The cloudless sky was colored in oranges and purples, looking magnificent as the sunrise was announcing another hot summer day. Everything was completely still, the only sounds coming from two bodies as they breathed while lying on the grass.
Talia's eyes fluttered open, shaking the morning dew that gathered on her lashes.
It took her a moment to realize that she was lying on the grass, with Damon next to her.
She stuck to Damon's firm body, seeking his warmth. Why the hell were they out in the open, completely naked?
Mental images flashed: their wolves, the sad story and reunion, Damon's gentle gaze, fiery touches, and powerful thrusts, and there was a bite. Two bites.
Her head whipped to see Damon's left side of his neck, and she couldn't see anything other than his perfect skin. He was slightly pale but no less handsome.
Talia was confused. Did she imagine biting him? Sure, Damon heals fast, but there should be a mark, right?
Talia reached to touch the left side of her neck. It was tender, but there were no bumps that would indicate a wound.
If she imagined events from last night, why were they naked here?
Talia closed her eyes to feel for any changes. There was nothing in particular, yet her senses were heightened. It was almost like she connected with nature to feel each plant and animal in the area, caressing them with her mind. Unbelievable.
Talia looked at Damon's handsome features and her brows came together when she realized that he was still sleeping. Damon would always be the first one to wake up, and now she even moved, yet he didn't twitch.
She wondered if she should let him rest more or wake him up, but then… werewolves or not, they should go to the cabin.
"Damon?", she called softly.
Nothing.
"Damon?" This time it was louder.
Still nothing.
She gave him a small nudge and when he didn't move, she pushed herself to sit on her knees.
Talia gaped at his form that glowed in silvery light all over. She didn't notice it up close, but now that she stepped back, it was clearly visible.
Reluctantly, she put her palm on his chest and shook him a bit.
Why was he not reacting? This was not like Damon. Was something wrong?
With every passing heartbeat, her worry was increasing and gnawing on her insides.
Why was this happening in the middle of nowhere? How can she call for help? And who can help anyway?
It took her a few endless moments to realize that she was not alone.
'Liseli?', Talia called in her mind, hoping that her wolf will respond.
'Yes?'
Talia released a breath of relief.
'What's wrong with Damon?'
'Nothing. He is adjusting to the powers he received through our mark.'
Talia took another look at his neck. It was clean.
'Why is the mark not showing?'
'Our mark is more than flesh deep. It connects the souls.'
Talia's breath hitched. 'Our souls are connected?'
'Almost.', Talia's wolf responded. 'The connection will be complete if Sapa and I do the mating ceremony.'
Talia noticed the IF part, and she knew Liseli was still struggling to accept that she was fed lies by her mother and sisters.
'Will you bite Sapa?'
Liseli snorted. 'We are not barbaric like humans. Our mating is more spiritual. We open our minds and hearts and accept each other completely. No secrets.'
Talia understood that the mating for wolves is something along the lines of how Sapa and Liseli shared their memories.
'I think that's wonderful, Liseli.' Only by fully opening up to the other, she could enjoy the feeling of being accepted unconditionally. 'I wish that Damon and I can do the same.'
'You can', her wolf said. 'We are the same but if you need distinction, you can think of it as you and Damon will connect by the flesh, while Sapa and I bond our souls.'
Talia wanted to ask for details, but Damon released a slow groan, drawing Talia's attention back to him, and her anxiousness was swelling again. Yes, her wolf said that this was part of the process, but Talia was uneasy.
She touched his forehead and felt his warmth. Talia paused when she realized that Damon was burning.
'Why does he have a fever? Is this normal?'
'I'm not sure', her wolf admitted. 'It's not like I've seen marking like this one. I can tell you that with your bite, he received a part of your power, and his body is adjusting to it. But anything beyond that is just a guess.'
Damon groaned again, and Talia was now panicking.
Was his temperature rising, or was her anxiousness muddling her senses?
One way or another, she didn't want to leave him on this grass.
Talia tried lifting him, but he was too heavy. Damn it, why did he weigh a ton?
And the fact that she was tugging on him, and he didn't react, only scared her more.
She remembered one thing. 'Liseli, can you help him?'
'What do you have on your mind?'
'When Meg was in the car after Kai marked her, I helped her channel that energy out and she was better. Somehow, I knew what to do. It was you guiding me, right? Do it again.'
Liseli hesitated. 'This is a natural process. If we interfere recklessly, it can have negative consequences.'
Talia bit her lower lip nervously. Damon didn't look good. Was she really supposed to just sit and wait? 'Can we help him just a little bit?'
'OK. Touch him.'
In the next moment, Talia's palms were on Damon's pecks.
Talia looked at Damon's handsome face in anticipation of something happening. Unfortunately, there was nothing.
'Liseli?'
'I'm trying!', Liseli responded in a strained voice, and then she snorted. 'It's not working.'
'Why?'
'Because Sapa is strong. That friend of yours had a weak wolf. Well, weak by our standards. Sapa is different. He is the strongest wolf I know.', Liseli's last words were full of pride and love.
'Aren't you stronger than Sapa?'
'Not really. Our strengths are different. If we need to fight it out, without regard of hurting the other, the outcome would be uncertain.'
Talia exhaled dejectedly. 'So, now what? We just wait and hope for the best?'
'Yes, unless you know of a powerful witch that can help channel the powers of the Moon.'
Talia made a face. Yeah, right. How on earth was she supposed to know a witch? The closest to that was the oracle that Axel mentioned.
Talia's expression lit up when she remembered… Axel!
They were leaving the Dark Howlers pack because they wanted to help Meg, but for that, they needed to go to the Midnight Guardians pack.
She dashed into the cabin to get her phone. Damon told her that she can leave her phone in the packhouse, but she still sneaked it into the bag. She kept it off because she had no intention of using it, but now it will come in handy.
Talia truly hoped that Axel will know how to help Damon.
