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No matter what the weather was outside, Talia was in a cozy bed, surrounded by the scent of the forest and dark chocolate, and she didn't want to wake up. She pulled the comforter over her head and drifted back to sleep.

Talia's mind stirred, and her eyes fluttered open.

There was no sound of rain. It was sunny outside. Did she dream about the rain? Or was it raining during the night and then it cleared up? It didn't matter.

Talia turned lazily and her nose touched the pillow that was full of delicious smell which confirmed that the last night happened. She didn't imagine it.

Alpha Damon was there, and he asked her to continue using this room and he said that no one will disturb her anymore and she doesn't need to hide, and that she can train self-defense.

Talia didn't remember when she fell asleep, but she knew that Alpha Damon slept with her, or at least held her while she was sleeping. The sheets next to her were cold but based on the strength of the scent, she concluded that Damon left recently.

She bit her lip guiltily at the memory of her sticking to Damon. She felt guilty because it was not allowed, not for someone like her.

His body was solid and warm, and his presence made her feel safe. It felt good, more than good, but if Marcy or Cassie or any other Damon's woman saw them like that, Talia was confident that she would get a beating, so the events from last night will definitely stay a secret buried in her memory.

Talia let out a sad sigh and reminded herself not to get used to Damon's clinginess because his mood swings are unpredictable, and she should not expect that he will treat her with kindness. If she expects it and it doesn't happen, she will end up hurt.

Talia could describe Alpha Damon as confusing. Why can't he pick one personality and stick to it?

If he is mean to her or ignores her, it would be so much easier to leave and not look back.

Talia chided herself for wavering. She was resolved to leave as soon as Doctor Travis says that she recuperated, but then Alpha Damon brought her dinner and climbed into her bed, but he was not intrusive. It was the opposite. Yes, he pressed her against him, but he was kind and he listened, and she didn't hate it.

But no matter how good it was to fall asleep in Alpha Damon's embrace, Talia didn't dare to hope it will happen again.

Does she want it to happen again? Does it matter what she wants?

She justified Damon's behavior from the previous night as something he did because he wanted to comfort her and apologize since Cassie bullied her on his watch. Those were his words.

Yeah… it will not happen again.

Talia glanced around the room, to make sure she is on her own and no one can see her, and then she buried her face in the pillow and took a deep breath. How can a man smell so good?

She really loved Damon's scent, but she would never admit that. Not even to herself. Those kinds of thoughts were not allowed.

Talia jolted when the bathroom door opened, and her eyes widened in shock at the sight of Alpha Damon standing there with only a towel hanging dangerously low on his waist.

His hair was damp and messy, increasing his visual appeal by a notch; not like he needed that to look delicious.

Talia swallowed a mouthful of air while struggling to maintain eye contact and not gape at the magnificent landscape of his body.

"Good morning, my dear wife.", Damon said with his signature lopsided smile.

"Good morning…", she responded in a squeaky voice, too flustered to address the 'dear wife' part, and her face exploded in blush when his smile widened.

Damon raised his arm and leaned on the doorframe, giving her a spectacular view of his V-shaped torso.

Talia's breath hitched when their eyes met and she saw his knowing gaze.

Oh, God! He noticed her staring! But she couldn't look away.

"Why are you here?", she managed to force words out of her mouth.

"I didn't want to leave before you wake up. It would appear that I sneaked out after we spent the night together.", he said like it's a totally normal thing.

Talia paused. That was ambiguous but in a way, it was true. However, was all that exposed skin necessary? "Why are you wearing a towel?"

Damon's hand fell on this waist. "Should I remove it?"

"No! NO!", Talia screamed in panic and Damon burst into a hearty laugh.

He loved her variety of expressions. He loved everything about Talia.

Talia loved seeing him laugh like that, a carefree laugh. His features softened and he didn't appear scary. At that moment, he was Damon. Just Damon.

"Aren't you going to freshen up before your doctor's appointment?", Damon asked.

Talia wanted to say, yes, but he was standing at the door of the bathroom, and if she went now it would only bring her closer to that sinful devil who liked to tease her.

She gathered her courage and responded with a question, "Aren't you going to leave?"

Damon stalked to the bed and sat on the edge.

Talia inhaled a shaky breath when his scent hit her, and she hoped that he didn't notice.

"Unfortunately, I need to leave. There are no clothes for me in this closet.", Damon said while his eyes darted over Talia's face as he searched for signs of approval or discomfort at the idea of them sharing a closet, but there was nothing.

"Breakfast is in half an hour, and after that, I will accompany you to see Travis."

Talia blinked herself out of her Damon-induced daze. "Oh, no. Breakfast! I was supposed to help in the kitchen."

Damon pushed a lock of Talia's hair behind her ear. "Don't worry about it. I told Stephanie that you had a rough night and will sleep in. She will expect you to help with lunch."

"Thank you.", she really meant it. Not just for telling Stephanie about her absence related to breakfast preparations, but also about staying with her overnight. Talia doesn't remember if she ever slept that well.

She understood that this Damon is playful and teasing, and he would never harm her. After all, if he wanted to do anything inappropriately, he had the whole night for it and she would be unable to fight him off, yet her clothes are still in place.

A small voice inside Talia's head whispered that no matter what Damon's mood is (or which personality he switches into), he will never harm her.

"I will see you at breakfast.", she said.

She didn't want him to leave, but he was kind of naked, and she needed to get ready.

Damon stood up with difficulty.

He really wanted to get under that cover and snuggle with Talia.

…

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...

Damon came to the dining room and found Caden and Maya there, with a cup of steaming coffee each.

The table was set with serving plates filled with sausages, bacon, and scrambled eggs.

Damon went to get himself a coffee first, he will eat when Talia comes, which should be soon.

"Nice of you to join us.", Caden grumbled when Damon took a seat.

Damon didn't understand Caden's attitude. Yes, he is usually the first one up and working, but he didn't want to cut short his morning with Talia.

"Did I miss something important?"

"Alpha Richard called, three times. He wants to talk to you in person and apologize for Cassie's behavior.", Caden said.

Damon didn't want to talk to him. "Tell him that's not necessary. Apology accepted, but I won't change my mind about Cassie coming back here. Starting today, I want us to increase border patrols. Outsiders are not allowed to step into our core territory without approval from me or my Betas, and they are to report when they leave. If the number of requests is too much for the three of us to handle, we can authorize a few more people to deal with it."

They discussed this previously, so Damon didn't want to go into details.

"We will need to clarify who falls into the category of outsiders.", Maya said.

"Whoever is not a pack member.", Damon said without missing a beat and added, "Send a memo to all packs, so that we avoid unnecessary misunderstandings. I want us to keep track of all outsiders in our territory. That shouldn't be hard to do."

Caden and Maya agreed. That's not hard to do. And it's not unusual either. Many packs have rigorous checks about others who are staying with them, it's just that the Dark Howlers pack was rather lax in this aspect, until now.

"Anything else?", Damon asked, and the way Caden and Maya exchanged glances, told Damon that he won't like whatever they were about to say.

Caden responded, "Marcy wants to come."

Damon's face darkened. "I thought I have at least a week until I need to deal with her again."

"You are giving her a silent treatment and Alpha Edward is getting nervous.", Caden said.

Damon couldn't believe this. "Silent treatment? It's been only a few days. If anyone is going back on the agreement that's them."

Maya made a face. "They want to use our celebration of Summer Solstice as an excuse for Marcy to come."

Damon rubbed his forehead forcibly. He didn't want to entertain Marcy and he definitely didn't want her to come for this event or any other. Damon imagined walking with Talia and showing her around, and if Marcy is here, none of that will happen. Damn it!

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