By the time Damon and Mindy reached the beach, Tony, Axel, and others were on their feet, looking in the direction of the lake.
"What's up with Max?", Caden asked Damon.
"Tanya is in trouble. Get us a boat out there. We might need a rescue operation.", Damon said while pulling the t-shirt over his head.
Damon could see three heads above water, and one of those three was definitely Talia. Damon hoped that Talia won't do anything foolish, and he was eager to go there and ensure she stays above the water.
Damon felt Talia's anxiousness bubbling up and he wondered if she will do something extraordinary again. He would love to see what all she can do, but at the same time, he didn't want anyone else to see it.
The things he saw so far would put Talia on a list of wanted people.
No one would be comfortable if they knew that Talia can swat people in the air without touching them. Many would try to use her and when they realize that's not possible, they would do their best to eliminate her. That's not happening. Not on Damon's watch.
Damon jumped into the water and hoped that he will reach there before Talia exposes how amazing she is.
Caden's eyes lost focus for a moment as he called for the rescue boat to come.
Damon's parents made an order that boating was not allowed on that lake. No one knew why they did that, but Damon didn't change that rule. However, they had a few boats on the side for emergencies. Caden now instructed warriors to take one of those boats and use Maya as their guideline where to go.
"Damon ordered that we shouldn't go underwater in an attempt to find Tanya. If Max can't find her, no one can.", Caden said and turned to Mindy. "You come with me. You are the only one who can mind-link Max and tell us what's going on down there."
With that, Caden went into the water. Tony, Axel, Tyler, and others also followed and Mindy quickly started removing her dress.
Tony was swimming with Kalina as his destination, and he cursed internally. He didn't like Tatiana because she was bossy and looked at him like he used some despicable method to make Kalina his mate. But if something happens to Tatiana, and Kalina finds out that Tony just sat there and allowed Tatiana to go in the water, Kalina might blame him.
Axel was excited while wondering if he will get to see Talia doing something extraordinary. He already saw her swimming at the speed comparable to an Alpha, and if he was right about her, she had more to offer.
'Max, talk to me…', Mindy urged him through the mind-link while swimming. 'We are all going to the center of the lake and Damon called for a rescue boat. We need to know what's going on down there.'
'Do you think I have time to narrate what's happening?', Maddox seethed.
Mindy knew he was right, but many people expected her to be in charge of communication. How can she tell them that Maddox was not cooperating?
'I understand. Focus on finding Tanya and let me know if anything important happens.'
In the lake, Maya, Kalina, and Talia noticed the group approaching them swiftly.
Damon was in front with Axel coming second. Tony, Caden, and the rest followed behind them.
"I told you something is wrong.", Kalina said. "Why else would all of them come here?"
"Caden said that we shouldn't go down.", Maya warned Kalina. She could see that Kalina was on the verge of going underwater. "Max is there to get Tanya."
"Do you expect me to sit here and wait?", Kalina asked in disbelief.
Maya knew that Kalina had a point, but… "You saw what's down there. Visibility is low and with all the kelp, it's nearly impossible to find one person. You won't find her, and you might get lost also. Max has the bond to guide him. Trust him."
"I don't know if I can leave my sister's life in Max's hands.", Kalina said grumpily. She didn't know Maddox well, and that little she knew was mostly related to womanizing. Just that morning two naked women dashed from his room AFTER Tatiana was inside. Kalina saw it with her own eyes. "I don't trust him."
Maya knew that Kalina had her reasons, however... "You don't trust him, but you should trust Tanya's mate. Max will do everything he can to keep her safe."
Damon's heart was in place the moment he and Talia touched.
Talia wrapped her arms around his neck and she was relieved that Damon was there. He always had a solution for everything.
"Tanya is down there for a while.", Talia said. "What will happen if she runs out of air?"
"Don't worry. Max will get her.", Damon did his best to comfort her.
"If no one else will go down there, I will.", Kalina snapped. Tony was trying to get her to settle down, but she was only getting more anxious by the second.
"Mindy", Tony called. "Is Max saying anything?"
"He is making his way through the kelp.", Mindy responded and turned to Kalina. "If you go, you will only become another person that needs rescuing."
Kalina's face fell, and she turned to Tony. "Do you really expect me to wait here while my sister is running out of air?"
Tony could feel her emotions. "I know, sweetie. But Mindy is right. Max is the strongest Alpha here, after Damon. Max has the mate bond to guide him."
Kalina turned to Damon. "You are the strongest. Go and help Max."
Damon didn't think twice before agreeing. He was not sure if he can help, or if he can even find Maddox, but he was uncomfortable just floating there and waiting. Damon was never part of the audience and if something happens to Tatiana on his watch, it will be a stain on his reputation.
Damon looked at Talia. "Wait for me, kitten."
"You are not going down there without me.", Talia said with all the seriousness in the world. She inched closer and nudged Damon's nose with hers. "Always together. Remember?", she reminded him in a whisper, and Damon's lips lifted into a smile.
To everyone's shock, Damon and Talia went underwater at the same time.
"How can Talia go, and I can't?", Kalina asked with disapproval obvious in her voice?
"Talia can take care of herself.", Maya responded.
Maya vividly remembered the feeling of nearly kissing the floor after Talia saw the racy video of Damon and Marcy, and she also remembered other occasions when Talia made Alphas bow to her. Talia is a gentle person, but when she is angry or determined, Maya was confident that Talia compares to Damon.
Of course, Axel suspected there was more behind Maya's words. "Can you elaborate on that?"
Maya shrugged. "Just the fact that Alpha Damon will let Talia go down there should tell you that she is capable. He is the one training her personally, so he knows best. You should ask him."
Axel responded with a stiff nod. With Maya shifting this onto Damon, she clearly told him that he won't get any answers from her.
