Dinner and bossy altitudeStephanie saw that Talia’s mood was not good and she understood that after the incident with Cassie, Talia has every right to be upset.Maya told Stephanie about Cassie accusing Talia of stealing food previously, so she knew that this was not the first time for Cassie to bully Talia. Stephanie also knew about the point that Luciano was just standing there and didn’t do anything while Cassie was doing her Luna-act, and Stephanie couldn’t imagine how painful that would be for Talia. Luciano is the one who brought her here with a promise for a better life, yet when it counted he stood on the side.Stephanie’s heart ached and she wanted to comfort Talia who was holding the ice pack on her face. “Let me see your cheek, dear…”“Don’t worry about me. I’m used to it.”, Talia interrupted Stephanie. Compared to beatings she got at the Red Moon pack, this was nothing much. “Thank you for the ice pack. I know you have good intentions, but dinner will burn if no one takes

The apologyTalia wanted Luciano to leave, so she used the excuse of being sleepy.She needed space.Ever since the incident with Cassie, Talia didn’t find a moment to collect her thoughts.First, it was Stephanie, then Maya, and now Luciano, and Talia didn’t get a chance to think about what happened and what she will do about it. Well, she knew that she should leave the packhouse, but the question was: how far away should she flee?There must be some safe distance from Luciano and the bullies.Luciano was amused by Talia’s newfound spunk. She seemed determined to stay away from him, but he had no intention of leaving her side.He chased Cassie away, and that must count for something.“You can’t sleep like this?”, Luciano asked.“No. Not really.”, Talia said and moved her arm.The sleeve of Talia’s t-shirt hitched higher, and Luciano narrowed his eyes when he saw a fresh bruise on Talia’s upper arm.Luciano pushed himself up and examined the bruise. It was a palm print with five fing

The morning afterThrough her sleepy haze, Talia heard water.It sounded like a downpour.No matter what the weather was outside, Talia was in a cozy bed, surrounded by the scent of the forest and dark chocolate, and she didn’t want to wake up. She pulled the comforter over her head and drifted back to sleep.Talia’s mind stirred, and her eyes fluttered open.There was no sound of rain. It was sunny outside. Did she dream about the rain? Or was it raining during the night and then it cleared up? It didn’t matter.Talia turned lazily and her nose touched the pillow that was full of delicious smell which confirmed that the last night happened. She didn’t imagine it.Alpha Luciano was there, and he asked her to continue using this room and he said that no one will disturb her anymore and she doesn’t need to hide, and that she can train self-defense.Talia didn’t remember when she fell asleep, but she knew that Alpha Luciano slept with her, or at least held her while she was sleeping. The

Permission to learnLuciano worked on his breakfast while focusing on his hand under the table that held Talia’s.Talia’s warmth and delicious sparks calmed his restless mind and heart, and there was some mischief because of the discomfort Talia was trying to hide whenever his thumb moved gently over her knuckles.Luciano was upset at the thought of Katerina wanting to come, and he needed Talia’s touch to comfort him.Unfortunately, just hand-holding under the table was not enough.Luciano really wanted to hug Talia, and much more, but he knew that this is as far as he can go in the current setting, and it needs to be enough. For now.“Talia”, Maya called, and Talia’s head snapped at her.Talia’s heart raced, does Maya know what’s going on under the table? Will Maya and Caden tease her if they know that Luciano is holding her hand during breakfast?“Do you have plans for today?”, Maya asked.Talia released the breath she was holding. “I have an appointment with Doctor Travis in the m

Almost nearLater that evening…Luciano was sitting in his office with a glass of whiskey in his hand and thinking about the talk he had with Caden and Maya after dinner.They discussed the upcoming festival and the issue of Katerina.The preparations for the festival were on schedule and increased security was already in effect, so they focused on discussing Katerina.They decided to work on delaying her visit.It was Maya’s plan.“Instead of telling her not to come, we will tell her WHEN to come.”Luciano didn’t like it, but he gestured to Maya to keep on talking.“Two weeks.”, Maya said. “We will tell Katerina that your schedule is packed and that you can’t entertain her now, but in two weeks she can come, and you will make it up to her.”“You think Katerina and Alpha Edward will accept this two-week delay?”, Luciano asked.“No.”, Maya said bluntly before elaborating, “This is not about getting two weeks, but about negotiating. I expect that they will ask for Katerina to come soon