Filed To Story: Veiled Desires of the Alpha King Novel
Lisa’s mood worsened as she remembered how Stephanie praised Talia. Talia is working, studying, learning Talia this, Talia that. And now that Lisa got another look at Talia, she concluded that Talia was nothing special.
Why was Dayson giving attention to Talia? There were so many more attractive she-wolves, even among Omegas.
“Can I help you?”, Talia asked. She saw that Lisa scrutinized her and Talia wanted to be done with it.
“I was looking for Dayson.”
Talia thought how this was odd. No one just comes to look for Dayson and misses him because everyone would usually mind-link him first to confirm where he is and if they can come. But then Lisa lived with the Lightclaw pack for a decade, did she change loyalty? Or maybe she didn’t have the right to mind-link Dayson directly.
Whichever it was, Talia’s response wouldn’t change.
“Dayson is busy with warriors and should be back soon. If it’s anything urgent, I can give him a message.”
“Alright. I came to ask him if we can avoid Tony’s visit.”
Suddenly, Talia regretted her offer to convey Lisa’s message to Dayson. Did Lisa really think that Dayson is not aware of how Tony’s presence might make things awkward for Lisa?
Talia realized that Lisa came to demand from Dayson to cancel Tony’s and Kalina’s visit.
Talia knew that Lisa would have a problem with this, but Talia also hoped that Lisa will not make a big deal of it.
How can Talia not understand Lisa’s thoughts?
After all, Marcy’s visit was hanging over Talia’s head, and it was getting closer with every passing day, but Talia never voiced her grievances about it. It’s Dayson’s business and he will need to consider the impact on the pack if he acts rashly. Talia already decided that if Marcy comes, she will hide in the room, or maybe ask if she can crash with Dawn or Zina for some time, and if Marcy would stay longer, then Talia would request a room in one of the common buildings and stay out of sight. In any case, she wouldn’t make presumptuous requests only because she didn’t want her bully to come here.
But alas, Lisa was not Talia and Lisa had no problems with telling everyone about her likes or dislikes, and Lisa was definitely not shy from making demands.
Can Talia convey this message to Dayson? Sure. But there was also another explanation that Lisa should realize…
“Tony asked Dayson for guidance so that he can prepare for his role as an Alpha. He is coming here with four of his men to train and to learn from Dayson. This visit will set the stage for future collaborations between the Shadow Fang pack and the Lightclaw pack.”
Lisa grimaced. “Kalina will come also.”
Talia opened and closed her mouth a few times, unable to find the right words, except for “I’m sorry, Lisa, but”
“You are sorry?”, Lisa interrupted Talia angrily. She couldn’t accept that some nobody (aka Talia) was patronizing like she knows everything. “Why are you sorry? Do you think that this won’t happen to you?”
Talia’s brows came together in confusion. “What do you mean?”
Lisa smirked. “At first, I thought you are just an Omega, but now I see that your skills extend beyond setting the table. Do you think that Dayson cares about you? Unless you are his mate, you are just temporary entertainment.”
Talia felt her insides churning. How was that any of Lisa’s business? “What are you trying to accomplish by saying this?”
“I am telling you this because I was in your shoes until Tony found his mate. He took me places and introduced me as his yet look at me now alone and heartbroken. Or are you hoping that Dayson won’t find his mate and will mark you? Let’s imagine that he gets to choose his Luna. Do you really think that a powerful Alpha like Dayson will mark a wolf-less she-wolf? You are happily talking about preparing rooms for your so-called friends but remember my words, the moment Dayson dumps you, all those friends will dump you as well. Do you think they like you, or do they like that you are Dayson’s bed warmer? Maybe you think that I’m mean, but I’m just not kissing your ass because I know that your position in Dayson’s life is short-lived.”
Lisa snorted at Talia who stood frozen, and she moved down the hallway, bumping Talia’s shoulder with hers. It was on purpose.
Talia had no idea how long she stood there, feeling emotionally numb.
Why did Lisa say those things? Even if they were true, that was still mean.
But Talia knew that Lisa was right. If not for Dayson, she wouldn’t get a chance to meet Mindy or Kalina. Thanks to Dayson she met many other people also. Will they abandon Talia once Dayson dumps her? Talia didn’t have an answer to this question.
The reality was that Talia owed her current lifestyle to Dayson, and just as it all came easily because of Dayson, Dayson had the power to take it away.
This thought made Talia displeased. Didn’t she say that she will study and learn and be independent?
She shook those thoughts away. It’s still early. It will take time. These things can’t be rushed.
Talia knew that Lisa was bitter and angry and that she was just projecting her frustration on Talia, but that didn’t mean that Lisa’s words didn’t hit a vulnerable spot in Talia’s confidence that allowed Talia’s insecurities to resurface.
Talia had no idea how she found herself in the garden.
The rustling of leaves called for her from the distance with a promise of calm that Talia always felt when surrounded by nature, and this time Talia didn’t sit on a bench. She continued walking toward the forest, and then she broke into a run.
Talia’s steps slowed down after an unknown measure of time when she noticed through the gaps in bushes and trees that someone was standing in the distance.
Talia thought it’s one of the patrols, and if she avoids them, she might appear suspicious, so she continued moving straight, without altering her path.
A few steps later, Talia confirmed it was four men and she slowed down as she realized that something was off.
The warriors are usually patrolling in wolf form (Dayson told her that), and even if they are in human form, they would be dressed in dark gray t-shirts while these guys wore green and brown-ish patterns that provided camouflage in the forest.
Talia bent slightly, hiding behind nearby bushes while focusing on four men who were talking in whispers and looking around nervously.
Her eyes widened when the breeze brought the words, “Avoided Did you find We don’t have much time…”
Talia’s heart thundered. Rogues.
Dayson said they would sneak into their territory, but she never imagined that she would actually bump into them. After all, the territory of the Shadow Fang pack is huge, and they have numerous patrols. Isn’t she close to the packhouse?
“Who goes there!?”, one of the men asked and Talia jerked into a full squat.
Talia held her breath while cursing her luck.
The day started well, but by the looks of it, it won’t end on the same note. Even if she escapes the rogues, Dayson will give her a hard time.
Talia felt like crying. She just wanted to calm down in the forest. What did she get herself into?
Dayson was in front of the main training facility for warriors that was nestled in the forest, West from Darkbourne. They just finished with the round of tests for promotions and he was shaking hands with the generals while offering them rare words of praise for their good work.
One general was talking something, but Dayson couldn’t focus. He felt uneasy, and he knew it was Talia.
Now what?
He remembered that Talia was not happy to work with Rose. Did Rose do or say something to upset Talia?
Dayson mind-linked immediately, ‘Rose! Is Talia with you?’
‘No, Alpha’, Rose responded in a shaky voice, flustered that Alpha mind-linked her directly, and intimidated by his stern tone. ‘Talia left us to work a while ago’ Her next words hit a dead end because Dayson shut down the mind-link abruptly.
Dayson puffed his cheeks and he wondered who could upset Talia. Was it Lisa? He didn’t want to jump to conclusions because it could be many things, and there was only one certain way to confirm what’s going on. Dayson stepped on the side and got his phone to call Talia.
One ring, two and then the call was answered and Dayson heard an unknown male voice, “There you are Look! I found a little rabbit hiding”
Dayson’s stomach dropped, unsure if that wave of fear was from him or Talia.
“Talia! TALIA!”, Dayson roared into his phone, but there was no response.