Filed To Story: Veiled Desires of the Alpha King Novel
“Don’t go with Axel.”, he murmured. “I promise to make you happy, so you will never think of leaving me.”
Ah, the clingy Dayson is here. Talia put her arms around him and gently patted his back to comfort him.
She really had no intention of heading to a mysterious pack with an unknown guy. Ten days ago, Talia took a gamble of leaving with a stranger and she was still not sure if accepting Dayson’s offer to come to the Shadow Fang pack was a good or a bad move, but she knew that she couldn’t go through another round of stress.
“I won’t go with Axel.”
Dayson lifted his head to look into Talia’s face and he smiled a little, obviously pleased with her response. “What did Axel want?”
“He asked about my background.”
Dayson was alerted. “What did you say?”
“Don’t worry.”, Talia said immediately. “Maya told me what to say if anyone asks those questions. I won’t put you or your pack in trouble.”
Dayson’s heart cracked at her choice of words. “OUR pack, Talia. Don’t treat me like a stranger.”
Talia realized that she spoke without thinking. “I’m sorry. I guess I need more time to…”
“Shh…”, Dayson shushed her. “It’s OK. I won’t rush you into anything.”
He cradled her cheek with his palm. “I look forward to the time when you treat this place as your home.”
Somehow, Talia suspected he was talking about more than just the pack.
Dayson looked into Talia’s inviting lips, and he really wanted to kiss her there, but he knew that this was not the time, and it will be counterproductive.
He leaned his forehead on Talia’s and took a deep breath while Maddox’s warning echoed in his mind.
Dayson wondered how to spend the day away from the girl in his arms while keeping his cool. Was that even possible?
Dayson cradled in his arms Talia who was sitting in his lap, and for the first time in his life, he had no idea how to deal with the day that was ahead of him.
The guests were in the packhouse, and more were on their way, and he had responsibilities and many eyes were on him, yet the only thing he wanted was to curl up with Talia and not leave the study. Or maybe they could get into his car and drive away, somewhere far, where no one will recognize them. That will work also.
Leaving or not showing up would be irresponsible. His pack members are expecting him to be there, after all, this is one of the biggest celebrations his pack is hosting. And his allies will want to see him, and his enemies are watching also. Damn it!
He had an option to take Talia with him, but it wouldn’t be fair to put her on a spot like that without an explanation and he feared that if he tells her what it means to stay by his side in public, she will run away.
‘What am I supposed to do?’, Dayson asked his wolf.
‘No matter what you decide on, there will be a price to pay..’
Dayson looked into Talia’s honeyed eyes that were unspoiled and he decided. No matter what, he was not willing to gamble with Talia’s safety.
“Talia, just how you need time, I want you to be patient with me.”
She didn’t understand. It was totally out of context. “Patient?”
“There are things I need to tell you. Important things. It’s a long story, and I regret that I can’t spend this day with you, but I hope you will be able to have fun. What I’m trying to say is, don’t leave with Axel or with anyone else until you hear me out, but the timing is not right so…” He licked his lips nervously. “Give me time, OK?”
Talia had no idea what he wanted to talk about, and she told herself not to overthink it because Dayson suffered from severe mood swings and there was a high probability that the timing will never be right. By noon (if not sooner), he will forget that they had this conversation.
“OK. When you want to talk, you know where to find me.”
Dayson hummed in approval and buried his face into Talia’s neck, inhaling her sweet citrusy scent of freesia while relishing the delightful sparks that made him feel alive.
“Thank you, Talia…”, his breath caressed her skin and Talia’s heart skipped a beat.
Dayson really had so many things to tell her, yet when they were alone, he would fall into a daze caused by her proximity, and everything faded into a blur, leaving only him and Talia in focus like they were the only two people in the world.
Talia let Dayson hold her and she exhaled helplessly.
She was with Dayson for ten days, yet it felt like ten years or maybe ten eternities, and she vaguely remembered how her life was before he became part of it.
As much as Talia felt joy when Dayson was giving her attention, like now, it was that much harder every next time she saw him with Marcy, or Cassie, or Mindy, or whichever woman came after. It didn’t matter which woman was by his side because Talia was hurt that it was not her.
But now it was just the two of them, and Dayson’s heat was all around her as his delicious scent of the forest and dark chocolate coursed through her system, and she leaned on Dayson and soaked in his presence like it’s her last chance to feel him like this.
…
…
Talia walked toward the Darkbourne, happy that she avoided any further drama.
After leaving the study (and Dayson’s embrace), Talia went straight to the kitchen, and she was dejected that Stephanie, Dawn, and Zina finished preparations. Talia really wanted to help, but unexpected things happened.
Dawn and Zina were excited to touch up their makeup before going to serve breakfast in the dining room, but Talia had no intention of showing her face there.
Talia swiftly ate one waffle and was about to leave when Stephanie gave her an insulated bag. “Take this, Talia. I prepared it for you.”
“Thank you, Steph…”, Talia said, genuinely touched.
Talia’s original plan was to pack some food and take it with her to the festival, but after not being able to help with breakfast, she was embarrassed to take anything that didn’t fit into her mouth.
“Do you know where you are going?”, Stephanie asked.
“The games will start soon, and I don’t want to miss it. I hope to see everything.”
“Shouldn’t you go with Maya?”, Stephanie asked.
Talia shook her head. “Maya has many duties as a Beta, and I am not a child. Even if she is not busy with guests, I can imagine that she will want to spend time with Jaeden. I can’t expect her to hold my hand, so I don’t get lost.”
“Oh, you are not familiar with Darkbourne…”, Stephanie said. “Come here…”, Stephanie called while getting a notepad and pen.
Stephanie drew a rough sketch of a few streets of Darkbourne with several interest points, including where the fair will be, where the sports fields are, and how to reach there from the packhouse.