Author's note:

Shoutout to Catherine_C, the #1 fan of "The Alpha's Bride"!

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Damon's lips stretched into a big smile. There was only one explanation for a hickey that disappeared mysteriously. "Your wolf healed it."

"You think so?", Talia asked nervously.

"I know so. Without your wolf, it would take days for that hickey to completely disappear, and your neck is clean. I think she will wake up soon." Damon wrapped Talia in his arms and pulled her to lean on him.

He really wanted her wolf to awaken as soon as possible. Right now, would be perfect. With Talia's wolf present, Talia would be confident they are mates and belong together, and he will take care of everything else.

Talia snuggled into Damon's embrace and stuffed her face in the crook of his neck, taking a deep breath of her favorite scent that made her dizzy.

Talia didn't want to think about her wolf. Doctor Travis explained to Talia how nothing is certain and that even if there is some improvement, it could be temporary, and it doesn't mean it will go all the way.

If her wolf awakens, it would be another unknown that will definitely impact her relationship with Damon and Talia didn't want anything to change because this, right now, was perfect.

…

Talia was impressed that even with Elders visiting and all the pending work, Damon prioritized her training as something that can't be skipped.

The two of them spent more than an hour in their own private gym stretching, running, jumping, planking, Damon showed Talia a few techniques how to punch effectively with a fist and with the base of her palm, and then they ended up on the exercising mat in a steamy make-out session that left them craving for more.

Talia got to keep her clothes on while in the gym, but after training was over... it was a different story.

The moment they entered the shower enclosure, Damon pinned her against the wall, and she couldn't wait to feel that stretch and friction, and Damon didn't make her wait.

Talia melded into Damon while relishing the way he worshiped her body. Everything he did was right.

"I don't want to leave this place, but there is a ton of work waiting for me in the study.", Damon said while breathing heavily and Talia was not sure if 'this place' was the shower enclosure, or her body because Damon's hard cock was still lodged deep inside her.

Talia felt guilty because he had so much work, yet he still went with her to the gym. "Can I help you?"

Damon had an inkling about the type of work he had to do, and that was not something Talia could help with, but there was something else. "You can give me company. You should prepare for exams if you want to earn your high school diploma. As a bonus, if you have questions, I will be right there to help you."

Talia was touched. He really put her first.

Damon took the effort to go through the curriculum and compile the list of material she needed to learn in order to get her degree. He prepared books and other supplies, as well as paid for online subscriptions so that she can access the latest resources. Can he be any sweeter?

He was handsome and powerful and considerate, and Talia couldn't get enough of him.

Talia's fingers laced into Damon's damp hair, and she gave him a long deep kiss that spurred his hips to move again, and within seconds both of them forgot that there was work or anything else outside that bathroom.

…

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...

In the study…

Damon was at his desk, and Talia was behind hers, each busy with their own respective tasks while enjoying the fact they were sharing space.

Talia was motivated to catch up with her education, but her enthusiasm dampened when she realized how much there is for her to learn.

As an orphan in the Red Moon pack, Talia attended lessons in the pack school until third grade. After that, Talia ended up in the attic and she would sporadically go to school, but she would skip often because of bullies, and soon she stopped going completely.

Olivia taught Talia some bits and pieces, but the reality was that Talia was lacking in many areas academically, and she forgot many things. As a result, she had to re-start her education from elementary school.

Talia lifted her head from the lesson on ecosystems and she looked at Damon who was focused on the documents in front of him.

She soaked in his enchanting visual. How can a man be so handsome?

"Shouldn't you be studying?"

Talia was startled out of her daze. How did he know without looking?

"I'm taking a mental break.", Talia said.

Damon lifted his gaze and smiled. He could feel her fluttering heart and warm and fuzzy emotions that came with a hint of arousal, and he knew that she was either thinking about him, or those ecosystems became sexy. "Whatever you say, kitten."

"Do you want us to take a walk in the garden for a change of scenery?", Damon suggested.

Talia bit her lower lip guiltily. She interrupted his work. If he accompanies her for a walk, it would be too much.

She got an idea.

"Actually, I was thinking of doing something for you."

Damon cocked an eyebrow. "You did?"

Talia nodded earnestly. "I made a promise to cook for you. Since we usually have leftovers for lunch, how about I cook for you today?"

Damon's eager expression told her that he approved.

Talia fidgeted when she remembered… "I'm still not confident in doing everything on my own, so I hope that Steph will be in the kitchen."

Damon would eat whatever Talia serves him, but he knew that she has her own ideas. His eyes lost focus for a second before he said, "She will be there in five minutes."

Talia was excited. She didn't have plans for what she will make, but with Stephanie's guidance, it will be great. Or at least good. OK, edible. Hopefully.

…

In the kitchen...

"How come you decided to make lunch?", Stephanie asked. Talia would usually follow instructions, and this was the first time for Talia to take initiative, so Stephanie was curious.

"Alpha Damon did a lot for me, and I want to repay him. How much I can.", Talia responded honestly.

Stephanie smiled. "I'm glad you are getting along well."

She knew how lonely Damon was even with all women buzzing around him.

Stephanie liked Talia from the moment she came to the packhouse, and the fact that Cassie was expelled from the packhouse because of Talia was a big bonus in Stephanie's eyes.

As for what happened in the last few days, Stephanie was fully focused on Lisa and she barely appeared in the common areas (other than the kitchen), so Stephanie was not aware of the latest relationship developments between Talia and Damon.

"What will you make for him?", Stephanie asked.

"I don't know. I was hoping you can suggest something tasty and not too complicated. I want to make it myself, and you can be here to ensure I don't burn things or make something poisonous."

Stephanie laughed at Talia's adorable honesty.

Most of the she-wolves are haughty and trying to leave the impression of being perfect at everything, and Talia's down-to-earth attitude was refreshing.

"For an Alpha, meat is a must.", Stephanie said. "Tasty and simple, hm? Put some sausages in the oven, and make sure to put extra because even if Maya and Caden don't show up in time for lunch, they will be looking for leftovers once they catch onto the scent. Let's think about some side dishes and don't bother with salad because Damon doesn't like it…"

As one after another thing came together, Talia thought that she was floating. She was really making lunch for Damon! She hoped that he will like it.

Stephanie looked at the big smile on Talia's face and she laughed. "Do you need help with plating?"

Talia rejected. "You already helped so much. I can handle this, and I will pack the leftovers also. Thank you."

Stephanie waved like it's not a big deal.

Talia used her cell phone to send a text message to Damon to come to the dining room in ten minutes, and when he responded with a thumbs-up emoji, she got busy with plating.

Talia meticulously arranged food on two big plates, one for her and one for Damon.

There was roasted sausage, a side of baked potatoes with a generous dollop of sour cream sprinkled with tiny bits of scallion and bacon, and there was artisan bread that was toasted on the pan before it got coated with a spread of garlic butter and thin slices of sundried cherry tomatoes. Perfect.

After keeping leftovers in containers to the side and tidying up some of the mess, Talia carried two plates to the dining room victoriously.

Talia made several trips back and forth between the kitchen and the dining room while getting cups, utensils, and napkins. In her excitement, she always forgot one thing or another. She wanted it to be perfect.

The last thing were knives. Talia shook her head helplessly. She forgot knives.

How can they eat the sausage properly without cutting it? It will be messy.

Well, Damon more than once licked the mess from her lips. Maybe she could return the knives in the kitchen?

Talia's steps halted at the door of the dining room when she saw a girl about her age with long dark brown hair eyeing the plates with food. She acted freely, yet Talia never met her.

It took Talia a moment to connect the dots.

"You must be Lisa."

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