Damon remembered that Travis gave a medicinal book to Talia. Instead of working in the kitchen, Damon would prefer Talia to study. That reminded him... "I guess you didn't go to school. I would like you to think about formal education, at least until you get a high school degree."
Talia blinked at Damon. She didn't expect this topic change, but she didn't hate it. She knew that education means knowledge and knowledge is a good foundation for independence. She was touched that Damon brought this on his own.
"I would love that.", Talia said.
Damon nodded in approval. "There are in-person and online options, and we can always work out a mix with tutoring involved."
Of course, Damon will be tutoring Talia personally, even if it means that he needs a refresher on the content. He became Alpha of the Dark Howlers pack when he was a seventeen years-old highschooler, but he finished high school and college by taking online courses, so he knows very well how that works.
Damon was pleased to see the excitement in Talia's expression.
"We will talk more about it later. Are you reading the book that Travis gave you?"
Talia guiltily shook her head, indicating that she was not reading it.
"Why? Are you not interested in medicine anymore?"
"No, no.", Talia was quick to say. "It's just that I'm not finding the time." She didn't dare to say that this Devil was the main reason she was not getting time. He would either barge into her room, or snuggle, or take her places, or give her a task… yeah, he is the culprit, but Talia was not bold enough to call him out.
Damon cocked an eyebrow at Talia. She is not having time to read a book? What is she doing the whole day? Yesterday was the festival, but what about the day before, and the one before it?
"I'm not going to tell you what to do, but prioritize things that make you happy.", Damon said.
Talia smiled dreamily. She really felt taken care of and she wanted to hold onto that feeling and never let go.
Damon gave Talia one long lingering kiss with just a bit of tongue, and left the bed reluctantly with, "I need to get ready."
Damon wanted to get Talia into his bathroom and maybe they end up showering together, but he didn't have time, so he left those plans for tomorrow. Their first showering together experience should definitely not be rushed.
Talia stared at the marvelous landscape of Damon's back until the bathroom door closed behind him. She couldn't believe that only a minute ago her hands were right there, touching him boldly.
And then she pressed her fingers against her lips, confirming that the throbbing is real. Damon really kissed her thoroughly for a good morning. She grinned like a fool. Was this happening? Was this her new normal?
By the time Talia got out of her daze, the water from the shower was running and she reminded herself that she shouldn't be in the bed when he comes out of the bathroom.
Talia scooted out of the bed and went to check the flowery garland that she left last night next to the open balcony door to air dry. She promised Damon that she will preserve flowers, and she was determined to do a good job.
It was the first garland he received, and the first garland she gave, and when she gave it, she got her first kiss. Maybe the story is true, and the Moon Goddess blessed the garland. Why else would Alpha Damon show her his passionate and gentle side?
Before heading to her room to get ready, Talia noticed that Cinna was on the floor.
Considering that Blackie was still on the bed, Talia dismissed the idea of Damon not liking toys on the bed, so she picked up Blackie and Cinna, and carried them across the hall to spend the day in her room.
Talia was moving about in the kitchen robotically while her mind replayed scenes from last night and that morning.
Damon hugged her and they kissed, and he said some sweet (and some outrageous) things, and then they kissed more.
Oh, my! Talia's face was on fire, and she spilled milk on the counter.
Talia was wiping the mess she made while reminding herself to focus. Damon will get another mood swing and forget about it. It didn't mean anything.
Talia chided herself. Why was she so out of it? She shouldn't get clingy. No matter how good it was, it was just kissing. Werewolves do it all the time. And it's not just werewolves. Even humans don't think that kissing is a big deal.
Maybe if she kisses a few more guys she will get used to it?
But she didn't want to kiss anyone other than Damon.
Talia wondered, when did she become a greedy person? She was confident that all unmated she-wolves in the pack want to kiss Damon. Did she really think that she can have him for herself?
"Maybe you should sit this one out.", Stephanie told to Talia.
"No, no. I can help.", Talia said quickly, and she gaped at the mess. Instead of wiping the spilled milk, she was just spreading it around with a paper towel that was completely soaked, and the milk ended up dripping on the floor and on the nearby chair. How embarrassing.
Dawn and Zina snickered.
"At this rate, you will help us by not doing anything.", Dawn said while mixing scrambled eggs that were on the stove. "If I didn't see what you were doing, we would end up with sweet scramble because you were about to put sugar instead of salt."
Talia bit her lip guiltily. Is she really so absentminded?
Seeing that Stephanie, Dawn, and Zina had no intention of letting her touch anything related to breakfast preparation, Talia puffed her cheeks in protest. "There must be something I can do."
"Entertain us.", Zina said. "Tell us about your evening after you escaped from us. Do you know that Alpha was scolding us for losing you at a critical moment? It was a safety drill, SA-FE-TY. The moment we lost you, we failed."
Talia pressed her lips into a line. She really didn't want to bring them trouble. And she apologized several times already. Well, she should apologize again.
"I'm sorry. But the bag was important, and nothing happened. Alpha found me in the town square…" Talia stopped her explanation because she remembered that Damon hugged her right there. She cleared her throat. "It all ended well, and I returned to the packhouse with Alpha. Safe and sound."
"I see…", Dawn said in a singing voice. "Safe and sound, with Alpha Damon." Dawn inched closer to Talia and asked in a hushed voice. "What's going on between the two of you?"
Talia opened her mouth to respond, but Zina cut her off with, "Don't tell us there is nothing because there is definitely something."
"Girls!", Stephanie snapped. "More work, less gossip. Unless you dare to ask such questions in front of Alpha Damon, don't talk nonsense that can spark rumors."
Talia looked at Stephanie gratefully. She really didn't know how to answer questions about Damon.
She can't say that he is unstable and that whatever happened is not important.
Did anything happen? They just kissed.
Sure, it was wonderful, and it was the most Talia ever went with a guy, but in a society of werewolves where promiscuity is normal, just kissing doesn't count as much.
Besides, considering Damon's mood swings, he probably forgot about it and who knows when he will remember that Talia exists? If she tells Dawn and Zine that she kissed Damon, and then he ignores her, those two will probably think she was lying or worse... they will think that she was abandoned and feel sorry for her.
And what if she tells them about it and Damon doesn't ignore her? That was even worse.
Talia was confident that she is not a girlfriend material for someone like Alpha Damon, so the best course of action is to stay quiet. The fewer people know that she is close to Alpha Damon, the easier her life will be once she moves out of the packhouse.
"Talia."
Talia jolted when she heard Damon calling from the door. He was dashing in jeans and a light gray polo t-shirt that stretched tightly over his pecs, and his damp hair slicked back was a giveaway that he showered recently. But the hottest part about him was his eyes that soaked in Talia's presence greedily like she was the only woman on the planet.
Talia forgot how to breathe.
"Are you done with food preparation?", he asked.
"She is.", Stephanie responded instead of Talia.
Damon extended his hand toward Talia, palm up. "Come."
Talia glanced nervously at Dawn and Zina who did their best to look busy.
She didn't want to give them more materials to gossip, but Damon's hand was still in the air, waiting for hers, and she didn't dare to leave him hanging.
Talia gingerly walked to Damon and put her hand into his. She would go with him anywhere, but she had to ask, "Where are we going?"
"Breakfast…"
