If Damon is not accepting of Talia decisively, Marcy will take advantage of it and Talia will be deeply hurt just by the fact that Damon is entertaining Marcy. I suggest that we give him some time. They are just walking in the garden. In the worst case, the potion didn't work, and we need to try again." Cornelia said that there are three doses.

"In one minute, I will go and check.", Caden volunteered.

"No.", George rejected Caden's idea. "If you go, your Alpha will look at it as disrespect. Remember what Talia said. If this fails, we can't risk that he puts all of us in the dungeon because there will be no one to watch over him and the Dark Howlers pack. You and Maya need to stay neutral unless Damon is on the verge of making a big mistake."

"Should I go?", Mindy offered. She had no problems telling Damon what was on her mind or giving a slap or two to Marcy. Mindy was still vexed by what happened earlier with Cornelia, and Mindy had extra energy she would gladly spend on Marcy.

"I will go.", George said. "I am not Damon's subordinate, and I can get Marcy to back down just by reminding her of a few things."

Dawn frowned at George's words, and he gave her hand a gentle squeeze to reassure her that he got this under control. George didn't want to get close to Marcy either, but there was no one else better for the job.

- - -

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- - -

In the garden…

Marcy walked half a step behind Damon, wondering how to start a conversation. She was really itchy to get confirmation of how she will be his Luna. That will make her father happy, but more than that, Marcy saw that as her ticket to freedom. Sure, she will be tied to Damon and to this pack, but in her opinion, anything was better than being stuck in the Red Moon pack as a princess without any real power.

They passed by one bench nestled between two tall rose bushes, and Marcy frowned a bit when Damon paused to stare at the bench, but then he continued walking.

Marcy wanted to say how that was a good spot to chat with privacy from any prying eyes, but Damon was moving further into the darkness, making Marcy uneasy.

There were no lights in the garden, and with every step, the visibility was reducing. This was Alpha Damon's territory and if he wanted to get frisky, they could go to his room, or hers, or just about anywhere… was there a need for the darkness?

Lost in her thoughts and diminishing visibility, Marcy's leg brushed against one rock, and she lost balance. Her hand waved wildly, and she latched herself on Damon's arm.

It was accidental, but Marcy thought of this as a happy accident and she had no intention of letting go.

Damon paused and stared at Marcy who was now holding him, and she didn't let go even after she regained her balance.

"Alpha Damon…", Marcy called sweetly, and she squeezed his firm bicep.

Damon didn't like that she was holding him, but something else got his attention.

Damon inched closer, his face hovering above Marcy's and she thought that he will kiss her, but to her disappointment, he just sniffed the air.

"Your scent is not right."

---

 

Chapter 498 Wrong scent

Damon looked at Marcy who licked her lips in anticipation of a kiss that was not coming.

"Your scent is not right.", he said.

Marcy's scent was heavy, reminding him of sweetened coconut that stayed in a sealed bag for too long. For some inexplicable reason, Damon expected a much lighter scent, sweet and citrusy, a scent that was more pleasing than the freesia his mother used to plant.

In reality, Marcy was an attractive young woman with curves in all the right places, obviously offering herself to him, and regardless of what were her motives, he should pounce on her right then and there; it wouldn't be the first time for Damon to take advantage of a woman in such a situation. Yet, Damon found himself repulsed at the idea of being intimate with Marcy.

Damon observed her unblemished skin, silky blonde hair, and meticulous makeup that was just enough to accentuate her light blue eyes and full lips… nothing about Marcy was really wrong, yet nothing was right either.

Marcy's eyes widened at the sight of Damon frowning. Did he say that she smells bad?

"I showered before dinner.", Marcy blurted out. She really did. But then she understood that something else might be off. Just how for Marcy George's scent was better than any other, if Talia was Damon's mate, no other scent would compare to Talia's. At least not until Damon rejects the annoying assistant.

"Are you thinking about Talia?"

"Talia?" The name on his lips sounded oddly familiar like he said it many times before.

Marcy hummed in confirmation. "Talia, your assistant. You shouldn't bother with that nobody. Once you mark me, you will forget about her completely."

"You think I need to mark you in order to forget about my assistant?" What a strange thing to say, Damon thought.

Marcy giggled, feeling that his words confirmed how Talia was not Damon's mate and that Talia was not important. "Of course not. It's just that she has an unhealthy attachment to you. Once I become your Luna…"

"Alpha Damon!", a stern voice came from the side and Marcy's insides jolted when she realized that it was George. Why was he here?

George frowned at the point that Marcy was holding Damon's arm. "It seems you are bolder, princess Marcy.", George said ominously. "I wonder what Alpha Damon will say if he knew what happened on the way here…"

Marcy let go of Damon's arm, like she burned herself. She knew very well what George wanted to say. What was with that smug smirk that she could see clearly in the darkness? Was George blackmailing her? It definitely looked like it.

"Damon", George called without his title. "Why are you allowing Marcy to stick to you?"

Damon sneered. On top of this confusion, George came here to tell him what to do. Was everyone trying to manipulate him? "What is it to you?"

"When I told you that Dawn is my second chance mate, you told me to treat her well otherwise Talia will be upset. It seems to me that you forgot about who is important because you are set on breaking Talia's heart."

Damon blinked. Somehow, the fact that Dawn was George's second chance mate was important, but Damon was not sure why. And here was George again, talking about Talia. His headache increased.

"Let's leave this talk for the morning. I had a busy day and I still have things to do…", Damon mumbled this last part and walked into the packhouse.

- - -

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- - -

Marcy was about to go after Damon, but George extended his arm, blocking her way.

"Why are you meddling? Don't you have that Omega to entertain you, or did you already get bored of her? Go, find another one and leave me alone!", Marcy hissed at George, and then she remembered what George said before. "That Omega is your second chance mate?"

"Her name is Dawn.", George said. "I suggest you don't provoke me or her because you will realize that Dawn is more than just an Omega."

Marcy snorted and she made a wide curve to walk past George into the packhouse, but she froze when George spoke again.

"How is your wolf, Marcy? I wonder if Damon will choose a Luna who lost her wolf."

"It's none of your business!", Marcy hissed.

"True. It's not mine, but I think it's Alpha Damon's. How about we go after him and see how he takes this news." George walked closer and smiled maliciously while talking in a low voice, "Or will he be more upset to find out that the woman who is picturing herself as a perfect Luna is not only wolf less, but she also gave herself to another man in his packhouse, right under his nose."

Marcy gritted her teeth so hard that it felt like they were about to crack. "What do you want?"

"Know your place, Marcy. Or I will show it to you."

Marcy exhaled irritably. "You have your mate. I won't tell my father that you are an Alpha. Can you just let me be?"

Georg's expression darkened. "Don't think that you have something on me. If you spread that shit around, everyone will know that I was your first mate, and that rejection of that bond killed your wolf right after you gave your body to me. Think about who will suffer more between the two of us but be certain that I won't go down without dragging you with me."

"What will your mate say if she…"

"She knows.", George deadpanned. "My mate knows everything." He enjoyed Marcy's sour expression. "You see, Marcy, mates don't manipulate each other. No secrets. No games. Just accepting that we were meant to be together. If the Moon Goddess shows pity and gives you a second chance mate, try not rejecting the poor bastard before you figure out who he is."

Marcy's face was contorted into an ugly grimace as she glared at George's retreating back. And she didn't miss the scene of Dawn standing on the terrace and hugging George as soon as he got close.

Marcy wanted to go into the packhouse after Damon, or maybe into her room, but George and Dawn were right there, hugging, and Marcy didn't want to get close to them, so she ended up standing in the garden stupidly.

"Are you OK?", Dawn asked George while inspecting his face anxiously.

George smiled and planted a kiss on Dawn's forehead. "We are fine, Dawn. She is a nobody. I wish I knew that earlier. Then I would accept her rejection right away and come here to find you."

Dawn's lips lifted into a smile as relief washed over her. She could feel that George's emotions were unstable as he spoke to Marcy, but it was not longing. He was angry and upset and Dawn was happy that all negativity disappeared the moment Dawn entered his visual range.

This little episode confirmed to Dawn that George was hers and hers only.

"I love you, George…", Dawn said, and she could hear his heart beating faster.

He cupped her cheeks and looked into her eyes. "You are my light, Dawn. You are my everything." And then he kissed her like he meant it.

---

Chapter 499 Losing a mother-figure

Damon made his way toward the stairs, with the intention to go to his room. He needed rest, or maybe a drink because facing people without understanding what was going on was not helping.

Since he exited the portal that leads to the Midnight Guardians pack, Damon was running in his wolf form which took a toll on his body because his wolf was not there, and then he worked in the study without rest and he really wanted to shower and wash his arm where Marcy touched him. Twice. It felt dirty. Damon wondered from where that came. He touched many women and they touched him in return, and it was never a big deal, but this really felt wrong to the point of his skin crawling.

Damon was about to climb the stairs when he noticed an angry presence that rooted him in the spot. He turned slowly to see Stephanie standing there with her arms crossed over her chest.

"Damon, Damon, Damon…", Stephanie called repeatedly while shaking her head. Her face was stern, and her voice was full of disappointment, and it reminded him of the moments when his mother would scold him because he messed up big time.

What did he mess up now? Was this another thing he couldn't remember?

"What, Steph?"

"What did I tell you when you brought Talia here?"

Damon stiffened at the mention of Talia. It seemed that everyone here knew about that girl, and they all cared for her. Everyone, except Damon.

"What did you tell me?"

"You knew that she didn't have an easy life. Goddess knows why you were stubbornly keeping her here and refusing to let her relocate to another place, even though she asked for it, and Maya and I told you that's the right thing to do because everyone here was looking down on her. I thought that she made you feel something. I told you not to play with her. I told you not to harm her…"

Stephanie's words were like knives stabbing into Damon's heart.

"What makes you think I harmed her?", Damon asked.

"Are you kidding me? You went on a vacation with Talia. She was happy when she came to pick up the food for the road, only for you to return on your own and to allow that bloodsucker from the Red Moon pack to take Talia's place. Tell me, what did you do to Talia? Where is she?"

Maybe all of them thought that Stephanie was oblivious because she didn't talk about it, but she could see how Damon and Talia looked at each other, how they changed over time, and those small interactions where Talia's eyes would always search for Damon, only to find him looking at her already.

Stephanie thought it was real, but when she saw Marcy sitting at the table on Talia's spot and Damon acting like it was a totally normal thing, Stephanie had enough.

One glance at Marcy gave Stephanie a Cassie-like déjà vu. Marcy was just another she-wolf who was after Damon's money and power. Stephanie thought that after kicking out Cassie, Damon learned his lesson, but now that Marcy was acting like she was about to own this place and Damon was fine with it, Stephanie wondered if Damon was mentally challenged or if he was just thinking with his pecker. In either case, that's not how an Alpha should act if he cares about his pack. And Stephanie thought that Damon cared about the Dark Howlers pack. Maybe she was wrong. About everything.

- - -

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- - -

Damon couldn't believe this. Why was Stephanie treating him like he was the bad guy? He might be many things, but he was not a person who would abuse women! Or maybe he was an abuser, the worst kind, but he forgot about that also.

"Why do you think I did anything to her?"

"Stop talking to me like I am an idiot, Damon!", Stephanie snapped. She was not talking to her Alpha, but to a grown-up man who was acting like a child and like his actions don't have consequences.

"Maybe this is some twisted game to you, but Talia came here broken and I thought you wanted to help her heal. I saw you taking care of her food, training, doctors, and you were there for her. I watched her transform from a scared girl who hides her insecurities behind a smile into a confident young woman who was glowing. I thought you were serious for once in your life. And I loved the fact that she was fixing you in return."

Stephanie's expression hardened. "If I knew that all was just an act so you can break that poor child again, I would never allow it to happen! You should know that I stayed here only because of the friendship I had with your mother. I hoped to repay Violet's kindness by helping you, but seeing you do this…" Stephanie released a long breath. "I realized that I overestimated myself. Since my presence here is a waste of time, I suggest you find someone else to manage your packhouse. I will leave before the pack run, and I hope you will allow me to take Lisa with me. No matter what she did to end up in the dungeon, I guarantee that she won't be a problem because we will be far from here."

Damon felt his stomach sinking. He didn't care much about Lisa, but Stephanie was always by his side, offering support and scolding when needed, keeping him grounded and acting like his mother. The fact that she was giving up meant he really crossed the line, and he didn't even know what that line was, damn it!

"Where will you go?"

"I don't know. I will stay with my sister at the Lightclaw pack until I figure out where to go next. No matter where I go, I will pray that The Moon Goddess forgives you for how you treated all women who fell for you, especially Talia. I knew that what happened to Violet and Jacob messed with your head, but I didn't know that it messed your heart beyond repair. Set her free, Damon. Don't make Talia pay for your mistakes."

Stephanie was about to leave, but then she remembered one more thing. "People follow you because you are a good Alpha. If you continue treating people who love you like trash, you will find yourself either all alone, or surrounded by snakes like Marcy. In either case, you will discover that managing a pack is quite difficult on your own."

Damon stared at Stephanie who gave him a sad smile and then she turned and left. Just like that.

He jabbed his hand into his hair. All this was such a mess. What the hell was going on?

Should he tell Stephanie that he doesn't remember? How will that help?

But no matter how angry Stephanie was, she actually told him more than anyone else.

Stephanie said that Talia came here in a bad state and Damon spent time with her, caring for her, and then… then what?

 

Chapter 500 Memories and the painful reality

"How are you doing?", Maya asked Talia when she entered the room.

"I'm fine.", Talia said. She was far from fine, but she didn't want to talk about it.

Ever since Cornelia left, Talia was pacing through the room, torn between the reason that told her to stay put and emotions that were urging her to go to Damon.

Seeing Maya in the room, Talia wanted to ask about the situation with Damon, but she knew already what happened during dinner because she watched them through the security video feed, and Talia couldn't make herself continue watching what was going on in the garden even though cameras had night vision.

If anything happened between Damon and Marcy, before the potion took effect, Talia didn't want to know about it. And what if the dose was not enough for Damon? Or what if it was not effective at all?

Talia knew that Caden was watching Damon from the distance with the task to notify Maya if anything important happened, and if Caden didn't mind-link Maya, things were fine. Or at least not worse. Hopefully.

"Where is Cornelia?", Maya asked.

Talia shrugged. "She said that she will explore the area."

"Is she really a witch?", Maya asked with sparkles in her eyes.

"Do you think that Mindy lied when she said that Cornelia took her voice with a wave of her finger? And didn't you hear that we teleported here from Gideon's house?"

"How did you meet? She doesn't have a wolf, so I assume she is not from the Midnight Guardians pack."

Talia pursed her lips. It's not that she didn't want to tell her, but… "Can we talk about it some other time?"

"Sure. Do you think that Cornelia will be willing to do a demonstration of what she can do?"

"I don't know, Maya. Cornelia is a priestess, not an entertainer."

Maya pouted. "I know, but I still hope to see some of that magic."

"Thank you for being here, Maya."

"It is I who should thank you.", Maya said seriously. "I can only imagine how much it hurts that Damon forgot about you, yet you came here with a plan instead of trashing the place or just leaving him behind to deal with this on his own."

"I had to come."

"No, you didn't. With the mate bond weakened, you could turn your back on all this mess, but you didn't. Damon doesn't remember you which means he is the same Damon he was before he met you and I can tell you that Damon with Talia as his mate is much more pleasant to be around. The whole pack should thank you for this sacrifice."

Talia realized that Maya was right. Actually, if this was Talia from a few weeks ago, she would run and not look back. Talia changed. Thanks to Damon she found strength she never thought she had. Or maybe she just found something worth fighting for.

Talia put her hand over her chest. "I can feel the bond fluctuating as the potion is eroding the dark magic." There was irritation and confusion, and Talia hoped it will continue.

Maya's eyes lost focus for a moment and she smiled a little. "Damon left Marcy in the garden, and he is heading upstairs." She didn't want to mention George. The version where Damon left on his own sounded better. "Will you go and see him?"

Talia's body ached in need to go to Damon and ease his anxiety, yet her insides tightened at the possibility of him pushing her away again. "Not yet. I want to make sure he can feel the bond, or I might make it worse. His guard is down because he doesn't feel threatened. If he sees me with all of you backing me…"

"If the potion doesn't work, that will need to happen, Talia. Right now, he is unstable. We can't let him stay in power and endanger the whole pack. If he goes through with making Marcy his Luna, Alpha Edward won't hesitate in taking advantage of the situation."

Talia inhaled a shaky breath. "What are you saying?"

"I am saying that Caden is his friend, and I am Caden's mate, and we both respect Damon as an Alpha. But we will not allow Damon to ruin this pack just because he can't remember who should be his Luna."

Talia held her breath as Maya's words sank in. They would rebel against Damon. But how can they do that if Damon can suppress them with a thought? "Let's hope it doesn't come to it."

- - -

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- - -

Damon was in his bedroom, the same one he used for the last decade, but it was different.

There was another scent mixed in with his, and he noticed two plush toys on the sofa. One was a small dog, brown in color, and the other one was a black wolf with blue eyes. Damon heard a voice in his head, 'Look, Cinna, this is your brother. He is bigger, so he will be your big brother, Blackie.' And Damon's voice responded, 'Blackie Blake'.

Damon's mind was spinning.

He walked to the bathroom and splashed cold water on his face. When he lifted his gaze, he saw himself in the mirror. It was a familiar face, but everything about it felt strange.

His gaze moved to the second sink to see another set of toiletries. Female.

Damon rushed to the closet to see female clothes. Did he have a woman in here? The scent was what he was looking for, sweet and citrusy... a few days old.

Part of him was relieved that this was not Marcy's scent, but who was the woman?

An image flashed of a young woman in a revealing red babydoll-style garment. Her face was hazy, but he knew that she was looking at him shyly. 'Is it working?', she asked. 'You asked me if I'm trying to seduce you…'

Damon blinked when the vision disappeared, and he realized he was hard. What the hell? Why did his body respond to that image? She was not tall nor super-curvy, yet he was confident that he has never seen a more attractive woman in his life.

He looked around the closet, trying to see if anything else will trigger more images, and when that didn't happen, Damon walked back to stand in the middle of the bedroom.

And there she was again, right in front of him, and this time he could see her face clearly. She had honeyed eyes and copper-colored hair and he heard himself talking, 'I really want to kiss you, but I fear that you won't like it. I fear that you will reject me. Tell me, kitten, can I kiss you?'

He rubbed his face with force. When on Earth was he the one to ask permission to kiss a girl? Damon was not sure if the memory was real, but he knew that emotions were real. He was really afraid that she will reject him.

"Kitten...", Damon murmured and his eyes fell on the side table where a headband with cat ears was resting and somehow it made him think about an amusement park and sitting with a girl on his lap in the shade of a tree.

'Old guy!', Damon shouted in his mind. 'I need you to wake up and tell me what's the truth!' But his wolf didn't respond. It was like he was not there at all.

Damon turned to look at two plush toys, hoping they will tell him where they came from, but then he heard a female voice, 'We don't need to think about moving. Daddy Damon won't kick us out when he finds his Luna because it seems that's me…' And his heart cracked because he could feel her love and sincerity, and… he fucked up big time.

Damon's head hurt like it was about to split open, and he pressed his palms on his temples firmly when he fell on his knees as images flashed in front of his eyes, always the same girl, blushing, smiling, crying, bruised up, surprised, determined, bashful… and he knew her name, Talia.

Each of those images came with a surge of emotions and tugged on his heart, ripping it into pieces, and he really wanted to touch her and hold her and make things better because he could see her shock and feel her desperation as she called for him after he pushed her away in that cave.

He curled on the floor in the fetal position and chanted, "Talia… Talia…"

'Don't leave me… I promise that you will be my last. No one will come after you… Do you accept me as your mate willingly?… Say that you are mine… Do you trust me?… I would flip the heaven and earth to find you, and I wouldn't stop until I do… I want to love you in every way possible…', those were his words directed at the little woman who looked at him with eyes full of love and hope.

Even when she was scared and insecure, she chose to believe him and he betrayed her trust.

He said that he will protect her forever. She was his most precious person in the world, yet he left her behind in the enemy's territory like she was not important. She told him they were hunted, that it was dangerous, and he left!

He was such an asshole!

Damon had an urge to scream and howl, but he was unable to make a sound. His body refused to move, and then everything turned dark.