Talia and Damon came down for breakfast, and they found at the table Maya, Caden, Dawn, George, Zina, James, Cornelia, as well as three of Talia's guards that came to the packhouse with backpacks, ready to depart on their mission or accompanying their Luna: Keith, Liam, and Sandy.
Mindy and Gideon were in their new home, enjoying the privacy. They announced last night that they probably won't be coming out for a few days, unless absolutely necessary. Gideon said that they will be settling in their new home and preparing the garden, but everyone knew that the only garden he will be tending to was between Mindy's legs.
Talia was happy for her friend. Mindy was glowing.
Even without the Shaman and the dildo-gifting woman, Damon found that the dining table was crowded. For years, it was just him with Maya, Caden, and occasionally Stephanie would join, and this was definitely different. Was it a good different or a bad different? Damon was not sure, but he knew that these changes were because of Talia. Like a real Luna, she was attracting people and she did that even before she found out that she was Damon's mate. Talia was natural.
After wishing everyone in the dining room good morning, Damon held a chair for Talia to sit on, and then he got busy with putting food on her plate.
Talia couldn't stop her lips from lifting into a smile whenever Damon's obsession with feeding her sparked. By now, Talia knew that every male werewolf had a need to provide for his mate (food included), but for her, it had another meaning. Talia was starving during her time in the Red Moon pack, when the food was limited while she was a child, and it became scarcer while she hid in the attic. Having a full stomach was rare, and since coming here, Damon was making sure she never goes hungry again.
Now that she thought about it, Talia chided herself for dismissing the signs. From day one, Damon was treating her as his mate, and if not for her insecurities, she would be able to see it.
Damon was putting bacon on Talia's plate and his movements halted when he noticed Talia staring at him. He shot her a side glance and his smile reflected in his eyes. "What?", he asked.
Talia was not sure how to respond, so she opened her emotions so he can feel all the love she had for him.
Damon bobbed his head happily and then he leaned to put a soft kiss on her lips.
"I love you too.", he said and then he continued putting food on her plate.
Talia's cheeks reddened when she realized that Damon confessed his love, and they were sitting at the table full of people. Did others hear that? Probably.
She admired that Damon didn't shrink in front of their audience. He was totally focused on her, and not caring for his Alpha image. Wasn't he the sweetest?
Talia remembered that she had a task, and she turned to talk to Cornelia.
"We will go the Midnight Guardians pack."
"When?", Cornelia asked.
"After breakfast.", Talia responded. "We are not sure how long we will stay in the Midnight Guardians pack, but unless something unexpected happens, we will go to the Silver Flame Coven next. We were wondering if you want to come with us or maybe prepare a message for Evanora."
James saw Cornelia's expression changing and his stomach tightened. Why did it take so long to respond? It should be a simple yes or no. Why was she avoiding to look at him? He knew that expression. She was thinking of going without him!
James had no intention of letting Cornelia out of his touching distance.
He reached to hold her hand and gave her a squeeze to get her attention.
"We can go if you wish.", James said to Cornelia. Actually, he knew that she wanted to go home, and he was curious about the place from where she came. Also, the time difference was awesome to extend their time together without the influence of his father.
Seeing that Cornelia only blinked at him, James turned to Talia and Damon. "We will be ready in half an hour."
Damon's brows furrowed. "Are you sure you can come?"
James didn't expect this. He feared that Cornelia will refuse him, and not Damon. "Why not?"
"How long will you be away? What if Alpha Edward asks for your presence?" It was George who said this.
James thought for a second before responding. "You can give him daily reports. Tell him that I went with a group of warriors to train in the mountains for a few days and I will be off-grid. In case any emergency happens, there should be a way for you to contact me." James looked at Damon. "You have a way to contact the Midnight Guardians pack, right? Your Betas can reach you."
"Riiiight.", Damon drawled. "But my concern was something else." Damon glanced at Talia before adding, "The location of the Midnight Guardians pack is a secret. I'm not sure if you can go."
James pointed at Talia. "Alpha of the Midnight Guardians pack is right here. She can approve my request to go there. And besides, we are too deep in each other's secrets to nitpick about things like the location of a portal. Do you think I will tell my father about it and bring the army to occupy Talia's pack? You should know how that move would bring my father closer to Cora's home, and I would never put her in danger!"
Damon raised his hands, palms toward James, indicating for him to calm down. "I was not doubting you. However, what if Alpha Edward uses his aura to make you submit and spill the truth?"
"He won't.", James said with confidence. "For your peace of mind, I will accept to be blindfolded so I don't know where the portal is. My father won't waste his aura on me. He has no idea what I'm capable of. I will tell him that I was having fun with friends in the evening, and he will flip. He might smack me a few times, but I am used to it."
Cornelia was alerted by the possibility of James being questioned and beaten. Her heart tightened. "Are you sure you want to come? It will be better if you stay here."
James frowned. Why was everyone discouraging him from going?
James spoke to Cora. "It seems you decided to head back without me. I know you have doubts because I don't feel the bond fully, but how can I prove myself if you leave me behind? I have at least a few days before I need to return to the Red Moon pack, and I'm determined to spend them with you. If you are going, so will I."
"What will happen after those few days?", Cornelia asked.
"We will think about it then. Things are changing quickly. I thought that after breakfast I will take you to the amusement park, yet here we are, about to pack our things and head to another realm. How I see it, a few days is waaaaay too far away into the future.", James spoke quickly and before Cornelia could object, he stuffed a piece of sausage in her mouth. There, he fed his mate. And he will also stick to her until she loses the last shred of her reluctance to be with him.
