บท 9: The Red Moon pack

It was late morning when Damon, Caden, and Maya arrived at the Red Moon pack.

Luna Layla apologized for the absence of her husband. "He is with the scouts who picked up suspicious movements on the eastern border of our territory before dawn. Alpha Edward is a hands-on leader and wants to personally ensure we are safe."

Luna Layla was welcoming enough to personally show them to their rooms on the second floor.

'Wow! This place is glitzy.', Maya shared her thoughts with Damon and Caden through their mind link.

'You can say that again.', Caden responded.

None of three commented on two lines of Omegas who bowed to greet them in front of the packhouse.

The floor of the entry hallway was made of white marble and the matching tall columns reached the three stories high ceiling. The marble staircase elegantly curved upward, looking pure and flawless, perfectly complimented by golden rails and the opulent crystal chandeliers that looked like they came from a fancy castle.

'How many homes could one build with all this money if they only take luxury down a notch?', Damon grumbled through the mind link.

'In the Red Moon pack, only mated couples get a dwelling. Highly ranked warriors get a single home, while others get apartments.', Caden reminded Damon who usually doesn't care about the internal workings of other packs. 'Everyone else above the age of twelve years old lives in common buildings where six to eight people share a room.'

Maya frowned at this thought.

In the Dark Howlers pack, they have common buildings, but most of the pack members live in single homes. Community buildings are used by teens who want to experience life away from parents, and by the elderly who want their space while staying close to people of their age, and of course, in case of emergency situations, when someone's home catches on fire or for refugees until they find them a permanent housing solution.

Damon continued his father's practice of treating everyone with equal importance regardless of their occupation or gender. Omegas get the same privileges as warriors and doctors. After all, each of them is an important member of the pack and deserves dignity.

Giving preference to someone compared to others will create an atmosphere where members are inclined to choose an occupation, disregarding their interests, only because of the benefits it brings. It could easily bring inequality and the creation of social classes. And there is also jealousy, feelings of superiority, and other negativity can easily catch roots.

The Red Moon pack is known for its military proves, but only because Alpha Edward appreciates warriors and gives them better living conditions which caused most of the able males to become soldiers.

Maya felt the oppressive atmosphere the moment she alighted from the car. Two warriors standing stiffly on each side of the main entrance, the distant shouts from groups that were training… It was like they came to a military compound and not a pack where families live.

"Are you OK?", Caden asked Maya while rubbing her shoulder and she wondered if she made a face or Caden noticed her uneasiness because of their mate bond.

Maya glanced at Luna Layla before turning to Caden with a smile. "Fine. I'm just tired from the trip."

"Please, freshen up and join us downstairs. Lunch will be served in one hour, food will replenish your energy, and you can rest after that if you wish.", Luna Layla said to what Maya responded with a nod.

"Will Marcy join us for lunch?", Maya asked before entering the room. The young Miss and the reason they are here didn't welcome them at the door.

"Yes. She is getting ready.", Luna Layla said and glanced at Damon. "She wants to look her best."

"Her best…", Caden repeated. "We look forward to seeing her best."

Luna Layla's smile froze, and she would snap at Caden for making such an ambiguous remark. Why does he, a Beta, want to see her daughter? But Alpha Damon was right there, with his icy stern expression that made her shrink, so she plastered a smile on her face and sucked it up.

Damon entered his room and locked the door before heading to the bathroom.

Since they entered the Red Moon pack territory, Damon started feeling uneasy, like an omen of unpleasant things coming.

He wanted to shower and relax a bit because traveling with Caden and Maya who are always flirting or playfully bickering is exhausting, and based on the overly enthusiastic welcome by Luna Layla, Damon had a feeling that his mood will only get worse.

Damon met several dozens of she-wolves who tried to become his Luna, but this was the first time for Damon to stay in the packhouse overnight. Normally, he would meet the woman and her parents, take her out for dinner or to a nightclub before they end up rolling in the sheets in a hotel room. Compared to that, this looked more like meet the in-laws scenario, the one where he needs to stay for a few days and returns home with a wife.

That's not happening.

He wanted to talk to Alpha Edward and get to the bottom of what he wants, other than Damon marrying Marcy. There must be some other expectations attached to it. But unfortunately, Alpha Edward didn't join them for lunch, so that had to wait.

Damon, Caden, and Maya had a meal in the lavish dining room that matched the rest of the villa, in the company of Luna Layla, Marcy, and Nora.

Marcy and Nora were already seated at the table when Damon, Caden, and Maya arrived, and they briefly shook hands while exchanging pleasantries.

Alpha Edward and Beta Raymond were still absent, busy with scouts, and Luna Layla promised that they will return soon and definitely join them for dinner. She also apologized because her son was not present, saying that he is doing some exercises with warriors in order to build a strong character.

During their meal, Luna Layla played the role of a good hostess, Marcy chose her words while striking a balance between not being mute and not overstepping her boundaries, while Nora was stealing glances at Damon and blushing profusely.

How Nora saw it, life doesn't get better than this. The man from her wet fantasies was at the same table, eating and talking and every movement of his lips was seductive. She wondered what else he can do with those lips, and with the rest of his body.

She shook hands with Damon, and his grip was solid and warm and she wished that he grips more than her hand.

Nora glanced at Marcy and wondered if Marcy will mind if Nora makes a move on Damon. After all, Marcy didn't seem to be possessive of her future husband and it's not like Nora wants to snatch him for herself. Just a taste will be enough. One night.

After lunch, Luna Layla suggested, "Marcy, why don't you show Alpha Damon the garden? Hydrangea is in full bloom, and you can use this chance to get to know each other."

Marcy glanced at Damon and smiled. "Are you interested?"

"For a walk?", Damon asked, and Marcy confirmed with a nod. "Since your father is still busy, I need to fill in the time with something."

Luna Layla's lips twitched. Why is Alpha Damon sounding like he came for business with her husband instead of to meet Marcy?

'I'm going for a walk.', Damon said to Caden and Maya through the mind link.

Caden smirked. 'Have fun.'

'We will do our part.', Maya assured Damon.

Caden and Maya had a task to investigate the Red Moon pack and see if they can find anything that Damon can use. Ideally, they would find dirt on Marcy so that Damon can label her as unworthy without making up stuff and any negative information on Alpha Edward would be a bonus.

In the garden…

"You seem uneasy.", Damon voiced his observation.

Marcy was glancing around, hoping that she will not see George. Or maybe she wished to see him. But she couldn't admit that to Damon because she would need to say why George is important and that might complicate things.

Other than Damon's icy demeanor, Marcy thought that he is a good-looking, powerful, man. With his status, he had the right to be prideful. She didn't know Damon, but what she saw so far was impressive.

"I would like for us to talk in private.", Marcy said. "And here we can be overheard."

Damon paused. It's not that he didn't plan to sink deep into Marcy, but he didn't think that she will take the initiative less than one hour after they met.

"How about my room?", Damon suggested, and he smirked when Marcy nodded in approval.

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