Page 39 of His Blue Moon Princess (The Silver City #1)

“This is what I call a mess, miss Nora.”

I ignore him. Sitting on Damian’s desk, still as furious as before, I’m not impressed at all by Neal’s lecture. Arms crossed, I look at him walking in circles in Damian’s office. I don’t care that he is annoyed at me; I’m annoyed at them, too.

It took Neal, Bobo, and Damian to stop me. I was that close to finally giving that woman what she deserved! I will remember for a long time the terror in her eyes when I jumped at her in my wolf form. I was that close to scratching her! But after escaping Damian’s grasp, Bobo and Neal jumped at the same time to hold me back, and my mate caught me back a second later. Apparently, it took a while to calm my wolf down, but it’s kind of blurry for me. I was so blinded by anger that I let my wolf take control entirely.

I do feel sorry for Bobo, though. I accidentally scratched his jaw with my claws while trying to escape them, and now he has a large compress on his face. I give him an apologetic look as he is standing against the wall, but he just seems bored by his brother’s nagging.

“Not only this could have ended in conflict with the Gold Moon Clan, but on top of it, the Sapphire Moon was right there watching!”

“I’m pretty sure the Blood Moon Clan is already in conflict with the Gold Moon Clan,” I growl.

“Not in the open! And it doesn’t give you the right to kill their Alpha’s daughter!”

“Well, the Sapphire Alpha was applauding...” Mutters Bobo.

Neal gives him a glare.

To be precise, William was even laughing out loud after they caught me. Whether it was because of my fury or because Alessandra and her followers ran away, he liked the show and made it clear. What a ruckus for that wretched woman...

I go back to ignoring Neal’s litany about how reckless I was and stare outside. A mix of rain and snow started pouring right after I exploded. William took it as his excuse to leave, though he deliberately ignored the matter of Liam. Plus, Damian and the Betas were too busy trying to calm me down to argue any further. In the end, I was dragged back to Damian’s office. I’m still angry, even after going back to my human shape and changing. I’m stuck with the Mura brothers, while Damian left to discuss what happened with the Gold Moon with his Lieutenants. Nathaniel is there, too, but he ignores us. I’m pretty sure he is busy mind-linking Liam.

“This is highly problematic, Miss Nora. None of us like Miss King either, but you can’t attack other packs in the open like that! This is the perfect excuse for them to get back at us, and now is certainly not the time for this.”

“So, what, I’m supposed to swallow her insults like it’s nothing?” I ask angrily.

“No, you are supposed to act smarter than her! Don’t stoop to that woman’s level!”

Oh, I have an excellent idea about which level I would want to bring that woman down to...

“Is Damian done rambling?”

“Neal Mura is the one me to death right now. When are you coming back, you chicken?”

I hear Liam laugh in my head. How can he find fun in a situation like this...? I hope he stayed behind for nothing.

“I’m serious, Liam. When are you coming back?”

“Pretty soon. The Sapphire Moon Clan is kind of boring. They don’t like people coming in, but it is quite easy to go out. I might have to beat some of their fighters’ asses, though.”

“How come you get to have fun while I have to be scolded for hours for trying to scratch that woman?”

“You just pick the wrong fights, Princess.”

I roll my eyes before realizing Neal saw that. He probably thinks I’m annoyed at him and did this on purpose, but I really didn’t. He clicks his tongue, and I look somewhere else, anywhere. Bobo is yawning like he couldn’t care less. I wish I was as carefree...

The door suddenly opens, and Damian enters, followed by several people. Tonia is there, with Isaac, Vane, and Sean, too. The office suddenly feels crowded, but I stay on Damian’s desk when he walks up to me. He goes to put his arms around me, but I ignore him. I’m too angry right now; I don’t want to be hugging and acting sweet.

“Isaac. Tell us again what you just said,” he says.

Isaac nods. “The situation with the Gold Moon Clan remains stable for now. Basically, they still act like nothing is wrong, despite us shutting them out. Most of the contracts we were working on have simply been signaled as ‘on hold,’ and they still make use of our name whenever they can.”

He walks up to us, going around the desk, and uses the phone, dialing in some number. After a while, we can hear Thaddeus’ voice. They exchange a few words, and Isaac puts him on speaker.

“We are about halfway into transferring the funds, but the Gold Moon Clan is greatly objecting. Miss Nora, I reached out to your Jade Moon Clan as you suggested, and their alliance with the Pearl Moon is valid. They have been giving us a hand with the financial aspect for transfer of funds, though the progress is quite slow.”

I’m surprised, but happy to hear that. Did Vince really help in this? I knew he had a great relationship with the Pearl Moon Alpha, but I never imagined he would really be willing to use it for the Blood Moon Clan or me. So, they are transferring all the Blood Moon accounts from the Gold Moon Clan establishments to Pearl Banking?

I’m shocked at how Damian already put everything in motion. Isaac cuts off the phone and turns to us. “It’s a slow process, but we are getting there. I think the hardest part will be the aftermaths of having so many breaches of contracts and accords nullified. Basically, the Gold Moon Clan will try to play dead the longest they can and try to grab as much as they can while trying to prevent us from cutting ties.”

“What about your side?” Asks Damian to Vane and Sean.

“Everyone is following your orders, Boss. It’s gotten lively, but the guys are happy to chase outsiders off our territory. The Gold Moon got quite complacent, our wolves were waiting for it, anyway,” says Vane.

“We chased most of them off overnight. It got a bit physical, but we reminded them who has the better fighters. No killings, but a few broken bones,” adds Sean with a smirk.

Damian nods.

So, this is really happening. The Blood Moon is cutting ties with the Gold Moon Clan. How will the other Clans react? I keep thinking about the dynamics between the packs in Silver City. It’s a very fragile peace with have going on.

“What do we do about Liam?” Asks Tonia.

Nathaniel rolls his eyes. “He doesn’t want us to help him, so leave him be. Knowing Liam, they might even beg us to take him back within the next three hours...”

Nobody contests that. I would think Liam tends to get himself out of these situations just fine. I just wish he wasn’t basically hiding from this mess.

Isaac gives me a faint smile. “You scared us, miss Nora. Going to the Sapphire Moon Clan territory like that was a bit dangerous...”

Great, I am really getting to get scolded by all the Betas now?

Damian seems to be suddenly reminded of the matter, and his angry aura almost explodes in the room. “What the hell were you thinking? Going with those two again! Nora, you could really have been killed! And with what happened yesterday, what if this sicko had found you? You didn’t even tell me a thing before going!”

“You would have never let me go if I had asked you!”

“And for a good reason! The Sapphire Moon hates us, they could have killed you on the spot, and this isn’t like the Jade Moon Clan or the Sea Moon! This is damn serious, Nora, we are enemies! What the hell were you doing there!”

“I went to try and help you!” My yelling seemed to shock a lot of people, aside from Bobo. “I know canceling your engagement with the Gold Moon Clan will bring a lot more issues than you tell me! Liam told me about how things were with the Sapphire Moon Clan, and whatever it is, this doesn’t look good! I couldn’t leave it at that, so I went there to try and negotiate an Oath of Peace with them.”

“An Oath of Peace? Nora, we are not even on speaking terms with those people! One single step on their territory could have gotten all three of you killed!” Yells Damian.

“Now that you mention it... How did you guys manage to go this far?” Asks Nathaniel.

I sigh. “That’s the thing. It turns out I have a lot more in common with the Sapphire Moon than the Jade Moon.”

Damian frowns again, and I can tell he is thinking hard right now, probably reminiscing everything William said earlier. All the others look concerned, too, so I breathe in and start to explain. I tell them everything. How I met William’s father, his hatred for the Black Brothers’ father. I describe the painting the best I can, how much Queen Diane and I look alike, and all of her story William told me. When I stop, after explaining how William decided to keep Liam as an exchange for myself, the room stays completely silent, each of them in awe.

Tonia shakes her head as if she’s trying to wake up. “You’re saying... you are the grand-daughter of this Moon Goddess reincarnation, Queen Diane? And the Sapphire Moon Alpha’s... cousin?” She asks, bewildered.

“His second cousin, supposedly, yes.”

“Well, that would explain how you are so pure as a Royal...”

“It also explains why they let miss Nora on their territory so easily. The Sapphire Moon wolves’ instinct probably prevented them from attacking. She is Royalty to them, it would be even harder than attacking their own Alpha,” explains Isaac.

“So, what, now they want to have her as a part of their Clan?”

That is a good question. William’s attitude was confusing on that part. He called me their Princess, and did say I belonged there, but... I feel like there is more than that. He is really mysterious and cunning. He was watching our interactions with the Gold Moon Clan, too.

“I don’t like this,” says Nathaniel. “Even if Nora is their Princess, that doesn’t change the fact that they hate the Gold Moon Clan and us. King is probably going to play with that until one of us actually starts a war. And now they want Nora and are ready to capture Liam for that. We can’t leave it at that, Damian. If the other Clans learn about this...”

Nathaniel is right. The tension at the border was no joke. If I wasn’t there, they probably wouldn’t even have bothered with words. I feel like we only won a short reprieve because I happened to be there.

“I still don’t get why they hate you guys so much! I couldn’t get anything out of William about that...”

“William? You are on a first-name basis with him now?”

I turn to Damian, surprised by his pissed-off tone. A bit annoyed, too. “What? Don’t you dare start acting jealous, Damian, because I’m so not in the mood for this right now!”

All the others look at us, a bit awkwardly, but I don’t care. I’m angry and exhausted, and I really can’t take any more from Damian right now. I’m about to explode.

“I don’t care if you’re mad because I’m mad, too! I had to listen to that woman’s crap for the second time in two weeks; that’s enough! I’m tired of trying to sort things out, tired of all those secrets, and tired of you getting mad at me whenever I take a step out without telling you!”

“You’re the one who said no more secrets!” He yells back.

Great, now we are both mad and yelling at each other! I see Nathaniel gesturing for the rest of the group to leave us alone, but I couldn’t care less. I just need to get it all out right now.

“I don’t want to have to lie to you, but you would never have let me go to William’s territory if I didn’t sneak out! And I couldn’t stay behind, I had to try!”

“Why the hell do you think you have to solve everything! You’re just a teen, Nora! You may be a Princess, but you don’t have to carry the whole fate of Silver City! Why do you feel like you have to go and save the situation on your own!”

“Because I’m damn scared, Damian!” I yell, as I start crying, too.

“Why are you so scared? Nora, I told you I will protect you no matter what!”

“I’m scared of losing you, you idiot!”

I burst into tears.

Gosh, I’ve been crying way too much these days. All these emotions bottled up inside, and I can’t hold them anymore. I may act tough, I may be doing my best in front of others, but I just break all of my armor when it’s just Damian and me.

“Nora...”

“I’ve lost too many people already, Damian, I don’t think I can take it, anymore. My dad died when I was young, the mother who raised me, too... Even Alec... I even lost my former pack! I’m so scared I’m going to lose you, too, because I’m so selfish...”

I try to wipe away my tears, to breathe in the middle of it, but it pours, and I can’t seem to stop. Damian looks at me, all trace of anger dissipated already. He looks worried and unsure about what to do. I keep talking, with my voice hoarse and breaking.

“You know why I got so mad earlier? At you? Because that woman was right. She’s right, Damian! I don’t have anything to support you as a Luna should! I’m all the things King said! A powerless orphan! I don’t care if I’m a Princess, what good is it? I know you love me, I get it, but this is never going to be enough! When William was talking about Queen Diane, all I could think of was how she was unable to protect her own children! My mom died, Damian, she died before I could meet her, I don’t even remember her! What if I lose you because I’m not strong enough to protect you? If this war really happens? What if...?”

Before I can finish, Damian grabs my wrist and forces a kiss on me. It’s not like any of our previous kisses. This one is more brutal, imposing. I can tell he’s mad. His lips pressed against mine, I have a hard time catching my breath. It’s still passionate and enticing. I feel my body going numb while the fire roars inside. I can’t escape his grip, and he keeps kissing me savagely until my legs give up. When he feels me falling, he suddenly stops and hugs me tight.

Trapped in his arms, I feel his breathing against my skin. We need to catch some air. He slides down against his desk until we are seated on the ground. He rubs my back gently, allowing me to calm down.

“Nora, listen, my Love. I’m sorry I let you feel like this. I know you went through all that, and I’m glad that you finally stop acting tough. It’s okay to be scared, my Love. You can tell me everything.”

I put my arms around his neck, holding him close. Only Damian can find the words to reassure me right now. He caresses my hair and keeps stroking my hair gently.

“Nora, I’m scared you’ll get hurt trying to protect me or anyone. If there is something that worries you, tell me. If something scares you, tell me. Nora, you’re the one who said no more secrets, so don’t keep any from me, too. Don’t close yourself to me. I can’t read all of your emotions, and sometimes I have no idea what you are thinking about. I want to know my Love, everything about you.”

I nod against his shoulder and raise my head up to face him. My eyes must be red and all teary because I see him frowning a bit. I don’t care. I put my hand on his cheek, feeling his warmth under my fingers.

“I hate her... I hate that woman, Damian, and I’m scared she is going to take you away from me. If I don’t have you, I don’t have anything. I want to be your Luna, the only one for you. I don’t want another woman to look at you or touch you. I want to be selfish.”

He chuckles and comes to kiss between my eyebrows gently. “Welcome to my world, my Love.”

So, this is what he feels, too? Who is he jealous of, then? I don’t want to think about it. I just want to keep Damian as close as possible.

“Be jealous, then,” I say. “If you are jealous, I’ll know you still love me as much.”

“I hope you’ll remember saying that next time—”

Before he can finish his sentence, I take him between my hands and kiss him fiercely. I am still a bit clumsy and hesitant, but I let my emotions guide me.

I just want him. I don’t care about a bond, or anything else. This is just me, and the man I fell in love with. We keep kissing intensely, and I put my arms around his neck. My heart is beating so fast, I feel like I could faint any second. Damian’s grip around me tightens, and I know this is all too real. He kisses me frantically, and I join him. I want him, I want Damian so badly, I feel like I’ve been missing him my whole life, like a thirst only he can quench. Only him. Only Damian.

He interrupts our kiss, and we are still both out of breath. Taking my face between his hands, he looks into my eyes, his silver irises mesmerizing me. I know what he is looking for: an answer, my consent. He wants to be sure. But I am sure. I really do want this, I want him. I put my fingers through his jet-black hair, observing my mate. Gosh, this man is really too handsome... I gently come back to him, pressing my lips against his once again, giving him what he wants.

The next second, I feel his arms under me, and I’m carried away. His hands are firm, but his caresses are more rushed, a bit hastier. I don’t hold back, either. I caress his neck, any part of his back I can reach, and I help him get out of his shirt. He carries me like I don’t weigh anything and takes me to the bedroom before I even realize it.

My legs wrapped around his waist, I’m not ready to let go until I feel the satin sheets under me. We keep kissing like crazy, and I hear my own heartbeat in my ears. I hear Damian, too, whispering my name endlessly as his lips leave mine to go down my neck.

“Nora, Nora...”

I gasp and open my eyes, trying to catch my breath. Damian halts a second, looking at me and panting. Oh, Moon Goddess, his eyes are driving me crazy. I’m becoming someone else, and that girl is eager for more. The silver diamonds are shining with lust, too. Hungry like a wolf. I feel the last strings of my reserve snapping. I’m half-wolf and half-woman, striving for my mate, following my instincts and desire. My whole body is burning with wildfire, but gosh, I like it.

Damian is half-naked on top of me, and not holding back his desire either. He puts his head in my neck, his hand under my top, and keeps whispering words to drive me crazy between the kisses.

“Nora... Nora, I want you so bad...”

“Damian...”

He helps me take off my shirt, and I suddenly blush when his eyes fall on my bra. I’m grateful because Tonia got me something actually decent and a bit sexy, but...

“What is it?”

I blush even more because it seems so stupid to be covering my chest at this moment, but Damian is waiting for me. I try to avoid his eyes to confess. “Because... they’re... small...”

It takes him a second to understand, and he chuckles. This is not funny! Now that my mate is about to see it all, I’m embarrassed at my small chest. But Damian ignores me and mercilessly pushes my hands away to see them.

“Nora, you’re so cute...”

Cute? I don’t want to be cute; I wish I was more of the sexy type! Why did I have to be on the petite side? I barely have any curves! But obviously, Damian doesn’t care one bit. He keeps exploring my body, his fingers reaching everywhere. I feel the passion firing up inside again, and my cheeks become redder again when he takes off my skirt. I only have my panties left under him.

Damian stares at me, one hand on my leg and the other one supporting him. I love the way he is looking at me, making me feel beautiful. But this is a bit embarrassing, too, so I grab his face to resume our kissing, while my other hand goes to unbuckle his pants. I shouldn’t be the only one staying naked, right?

We sit up on the bed, and Damian helps me. While he is getting out of his pants, I kiss his torso. I have seen him half-naked a lot of times already, but I never get enough of it. How does he achieve this Greek-sculpture body? So muscular, too. I silently promise myself to work more diligently on my diet and workout from now on.

I hear him exhale loudly under my kisses, and his fingers run over my back, grabbing my hair gently. He finally gets out of his jeans and takes me into his arms.

I know he is deliberately going slow for me. I feel my mate tensed up by desire, yet his hands are gentle. We go back to lying down next to each other. His lips go for my neck once again, his hand caresses my thighs. He is looking out for my reaction, trying to see any flaw, anything that might suggest a refusal from me. But Moon Goddess, I’ve never felt so ready. I undulate slowly, inviting him to explore more of my body. I want him to touch me more! Damian understands, and something lights up in his eyes. His hand slides all the way to my last piece of cloth, and I gasp as his fingers start playing underneath. Oh, gosh, this is... The fire seems to concentrate on this location while he keeps this going. He wants me fully ready, and I hear my own breathing changing minute after minute. I struggle to keep up with Damian’s deep kiss. I want more, I want more of this, but he suddenly stops.

Damian stands on the side of the bed, staring at me. Those silver eyes make me feel so many things... His stare is so intense, I start burning with excitation again. He doesn’t stop fixating on me while he takes off his boxers, and his hand reaches out for something from his drawer. When he comes back to the bed, he is entirely naked, and I feel him against me. All of his warmth and skin pressed on mine makes me crazy, and I grab him for a new long kiss.

I want him, I want my mate... I struggle to take off my panties until I’m finally naked, too, under him. Damian interrupts our kiss to stare at me once more, and I put my hands around his neck, keeping his silver eyes and breathless lips close to me. I’m panting, burning with desire. I don’t know what happened to the previous Nora, but this one is perfectly synched with her wolf and ready. I hear the sound of paper being torn, and Damian takes my hand, kissing its palm.

“I love you, Nora, I love you so much...”

“I love you, too...So bad...”

He smiles, kissing my cheek. “So bad?” He repeats with a smile

“Mm...”

He kisses me again, so passionately, until I lose track of time, and suddenly, I feel him move inside. I let out a faint cry. Damian showers me with kisses, whispering gently in my ear, taking it slow for me. I catch my breath, slowly getting used to him, indulging myself in this pleasure. I love him. Damian loves me, and he makes love like he is pouring all of his feelings into me. This is it; this is all I needed.

Becoming one with my mate.

When I wake up the next morning, I still feel tired, and I don’t want to move an inch. My whole body is practically melting on the bed, and I’m drowsy. I probably woke up because of this latent pain on my neck. I close my eyes a few seconds, trying to ignore it.

Damian’s breathing next to my ear makes me smile. I remember the details of our night and how I finally had sex with my mate. We really did it. Damian undid all my insecurities, making me feel better than ever before. This one night unveiled so much for the both of us... It wasn’t painless, but it was still great, and fulfilling.

I hear Damian’s breathing change behind me, and I know we are both awake. His hand grabs the bed sheets to hold it tighter around me, his arm covering my bare chest. We both slept with only our underwear on, and the room is a bit cold, but Damian’s warm chest is covering all of my back, and the balance between his hot skin and the cold air is perfect. He puts a kiss on my shoulder, another one on my neck.

“Good morning, my Love.”

“Good morning...”

“How do you feel?”

“...Like your woman.”

I hear him chuckle against my hair. I love the sound of his deep voice when he has just woken up, still a bit husky. Apparently, neither of us is willing to get up, as we lie in bed cuddling for a long time. Thank Moon Goddess I don’t have work today, so I can stay in Damian’s arms as long as they are there.

My mate gently kisses my shoulder again, and I feel the short spikes of his morning beard against my skin. Is it normal that I’m so sluggish? I don’t feel like getting up at all.

“How is your neck?”

I raise my hand to touch it, but Damian grabs my wrist before I do.

“Don’t. It’s still a bit fresh.”

I realize the faint scent of blood comes from the red stains on our pillows. Damian bit me a little on the lower left side; I can even feel the shape of his marking. It’s not really painful, more like tingling.

“It’s okay. How is yours?”

I hear him laughing against my hair again. What is so funny?

“I’m fine, too, despite my mate’s eagerness...”

My eagerness? What does he mean? I struggle to free myself from his embrace and get on my knees while still holding the blanket around me. Once I’m sitting, Damian gets on his stomach to let me see, and I gasp. Oh, my gosh. This isn’t biting, it looks like he was attacked by some wild animal! Did I really do this? Despite my bite marks being smaller, there are several on his neck, and they look like a mess, too. I turn red immediately, completely ashamed. I want to run away, but I’m more worried about my mate.

“Oh, Moon Goddess, I’m so sorry... Does it hurt?”

He laughs in the pillow, but I don’t find this funny! I’m so ashamed right now! How could I bite him like a... an animal! I lean on his back and kiss the little injuries gently. I don’t even remember biting him so fiercely! I was so into our... our intercourse last night, I lost track. This idiot just keeps laughing! I slap his back, annoyed.

“Damian, stop it! It’s not funny! It’s embarrassing!”

He doesn’t stop, and he grabs my wrist to push me down on the mattress. I pout, but he doesn’t care and starts kissing me, smiling against my lips. I try to fight him off playfully, but despite my annoyance at him, I eventually laugh and start answering his kiss.

This feels so much better now that we have gotten more intimate. I don’t have anything holding me back anymore, no apprehension or fear. Damian is obviously enjoying it, too. Actually, his kiss gets more intense, and I feel a specific part of him getting more excited, too...

About an hour later, I exit the shower, drying my hair with a towel. Thankfully, with what happened last time, Bobo left some of my clothes in Damian’s apartment. I pick up an off-shoulder striped top and a short velvet skirt. It’s a bit sexier than I would usually wear to work, but I like it. When Damian exits his bathroom, I’m checking my phone. I notice his glance on my legs and the thin black tights I chose. Now that I think of it, he did mention he liked my legs... When he is busy putting on his jeans, I throttle to him and pick a shirt before him in his wardrobe. It’s ninety-percent black shirts, so I just pick one randomly, and then look at his neckties until I find one I like. I settle for a silk silver one with two black stripes and hand it to him with a smile.

“You want to put it on me?” He asks with a smile.

“I have no idea how to make the tie...”

He looks a bit disappointed, so I give him a quick kiss before heading to the bathroom. When I am done, some light makeup on, he is waiting for me in the bedroom, frowning at his smartphone. I walk up to him, and he naturally puts an arm around my waist.

“What is it?” I ask, trying to take a peek at his phone.

“The Gold Moon Alpha is quite unhappy... He’s harassing the secretarial office to schedule a meeting. And my mailbox, as well...”

I frown. So Alessandra really went ahead to complain to daddy... I really wish Damian and the others had let me scratch her face. At least she would have had something really worth complaining about.

I sigh. “You haven’t seen him since the party?”

“He didn’t attend, and I was more focused on you. Neal and Thaddeus are the ones to usually meet him. It seems like I won’t be able to escape it this time.”

I click my tongue. I don’t care about the Gold Moon Alpha, but if I see Alessandra again, I’m really going for that woman’s throat. Thank Moon Goddess, now Damian and I are finally officially mated, and well, I made it quite visible. Even with his shirt collar, my marking is still pretty noticeable. I’m torn between the remorse of injuring my mate and the proudness of showing off my territory. I get on my toes and give him a quick kiss. When I step back, I suddenly remember something I noticed yesterday, too.

“I wonder why my kissing is not healing this?”

“I thought about it, too, but I suppose a marking is different from an injury... You would never be able to mark me, otherwise. And I don’t want to have to stop kissing you in the middle of having sex.”

I blush immediately. “Damian! Don’t say such stuff out loud, it’s embarrassing...”

He chuckles and gives me a quick kiss. Is it me, or is he more playful these days? He is acting a bit like Liam... Liam! I forgot about him! I try to reach out to him with my wolf, but for once, I can’t. What does that mean? Is he okay?

“Damian, any news of Liam?”

He shakes his head and takes my hand as we exit his apartment. So, he doesn’t know either. I can’t tell if he is worried or not, though. He just takes me down to his office, where once again, Neal is waiting for us. Bobo is there, too, and he walks up to me immediately. I put my hand in his fur, saying hello. Sometimes I wish Bobo was an Alpha, too, so we could mind-link easily...

I ignore Neal’s gaze, however. I know he is still angry after me for trying to attack Alessandra, but I’m not the slightest remorseful. I feel like a guilty daughter trying to avoid her father’s scolding.

“Boss, miss Nora...” He says, his eyes focused on me.

I mutter a “hi” while pretending to play with Bobo’s fur. Damian, however, walks up to him with a sigh, showing him his phone.

“I see you saw my messages, Boss.”

“You didn’t need to give me a headache for that, Neal.”

“You were obviously too busy to answer.”

He says that while staring at my bite marks on Damian’s neck. Why did I have to make it so obvious! Now I look like a very territorial woman. It might be necessary, though, if that woman comes around again. Damian rolls his eyes and goes to sit behind his desk, in a leather chair that suits him perfectly. Looking like this, with his black suit and the city’s scenery behind him, he looks like one of those classy villains from an action movie. A very sexy villain.

“Anyway, we need to come up with a response. Obviously, the Gold Moon Clan is getting more and more agitated. The broken engagement is also agitating the other packs. Though King is doing everything he can to not disclose it, they’re not blind. Some of the other Clans are already raising concerns.”

“What are they worried about?” I ask.

“About the future, miss Nora. Some of them are happy that we won’t be joining forces with the Gold Moon Clan, but they also wonder if we will create more conflicts that way,” explains Neal.

“You think they will put pressure on the other packs?”

“Not only the other packs but all of Silver City’s economy,” sighs Damian. “Knowing King, he will try to use this to his advantage. They own half of the banking establishments in Silver City, which means every Clan’s economy mostly depends on them. If they start cutting off the funds and holding all the money, the other packs will be starving and get agitated.”

That seems logical. If the packs are unable to use their money, and the Gold Moon closes all of the banks, it will be difficult for them financially. At some point, the Clans won’t be able to survive on their own and will take action.

“Won’t they put the blame on the Gold Moon Clan?”

“Not directly. First, they are too big for other Clans to take on, and secondly, they are the ones with the money. You don’t want to get on bad terms with the guy who has the key to your banking account. So, if they can’t blame the Gold Moon directly...”

“They will hold the Blood Moon responsible,” I whisper.

Neal nods, while Damian has a dark expression. This is the worst scenario, but unfortunately, Neal is right. Damian is the Alpha King of Silver City. If the other packs hold any grudges and they can’t direct it at the Gold Moon Clan, it will all fall on him. I bite my lip nervously. I don’t want to give in to the Gold Moon Clan, but is there any way to get out of this? They will most likely pressure them until Damian gives up, but this alliance would include him marrying Alessandra, and this is no longer a possibility since last night. He is now mine, no matter what.

Neal and Damian start talking about the recent moves of the Gold Moon Clan, and how to handle some business deals that were on hold with them, but I’m not listening anymore. I try to think of a solution.

Yesterday’s meeting with William Blue was necessary, I know it. But what now? Damian and William obviously won’t partner up anytime soon! And even if they did, the Gold Moon still holds half of Silver City’s economy. How are we supposed to oppose them?

“Hey, Nora?”

I jump, surprised to hear Elena’s voice after all this.

“Elena? What is it?”

“We have to talk, fast. I think the Opal Moon Clan is about to do something really, really stupid.”

“What do you mean?”

“You are not going to like it. Our Alpha had a secret meeting with Taaron King last night.”