Since Meg left with Kai, Tony sat next to Kalina, on the spot where Meg used to sit.
"How was the training?", Mindy asked Tony to what Tony groaned.
"Could have been better?", Kalina could feel Tony's foul mood behind that crooked smile.
"It could have been better.", Tony admitted. "My body took a beating, but what's really bruised is my ego. I knew it was bad, but I never imagined it's this bad."
Kalina put her hand on Tony's and gave him a squeeze. "Bruises will heal, and you will do better next time."
Tony couldn't stop himself from smiling at Kalina's encouragement. "What would I do without you?"
Kalina hummed ambiguously and leaned into Tony's embrace. "How about I join you for the next training?"
Tony wanted Kalina with him, but he didn't want her to see him as a failure. "Let's talk about it later."
Tony really liked the way Kalina looked at him, like he was the most amazing man in the world, and he feared that might change if she sees his pitiful performance. If they didn't establish a solid schedule for the whole week, Tony would probably look for ways to avoid what's coming in the next days.
Paul, Greg, Nate, Caden, Axel, and Tyler also found seats.
The foldable tables could accommodate four people each, but they were placed so close that big umbrellas above were touching to give uninterrupted shade, so it looked like they were all together.
With everyone present, Omegas started bringing already plated dishes for everyone. Dawn, Zina, Ivy, and Lily were among the servers.
Dawn and Zina couldn't stop throwing glances at Talia and Damon.
Now that they knew Talia is their future Luna, two Omegas were bursting from the desire to tell everyone how Talia is important and they saw her first and they are friends and they even went drinking together! But Talia told them that it should be kept low-key for now, so Dawn and Zina suppressed those urges.
Talia felt awkward to have her friends work while she sits, but everyone else was acting normally, so she reminded herself to go with the flow.
If she grew up in a normal environment, Talia would know that friendships don't count when it comes to performing duties within a pack. Everyone has a role, and only by sticking to it, their pack can function and prosper.
Omegas were used to serving high-ranking members and doing menial jobs. Actually, they saw it as their way to contribute.
In this case, as a bonus, Omegas were getting unobstructed access to the VIP area while others get to watch, and after their work was done, others would swarm them with the hope to hear some juicy gossip. It made them feel important.
But the best benefit for today was that once they clean up after lunch, for the rest of the afternoon, they only needed to ensure there is a steady stream of chilled beverages and snacks which means there will be plenty of time for them to enjoy this slice of VIP heaven.
Dawn and Zina asked Talia if it will be OK for them to take a swim and relax on the beach during breaks, and when Talia confirmed, Dawn and Zina were delighted. Of course, they will stay on the side and not intrude on the activities of the VIP guests, but the fact that they can linger in that area was a big deal.
Working in the packhouse came with many perks, like eating special food and overhearing what high-ranking members of the pack are up to. Even without eavesdropping, Dawn and Zina knew when their Alpha is entertaining guests, who is visiting, and when he is away. However, this was in the open for everyone to see, so Dawn, Zina, and other Omegas served food with their chins raised high, like they were doing something really-really important.
Ivy and Lily never had a chance to experience these perks. Alpha Magnus and Luna Alicia are very strict about everyone staying in their lane. For Ivy and Lily, the idea of relaxing in the VIP area after the cleanup was something they were looking forward to with excitement.
Talia looked at the simple yet light dishes, perfect for the beach. There was soup, salad, rice with steamed vegetables, fish, and ice cream for dessert that was garnished with fresh fruits.
"Should we send food for Meg and Kai?", Talia asked Damon.
Damon's lips lifted into a wicked smile. "Trust me, the last thing on their minds is lunch."
Talia knew he was implying naughty things and her cheeks got a rosy tint, but her gaze didn't waver. "You could have said that it's not necessary."
Damon chuckled. "Isn't that what I said?"
Talia pouted. He knew very well what she meant! "It's impossible to talk to you seriously."
"Then, don't talk. You can always…"
Damon's next words were interrupted by Talia's kiss.
It was just a peck on the lips, but it was enough for Damon's eyebrows to shoot up in surprise.
He was quick to pull her closer and return that kiss with interest. His kitten was getting bolder by the day, and he had no intention to pass on the opportunity to get a taste of her.
…
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...
In the crowd on the beach…
Lisa was sitting on a towel and looking at the VIP area with a sour expression while ignoring five young women who were in a group with her.
Those five young women were Lisa's friends who would hang out whenever Lisa visited the Dark Howlers pack in the past, but now that Tony found his mate and abandoned Lisa, Lisa didn't want to mingle with anyone. Her old friends reminded Lisa that she is a used shoe left by the side of the road, and Lisa hoped that no one will recognize her.
So, how did Lisa end up with them?
Lisa left the apartment after telling her mother a lie that she will meet up with her friends. On her way to the beach, Lisa bumped into Ester and four more girls, and Lisa couldn't avoid them with another lie because she had a beach towel over her shoulder, just how Ester and four other girls had. Well, the good part was that Lisa really ended up with her friends, so she technically didn't lie to her mother.
And here was Lisa, on the beach, with five other girls who knew that Lisa used to date Tony and that Kalina is now in the place that Lisa used to hold.
Tony wouldn't take Lisa to official functions, but when it was just hanging out with friends, Lisa would accompany him. Lisa had many selfies as proof of such occasions, and she posted them on her social media account.
"Are you still thinking about Anthony from the Lightclaw pack?", a female voice reached Lisa. It was Ester. "He is the future Alpha, and she is his mate. By looking at them, you are only torturing yourself, Lisa. Or are you planning for more than looking? Unless you strap a bomb to yourself and jump in there, you won't be able to touch them with all the security."
That got Lisa's attention. "Security?"
Ester gestured with her chin toward the VIP area. "Most of the guys surrounding that area are warriors. If you try to get close without permission, they will block you."
Lisa pressed her lips into a line, unsure how to respond. What should she say? That she came here to confront Tony?
They dated for years and then Tony found his mate and acted like Lisa never existed. Even now he was huddled with Kalina at the table and talking to others. He used to say that his sense of smell was superb, how come he couldn't pick up Lisa's scent? Lisa wondered if Tony was ignoring her on purpose or if he was really not aware of how close she was.
What was Lisa hoping to achieve? She was not sure herself, but she knew that she couldn't leave it at this. She needed some kind of closure. Tony should give her comfort, compensation, or at least an explanation. Tony was her everything and they had plans, and then he moved on easily, leaving Lisa on her own to be ridiculed by everyone.
If her so-called friends knew what was on Lisa's mind, they would probably think that she was crazy, but Lisa was confident that by being patient, she will get her chance to approach Tony.
Lisa dejectedly observed the whole VIP area that was only a few steps away, yet it seemed like miles were separating them.
Lisa's mood was fluctuating from bad to worse.
She saw that Maya arrived first with Kalina, Meg, and Mindy. Omegas welcomed them like they were royalty.
Lisa also saw that Damon, Talia, Maddox, and Tatiana made appearances that stirred the crowd. How can two nobodies accompany Alphas, yet Lisa was ignored?
Next, Lisa saw Caden arriving with Tony and four other guys, and it turned out that Meg… a plain Jane from the Lightclaw pack found her mate who is actually the future Beta of the Midnight Guardians pack!
Maybe others didn't know who Meg is, but Lisa spent years in the Lightclaw pack, and she knew very well four faces that came with Tony and Kalina.
Watching all this from the sidelines made Lisa's insides churn painfully.
Tony and Kalina were whispering something, Maddox was hovering around Tatiana, Damon was lovey-dovey with Talia, other people were cheery and ate with smiles on their faces… and what about Lisa?
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