Talia stood next to Zina and Dawn while waiting for the group from the Red Moon pack to arrive.
The truth was that Talia was a nervous wreck. She didn't want to be anywhere near Marcy, and this was much more than just facing a woman who was coveting her mate. Marcy was Talia's personal bully and Talia hoped that she will be able to keep it together.
Talia chanted internally that she needed to do this, for herself. Talia didn't want to shrink in the corner anymore and pretend to be invisible because she was not invisible, and people will come at her, and she needed to build up her courage in order to face them with confidence. How else will she be worthy of standing by Damon's side?
After breakfast, Caden went to attend training with Tony, Paul, Nate, and Greg. After yesterday's bad first session, their morale improved as they bonded with others on the beach.
Damon wanted to be with Talia, but she asked him to let her handle this on her own. He agreed, but under the condition that he stays nearby, so instead of going to train with the guys, Damon was in the study, catching up on work and watching over Talia through the security feed. Since the incident with Lisa and Talia, Damon requested for the equipment to be updated, and now they had HD cameras with sound included, so Damon knew exactly what was going on outside and on the whole main floor of the packhouse.
Kalina, Mindy, and Maya were in the garden, chatting over freshly made cookies and tea, and they also told Talia to give them a holler if she needs help (aka taking care of Marcy's and Nora's bodies). Kalina, Mindy, and Maya were planning for the party on the next day, the party to introduce Talia to important members of the Dark Howlers pack, the party Talia was not aware of (yet).
Maya told Kalina and Mindy that the three of them will start planning, and inform Talia about it when they come up with something solid.
Maddox and Tatiana didn't exit Tatiana's room since they returned from the pack hospital on the previous day, and that was not unusual. The only sign that those two were alive was that the cart with food disappeared shortly after Mindy mind-linked her brother with the information that sustenance was left in front of the door of Tatiana's room.
With everyone doing their thing, Talia was determined to do her part. She will be the best host ever and Damon will be proud of her.
"Here they come.", Zina said in a soft voice and Talia's eyes snapped at the driveway to see a dark blue car approaching.
"Wow…", Dawn said under her breath. "The driver is hot."
"That would be Commander George.", Talia said. "The teenager on the front passenger's seat is James, the future Alpha of the Red Moon pack. In the back should be Marcy and Nora. Nora is Beta's daughter and Marcy… well, we know who she is." Talia did her homework.
Dawn's eyes didn't leave George as the car pulled into a stop. Even before he came out, Dawn knew that George was one of the best male specimens she has ever seen. Unfortunately, his status was a problem. If he was just a driver, it would be easier to approach him. Commander comes with an influence of a high-ranking member and that also meant he was not easy to get close to.
George was the first to exit the car. He looked at three young women at the door and gave them a nod before he bent to speak with the others in the car. They could hear George giving warnings that everyone should behave because this was not the Red Moon pack. He seemed to be the responsible one in the group.
"Do you feel anything?", Zina asked Dawn in a whisper.
"No. You?"
Zina clicked her tongue. "Nothing. Pity."
Talia was not sure if she should laugh or cry. She knew that her two friends were eager to find their mates and whenever a new face came for a visit, Dawn and Zina were expectantly waiting for their wolf will stir and notify them that THE ONE arrived.
Dawn bobbed her head. "I wish I can eat him up."
Zina elbowed Dawn. "They will be here for a few days. You can get your chance." Zina moved closer and spoke in a hushed voice, "Unless I get my hands on him first."
Dawn groaned. "I saw him first. You can take the little one."
Zina made a face. "I'm looking for a man, not a babysitting job."
"Shush…", Dawn said to Zina. "They can hear you."
"Don't you shush me. The rules of the game are not changing just because you saw someone first.", Zina said quickly and puffed up her chest to push her breasts out.
Dawn rolled her eyes. "You did that on purpose."
"There is nothing wrong in using your assets, dear.", Zina said teasingly. "You would know if you had any."
Dawn was speechless. Sure, Zina was more curvaceous compared to Dawn, but Dawn was not a stick figure either!
Talia was happy that Dawn and Zina were there with her. Those two were good friends and their goofing around always took the edge off any situation.
By this time, George ended his instructions and James came out of the car; he was looking around curiously.
The back door of the car opened, and Nora's figure appeared. Nora squinted at the sunlight and then eyed the packhouse and the landscape around it.
Talia felt knots forming in her stomach as she remembered Nora trying to get into Damon's room at the Lightclaw pack. What was that about? Nora and Marcy also approached Talia in front of the restroom, and Talia never understood what they were trying to achieve because Kalina and Mindy had Talia's back.
The knots in Talia's stomach tightened when Marcy showed up. It was happening. She was here.
Talia wondered if Nora and Marcy will recognize her. She was not the shabby girl from the attic, nor the posh one they saw at the Lightclaw pack (and in the WW Magazine). This was Talia. No makeup, sharp shirt and a pencil skirt, hair lifted into a messy bun… just Talia.
Based on their blank expressions, Talia guessed that Nora and Marcy didn't realize who she is. For now.
To Talia, Marcy was a bigger problem compared to Cassie or a bunch of nobodies who were throwing themselves at Damon. Marcy came with the backing of the Red Moon pack, and everyone was talking about Marcy as one of the prominent bachelorettes, while Damon was the most eligible bachelor.
Both Marcy and Damon were beautiful and powerful and… Weren't they a good couple?
Talia swallowed her insecurities while reminding herself that the only thing that matters was that Damon was her mate. He was hers and she won't just sit and let Marcy have him.
Of course, Talia's expectations were that Damon will not give Marcy any chances to get close, but at the same time, Talia didn't want to be the one shrinking either. She can do this.
"Is Alpha Damon here?", James was the one to speak first.
James, Nora, and Marcy were standing next to the car and looking at Dawn, Zina, and Talia, while George went to the trunk to get their suitcases.
"You must be James, the future Alpha of the Red Moon pack", Talia said while taking a step forward. "Alpha Damon is dealing with some important matters, and he will see you shortly. I am Talia, your host, and these are Dawn and Zina. We will help you get settled into your rooms."
Talia glanced at Dawn and Zina. "Go help with their things."
Dawn and Zina bolted toward the car, with wind under their feet. To anyone watching, they looked like dedicated Omegas, eager to fulfill their duty, but Talia knew that those two goofballs were racing to reach George first.
Talia had difficulty keeping a straight face.
