Damon looked at Talia's earnest expression as she asked to organize a cross-pack party, and Damon couldn't refuse her. "We can have an event for unmated individuals of several packs. I believe that Max, Cristian, and Tony will be willing to join."
"Axel also!", Talia added. "And we could invite witches as well."
Damon was not sure about that. "We should talk to our people about powers and witches before they come here. Witches might pass as humans, but members of the Midnight Guardians pack are a different thing." He saw that Talia's face fell, so he quickly added, "I'm not saying it won't happen. However, people get to marking quickly and we don't want them to be surprised when they start glowing or things float around them without an explanation. If we act rashly, it could backfire by people ostracizing them or capturing them for… you know."
Talia nodded in understanding. She knew what Damon wanted to say. It was for breeding purposes. Will they ever be able to contain the greed for power that runs among werewolves? "We have so much work ahead of us." To investigate the whole breeding thing, and to educate their people about creatures that are different. Talia wondered if that can be done at the same time. What if they capture and punish individuals who were behind those sick schemes? If they make it public, then society can find out about creatures with powers and how using them was wrong. Talia hoped that it was just a few power-hungry individuals and that it was not widespread.
Seeing Talia's concerned expression, Damon coaxed her, "Don't worry, kitten. We will figure out the best way to tackle this challenge so that it works out for everyone."
Talia leaned on his chest. "I believe that we can do anything, as long as we are together."
Damon chuckled. The amount of trust she put in him was immense and he really didn't want to disappoint her. As long as they get enough people on their side, and they don't act rashly, things will work out. He already knew that James will be on their side because Cornelia was a witch, and James proved that he can come up with an elegant solution on the spot.
"We should pick a date for your Luna ceremony.", Damon said. "Now that our people know about you, we shouldn't delay it."
Talia had no idea what all was needed, and she didn't feel like rushing it. "Max said that he and Tanya will have an event in about ten days. How about after that?" That will be the first Luna ceremony for Talia to attend, and she could get some ideas.
"Let's not delay too much. People will want answers, and we should tell them the date in advance." If it was up to him, it would happen on the same day.
"We can talk to Gideon and see if there is any day that works better than the others.", Talia suggested, and she thought how the next full moon sounds good. That will give them four weeks to prepare, and hopefully deal with other pressing matters in the meantime. She snuggled closer to Damon. "Do you think that we can take some time off after the ceremony?"
"Like a vacation?"
"Mhm…", Talia confirmed with a hum.
Damon approved. "Definitely. Think of a place."
Talia didn't need much time to come up with options for their vacation. "How about a place with beach access? Swimming and snorkeling sound fun. Or maybe we can visit the cabin again. I promise that I won't call Axel no matter what happens."
At the mention of Axel, Damon got an idea. "You said that time passes differently for the Midnight Guardians pack and witches. How about we go there?"
Talia's face lit up. They could spend two-three months there and it will be just days for the Dark Howlers pack!
"I will ask Axel and Yasmin to see if they have a place we could use. We can combine visiting their territories with taking time for ourselves. Axel told me that the main house at the Midnight Guardians pack is for the Alpha family, and I have a dedicated space, but I would prefer something with more privacy…" Talia stopped her excited chatter to look at Damon dreamily. "I like that we can chat about things like normal people."
"Are you saying that we are not normal?"
Talia rolled her eyes. "You know what I mean."
He knew, and he enjoyed these moments of normalcy as well, but he was aware that they couldn't spend the whole day in bed. "Are you ready to face the world now that people know you are my mate and the Luna of the Dark Howlers pack?"
"No.", Talia responded right away and hugged him tightly. "I wish that nothing changes. I wish that we can stay like this forever. Why are you so eager to part from me?"
"I have no intention of parting from you, kitten.", Damon said while running his hand through her hair. "Our people are eager to see you by my side. They were looking forward to me giving them their Luna, and now that it happened, it will be alright. The whole pack loves you and they will help me in protecting their Luna."
'At least on the outside', Talia thought but she didn't want to say that aloud. She was confident that Damon was aware of how all kinds of intentions could be hidden behind a smile. "What do we do now?"
"Now we will get ready for the day and head down for breakfast and take it from there.", Damon responded. "But first…"
Talia yelped when Damon rolled them over unexpectedly, ending on top of her.
He nipped her jaw playfully and spoke against her skin, "Luna of the Dark Howlers pack needs to take care of her Alpha."
Talia thought that he will do something naughty, but he buried his face in the crook of her neck and took a deep breath.
"I love you, kitten", he murmured. "I need to feel you close because only like this I feel complete." He released a long breath. "Twice. Twice the dark magic made me forget about you and twice I experienced how it would feel if I lose you. I didn't remember you, but I felt the loss of compassion, the loss of emotions, an important part of me was gone and I became a person I don't want to see again. I am scared of losing you…"
"Shh…", Talia coaxed him while patting his back. "It won't happen again. The dark magic is gone, and I am here now. If anyone dares to mess with you, I will make him regret it." She really meant it.
Damon relaxed against her, lowering himself slightly so that his body pressed on hers, but he still kept most of his weight on his elbows.
Damon arranged kisses on her temple and forehead while talking, "I am proud you are mine and I want to show you off. I love you with all my heart and soul and I want to share the rest of my life with you. Let's grow old together, kitten. I will cherish you and protect you and I won't allow anyone to endanger you in any way because even if I live forever, my life will have no meaning without you in it…"
They say that the strength of one's wolf determines the rate of aging, and considering how strong Sapa and Liseli were, Damon guessed that they had close to forever.
Damon didn't want to ruin the mood, but Damon's parents, his grandparents, and many other powerful werewolves met their untimely demise. It was the greed for power that made people act against them as most Alphas died either in a war, in a challenge, or in suspicious circumstances; sometimes they were targeted by their own family members, but it was almost always by people close to them.
Damon protected himself by keeping everyone at bay, and the way Talia accepted people was opening doors to potential spies and backstabbers, but Damon didn't want to spoil this for her, seeing how happy she was to finally not be alone.
Damon was determined to keep Talia safe. He really wanted them to grow old together.
