Filed To Story: Veiled Desires of the Alpha King Novel
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.”
Dayson 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, Dayson would put her in the dungeon and keep her there until she forgets about Talia and him.
Dayson 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.
Dayson 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.”
Dayson 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!”, Dayson 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.”
Dayson 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…”
Talia came down the stairs, her legs filled with piercing aches with her every move.
Talia wished to stay in bed, but she had to come down because she needed to help with breakfast and there was no way she would allow this to prevent her from seeing the festival.
“Miss Talia…”, a deep voice called the moment Talia reached the hallway on the main floor and Talia saw Axel looking at her.
“I saw you last night, and I took the liberty of asking for your name from Beta Maya even though I didn’t get a chance to introduce myself. My name is Axel, and I am visiting from the Midnight Guardians pack. May I have a word with you?”
Talia blinked. This was Axel, the future Alpha of the mysterious Midnight Guardians pack. Talia knew that because Dawn couldn’t stop talking about him and Dawn said that he barely spared her a glance no matter how much she tried to get close to him while setting the dishes on the table last night, yet here he was, asking Talia for a chat, and he called her ‘Miss Talia’, like she is someone important. Talia liked that.
Talia glanced left and right to confirm if there is anyone else in sight, but there was none.. Just the two of them. “How can I help you?”
“In private, please.”
Talia blinked. Private? Other than her room (or his), Talia didn’t know about any other private place, and being alone in the room with a stranger didn’t seem appropriate. “How about the garden?”
Axel nodded in agreement, and he smiled a little. “Lead the way, Miss Talia.”
There it was, the ‘Miss Talia’ again.
“Are you alright?”, Axel asked when they stepped into the garden.
She looked at him questionably and he explained, “The way you move, it’s different compared to last night. Did you get hurt?”
Talia was embarrassed to disclose that her body feels like she is about to fall apart after half an hour of exercising. “It’s nothing. Don’t worry about it.”
She stopped walking and glanced around. “I believe this is private enough.” They were not really far from the packhouse, but she didn’t want to go too far away because she had no idea why would someone like Axel want privacy with her.
Axel saw that Talia was uncomfortable and he gestured to the nearby bench. “How about we sit?”
Talia welcomed the sitting offer because her legs were killing her. If Axel didn’t stop her in the hallway, by now she would be in the kitchen, preferably seated and helping with breakfast preparations.
They sat on the bench, facing each other and the silence stretched between them.
After some time, Talia cleared her throat. “I don’t want to appear rude, but I need to head to the kitchen in order to prepare breakfast so…”
Axel understood her point. He knew what he wanted to say, but he was trying to find the right words so that he doesn’t appear like a creep.
Eventually, he spoke, “Miss Talia, what can you tell me about yourself?”
Talia paused. “What?”
“Are you born in the Shadow Fang pack? What about your parents?”
Talia swallowed hard. Why was he asking about her background? Is Axel asking on behalf of Marcy and Alpha Edward? Was she in trouble? Did she bring trouble for Alpha Dayson?
She told herself to calm down. Maya prepared the coverup story and if Talia just blurts out the truth, she will probably mess it up big time.
“I don’t know who my parents are. I grew up with my grandparents up in the North, and after they passed I headed South with the hope to find a pack to settle. I have no idea how long I was wandering but I bumped into Beta Maya and Beta Jaeden, and they offered me to come here.”
“How old were you at that time?”
“That happened about two weeks ago.”, Talia admitted. Ten days ago, to be precise.
“Your grandparents didn’t speak about your parents?”