The next few days were busy.
Axel selected (and sent) another batch of people from the Midnight Guardians pack. He reported his success when four out of twenty people he took to the Silver Flame Coven found their mates. Axel suggested that Evanora comes next with a batch of witches to the Midnight Guardians pack, but she refused, so Axel was planning another trip there soon.
Talia was happy to hear that Yasmin's pregnancy was progressing well, and her stomach was visible now.
Maya was in charge of organizing events for the newcomers from the Midnight Guardians pack. She took them to the Shifters, and for an outing in Darkbourne, and some of them found their mates. However, keeping them in the territory of the Dark Howlers pack came with limitations on the pool of possible matches, so she decided to take them to other packs.
Since they couldn't publicize from where the new faces came, Maya decided to take them around for one-day trips where they would attend small-sized mixers with members of other allied packs. It was a slow process, but it still yielded results of a few more mates being matched after every outing.
Talia told Maya to take it easy, but Maya said it was not a problem. Maya had her reasons. With every passing day, Maya was more nervous about her upcoming heat, and she wanted to keep busy as a distraction.
Talia worked with Mindy and Maya to identify things that should be done for her Luna ceremony. Decorations, food, entertainment, and the initial guest list. They thought of everything. Next, they talked to Gideon to see about the good dates, and he came up with a few.
In the end, Talia decided on the next full moon which will be one week after James' birthday. Damon and Talia will spend that weekend in the Red Moon pack, and Talia wanted to use that occasion to reveal herself as Damon's mate. Talia hoped that she won't freeze in the place where she spent most of her life hiding, or when facing the bullies which were the reason why she was hiding.
Talia and Damon spent a lot of time in the packhouse of the Dark Howlers pack, handling work from the study or relaxing in the garden.
Damon enjoyed watching Talia plan for her Luna ceremony, and he would join often to see where they were and to ensure Talia was not overworking herself.
"We need to pick a present for Ashton," Talia said, pulling Damon from his thoughts.
He was imagining himself standing at the altar and Talia walking toward him in a beautiful white dress and diamonds in her hair and a dazzling smile that was just for him. It was how he imagined her Luna ceremony. Talia will be his queen, and he will treat her as such, and everyone will see that, and it will be perfect. Why did she talk about that snotty brat who announced that Talia will be his Luna?
"What present?"
Talia cocked an eyebrow at Damon. "It's his birthday in two days. We are going, right?"
Damon frowned. "Do we have to?"
"Don't tell me you are planning to avoid it. We said we will be going. Besides, it's just a small group of people, and they know we are mates, and…"
"Alright, alright," Damon said. He knew she was looking forward to this because it's an event only for allies and they won't need to pretend they are not mates.
It's not that he didn't want to go, but he enjoyed this peaceful time of just two of them. Going outside meant stepping into reality with rogues and Guardians and other enemies, but they couldn't stay inside forever either.
Damon checked the time and puffed his cheeks.
"The delegation from the Steelbite pack is coming with their tribute in an hour. I want to ensure they are not skimming us. After that, we can go shopping."
"I will join you," Talia declared.
The group from the Steelbite pack arrived in front of a big warehouse with two cars and three trucks.
It was a tribute they owed the Dark Howlers pack since Cassie caused a scene at Kalina's Luna ceremony. It was the first time when Talia showed her dominance, and Damon loved the memory of Talia standing tall in front of Cassie and Alpha Richard. He was also remembering that event as the one where he and Talia made love for the first time. Ah, the good times!
The tribute consisted of money and various merchandise that the Steelbite pack produced.
Damon didn't care much about that merchandise. This was about symbolism. They needed to come in person and bow to him while bringing gifts. It was a good feeling, and he was happy to share it with Talia.
It was Damon's way of showing Talia that he won't forgive the ones who dared to act against her.
People from the Steelbite pack were surrounded by warriors and Omegas from the Dark Howlers pack who helped carry the boxes and crates from trucks into a warehouse.
Damon and Talia were checking the manifest with information on the merchandise when a commotion ensued.
"I need to talk to your Alpha," a female voice was heard.
Talia looked that way to see two warriors blocking the path of the newcomer. Damon ordered that no one should approach them, he didn't want to risk Talia's safety.
The warriors were unyielding. "Our Alpha already spoke to the person in charge. Go back to work."
She groaned. "This is important."
"Let her talk," Talia said which earned her a cocked eyebrow from Damon.
"No one would dare to seek you without a reason," Talia explained to Damon. "It won't hurt to hear what she has to say."
The female wore baggy clothes that concealed her curves, but her short hair stood out.
"Thank you for hearing me out," she said.
"You should thank my Luna," Damon responded icily. "Speak. I don't have much time."
The female raised her gaze, and Talia and Damon had matching surprised expressions.
"What do you want, Cassie?" Talia asked sourly. She still remembered that Cassie was clinging to Damon while accusing Talia of stealing (food and a phone) and that Cassie slapped her. None of those were good memories.
Cassie glanced to the side nervously. "Can we talk in private?"
"This is the most privacy you will get," Talia said.
Cassie looked at Damon pleadingly, but his stern expression told her that there was no point in hoping he will treat her better than Talia.
"My father doesn't know I'm here," Cassie said. "I sneaked in order to see you. I want to deliver a warning."
"A warning?" Talia asked.
Cassie nodded and inched closer. "You are going to attend a party in a few days at the Spring Leaf pack. You shouldn't."
It was not a secret that Ashton will have a birthday party, and it was normal to think Damon and Talia will attend because their packs were friendly with the Spring Leaf pack. But Talia didn't think that Cassie would say such a thing without a reason. Or would she?
"Why?" Talia asked.
"Rogues are preparing an attack."
"How do you know this?" It was Damon who asked.
"Several Alphas are collaborating on this. My father is one of them. Rogues moved to another location and are being united. Their target is…" Cassie's voice trailed, and she looked at Talia.
