(Walk in the woods)“Are you alright?”Luciano asked Talia when they exited the pack hospital.“Yes, thank you, Alpha Luciano.”, Talia responded.Luciano cocked an eyebrow at her. “Did you forget already?”She looked at him questionably, and he said, “Just Luciano. Say it.”Talia glanced around, to make sure no one overhears them. He is the Alpha, and she should listen to him, but if anyone else hears that she is addressing him casually, she might end up in trouble.Everyone they met so far addressed Luciano respectfully with his title, and Talia learned a long time ago that standing out is not a good thing.“Luciano.”He smirked victoriously. “Do you want to walk, or should I get a car? The packhouse is about fifteen minutes walking from here if we cut it straight through the forest.”She was not sure why he was giving her a choice. “Anything is fine.”“Then, let’s take a walk. I got stiff after so much time in the car, so it will be good to stretch my legs…”…Talia followed after Luc
(Welcome home)Luciano and Talia emerged from the last line of trees and Talia shrunk at the sight of the neat lawn and the mansion.Little by little, her steps became smaller, and her face was filled with reluctance.Talia understood that this is the packhouse, and things like a packhouse didn’t bring happy memories.The packhouse at the Red Moon pack was a place where she was fine only while hiding. In the forest, she was happy, and she didn’t want to go back to the attic.“This will be your home, Talia.”, Luciano announced and tugged her hand to start moving.‘Her home?’, Talia wondered if she heard him right.She knew that Luciano lives there, and probably Caden and Maya and any other high-ranking members of the pack. But what about her? She is a nobody.Talia forced herself to stay present and to observe her surroundings. It will come in handy if she needs to flee.In terms of size, the packhouse was bigger than the one at the Red Moon pack.They came from the side, but Luciano l
(Late Breakfast)A blissful smile appeared on Talia’s face as the buttery waffle with a hint of vanilla melted in her mouth together with the sweetness of the plum jam.‘Caden told me that this girl is different, but only now I realized how much…’, Stephanie’s voice reached Luciano through the mind-link.Luciano guessed that Stephanie was alluding to the way he helped Talia with food.‘There is nothing wrong with me helping the girl out.’, Luciano said and took a sip of coffee nonchalantly.‘I never said that it’s wrong.’, Stephanie immediately responded.It was not wrong, but Luciano never took a personal interest in any of the new members.Stephanie knew that Luciano waited for Talia at the pack hospital, gave her his old room on the third floor, and now served her food. This was unheard of.Stephanie was not considering the possibility that Luciano had romantic feelings toward Talia.She thought of Luciano as a child, and compared to him, Talia looked like a little girl, innocent,
(New room)“Based on your reaction, I can guess Alpha Luciano didn’t tell you that you will be staying in his old room.”“His old room?”, Talia repeated robotically. “Don’t you have any other room to give me?”Stephanie shrugged. “Don’t look at me, girl. I’m just following orders. Come inside and see how you like it.”“You traveled the whole night, and then went to the hospital. I guess you want to shower and rest, right?”Talia nodded at Stephanie’s words while observing the room and her sight stopped at the intricate woodwork on the mantle that surrounded a massive fireplace.“Uhm… they didn’t bring any suitcase for you. Do you have any clothes?”, Stephanie asked.“I had clothes wrapped in a bedsheet. That was in the trunk.”, Talia said.“Give me a second.”, Stephanie lifted her finger, indicating to Talia to wait, and she mind-linked Maya. ‘Did you bring Talia’s things inside?’‘What things? Other than one book and a few trinkets, Talia has only a few items that are worn out and do
(A way of protecting Talia)In the dining room, ten minutes ago.Luciano was caught by surprise when Talia left with Stephanie. He wanted to go after Talia, and his wolf agreed, but then Cassie appeared at the door and Luciano paused.If he goes after Talia, Cassie will notice and target her.‘You were supposed to get rid of Cassie a long time ago!’, Luciano’s wolf growled in his head. ‘Sent her packing and go after our mate!’Luciano pinched the roof of his nose. ‘Cassie is just a fly. But a fly with a hurt ego and big mouth can cause damage. Even if she doesn’t know that Talia is my mate, just the fact that I’m treating Talia differently will put a target on her back.’‘So, what is the plan, wise guy?’, his wolf asked sarcastically. ‘You will pretend that mate is not here until this annoying she-wolf leaves?’‘I can’t act differently. Talia’s safety comes first.’His wolf snorted in disapproval. ‘How about you go and shag every she-wolf in ten miles radius? In that way, no one will
(Cassie acts)Cassie entered her room (aka the guest bedroom on the second floor where she usually stays when she visits the Dark Howlers pack), and she paced while biting her nails.She understood loud and clear that Luciano wanted her out of here, but how can she leave? She just got here!Luciano was never ecstatic to see her, but she always played her role of an airhead perfectly. She would ignore his grumpiness and accept any affection, and he never told her to leave. What changed?Cassie got her phone and called her father.“Hi, pumpkin…”, her father said in a singing voice that doesn’t sound like it should belong to a vicious Alpha Richard of the Steelbite pack.“Hi, daddy…”, Cassie spoke in a whiny voice which told him that something is not right.“What happened?”“Luciano told me to scram.”He snorted. “What did you do?”“Nothing. Really. Absolutely nothing. I arrived and I wanted to greet him, but he acted like I have a plague or something. He used his Alpha pressure to make
(A thief in the kitchen)Talia blinked herself awake and the first thing she noticed was the darkness.It was definitely past dinner time, but Talia didn’t mind.She buried her head deeper into the pillow, indulging in the softness and warmth that came with the scent of the forest and dark chocolate.Talia paused and took a few sniffs to confirm that her nose is not playing tricks on her.Talia looked around to ascertain that she was on her own.She was confused. The room didn’t smell like Luciano before she fell asleep, but now it did.She liked his scent; it was a mix of her two favorite things: forest and a sweet treat. Talia wondered if Luciano came to check on her while she was sleeping.Talia shook that thought away. Why would a scary Alpha come to check on her?It’s more probable that Stephanie or Maya brought something that had Luciano’s scent on it. But she couldn’t see anything different.Talia decided to stop thinking about it. It doesn’t matter.She listened carefully, and
(Broken trust)Seeing that Talia was not responding and that Luciano didn’t react, Cassie was emboldened.“Answer me!”, Cassie hissed at Talia and spoke to Luciano without removing her gaze from Talia. “Is this how your Omegas are acting? You really need a Luna to teach them some manners. Sneaking in the dark and stealing food, and then they even refuse to respond…”“That’s enough, Cassie!”, Maya said sternly from the door.Maya’s heart cracked when she saw Talia’s submissive stance. It’s not that Cassie had any aura, but Talia was a broken soul who needed supportive environment.Maya walked to Talia and asked softly, “Are you OK?”Talia nodded faintly, but Maya knew that Talia was lying.Maya narrowed her eyes at Luciano and spoke through the mind-link. ‘Is this why you brought her here? I thought you promised her protection and not another type of hell.’“Come, let’s get out of here…”, Maya said to Talia while wrapping her arm around Talia’s shoulders.“We are not done here”, Cassie