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“You be a fairy, and you be a clown!” Luna Layla wanted her step daughter Talia to look like a fool and her own daughter Marcy to look beautiful. But Talia still won the Costume Contest. Furious, Luna layla shaved Talia’s head. And trained marcy to be beautiful, suited to be the luna of the strongest Alpha. But everything changed when Marcy asked the magic mirror: “Mirror, mirror on the wall, Who’s the prettiest girl of all, The one the strongest Alpha will crown?” Mirror: “Your stepsister Talia” Marcy swelled up in anger. Marcy: “Mama! Look what the mirror is saying! You have to do something!” Luna Layla went crazy in rage. She locked Talia in the dungeon and said "She will be raised like an ugly pig, not a beautiful princess." So Talia grew up like an animal, eating with pigs and getting fat like one. But Luna layla didn't realise that Talia’s true beauty didn't lie in her looks but in her scent. Scent is the true identity of a wolf. One which stayed with her even when her wolf was suppressed by years of beating and humiliation. Even Talia’s father, Alpha Edward hated her for being a bastard child. Marcy’s parents decided to put Talia in the same school as Marcy. Talia was shocked but later she realised it was so that Marcy can humiliate Talia daily. One day, Marcy slipped a fake Valentine's card into Talia’s locker. Meet me by the fountain after class. For one stupid second… Talia thought someone actually liked her. Instead, the entire school was waiting there to humiliate her. The moment Talia showed up, they shoved her into the freezing fountain while everyone laughed and filmed her. Marcy stood there smiling like a queen watching an execution. “Look at her. Even the water is disgusted by her.” That was Talia’s life. At school, she was bullied for being wolfless. At home, she was tortured for existing. Her stepmother, Luna Layla, secretly pumped her body with wolfsbane and hormones for years so she’d stay weak, overweight, and undesirable forever. Because as long as she looked like a monster… Marcy would always shine brighter. But the worst day of her life happened in the school parking lot. A group of Alpha boys cornered Talia behind the buses. their hands grabbed her. Their laughter made her anxious. The panic choking her chest. And then— someone stepped in. Tall. Dangerous. Beautiful. The stranger ripped those boys off her like they were nothing. He beat them so badly they ran bleeding. Then he turned toward Talia. And for the first time in her life… Someone looked at her with kindness instead of disgust. “Are you hurt?” Talia couldn’t even answer. Because nobody had ever cared enough to ask her that before. Then he disappeared. No name. No goodbye. Nothing. But that moment stayed with Talia. Because for one brief moment… Someone made her feel human. Years passed, and she forgot about the boy. Because somehow, her life only became crueller. Marcy became obsessed with destroying Talia. One day, she locked her inside a tiny attic room for months. No food. No sunlight. Just water… enough to keep her alive. Talia thought she was going to die there. But something strange happened instead. The weight started melting off Talia’s body. Her face changed. Her hair started growing longer. By the time Marcy finally let Talia out… She didn’t even look like the same girl anymore. That’s when Marcy truly started hating her. She spread disgusting rumours about Talia across school. Punished anyone who showed her kindness. And made sure she never forgot her place. Then the rumours spread through the kingdom. Alpha Damon was coming. Leader of the Dark Howlers. The strongest Alpha King alive. A man powerful enough to wipe out entire packs. And he was coming for one reason. To marry Marcy. The entire Red Moon Pack exploded with excitement. Marcy spent weeks preparing for his arrival while I scrubbed floors like a ghost nobody noticed. Then one day, the gates of Red Moon opened. A convoy of black armoured wolves from the Dark Howler’s pack entered the kingdom. And at the center of them stood Alpha Damon. Powerful. Terrifying. Beautiful. The entire kingdom bowed before him. And little did Talia know… the Alpha King standing in front of her— was the same stranger who once saved her in that parking lot years ago. And the craziest part? Nobody knew. Not Marcy. Not Talia. Not even Damon himself. Will they recogise each other? Will Damon save Talia… like he did years ago? “I never imagined an Alpha would fall for me, not while being pleasured by the princess.” Talia was the lowest of the low. An omega, beaten, starved, too weak to even shift. When the most powerful Alpha in the realm came to marry the pack’s cruel princess, it was supposed to unite an unstable realm. Everything changed the moment Talia accidentally walked in on them… Princess Marcy’s jeweled hand cracked across Talia’s face, carving a ring-shaped bruise into her cheek. Talia was resigned to the abuse. An omega, a lowly servant, an orphaned she-wolf too weak to shift. Blood spilled from Talia’s mouth and pooled onto the kitchen floor. “Clean it up,” Marcy ordered. The princess was always cruel, but with whispers of a powerful guest’s arrival, her temper burned hotter than ever. Talia scrubbed the floor, the bruises on her knees mirroring those across her body. She had no way of knowing her fate was about to change, no way of knowing that Alpha Damon, the most powerful pack leader in the realm, would soon catch her irresistible scent. Talia lived in the shadows. Beaten, starved, shoved into the attic like trash. Her days were spent scrubbing, serving, surviving. Her nights were spent curled on a moldy mattress with a tattered copy of Cinderella, the last piece of a life stolen long ago. She knew fairytales didn’t come true. Not for her. Her inner wolf had gone silent years ago, snuffed out by malnutrition, abuse, and pain. Without it, she was nothing more than a human in a world of predators. Why had her inner wolf abandoned her? Was there any force on Earth - fire, war, love… - that could bring it back? She woke from another day of hard labor, aching from her beating. There were whispers through the pack. Electric, hushed, breathless. A visitor was coming. Alpha Damon. Leader of the Dark Howlers, fiercest pack in the realm. He was the most powerful Alpha in all of North America. Women threw themselves at him. Rulers feared him. He could seduce a she-wolf with a glance, or tear out a man’s throat just as easily. Damon was untouchable. He scorned the idea of love. Rejected every political match. Not a single potential bride, despite the many presented, could win his affection. None were worthy of being his Luna, the proud she-wolf to rule by his side. Love was a distraction, an attempt to tame him. And Damon would never be tamed. Still, there were those who tried. Alpha Edward, leader of the Red Moon pack, was desperate to secure his political power. He invited Damon to meet his daughter, Princess Marcy, beautiful, cunning, cruel. She intended to make him hers. Talia feared their union. Would Marcy succeed where so many others had failed? Would Marcy’s cruelty only intensify as Luna to such a powerful Alpha? The moment Alpha Damon stepped onto Red Moon Pack grounds with his mated Betas, Caden and Maya, something felt off. His wolf stirred uneasily beneath the surface. Damon didn’t need confirmation; he already knew: no one in the Red Moon Pack could be trusted. They all sat down in the dining hall, its gaudy opulence a reflection of Red Moon’s inflated ego. Marcy arrived fashionably late, every detail of her appearance sharpened like a blade. Shimmering blond hair, a sculpted figure. She was the type of girl who got what she wanted. Her friend, Nora, wasn’t as restrained. She eyed Damon with hunger, her gaze sliding over him like a caress. The rumors had reached her ears: about his appetite, his stamina, his size. She didn’t care that Marcy was supposed to win the Alpha’s hand. Nora wanted a taste for herself. Marcy’s mother, Luna Layla, noticed the heat in Nora’s stare… and the flicker of fury in her daughter’s eyes. “Marcy,” Layla said, too sweetly, “Why don’t you show Alpha Damon to his room so you two can… talk?” While the Red Moon Pack celebrated Damon’s arrival, elsewhere in the kitchens, Talia worked until the sweat stung her eyes. All she could dream of was the scraps she might scavenge when the feast was over. The other Omegas had different plans for her. Anna, their cruel ringleader, stepped into Talia’s path, towering over her, “Listen up, slave.” The other Omegas giggled behind her like hyenas. Anna’s lips twisted into a cruel smirk. “You’re going to deliver towels to Alpha Damon’s room.” Talia froze. “Right now? But... what if he’s inside?” Anna raised her hand, ready to strike. “Are you questioning me?” Talia flinched, her heart pounding. Without her wolf, she was defenseless against the bullies. Without another word, she took the towels and hurried off, every step dragging her closer to the Alpha’s quarters and whatever fate awaited her behind that door. When Talia entered the room, she froze. Damon was in his room. But he wasn’t alone. There was Marcy. On her knees. Between Damon’s legs. Marcy whipped around, her eyes blazing with fury as they locked onto Talia’s. The insolence! A jolt of fear shot up Talia’s spine. Retribution would be certain. Damon’s eyes snapped to Talia. “Stop!” he barked. But Talia was gone, bolting from the room, too terrified to look back. What Talia didn’t know, what she couldn’t have known, is that in that moment, Damon’s world had shifted. Her scent. It hit his veins like a spark of kindling, igniting something primal within him. Could it be? His inner wolf howled the truth within him, again and again. She, a lowly omega, a serving girl without a friend, was his fated mate? Ignoring the mocking laughter of Anna and the others, Talia ran until she reached the attic, shoving the cabinet against the door before collapsing in the corner, struggling to quiet her frantic breathing. 'Is this it? Is this the day I die?' Back in Damon’s room, Marcy landed clumsily on her backside as Damon shoved her away, his expression thunderous and unreadable. "Who was that girl?" he demanded, hastily buttoning his pants. Marcy knew exactly who she was. Talia. That wolf-less bitch. How dare she step into an Alpha’s chambers uninvited? And worse, if word got out that Marcy had been pleasuring Damon before he’d even proposed... she’d be humiliated. A laughingstock. Her reputation would be in shreds. Marcy’s jaw clenched with fury. She should’ve done more than just beat the girl this morning. But Damon didn’t notice Marcy’s simmering rage. He was too distracted, his mind replaying the moment when she walked in. How that intoxicating scent, freesia and citrus, had struck him. How his wolf had howled, wild and urgent. All he could think about was pulling her into his arms. 'Mate.' His wolf howled in confirmation. He had never expected to hear that word. Never wanted to. And yet, the moment Talia entered the room, something inside him had shifted, changed. His wolf growled inside him. 'Find her!' Damon clenched his jaw. "Find her,” He ordered. “Now." Marcy hesitated, she was confused. Why would an Alpha give a shit about a slave? Damon’s Alpha energy radiated off of her, making her lower her head. "Yes, Alpha Damon." But Marcy already knew. She’d be doing much more than just finding her… Meanwhile, Damon paced, running his tongue over his teeth, irritated beyond reason. His body still ached with unfinished release, but the thought of Marcy’s coconut scent made him recoil. It wasn’t her scent he wanted, it wasn’t her body against his that he needed. It was her. Talia. The girl with the smart doe eyes and copper-colored hair. [SFX: HEAVY FOOTSTEPS ECHOING DOWN THE HALLWAY] Damon prowled through the packhouse, inhaling deeply. Nothing. No trace of her scent. His wolf snarled. 'Find her!' 'If she was really my mate, why did she run? Why didn’t she feel it too?' 'You had another woman on her knees in front of you,' his wolf sneered. 'What did you expect? That she’d throw herself into your arms?' Damon scowled. His instincts screamed at him to chase, but logic held him back. He needed to stay in control. If he lost control and Marcy found out the truth, there was no telling what they would do to her! For now, he would wait. [SFX: KNOCKS ON THE DOOR] Later that night, Marcy returned to Damon’s chambers. She couldn't wait to tell him how she put the girl in her place, that wretched, wolf-less slave. But when she saw Damon standing there, Marcy forgot all about the girl. And she would make him forget all about her too. But Damon barely acknowledged her, his mind consumed by the memory of that freesia scent. Marcy advanced, “Hello, Damon.” Damon swiftly turned toward the door to see Marcy peeking in. He wondered if she even knocked, but even if she did, he probably wouldn't have noticed. He never felt this distracted! What if that was an enemy? That copper-haired girl already caused him to be weak, and he didn't even acknowledge their mate bond. "Why are you here?" Damon asked. "You look tense..." Marcy said while reluctantly putting her palms on Damon's firm chest. "I can help you relax." Damon's lips lifted into a half-smirk. "And how would you do that?" "I know that nothing is confirmed, but technically, we are engaged," Damon observed her fingers as they moved slightly. She felt him out over the thin fabric of his shirt. He noticed a big ring on her right middle finger, an oval-shaped ruby with small diamonds surrounding it. Damon looked at her almond-shaped blue eyes, straight nose, and full lips, and he confirmed that she objectively appeared attractive. Damon felt his wolf's anger and dejection, but he decided to ignore it. Unaware of the conversation Damon had with his wolf, Marcy inched closer to Damon and she smiled seductively. "I can..." Before Marcy could finish her sentence, Damon's hand landed at the back of her head, and he pulled her closer for a kiss, pulling her toward the bed. “Wait,” Marcy breathed. "Wait?” Damon replied, “What happened to were technically engaged? Get out." Marcy didn't understand. "What?" "I said... GET OUT!" The clock struck two. Damon lay restless, tension coiled in his muscles, his thoughts tangled in a torment he refused to name. The oppressive stillness of the Red Moon packhouse suffocated him. He needed air. Control. Escape. He moved silently, intent on a midnight run—until it hit him. Freesia. That intoxicating scent. Sweet citrus and wild temptation. His pulse pounded, his body moving before his mind caught up, drawn to the scent like a predator to prey. His hunt led him to the kitchen, shadow pooling in the corner, the hum of the refrigerator filling the quiet. And there she was. A small figure bathed in the cold glow of the open fridge, unaware of the danger lurking just behind her. Damon closed the distance. Too close. Close enough that his heat ghosted over her nape, close enough that he could imagine how she’d feel beneath him. Soft. His. "Mhm." His voice came unbidden, dark, possessive. Talia gasped, jerking back—right into him. [SFX: SHARP INHALE, HEAD THUDDING AGAINST SHELF] She spun, eyes wide, body trembling. Fear. A scent he despised on her. "Aw," she whimpered, rubbing the back of her head, shrinking under his gaze. Wrong move, little one. You’re not leaving. She scurried sideways, but Damon was faster, his arm blocking her escape. "What are you sorry for?" he murmured, his voice low, dangerous. She stammered, refusing to meet his eye, her lip caught between her teeth—a sight that shouldn’t send heat curling in his gut, but damn it, it did. He cupped her chin, tilting her face toward the light. Sparks. A wildfire licked up his arm, searing through his vein. His wolf howled, triumphant. Mate. But that momentary euphoria crashed when he saw her bruise. His grip tightened. Rage. "What happened?" His voice was no longer smooth. It was a blade, sharp with violence. She flinched. "I—I fell." "Lies." His thumb ghosted over the mark on her cheek. It was shaped like—a ring. Marcy. His wolf roared inside him, demanding blood. Demanding vengeance. "Who did this?" he growled. Talia shuddered. "No one." A lie. A plea. A desperate attempt to protect the monster who hurt her. Damon inhaled deeply, trying to rein in the storm inside him, but her scent—the sweetness, the fragility—it wrecked him. "I will not hurt you," he swore, his tone softer now, but she didn't believe him. He could see it in the way her body coiled, ready to run. Then, she did. Gone. Vanished. She had run from him AGAIN, Damon couldn’t believe it. [SFX: DOOR SWINGING SHUT, FOOTSTEP FLEEING] Damon stood frozen for a second. Then—"Damn it!" His wolf snarled. Find her. Damon’s body moved on instinct, chasing the fading scent of freesia into the night. Damon halted in the middle of the garden, nostrils flaring as he inhaled deeply, searching for her scent. The freesia and citrus still lingered in the air, but it was interwoven with the overpowering fragrance of hydrangeas and roses, scattered wildly by the wind. "Shit!" he cursed, his fists clenching. "I lost her. Why did she run?" 'Maybe because you scared the soul out of her.' His wolf growled. Damon frowned. 'I scared her?' 'You grabbed her, cornered her, demanded answers... You think she’s not used to being mistreated? And let’s not forget, the first time she saw you, another she-wolf was on her knees for you, and you barked at her to stop. Hardly a warm introduction, if I may say.' Damon cursed under his breath. He hadn’t considered it from that angle. The girl haunted him. Her wide, fearful eyes. The bruises marring her delicate face. The way she shrank when he spoke. It made something primal inside him snap. 'If she’s my mate, why didn’t she feel it? She should have wanted to be near me, not running for her life.' 'Maybe she doesn’t know you’re her mate.' 'Is she too young?' 'No, she’s small and malnourished, but she’s definitely over eighteen.' His wolf hesitated. 'The problem is... I can’t sense her wolf.' Damon’s body stiffened. 'She’s a human?' That thought made him recoil. A human? The Moon Goddess paired a fragile human with an Alpha like him? That was insanity. 'No,' his wolf corrected. 'She’s a she-wolf. But for some reason, her inner wolf hasn’t awakened. It could be abuse. Starvation. Or something darker. Maybe… her wolf has been silenced.” Silenced? Who would do such a thing? What reason could they possibly have to justify such cruelty? Ripping a wolf from her other half, severing the sacred bond between soul and beast. Damon couldn’t imagine a fate more brutal. More inhumane. Damon raked a hand through his hair, his frustration mounting. He’d frightened her. He let her leave without food. And now, she was out there—alone, vulnerable. 'How do I fix this?' His wolf growled. 'Fix what? You came here to seduce Marcy, ruin Alpha Edward’s plans, and leave. What changed? You want to apologize for being an ass and take her out for dinner?' Damon scowled, staring at the darkened tree line in the distance. [SFX: TREES RUSTLING IN THE WIND] He wasn’t the kind of man to coddle or chase after anyone. He told himself to forget her, to move on. But the truth was, he wasn’t sure if he could. Damon stormed up the stairs, each step heavier than the last. His blood ran hot, his chest tight with frustration he couldn’t shake. She ran from him. The copper-haired girl with those wide, frightened eyes and the scent that still clung to his skin. Like she wanted nothing to do with him. Fine. Let her go. He threw the bedroom door open without thinking—and froze. Nora was already there, draped across his bed like she belonged, wearing nothing but a wicked smirk. “I figured you’d need company,” she purred, stretching, letting her fingers trail across his pillow. Marking her territory. "Rough night?" Damon exhaled hard, his fists clenching at his sides. The girl’s scent was still in his head, citrus and freesia, clinging like a curse. But Nora smelled of want. Willing. Available. A distraction. That’s all he needed. That’s all this was. He closed the door with a snap and stepped toward the bed, gaze dark and unreadable. “Shut up,” he growled. Then he grabbed her. [SFX: SOUND OF THE SHOWER RUNNING AND TURNING OFF, DAMON SIGHS] Damon sat on the edge of the bed later, running a hand through his damp hair. The shower hadn’t washed away the frustration, nor the bitter aftertaste of what just happened. Nora was already gone. He glanced down and saw a pair of torn panties near the foot of the bed. Not Marcy’s. Nora’s. His lip curled. Perfect. Just another mess to clean up. "You’re a damn fool." His wolf's voice slithered into his mind, thick with disgust. "Did that make you forget her? Did she feel like our mate?" Damon clenched his jaw. No. Nora had been warm, willing—everything he should’ve wanted. But it had been empty. Pointless. The moment his release faded, the hunger in his chest only grew sharper. His wolf sneered. "I warned you. She is the only one who can satisfy us." Damon growled under his breath. He didn’t want this to be true. He didn’t want to need the girl with the copper-colored hair. And yet… he did. If he was ever going to find peace again, he needed to find her. His frail, elusive mate. The Omega who kept slipping through his fingers. [SFX: BIRDS CHIRPING, EARLY MORNING AMBIENCE] The next morning, Damon contacted Caden and Maya through their mind link. 'Are you guys up?' 'We are now,' Caden grumbled. They had an agreement—nights were private between him and Maya, and Damon only disturbed them if something urgent came up. Maya’s voice grew alert. 'Did something happen?' 'Caden, come to my room.' There was a pause before Caden responded. 'On my way.' When Caden arrived, he gave the room a once-over before raising a brow at Damon. "You look like shit. Were you attacked?" His gaze fell on the shredded panties discarded on the floor. "Oh. Never mind. Guess you had a long night." Damon wasn’t in the mood for jokes. He tossed and turned the entire night, plagued by nightmares. He saw the copper-haired girl trapped in darkness, shadowy hands choking her, bruising her skin. He clawed at an invisible barrier, screaming her name. Except he didn’t even know her name. "How did you feel when you met Maya?" Damon asked abruptly. Caden’s grin faded. "Why? Is Marcy your mate?" Damon rolled his eyes. "Just answer the damn question." [SFX: CADEN SIGHS] "Attraction, sparks, happiness. I needed Maya to be happy so I could be happy. I thought I knew what happiness was before, but after meeting her, I realized I’d been clueless." Damon clenched his jaw. That wasn’t what he felt. He felt restless, furious, out of control. "Did you ever think about resisting it?" Caden looked appalled. "Why the hell would I? She’s the best thing that ever happened to me. I waited my whole life for her. Why would I reject her?" Damon’s stomach twisted. "What if Maya was in danger because of you? Would you pick her safety over your happiness? What if the only way to protect her was to reject her?" Caden frowned. "What kind of twisted scenario is that? I wouldn’t be happy if she suffered. Rejection would break us both, so I’d rather face danger together." He eyed Damon sharply. "What’s going on? Did last night fry your brain?" Damon exhaled harshly. "I don’t know what’s going on." Caden shrugged. "Alright. We’re still leaving after breakfast, right?" Damon hesitated. Could he really leave without seeing her again? Just one more time—to make sure she was okay, to confirm that the sparks weren’t in his head? "Let me think about it.” Caden studied his Alpha, his oldest friend. There was something Damon wasn’t saying. He could feel it. But he didn’t press. Damon would talk when he was ready, and when he did, Caden would be there. He always was. He couldn’t have known Damon’s mind was consumed by the copper-haired girl, his true fated mate. Or that beneath his calm exterior, he was seething over the bruise Marcy had left on her skin. That cruel woman. His so-called betrothed. He could tear her apart if it wouldn't start a damn war. Though maybe there were other ways to destroy her… Caden turned toward the door when Damon’s voice stopped him. “Could you look into Marcy for me? Anything we can use to discredit her: past scandals, secrets, whatever you can find.” Caden nodded without hesitation. “Anything, Damon.” He slipped out, closing the door softly behind him. [MUSIC: PENSIVE STRINGS] 'Are you thinking about rejecting her?' his wolf asked. Damon sighed. 'I need to protect her.' 'Then keep her close. Don’t reject her.' His wolf had explained that, without her wolf, Talia didn’t feel the bond. She wasn’t drawn to him the way he was to her. To win her, he’d have to do it the human way; court her, earn her trust. But without the bond, nothing guaranteed she would stay and that terrified Damon the most! Damon didn’t know the first thing about romance, but he knew one thing—no one could know she was his mate. If Alpha Edward learned, he’d use her against him. She’d become leverage, a hostage. Damon couldn’t allow that. After breakfast, Damon met with Alpha Edward in his office. "I wonder if you’re aware of how your Omegas are treated," Damon said. Alpha Edward frowned. "Elaborate." "Do they get paid? Fed? Protected?" Edward bristled. “We provide accommodations, three meals a day. They have access to the kitchen. We train them, discipline them if necessary, but no one is mistreated." Damon leaned forward. "Then why did I see one yesterday, perfectly fine—and hours later, covered in bruises?" Alpha Edward’s jaw tightened. "Disputes happen." Damon smirked. "Then maybe you should have a chat with your daughter." Edward’s eyes sharpened. "Marcy?" "A Luna should protect her people—not beat them to a pulp. If my mate was ever treated like that—" Damon cut himself off, clenching his fists. Edward narrowed his eyes. "I’ll speak with her." Damon smirked. "I’m counting on it." Later when Marcy entered Edward’s study, he cut straight to the point. "How is your relationship with Damon?" Marcy smiled. "We’re getting along well. I think he plans on making me his Luna." Edward’s voice darkened. "Then explain why he thinks you beat Omegas half to death." Marcy paled. "What were you thinking?!" he roared. "You don’t beat an Omega when an Alpha you’re trying to impress is watching!" Marcy swallowed hard. She had just made a very dangerous mistake. "Do whatever it takes. Do you understand me?" Alpha Edward’s voice was razor-sharp, slicing through the thick air between them. His hand slammed against the desk, the loud crack making Marcy jump. Marcy swallowed hard, nodding fervently. "Yes, Father." "Don’t just ‘yes, Father’ me!" he snapped, eyes gleaming with fury. "I gave you everything. Position, power, the opportunity to become Luna of the strongest pack! And you’re ruining it because of your carelessness. Do you know what happens if you fail me? If you mess this up?" Marcy’s breath hitched. "I—I can fix it. I promise." Edward’s jaw clenched. "You’d better. Find Damon. Make him yours. By any means necessary." Marcy rushed to her room, slamming the door shut behind her. Her hands trembled as she braced herself against the vanity. That was close. And it was all her fault. That lowly mutt, Talia. A constant thorn in Marcy’s side. Why would Alpha Damon, of all people, care so much about such a useless little omega? It made no sense. After a deep breath, Marcy steeled herself. She wouldn’t fail. She stripped off her dress, selected something more daring—plunging neckline, fabric that clung in all the right places—and touched up her makeup before making her way to find Damon. She found him outside his room, speaking with his mated betas Caden and Maya. "Are you guys going out?" she asked, feigning casual interest. Caden nodded. "James offered to show us around the warrior training grounds." Marcy barely suppressed her grimace. The training grounds reeked of sweat and desperation, two things she had no interest in. Damon’s eyes were cold as they landed on her. "Can I help you, Marcy?" She nearly flinched. His tone was ice. It was worse than anger—he was indifferent. He found out. The bruised little rat had reached his ears. Her father had been right. She needed to fix this—fast. She smiled sweetly. "I was hoping we could talk. Just the two of us." Damon glanced at Caden, who gave him a knowing nod before leading an eye rolling Maya away. Once they were alone, Marcy stepped forward and, without hesitation, wrapped her arms around Damon’s waist. He didn’t return the embrace. Instead, his hands gripped her wrists and peeled her off him as if she were something repugnant. "What are you doing?" "I’m sorry," Marcy said quickly. Damon arched a brow. "For what?" She hesitated. Did she mean last night? Or the Omega? Or both? "My behavior yesterday was… unacceptable." Damon leaned back against the chair, his arms folding over his chest. "You came here to apologize. Do it without touching me." Marcy took a breath. "I also want to fix things." His brow lifted. "Fix what, exactly?" She clenched her hands at her sides. Just do it. Give him what he wants. You can control him once you’re Luna. "I wasn’t thinking straight last night," she admitted. "I said things I didn’t mean." Damon smirked. "You didn’t mean what you said? About your limits? What you’d do?" Marcy’s cheeks burned. "I mean… I said we needed to know we were heading toward marriage first. And we are. So… I’m fine with whatever you want to do." Damon leaned forward, his smirk darkening. "Whatever I want?" Marcy swallowed. "Yes." "Undress." She blinked. He’s serious. With slightly trembling fingers, she unbuttoned the front of her dress, letting the fabric pool around her ankles. She stood before him in lace lingerie, heart hammering. Damon’s gaze swept over her body, unreadable. "All of it." She hesitated for only a second before obeying. The bra slid from her shoulders, the panties kicked to the side. She stood bare, feeling powerful and vulnerable all at once. Damon’s smirk remained. "Turn around." She did. Slowly. Gritting her teeth, she obeyed. Damon circled her slowly. And then— Smack! Marcy jolted as his palm connected with her bare skin, leaving a bright pink imprint on her skin. The sting melted into pleasure, making her whimper. She arched her hips, offering more. But Damon stepped away. She turned, confused, just in time to see him buttoning his cuffs. "What?" she gasped. "What are you doing?" Damon smirked, voice dripping amusement. "Parting is such sweet sorrow." And with that, he walked to the bathroom, washed his hands as if cleansing himself of her, and left without looking back. Marcy stood there, naked, humiliated. He. Just. Left. Damon used his mind link to check on Caden and Maya. "That was fast," Caden teased as Damon joined them. "Shut up," Damon replied. Maya crossed her arms. "Did you get anything we can use against Marcy?" Damon exhaled. "No." Caden and Maya exchanged a look. "She’s been careful," Caden admitted. "No photos. No proof of her messing around. Just whispers." Damon’s jaw tightened. "Keep digging. Someone has something." “We did find something else,” Maya said, holding up a sealed envelope. Damon’s eyes narrowed. “About Marcy?” “No,” Caden shook his head. “Another girl from the Red Moon Pack. A servant girl. With copper hair.” Damon’s eyes widened, his entire body stilled. He snatched the envelope from Maya’s hand and tore it open. He couldn't believe his eyes. His grip tightened, voice low and urgent. “We need to find her. The copper-haired girl. Now.” "You don’t even know her name," Maya pointed out. Damon clenched his fists. But I know her scent. He turned abruptly. "I’ll be back in ten minutes." Maya and Caden exchanged another look as he strode off. "What’s gotten into him?" Maya asked. Caden sighed. "Hell if I know. But I think we just found his weakness." As Damon searched the grounds more desperately, he hatched an idea. Damon knew that as a guest he couldn't go anywhere he wanted, so he asked Alpha Edward to assign him an escort. "Can Marcy accompany you?" Alpha Edward asked. He obviously wanted to increase the time that Damon and Marcy spent together. He immediately contacted Marcy through the mind link and after a brief pause, he said, "Oh, sorry. She's busy right now. Can you wait a little bit?" Damon guessed that Marcy sulked after he left her hanging in his room. That made him feel good. Damon didn't care who accompanied him. He had no clear goal in mind and as long as that person didn't get in his way, it seemed fine. "I'd like to start now if it's OK with you. You can tell Marcy to join me whenever she's ready." Alpha Edward wondered why Damon seemed in a rush, but he didn't question it. Damon wanted to walk around, and he even acted considerate enough to ask for someone to escort him. It took Alpha Edward two seconds to find his next candidate. A person who knew what went on and wouldn't embarrass him. Nora waited for Damon in front of the study with a big smile on her face. "Alpha Edward asked me to escort you and to answer any questions you might have." Damon hummed in understanding. "Take me to where Omegas stay." "Sure." Damon eyed Nora. If she was surprised by this demand, she didn't show it. Damon observed the two-story high building. The bottom floor had a kitchen, a common area that doubled as a lounge and dining room, and four bedrooms. The upper floor had ten bedrooms. Based on the information they received about the Red Moon pack, each room housed six to eight people, so Damon estimated about one hundred people in each building. Nora didn't understand why Damon asked to visit this place, but other than walking through the hallways, he didn't stop. "Do you want to see inside rooms?" Damon refused. "That's not necessary. Is this the only building for Omegas?" "No, there are three more," Nora responded. "I want to visit them." Three buildings later, Damon lost hope that he would find the mysterious copper haired girl. Not a single whiff of freesia appeared, no matter how much he searched. After four buildings without any hints of the copper haired girl., Damon was frustrated. "Are you looking for anything in particular?", Nora asked when she saw Damon spacing out in the middle of the hallway. Damon shrugged and shook his head. He was not sure himself. Nora stepped closer to him and spoke in a sultry voice, "Whatever you want, I can give you…" Damon frowned. "Keep your distance, Miss Nora, or people might get the wrong idea." She didn't move and his expression darkened. "Do you want to start the rumors about us? I wonder, what would Alpha Edward say if he thinks there is something going on between us? I'm sure you are aware of my reputation. One more girl won't make a difference, but for you who tried to ruin Marcy's chances of becoming the Luna of the Dark Howlers pack..." Damon clicked his tongue. Nora gave him a tight smile and increased the distance between them. She got the message to stay away. For now. Damon became immersed in his thoughts, completely ignoring Nora who fidgeted by his side. He was recollecting everything he knew about the copper haired girl and trying to come up with something that makes sense. Damon assumed that she was an Omega because she brought towels into his bathroom, and because of the poor treatment she received. If she had any standing, Alpha Edward wouldn't be oblivious that she was mistreated. Of course, there was a possibility that Alpha Edward knew about it, and he was pretending to be oblivious. However, if he was concealing the issue, he would deny it and not tell Damon that he would talk to Marcy. Damon spent the last decade among Alphas, and he learned a thing or two about reading them. He was confident that Alpha Edward didn't know that Marcy (and maybe someone else) was physically punishing Omegas. Damon wanted to ask Nora if she knew something about beatings or the girl with copper-colored hair, but he quickly decided not to. He didn't want to appear to be snooping into something that was not his business and if anyone suspected that he was specifically interested in one girl with poor standing, that could backfire big time. The last thing he wanted was to jeopardize her in any way. He had to connect the dots on his own. Anyone with such injuries would probably stay in bed, either in the pack hospital or in her room, and an Omega would help her out. Hell, even if she was an Omega, someone should take care of her and not let her search for food in the middle of the night. The fact that she was looking for food in the middle of the night while injured, meant that she didn't have dinner, and her skinny appearance told Damon that she skipped many other meals as well. His heart ached. He thought that maybe she committed some crime and was being punished, but if she was imprisoned or tortured, she wouldn't be able to come to the kitchen, so he crossed off that as a possibility. If she truly was an Omega, she would live in one of these common buildings, and Damon could pick up her scent. Another mystery was, why would she look for food in the packhouse when there was a kitchen in each of these buildings? The more Damon thought about it, the less sense it made. It all felt like he was trapped in a game of hide-and-seek. He was exasperated and his mind was a mess. His life was so much simpler before he saw that girl sneaking out of his room while Marcy was pleasuring him. Damon didn't want to think about the copper haired girl, and he couldn't believe that he spent so much time searching for her. The girl ran away, and she probably didn't care about him. The smartest thing to do was leave this pack and return to his routine. Eventually, her addictive scent would fade from his mind, and he would be normal again. Damon wanted to leave the Red Moon pack and go home. He really did. But as time passed, Damon realized that he couldn't leave without seeing the girl with the copper-colored hair again. Just one more time. He wanted to ensure that she was fine. At least that's what he told himself. Damon hoped that if he could inhale her sweet citrusy scent of freesia a few more times, he might get sated, or maybe he would find out that it didn't affect him anymore. And then there were those sparks that felt divine. Yes, he needed to feel those again also. Just once and then he would leave. Definitely. Damon came up with a million reasons to see the girl he couldn't get out of his mind, and he roamed around the packhouse and community buildings, but with no luck. It was like the girl simply disappeared. Damon was desperate. Was she a ghost who came to torture him? He was never this anxious. Caden and Maya realized that Damon was acting strangely, but he didn't explain anything, no matter how many times they asked. Damon was irritable and he said more than once that they were leaving, only to turn around and tell them they were staying longer. To say that Maya and Caden were confused, was an understatement. When Damon announced that they would stay another night, Caden and Maya started suspecting that Marcy or Alpha Edward drugged Damon or cast some mind-muddling spell on him because this was not Damon they knew. Damon was never indecisive, and he never refused a naked woman and this was enough proof for Caden and Maya that Damon was losing it. Caden and Maya agreed that if Damon's behavior escalated, they would take him away by force. The plan was that Maya would distract Damon, and Caden would whack Damon in the head, and then they would drag him into the car and drive away. Oblivious to Caden's and Maya's plans, Damon thought about his situation and realized that there was only one thing for him to do. He left his room around midnight and headed downstairs. Damon sat in the kitchen of the packhouse with the lights off and waited. That's where he saw the copper-haired girl, so he hoped that she would show up again. Damon didn't sleep the previous night, and he was not in his best shape, but every one of his muscles was tense, and he didn't feel like sleeping. His mind was going through numerous scenarios of what he would say when the mysterious girl showed up, and how she would respond. Would he play it cool and ask casually how she was doing? Or maybe he should show a stern expression and demand an explanation to why she disappeared last night without a goodbye? Or maybe he should make a pitiful expression and say how she hurt his feelings? Based on the internet, girls liked it when a man exposed his vulnerable side. Damon was still not sure if he should embrace this madness or reject her, but he knew that he had to see her. His wolf would growl in displeasure whenever Damon thought about rejecting her as his mate, and whimper sadly when Damon worried why she was not there yet. What if she is hurt? Did she leave? Was she hungry? Damon shoved his hand into his hair. Maybe the girl was fine and sleeping and he was an idiot for spending the night in the kitchen. Seconds ticked into minutes that turned to hours, painfully slow, and Damon was exasperated when he saw dawn cracking through the window. She didn't come. Now that Damon has found his fated mate, how will he keep her safe?! And what will Talia choose?! Will she trust him?! Stay a slave at the Red Moon Estate? Will she attempt to escape from all of them? What will happen when Edward and Marcy discover Damon has found Talia?! To find out what happens next, install the PocketFM app in the next minute to get free access to twenty two episodes of “Crowned in Shadow”. Click now before the offer disappears.