Alpha Maddox and Luna Tatiana were hosts, and they had many famous and powerful people in attendance. However, one person was the center of attention: Alpha Natalia Moonrider.
Alpha Natalia stepped into the limelight reserved for the most influential individuals of the werewolf society at the Council of the Alphas. At that time, she introduced herself as Talia Moonrider, but everyone accepted her name as Natalia. It was apparent that Talia was just a part of her name, and people assumed that whoever spread the news of her existence didn't hear it right the first time. She appeared out of nowhere, but considering the mysterious status of the Midnight Guardians pack, no one could find a fault in that.
Pretending not to notice many eyes on her, Talia immersed herself in dancing with Damon. There was so much meaning in how he held her firmly and guided her skillfully over the dancefloor. She hoped this could last forever.
They moved like one, without breaking eye contact, and only a blind person wouldn't notice the magnetic attraction between them.
Damon's aura was leaking as a warning to others not to get too close, and there was a circle devoid of people around them.
'I'm sure everyone thinks we are sleeping together,' Talia's voice sounded in Damon's mind through their private mind-link.
Damon's lips twitched into a smug smile. 'And they are not wrong.'
Talia exhaled helplessly. 'They think that you are cheating on your mate with me.'
Damon didn't care. 'As long as you know I am yours only, everything will be alright. But if anyone dares to say anything bad to you…'
He stopped talking because Talia burst into giggles.
'Who will dare to say anything bad to me?' Talia asked while looking around. As her gaze traveled over faces, heads dropped in submission.
'Do you see this?' Talia asked, 'They are bowing their heads, and I'm not even suppressing them.'
'I can see that. My woman is amazing,' Damon said without missing a beat. 'If you aren't my mate, even I would struggle against the urge to submit to you.' He really meant it.
Talia's eyes snapped to look at Damon. 'I am stronger. Is it because of your mark?'
Damon was not sure. 'It's possible. This is the first time you see so many high-ranking werewolves. Release some of your aura, to test the range and strength.'
Talia was tempted to test her power, but she didn't want to cause a commotion. 'You think this is a game.'
He looked at her like she had said something silly. 'But this IS a game, a game of power, and we are at the top, kitten.'
Being at the top reminded her that everyone was watching them. People would submit the moment they met Talia's gaze, but she knew that under that submission was fear and uncertainty. It was not difficult to guess that most of these people would try to get her on their side or backstab her if they got a chance, and that thought left her unsettled.
But above tangible hostility, there was one more point that made her nervous. Things were quiet, too quiet. How come no one approached her so far? Talia thought of trying out something.
"How about we get something to drink?" Talia suggested.
Damon's brows came together in disapproval as he shared his thoughts through their mind-link, 'You want to make yourself available.'
Talia didn't deny it. 'I came here as Alpha Natalia and not your Luna so that we see what will happen. Nothing will happen if we spend the evening dancing. Even if people don't think of us as mates, they see you as a wall they need to cross before reaching me.' She looked at him with admiration. 'And no one would dare to challenge you.'
Damon loved the praise, but he hated the idea of others coming close to Talia. However, he knew she was right. Backing out now would mean wasting the last few hours of their efforts to pretend that Talia was not his mate.
Reluctantly, Damon released Talia from his hold. "Let's go to the bar."
The event hall connected to the garden; both were filled with tables where people were sipping drinks and munching snacks and desserts. Along the left wall of the event hall was a long bar behind which five Omegas were busy mixing drinks.
When Damon and Talia approached the bar area, people moved to give them space.
She sat on a barstool, and Damon stood next to her protectively.
Talia glanced over her shoulder at the silly Alpha, who glared at anyone brave enough to look their way.
'This won't do,' Talia said. 'How about you go and chat with someone? Or use a restroom?'
Damon grumbled something under his breath, and then he said, 'Sure. Let me just call Keith here.'
'No, no,' Talia was quick to refuse. Keith might not be so intimidating as Damon, but he was also protective. If people try to get close to her casually, Keith will make a big deal out of it.
'Give me ten minutes. Fifteen at most.' She pleaded.
'At least call some of your girlfriends.'
'Who will I call?' Talia asked. 'Everyone is celebrating,' with their mates mostly, 'and I don't want to ruin this for them. Besides, look where we are, this is Max's backyard, and no one will dare to do anything inappropriate.'
Damon was not willing, but he didn't want to push it. 'Ten minutes. Make that five. After that, I'm sticking to you whether you like it or not.'
'How can I not like it?'
Damon shook his head helplessly. 'I will keep an eye on you.' And then he moved away and disappeared out of her sight.
Talia waved at one bartender who was ready to take her order. She was not sure what to get, so she pointed at the pink cocktail that was further down the bar.
Talia could feel many eyes on her, and she wondered how long it would take for someone to approach her.
Damon made his way to where Keith was. Caleb and Lulu were in different locations, all three keeping their eyes on Talia. Damon approved.
'Do you want us to get closer?' Keith asked Damon through their mind-link.
'No need,' Damon responded. There was a need, but Talia didn't want it. 'How is the night going? Anything suspicious?'
'Nothing really', Keith said. 'It feels like people are keeping their distance from the two of you on purpose. Do you think Alpha Maddox instructed that you shouldn't be disturbed?'
Damon thought about this for a moment. That was a possibility, but it didn't make sense. Why would Maddox do such a thing? Damon and Talia didn't come here to pretend they were untouchable; they only wanted to conceal Talia as Damon's mate.
Damon attended many events in the past, and no matter how grumpy he was, there was always someone bold enough to strike a conversation. This was different.
Their friends would engage in chat, and the neutral ones would keep their interaction to small pleasantries, but their enemies would use events like these to gather information and backstab them. Damon didn't like this. It was too quiet, almost like the calm before the storm.
