Filed To Story: Veiled Desires of the Alpha King Novel
Talia held onto the shiny trophy and smiled as her heart swelled. No one ever acknowledged her like that openly. And this was in front of a lot of people.
Talia was not sure what she did, other than holding hands. It was not a lot, and she didn’t understand why they would give her tokens of their win. But everyone was watching, and Talia decided to ask Keith for clarification later. She can also give him pins to distribute back to the players.
Dayson watched this from the distance, and he smiled a little.
Talia getting those tokens means that they truly acknowledged her. He was proud of her.
They were all excitedly talking to Talia, and he could see under all that shyness that she was happy. Dayson really wished to go there and give Talia a hug, to engulf her so that no one else can look at her because she is his, but he forced his legs to stay put.
If he does that, it would attract a lot of unwanted attention and it will spoil Talia’s moment. This was her moment and he needed to stay away, no matter how hard it was.
She was there, in his line of sight, happy and safe, and that should be enough. It has to be.
When Dayson’s tournament-closing speech was over, people started leaving the sports fields and making way toward the town square where the next festivities will be held. Some people went into stores and restaurants that were still open and accepting customers.
Talia was happy that she got a bag to keep her pins and the jersey. She also removed the fluffy gloves and the headband. Keith told her that those are hers to keep, and she can return them when she gives up on being the team spirit. Unfortunately, the trophy was too big to fit in the bag, but the insulated lunchbox that Stephanie prepared for Talia fit perfectly.
With all the drinks and snacks that were everywhere, Talia didn’t touch the food from the lunchbox, but she was confident that it will not go to waste. She will have it later.
Talia was standing on the side with Lulu and Sandy. They were waiting for the guys to join them so that they can head for lunch together, as they previously agreed. Lulu was telling everyone how her father has a stand to sell the best ramen they ever tasted, and Talia was excited because it will be the first time for her to eat ramen.
They invited Travis also to join, but Travis said that he is exhausted and that he is going home to get some sleep.
As Talia, Lulu, and Sandy waited for the guys, many people stopped by and congratulated Lulu and Sandy on their win, and also Talia on being the MVP.
They were people Talia never met, and they were all excited and smiling and the mood was good, but Talia felt empty inside. She thought how it’s funny that she always craved for people to accept her, yet now that it was happening, she was not really happy because something (or someone) was missing.
Her eyes would gravitate toward the parking lot where Dayson was standing and talking to people she didn’t recognize but she knew that those were guests who arrived at the packhouse that morning. Most of them were guys, but there were several females as well. Whenever one of those females spoke to Dayson, Talia would divert her eyes to look elsewhere because she didn’t want to risk seeing Dayson getting close to another woman.
Just the fact that Dayson and she were not together and that he didn’t seem bothered by it was painful enough.
“Miss Talia…”, a deep voice called from the side, and all three ladies turned to see Axel.
“I was wondering if you would join me for lunch today.”, he said.
Talia nervously glanced at Sandy and Lulu. “I apologize, but I committed to lunch with them. We will have ramen noodles at one of the stalls on the town square.”
“Can I join you?”, Axel asked.
Talia glanced at Lulu who was nodding robotically.
“Sure. If you don’t mind street food.”, Talia said. She imagined that someone sophisticated like Axel would prefer fine dining with golden cutlery.
Axel beamed. “Excellent!”
Sandy and Lulu screamed internally like the biggest fangirls on earth. This was Axel, the future Alpha of the Midnight Guardians pack. Axel was a celebrity in the world of werewolves with a shroud of mystery that only made him more attractive. And he will have lunch with them!
“We are waiting for a few more people to join us…”, Lulu said while extending her hand. “I am Lulu.”
Axel shook her hand. “I don’t mind waiting. I’m Axel.”
Sandy was next to introduce herself.
Keith, Pierce, Liam, and Caleb were surprised to see Axel.
‘He wants to have lunch with Talia, and doesn’t mind extra company’, Lulu spoke into the mind-link for the four newcomers who all got a renewed interest in Talia. What magic did she use to have Axel join them for lunch?
Individuals like future Alphas usually mingle with other Alphas and close family members, in their own exclusive social circle that is nearly impossible for normies to get in.
“Axel!”, Maddox called when he saw that Axel has no intention to come to the parking lot. “Aren’t you coming with us for lunch at the packhouse?”
“No.”, Axel responded flatly. “Miss Talia was kind enough to accept me as her lunch companion. We will eat at the festival.”
Talia was taken aback. Why did Axel make it sound like it will be just the two of them having lunch?
Maddox paused. “Really? Can I join?” Since Axel frowned, Maddox turned to Talia. “I hope that my presence will not inconvenience you.”
“Not at all, Alpha Maddox.”, Talia responded quickly. How can she say to an Alpha that he is not welcome? Besides, it’s a festival. He can go wherever he wants.
Axel’s frown deepened. “Didn’t you say that you are looking forward to the quail soup and beef wellington?”
Maddox shrugged. “I can have it later. It’s been a long time since I enjoyed the festival freely. This will be fun.”
The truth was that Talia intrigued Maddox. He noticed that Talia’s presence was difficult to detect, and after his chat with Dayson that morning, Maddox had a feeling that there is more to Talia. If she is just a plain girl, why would Alpha Richard pay for others to get information on her? Maddox was confident that Dayson didn’t give him the full story and that Talia has some secret he was eager to unravel.
Maddox spoke to Talia. “Miss Talia, will you introduce me to your friends?”
Talia was not used to people addressing her as Miss Talia, but she didn’t hate it.
Without delay, Talia introduced Keith, Lulu, Sandy, Pierce, Liam, and Caleb, whose eyes were sparkling. Both Axel and Maddox are impressive figures in the society of werewolves and having lunch with them is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
“Max! Max!”, Mindy shouted while walking in hurried steps toward her brother. “Aren’t we going to the car?”
“I’m going to have lunch at the festival. I feel like street food.”, Maddox responded. “You can go ahead without me.”
Mindy eyed the group and her eyes flashed when she spotted Talia. “I will join you.”
Maddox hesitated for a moment before introducing his sister. “This is my sister, Mindy. Please forgive her blunt way of talking, she never had a filter.”
Mindy cocked an eyebrow at her Maddox. What was with that choice of words? But she got a pass to mingle at the festival, and this time she will be part of a group, so she didn’t want to complain.
Also, Mindy was curious about Talia. At first, Mindy thought that Talia is just an Omega teen, but then her brother told her that Talia was abused, and today Talia was a mascot-goddess that the whole team worshiped. Mindy really wanted to find out more about Talia who could give so many different impressions.