Chapter 4: The welcome party

Marcy mused that she and Nora should have at least something in common. If nothing else, based on Nora's shiny hair and flawless skin, the two of them can talk about hair and makeup, and Nora's outfit was branded as well.

"I don't need anything.", Marcy said. "But you are welcome to come in if you have nothing else to do. We can chat."

"Sure!", Nora said cheerfully and entered the room.

Marcy took a bite of her sandwich and eyed Nora.

"Do you know why my parents called me to return suddenly?"

This was the question that was eating Marcy from the inside since she received her mother's call. Marcy didn't ask her parents for an explanation because she knew that if they wanted her to know, they would tell her. It was always like that.

Nora stared at Marcy with her mouth half-open, obviously caught off guard by this question. "You should ask Alpha Edward and Luna Layla."

Before Marcy could ask anything else, Nora switched the topic. "Tomorrow is your welcome party. The invitation was sent to almost all pack members from eighteen to thirty years old. Your parents think highly of you to have such a big crowd. It's to announce to everyone that you are back and for you to make friends. We all know you because you are the Alpha's daughter, and you probably forgot about us. There will be more than two hundred people…"

Marcy was grateful for her parents, but everything seemed forced, and it reminded her of how things used to be before she left for Europe.

Marcy's childhood was filled with a strict schedule of lessons, training, and planned outings with a selected group of people.

After ten years away from home, Marcy forgot about the environment she endured as a child. At that time, she thought it's normal and she accepted it, but after experiencing freedom, now it was all coming back in painful fragments which suffocated her.

…

The next day…

Marcy's welcome party started at six in the afternoon.

Nora and Marcy got dressed and helped each other with hair and makeup.

The two of them were fashionably late, coming out at six-twenty and they exchanged approving smiles when they saw that their impeccable styles put them above the others, just how Alpha's and Beta's daughters should be.

Marcy observed the massive room on the first floor that opens up to the garden via two glass French doors. She remembered that this is where guests would gather for birthdays when she was a child.

Nora was sticking close to Marcy and making sure to introduce everyone who came close to them.

Marcy felt like royalty, and not in a good way. She was standing and shaking hands with a fake smile on her face. After the twentieth person (or so), Marcy stopped trying to remember their names.

Objectively, the party was well organized. The music was upbeat, and the dance area was packed, the food was tasty and plentiful, and there was a wide selection of beverages. The mood was good, people were friendly, and they all tried to leave a good impression on Marcy.

Marcy thought how after initial formalities are over, she might be able to relax and enjoy.

It was shortly after eight o'clock when her wolf stirred as the most seductive scent of sweet clover invaded her senses.

'Mate…', her wolf spoke inside Marcy's mind, and her insides trembled.

The wolves don't speak unless it's to notify their human half that the mate is nearby. She dreamed about this moment for a long time, and now it's here!

Marcy's twenty-first birthday was four months ago, and she lost hope that she will meet her mate. This was totally unexpected.

Marcy was overwhelmed by the need to follow her senses and give in to the invisible pull in order to find him.

"Where are you going?", Nora asked when she saw Marcy walking away.

"To the restroom.", Marcy lied.

"I'm coming with you."

"No need. I will be back in a minute.", Marcy said and disappeared into the crowd before Nora could respond.

As soon as Marcy stepped on the terrace that was leading toward the garden, Marcy's blue eyes locked with mesmerizing chocolate ones and she was in Heaven.

'Coming home was not a bad thing, after all…', Marcy thought. If she knew that her mate was here, she would come three years ago.

They walked toward each other as possessed, and he took her hand in his without a word spoken. They both jolted as the delightful sparks prickled their skin upon contact, and their wolves stirred in joy.

The brown-haired Greek God took the lead and Marcy followed obediently deeper into the garden, seeking privacy.

Marcy smiled foolishly while observing his broad back. He was tall and muscular and everything she ever imagined her partner will be.

When they were at the edge of the garden, hidden from the crowd by the large hydrangea bushes, he stopped and turned to face Marcy.

She took a moment to admire his features and take note of some details in silence, and he did the same.

There was no need to speak. Their enamored gazes and matching smiles said it all.

Marcy marveled how his hair turned golden under the rays of the setting sun. His full lips lifted into a half-smile demanded to be kissed, and she could see a tattoo peeking under his off-white shirt as his top button was undone. Is it a hummingbird? Marcy was eager to remove his shirt and see the extent of that artwork which embellished his muscular body.

Marcy praised herself for preserving her v-card. This Greek God will definitely be elated when he finds out that she is a virgin, only his, and she couldn't wait for him to claim her possessively. That's the way of the werewolves.

It's not that she was saving herself for marriage, but Marcy knew that if her parents found out that she was defiled, she would be in big trouble. That's why whenever Marcy hooked up with guys, she made sure they are aware there will be no vaginal penetration. Oral pleasures were fine, and if the guy was good, she would agree to anal, but her sweet spot was reserved for someone worthy. And this Greek God standing in front of her was worthy.

He observed with admiration Marcy's impeccably straight blonde hair, parted on the side, that framed her exquisite face. Her light blue eyes, nearly gray… straight nose… full lips… flawless skin. Everything about Marcy was delicate and wonderful.

Before he could say anything, Marcy grabbed the collar of his shirt and pulled him down for a kiss.

Marcy's heart thumped erratically as mind-numbing electricity shot through her body while his flavors spread within her and his large hands on her back felt just right.

It was not her first kiss, and their tongues barely touched, yet Marcy was lightheaded and giddy.

"I'm Marcy…", she said while catching her breath.

"George", he responded with a smile that made her core clench.

"My father is Alpha Edward and my mother…"

"I know", he cut her off with a smoky voice that made her wish to rip his clothes off and throw herself at him right there, among the hydrangea bushes.

She smiled like an idiot while running her hands over his firm chest. The pesky off-white shirt was in the way, but she suppressed her urges to undress him because she could hear the music and people chattering. Someone might come and see them.

George pushed the lock of Marcy's hair behind her ear, and she was sure that she never experienced anything more seductive in her life, yet.

"Tell me something about you.", Marcy demanded dreamily.

He shrugged. "I'm a nobody."

She didn't get it. "You are from the Red Moon pack, right?" She could feel the mind link tingling, telling her that they belong to the same pack. "The party started two hours ago, how come I noticed you only now?"

"I was cleaning training grounds. My shift ended at eight o'clock. After that, I came here…"

Marcy blinked while trying to process his words and her smile faltered.

Cleaning? An Omega. A nobody.

Why would the Moon Goddess pair her with an Omega? If he is a warrior, or a scout, or anything, it would be better than this. Omegas are the lowest, unskilled pack members.

How can the princess be mated to an Omega?

Marcy inhaled with difficulty and took a step back.

And the next came from her mouth words she never thought she will say, "I Marcy Redmayne, reject you…"

Her heart ached and her wolf howled in protest. She could see anguish veiling George's handsome features, but she knew it had to be done.

She was in so much pain while stammering away, that she didn't register if anyone noticed her leaving the party, or if George accepted her rejection.

George.

That's the name that will be painfully etched into her heart forever.

Marcy was nearing the door of her room when she bumped into someone.

"Sorry…", Marcy mumbled at the girl that was now sitting on the floor, wearing clothes that were too shabby for the party by any standards.

Marcy was in too much pain to think about the girl whose head was lowered, her unkempt copper-colored hair covered her face as she clambered to her feet and ran down the hallway.

Marcy forced her legs to move because she didn't want anyone to see her in this state, especially not her parents, and she hoped that the person she knocked into was no one important.

Marcy's wolf withdrew in the back of her mind, licking her wounds and refusing to acknowledge Marcy. Marcy could feel her wolf's pain that only amplified her own.

Without her wolf, Marcy couldn't shift into wolf form, but soon she will find out how that's the least of her problems.

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