Since James and Cornelia left, Damon showed no intention of releasing Talia from his hold.
Both of them were aware that this was not the time to idle, but they were finally alone, this was their moment of peace, and every second counted.
Talia marveled at the way how his arms circled her protectively. It was like he erected an invisible barrier that didn't allow anything to go through, isolating her from the trouble and noise around them.
Talia pressed her ear to Damon's chest and listened to his strong heartbeat that had the power to pacify her demons, and she wished they could stay like that forever.
His scent of the forest and the dark chocolate filled her existence a long time ago, yet it still felt fresh and soothing, like it was on the first day they met. Damon's scent urged her to get closer and stay there because only when they were together she could be at peace. He was her other half, her safe harbor, her home.
Talia felt herself sinking into Damon's embrace as the lack of energy hit her hard, but she couldn't give in to the fatigue because they had so many things to deal with.
"Damon?"
"Hmm?"
"Since we will be heading to the Dark Howlers pack today, I was thinking of telling Meg and Kai they can visit her parents. Without me around, they are not needed here, and I'm sure that Meg would rather spend two extra days with her family than stick around here."
Damon had no objections, but… "What about their safety? Tony and Kalina will stay until the end. Actually, with this mess from rogues, they might stay longer."
Talia remembered that Meg should travel with additional security. Now that her Beta was pregnant, shifting into wolf form or using powers was not allowed, which made Meg an easy target.
Talia got an idea. "I can ask Cornelia to teleport them."
While on the topic of Cornelia, Damon had to ask, "How long will the witch stay here?"
"Probably until James leaves. She can say that I had to deal with something in the pack, so she stayed behind as my representative. Considering that Cornelia can teleport, I'm not concerned about her."
"We should still not leave her on her own. What if someone provokes her, and she blasts them with her magic?"
Talia didn't think of this before, but now that Damon mentioned it, Talia could imagine Alpha Edward or one of his associates sneakily getting close to Cornelia when James is not around. With Cornelia's prideful nature and short temper, that won't end well. "We can ask Tanya and Max to assign a few Omegas to keep an eye on Cora when James is not around. No matter what someone is planning, they won't do it in front of witnesses."
Damon hummed in agreement with this.
"Can you handle Grady's fake death without me?" Talia asked Damon.
"Do you want to rest?" Damon guessed. "I can take care of that and ask Cornelia about teleporting Meg and Kai. Maya confirmed that Gideon can perform the ceremony whenever I am ready, and I can handle that also."
"Don't forget the blood oath." Talia reminded him.
Damon was pleased to hear that Talia was not opposed to making Grady and Varya take the blood oath. "I thought of doing that part together with you."
Talia didn't think it was important. "Just get them to pledge loyalty to you. I am your mate. Betraying me means betraying you."
Damon smiled. "Alright. While I deal with those things, you should be able to get at least two hours of sleep. I will join you when I'm done."
Talia was exhausted, but she was fairly confident that she won't be able to fall asleep. Especially not without Damon. And it didn't sound right to sleep when everyone else was so busy.
"I was thinking of going to visit Lulu. Caleb and Keith are there, and they could use a break."
"No." Damon refused sternly. He didn't want Talia to go there and break down again. "I want you to rest."
"I can't rest, Damon. I need to do something."
"Sure. Do whatever you want as long as it doesn't involve dead bodies or putting yourself in danger," Damon said sternly, and then his expression softened. "I am worried about you, kitten. I know you can't sleep, but I want you to rest. Do something relaxing. For me."
"I can help Tanya."
"No," Damon rejected that idea. How was that relaxing? "Now it's daytime, and she has plenty of people helping her." He could imagine that skinny assistant guy in flashy outfits buzzing around Tatiana. What if he gets close to Talia? Damon would slap him back to Europe. "If you are so energetic, you can come with me."
After Damon mentioned dead bodies, Talia realized she didn't want to be close to death, even if it was fake.
Talia decided to go with her next option. "I could use some time alone in nature."
Damon couldn't believe this. Did she learn anything last night?
"Alone? Nature?" He asked stiffly.
"Just to feel the unspoiled grass under my feet. You said to do something relaxing. Being in nature is what I always do to relax. I will find a spot in the shade and listen to the birds and not get into trouble. It's daytime, and I won't go far. What can happen?"
What can happen? Plenty!
Damon wanted to say no, but he held back. There must be a solution so Talia can do what she wants and do it safely.
"You can go to the edge of the forest," Damon said. "If the packhouse is not in your visual range, you ventured too far. Keith and Caleb will keep an eye on you from a distance. This is non-negotiable." And he will ask Maddox to assign some warriors to be in the area also. One could never be too careful because Talia was too precious, and she had a knack for getting herself into trouble.
Gregory moved between the tables that Omegas cleaned after a group of people finished eating.
He was there as help, but he had no intention of helping.
On the previous day, Gregory arrived later than planned because he found Vincent wandering around the Guardians' castle.
Vincent was supposed to bring information on Alpha Natalia and recent changes in the Midnight Guardians pack, but Vincent was disoriented and couldn't remember why he was there or anything related to the Midnight Guardians pack.
Gregory was running late, so he didn't have much time to check Vincent's condition, but Gregory guessed that Talia had to do something with it. After all, even Alphas couldn't touch them, and considering Talia's impressive performance with the sphere of power, she was the only suspect. That made Gregory even more curious about Talia.
Last night was wasted as he didn't get a chance to get close to Alpha Natalia. He saw her from a distance, with Alpha Damon hovering around her, but cameras and reporters were everywhere, and Gregory couldn't risk being caught by those lenses. Erasing a person is not a big deal, but if his face goes viral for thousands to see, it would be a problem.
However, the previous night was not a total waste. Thanks to the stupid rogues attacking, Gregory managed to pick up Talia's unique energy signature.
They used devices that messed with his perception, and due to the crowded forest, he didn't get too close, but it was close enough to know that Talia was surrounded, and she came out unscathed even though she couldn't use her Alpha aura. To say that Gregory was curious was an understatement.
Gregory was brimming with the excitement of getting closer to Alpha Natalia, and he finally got his chance.
Her presence was moving away from the packhouse, and it didn't take him long to catch up.
Gregory watched as Talia, Keith, and Caleb reached the outskirts of the forest. The trio exchanged words, and then Keith and Caleb moved away, and she sat on the ground with her back leaning against the trunk of a tree.
Gregory also noticed six more presences, but he knew they were not obstacles, so he focused on a female that looked so delicate, but he could sense she was formidable.
His palms were sweating.
Gregory had been thinking about Alpha Natalia ever since the Council of the Alphas, and there she was… alone under the tree, removing the fabric that was around her neck and she put it over her face. Was she about to take a nap? He would be stupid to pass this chance.
