~ The Dark Howlers pack ~
During their drive home, Talia was in a daze.
She couldn't believe that Alpha Damon held her so gently. It was something that she would never imagine as possible, but it happened.
The only indicator that they arrived back home was the loss of heat when he let go of her hand to open the door.
Talia watched Damon as he walked around the car to reach her side. She placed her hand into his when she exited the car, and just as his heat seeped into her palm, he let go, reminding her again that the magic was gone.
Something was stuck in Talia's throat, and she couldn't speak.
The sound of Stephanie's voice from the kitchen got Talia's attention, and she moved in that direction robotically.
Damon said that he will be working from his office, but she didn't respond. She couldn't.
Talia reminded herself that she knew it will be like this. She signed up to hold his hand and give him company, but it's not convenient to do that in front of others so… she needs to suck it up and focus on what's important. Kitchen. Stephanie. Learning things. Independence.
Yes, independence, because only like that she can be her own person and not rely on others for roof over her head, and food on the table, and even for holding hands.
Before entering the kitchen, Talia took a deep breath and schooled her features.
"Make sure there are extra towels. The bed sheets need to be ironed before you put them on…", Stephanie spoke to three Omegas and then she noticed Talia.
"Hi, dear…" Stephanie's sight moved to the top of Talia's head. "I see you had fun."
It took Talia a moment to realize that she was still wearing the headband with kitty ears on it. She swiftly removed it.
"Uhm, sorry about that. I didn't mean to interrupt."
Talia hoped that Stephanie won't ask from where the headband came, because Talia wouldn't know how to explain other than the truth, and she knew that it wouldn't be appropriate to say that she went to an amusement park with Alpha Damon. Well, maybe Stephanie wouldn't think much about it, but those three Omegas were new faces, and knowing how popular Alpha Damon is, Talia didn't want to antagonize them.
Stephanie stifled a laugh at the sight of Talia who clumsily tried to hide the headband behind her.
"There is nothing to apologize for."
"I heard you talking about some work. Can I help?", Talia asked while her sight darted toward the three Omegas who stood in attention.
Talia had a bad experience in the Red Moon pack, but this is a new beginning and Talia hoped to start on a good note.
To Talia's surprise, Stephanie rejected Talia's offer.
"The work is almost done. They can handle it. You can go and rest until it's time to start dinner preparations. We will have a few extra hands tonight because guests are coming." Stephanie glanced at Omegas. "Any questions? If not, go and do the work. Let me know when you finish."
Three young women scurried out of the kitchen, leaving Stephanie and Talia behind.
Talia craned her neck, to make sure the Omegas are out of the earshot before asking, "Guests are coming for dinner?"
Stephanie confirmed. "A total of six people, so we are preparing four rooms for tonight. First guests will be here in about three hours."
Talia's heart raced and she hoped that Stephanie won't notice her anxiousness.
Part of her feared that someone from the Red Moon pack will come and recognize her. But she thought that if that's the case, Alpha Damon, Maya, or Caden would warn her. Right?
However, even if the guests are not from the Red Moon pack, Talia was still uneasy. She didn't know how to deal with new faces in the packhouse. What will she say if they ask who she is and what she's doing there? Talia herself was not sure why she was lingering in the packhouse. Because Alpha Damon asked her to stay? That didn't sound convincing, and Talia wouldn't dare to say that she was sharing a bed with him for the last two nights.
Talia's instinct was to hide in her room until the guests leave, but she really wanted to see the fair and that meant she needs to step out of her room.
"How come they are coming today?", Talia asked. "I thought that guests are arriving tomorrow, for the Summer Solstice."
"Most of them will be here tomorrow, but some are coming in advance so that they can rest properly before tomorrow.", Stephanie clarified to Talia. "Two teams that have games in the morning are here, and two more are on their way. They are staying in the common buildings. No one knows if they came early to rest or party, but that's normal. After all, chances to spend time in another pack are not common, and they probably treat it like a vacation."
"I see.", Talia said. She was not worried about the teams. Her concern was related to the high-ranking werewolves who will be staying in the packhouse. "Stephanie, is there advice you can give me about these guests? I mean… these people who will be in the packhouse... should I stay out of their way or something?"
Stephanie was surprised by this question, and she understood that Talia doesn't feel like she belongs here. Well, Talia arrived just a few days ago, and considering that Cassie already created drama, it was no wonder that Talia was insecure about having guests.
Stephanie didn't understand why Damon didn't listen and give Talia accommodation with other Omegas.
"They are normal people, just like everyone else. You are with us now and this is your home. I know that it can be overwhelming because you are new, but no one should give you a hard time. Those who come earlier are hoping to spend more time with Alpha Damon. Managing a pack is a lot of politics and without collaborating with others, no one would go far."
Talia relaxed a bit at these words. Of course, they all want to have a good relationship with Alpha Damon, and that means they will behave and not bully anyone (Talia in particular).
With nothing much to do, Talia went to her room. She was on a mission to read the book that Doctor Travis gave her.
~ town square, Darkbourne ~
'Maya, how soon can you come to my office?', Damon's voice sounded in Maya's head through the mind-link.
'I'm in the town square. I will be there in ten minutes', Maya responded.
She was supervising the decorations for the Summer Solstice festival which will be held on the next day.
Maya checked the time, and she was surprised that Damon and Talia returned already. Considering the sync-up they had in the morning, Maya assumed that they will be away for the day.
Sure, guests are about to arrive in a few hours, but Damon was never the one to welcome them at the doorstep. The guests would trickle in during the day, and Stephanie (or Maya) would welcome them and show them to their rooms, and Damon would join them for dinner.
Unless there was a meeting scheduled, Damon doesn't bother with entertaining guests, no matter who they are.
Maya wondered why Damon called her to come to his office. Why didn't he say what he wanted through the mind-link?
In Damon's office…
"Yes, Alpha?", Maya asked as soon as she arrived.
"Any updates?", Damon asked.
"Everything is per schedule."
Damon made a face. He knew that festival preparations are on track. "You know that I'm asking about Marcy."
If Maya didn't manage to postpone Marcy's visit, the bride-to-be would arrive tomorrow morning, and Damon hoped that Maya managed to pull a miracle out of somewhere.
Maya smirked. "You know that you can rely on me, Alpha."
Damon released the breath he was holding. "How long?"
"Nine days."
"Great!", Damon exclaimed, feeling like a big burden fell off his chest. "When this festival is over, you and Caden can take a few days off. Pick a location and I will book a hotel for you."
Maya felt like the sun became brighter by a few notches. She loves to travel. "Alright. I will talk to Caden and let you know the location by tomorrow evening."
