Stephanie, Zina, and Rose were busying themselves with lunch preparations in the kitchen.
"Zi!", Dawn exclaimed when she saw Zina, and then they plunged into each other's arms like they didn't see each other in ages.
Stephanie greeted everyone, and after exchanging names with Cornelia, Stephanie was quick to assign tasks to the ladies when she heard they were there to help.
"I apologize for not greeting you properly, Shaman Gideon", Stephanie said respectfully. She knew that he was staying in the packhouse, and she saw him at the dining table during meals, but at that time Stephanie was serving food and it wouldn't be proper for her to greet him.
Gideon waved like it was not important. "What can I do?"
Stephanie's eyes widened. Did Shaman want to help in the kitchen? Gideon was regarded with respect by all pack members and Stephanie didn't dare to let him get his hands dirty. "It's not necessary. Please, sit and relax. Can I get you something to drink? A tea, maybe?"
"You can help me prepare vegetables for the salad.", Mindy said to Gideon in a singing voice.
To Stephanie's surprise, Gideon moved there, and he started peeling cucumbers that Mindy gave him, while she chopped bell peppers. It took less than a minute for them to talk in whispers and nudge each other playfully.
"They are mates.", Talia told Stephanie, unsure if the woman knew about it. "They will announce it before the pack run tomorrow."
Stephanie pressed her lips into a line and turned to Talia. "And you, my dear? How are you? Is Damon mistreating you?"
Talia's heart warmed. Stephanie was considerate and caring, and she gave Talia a glimpse of how it would be to have a mother. Talia didn't know that Stephanie gave Damon an earful on the previous day, but she guessed that Stephanie knew bits and pieces and the woman was confused.
"Damon is facing many challenges, but he is not mistreating me. The last few days were part of the plan to get rid of Marcy without jeopardizing the pack. From the moment I got here, he was supportive, in his own way.", Talia said and smiled a little. "Tomorrow, I will be leading the pack run with him."
Stephanie opened her mouth to speak, but then her eyes fell on the pinkish mark on Talia's neck.
'CLANG!'
A heavy knife fell on the kitchen countertop from Stephanie's hand.
"You are marked?", Stephanie asked.
Talia's smile widened. "Damon and I are fated mates."
Stephanie needed a moment. She knew that Damon didn't want to let Talia live outside of the packhouse, she saw them getting cozy, and she heard rumors, but she thought if it was serious, they would say something openly. Stephanie knew that during the dinner with Elders, Damon announced that Talia was his mate, but with Marcy there, Stephanie was not sure what to think.
"I'm sorry, Talia. I am happy for you it's just… Why didn't you tell me when you arrived here? Why is not the whole pack celebrating their Luna?"
"It's a long story, Steph. When I came here, my wolf was weak and I didn't know. And when I found out, it was difficult to process. And when I was ready to embrace it, Marcy started pressuring Damon and we decided to wait with the announcement until the air is clear. He did it to protect me. Tomorrow evening, the whole pack will know. I hope you will support us."
Stephanie's eyes were full of tears. "Of course, I will support you." She took a step back and bowed. "It's an honor to greet you, Luna Talia."
Talia was speechless. She really didn't expect that Stephanie will be so official. "Please, don't."
Stephanie raised her head. "Violet would be so happy."
Stephanie resumed cutting chicken pieces and said, "I am glad it's you, and I'm glad you told me. I plan to leave so I will hand you over managing the packhouse. There is a schedule for cleaning and for kitchen duties that are standard, as well as garden maintenance. And then there are extras to keep in mind when we have guests. You should memorize the names of Omegas who are allowed to come here. Damon was always specific about it."
Talia's brows came together. "You are leaving? Where? When?"
"I will leave after the pack run. Damon knows about it. I hope that I can take Lisa with me." She didn't say where she will go because she was not sure.
"Steph", Talia called. "You know that this is your home, and always it will be."
Stephanie smiled sadly. Was this her home? A home was not about the place, it was about people. Stephanie came to the Dark Howlers pack because of her mate, and she made a friend, Luna Violet. They had a daughter, and her life was complete. Stephanie lost her mate and her friend, and she sent her daughter away. In a way, her home was gone, but she stuck around with the hope to help Damon.
Lisa was now in the dungeon with her behavior escalating, and Stephanie had a feeling that Lisa won't get better as long as she was surrounded by the ghosts of what might have been.
"Thank you, Talia.", Stephanie said. "But I believe it's for the best if I leave. I always wanted to see some distant places, and this is my chance. Now that you are here, I am relieved that I won't leave that naughty boy on his own. Take care of him."
Talia's eyes filled with tears. She knew that Stephanie wanted to retire, but she felt that her leaving like this was wrong. Would she go if not for Lisa causing trouble? Maybe she would stop working, but she would remain in the territory of the Dark Howlers pack. Stephanie was about to leave everything she knew because Lisa was delusional, but then… maybe that's what mothers do for their children.
"Talia!", Damon called from the door with panic in his voice, and in the next moment, she felt a pair of strong arms wrapping around her.
They were close to ending the meeting when Damon sensed Talia's emotions fluctuating and he told Maya and Caden to finish without him as he rushed to see what was going on.
"Are you alright?", Damon asked.
Talia looked at him helplessly. Silly man, he could have asked her that through their mind-link, but the fact that he had such an exaggerated reaction, told her he was anxious.
"I am OK.", Talia said. "Stephanie told me that she is going to leave, so I got emotional."
"You don't need to leave.", Damon spoke to Stephanie without letting go of Talia. "I was an ass, but I am better now. Tomorrow, everyone will know that Talia is my mate, and our pack will start new normal."
"That is lovely.", Stephanie responded. "But that new normal will be without me."
"Contact us often, and come to visit whenever you can.", Talia said.
"Thank you. As for the packhouse, I recommend that you get a few people to help you. Don't allow things to stop if you have something else to do."
Talia was thinking about it from the moment Stephanie told her about retirement which was a while ago. "I will ask Zina and Rose to help." Talia turned to see two Omegas in question staring at her. "Zina, I hope you will accept to take care of the kitchen, and Rose, I will be grateful if you help with the rest of the packhouse. I believe the two of you know what needs to be done, and if you doubt anything, this is a perfect chance to ask Stephanie for clarifications."
Both Zina and Rose smiled and nodded vigorously.
Talia would ask Dawn also, but Dawn was about to leave for the Red Moon pack with George.
Talia was hoping that Mindy will take an official role, but she didn't want to talk about it now. They had a lot of things going on and with Mindy being Gideon's mate, she was not going anywhere.
Talia wanted to resume work, but Damon's hug blocked her arms.
"Can you let go?", she asked.
"Never.", Damon responded without missing a beat and she smiled foolishly.
