Filed To Story: Veiled Desires of the Alpha King Novel
“And where do you want me to send her?”
“Anywhere is better than here.”, Stephanie responded. “And before you snap at me, let me tell you something. Talia was in a good mood before she went to the dining room. Something happened and she returned absentminded and… broken.”
“Maya was there. No one would dare to bully her.”, Dayson responded, unsure if Stephanie was exaggerating.
“Unlike you, Talia is a sensitive child who endured years of abuse. She doesn’t need to be hit physically in order to feel the pain.”
Dayson snorted and moved to leave the kitchen.
“Where are you going?”, Stephanie called in a raised voice, just how Dayson’s mother would when she was reprimanding him.
“After Talia.”
“And do, what? Order her to join you for dinner?”
That’s exactly what Dayson wanted to do. If Talia didn’t want to say what was bothering her, Dayson would make her stick to him until she talks. Actually, he would rather cuddle but Talia was not in a good mood, and it seems that she didn’t eat much, so he would bring her to the dining room and make her eat until he was satisfied. Or maybe it’s better if he takes food upstairs.
But he knew that Stephanie would not approve, so he lied. “No.” Why did she treat him like he is the bad guy?
Stephanie could see that he lied.
“Unless you have a plan that doesn’t include making it more difficult for Talia, I suggest you leave her alone. Or at least give her some time for both of you to calm down.”
Dayson nodded stiffly and his legs carried him back to the dining room.
He really didn’t have a plan other than forcing Talia to eat and talk. Sure, he wouldn’t be violent, but he didn’t have any soft techniques that would make her spill the beans either.
Dayson sat in his chair and stared murderously at the food on his plate, like the food has answers, and refuses to talk.
“My brother told me about the Shifters nightclub.”, Mindy said to Dayson. “Can we go there tonight?”
“You can go wherever you want.”, Dayson responded right away.
“You will join us, right?”, Mindy asked. “We need to show to our pack members that we are getting along well.” She glanced at Alpha Axel. “All of us should go.”
Seeing that Axel nodded in agreement, Dayson let out a long exhale. He didn’t want to go, but he can show up and leave after five minutes. No one can force him to stay longer. “Sure.”
‘Where is Talia?’, Maya’s voice sounded in Dayson’s head through their mind-link.
‘In her room. She said that she was done with food.’, Dayson responded.
‘And you believed her?’
Dayson lifted his gaze and saw Maya’s displeased look directed his way from across the table.
‘What happened before I arrived?’, Dayson asked Maya.
‘If you came here on time, or paid more attention to your surroundings and Talia, you would know.’, Maya responded and stood up. “I have a few things to do, so if you excuse me…”
“Will you join us at the nightclub tonight?”, Mindy asked Maya.
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
…
…
There was knocking on the door and Talia pushed herself up into a seated position and wiped the tears before responding, “Yes?”
“Can I come in?”, Maya asked, and got in before Talia responded.
Maya sat on the bed next to Talia before asking, “How are you doing?”
“Fine.”
Maya knew that Talia lied. Her eyes were red and puffy, it was obvious that Talia was crying.
“When a girl feels down, there is only one thing to do.”
Talia blinked. “What?”
“Give me a minute…”, Maya said and disappeared into Talia’s closet.
A minute later, Maya came out with some garments draped over her arm. “Come with me, Talia. I want to give you a makeover.”
“Will that lift my mood?”
Maya smiled mischievously. “No. But an evening of drinking and dancing will.”
Talia’s face fell. Drinking? Dancing? She never did any of those! But Maya was dragging her out of the room, and she followed obediently.
…
Dayson was getting impatient. He knocked on Talia’s door several times and there was no response, and he couldn’t pick up her scent either.
He cracked the door open. “Talia?” Nothing.
Dayson stuck his head inside and looked around. The light was on, but there was no sign of Talia, so he let himself in.
He kept the plate with food on the coffee table and checked the bathroom and the closet, only to confirm that Talia was not there.
Dayson stood in the middle of Talia’s room while panic washed over him.
Did she leave? He couldn’t breathe. And why was his wolf non-responsive in this moment of crisis?
‘MAYA! JAEDEN!’, Dayson roared into the mind-link. ‘TALIA IS MISSING!’
‘Oh. It took you a while to notice.’, Maya responded, and Dayson saw red.
‘WHERE IS TALIA?’
‘She is not missing.’, Jaeden responded before Maya could add more oil to the fire. They were in their room with Talia, and Jaeden wondered if Maya wants to make Dayson blow up the whole packhouse while she flat-irons Talia’s hair.
‘Where is Talia?’ Dayson was irritated that they are not telling him the location so that he can go and fetch Talia. Should he go to their room?
After a second of silence, Jaeden responded, ‘Talia is safe, having some girl time.’
Dayson couldn’t believe this. Girl time? What does that even mean?
But she was not missing, and that was a good thing.
‘Why are you looking for Talia?’, Maya asked. ‘Don’t you need to go to the Shifters with your guests? Don’t tell me that you will push that responsibility also on your Betas. We are slaving the whole day and need time to unwind.’
Dayson was happy to get away from the dinner table and arrange a plate of food for Talia.
Talia was upset when she left the kitchen, but Dayson gave her time to calm down, and he came with food to placate her. He hoped that will be enough for Talia to see his sincerity.