Damon stood on the balcony off the master bedroom and looked down at the garden that was set up to accommodate guests who would come out of the event hall, probably when the sun sets, and the heat eases up.
There were eight round tables, each with a pristine white tablecloth on it, and a bouquet of white and purple flowers. Bunches of white and purple balloons were placed at certain points in the garden, to create an invisible border around the area designated for the event.
Bushes in the garden were covered with soft fairy lights that will be turned on in the evening to illuminate the space discretely.
It was almost five o'clock in the afternoon, and the guests still didn't arrive, so the only people in the garden were Omegas who were busy with finishing touches.
Damon sneered while thinking about people who will come tonight into his house. They were definitely not welcome.
When his father was the Alpha of the Dark Howlers pack, many people got a title of an Elder. Other than retired Betas and Gammas of the pack, Damon's father bestowed that title to retired generals, lieutenants, and also civilians such as the principal of the school, and the town mayor. Basically, everyone who contributed in some way got a title of an Elder upon retiring from their role.
Damon's father believed that Elders were advisors to the Alpha and act as Alpha's proxies in his absence, and he also believed that every person is important.
Those so-called Elders had no recognition outside the pack, but inside, they were influential; mostly because others believed that Elders were close to the Alpha and that by doing favors to Elders, they were currying favors with the Alpha.
When Damon took over as the Alpha, Elders officially lost their significance, but people were still used to looking up to them, so each of the Elders maintained some sort of influence to this day.
Werewolves have an innate desire for power, so instead of putting their heads together to work for the pack, it turned into Elders amassing power for themselves.
Damon still remembers how they tried to use him when he took over as the Alpha. Some of them advised him to give up the territory to other packs because he was young and inexperienced. They wrapped all that into lies of protecting the best interests of the pack, but Damon knew that those Elders were doing it for benefit. That's why Damon allowed them to keep the roles, but he removed them from any duties that might be impactful.
Damon's hostility toward Elders was amplified by his suspicion that some of them were involved in the so-called accident where his parents perished.
Damon released a long breath to stabilize his emotions. By thinking about the past, he was getting angry, and he didn't want Talia to feel his turmoil. She should be composed and happy because tonight is the night his kitten will finally step forward as his woman in front of pack members. Damon was excited.
Talia came out of the closet, and she paused at the majestic sight of Damon from the back.
He was standing ramrod straight, with his hands behind his broad back, in a black short-sleeved shirt that was tucked in his black pants, and his raven-black hair was slicked back. He was ready for the party, at least from the outside. Talia could feel emotions brewing inside him, and she knew that he had a lot on his mind.
She tiptoed toward Damon and hugged him from the back.
"It will be OK.", she said.
Damon put his hands over Talia's that were resting on his chest.
"It will."
They were comforting each other, even though neither of them knew how this evening will end.
Damon and Talia discussed this, objectively and rationally, and they knew that this was not the best time to reveal the truth that they were mates but… when was the good time?
"Let me see you.", Damon said and turned to face Talia.
She stepped back and twirled on her toes. "What do you think?"
He wanted her to wear white or silver because she was so pure and adorable, but she insisted on a dark color to match him.
Damon let her have it. In his eyes, she looked perfect in anything.
Talia was wearing a black short-sleeved dress that hugged her upper body and flared from the waist down, reaching just above her knees. The line in the area of her waist was embellished with small crystals and sparkling, and her hair was slightly wavy and pinned above her ears with pins that had sparkling crystals, just like her dress. Talia's appearance was youthful and elegant, with just a touch of makeup, and Damon thought that she looked like a fairy. His fairy.
"You are stunning.", Damon said and licked his lips slowly. "But I prefer you naked."
Talia rolled her eyes, but she enjoyed the compliment. And she knew that he meant it. Both of those.
Damon paused for a moment before saying, "Travis is on his way to the study. He just did a checkup on Marcy and has updates."
"Let's go." She also wanted to hear updates.
The news Travis brought was not catastrophic, but it was not good either. Marcy's condition was still deteriorating and if she doesn't show signs of improvement at the checkup the next morning, Travis wanted Marcy to be transferred to the hospital.
With that, Travis took his medical bag and headed out of the study.
"Will you come to the party?", Talia asked Travis before he reached the door. As the pack doctor, he was invited.
"Yes. I am going to check on Commander George, and then I will get ready." He gestured toward his t-shirt and shorts. "This is not party appropriate."
Talia smiled, happy that another friendly face will be there. She remembered one thing, "Did you mind-link Dawn? To make sure it's safe to… uhm… you know."
"I did, before coming here.", Travis assured her that things were under control. He knew that newly-mated couples can't get their hands off each other, and that's why he gave Dawn a heads-up so that she and George were not in a compromising situation when he comes. He didn't want to intrude.
"Dinner will be served at seven.", Talia reminded him.
"I will be back by then.", Travis said and bowed to Damon before heading out. He wanted to bow to Talia also, but he feared that Damon will be hostile. Travis decided to feign ignorance about Talia being their Luna until Damon announces it officially.
Travis nearly bumped into Caden and Maya who were about to knock on the door.
"Are we late for updates?", Caden asked. They knew that Travis was here.
"Come in.", Damon called. "We will tell you the gist of it. Travis has work to do before he can join the party."
Caden and Maya didn't like the news that Marcy's condition is worsening.
They were hoping that Marcy will appear at the party and be able to turn this situation around. Marcy was definitely hiding the fact that George was her mate, and Maya thought that they can use that information to blackmail Marcy into obedience.
