While approaching the cabin that was nestled between the trees and high bushes, Talia noticed that the front door was open.
She looked around and called, "Hello! Shaman Gideon! It's me, Talia. I came to visit you…"
No one responded, and Talia moved closer to the cabin. "Hello?"
The door was visibly newer compared to the rest of the cabin, obviously because Gideon replaced the one that Damon destroyed. Talia hoped that Gideon won't blame her for that incident.
After a slight hesitation, Talia pushed the door open and called from there, "Shaman Gideon? Hellooo…"
Talia wondered if something happened to him. Maybe that's why he didn't show up at the party or respond to the invitation. What if he was attacked by rogues? He lives alone, maybe it happened days ago!
The more Talia thought about it, the more she was unsettled.
"I'm coming in!", she called and stepped inside.
The place was just as she remembered it. Kitchen, dining area, sitting area with a sofa and two chairs. The doors on the left were closed, and the whole cabin smelled of lavender, basil, mint, and something else that was sweet and soothing.
"Hello!"
Talia jumped in fright when Gideon emerged from the first room on the left.
"I didn't expect visitors, Talia.", he said.
Talia patted her chest to calm down. "I apologize for not calling ahead." Actually, the man doesn't have a phone, and both Maya and Caden said that his mind-link was shut down, but Talia didn't want to point out those technicalities. "Sorry for entering your home without permission, but I was calling and…"
"And I didn't think of answering from the restroom. Don't worry about it. How can I help you? I assume your presence here is not a casual visit."
Talia realized that Gideon was not as pleasant as the last time and she wondered if that was because Damon broke his door, or because she barged in. Probably both.
She knew that beating around the bush will only make him angry, so she went straight to the point.
"I believe you know about the event at the packhouse.", she said.
"The one where Elders are invited?"
"You are invited also."
"Is that why you are here?"
Talia nodded in response.
"Did Alpha Damon send you?"
"No. It was my idea."
"Why?", he questioned.
"I think you know why." Talia really had a feeling that this man knew everything better than anyone, even though he was stuck in the middle of the forest.
Gideon was visibly amused. "Maybe I want to hear you say it."
"We need your help.", Talia said.
"You sound like that will be enough for me to do something. And who is that 'we' you spoke about?"
"Damon and I."
He looked around. "I see only you."
Talia realized that Gideon expected Damon to come in person. Well, she couldn't blame him, but… "Guests are already at the packhouse. It would be inconvenient for Damon to come."
"Well then, it's inconvenient for me to go there."
Talia looked at the man whose stubbornness was comparable to Damon's. Ah, this will be a problem. It was obvious that Gideon didn't have a good opinion of Damon, so she wanted to ask him to help her, but then… who was she to ask favors? However, there was something that topped it all, and that was why she was there.
"Do you believe that the mate bond is sacred?", Talia asked.
Gideon paused. "What does it have to do with that brat destroying my house? And he did it more than once. If he is not the Alpha, I would spank him into obedience. You want me to help him? Do you really expect me to move a finger for a person who didn't even come to apologize?"
"Will you help us if he apologizes?"
"That will depend on his sincerity, but it will be a start."
Talia had a feeling that she hit a wall.
Gideon wanted Damon to lower himself and apologize, and it's not that Gideon was wrong but… they were out of time, and she needed to come up with something effective or give up on the idea of Gideon helping them.
Can they handle those Elders without Gideon?
Talia's brows came together in confusion when she saw that Gideon was staring behind her, with an expression of disbelief like he was seeing a ghost.
She turned around to see… Mindy.
Mindy was at the door, staring back at Gideon, and Talia had a feeling of déjà vu. Where did she see something like this before?
Talia moved to the side and observed the duo that stood there without moving a muscle.
After a few exceedingly long seconds, Mindy stepped into the cabin and walked straight toward Gideon, the two of them never broke eye contact.
Mindy stopped one step away from Gideon and extended her hand to touch his face.
Talia clearly saw Mindy's arm jerking a bit the moment the tips of Mindy's fingers came in contact with Gideon's cheek, dispelling any doubts Talia had so far.
Mates.
This was unbelievable! What bad timing! And who said nonsense how seeing mates recognize each other was rare!?
Mindy and Gideon stared at each other without blinking and Talia felt like the third wheel.
"Uhm… so…", Talia really didn't know what to say. Should she congratulate them? Will Gideon come to help them now? Probably not.
Gideon's lips stretched into a smile, and he lifted Mindy like she weighs nothing and walked toward the dining area with Mindy in his arms, and then he put her to sit on the table.
"Congratu…", Talia's word was cut halfway when she saw that Mindy and Gideon were making out like there was no tomorrow. They ignored her completely.
That confirmed it. Gideon will not help them, but not because he was pissy at Damon, but because he will have sex. With Mindy.
Great!
Ah, they were tugging at each other's clothes already!
Talia swiftly walked toward the exit and stepped out while closing the door behind her.
She looked at two warriors who waited for her.
"Let's go back to the packhouse."
Two warriors exchanged confused gazes, and Talia answered the questions they didn't ask, "Mindy is not coming, and neither is Shaman. It's just us. Let's go." She thought of something else. "Don't tell Alpha about this. I will tell him when we get back."
Talia shook her head while walking back to the car. She couldn't believe it. Mindy and Gideon! What a pairing!
Mindy was always talking about her charities, goals, and traveling with pride, but in that cabin, Talia saw a woman who was willing to tend to the herbs in the garden.
Talia didn't know how Damon will react to the news that Gideon was not coming, or how Maddox will react when he hears that his sister's mate is the Shaman of the Dark Howlers pack… and she had no idea how they will deal with the Elders at the party, but she was happy for her friend.
