"Do you have any plans for tonight?", Axel asked Talia as they walked toward the cafeteria.
Talia glanced at Damon whose arm was around her shoulders. He was super-clingy. Damon didn't say anything, but she knew he didn't approve of her leaving him behind when she talked to Axel. Talia didn't want to hide things from Damon, but she didn't want to worry him either, and things like leaving the Alpha position were worrisome. If she knew he would feel so neglected, she would do it differently.
"We don't have any firm plans.", Talia responded to Axel. "Tomorrow morning, we can talk about the schedule, but I will warn you in advance that we don't want to do much. Damon and I are determined to treat this like a vacation. It was a long time since we relaxed." They planned many relaxing moments, but those either didn't happen, or they ended with some emergency (like Damon being unconscious and then falling under the influence of dark magic).
"You are at the right place for relaxing.", Meg said. "There are no rogues, no spies, and the time difference will give you an excuse to step away from all problems you left behind."
Talia smiled at Meg gratefully. That was exactly what she had on her mind. Talia wanted to ask Meg if she visited her family in the Lightclaw pack yet, but somehow Talia guessed that Meg didn't.
"How about we go to the lake after dinner?", Yasmin asked.
Meg disagreed. "We can go in the morning when people can enjoy the scenery."
"Lake is nice during the night as well."
"Sure, it is. If you go with your mate seeking privacy", Meg said with a knowing smile. "How about we go to the North clearing? There are many fireflies at this time of the year."
Yasmin rolled her eyes. "Now THAT is a place where you should go with your mate."
"You are not helping…"
Yasmin and Meg bickered and giggled, their chatter didn't stop as Talia and Damon walked in front with Axel and Yasmin next, Meg, Kai and Keith, Liam, James, and Cornelia following after them, silently showing the hierarchy of the pack with outsiders at the back.
Talia was sad she will part with Sandy who will now stay in the Midnight Guardians pack. Talia was also curious to find out what power Sandy will get after Tyler marks her.
That reminded Talia, "Axel, did you figure out your ability?"
Axel smiled smugly. That was a 'yes'.
"What is it?", she asked. "Or is it something that you shouldn't disclose?"
"I will show you. Later.", Axel said mysteriously. He looked at Damon. "What about you?" With Talia marking him, he should have an ability.
Damon made a face and Axel understood that Damon didn't tap into his ability yet.
"Don't stress about it.", Axel encouraged him. "The Moon Goddess gives us what we need, when we need it."
"Are you OK?", Cornelia asked James. He was unusually silent.
Cornelia and James were still hugging in bed when Meg stopped by to remind them it was almost time for dinner. When they came down to join the others, they found the scene of everyone congratulating Sandy and Tyler, and other than wishing the newly-mated couple all the best, James didn't say much.
"Why wouldn't I be?", James responded with a question and tightened his hold on Cornelia.
He didn't want to expose his insecurities, with the biggest one Cornelia being a flight risk. Ah, if on the first night he jumped on her, he would seal the deal already, and not worry if his own mate will leave him. But how can he explain that he can't imagine his life without her even though he can't feel the bond?
Whenever they were not lost in each other, Cornelia was tense, like she could snap at any moment, and James needed to find a way to deal with it. It was obvious that Cornelia was bottling up a lot of things and he had no way of fixing the situation without understanding it.
James' gaze fell on a slender back that belonged to Yasmin and his eyes lit up. Yasmin, of course! How could he forget about her? Yasmin was a witch, and she knew Cornelia for a long time, so she could have some clues to how that can help him out. In addition, he already confirmed that Yasmin was supportive of him being with Cornelia.
James heard Yasmin talking about the upcoming feast, and how there was a lot to do, and James saw it as a good opportunity to offer his help and use that to sneak in some private talk with Yasmin.
The cafeteria was deadly silent when Talia and Damon appeared at the door.
Talia's steps halted to observe that there were at least two hundred people inside, crowding the space, and the center table was free. It was obvious they were expecting them.
"Come on", Axel encouraged Talia to keep moving and act normal. "They are just excited to see you."
Well, Talia could feel their emotions, so she knew that, but how could she eat and relax in this atmosphere? Everyone was watching her!
'Relax, kitten. They are your people', Damon's voice sounded in her mind through their private mind-link.
That 'YOUR' sounded to Talia like someone was scratching the blackboard with nails. It didn't sound right. Yes, she was keeping Damon away from the business related to the Midnight Guardians pack because she was planning to step down from her Alpha role, but now that Axel convinced her otherwise, she didn't want Damon to feel like an outsider. She knew very well how it feels to be invisible and not belong, and she didn't want that for anyone… especially not for Damon.
Talia cleared her throat and turned to talk to the faces full of eager anticipation.
"It's nice to see you again after such a long time", she said. For her, it was not so long, but it was months for them. "I hear that you've been doing well, waiting for the news and I can assure you that there will be something soon. Please, be patient just a bit more as I sort out things with Axel. We don't plan to conceal things from you, but we don't want to rush with announcements until we have something solid. Until then, I want you all to meet someone important." She glanced at Damon. "This is Damon Blake, Alpha of the Dark Howlers pack, my fated mate."
Talia leaned closer into Damon, her shoulder fitting perfectly under his armpit, and she waited for a reaction.
After one second of silence, murmurs filled the space, and then people erupted in cheers.
Talia could feel they were elated by this news. Talia having an Alpha for her mate meant more power and stability to the Midnight Guardians pack, and somehow… they were admiring her even more.
And she could also feel intense emotions from her mate which confirmed his approval of the introduction she just made.
Damon smiled as his chest swelled with pride. He was pleased that she introduced him first, and she did it as Damon Blake, Alpha Damon (and not Luna Damon).
