"Why would Nora come here?", Talia asked Damon, feeling that visit from someone that belongs to the Red Moon pack shouldn't be skimmed over. "Nora was confident that you will see her."
Damon shrugged. "I don't know. I barely spoke to her at the Red Moon pack." Well, they were doing something else, but there was not much talking involved.
Talia thought how Nora's behavior was odd. What was she missing? Even if Marcy sent her, Nora was too courageous. Or was she brave only because Damon was not in sight? Who would know how Nora's brain is working?
Talia recollected Nora's visit while talking, "Nora wanted to see you, and then she asked Omegas why they were here. I told her that they were helping me to get ready for the party and Nora just stood there and stared at me like I have two heads or something."
"And?", Damon probed, equally curious and anxious.
"Nothing. I closed the door and she left."
She wanted to tell him that she was channeling the feeling of being his Luna, but she kept that to herself. Would a Luna close the door rudely without saying goodbye?
Damon relaxed. Did it really end like that? "You closed the door? Just like that?"
Talia smiled smugly. "In her face. Ivy told me that security will talk to Nora and investigate why she came here. They didn't stop her from coming this way because they assumed she wanted to visit Alpha Edward. But her coming here was not accidental, she was looking for you."
Damon was pleased that Talia dealt with Nora, and he regretted not seeing it in person. He would give anything to see his kitten showing her claws.
Can Damon connect this incident with Marcy and use it to ditch the stupid engagement which he had no plans to participate in? He really didn't want Marcy to come to the Dark Howlers pack. Actually, he would have completely forgotten about it if Alpha Edward didn't call two days ago.
However, for tonight, Damon wanted to focus on Talia because the guest list is full of people who won't shy from stirring trouble and he hoped that Talia will hold onto her cheeky confidence.
"You did good, kitten. No matter who comes to cause trouble, feel free to deal with them any way you see fit."
"I never did anything like that... closing the door on someone.", Talia said honestly while thinking about Nora's stupefied expression. "If not for your support, I would probably just lower my head and wait for her to leave."
"Don't give me credits for this, kitten. It was all you. I was not even in the room."
"But I knew you've got my back."
Damon loved that Talia said she was relying on him. This was another first.
"Keep that on your mind, kitten. This is not the Red Moon pack. You are here as an important guest, my woman. And I've got your back. Always."
Talia smiled foolishly. He said that she is important and his and that he will protect her. She liked that very much.
He already had her heart and with their every interaction, the moody Alpha was crumbling the mental protection she built over the years.
Damon pecked Talia's lips once, twice, and then he groaned while inching away.
"What?", Talia asked when she saw him frowning at her dress.
"I want to hold you but I'm afraid that I will mess up your hair or dress."
"I'm sure that a hug is fine.", Talia said in a small voice.
Damon chuckled. "I want to do more than just hugging."
His eyes lit up when he got an idea. "How about you remove the dress? It has a zipper on the back, right? Let me help you with that."
Damon nudged her shoulders lightly, indicating that she should turn, but Talia refused.
"We should go to the party. It's six o'clock.", Talia reminded him.
Damon made a face. "Just a little bit."
Talia couldn't believe how childish he was. "No. If I remove the dress, it will take a long time to be presentable because my hair and makeup will also be messed up." And she will definitely create creases on his finely pressed shirt.
Damon exhaled dejectedly. "Maybe coming to this party was not a good idea."
Talia giggled when she saw him pouting. She wished to take a photo as evidence that scary Alpha can pout. He was cute.
"How about this? We will go to the party and when we return, I will make it up to you."
Damon's lips stretched into a grin. "Really? Is that a promise?"
Talia had a feeling that he was thinking about something outrageous. But what can be more outrageous than him undressing and touching her down there? Even his head was between her legs and he licked her. At that thought, Talia blushed profusely.
Damon took a deep breath when the scent of Talia's arousal reached him. "I see we have a deal, kitten. I am eager to see how you will make it up to me."
Before Talia could respond, he pushed her to move toward the door.
"Let's make an appearance, kitten. The faster we go, the faster we will return, and then I don't need to worry about wrinkling your dress." Or tearing it into shreds.
Talia couldn't keep up with his quick mood change. "Eh?"
"You never said how long we need to stay at the party.", he reminded her with a wink. "Five minutes, no more than ten, and we will be back."
Talia shook her head helplessly. Her playful Alpha was here, and she didn't hate it. Not even a little bit.
The party was held in the event hall which had three French doors that were fully open to provide access to the terrace and the garden where tables were arranged for the guests.
Luckily, it was late afternoon, and the sun was easing up, but the air still carried unpleasant dry heat.
To help guests cool off, among the tables in the garden, there were many barrels filled with icy water and various bottled beverages floating in it, available for anyone to help themselves.
Werewolves have increased metabolism which makes them warmer than humans, and they have no problems dealing with cold, but this scorching heat is a different thing. Many of the people present wanted to rip their fancy clothes off and take a dip in those barrels which were inviting with a promise of pleasant freshness, but this was an upscale event, so they held those urges back.
New Luna announcement was an important occasion, one of the largest a pack of werewolves could have, and the Lightclaw pack didn't skim on preparations or on the number of guests, even though everything was done in haste.
The moment Tony called home saying that he found his fated mate, his mother (aka Luna Alicia) summoned her helpers to come up with a timeline and assess how much time they need to prepare a party fit to welcome the new Luna.
If they delayed, it might appear they are not happy that Tony found his partner for life, the future Luna of the Lightclaw pack.
Luna Alicia was also mindful of the fact that Tony was dating Lisa and that over the years, Lisa's presence cast a shadow on the pack. That's why the party area was decorated elegantly with streamers, balloons, flowers, music, bountiful food and beverages, and there will be fireworks later in the evening.
Luna Alicia warned her son that he shouldn't be attached to one girl because he is the son of the Alpha. Sure, if they end up being mates, all will work out, but what if they are not mates?
Their arguments intensified once Tony confirmed that Lisa is not his mate. His mother warned him that things will turn sour, but Tony wouldn't listen.
Tony was saying how he and Lisa are getting along well and he had no need for seeing other girls, but Luna Alicia suspected that Tony didn't get a chance to see other girls because Lisa was sticking to him like a postage stamp.
After one heated fight, Tony succumbed to his mother's nagging and he agreed not to take Lisa to official functions outside of the Lightclaw pack. Unfortunately, that ended with Tony not attending those functions which backfired by affirming beliefs of many that Tony won't be a good Alpha. After all, a good Alpha would know that connections with other packs need to start forming early, yet Tony blew it.
And now that Tony found Kalina, Luna Alicia's fears came true. Most of the pack is reserved regarding Kalina because they thought that Lisa will be their Luna, and only a handful is open to accepting Kalina. Luna Alicia fears that some might dare to scheme against Kalina.
Acting against Alpha or Luna is a major crime, but Lisa had a tight circle of friends who might do something outrageous.
Unfortunately, Tony is too blinded by the newly found mate bond to realize the current situation in the pack, and Luna Alicia hopes that Kalina will have what it takes to win the pack over and overcome challenges as the future Luna.
