Talia's biggest disappointment was that no one else could activate ancient relics and use those special abilities. It would be awesome if they could distribute them to their warriors or at least to the high-ranking members.
Talia was hoping that Cornelia and Amelia could provide some assistance. They were both witches, sensitive to energies, and they also got a boost in their abilities after being marked. Considering that Cornelia and Amelia were making progress in their research on activating dormant portals, Talia thought that maybe two witches could figure out how a normal person can use those relics.
"Cornelia, Amelia," Talia called. "I was wondering if you will be interested in checking out some items that respond to energies," Talia said to what two witches nodded. They had nothing else to do.
Talia thought that Yasmin would be the best person to help with this. Yasmin was a witch marked by an Alpha from the Midnight Guardians pack, and there was that strange resonance that happened between Talia and Yasmin. However, Talia didn't want to expose Yasmin to something that might harm her babies.
Talia asked Axel about progress with people who will follow them to the Dark Howlers pack.
"People are notified and ready to go at any time," Axel said and glanced at Yasmin. "Yasmin and I will take another group to the realm of witches."
Talia was happy that things were progressing well. "Let's not keep them waiting for too long. We will return to the Dark Howlers pack tomorrow. Tell them to be ready by lunchtime."
"I have good news to share," Yasmin said excitedly. "Healers confirmed that my pregnancy is advancing." She stood up and stretched her blouse to fit snugly over her belly. "See?"
They all cheered and congratulated Yasmin on the now visible baby bump.
"Thank you, Lia," Yasmin said, her voice full of emotions.
"Do you think we will need to perform another ritual?" Talia asked. If Yasmin wanted more, they needed to do it as soon as possible.
"Let's talk after this meal," Yasmin responded mysteriously.
Talia understood that Yasmin wanted to talk in private.
After dinner, Yasmin and Talia went to the balcony.
"I would like to join you in investigating relics," Yasmin said. Talia was not specific during dinner when she spoke to Cornelia and Amelia, but Yasmin knew what Talia was talking about.
Talia didn't think it was a good idea. What if Yasmin manages to activate them and ends up harmed? "If anything happens to your babies…"
Yasmin raised her hand, interrupting whatever Talia was about to say next.
"I believe that working with energies is crucial for the development of my babies. Investigating relics is just something that will give me purpose, and maybe I find out something useful."
"Are you sure about it?" Talia asked suspiciously. "Healers advise to not use abilities because no one knows how they impact babies that are not born."
"That might be true for werewolves, but I am not one. After our ritual, I feel like I can connect with nature on a deeper level. A small voice is correcting how I'm harvesting the power of energies. It's similar to what I did previously but different. Like I did it wrongly my whole life. Does this make sense?"
Talia remembered that she heard voices during the ritual. She couldn't make out the words, but those were definitely voices.
"Is that what you wanted to talk to me in private?" Talia asked.
"Yes. What you did for me during the ritual, I feel I should be able to do on my own. I am so close, yet not there. I would appreciate it if you help me guide the energies again. Maybe we start slowly, and when you see that it's happening, then you slowly reduce your input and let me pick it up from there."
"Sure," Talia was quick to agree. "Do you want us to do it now?"
Yasmin's eyes lit up. "Let's go to my room. No one will disturb us there."
While Talia was chatting with Yasmin, Damon used Axel's phone to call Caden and inform him they will return with the company tomorrow (which is just a few hours for the Dark Howlers pack).
After the call, Damon joined Axel and others in the lounge.
"Talia and Yasmin are still talking?" Damon asked.
Axel nodded in confirmation. "They are getting along well."
Axel poured a drink for Damon, and they clinked glasses.
Damon was about to take a sip of amber liquid from his glass when he heard Talia's voice in his head, 'I am going with Yasmin to her room for a bit. It won't take long. Don't worry about me.'
Damon's insides tightened. If there was nothing to worry about, why did she add that last bit?
"Is something wrong with your drink?" Axel asked Damon.
Damon realized that he had made a face. He didn't have anything against Talia socializing with Yasmin, but he had a feeling those two would do something reckless. Again.
Damon wanted to tell Axel that those two were up to something, but he didn't want to reveal his private mind-link with Talia. Could he get his phone and pretend he got a text? No, that won't be useful as they didn't have cell phone reception. Only a few devices worked, and those were specially modified by Tyler.
"I am just worried because Talia and Yasmin are taking so long," Damon said, hoping Axel would get the hint. "Do you mind if we go and check on them?"
Axel smiled. "You are worrying too much about Talia. Nothing can happen here."
"How much I remember, the last time I was here, you had a Guardian moving around like he owned the place."
Axel's expression fell. No one liked being reminded of their mishaps.
"You are forgetting that Alpha Natalia is the strongest Alpha. No matter what comes, she can deal with it."
Damon scowled. "Can you just check if they are where they were supposed to be?"
Axel's eyes lost focus for a moment as he reached out to Omegas who worked in the main house. A second later, Axel said, "They went to Yasmin's and my suite. See? They are fine. Still talking. Nothing happened."
"If they are just talking, why are they going to your suite?"
Axel realized that Damon was right. Talia and Yasmin had privacy on the balcony, so there was no reason to go to any room unless they wanted to ensure no one would overhear them… or see what they were doing.
An image of Talia and Yasmin enveloped in a glowing tornado flashed in Axel's mind, and his anxiety swelled.
Axel downed his drink. "Excuse me. I need to check something."
Axel was so worried that he didn't notice Damon following right after him.
Instead of barging into the suite, Axel pressed his ear to the door to hear some ambiguous words...
"Do you feel this?" Talia asked excitedly.
"Oh, yeah…" Yasmin responded breathily.
"Now, keep pushing. You are almost there," Talia said. "If it gets stuck, pull it out and then push back again."
"Help me push."
"No, no. You can do it. Follow the same thing I'm doing…"
A low growl startled Axel, and he turned around to see that Damon was right behind him with his ear sticking to the door.
