Filed To Story: Veiled Desires of the Alpha King Novel
In bigger packs, the hierarchy of ranked members is complex with multiple levels, and that would be the case with Shadow Fang also if Dayson had more people he trusts.
The Midnight Guardians pack has a pair of Alphas leading them, Alpha Isaac and Alpha Sophia.
Pair of Alphas means that both mates are equal, in everything. In the Midnight Guardians pack, Alpha Isaac is focusing on external relationships, while Alpha Sophia tends to matters within the pack. Below Alphas are Betas and then Gammas. The other ranked members have specializations like generals (who lead warriors), librarians (in charge of education), etc.
The Midnight Guardians pack is mysterious, and no one knows exactly where their headquarters are or how many pack members they have.
It’s an ancient pack, and there are many stories about it, one more fantastic than the other. Some say that many generations ago, the Alpha of the Midnight Guardians pack was mated to a witch and they have unnaturally long lifespans, and some say that it was a vampire, and there are rumors that they have a fairy bloodline that grants them mystical powers and their eyes glow silvery when they shift into their wolf form.
Dayson believes that those stories are rubbish, probably started by the members of the Midnight Guardians pack themselves in order to keep others at bay. After all, the biggest fear is of the unknown, and only a fool would rush to invade territory without knowing who all is guarding it. In a way, Dayson admires their strategy.
Dayson greeted Mindy officially and sat in his seat. He met Mindy a few times before, but that was years ago when she was a teen, and he was a green Alpha. This was the first time for her to visit the Shadow Fang pack.
“Alpha Dayson…”, Mindy stated chit-chat while putting food on her plate. Dayson doesn’t care about protocols, but in many packs, no one will eat before Alpha.
“I see that you are opening up to taking in she-wolves who were abused. That’s very admirable.”, Mindy was talking about Talia.
Dayson didn’t understand the cause of that comment, so he gave a generic response. “The Shadow Fang pack was always accepting people in need of help. It’s just that some cases are more complex than others and when we feel that we can’t handle it, we reach out to the Blue River pack for assistance. Alpha Maddox is an undeniable expert.”
Dayson nodded toward Alpha Maddox who nodded in return. It was obvious that the two Alphas respect each other and their relationship is good.
“It’s good that you can admit that others are more qualified.”, Mindy said with a smirk.
Dayson paused cutting the meat on his plate and cocked an eyebrow at Mindy. “This is not about pride, but about doing what’s best for people in need.”
Mindy was saying something, but Maya’s voice in Dayson’s head through the mind-link was much louder, ‘Don’t you think that something is missing?’
Dayson didn’t get it. ‘What’s missing?’
Maya cleared her throat. ‘Shouldn’t SOMEONE else sit in that place?’
Dayson realized that Maya was talking about Talia. ‘Isn’t she having dinner in her room?’
Talia normally ate food in her room, and he didn’t think much about her absence. He was thinking of going to her room after dinner, and he would bring food anyway. He loved to watch her eat.
‘Talia was serving us, and Mindy.’, Maya emphasized this last part. ‘She said that she will not join us at the table, but instead, she will eat in the kitchen. Like an Omega.’
Maya twisted it a bit, but all the facts were there.
Dayson had no idea what Maya was trying to say, but he understood that Talia was having her meal in the kitchen.
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Photos of Alpha Maddox and Mindy are attached as comments to chapter 80, and here you can see in comments future Alpha Axel.
In the kitchen…
Talia was pushing the food on her plate.
She couldn’t describe the agonizing feeling that gnawed on her insides.
Talia thought how not so long ago she was stuck in an attic, alone, and hungry, believing that only if she could have a safe place that is clean and comfortable, and some good food, she will be happy. Yet now that she is here, with all this delicious food in front of her, without danger of being bullied, with a comfortable bed upstairs… she was not happy.
And why is that? Is it only because one woman took the place that never belonged to Talia?
No, that didn’t sound right.
Over the years, Talia met many who pointed out how they are above Talia while she is nothing, yet it never hurt this much.
Talia wondered if she was greedy. Surely, her current situation is a big upgrade compared to what she had. Why is she nitpicking? Why is her heart aching?
“Is the food not to your liking?”, Stephanie asked, and Talia sucked in a breath.
‘I need to keep it together or Stephanie will start asking questions to which I don’t have answers and I don’t want her to misunderstand me.’
Talia was confident that if she tells Stephanie (or anyone else) the reason behind her dejection, they will laugh at her for wishing something that will never be hers.
“No, the food fine. I’m full so I slowed down.”, Talia responded with a forced smile.
Stephanie didn’t buy it. “You were eating fine before you took that last side dish into the dining room. Did something happen?”
“Nothing happened.”, Talia denied it.
Stephanie eyed Talia suspiciously. “Are you sure?”
“Of course.” Talia did her best to sound enthusiastic.
“Talia, why are you eating here?”, Dayson asked from the door stiffly.
Talia looked at Dayson and her stomach formed a hundred painful knots as all her insecurities resurfaced.
Why did he look angry? Is he telling her not to eat? Or is this the part where he tells her to scram because he found himself another woman? Only that morning he asked her not to leave him, yet it seems that he forgot about all that.
“Where should she eat?” It was Stephanie who asked.
“In the dining room.”, Dayson responded without removing his gaze from Talia.
Talia lowered her head and pressed her lips into a line.
Why was Dayson telling her to go there?
Will he ask Miss Mindy to move so that Talia can have her usual seat? That was not very likely.
He will probably tell Talia to sit somewhere else.
Will Dayson hold Miss Mindy’s hand under the table? Is that why he wants Talia to go there? So that she can see how Miss Mindy is the right woman to sit by Alpha Dayson’s side? After all, no one is more worthy of sitting in that chair than Miss Mindy.
Talia’s heart tightened and she felt her eyes stinging. Is she going to cry? Will that make him happy? Will he even care?
“It’s fine, Alpha Dayson.”, Talia responded while focusing mightily to control her voice so that it doesn’t shake. “Thank you for your concern, but I’m done with my meal.”
Talia took her plate that was still more than half full and placed it in the sink.
“Stephanie, I will clean up later.”
Talia moved to leave the kitchen and Dayson blocked her path. “Where are you going?”
“To my room, unless you have something that needs to be done, Alpha.”
Dayson looked into Talia’s eyes and the ache in his chest increased. Why did she look at him like he did something wrong? Is it possible that she wants to get away from him?
“Alpha Dayson, can we have a word?”, Stephanie called, and Talia used this chance to go around Dayson and dash upstairs.
“I told you to let her go. Why is Talia still in the packhouse?”, Stephanie asked when Talia was out of the earshot.
Dayson was irritated. Why did she insist that Talia needs to leave the packhouse?