There wasn't enough seating for eight people in Gideon's sitting area as he never hosted gatherings. If more than three-four people stopped by, Gideon would meet with them outside, and this was definitely crowded.
However, Talia sat on Damon's lap, and Kalina on Tony's, so they managed.
Seeing that Gideon was standing at the side, Mindy moved close to him.
"Should we offer them some refreshments?", Mindy asked Gideon in a whisper.
His instinct was to say no, but Mindy's scent of sweet pumpkin reached him, and her eager expression made him unable to say anything other than, "OK. We can make tea." But no snacks!
Mindy's eyes flashed in delight. He said, WE!
"Give us a few minutes to prepare tea!", Mindy exclaimed toward their guests, grabbed Gideon's hand, and tugged him toward the kitchen. "Come. Show me where things are, and we can do it together." She was embarrassed that the only areas of the cabin she knew were the bedroom and bathroom upstairs.
The cabin was deep in the woods and didn't have commodities like running water and electricity, but Mindy didn't mind. She remembered him fetching water from a pail to pour on her when they washed last night, and she thought how all that was romantic. Mindy took a mental note to ask him later about how he gets water and does laundry and such.
Gideon started the fire on a two-burner stove that was attached to a propane tank tucked under the work surface, and Mindy put a pot of water to boil.
Seeing Mindy eyeing the little stove, Gideon thought that maybe it was time for an upgrade. It was fine while he was alone, but a young woman like Mindy is probably used to commodities a town can provide. He left those thoughts for later.
Gideon moved on the side where containers with various herbs were, and Mindy followed.
She observed him with curiosity, and he started explaining, "This is chamomile, good for calming the mind and easing into sleep… Sage will keep you alert and your mind sharp… Lemon leaves rejuvenate the body, skin, in particular, to give a clean youthful look… Mint will aid in digestion and relieve congestion… Ginger will boost immunity, help fight inflammations and nausea…" He paused when he noticed that she eyed the containers suspiciously. "What?"
"Dried herbs look more-less the same. Why didn't you label the containers? How do I know which is which?" What if he asks her for tea to stay alert and she ends up accidentally putting herb that eases people to sleep? She forgot which herb that was because he said many things.
Gideon glanced at the unlabeled containers and realized she was right, but… "They smell differently."
Mindy shook her head in disagreement. "Everything smells like lavender." She looked up to see him smiling at her and she smiled as well when she realized that everything smelled like Gideon.
They stared into each other's eyes, and the invisible pull worked its magic, and they ended up locked in a kiss that quickly turned hungry.
Mindy's fingers moved to explore his broad back, and she loved how his muscles tensed under her touch that was charged with the electric sparks of their bond.
Gideon gave Mindy's waist a squeeze while pulling her closer to feel his erection pressing on her lower abdomen, and her whimper made him pay attention to other sounds which reminded him that they were not alone.
He broke the kiss and released a frustrated breath. The scent of her arousal was driving him crazy.
"How long are they staying here?"
Mindy blinked herself into reality and glanced over Gideon's shoulder to see a group of six. They obviously knew that Mindy and Gideon were almost going at it right there in the kitchen, but they all pretended not to notice. Mindy was grateful for it, especially for Max not blowing a fuse.
"Talia wants to talk to you.", Mindy said. She didn't know the details, but Talia told her that they came to bring Mindy's stuff and for Talia to talk to Gideon. Seeing that Gideon's brows came together, Mindy put her arms around his neck. "They came to bring my stuff and for Talia to seek your guidance. Can you talk to her?"
"Are you telling me what to do?", he grumbled.
"No. I am asking you to listen to what she wants. Talia won't ask for help easily, and the fact that she is here even though she knows that we crave privacy means it's important. Just hear her out, and anything beyond that is up to you. Can you do that?"
He glanced at the pot of water that started releasing steam. "Can you prepare tea while I talk to Talia?"
Mindy's smile was blinding. "Just show me where are mugs and what herbs I should put inside once the water boils..."
Gideon left Mindy in the kitchen and made his way toward Talia who was sitting on Damon's lap.
"I hear that you want to talk to me in private. We can take a walk through the garden while Mindy finishes the tea."
"I will help her!", Kalina volunteered and went to the kitchen. Kalina was burning from inside with curiosity to find out how Mindy's night went. And she still didn't see the mark on Mindy's neck!
Talia stood up in response to Gideon's words, and Damon was quick to stand as well.
Gideon frowned at Damon. "I thought this will be a private talk between me and Talia."
Damon's frown was deeper than Gideon's. "It will be after you cover up."
Gideon glanced at himself and realized that he was wearing only pants. Why the hell would he cover up his top half? He was NOT a female! But he knew that the Alpha in front of him was possessive and unreasonable, and the sooner they finish, the sooner these people will leave, so Gideon went on the side and reached for the shirt that was there since Mindy undressed him on the previous day.
Talia walked side-by-side with Gideon through his garden. It still reminded her of a meadow full of wildflowers, but now that she knew it was a garden, she could see hints of some organization among the colorful blooms. She was careful not to step on anything more than just plain grass.
At some point, Gideon stopped walking and turned to Talia.
"As my future Luna, you don't need to hold back.", Gideon said. "Speak with confidence."
Talia was surprised that he called her Luna. She should probably get used to it.
"I am not a Luna, yet."
"But you hope to be."
"I am Damon's mate. It would be unfair to ask him to give up his pack for me, so I will be his Luna. But in order to reach there, I need your help."
Gideon observed Talia while thinking how she was younger than Damon, yet so mature. She selflessly put Damon's need in front of hers, like a true Luna. His opinion of Talia rose by a notch.
Gideon gestured to Talia to keep on talking.
"On the next full Moon, there will be a pack run, and I am supposed to lead it with Damon. I don't want to disappoint him or the pack, but the thing is that I never shifted in my wolf…"
"Never?"
Gideon's question interrupted her next words and Talia shook her head.
"How is that possible?", Gideon asked.
"No one told me how."
Gideon cocked an eyebrow at her. "Shifting into the wolf form is not taught. It comes naturally. Youngsters will do it when their temper flares and their wolf takes over. That is stronger under the influence of the full Moon, but in time you learn to control it."
Talia was stuck on the words, 'wolf takes over'. She pressed her lips into a line while wondering how much she should reveal. She can't tell him everything, but if she doesn't say something, he won't be able to help her. Assuming that he will want to help.
"Before coming here, I was weak. Doctor Travis told me that my wolf took the burn off my weak body so I can survive. I don't feel my wolf and I fear that she is not there."
Gideon inched closer and sniffed the air around Talia and then he looked into her eyes with such intensity that she felt a headache coming, but she held his gaze without flinching.
After an unknown measure of time, Gideon straightened his posture and spoke with certainty, "There is nothing wrong with your wolf, Talia."
