The Alpha's Bride

In the packhouse…

Talia woke up with a muffled groan. Her head felt like it's about to pop, thanks to the fierce hangover she earned after her last night's partying.

She opened her eyes with difficulty and squinted at the blinding sunlight that intensified her headache.

Talia placed her hand over her eyes and took a deep breath that filled her system with the scent of the forest and dark chocolate.

Talia looked around to confirm that she was in her room, in her bed, alone. But Damon's scent filled the bedsheets and the pillows, its concentration telling her that he was there for a while and that he left recently.

She checked herself only to see that she was wearing a silvery top and black leather pants. Ah, right… Maya gave her a makeover and they went to the Shifters nightclub.

Wait! How did she find herself here?

.

Talia remembered cocktails, and Katya, Keith, beer, Pierce, Liam, and Dawn and Zina were there, and her legs were wobbly and… Oh, God! Was she dancing? But what happened after that?

For the next few minutes, Talia was focusing mightily while trying to remember how she reached the packhouse, but there was a gap in her memory, and she hoped that she didn't embarrass herself.

The only logical conclusion was that Talia drank too much (fact), and that Maya brought her back (false), and that Damon sneaked into her room later (almost true).

Talia didn't understand one thing… why would Alpha Damon come to her room if he had Miss Mindy to give him company?

Images of Damon coming into the nightclub with Mindy flashed in Talia's mind and this time they were so close that Mindy was almost leaning on Damon before they entered that wretched dark booth which is obviously for only important people… people like Alpha Damon and Miss Mindy and not the ones like Talia.

At the mental image of Mindy sticking to Damon, Talia's heart ached, and when she thought that Damon brought Mindy to his room, Talia felt nauseated.

She decided to focus on something else. There was no point in thinking about Alpha Damon and his women because Talia will leave the packhouse soon and all this will be behind her.

She would talk to Stephanie and Maya about moving right away, but today was Summer Solstice, everyone was busy, and even Talia had plans. Lots of them. But before all that, Talia needed to help Stephanie with breakfast preparations. While at it, Talia will also eat and maybe pack some food to bring along to the festival because she has no money and Talia planned to spend her whole day there.

Talia glanced at the time and frowned in displeasure because it was time to get ready or she will be late to help with breakfast preparation.

"Oww…", Talia cried softly while scooting out of the bed with an intention to start her day with a shower.

Every muscle in her body ached and she remembered that yesterday she exercised, so that would explain the pain, but why did her butt ache the most? What the heck happened last night? Did she fall on her behind?

…

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While Talia was getting ready for the day, Damon was in his office with Alpha Maddox.

Damon really wanted to wait for Talia to wake up so that they can talk about last night.

It was obvious that Talia can't stay locked in the room and that he can't stick to her all the time, especially when he has these extra duties, so Damon thought of coming up with some rules that will keep her safe and give him a piece of mind.

What kind of rules?

Rule number 1: Talia can't drink unless Damon is present. That rule is non-negotiable.

Rule number 2: Guys (other than Damon) can't get into the touching distance with Talia, unless it's for a handshake. Another non-negotiable rule.

That's as far Damon got with his rules when Caden mind-linked him that Alpha Maddox wants to talk to him urgently.

'We can talk during breakfast.', Damon grumbled. He didn't want to leave the bed.

'It needs to be in private.', Caden responded.

'Fine. Then, we will talk after breakfast.'

'Alpha Maddox said that it's urgent, and that means as soon as possible…'

Damon was not willing. He really wanted to stay longer and cuddle.

Talia was sleeping and clinging onto him and even though he was aroused, and he knew that if he doesn't help himself, his balls will ache, he still enjoyed Talia's proximity profusely.

To make up for the lack of physical intimacy, Damon would daydream about Talia, their first kiss, first intimate touch, first orgasm… there were so many firsts to plan for.

But instead of enjoying his morning of cuddles before the hectic day, Damon had to get out of bed, away from Talia, so that he can talk to Alpha Maddox. He didn't like it, not even a little bit.

However, Damon is Alpha first and guests will leave within a day or two, and they had a number of other guests coming that morning and visiting through the day, and Damon knew that his personal matters will need to take the back seat, for today.

Back to the present…

"You wanted to talk about something?", Damon asked Maddox.

Maddox hummed in confirmation. "We know each other for a long time, so I will skip the intro and go straight to the point. I saw what you did last night in the Shifters nightclub."

Damon knew what Maddox was talking about, but he still asked, "What did you see?"

"I saw you starting a fight and carrying a girl outside of the club. The same girl that brought us snacks and served dinner last night. Your Beta Maya said that the girl's name is Talia."

Damon told himself to play it cool. "Is that the reason why you dragged me out of the bed?"

"Yes."

"Why are you interested in my private life?"

Maddox shook his head. "It's not me, Damon. It's Alpha of the Steelbite pack."

Damon didn't get it. How was Cassie's father involved in this? "What?"

"Alpha Richard is seeking information related to the Omega that is seen in your packhouse and fits Talia's description. Considering that you don't have hundreds of Omegas milling through your packhouse, it's safe to assume he is interested in Talia."

Damon had a bad feeling about this. "What does he want?"

Maddox didn't know the details because Alpha Richard didn't disclose much. "The word is that he will pay for any information, and he also said that the girl is important to you."

Damon pinched the roof of his nose. THIS is why he wanted to hide Talia, yet based on a few hints, they assembled the puzzle which put a target on Talia's back. If he knew it will come to this, instead of chasing Cassie away, Damon would put her in the dungeon and keep her there until she forgets about Talia and him.

Damon decided to share some information with Maddox.

"I ignored Cassie's obnoxious behavior, but Cassie crossed the line when she slapped Talia during one of her tantrums. I kicked Cassie out and told her that she can't come without an invitation. Cassie can't do anything to me, so they are trying to find someone else for Cassie to vent her anger."

Maddox chuckled. "You kicked out Cassie because she slapped Talia. I have nothing against punishing Cassie, she needs to be pulled down by a few notches, but your behavior from last night showed that Talia is more than just an Omega."

Actually, Alpha Maddox knew that Talia was not an Omega. She was not submissive. Talia lowered her head consciously, Omegas do it on an instinct.

Damon didn't want to say that Talia is his mate. She should know that first and he didn't want to risk someone else telling her.

But there were things he could share with Maddox.

"When I found her, Talia was covered in injuries and starving. Currently, Talia is staying in the packhouse, and we are working with a doctor on her nutrition and exercise regimen while keeping track of her physical and mental health. I don't limit Talia from doing what she wants, but last night she drank too much, and I took her home."

Maddox listened with a solemn expression. "That is commendable. However, you kicked out Cassie after she confronted Talia, and now Talia is on the list of people associated with you. A victim of abuse needs a stable and supportive environment in order to bounce back. It's not a secret what Cassie was doing here and that you are facing challenges that go beyond women who are fighting to be your Luna."

Damon didn't like where this was going. "What are you trying to say?"

"It's best if I take Talia to the Blue River pack. You know what we have there. For girls like Talia…"

"No!", Damon snapped.

What was this nonsense about Talia going to a different pack?

Maddox didn't want to argue. "As I said, your efforts are commendable, but I believe that you can think about this rationally and give Talia the best chance to bounce back. She is young and it's not too late for her to become a functioning member of society, but she won't reach there if she is forced to share space with women like Cassie."

Damon rubbed his forehead forcibly. "Cassie is banned from coming here."

"Are you going to ban every woman who treats Talia harshly?"

"If needed, yes!"

Maddox lifted his hands in surrender. "Alright. I see that you need some time to think about it. Until you decide what to do with Talia, I suggest that you stay away from her."

"What!? Why?"

"I'm not the only one who got a message from Alpha Richard. There will be many people at that festival looking for a small and skinny girl with copper-colored hair who is regular in your packhouse and close to you. The more people believe that Talia is important to you, their interest in her will increase…"

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