Talia looked at the paper that Alpha Sophia and Alpha Isaac signed with their blood. It was the written agreement to hand over their Alpha position to Talia.
Her thoughts wandered toward Damon. He was always telling her that she will be a wonderful Luna, and she didn't think she is Luna material, or that she will have the courage to step into the spotlight and be a leader, yet here she was, about to become an Alpha... without him.
'We are doing this for mate.', Liseli reminded her.
'I know.' But it didn't mean she didn't miss him immensely, every heartbeat came a bit empty because he was not there.
Talia hoped that this will pass without incidents. She was nervous, but more than that, she wanted to be done with this so they can head to the portal and seek witches.
Cassandra stepped forward, to address the people gathered.
"My fellow pack members", Cassandra said, her voice was not loud, but she was talking to a pack of werewolves, and they could hear her clearly. "Just like seasons take turns in nature, and new replaces old, we reached the point for new to replace old in our pack."
People shuffled and murmured, and Cassandra continued.
"We gathered here to show respect to the Alpha pair that led us so far, and to welcome the new generation."
No one said a word, but the tension was tangible. They obviously didn't expect this.
Axel felt that a commotion might erupt at any moment and he stepped forward to speak while the situation was manageable.
"You know me, and you know my parents. They decided to step down..."
"Did you find your mate?", someone couldn't contain his curiosity from the side.
"No."
"Then, how can you take over the Alpha position?", another voice was heard, and murmurs followed.
Talia stood next to Axel. She didn't want this to become a circus and Liseli agreed.
"Silence!", Talia exclaimed, and her voice echoed a few times. "I will be the new Alpha. Axel will lead this pack with me. Not as mates, but as partners." It would be simpler if she claimed the Alpha position as Axel's sister, but that would bring more questions and she didn't want to be associated with Alpha Isaac and Alpha Sophia.
Chatter swelled. Questions and doubts, mostly on the topic of how can they be partners if they were not mates, and does that mean they won't awaken their powers? No one would accept leaders without powers in a world where the strongest ones sit at the top.
Talia lifted her chin defiantly and released her aura on the crowd that suddenly descended into silence again under her pressure.
"As you can see, I am Alpha. From today onward, I will be the Alpha of the Midnight Guardians pack.", Talia said with confidence. "Axel will work with me as an equal, and in my absence, he will be my proxy. Kai and Meg will be our Betas, and Tyler will be Gamma." Talia turned to glance at Alpha Isaac, Alpha Sophia, and their Betas and Gammas. "The previous leadership will stay in the main house, and provide guidance when needed. It will be a process, but we are all committed to a smooth transition so that you are not impacted negatively."
Alpha Sophia and Alpha Isaac smiled stiffly. They knew very well that this whole staying in the main house was just Talia's way of keeping an eye on them. They will technically be under house arrest, and without their powers, they will be helpless. The only thing they had was their authority, and Talia was effectively taking it away.
"Why so sudden?", someone asked.
"This is not sudden.", Talia responded, and Axel shot her a side-glance while hoping that she knew what she was saying. They didn't prepare for this.
Talia met Axel's eyes with a smile that told him she's got this, and then she spoke to the crowd that gathered, "I spent quite some time in the outside world, and Axel was visiting me. We discussed the challenges everyone here is facing and we are planning to introduce some changes. Our first priority is to ease the restrictions on you leaving this territory. We know that many of you are unmated, and your instincts are urging you to get out and find your other half. Please, bear with it for a bit longer. Axel and I are determined to come up with safety protocols and measures so that you can go out and minimize the risk of exposure…"
Axel's lips lifted into a smile when he saw their people nodding with sparkles in their eyes. Talia asked about the pack, and he spoke about the difficulty of finding mates because his parents are prioritizing security over everything else. He didn't know that Talia will use that to pacify people. As far as he could see, there was not a single frown in the audience.
Axel looked at Talia in awe. She was the true leader, an Alpha, and he was proud that she was his sister.
"Alpha Sophia and Alpha Isaac agree with our plans, and that is why they signed the document in which they are passing their positions to us.", Talia said while holding the parchment paper high up in the air, for everyone to see. "If you have any objections, speak now. If you have any questions, leave them for later because Cassandra is eager to commence the ritual."
The clamor of approval and chuckles was heard, and Talia and Axel stepped back to stand on Cassandra's right.
Alpha Isaac and Alpha Sophia stood on Cassandra's left and the ceremony started.
Cassandra was chanting and singing, and sometimes snorting while waving her arms around the flames. She would throw things that her helpers passed into the fire, and colorful sparks flew in the air.
"New Alpha needs to use his ability on the fire. Depending on how the fire reacts, it will predict how successful the ruling will be.", Axel spoke to Talia in a hushed voice.
Talia's insides tightened. Why didn't he say this earlier? What successful ruling?
She had no desire to be the Alpha of the Midnight Guardians pack. This was just to get Alpha Sophia and Alpha Isaac off their thrones, and she had every intention to let Axel be the star of the show. Her plan was that as soon as Axel finds his mate, Talia would hand over everything to him officially.
'Don't worry about these small things.', Liseli spoke in Talia's mind. 'Let me handle the fire.'
Talia released the breath she was holding. 'Thanks.' She was really grateful to have a wolf like Liseli.
The signed parchment flew in the fire last and it was time for Talia to use her ability.
Talia extended her hands with palms facing the fire, and Liseli did her thing.
Talia's palms shimmered in silver light that shot straight for the fire. The flames twisted and turned unnaturally before extending up, up, up… and then the flames silently exploded to create wonderful fireworks in reds, blues, and greens that were clearly visible in broad daylight.
Gasps of awe were heard from the people and Talia could feel invisible bonds forming between her and every person present. It was like they could feel each other. They were one. It was surreal.
Talia was looking up at the colorful display, and her eyes filled with tears as memories of her sitting on the lap of a cheeky Alpha resurfaced. He held her gently in a solid embrace, and he pressed her palm against his bare chest. He said how she should get used to touching him while his gaze peered into her soul and made butterflies go crazy in her stomach.
This was the first time for Talia to see fireworks without Damon. She missed him immensely.
"All hail Alpha Talia, the Alpha of the Midnight Guardians pack!!!", Cassandra shouted. "May the Moon Goddess grant her the wisdom so that her ruling brings us many years of prosperity with Alpha Axel by her side!!!"
The crowd erupted in cheers and howls, and Talia could feel their approval and hope.
Axel took Talia's hand into his and turned her to face their people.
"LONG LIVE ALPHA TALIA!", Axel shouted over the clamor.
He lifted his arm together with Talia's, and the noise became so loud that the ground shook.
"LONG LIVE ALPHA TALIA! LONG LIVE ALPHA TALIA!", the pack members chanted enthusiastically.
Talia held her breath. For better or for worse, it was done.
