Maya reached the crowded beach with Meg, Kalina, and Mindy, and she smiled when she saw that things were in order.
Many bodies were present, on the beach and in the water, and one empty area in the middle stood out. It bordered the lake, it was nice and flat, and surrounded by "VIP" signposts that were placed strategically.
Several Omegas were moving there, bringing the food and drinks. Maya mind-linked them as they were approaching the beach.
The area was surrounded by warriors who wore swimwear in order to blend in with the crowd, but they had a task to keep our group safe. It's not that anything could happen with all the Alphas and high-ranking members, but if a crazed fan rushes in, the mood would be ruined.
For the purpose of having lunch on the beach, picnic tables with massive umbrellas sticking from the middle were arranged so that everyone can get a seat and enjoy their meal in the shade.
Omegas also had a task to make sure chilled beverages don't run out, and once lunch is over, they would clean it up and remove tables and chairs, leaving towels and umbrellas behind.
A camper van parked nearby held all the necessities for Omegas to serve their Alpha and his guests.
Maya was pleased that things were not delayed because Omegas who came here initially faced resistance when they urged people who were previously here to move. Why would they move? This was the best spot on the lake!
The fight nearly broke out and Maya sent a group of warriors to help stabilize the situation.
However, the rowdy bunch still felt wronged, and they eased up only when they heard that Alpha and his guests will be spending an afternoon at the lake.
The news spread quickly, and the crowd was now lively, eagerly waiting to see their Alpha and his guests.
This was more than just seeing celebrities or powerful individuals. Everyone who didn't find a mate was hoping to get closer because if one of those VIP guests is his (or her) mate, that's like a ticket to the life of rich and famous.
Most of the Dark Howlers pack knew by now that Alpha Maddox and Mindy were here because they saw them in the Shifters nightclub on the previous night, but based on the seating arrangements, it seemed that more people will be joining.
It was not unusual to see Damon among the pack members, but whenever he had guests, it was business-related and this looked like a purely social event. In addition to that, Damon would come to the lake only when it was part of training with soldiers, and this was definitely different.
The excitement rose when Maya appeared, her presence announced that guests started arriving at the lake. Most of them knew Mindy and Kalina, but Meg was a new face.
"Should we head to the towels first?", Kalina asked Maya.
Maya's eyes lost focus for a moment, and then she responded, "Alpha Damon was right behind us and the guys from the training center will be here within a few minutes. We might as well start with appetizers."
Four girls sat at one table that had fresh fruits and small pastries filled with vegetables, and they all looked toward the parking lot to see the black armored Lexus SUV pulling in with Alpha Damon at the driver's seat.
Damon stopped the car and rushed to the other side to get the door for Talia, and Maddox was quick to follow Damon's example and get the door for Tatiana.
Everyone at the beach was stealing glances at two couples, both arousing their interest.
Maya, Mindy, Kalina, and Meg were separated from others, but with all four of them being werewolves, it was impossible not to hear what people were saying.
[It seems that Alpha Damon is serious. They left the Shifters together last night, and look at them now…]
[Did Alpha Maddox also decide to date a woman?]
[Alpha Maddox was a free hunter last night at the shifters. I saw him leave with Kylie and Sandra.]
[Ah, I was close when he picked them up and I regretted not standing a bit further to the right. Maybe tonight he picks me.]
[The lack of closeness tells me he doesn't care about her. She is just a gold digger.]
[Really? But I never saw Alpha Maddox so chummy with a woman.]
[Mates can't keep their hands off each other. Once an Alpha finds his mate, they stay in the bedroom for days. This woman was not with him in the Shifters last night, so he picked her up today.]
[I agree. As long as they are not mates, she is just like everyone else. Neither of those two has a mark on her neck. When did you see an Alpha who found his mate and didn't mark her right away?]
'You don't think that Alpha Damon can hear you!?', Maya's angry shout blasted through the mind-link of the Dark Howlers pack, making murmurs stop abruptly.
Kalina's face darkened as she could hear echoes of the chatter even after it stopped.
Why did they assume her sister is a gold digger? So what if Alpha Maddox didn't mark Tatiana?
Tony and Kalina also waited a full week and that didn't make them less mates than any other mated couple.
Why can't people just be happy for them? It's none of their business!
Kalina's indignation was fueled by the fact that people at the Lightclaw pack were talking smack about her behind her back. Kalina heard them more than once, and she was painfully aware that what she heard was just a fraction of the whole picture.
"It seems that your sister accepted Alpha Maddox.", Meg said to Kalina.
All of them knew what happened that morning and that Tatiana was keeping her distance from Maddox.
Kalina nodded in agreement with Meg's words, even though she was not sure how to interpret this.
Tatiana was cool on the outside, but Kalina knew that her sister was angry. Why did she suddenly decide to go with Maddox in the car? And she even waited for Maddox to open the door for her and help her out.
It's not that Kalina didn't want Tatiana to be with Maddox, but she knew that her sister doesn't let go of grudges easily, and what Alpha Maddox did that morning, definitely was grudge-worthy.
Seeing that Kalina was silent, Mindy spoke, "The mate bond only points out who your soulmate is. Even without the mate bond, if mates spend time together, they will realize that they are perfect for each other."
Kalina and Maya agreed with that, and Mindy continued, "No matter what Max did before he met Tanya, it won't change the fact that after they met, she became the center of his world. Resisting that pull would harm both of them. Only a foolish person would pick pride and reject the bond."
Maya and Meg didn't talk much with Mindy, but Kalina knew very well Mindy's attitude toward the mates, especially when one of the two is an Alpha.
"Did you change your opinion about the mate bond after your bother found his mate?", Kalina asked Mindy.
Mindy pressed her lips into a line. Did she change her opinion?
Probably not, but she realized that her actions hurt Maddox and she couldn't get the guilt off her chest.
Maddox's disappointed gaze directed at Mindy made a lasting impression and she acknowledged that she was not the supportive sister she should be.
Mindy remembered the time when she was looking at her brother in awe. She was following him everywhere, admiring his tenacity and fighting spirit. When did that admiration turn into envy?
Was it because everyone praised Maddox's achievements while ignoring hers?
Mindy was in her teens when she heard that no matter what she was doing, she will need to stop it if it doesn't align with what her mate wanted.
How come her brother gets to keep everything and his Luna is an add-on, while Mindy's past gets voided as she gets the identity of a mate?
Without realizing it, Mindy started hating that order, and she saw Maddox as part of it.
Yes, everything she said was true, but Maddox is an amazing Alphas who works hard and who achieved a lot with his own efforts despite immense pressure that was put on him even before he became a teenager.
Maddox was the future Alpha of the Blue River pack and everyone expected excellence from him, and he delivered or he kept on trying.
Even before he became Alpha officially, Maddox went above and beyond to take care of his pack members. He trained hard and treated everyone equally. He put his life on the line many times, and he accepted anyone who came to him for help and protection.
However, even though Maddox had many sides to him, one more amazing than the other, Mindy only spoke about his partying and philandering, portraying him as a lecherous Alpha who is abusing his power.
How can she look him in the eyes and not feel guilty?
