Damon gave Talia's hand a squeeze, indicating that he will take over. The way this was going, they were about to blame Talia if anything goes wrong with the Red Moon pack. He knew that these people perfected the game in shifting the blame.
"You are missing the point, Elder Thomas.", Damon said stiffly. "You are not qualified to know what exactly happened between me and Miss Marcy. You should focus on things that are relevant to you. I found my fated mate. That should be a reason to celebrate, and that is why we gathered here. We will schedule Talia's Luna ceremony soon."
"What is to say that she is your fated mate?" This voice belonged to Elder Patsy who was standing up. "I am around for a long time, and I never heard of an Alpha finding his mate and procrastinating in claiming what is his."
Murmurs of agreement swelled through the event hall.
A few voices said how this was disrespect to Alpha, but they were quickly drowned by others.
Seeing that this was spiraling downwards, Damon was contemplating using his aura to suppress everyone and send them to the dungeon. But that was not a long-term solution because he couldn't kill them as they all had families within the pack. How long can he keep them locked up before their children and grandchildren complain?
Maybe he could buy an island and send them there, like retirement for Elders. When the island is set up with basic necessities, he would move pesky Elders from the dungeon there. It sounded perfect.
"I have no intention of convincing you that Talia is my fated mate or that she will be my Luna.", Damon said, making others fall into silence while wondering what he was up to.
He gave up on arguing with these old geezers, and was preparing himself to suppress them all in one swift swoop when he heard someone talking…
"But you don't need to convince us." It was Elder Samson.
Damon frowned while wondering what Elder Samson was up to, and he gave Talia's hand another squeeze to assure her that he will handle this.
Elder Samson and Elder Charlie were observing this circus unfold and were waiting for the right timing to interject.
The main goal was to stabilize the current situation. Just attacking Alpha Damon openly won't have a good ending.
Elder Samson and Elder Charlie couldn't believe how foolish other Elders were. How can they get so easily fired up just because someone spoke first? Didn't they notice that Elder Thomas and Elder Patsy were sitting and enjoying the show?
Elder Samson and Elder Charlie couldn't understand how could other Elders ignore Alphas and high-ranking individuals that were at the same table with Alpha Damon. It was obvious that Damon had the support of the Blue River pack, the Lightclaw pack, and with George there and James watching all this with amusement, Elder Samson and Elder Charlie suspected that even the Red Moon pack might have a stake in this commotion.
Just Alpha Damon could make them all kiss the ground, and with these additional people, rebelling Elders were stupid to challenge Alpha in this setting. Their strength was in utilizing their connections and stirring the masses, and this open confrontation was doomed for failure.
Elder Charlie stood up and explained the meaning behind Elder Samson's words. "We are the older generation, and we are in the back seat for some time. Everyone knows that as an Alpha you are investing in youngsters. There is nothing wrong with that approach, and as your Elders, we support you. It's good to see that our children and grandchildren are growing strong enough to carry the glory of our pack. That also means they are the ones who should accept Miss Talia as their Luna. If you can accomplish that, we will naturally follow the suit."
Damon knew that those two had an agenda. They were always scheming, and this won't be different.
"I assume you have something on your mind.", Damon said.
Elder Samson smiled knowingly. "You might be too young to remember, but we all know what kept the pack united and how your predecessors assured we know who the best choice is to lead us."
Damon had a bad feeling about this, and his instincts were proven right when Elder Samson continued.
"On every full moon, our Alpha and Luna would lead the pack run. We didn't have one since Alpha Jacob and Luna Violet passed, but now that you found your Luna, the tradition we followed for centuries can be revived." Elder Samson paused and spoke to others in the room, "Full moon is a week from now. I suggest that we all keep to ourselves what we heard tonight until we see how our Alpha and his Luna perform during the pack run."
The murmurs swelled again, and Elder Charlie waved his arms, to get everyone to quiet down. "What do you say? Should we give them a chance to prove themselves? There were times when we questioned Alpha Damon's methods, but no one can deny that he always protected the pack and worked in everyone's interest. When we leave this place, we will tell everyone how a week from now, our Alpha will lead a pack run with his future Luna. Will that be Talia or some other female, it will be Alpha Damon's decision. Our active pack members will decide if the Luna Alpha Damon brings will be accepted…"
Guests dispersed, and Maya and Caden were escorting everyone out and ensuring that no one was left lingering.
Greg, Paul, and Nate went to the Shifters nightclub with several people they met during dinner.
"Do you need me now?", Maddox asked Damon. Maddox and Tatiana were the last ones left at their table with Damon and Talia.
"No. Go and enjoy with your mate. Thanks for tonight.", Damon responded. "Your presence was the support I needed."
Damon had a feeling that most of the Elders held back because of guests from other packs. They put a lot of weight on their external image.
With their table cleared up, Doctor Travis approached them. "I'm sorry Alpha. I tried to tell them…"
"I know.", Damon interrupted him. "I appreciate your efforts but there was nothing you could do." Damon heard Travis telling Elders how what they were doing was disregarding Alpha's authority, but Elders echoed each other's displeasure and found strength in numbers.
Travis bowed toward Talia and Damon. "Congratulations on finding your Luna, Alpha. I know that Talia will be an amazing Luna."
Travis straightened his back before saying to Talia, "I'm not sure how much you know about our history, but Elders hold a decade-long grudge, and Alpha didn't punish them harshly because he is considering the whole pack. Some people call him ruthless, but only a few are aware of how hard he works for his people." Travis patched up Damon more times than he wanted to remember after fights with rogues and other enemies, and Damon would ask him to keep it low-key. "In defense of Elders, it is difficult for them to accept that their significance is fading. Most of them have only harsh words to express their frustration. No matter what Elders say, our generation supports you."
"Thank you, Travis. It means a lot to hear that from you.", Talia said and Travis smiled.
Travis wanted to say more, but he held back. This was obviously not the time for chit-chat.
"I'm sure you have a lot to discuss. I will check on the patient before heading home. If you don't hear from me tonight, you can assume that her condition is the same. If you need me for something, feel free to contact me. Anytime."
"Thank you, Travis.", Damon said, his voice showing how exhausted he was.
With Travis leaving, almost everyone was gone, and Talia turned to look at Damon.
"Why do you look like this outcome is not good?", Talia asked. How she saw it, Elders were stirring trouble, but things ended rather well. There is something they will need to do a week from now as Alpha and Luna, and everything will fall into place.
Damon looked at Talia helplessly. "Let's go to the study. Maya and Caden will meet us there."
