Talia loved that Damon spoke like she belongs here, but Talia didn't want Lisa to be kicked out from the packhouse where she grew up. Even if they disregard Lisa, what about Stephanie?
"Lisa is just hurt, and her energy is misdirected. If she finds something to keep her mind busy until she meets her mate, I'm sure that Lisa will forget about Tony and turn into the cheery girl everyone remembers."
Damon's heart swelled at Talia's benevolence. She is an amazing Luna without trying.
"I know you mean well, but you can't force people to accept your help against their will.", Damon said. "Stephanie is talking to Lisa since the news about Tony finding his mate started spreading. I spoke to Lisa, and as of last night… I don't think it's working."
Damon was not blind. He could see that his words went over Lisa's head and that her defiance only grew. He left with the hope that Lisa understood Talia is not someone Lisa can touch because messing with Talia means provoking Damon. There was also the possibility that Stephanie will handle her daughter because if Damon does it, no one will like the outcome.
Regardless of how Lisa ends up, Damon wanted to assure Talia that he's got her back. "I won't ask you to retaliate against Lisa, but I don't want you to stay passive either. You are Talia Blake, the future Luna of the Dark Howlers pack, my mate, and you are no one's punching bag."
Talia's lips lifted into a smile that reached her eyes. Damon's emotions reinforced his words and Talia never felt so accepted. He really was her home and by his side, she felt a sense of belonging.
Talia inched closer and pecked his lips once, twice… and then her arms snaked around his neck, and she started grinding herself against his erection.
"What about getting ready? Breakfast?", Damon asked between kisses while his hands already roamed over her naked form.
Talia looked at him with eyes that were clouding with lust. "Let's make it quick."
Damon grinned and pounced on Talia like they didn't make love three times already since waking up and it was not even eight o'clock in the morning.
Later that morning…
Damon and Talia were in the study, both busy with their respective tasks when Talia's phone rang.
Talia's eyes lit up when she saw the caller's ID. "It's Kalina. I will take it outside."
Damon wanted to tell Talia to stay in his visual range, but she was already in the hallway, and he heard her say, "Hi Lina, give me a minute to reach a spot from where we can talk. I don't want to disturb Damon…"
With a few strokes on Damon's keyboard, the monitor on his desk showed the video feed from a security camera, and he could see Talia entering the living room.
He didn't want to spy on Talia, but he needed to confirm that she was safe. His previous experiences confirmed that whenever Talia was not in his sight, she ended up in some kind of trouble.
Damon gazed at the video feed that came without a sound, and he smiled helplessly while remembering how from the day they met, Talia was often in some kind of predicament. She bumped her head into the fridge when he startled her, and then she fell off the bed, fell asleep in the forest, ah… all of those were sweet memories, and Damon was looking forward to making many more. Hopefully, without any men sticking to her.
In the living room…
Talia made herself comfortable on the sofa before asking Kalina, "Do you have some last-minute instructions for me? Should the pillows be double-fluffed? Or do you want me to crank up the AC?"
Based on Talia's calculations, Tony and Kalina should be on their way if they were driving, unless they were coming with a plane.
"Sorry, Lia, but we might need to postpone our plans for a few days."
Talia's playful mood disappeared in an instant. "Eh? What happened?"
"My sister is coming for a visit. She got a break in her schedule and said that she wants to see me and meet Tony. It was sudden and she will arrive today and stay no longer than three days. Tony said that he will stay a bit to meet her and then he will resume with his schedule. The moment my sister leaves, I will head to the Dark Howlers pack."
Talia didn't think that is a problem. Kalina's sister means one extra bedroom, and it can be ready within an hour. "Bring her with you."
"Really? Is that OK?"
"Sure. I will give you time to bond, don't worry. The guys have their schedule, and we will do something fun. Instead of three of us, it will be four of us." Maya said that she will join if she can, and knowing that Maya is always busy, Talia didn't count much on her.
"About that…", Kalina said and paused. "Luna Alicia insists that I bring some Omegas with me, and I still didn't figure out how to shake them off."
Talia couldn't believe this. "Are you making things up so that you don't come here?"
"No, no.", Kalina was quick to say. "You know that I'm looking forward to this. Luna Alicia was hinting that I should bring someone to serve me, but I brushed it off, thinking that it's just a suggestion. I don't need anyone to serve me. I survived on my own so far just fine. But then today over breakfast she asked me if I picked Omegas who will accompany me or if she should pick for me." Kalina huffed in frustration. "This is not about serving me, but about having someone keep an eye on me so that they can report to Luna Alicia and Alpha Magnus…"
Talia listened to her friend's grievances, and she wondered how to help her. These were Kalina's family affairs and Talia already knew that Kalina is struggling to feel comfortable in the Lightclaw pack and that Tony's parents are overbearing.
It didn't sound like Kalina will postpone her visit because of Omegas, but she was not happy that she will be monitored. Who would be?
Talia got an idea. "If you don't know which Omegas to accompany you, I have a suggestion."
"You do?"
"When I was there, two Omegas helped me get ready. They were professional and if you take them, it shouldn't be a problem. No matter what Luna Alicia has on her mind, we can find something to keep them occupied. Ivy and Lily…"
Talia returned to the study, satisfied with the outcome.
She sat in her chair, in front of the laptop that had on its screen paused the educational video, and thought about her conversation with Kalina.
"Did something good happen?", Damon asked when he saw Talia's smile.
Talia was not sure if that was good or not, but… "Tony's and Kalina's party increased by three. Kalina's sister will join them and two Omegas. That's not a problem, is it?" Talia ended with a question, even though she knew the answer.
"No. It's not a problem.", Damon confirmed.
Talia bobbed her head happily. "Omegas will stay in the common building. I will get Dawn and Zina to help them settle and they can be extra hands in the kitchen while Tony and Kalina are here."
Talia thought how this will work. In this way, those two Omegas will be nearby, but they won't breathe down Kalina's neck. Actually, Talia had a good impression of Ivy and Lily and she was confident that they won't make things awkward for Kalina. If Dawn and Zina are OK with entertaining two visiting Omegas, that would be perfect.
But before figuring out fun activities for Lily and Ivy... "We need another guestroom prepared on the second floor for Kalina's sister. I will talk to Steph about it." Stephanie is in charge of Omegas who are working in the packhouse, so it was normal for Talia to think about Stephanie.
"Steph is busy.", Damon said. "Maya can help you with arrangements for Omegas and ask Rose to set up an additional guestroom."
Talia felt a pang of dejection when Damon said that Stephanie is busy, and she guessed that it came from Damon. "Is everything OK with Steph?"
"It's fine.", Damon assured her before adding, "Steph and Lisa are settling in their new place."
Talia needed a moment to understand the meaning behind Damon's words. "They moved out of the packhouse?"
