Filed To Story: Veiled Desires of the Alpha King Novel
Dayson’s expression was unreadable, but the way he gave a gentle squeeze to Talia under the table made her heart melt.
Talia reached with her free hand for some of that orange juice because she felt lightheaded.
Dayson said that she doesn’t need to give her spot to anyone. Why did it sound like he was talking about more than just a seat at the table?
The rest of the breakfast passed without any waves, and Talia was glad that Dayson didn’t ask her what she made because she didn’t make anything.
Mindy and Maya were chatting about the festival and Alpha Maddox was saying how he plans to visit two more packs with Mindy and after that, they will head home to the Blue River pack.
Axel was his usual self, quiet, observing, his eyes frequently moved to Talia, but he didn’t try to start a conversation.
After breakfast, Alpha Maddox and Axel went with Dayson to his study. They wanted to go over reports from interrogation and Maya and Jaeden joined them.
Mindy bobbed her head while approaching Talia and Dayson was quick to block her path.
“Where are you going?”
Mindy frowned at Dayson. “You guys will be busy, and I want to spend some time with Talia.” Mindy made a face. “Don’t worry. I won’t eat her.”
Dayson turned to Talia. “Do you want to talk to her?”
Talia was flabbergasted. How was she supposed to answer that? Mindy was right there!
“Yes, Alpha Dayson.”, Talia responded respectfully, using his title to remind him that everyone was staring at them. He can keep his odd behavior for when it’s just the two of them, or when Talia was not present because this was uncomfortable. “Mindy is my friend.”
“A friend?” Dayson glanced at Mindy suspiciously. “Since when are the two of you friends?”
“We spent some time at the fair yesterday.”, Mindy said smugly and made her way around Dayson toward Talia. Mindy hooked her arm with Talia’s. “Let’s go to the garden. The weather is nice…”
Dayson watched as Mindy and Talia walked down the hallway and he had an urge to go after them.
What if Mindy says to Talia something damaging? They made such good progress with hugging and kissing and if Mindy ruins it, Dayson will use Mindy’s blood to wash away those grievances!
Dayson went through the report on what the spies revealed under interrogation, without hiding anything from Maddox and Axel.
Jaeden already told Dayson that there is nothing top-secret and the Blue River pack and the Midnight Guardians pack are closest allies to the Shadow Fang pack. They share a relationship of trust and mutual respect where they are collaborating on several initiatives, and whenever they face problems, they are quick to assist each other without questions asked.
“My men are still working on them, but I believe they spilled most of it.”, Dayson said. “In case anything else comes up, I will let you know.”
Maddox wanted to address one point. “The girl that Alpha Richard is inquiring about, that’s Talia. Right?”
Dayson didn’t deny the obvious. “Yes. I believe that’s the case.”
“Did you reconsider my offer that she comes to my pack?”, Maddox reminded Dayson of the talk they had on the previous day.
Dayson narrowed his eyes at Maddox. “She will not leave so I suggest you give up on that.”
“If Miss Talia needs protection, my pack is better suited for that role.”, Axel chimed in, and Dayson gritted his teeth.
“Didn’t you hear what I said?”, Dayson asked stiffly. “Talia is NOT leaving.”
Axel tilted his head and observed Dayson like he was looking at an unreasonable child. “You will force her to stay here even if that puts her in danger?”
“I’m not forcing her.”, Dayson was quick to respond.
“Is she aware of the danger she is in by staying here?”, Maddox asked.
Dayson couldn’t believe this. “Why are you set on taking her away from me?”
“I will interpret your answer as a, ‘no’.”, Maddox said smugly. “Why are you set on keeping her here?”
Maddox could see that Dayson was hiding something related to Talia. Is it her ability to conceal her presence? That would be very handy for spies, scouts, and warriors in general.
“I have my reasons, just how you have yours.”, Dayson said. “I can assure you that Talia is not mistreated, and I will do my best to ensure her safety. Talia is getting necessities to live comfortably, and she is learning things she is interested in. If you doubt my words, you can talk to Talia, but don’t put crazy ideas into her head or scare her needlessly.”
With that, Maddox and Axel left the study and Dayson asked Maya and Jaeden to stick around.
“Both of you are aware that Talia is my mate, and you knew that from the day she arrived here.”, Dayson paused and when both Jaeden and Maya nodded, he continued. “I hope you will keep that information to yourself. Talia doesn’t know we are mates because her wolf is not with her.”
“Do you plan to make her your Luna?”, Jaeden asked.
“I’m not planning anything.”, Dayson responded. “For now, I hope that she can heal her body and her spirit while pursuing her interests. Everything else can wait.”
Maya frowned. “You will not tell her?”
“Tell her, what? That she is my mate and set to be my Luna? I can tell her, but she is insecure and timid. I will be lucky if she doesn’t run away.”
“So, you will lie to her?”, Maya continued probing with displeasure obvious in her voice.
“Not lie.”, Dayson responded. “I will reveal the truth gradually while assuring Talia that she can rely on me. I need her to trust me.”
“How can she trust you if you are lying?”
Dayson was irritated with Maya’s stubbornness. Why is she set on making him the bad guy?
“Beta Maya!”, Dayson addressed Maya officially and she felt her stomach tightening even though Dayson didn’t use his Alpha aura.
Dayson is not used to explaining himself, but he wanted Maya and Jaeden to support him, so he decided to share some bits.
“Travis believes that Talia’s wolf will awaken as long as she is in a supportive environment. Do you think that blurting out how she is going to be the Luna of the largest pack in North America is something that Talia can handle right now? She doesn’t see me as her mate and no matter what I say will change that. At best, she will think that I’m joking.”
Maya wanted to retort, but she felt Jaeden giving her hand a squeeze, so she held back. Of course, Dayson didn’t miss this nonverbal exchange between Jaeden and Maya.
Dayson continued talking to Maya. “I am aware that you are responsible for Talia getting drunk in the Shifters nightclub and that you took her to the training center where she met coach Keith and a number of soccer players.”
Maya swallowed hard. Somehow, she knew that Dayson was going to bring this up.
“I took her out to a nightclub and to the training center, yes.”, Maya admitted while trying to make it sound as innocent as possible.
“Why?”, Dayson asked.
“I wanted Talia to familiarize herself with surroundings and make friends.”
“Friends…”, Dayson repeated, and his voice was rising with every next word, “You were aware that she is my mate, yet you wanted her to make friends with men behind my back? Tell me, Maya…”, Dayson now spoke through his teeth as anger swelled within him. “What kind of friends can my mate make at the gym where everyone is scarcely dressed and sweaty, or in a nightclub which is full of horny drunkards?”
“It was all innocent.”, Maya said quickly.
Dayson’s eyes stirred with madness. “Innocent? If it was so innocent, why did I pry Talia out of the hands of a drunk guy in the Shifters? And why did I find Talia with Keith, drinking beer at one of his hookup spots? Do you know what would happen if I didn’t arrive in time?”