While explaining about the Council of Alphas, James was writing down names and relevant notes that contained reasons why some people will definitely side with Alpha Edward, who will side with Damon, and who will be easily swayed.
As the names appeared on the paper, Talia recognized most of them. In the last few weeks, Talia was working as Damon's assistant, she exchanged emails with them, and with a few, she even spoke on the phone. Alpha Edward, Alpha Magnus (aka Tony's father), Alpha Richard (aka Cassie's father), and Alpha Maddox, fell into the category of Alphas that Talia saw in person.
Talia was not surprised when James put Alpha Richard in a group of hostile people.
"He doesn't like Alpha Edward, but they have a common enemy.", James said. "After the incident with Cassie at the Lightclaw pack, Alpha Richard is talking openly about how Alpha Damon is using his position to terrorize others."
Talia felt guilty about this. It was her idea for the Steelbite pack to pay tribute, and she even got Cassie's head shaved. But more than punishing Cassie, Alpha Richard was pushed into a corner, humiliated, and thirsty for revenge.
Talia couldn't accept that Tony's father will also be against Damon. James said that Alpha Magnus is greedy, and he will vote for the one who gives him the most benefits. Tony came to train with Damon, and Kalina was a good friend with Talia, but that didn't seem to compare with the monetary benefits or territory that Alpha Edward would offer.
"My father will tempt them by promising them a piece of the Dark Howlers pack's territory or resources. It's easy to give away what was not his in the first place, but those will be just empty promises. Once Alpha Damon loses his footing, my father will scheme against his allies to squirm out of those deals, and he will end up giving away only a fraction of what he originally promised."
Talia stared at James while wrapping her head around that information. "You talk like no one cares about what's right. Is it possible that everyone is just looking to backstab others?"
James chuckled. "Wake up, Alpha Talia. Idealistic people are sabotaged and eliminated, and you don't want to end up like them. No one likes a person in power that can't be controlled, and that is why Alpha Damon is the biggest problem for existing Alphas."
"What about Alpha Maddox?", Talia asked.
James shrugged. "The Blue River pack has a non-militaristic reputation, so they are not an active threat. In addition to that, they are taking in people no one wants. My father calls Mindy's charity work as taking care of trash. If the Blue River pack falls, someone will need to accept those unfortunate souls or we will risk a surge in the population of rogues. People like my father will only see them as a burden."
Talia puffed her cheeks. "I still don't understand. Damon has a strong military and he has the support of his people as well as several other packs. How can your father think that he will win?"
James leaned on the backrest of the sofa completely and stared at the ceiling while explaining, "My father will not dare to do this on his own. He will spur others to do the dirty work for him. Alphas would band against Alpha Damon a long time ago if they didn't fear retaliation because if they can't take him out in one swift swoop, heads will roll. That's why they need a show that's going to make it believable; like that, their people will stop looking at Alpha Damon as a young rebel who is doing the right thing."
James shook his head. "The ironic thing is that if my father's ploy succeeds and Alpha Damon is removed from power, Alphas will move to their next target which would be my father, but my father doesn't think that far because his eyes are stuck on Alpha Damon who is above him and only when he is left at the top he will realize that the ground under his feet is crumbling."
James turned his head to look at Talia. "Our kind is controlled by greed for power. Even if you want to fight for the greater good, you can't show that to anyone because they will use it against you."
James saw that Talia's face fell. "What? Is that too much for you?"
"I am sorry.", Talia said. "I had no idea how difficult it was growing up as the future Alpha of the Red Moon pack."
If it was a happy childhood, he wouldn't have such dark thoughts. Her heart cracked for the sixteen years-old boy who was sitting right there and talking like an old man who saw the ugly side of life and gave up on humanity.
James sat up straight and stared at Talia. They were discussing his father coming after Damon and everything he holds dear, yet Talia looked like she wanted to give James a comforting hug, and suddenly… he wanted one. But he didn't want to act on that impulse. It wouldn't be appropriate.
And before he could react, Talia scooted closer to James, invading his personal space and her arms wrapped around him. James sat still like a statue while considering his options. No one ever gave him a comforting hug. Not even his mother.
Talia's hand patted his back gently and… damn it! James' arms moved on their own around her.
"There, there…", Talia said, like she was comforting a child. "Considering how you grew up, you are a fine young man, James Redmayne. I am confident that great things are ahead of you."
James froze. Was she talking in the context of him being the future Alpha of the Red Moon pack?
He released Talia awkwardly and inched away. "You don't know what you are talking about."
Talia smiled and her eyes lit up in a silvery glow. "Did you forget that I'm the Alpha of the Midnight Guardians pack? I have mysterious powers that are telling me you will do just fine."
James had to agree that mysterious was an adjective that went great with Talia. She looked weak and fragile, yet she had the most powerful Alpha of their generation as her fated mate and James definitely noticed marks on both Talia's and Damon's neck which put them as equals. And Talia also had a circle of friends that was charged with influence and power in front of which the older generation would tremble if they only knew about it. People followed Talia and listened when she spoke, even though she didn't use anything to suppress them or announce her high ranking.
Alpha Edward was set on toppling Damon, and James had a feeling that Talia was a much greater danger compared to Damon.
James shook those thoughts away. "Let's focus and finish this before others come looking for us." And he was eager to go back to Cornelia.
