"Of course, it's about your company! I love your company!", Talia said to Mindy right away. "I was also hoping that you will accept to be a high-ranking member in the Dark Howlers pack."
"How high are we talking about?", Mindy asked suspiciously.
"I didn't think that far.", Talia responded honestly. "Caden and Maya are working as Damon's Betas and Maya mentioned that she will reduce her duties because they want to expand their family. I have no idea what it means to be Damon's Luna, but I know that I will need trustworthy people by my side. Qualifications are that the person is smart, reliable, and not afraid to tell me when I'm about to make a mistake. Who is better for that role than you?" Talia ended enthusiastically.
Mindy was Talia's first friend who was not related to Damon, and Talia knew Mindy as a straightforward person who doesn't mince words and is not afraid to speak her mind. Being surrounded by people who will blindly obey Talia's order sounded nice, but she needed someone who will keep her grounded. Even Damon would let her wreck the world and she hoped that Mindy will prevent her from doing that.
Mindy was flattered by Talia's offer, but Mindy grew up in the Alpha family and she was aware that under all that glitz and glam which comes with a high position, there was a lot of work. "It sounds great, but I know that it involves responsibilities, and I still didn't figure out what it means to be Shaman Gideon's mate and how it all fits with my existing work."
"I understand. That's why I didn't bring it up so far.", Talia responded. "There is no rush. We can talk about it next week or next month or whenever you feel that you are ready. Until then, think of things that will work for you."
Mindy was grateful that Talia was not pressuring her for a response, but she had a few questions of her own. "Lia, how will you balance your Luna role in the Dark Howlers pack with your Alpha position in the Midnight Guardians pack?"
"I'm not sure. Do I need to give up one? On the other side, I doubt I can have both roles." This was more than just balancing conflicting interests. Did she have the time and resources to take on both roles with the dedication they require?
"There is always an option to merge packs.", Mindy suggested.
Talia loved the idea but, "Damon is being targeted because other Alphas fear that he is too powerful. Imagine their reaction if our two packs merge into one."
Mindy understood what Talia was saying, however, "Eventually, they will find out that Luna of the Dark Howlers pack is also the Alpha of the Midnight Guardians pack. Considering that the two of you are fated mates, merging your two packs will be only a matter of formality."
Talia's intention was to abdicate her position as the Alpha of the Midnight Guardians pack for Axel to have it. She was not interested in titles and if Axel was doing all the work, he should get the credits as well. However, every time Talia thought about stepping down as the Alpha of the Midnight Guardians pack, her heart tightened painfully, as if something really bad will happen if she made such a move.
"Ideally, we would find a way to live with other packs and erase borders, or at least to stop thinking of each other as competition. We are all werewolves with common goals. But I know that is just wishful thinking.", Talia said. "To answer your question, I don't know what to do. I will think about it and gather opinions. I'm sure we will come up with something that works for everyone."
"Can you tell me what challenges you are facing with Gideon?" Talia was genuinely interested. For Talia, staying with Damon was normal. Can it be more difficult to be Shaman's mate compared to Alpha's?
Mindy didn't want to talk about her and Gideon, but Talia was her friend and Mindy thought that even if Talia can't help, she can listen, and that meant a lot.
"Most of our talks are related to where we are going to live. Gideon's current place provides privacy, but it's lacking many amenities and it's far from everything so it's not convenient as a permanent location. We discussed moving closer to Darkbourne, but we need a house with several rooms and enough land for him to plant his garden and to provide privacy, and some of those requirements are clashing. I didn't understand the privacy part until I saw how Nina was acting friendly with him. She was arranging the herbs I prepared, like she belonged there! Now I fear that when people find out we are close to town, everyone will come and act like they are in their own home. That's why I asked how long we can stay in the packhouse. No one dares to seek him here and I will appreciate it if we can intrude until we figure out something that will work..." Mindy's voice trailed when she realized that she was blabbering. "I'm sorry. I need to stop oversharing."
"Nonsense!", Talia exclaimed. Considering the war-sparking issues she was facing so far, Talia thought that Mindy's problems were not a big deal. "First, you are not intruding. Second, I think I have a perfect house for you."
"You do?"
Talia nodded confidently. "It's a new construction with three bedrooms upstairs, and plenty of unused land around it. Gideon can make a garden as big as he needs, and you can even expand the house if you wish. It's about five minutes from here, so you are close to town while not actually being IN the town."
Talia was talking about the house where George and Marcy were staying after George accepted Marcy's rejection. Damon told Talia that the house was unoccupied, and there were a few similar houses further from the packhouse. They used them when someone needed to stay temporarily and the packhouse was not appropriate, like for a family of refugees.
Mindy shook her head, rejecting the idea. "That won't help with people coming over and treating my home as a bus station."
"I'm not done.", Talia said. "No one needs to know where you live. Gideon can get himself an office in town where he will meet people who need advice, medicine, or whatever service he is providing. Appointments in advance will ensure that he is there when needed, and only your friends can know where you actually live. As a benefit of being close to the packhouse, guards will prevent any uninvited guests from intruding on your time."
Talia could see that Mindy was considering it, so she pushed a bit more, "If I was you, I would give it a try. In the worst case, it won't work, and you need to keep searching, but living in that house will give you a better understanding of what you need. If it's a total failure, you are always welcome to return here. I will keep the room ready for you. What do you think?"
"As a benefit, I will be close to work with you."
"Work, fun, hanging out, call it any way you want. I will pay you fairly and it will come with benefits.", Talia grinned. "But I won't ask you to be available 24/7 as my aide. We can decide if it's every day, every other day, how many hours…"
Talia stopped talking when Mindy gave her a hug.
"I knew it's a good move to befriend Luna of the pack.", Mindy said and both of them burst into giggles.
Talia was genuinely happy. Only a few weeks ago, the idea of being Damon's Luna was overwhelming, but now she had Zina and Rose to help in the packhouse, and with Mindy accepting to be by her side, it was not so scary anymore.
OK. Mindy didn't accept yet, but Talia had a feeling that it was only a matter of time.
As for being the Alpha of the Midnight Guardians pack, Talia decided to deal with that later.
