In Mindy's room…
Mindy, Maya, and Talia were doing finishing touches on their hair and makeup and the mood was good.
Once Maya realized that Mindy also knows how Damon and Talia are mates, Maya and Mindy had a blast coming up with various ideas about Talia's Luna ceremony.
The duo talked excitedly about the color scheme, decorations, and types of appetizers, and Talia said that they could be great party planners.
"You will need two party planners because your Luna ceremony will be massive.", Mindy said.
Talia's heart shook. Listening to Mindy and Maya chattering was one thing, but what was that about a massive party? "Do we need a ceremony?"
"Absolutely!", Maya exclaimed. "The largest pack in North America is getting their Luna. There is no way we will go small about this. Everyone who is someone will be invited."
Talia exhaled helplessly while calming down with the thought that the ceremony is something in the future. Far-far-far away future. Until then, she might find a way to avoid it.
Talia's heart warmed at the sight of her Maya and Mindy who got along well. Talia envied their outgoing personalities, and she was confident that Kalina will fit in perfectly.
Mindy did Talia's makeup. It was nothing over the top. A bit of cherry-colored lip gloss, mascara, and just a touch of dark-golden eyeshadow for a smokey-eyed effect.
Maya styled Talia's hair in a French braid that was draped over Talia's left shoulder.
"Keep the braid here so that others don't get a clear view of your neck.", Maya said mysteriously.
Mindy approved. "Let people wonder if you are marked or not. If they see a mark, they will start sucking up to you, and if they confirm that your neck is clean, they will look down on you. Like this, people will leave you alone."
Talia was grateful for all the care Mindy and Maya showed.
"Will you girls be available for some girl-fun before you huddle with your mates?", Mindy asked Talia and Maya. She wanted to know in advance so that she can make plans.
"Caden is fine without me, as long as I am in his visual range. His greatest fear is that all guys will swarm around me, and I won't be able to repel them." Maya smiled dreamily. "I love how protective Caden is, but sometimes he forgets I can take care of myself."
Talia blinked when she saw that both Mindy and Maya were looking at her. She was still not used to talking openly about Damon as her mate.
"It will be fine.", Talia responded. She enjoyed her time with Damon, but she loved the novelty of having girlfriends also.
Maya cocked an eyebrow. "Are you sure about it?"
"To be honest, I'm not sure what to expect. This will be my first time to go to a club with Damon."
"Technically, it's second.", Maya said and when she saw Talia's questioning gaze, Maya explained, "The first time you arrived separately, but Alpha Damon blew a fuse when he saw some guy sticking to you and he carried you out of the club after starting the biggest fight in the history of Shifters."
Mindy looked at Maya incredulously. "Wait a minute. The fight in the Shifters on the night of Summer Solstice, that was Alpha Damon's doing?"
"You should see him standing there like a big bad wolf and 'she is mine' attitude.", Maya said while standing straight with her arms akimbo and a grimace that was supposed to imitate Damon's expression.
"I don't remember.", Talia said awkwardly. She really didn't.
Maya burst into giggles. "You were wasted."
Mindy felt sorry for Talia who was visibly uncomfortable. "Don't tease her. It happens to everyone." She turned to Talia. "You were lucky that Damon was there to take care of you when you were vulnerable. Most of the guys are selfish pricks, and they either won't care about you, or will try to take advantage of the situation. However, a mate will put your needs first."
Talia noticed a trace of sadness in Mindy's words. So far, Talia was confident that Mindy is a strong and independent she-wolf, but it seems that she was longing for her other half also.
"Don't worry, Mindy. I'm confident that your mate is out there, and you will meet him soon.", Talia comforted Mindy.
Suddenly, Maya felt like a bad guy, so she retracted her teasing enthusiasm.
"Do you have a dream guy?", Maya asked Mindy. "What's your perfect mate?"
Mindy shrugged. "I don't know. A young one will be energetic and last longer, and an older one will be wise and experienced. My only hope is that he is not an Alpha."
Maya blinked. "Why? You have Alpha blood running through your veins."
"Mindy loves to travel and do her thing, and she fears that Alpha will tie her to his pack.", Talia responded instead of Mindy.
Maya didn't ask more questions. Everyone has preferences. But she had to say, "When you meet your mate, it won't matter if he is Omega or an Alpha. For you, he will be perfect."
"I look forward to that.", Mindy responded. She couldn't imagine the feeling of loving a person unconditionally, and she yearned for someone who could make her experience it.
"We should get going.", Maya reminded them. "Caden mind-linked me three times already…"
Talia bolted to her feet and balled her hands into fists. She was nervous. What if Damon doesn't approve of her appearance?
Damon's eyes snapped to the top of the staircase as soon as one fine sparkling high-heeled shoe appeared. And then there was a calf, second shoe… knees, and just as the thighs got to the good part, black fabric obstructed the view and Damon held his breath as Talia came into the view fully.
Her short-sleeved deep blue dress had a bodice that fit her snugly and it flared from her exquisite waist lower until it reached half of her thighs. Talia's dress, hair, and makeup were spot on, accentuating her beautiful features without revealing too much, but the most dazzling about the girl coming toward Damon was her smile directed at him that had the power to light up his world.
Behind Talia were Mindy and Maya, but Damon didn't notice them.
Maddox glanced at Damon and Caden, and he snorted when he confirmed that both were equally smitten by the sight of their mates.
Maddox rolled his eyes dramatically. He definitely felt like an odd one.
Maddox never had any strong thoughts in favor or against mates, but this time he hated it because he felt left behind by his best buddy (aka Damon).
Should he find a girl and try dating her for real? Nah, that's not Maddox's style and he didn't want to form attachments that were doomed for failure.
To make up for this sense of alienation, Maddox decided to pick up two feisty she-wolves in the club. That should keep him busy for the night, and he will remember why it's good to be single.
Talia stood in front of Damon and the two of them stared at each other with matching silly grins on their faces.
"Did you wait long?", Talia asked.
"Not at all. I just got here.", Damon responded.
Maddox rolled his eyes. They are waiting forever!
Damon took Talia's hand into his and kissed the back of her palm. "You are stunning." Damon's lips caressed Talia's skin as he spoke, and her cheeks got a rosy tint before she breathed out a thank you.
"Can we go now?", Maddox asked impatiently. Any more of that lovey-dovey mush and he will throw up.
And he was not irritated only by Damon and Talia.
Caden and Maya were exchanging kisses and compliments about how amazing the other one looked, without caring they were not alone.
"Max, can you at least pretend you are glad to see me?", Mindy asked Maddox while gesturing toward two loving couples. "See how they are acting? Say something nice about my dress."
Maddox was not in a mood to indulge Mindy. "Sorry, Min. I don't get a hard-on when I see you."
Mindy slapped his shoulder. "Can't you be polite? I am your sister. Save that behavior for the girls who are fawning over you. And I told you not to call me that."
Mindy never liked that nickname which Maddox used when he wanted to tease her. Why does he get to be Max (aka maximum) while she is Min (aka minimum)?
Mindy had an everlasting grudge against their parents for giving them names that can be reduced to Max and Min with her ending as the smaller one.
Maddox chuckled and hooked his muscular arm around Mindy's delicate neck. "Let's go, Min. Looking at those four reminded me that I'm single and I need to find a company for tonight."
"Aren't we sharing a ride?", Mindy asked.
"No. We will meet at the parking lot of Shifters. Sharing a ride means we need to return together, and I will be a free agent tonight."
Mindy knew that means Maddox was planning to pick up a woman. Well, there was nothing new about it.
Wait! How will she return to the packhouse? Her best bet was to hitch a ride with Maya and Caden (because Damon and Talia were too intense), or she could pick up a guy.
"Max", Mindy called. "What if I find my mate tonight?"
Maddox paused his steps and looked at Mindy in disapproval. "Not you too."
Mindy didn't get it. "What?"
If she finds her mate, he will be the only single person. But he didn't want to say that aloud because it will sound like he is carping. "Nothing. Let's go."
