In his search for comfort, Damon hugged Talia and buried his face into her hair, taking deep breaths to fill his system with her sweet citrusy scent of freesia.
Talia hugged him in return and let him have that moment of peace, happy to know that she had that effect on him.
Talia realized that when Damon shared his concerns, Damon was talking in the first person, like he was alone, and it made her heart ache. Didn't he know how many people would gather around him?
Talia was ready to stand by his side no matter what enemy they were facing, and she was confident that at least a few others would do the same.
Damon was used to carrying his own burdens, and he couldn't see that he was not alone anymore. Talia understood him completely because she was the same. For such a long time, Talia was surviving on her own, and even though she enjoyed Damon's care and affection, it took her a long time to accept it as real.
Talia was determined to remind Damon as many times as necessary that he was surrounded by friends and allies, people who shared his ideals and desire for peaceful lives.
OK. Maybe not everyone would risk their lives for Damon out of the goodness of their hearts, but they all understood that if their packs didn't stand united, they will be defeated one by one. Neutrality was not an option, and they didn't have a tangible enemy with whom they could negotiate.
The only thing they could do now was to prepare themselves to defend, but that had its limitations. In order to assure a victory, the only viable path was to attack, and for that, they needed more information.
Talia didn't like Cassie. Actually, Cassie was one of Talia's least favorite people. Cassie came to this packhouse like she owned the place, acting like a spoiled princess and Damon's future Luna. Well, that didn't turn out the way she hoped.
Cassie had a history with Damon that Talia didn't want to think about, Cassie accused Talia of stealing and slapped her, and then she was unreasonable at Kalina's Luna ceremony. Talia had no good memories of Cassie, and Talia's skin crawled at the thought of Damon getting in touch with that wench. Still, if Cassie had some valuable information, Talia needed to swallow her grievances and encourage Damon to make that call.
After an unknown measure of time, Talia realized that Damon was procrastinating. How will that help? Can a powerful Alpha act like a baby?
Or did he forget about that call completely? Damon was known to push aside anything he didn't want to deal with, and this belonged in that category.
If not for the small movements of his fingers on her back, she would think he was asleep.
"Damon?"
"Hmm?"
"You know that you are not alone in this, right?"
"Yes. I have you, Max, Chris, and Tony." He would mention Maya and Caden, but those two will go on a vacation, so he couldn't count on them short term.
"And James," Talia added. "How about we record this call and ask Cornelia to bring James here tonight? We can have dinner together and let him listen to the call. James always had unique views and ideas. And this would be a good chance to get updates on Alpha Edward."
At the mention of James, Damon's mood improved. Talia was right. That boy always had good ideas. If James comes, Damon will remind him that the offer to be Gamma of the Dark Howlers pack still stands.
Seeing that Damon was willing, Talia thought of something. "How about we can ask if George and Dawn can also join? If this is as big as we think it is, we will need all the help we can get."
Damon pushed a lock of coppery-colored hair behind Talia's ear.
"What would I do without you, kitten?"
Talia's smile fell. What would he do without her? He would go with his business as usual. Wasn't his life much simpler before she came into the picture?
"If not for me, you wouldn't be in this mess."
Damon frowned. "Don't say that."
"Did you forget that the intrusion in the Dark Howlers pack during the Summer Solstice festival was because of me? Since then, things have been escalating. The last few attacks wouldn't happen if the Guardians were not set on me."
They didn't have any proof, but after her encounter with Gregory, Talia was confident that the Guardians were the ones pulling the strings from the shadows.
Gregory said that he didn't have anything to do with the attack on the Blue River pack, but why would Talia believe him? The only thing she believed was that Gregory would say and do anything to make her trust him long enough so he could snatch her.
If the Guardians thought Talia would come to them willingly, that disappeared when Gregory forced heat on her. Sure, it all ended well, but it could have ended in so many horrible ways that Talia was getting nauseated just by thinking about it.
"Rogues were attacking way before you came into the picture," Damon reminded her.
She couldn't deny that, but… "They see your Luna as your weakness, so the rogues want me as well."
"I wish that you could see yourself through my eyes. You are my light. You are my everything." He put his palm on her abdomen. "You are my gift from the Moon Goddess that keeps on giving. It is my duty and my honor to protect you. Don't see yourself as my weakness, and you are definitely not a burden. If anything, you are a catalyst that urges me to try harder and improve."
Talia smiled as he shared his emotions so she could feel the raw adoration he had for her, and she would love to spend eternity basking in his unconditional acceptance, but they had work to do.
"If you think your sweet-talking will get you out of calling Cassie, you should think again."
Damon chuckled. "Busted."
Talia's eyes flashed in outrage. "So, you admit to it?"
"That doesn't mean my words were not true. You make my life worth living. Don't forget that kitten."
Talia melted into an emotional puddle. Even after all this time, she sometimes doubted if this was happening. Even the wildest dreams of Talia from the attic in the Red Moon pack didn't include becoming Damon's Luna, being an Alpha, or that this handsome male specimen would look at her like she was the only woman in the world and say all those sweet things… it was surreal.
Damon's palm landed on the back of Talia's neck, and he pulled her closer for a slow sensual kiss that made her toes curl.
Was this another Damon's tactic to postpone calling Cassie? It didn't matter. Damon wanted kisses, and Talia was willing to let him have them.
Later that evening…
As Talia suggested, Dawn, George, James, and Cornelia came from the Red Moon pack to join them for dinner. Zina was elated to see her bestie.
Dawn wanted to join George for the serious talk Damon planned (and why they came to the Dark Howlers pack), but she also wanted to hang out with Zina. George helped her decide by saying he would tell her what happened after they returned home.
