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
While she was sleeping"Alpha Richard was thinking about Cassie’s words and he had a feeling that he might be on to something.Just like many other Alphas and Elders, Alpha Richard is keeping an eye on Luciano (and on the movements of the Dark Howlers pack), and Alpha Richard is aware that no matter how much they tried to pressure Luciano, it was nearly impossible to influence him because Luciano didn’t expose any weakness.The circle of people who can approach Luciano is small, and he doesn’t have any close family members. No matter what girls they send Luciano’s way, none of them kept him interested for more than one night. Well, Cassie is an exception, but she never went beyond occasional hookup.However, if there is a girl who managed to invoke Luciano’s protective side, she might be someone important.Alpha Richard’s story of how the girl might be Luciano’s relative or a spy was just nonsense to pacify Cassie; she was never the sharpest tool in the shed; far from it. Actually, Ca
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
Shady business under the tableObviously, Luciano didn’t like the idea of Katerina visiting the Dark Howlers pack, and he also didn’t like that his two Betas were talking about it like it’s not a big deal.Sure, he didn’t tell them that Talia is his mate, but they should at least be aware of the consequences if Katerina recognizes Talia as the girl from the attic.“If Katerina comes, what will happen to Talia?”, Luciano asked.Maya had a solution ready, “We can move her with Omegas, and tell her to stay low profile until Katerina leaves. Actually, Talia wants to move out of the packhouse, and this can be a good occasion to start the process…”Luciano’s ears were buzzing and he didn’t hear the rest.Is Maya serious? How dares she think about separating him from Talia?But… can Talia stay in the packhouse with Katerina around?Only last night Luciano told Talia that this is her home and that she won’t need to hide, yet if Katerina comes, Luciano will need to eat his words and suffer 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
Sandwiches for lunchTalia’s excitement related to preparing lunch dwindled when Stephanie told her that they are just making sandwiches.Talia didn’t mind washing lettuce leaves and cutting tomatoes thinly, but she was hoping to learn cooking techniques, and toasting bread didn’t require any mastery.“Did you expect something more elaborate?”, Stephanie asked.“Yes.”, Talia admitted. “It is lunch, after all.”In the Red Moon pack, every meal was like a feast for Alpha Edward, Beta Raymond, and their family members.“We don’t put a lot of importance on meal ceremonies unless there are guests in the packhouse.”, Stephanie said. “Normally, I prepare breakfast and eat in the kitchen. I don’t like to join them in the dining room because those three kids discuss their plans for the day, and it can get noisy.”Talia agreed with this. She heard Luciano, Maya, and Caden shouting that morning. Definitely noisy.“Lunch is something easy to eat since everyone is busy and no one takes elaborate
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
Different MindsetLuciano turned to look at Talia who was standing at the door of the bathroom, and his eyebrows rose in approval.That oversized tank top covered Talia’s private parts, but it was also low on the chest, giving him a glimpse of Talia’s cleavage… high on the thighs, exposing her legs, and loose around arms… Luciano swallowed hard as the image of Talia’s side-boob flashed in his mind. Yup, he remembered that.He really wanted to suck her there. Everywhere.Talia squirmed under Luciano’s gaze. Why did he look at her like she was naked?Talia was about to tug the tank top and cover her legs more, but she held that urge back due to fear of how that will lower the opening at her neck and expose her girls, so she just pressed her legs together and folded her arms over her stomach in a feeble attempt to protect herself from Luciano’s x-ray vision.“Can I help you?”, Talia asked.Luciano tilted his head and smiled a little. “There is no need to be so cautious, wife. Do you reme