LOGINIn the VIP area…The unease in Drake's chest was increasing by the minute and the only thing that prevented him from flipping the table with all the drinks and snacks was that he was surrounded by Alphas and other high-ranking individuals from neighboring packs, and if he makes a spectacle, they will definitely have many questions Drake was not willing to answer.'What's the status with Talia?', Drake asked Maya through the mind-link when he couldn't take it anymore.'What about her?', Maya asked nonchalantly.Drake's hands balled into fists. 'You should find her and make sure she is fine.''Why are you so concerned about her?', Maya asked. 'Talia is a big girl. I'm sure she is fine.'Drake couldn't believe this.. 'Are you disobeying me?'Maya felt Drake releasing his aura and she realized that she was close to crossing the line.Maya is a brave and stubborn woman, but she wouldn't dare disobey Drake, mostly because that would draw a wedge between Drake and Caden. Maya was confident t
The crowd of players in dark gray jerseys that were around Keith formed a line and started a light jog to warm up, leaving a few players to stand on the side and stretch.Keith used this breather to join Talia and Lulu on the bench, but before Keith could reach the bench, a teenage girl approached him with haste. "Coach!"Keith looked behind her like he was expecting someone, and then he asked the girl, "Where is Rosie?""I'm sorry, coach, but my sister found her mate last night."Keith's face fell. "Does that mean she won't make it?"The girl looked at Keith and shook her head guiltily. She pushed some things into his hands, mumbled an apology, and left.Keith dragged his feet to the bench and plopped on it. "I hope this is not a sign of how the rest of the day will go."."Who is Rosie?", Talia asked Lulu in a whisper."She is our team spirit.", Lulu responded and pointed at things in Keith's hand. "Those are parts of her costume."Talia didn't get it. A team spirit with a costume?
"Talia! Talia!", a voice reached her, and Talia saw Liam waving at her from the field enthusiastically.Just like a number of other players on the field, Liam was wearing a dark grey jersey with an outline of a wolf howling on it, and it had number 7.If not for the low wall divider between the audience and the field, they could meet in a few steps.Talia waved back at him in a greeting, hoping that his shout didn't attract too much attention in all the noise from the music and people talking.Of course, Pierce was among people who heard Liam's shout and he was quick to join.Pierce was wearing the same jersey as Liam, but his had a number 5 on it."Good that you made it!", Pierce said with a big smile."I said that I will come and cheer for you, right?", Talia responded without shouting, confident that they can hear her..Other than Pierce, Keith also heard Liam calling Talia and he craned his neck to see where she is. He perked up when he saw that Talia was on her own.'Ask Talia to
Drake was driving toward Darkbourne while trying to spot Talia and with every passing minute, his anxiety was increasing. Why did she leave on foot without saying anything?Earlier that morning, after Talia left the study, Drake finished some work and went to the dining room in time for breakfast. He greeted the guests, but he couldn't eat.Last night Talia didn't join for dinner, and when he saw her the next time, she was in the Shifters nightclub with two guys sticking to her. This time, Talia didn't join for breakfast, and Drake had a bad feeling about this.Sure, Drake knew that Talia will probably go to the festival, and he instructed Maya to accompany Talia, but Maya was at the table, munching on quiche, while Talia was unaccounted for.'Where is Talia?', Drake asked Maya through the mind-link.'Why should I know?', Maya responded with a question.'I asked you to take her to the festival..''Are you expecting me to skip breakfast and neglect my duties because Talia needs company
Drake cradled in his arms Talia who was sitting in his lap, and for the first time in his life, he had no idea how to deal with the day that was ahead of him.The guests were in the packhouse, and more were on their way, and he had responsibilities and many eyes were on him, yet the only thing he wanted was to curl up with Talia and not leave the study. Or maybe they could get into his car and drive away, somewhere far, where no one will recognize them. That will work also.Leaving or not showing up would be irresponsible. His pack members are expecting him to be there, after all, this is one of the biggest celebrations his pack is hosting. And his allies will want to see him, and his enemies are watching also. Damn it!He had an option to take Talia with him, but it wouldn't be fair to put her on a spot like that without an explanation and he feared that if he tells her what it means to stay by his side in public, she will run away.'What am I supposed to do?', Drake asked his wolf.
Talia reached the kitchen that was already bustling with activity. Stephanie, Zina, and Dawn were working in full swing, and based on the mess, Talia could see that they started a while ago. Talia felt guilty for coming late.To her surprise, no one scolded her."Oho! I was not sure if you will make it!", Dawn exclaimed excitedly, and Talia frowned at the loudness of Dawn's voice."Looks like hangover…", Zina said and pushed a small packet with pills in Talia's hand. "This will help. Take two right away and in fifteen minutes the headache will subside."Without a word, Talia opened the packet and Dawn was already handing her a glass of water with advice, "It's important to stay hydrated."Talia gulped the pills and then thanked Zina and Dawn while Stephanie was ushering them to continue with their breakfast-preparing activities..Zina was chopping vegetables that will become ingredients for quiche, and Dawn was working on molds made out of pastry for the same dish.Talia got the task
Cassie saw Drake standing in the hallway and she wondered, where did the girl from that morning go? Did Drake send her home?Cassie knew that after the cold treatment Drake gave her, this was not the time to ask such questions and she needed to show that she will not be in his way."Alpha Drake, I
Talia was sitting in a booth of a fancy steakhouse, next to Drake, and pinching herself secretly under the table, to confirm this was not a dream.She would never imagine that she will find herself in a place like this, with Alpha Drake.The steakhouse had dimmed lights and a wooden interior that g
Drake spoke coldly to the doctor across the table. "Because of our relationship with this hospital, we came here first. To say that I'm disappointed is an understatement. When we return home, my dear wife and I will reconsider our future donations.""That… That…", Dr. Jones felt that her soul might
"Oh, before I forget…", Maya stirred the conversation the other way. "Don't tell anyone that you are from the Red Moon pack. The official story is that you grew up with your grandparents somewhere North and that after they passed, you came here with the goal to find a pack and we bumped into each







