Filed To Story: Veiled Desires of the Alpha King Novel
“Sister!” Varya called Tatiana first. “Let me introduce you to…”
A low growl escaped Tatiana’s lips, and Varya moved to stand in front of Grady.
“He is my mate. You can’t…”
“This is my territory,” Tatiana cut off Varya. “No one will tell me what I can and can’t do here.”
Jaeden swiftly moved to stand between the couple and angry Luna. “Calm down, Luna Tatiana. My Alpha and Luna sent him here. He can be of help.”
Tatiana frowned. “What can a scum like him help?”
“He has information. But he can’t disclose it now because of something they did…” Jaeden explained about body paint and bursting into flames and that Cornelia might be able to help.
“Stay away from him!” Tatiana hissed at Varya and then turned to Jaeden. “If body paint is the problem, why don’t we wash it off? I’m sure we have a pressure washer nearby. Or how about we peel his skin off?”
“Tanya!” Varya called pleadingly.
“What!?” Tatiana snapped. “I heard you. He is your mate. But that doesn’t change the fact he is a rogue. Do you know how many people we lost last night? We have casualties among guests, people in shelters, and our people. Warriors who were born and raised here, our people. I felt them, Varya. I felt when their lives were extinguished. It was like a part of me died, and it was all his fault!”
“He didn’t kill anyone!” Varya shouted at Tatiana.
“His hands have no blood on them, and that makes it OK? Would his hands still be clean if he was caught later? If he meant no harm, why did he come here? Do you think that only by killing he could harm us? That rogue you call mate came here with people who killed MY people. My schedule is filled with joyful activities to entertain high-ranking members of other packs, but instead, I need to visit a dozen families and tell them that their sons and daughters died. Do you think that anyone will feel better because they died honorably, protecting this pack? There wouldn’t be any need to protect the pack if they didn’t come here! Gods! I would kill him myself if that would bring any of those innocent souls back. I would kill him right now if that would soothe wounds my pack suffered.”
Tatiana jolted when Kalina’s hand landed on her shoulder.
“Are you done venting your anger?” Kalina asked.
Tatiana glared at Kalina. “You tell me.”
“We are all tired. Max and Tony are on their way back, and I suggest we take a quick break, shower, and eat. Let Omegas work on reports while you get a breather. You are pregnant now, and you need to take care of that baby.”
…
When James returned, he saw Cornelia in front of the packhouse. She was squatting and collecting with cotton swabs samples of Grady’s body paint.
James didn’t like that Cornelia was so close to another guy, and he was on the verge of shifting and tearing that guy into pieces, but then he realized that other people were present. Maya, Jaeden, and Kalina were watching what Cornelia was doing, and a few warriors were standing nearby in attention, obviously keeping an eye on Grady.
James scrunched his nose. Why did he smell a rogue?
“After you wash up, we will see what’s next,” Cornelia said to Grady.
Before James reached her, Cornelia whipped her head in his direction, and her eyes scanned his exhausted form anxiously.
Dropping the samples in Maya’s hands, Cornelia dashed toward James, and he welcomed her eagerly into his embrace.
“I was worried,” she spoke into his shoulder.
“It’s all fine now, Cora,” he responded.
She nodded. It was not fine, but it was much better because they were together.
Two seconds later, Cornelia’s body stiffened as she remembered, “What if your father is watching?”
James had no intention of letting her go. He needed her presence more than air, but he also needed a justification for their public display of affection. It took him a second to come up with something.
“My father knows we spent the night together. I left a great impression by satisfying you repeatedly, and it’s normal that you are concerned about me.”
Cornelia couldn’t believe that he was using this as a chance to boost his ego, but she didn’t want to bicker. “Is kiss acceptable?”
“Cora, Cora. Kiss is a necessity.”
Their lips met in an urgent kiss that lasted much shorter than they wanted.
“You should shower,” Cornelia said. He was wearing clothes that didn’t fit him well, there were traces of mud and dried blood on him, but Cornelia craved privacy with her mate.
While James was away, Cornelia was worried sick. That’s why she went to the pack hospital to help. She wanted to keep busy and ensure that if James was injured, she would be there to tend to him.
The time in the pack hospital felt like forever, every new patient made her stomach tighten at the thought that it might be James, and then she felt guilty because of the happiness when she realized how that bloodied warrior was not James. The whole night was an emotional rollercoaster, and she wanted just to snuggle with James behind closed doors and never come out.
“I will shower,” James said to Cornelia before adding, “But only if you are coming.”
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
“Breakfast starts in five minutes!” Kalina shouted after them. “Food will be waiting for the next two hours! You have an option to ask for food in your room!”
Since James and Cornelia left, Dayson showed no intention of releasing Talia from his hold.
Both of them were aware that this was not the time to idle, but they were finally alone, this was their moment of peace, and every second counted.
Talia marveled at the way how his arms circled her protectively. It was like he erected an invisible barrier that didn’t allow anything to go through, isolating her from the trouble and noise around them.
Talia pressed her ear to Dayson’s chest and listened to his strong heartbeat that had the power to pacify her demons, and she wished they could stay like that forever.
His scent of the forest and the dark chocolate filled her existence a long time ago, yet it still felt fresh and soothing, like it was on the first day they met. Dayson’s scent urged her to get closer and stay there because only when they were together she could be at peace. He was her other half, her safe harbor, her home.
Talia felt herself sinking into Dayson’s embrace as the lack of energy hit her hard, but she couldn’t give in to the fatigue because they had so many things to deal with.
“Dayson?”
“Hmm?”
“Since we will be heading to the Shadow Fang pack today, I was thinking of telling Meg and Kai they can visit her parents. Without me around, they are not needed here, and I’m sure that Meg would rather spend two extra days with her family than stick around here.”
Dayson had no objections, but… “What about their safety? Tony and Kalina will stay until the end. Actually, with this mess from rogues, they might stay longer.”
Talia remembered that Meg should travel with additional security. Now that her Beta was pregnant, shifting into wolf form or using powers was not allowed, which made Meg an easy target.
Talia got an idea. “I can ask Cornelia to teleport them.”
While on the topic of Cornelia, Dayson had to ask, “How long will the witch stay here?”
“Probably until James leaves. She can say that I had to deal with something in the pack, so she stayed behind as my representative. Considering that Cornelia can teleport, I’m not concerned about her.”
“We should still not leave her on her own. What if someone provokes her, and she blasts them with her magic?”
Talia didn’t think of this before, but now that Dayson mentioned it, Talia could imagine Alpha Edward or one of his associates sneakily getting close to Cornelia when James is not around. With Cornelia’s prideful nature and short temper, that won’t end well. “We can ask Tanya and Max to assign a few Omegas to keep an eye on Cora when James is not around. No matter what someone is planning, they won’t do it in front of witnesses.”
Dayson hummed in agreement with this.
“Can you handle Grady’s fake death without me?” Talia asked Dayson.
“Do you want to rest?” Dayson guessed. “I can take care of that and ask Cornelia about teleporting Meg and Kai. Maya confirmed that Gideon can perform the ceremony whenever I am ready, and I can handle that also.”
“Don’t forget the blood oath.” Talia reminded him.
Dayson was pleased to hear that Talia was not opposed to making Grady and Varya take the blood oath. “I thought of doing that part together with you.”
Talia didn’t think it was important. “Just get them to pledge loyalty to you. I am your mate. Betraying me means betraying you.”
Dayson smiled. “Alright. While I deal with those things, you should be able to get at least two hours of sleep. I will join you when I’m done.”
Talia was exhausted, but she was fairly confident that she won’t be able to fall asleep. Especially not without Dayson. And it didn’t sound right to sleep when everyone else was so busy.
“I was thinking of going to visit Lulu. Caleb and Keith are there, and they could use a break.”
“No.” Dayson refused sternly. He didn’t want Talia to go there and break down again. “I want you to rest.”
“I can’t rest, Dayson. I need to do something.”
“Sure. Do whatever you want as long as it doesn’t involve dead bodies or putting yourself in danger,” Dayson said sternly, and then his expression softened. “I am worried about you, kitten. I know you can’t sleep, but I want you to rest. Do something relaxing. For me.”
“I can help Tanya.”
“No,” Dayson rejected that idea. How was that relaxing? “Now it’s daytime, and she has plenty of people helping her.” He could imagine that skinny assistant guy in flashy outfits buzzing around Tatiana. What if he gets close to Talia? Dayson would slap him back to Europe. “If you are so energetic, you can come with me.”
After Dayson mentioned dead bodies, Talia realized she didn’t want to be close to death, even if it was fake.
Talia decided to go with her next option. “I could use some time alone in nature.”
Dayson couldn’t believe this. Did she learn anything last night?
“Alone? Nature?” He asked stiffly.
“Just to feel the unspoiled grass under my feet. You said to do something relaxing. Being in nature is what I always do to relax. I will find a spot in the shade and listen to the birds and not get into trouble. It’s daytime, and I won’t go far. What can happen?”
What can happen? Plenty!
Dayson wanted to say no, but he held back. There must be a solution so Talia can do what she wants and do it safely.
“You can go to the edge of the forest,” Dayson said. “If the packhouse is not in your visual range, you ventured too far. Keith and Caleb will keep an eye on you from a distance. This is non-negotiable.” And he will ask Maddox to assign some warriors to be in the area also. One could never be too careful because Talia was too precious, and she had a knack for getting herself into trouble.
…
Gregory moved between the tables that Omegas cleaned after a group of people finished eating.
He was there as help, but he had no intention of helping.
On the previous day, Gregory arrived later than planned because he found Vincent wandering around the Guardians’ castle.
Vincent was supposed to bring information on Alpha Natalia and recent changes in the Midnight Guardians pack, but Vincent was disoriented and couldn’t remember why he was there or anything related to the Midnight Guardians pack.
Gregory was running late, so he didn’t have much time to check Vincent’s condition, but Gregory guessed that Talia had to do something with it. After all, even Alphas couldn’t touch them, and considering Talia’s impressive performance with the sphere of power, she was the only suspect. That made Gregory even more curious about Talia.

New Book: Returned To Make Them Pay
On her wedding anniversary, Alicia is drugged and stumbles into the wrong room—straight into the arms of the powerful Caden Ward, a man rumored never to touch women. Their night of passion shocks even him, especially when he discovers she’s still a virgin after two years of marriage to Joshua Yates.