Filed To Story: Veiled Desires of the Alpha King Novel
After some hesitation, Dayson turned to the right and went to his room. He needed a shower and to clear his head.
…
When Stephanie summoned them for dinner, Dayson was about to enter Talia’s room, but then he heard voices.
Maya was with Talia and Dayson didn’t want to interrupt, so he went to the dining room.
Actually, he wanted to eavesdrop, but he didn’t want to risk hearing again from Talia how he brings misfortune.
That was not his intention. He wanted Talia close so that he can protect her and provide for her, yet he failed miserably.
When Dayson got into the dining room, the table was already set with dishes, but out of the people, only Jaeden was there, waiting with the report on how Cassie was successfully escorted off their territory.
“Good. Make sure everyone knows that she is not welcome here.”, Dayson said and started putting food on the plate that was on his left. That was Talia’s place when she joined them for a meal.
When he filled Talia’s plate, Dayson put food in his.
He was wondering if he should cut the meat now or wait for Talia to come. He decided to wait.
Dayson was fiddling with his fork and pushing the food on his plate when Maya appeared.
“Where is Talia?”, Dayson asked.
Maya shook her head. “She doesn’t want to come.”
Dayson frowned. “She knows that Cassie is not here. Right?”
“She does.”, Maya confirmed. “Talia said that she is not hungry, and I didn’t want to force her.”
Dayson pinched the roof of his nose. How can she skip a meal? Didn’t they talk about her cooking and eating and increasing her weight?
But he knew that this was not about the food. It was about people. Talia didn’t want to come down because she was used to suffering in silence, alone. His heart ached. It was his fault.
Is Talia blaming him? Is that why she didn’t come? Is she avoiding him?
“What did you talk about?”, Dayson asked Maya.
“Talia was asking about other accommodations. I told her that single pack members who are of age and unmated prefer to stay in apartments and some are open to having roommates…”
Dayson didn’t hear the rest because his head was buzzing.
Talia wanted to leave the packhouse?
Will she live on her own?
Away from him?
What if she gets a roommate?
When will he see her?
Without someone keeping an eye on her, Talia can leave, and no one will notice.
‘If mate leaves, I will not forgive you!’, Dayson’s wolf shouted in his head.
Anxiety swelled within Dayson. Will Talia really leave? What if she is packing? What if she was gone already?
Talia escaped him twice, right under his nose, and he was unable to track her. Last time, she nearly left his territory, and even scouts and warriors couldn’t sense her presence!
Dayson grabbed his and Talia’s plates and headed upstairs with urgency.
…
“You don’t need to do this”, Talia said to Dayson who was standing at the door of her room with two plates of food in his hands. Each had a big piece of meat, and there were garlic mashed potatoes and gravy and roasted vegetables.
Dayson felt immense relief knowing that Talia was right there, in front of him, only one step away.
Dayson observed Talia’s face and he was pleased that her cheek was only slightly red. He guessed that the bruise didn’t form because of the ice pack. He wanted to ask her if it’s aching, but he knew that she will probably say that it’s fine and he won’t believe her.
“I know I don’t need to. I want to.”, Dayson said matter-of-factly. “Will you let me in, or are we going to eat in the hallway?”
Talia moved and let out a long breath.
Why is he making things difficult? She decided to distance herself from him and to embark on her journey of being self-sufficient, and here he is, with food and his bossy attitude.
Talia didn’t blame Dayson for what happened. Actually, he came to her rescue and punished Cassie. But she was embarrassed that Dayson got to see her being bullied.
If she was stronger and more courageous, Talia wouldn’t end up in such a situation, to begin with.
How Talia saw this, as long as she depends on him, or anyone else, she won’t become stronger. It was overdue for her to take her life into her own hands because she didn’t want others to tell her what to do or how to feel or if she is worthy of something.
Talia took the first step toward controlling her fate by leaving the Red Moon pack, and it would be foolish to stop now and not take advantage of the opportunities she has here.
Talia closed the door, but she didn’t move from that spot.
She observed Dayson who was sitting on the sofa and cutting the meat.
When Dayson finished cutting meat on both plates, he looked at Talia. “Did you give up on your idea of gaining weight in two weeks? If you did, I can find you a nutritionist right away, and if you didn’t… come and eat.” He patted a spot on the sofa next to him.
At a snail pace, Talia approached him and took a seat as far from Dayson as the sofa allowed it.
They ate in silence and Talia was grateful that Dayson didn’t say anything.
Dayson finished his food and left the room without a word.
She thought that they are done for the evening, but in less than a minute Dayson was back.
“I was not sure which one you want, so I got options…”, Dayson said while placing three bottles in front of Talia. Soda, apple juice, and water.
Talia took a sip of apple juice before continuing with her meal.
‘Crack-Psssh!’
Dayson opened a can of beer. He leaned back into the sofa and sipped beer while his eyes didn’t leave Talia.
He watched her eat and she hoped that he will leave when she finishes.
Part of Talia wanted to look at Dayson and have a conversation, but another part told her to stay away from him because the more they talk, the more attached she gets to him, and attachment to Alpha Dayson won’t bring anything good.
Dayson’s gaze directed at Talia made her uncomfortable and she wanted him to leave.
“There is Tiramisu for dessert.”, Talia said when she finished the food from her plate.
“You get dessert only if you join us in the dining room for a meal.”, Dayson responded.
“That’s not what I meant.”, Talia said quickly. “I thought that you might want cake so you can have it when you go down.”
Dayson cocked an eyebrow. “Instead of worrying about others, you should think about yourself more. What do you want to do now?”