Anxiousness and guilt were swelling in Axel about the things that were yet to happen. He had to try something. Anything.
"Wouldn't it be better if we try to build a good relationship with Alpha Damon? Didn't you tell me that he is trustworthy? As the most powerful Alpha, he can help hide our secret, or maybe we don't need to hide anymore under his protection."
"Your idealism is admirable, Axel. But history teaches us that powerful ones seek more power.", Alpha Sophia said. "People easily get drunk on power and think they became gods."
Axel couldn't deny that, but… "What about Talia? Did you forget that she might be the child from the prophecy? She won't approve of this. They are mates."
"No one will know.", Cassandra said. "Talia is sleeping, and this will be done by morning. Even if she suspects that something is off, she won't know what's going on. When Alpha Damon awakens, we will say that we did all we could."
"You mean, IF he awakens.", Axel hissed.
"Mortality rate is very low. I believe he will survive.", Cassandra responded.
"Don't argue with him.", Alpha Isaac said to Cassandra. "Start with preparations and let us handle Axel."
Cassandra nodded and got busy with some things, and Alpha Isaac turned to Axel. "As an Alpha, you need to put your pack first."
"I understand your point but that doesn't mean I agree with it."
Alpha Isaac frowned. "Are you opposing us?"
Axel exhaled in frustration. "Why is it always with you or against you? Why can't we explore other possibilities before doing something drastic?"
Alpha Sophia took Axel's hand in hers and gave him a squeeze. "Being an Alpha is an honor and responsibility. You should know when it's time to think, and when you need to act decisively. Your father and I did many things we didn't like personally, but our pack is safe and that's what matters."
"Talia… Talia…", Meg's urgent voice sounded, and Talia mumbled as she was shaken awake. "Snap out of it. We need you. Damon needs you."
Talia coughed at the sour smell that invaded her senses. What was that? She blinked once, twice, and then her eyes sprang open. "What's going on with Damon?"
It took her a moment to realize that Meg and Axel were in her room. How did she find herself here? Did she fall asleep on the chair next to Damon?
Talia's mind was fuzzy ever since she arrived at that Dark Howlers pack and she wondered if they did something to her. She was trying to figure out their current situation, and find how to leave this place, but it was difficult to focus.
Meg opened her mouth to speak, but Axel put his hand on Meg's shoulder, indicating that he will explain.
'THUD!'
Talia was shocked when Axel plopped on his knees.
"Please, forgive me, Talia. I didn't think it will come to this."
Talia didn't get it. "What happened? Is Damon alright?"
"He is fine, but not for long.", Axel said. "They are afraid that he is too powerful, and they want to suppress him with a procedure that can cripple him. We need to hurry."
Talia swallowed hard. Was this really happening?
A strange sense of calm descended on her like she was watching all this and it didn't involve her.
'We need to hurry!', Liseli spoke in Talia's mind, and Talia could feel panic swelling within her.
'Wait. Wait. They lied and manipulated us from the beginning.' And it was all her fault. 'Acting without thinking will only get us in more trouble.'
'But what if he is right?', Liseli asked.
'I'm not saying Axel is lying. I just want to understand the situation first. The last thing we want is to break some rules and give them a reason to imprison us. We are strong, but we don't know how many of them are out there and what they can do.'
Liseli agreed with this.
"I assume you have a plan.", Talia said.
"It's not much, but…", Axel swallowed hard. "Tyler will cut off the security feed. That should buy us a few minutes. Meg will blast that place open and make a mess, and you will take Damon out. Kai is waiting outside to lead you to a hiding place. You will need to stay low for some time while we leave trails as if you are going for the portal. Once the coast is clear, we will help you get out."
"You want me to take Damon and hide? But he is unwell.", Talia said.
"I will give you medicine we use to stabilize the newly awakened ones. I don't know if it will work and to what degree, but if we leave him where he is now, he will definitely be harmed."
Talia looked at Axel skeptically. Other than wanting her to come to the Midnight Guardians pack, he didn't show willingness for anything else. Was this a plot to get her in trouble? Or to get Damon in trouble? And there was also... "Won't this get you in trouble?"
"Not if we do this right.", Axel said. "The official version is that you went to see Damon and suspected that something is wrong, so you caused a commotion which triggered his ability and things exploded. My parents are set to keep this a secret, so only Cassandra is there, and you will inject her with this…" Axel showed a syringe in his hand. "This causes a short-term memory loss and the person becomes susceptible to suggestions, so Cassandra will confirm the story how it was only you and Damon, and that you are running to the portal."
Talia pressed her lips into a line. "Your parents want to harm Damon?"
Axel exhaled helplessly. "Please, understand. They believe that they are doing what's best for the pack."
"And you?", Talia asked stiffly. "Why are you doing this?"
"I won't be able to sleep peacefully knowing that a person was harmed when there was a chance for another way."
Somehow, Talia could feel his sincerity and she knew he meant it.
Talia smiled a little and cupped Axel's cheek with her palm. "You are going to be a good Alpha, Axel."
"There is no need for formalities between us, Talia. I think of you as my sister.", he blurted out.
"That's sweet.", Talia said honestly. "Family is not defined by blood connections. Family is made of people who stand by your side when you need it."
Axel wanted to say how he believes that she really is his sister or at least half-sister, but before he could say anything, Talia jumped on her feet and asked, "How do we do this?"
And just like that, Axel's opportunity to tell Talia his theory was gone.
"We need to catch Cassandra by surprise. She has ways to prevent us from acting.", Meg said. She was nervous but also excited to do this. Meg was training for months (literally), and this will be the first chance for her to use her abilities for real. But she also didn't want to hurt Cassandra, at least not seriously, so she will need to control her power. "Tyler is waiting for us to give him a sign to shut down the security feed…"
"Do you have security in the room?", Talia asked.
Axel shook his head. "Not in the room. They don't want to leave records about what's going on in there. But there are cameras in the hallways. Tyler cut off the feed temporarily so that Meg and I can come here. I will go and distract my mother while you take Damon out." He glanced at Meg. "Remember to use mind-link only in emergencies and talk in code. My parents might be listening."
"You will be with your parents?", Talia didn't like this. "Wouldn't it be better if you come with us and help us carry Damon?"
Axel shook his head. "My mother has the ability to see things. That's why even though there are no cameras, she knows what's going on in restricted areas. She is watching."
Talia shuddered at this. She had a feeling of eyes on her, but she didn't see anything.
Axel was still explaining, "My mother's ability requires full focus, and she needs to know where to look. I will be with her and distract her until Meg and Tyler confirm that you made a safe distance from here. Stay in the hideout. Don't come out until one of us tells you it's safe. You will have water, food, and blankets there…"
