Doctor Travis arrived shortly after Talia, and he sat at the table with some other important people from the pack.
Dinner was served and the sound of utensils clinking over low murmurs filled the space.
Kalina and Maya chatted in a lively atmosphere with Tatiana adding to it occasionally.
Tony and Caden enjoyed watching their mates having fun, and Maddox was totally focused on Tatiana and making sure that she always had food and drinks in front of her.
Dawn and George were in their own bubble, feeding each other and talking in whispers, like they had no idea werewolves surrounded them and how anyone who paid attention could hear their naughty talk.
At one glance, the atmosphere at the largest table was harmonious.
However, Talia could feel Damon's anxiety building up with every passing minute, and there were occasions when Talia noticed that Maya and Caden were also alerted. Maddox, Tatiana, Tony, Kalina, George, and Dawn seemed carefree, but neither of them was totally relaxed.
Damon looked at Talia gently, feed her, and held her hand on the table, but Talia could feel that Damon was on the verge of snapping when the dessert was served.
Talia didn't need to guess why Damon's emotions were all over the place because she could clearly hear the chatter of people around them.
[Dinner is almost over. Is it possible that Marcy won't join?]
[Why is Alpha so close to his assistant? Isn't that a slap in Marcy's face?]
[Nobodies are at the table with Alpha. Now I've seen everything… Don't say that. Didn't you hear that our Dawn is mated to Commander George? … Really? But what about the other one? … You mean, his assistant?]
[How long until Alpha makes the announcement? My contacts from the Red Moon pack want me to stream it… I know, Alpha said no recordings, but still…]
[I don't know how Alpha Edward will react when he finds out that Marcy was excluded.]
[Alpha has a nasty temper. What if he did something to Marcy? … Shhh… Lower your voice… I know what you are trying to say. With Commander and young Alpha being here, it's odd that Marcy is absent…]
It was obvious that the guests were expecting Marcy to be in Talia's place and Talia feared that this will end badly. Can they just cancel the whole thing? What if she just leaves this hall?
Talia glanced at Damon and their eyes met. At that moment, the whole world stilled, leaving just the two of them moving and Talia had a feeling that no matter what happens next, Damon will be by her side, and that was the only thing that mattered.
Talia smiled a little. She followed Damon into a waterfall, and she would follow him everywhere. Here included.
Even if these old-timers turn against Damon, she will fight by his side because there was no way she will give up on him.
Without breaking eye contact with Talia, Damon stood up and a swift burst of his aura got everyone's attention. The whole event hall descended into silence.
Damon looked around and he was pleased to see that people looked at him expectantly.
"I invited you all here because I have an announcement to make.", Damon started.
Damon thought of many ways to go about this, but nothing worked in his mind, and the storm was inevitable. If he was about to make waves, he will do it in a big way.
He could see George, Maddox, Tony, and Caden doting on their mates at that same table. Why was he holding back? Wasn't he the most powerful Alpha of their generation?
Damon decided. No more games.
"I can hear what you are talking about, and I know most of you are assuming that Marcy from the Red Moon pack will become my Luna. Well, that's not happening."
Murmurs swelled from all directions, and Damon used his aura to shut them up.
"You will get your turn to talk. When I'm done.", Damon said stiffly. "As you know, Marcy arrived at the Dark Howlers pack. After careful consideration, we established that our union is not possible. She is currently not in the packhouse. I didn't put her in a dungeon or restricted her movements in any way." This was the truth. "So, I hope that you will stop talking nonsense."
Damon looked at faces that showed disbelief and anticipation and he took a deep breath before continuing. "I want you to be the first ones to know that I found my Luna." He moved to stand behind Talia and put his hands on her shoulders. "I hope you will all welcome as your Luna, Talia. My fated mate."
Crickets.
No one said a word.
After a few endless seconds, Maya clicked her tongue and stood up. "Is this how you welcome your Luna?"
Caden also stood up and moved to Damon's left. Everyone could see Talia sitting with Damon behind her, and Caden and Maya flanking them on each side.
"Luna?", Elder Agatha spoke from the back, her voice was unusually loud in an otherwise silent room hall. "Isn't she Alpha's assistant?"
"Yes and no.", Damon responded. "Talia is assisting me, but that's because she wanted to find out about the pack before we make it official, so I offered her to work with me."
"She was here for the Summer Solstice. Why didn't you say anything then?", a voice came from the other side.
"And she is not marked!", another voice chimed in.
"Do you think we are stupid?"
"Who is she?"
"What's her background?"
"Do you expect us to believe she is your mate?"
One voice after another sounded, sometimes they overlapped until they morphed into an indistinct clamor of disapproval.
"ENOUGH!", Damon roared with just the right amount of pressure to make everyone shut up.
Talia could feel Damon's anger swelling and she stood up to stand next to him. The hostility aimed at them was tangible, and she wanted to be Damon's equal and share his burden.
Talia held Damon's hand and their fingers interlaced.
"You are right.", Talia said. Her voice was not loud, but everyone had a feeling like it came from right next to them. "Damon didn't mark me yet, and you don't know who I am, but isn't that more of a reason for you to get to know me? Is my background important?" She glanced at Damon. "I found it hard to believe at first that Damon is my mate, but the Moon Goddess paired us up, and I decided to embrace it." Her eyes swept over the people, and she could see their scrutinized gazes directed at her. "Are you daring enough to challenge us? Are you bold enough to challenge the Moon Goddess?"
"This is not about challenging you or the Moon Goddess.", a voice came from the side, and Damon narrowed his eyes when he saw Elder Thompson standing up while talking. "This is about clarifying the situation. First thing first. We are all curious to find out what made the union between Miss Marcy and Alpha Damon impossible."
Talia's brows came together in confusion. "Didn't you hear the part where I am Damon's fated mate?"
"So, he rejected Miss Marcy because of you?", Elder Thomas said thoughtfully.
