Chapter 817 – Hidden Desires of the Werewolf King Novel

Filed To Story: Veiled Desires of the Alpha King Novel

Cassie brought information about Alphas and rogues plotting an attack during James’ birthday party with an intention to snatch Talia. This was not a surprise for anyone, and it matched what they knew before. The surprising part was that Cassie’s information was legitimate.

Dayson, Talia, Maddox, Cristian, and Tony collaborated in the last two weeks. They decimated rogues, cut underground supply chains that moved between several packs, and captured spies that resided in their territories. Did that make a difference? To what extent? No one had answers to these questions.

James said he would snoop around areas where his father might keep sensitive data, but Dayson advised against it. If James got caught, a lot of things would be exposed. James was their hidden trump card in this mess that could erupt into a full-blown war if they were not careful.

“The most efficient thing will be to eliminate Alpha Edward,” George said, allowing some of his Alpha aura to leak in a show of determination.

Dayson agreed, but… “Didn’t you say that he set up fail-safes? In case something happened to Alpha Edward, sleeper cells will act.”

“I worked with James to take care of more than a dozen protocols Alpha Edward arranged.”

“We have no proof that those are all of them,” Dayson said.

“We will never know if we got them all,” George protested. “How long should I wait?”

“I don’t know,” Dayson said honestly. “It’s easy to prioritize your personal agenda when you don’t have a pack relying on you.”

George and Dawn didn’t like this comment.

“It’s not fair to use lack of pack to diminish the importance of what George wants to do,” Dawn said.

“I’m not diminishing anything,” Dayson responded. “I only stated facts.” He turned to George. “Think about Dawn and Omegas you’ve got here. If there is a chance, even the smallest chance, that Alpha Edward planted an explosive in your villa that will go off when he takes his last breath, would you go for a kill? Will it be worth getting your way if innocents need to pay the price?”

George gritted his teeth. At this rate, he will never get his revenge. Other than his revenge, there was Dawn. She was stuck in the villa, away from her friends, and deprived of simple things like going out for a walk without fearing for her safety.

“Let’s not talk like we are not making progress,” Talia said. “Our recent actions reduced the power that Alpha Edward and his allies have. Every day he is losing informers and resources. It’s in our favor to drag this as long as possible and watch Alpha Edward turn impatient and make mistakes. We don’t want to start an open conflict, but we are watching, and we won’t stay still as he makes his moves. With any luck, he will lead us to the person who is pulling the strings from the dark.”

Dayson looked at Talia with sparkles in his eyes. She was kind and reasonable and his.

After their talk about handling Alpha Edward, it was time for Zina and Owen to appear in front of Talia and Dayson.

Dawn wanted to stick around and be there to support her friend, but George advised against it.

“Zina and Owen need to do this on their own,” George said. “I know you mean well, but with you around, Talia will feel pressured to put your friendship first.” And Dayson will do anything to make Talia happy. “No matter how much you care for Zina, it will be on Talia and Dayson to hear them out and decide accordingly. Or do you think Talia and Dayson will harm Zina and her mate?”

Hearing this, Dawn gave up.

Owen was nervous, and that made Zina nervous as well.

Dayson didn’t care to make them comfortable. He checked the time and waved impatiently. “We don’t have all day. If you want to say something, out with it.”

Zina gave Owen’s hand a squeeze, silently telling him that she was there with him.

Owen straightened his back and lowered his head. “Alpha Dayson, Luna Talia. I want to discuss the possibility of me joining her pack… your pack.”

“You want to join the Shadow Fang pack?” Dayson asked.

“I want to find out if that’s an option and what conditions need to be met for that to happen.”

“Why?” Dayson asked.

Owen paused. “The Red Moon pack is not the most hospitable one, and we are considering options.”

“Is that all?”

‘Dayson,’ Talia called through their mind-link.

‘Let me handle this, kitten,’ Dayson said. ‘I know what you are worried about. Zina and Owen are in front of us, expecting we will provide them with solutions. That’s not how life works. If he is a man who will take care of Zina, he needs to be in charge. There is strength in knowing how to deal with challenges, and there is wisdom in knowing when to ask for help.’

Talia didn’t disagree with this, but… ‘Aren’t Alphas supposed to provide guidance to their people?’

‘Owen is not part of my pack. If he wants my help, he needs to work for it and prove himself. Being mated to Zina is not enough.’

Talia remembered that Dayson was a determined Alpha whose personality was molded by surviving in a hostile environment. Dayson indulged her, and he let her have it, but that was only for her.

Zina realized that this was not going as easy as she thought it will. “Alpha, is there a problem with Owen joining our pack? We accept people from all packs and backgrounds.”

Dayson cocked an eyebrow at Zina. “When was the last time we accepted a warrior from a hostile pack?”

“Owen is not hostile.”

“I was talking about his pack,” Dayson pointed out. “Let’s say he has no ulterior motive other than to be with you. I can assume he doesn’t have an exit strategy because if he did, we wouldn’t be having this conversation. Did you think I will smuggle your mate out of here in a trunk without anyone noticing?”

Zina blinked at Dayson. That was oddly specific. And why was Talia smiling at Dayson like he said something important?

“What will happen when people from his circle notice he is missing? How long will it take until someone figures out where he went? Will they think I kidnapped him, coerced him, or bribed him? No matter how you spin it, Alpha Edward will use it against me.” Dayson leaned forward to rest his elbows on his knees. “Alpha Edward will use it against the Shadow Fang pack. He is your mate, but to me, he is a warrior from another pack. Ranked warriors don’t leave their pack without reason. What is his reason? To be with you? If that’s his drive, he doesn’t need to leave the Red Moon pack. So, tell me, Zina, how do I welcome a warrior who is defecting to my pack?”

Zina’s stomach dropped. “Are you saying that Owen can’t join?”

Talia could feel Dayson’s impatience rising. He was sweet and caring with Talia, but that was only for her.

‘Can I?’ Talia asked Dayson through their mind link.

‘As long as you don’t give him a free ticket into the Shadow Fang pack,’ Dayson responded.

‘I know,’ Talia assured him.

“Dayson didn’t say that your mate can’t join the Shadow Fang pack,” Talia said.

Zina looked at Talia apprehensively. That’s how it sounded to her. “What did the Alpha say?”

“Owen needs to find a way to cut his ties to this pack amicably.”

“How?” Zina asked.

“Have faith in your mate,” Talia said. “He is a Lieutenant for a reason. As someone who lives in this pack, I’m confident that Owen can do his research and pick the least painful option.”

Owen looked at Talia with eyes open wide. She had no idea about him, yet she spoke like he could solve their predicament. Somehow, it made him feel important.

“You won’t help us?” Zina persisted.

Talia raised her hand and spoke sternly, “Stop right there, Zina.”

Zina was one of Talia’s best friends, and if this were girl-only chatter, Talia would let her talk and steam out her grievances. However, Dayson was different. Dayson would never allow anyone to show disrespect toward Talia, not even her friends. Owen (aka an outsider) being present only made things more serious.

Talia didn’t want Zina to end up in trouble because she was emotional.

“You just got marked, and your bond is fresh, which means you are sensitive and protective of each other. But this is not something that can be decided on an impulse. Give it a few days. With the event going on, Owen shouldn’t have a lot of duties. Spend that time together, get to know each other, and discuss options.”

Seeing Zina’s defeated expression, Talia added through the pack link, only for Zina to hear, ‘Zi, you and your mate need to come up with solutions. It is one thing when you are single and you follow your Alpha’s orders. However, since Owen marked you, he is the one who needs to take care of you. Give him a chance to show you what he is capable of and make sure both of you agree on how to proceed forward.’

Talia spoke for everyone to hear, “The bond comes with new emotions, and it’s normal to be edgy. Is there a way for you to avoid going to tonight’s event?”

Owen shook his head helplessly. Part of him hoped that Alpha Dayson will accept him into the Shadow Fang pack. In that case, Owen and Zina would leave immediately. But Owen knew that Dayson and Talia had valid points. If they avoided the event, it would cause issues for George and later for the Shadow Fang pack.

Owen was many things, but he was not a coward. How could he be a coward now that he had a mate?

Owen bowed. “Thank you, Alpha Dayson and Luna Talia. We will accept your advice.”

When Zina and Owen left the office, Talia slumped on Dayson.

“Tired?” Dayson asked.

“Mentally. Tonight will be a mess.”

“What makes you think so?”

Talia looked up at Dayson. “Zina and Dawn will be there, and Owen and George can’t be with them. You saw Zi; she is not herself. Cornelia and James are another couple that can’t reveal they are mates.”

Dayson chuckled. “Aren’t you glad that we will reveal our relationship?”

She was, but… “My hormones are all over the place. If George or James don’t cause a scene, I will.”

“I am more concerned about their mates,” Dayson said.

“What?”

“These events are for socializing and establishing connections. You will be with me, but George and James won’t be lucky enough to enjoy the company of their mates. I got information that Alpha William’s daughter will be pursuing George, and can you imagine what Cornelia will do when she sees females throwing themselves at the birthday boy?”

Talia’s face fell. Dayson was right. She didn’t care much about George and a random woman, but she felt responsible for Cornelia. “Is it too late to send Cornelia away?”

“If that’s us, would you want to stay away?”

“No,” Talia responded without missing a beat.

Dayson hummed in confirmation. “At this point, we will go with the flow and hope for the best. With any luck, people will be so focused on the two of us that no one will notice when Cornelia turns half of the guests into frogs.”

Talia burst into giggles. It was a funny mental image.

…

In the packhouse…

“Why do I need to deal with dressing up Omegas?” Nora asked her father.

She was about to take a bath and start her pre-party routine, and Beta Raymond came to Nora’s room to tell her that she needed to go out. She was NOT happy about this. “I need to get ready for the party and not cater to a pair of Omegas no one ever heard of!”

Beta Raymond shook his head and moved to stand in front of Nora. He put his hands on her shoulders and gave her a small squeeze.

“Nora, dear, this is not about dressing up Omegas. It’s about getting access to Commander George’s villa.”

Nora’s face turned ugly. She didn’t want to go anywhere near George.

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