Mindy and Alpha Maddox were in a car that was approaching the packhouse.

"I have no idea why you tagged along.", Mindy said while scrutinizing Maddox.

"Who would drive?"

"I can drive just fine", Mindy snapped at her brother. "You are up to something, and I want to know what. The fact that you are colluding with Axel is only making it more suspicious."

Maddox shrugged like he has no idea what Mindy was talking about. "Aren't I allowed to socialize? Or is having fun reserved only for females?"

Mindy rolled her eyes. Maddox's idea of socializing is to band with a group of guys and drink and after that he bands with a bunch of females in order to pick one (or more) who will accompany him. Considering that Axel is like a monk who is abstaining from females and alcohol, Axel is definitely NOT buddy-material for Maddox.

"Fine. Don't tell me. But don't mess around with Talia anymore. She is a good girl, and Alpha Damon likes her."

"When did I mess with Talia?", Maddox asked innocently and then burst into chuckles. "Besides, I know that Damon is set on her." That's what makes her so interesting. "With so many she-wolves in this pack, why would I pick a bone with Damon?"

"As long as you know.", Mindy said and turned to look at the back seat that held a bunch of neatly packed boxes. "I hope Talia will like the presents I got for her. Last time I came empty-handed so I'm making it up…"

Maddox didn't care about presents and pleasantries. He was set on figuring out what's with Damon and Talia. All signals were pointing that Damon and Talia are mates, but why was Damon not announcing it?

As an Alpha, Maddox is handling serious matters that will impact thousands of people in his pack, and some carefree mischief was refreshing.

Maddox felt the excitement of a child who was about to open a mystery box, but he knew that if he acts rashly, he will face Damon's wrath. That's where Axel comes in.

Ever since the party at the Lightclaw pack where he recorded Damon and Talia dancing, Maddox fed Axel carefully selected information, just enough to stir up the future Alpha and make him an accomplice.

The two of them will collaborate and figure out the secret Damon is keeping, and if Damon gets upset, Axel will be there to ease up the situation. Or at least to bear a part of Damon's fury.

…

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...

In the packhouse…

Damon and Talia were in their room, getting ready to face the world by putting clothes on and making themselves appear decent.

Talia was pleased with her short-sleeved, peach-colored summer dress that reached her knee level. With her hair lifted into a ponytail, Talia was presentable and not over the top, and her best feature was the happiness that reflected in her eyes.

Talia had only one concern. "What will we do if Lisa causes trouble?"

Both Talia and Damon knew that if Lisa was fine, the mother-daughter duo wouldn't move out of the packhouse.

As the first-time hostess, Talia wanted Kalina to relax and have a good time, and how can Kalina relax if she needs to watch her back because Lisa might be lurking?

Talia remembered how tense she was with Cassie around, and at that time, she didn't even think about being with Damon!

"Try not to worry about Lisa.", Damon said. "We have security strengthened around the packhouse, and several Omegas are staying on the first floor. Lisa won't be able to sneak in without being noticed. Other than that, I told Tony that Lisa is in the pack, so he will be vigilant, and when you girls go out without us, Maya will keep watch. At most, Lisa will cause a scene, but I hope she is smarter than..."

Damon's words stopped as his eyes lost focus for a moment, and he said, "They are almost here."

Talia nodded in understanding and with that, Talia and Damon were on their way to greet Mindy and Alpha Maddox. Their first two guests.

"Is this OK?", Talia asked while straightening non-existing creases on her dress.

"Perfect.", Damon responded with a smile. She looked good in anything. Actually, she looked the best naked, but they were outside of their bedroom, so he couldn't complain. He will undress her, later.

"How about me?", he returned the question.

Talia looked at Damon who wore a simple black shirt and jeans, but even with that, he was the most handsome man on the planet.

"Very handsome.", Talia said honestly, and Damon hummed in approval.

He loved when she looked at him like that, like he is the only man in the world, the only man in Talia's world. Just how it should be.

"Can you walk?", Damon asked Talia when they reached the stairs.

Talia looked at Damon and his sly smile told her that he was referring to her condition after the intense lovemaking they did.

Since they finished their brief talk with Caden and Maya, Damon didn't let Talia get out of bed.

Talia enjoyed it very much. Damon's every touch came with addictive sparks, and even without those, Damon definitely knew how and where to touch a woman but talking about it was embarrassing.

"I am fine.", Talia responded stiffly, but the blush that crept on her cheeks was a giveaway of her discomfort.

Damon chuckled. "No need to hold it in, kitten. I will carry you gladly. That should save your energy for more useful things." Damon winked and gave her a grin.

'SMACK!'

In her embarrassment, Talia slapped Damon's buttocks, and even though the hit didn't carry any force, it made much more noise than intended.

Damon was shocked for a moment and then a devious smile appeared on his face. "It seems you are still energetic. How about we go back and…?"

Before he could finish, Talia swiftly moved down the stairs.

"Oy! I was talking here! How dare you disregard your Alpha!", Damon exclaimed after Talia, and she could hear that he was smiling.

What Talia didn't hear was that Damon caught up with her before she reached the end of the first flight of stairs.

"AHHH!", Talia screamed when she lost her footing.

Her body rotated at an unusual angle, and it took her a moment to realize that Damon scooped her in his arms.

"What are you doing?", Talia asked with panic in her voice.

They were having guests, so naturally, the packhouse had a number of Omegas busying themselves around there... somewhere... probably watching them.

"I am carrying my woman.", Damon said matter-of-factly. "Don't you know that the best way to stir your man is to give him a good chase? But I don't want you to tire yourself out because those pretty legs of yours will do only two things tonight."

He made a dramatic pause, obviously giving her time to ask for clarification of his ambiguous statement.

Talia had a feeling that it's nothing good, but she still asked, "What two things?"

"Dancing and…" He moved closer and spoke softly, only for Talia to hear, "Wrapping around my waist."

Talia knew that the playful Damon was holding her, and she didn't dislike it, but this was outside of their privacy, and people could see and hear them, and he was scandalous.

"You are holding me, so I can't smack you.", Talia grumbled. "I feel like biting you."

Damon's eyes flashed in delight. "Bite away, kitten. I am all yours to bite." He tilted his head, exposing his neck. "You can start from here."

With the tip of her index finger, Talia touched the base of Damon's neck on his left, and his steps halted as sparks shot through his body. That was the marking spot, and he was surprised how sensitive it was.

Normally, the dominant one in the relationship would put his mark on the one who is submitting because in the world of werewolves there are no such things as equals and sharing, and Damon had no idea what to make out of this.

Yes, he wanted to give the world to Talia and to take care of her until he spoils he rotten, but that would be on his terms and out of his own will because he is the dominant between the two of them. Right? RIGHT!?

Damon looked at Talia who was fixated on the spot she touched, and he saw her little tongue darting out to moisten her lips.

"Do you want to bite me there?", Damon asked, and Talia snapped to look at him.

"I don't know.", she responded honestly. She wanted to lick and bite him everywhere, but at that moment, that particular spot seemed like it was calling for her.

Damon could feel Talia's desire and he swallowed hard when he realized that he wouldn't mind if she bites him.

No. No! This is NOT happening. He is THE Alpha for crying out loud and he won't submit to anyone, not even if that other person is the most beautiful and addictive and adorably cute she-wolf who can pull on his heartstrings without trying. Talia's mark on his neck will probably be just as cute as she is…

'BEEP! BEEP!'

A loud car horn from outside announced the arrival of guests, pulling both Damon and Talia out of their thoughts.

Damon shook his head. What was he thinking? It's crazy.

He resumed his steps down the staircase. They need to greet the newcomers.

---

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