Axel, Yasmin, and Meg arrived, and Talia asked the newcomers to drop the formalities before introducing Yasmin to James and Kalina.
"Did you say, she is a witch?", Kalina asked with sparkles in her eyes, reminding Talia that Kalina and Maya are magic-obsessed buddies.
So far, no one said the w-word, so Kalina didn't suspect anything, thinking that Cornelia is just a human female who caught James' attention. However, when introducing Yasmin, Talia said how Yasmin is Axel's mate and a witch. A witch!
"I told you that you will hear things and not to panic." Talia reminded Kalina. "I am actually from the Midnight Guardians pack. From there, you can reach a place where witches live, and that's from where Yasmin and Cornelia came."
Kalina gaped at Talia, unsure which one of these to process first, and then she looked at Yasmin and Cornelia who were talking in whispers. "When you say, witches, you mean spells and potions and stuff, right?"
Talia shook her head helplessly. "You can ask them."
"You found your mate!", Yasmin exclaimed, making Talia and Kalina look that way.
Kalina's brows came together when she realized that Yasmin was talking about James whose chest was puffed, resembling a peacock.
"Isn't James underage?", Kalina asked in a whisper.
"Yes. He doesn't feel the bond fully, but Cornelia can feel it."
Kalina needed a moment. This was just one bomb after another. But she knew by now that James had Talia's trust which meant that he was not really a bad kid, but… he was a kid, the future Alpha of the greediest pack in existence, and Kalina could imagine that James will have many challenges if he wants to take Cornelia home with him, yet the possibility of them separating them was equally difficult. Once werewolves become aware of their mates, their whole world shifts with the center of gravity set on the mate and Kalina felt sorry for the couple.
Sure, life in the Lightclaw pack restricted many freedoms Kalina had so far, but at least she got to be with her mate, and Tony was working hard with a promise that things will be better once he takes over as the Alpha. Kalina could see a better tomorrow coming in a foreseeable future, but with James being only sixteen years-old, he won't be an adult for another two years, and who knows how long Alpha Edward will delay giving James the Alpha position?
Before Kalina could ask more questions, the door opened, and Tony appeared.
Tony greeted the newcomers and looked at Meg with a complex expression. He didn't know she will be there. Meg was supposed to be his Beta, his second in command, but she found her mate in another pack, and the only thing Tony could say was, "It's good to see you, Meg. Is the Midnight Guardians pack treating you well?"
Meg knew not to talk about changes in the leadership in the Midnight Guardians pack until Axel and Talia make it official. "Things are great. How are things here?"
"You probably know that a storm is brewing.", Tony responded and turned to Talia who was looking at him anxiously. "My father will see you now. He told me that you get five minutes."
Talia nodded in understanding. She was grateful that she got that much. "Let's go."
Axel grabbed Talia's arm. "Where are you going?"
"To speak with Alpha Magnus. I didn't tell you everything over the phone, but the situation is not good, and we need Alpha Magnus on our side."
"I will join you.", Axel said with finality and Talia knew that he won't let her go without him.
"OK.", Talia agreed. "But please, let me handle it."
Axel agreed. "Unless he tries to bully you, I will stand on the side."
"Kalina, Meg", Talia called. "I trust that you will keep Yasmin, Cornelia, and James safe until we return."
"Just go.", Kalina said with a big smile on her face. Why was Talia so official? This was Kalina's and Tony's oasis, and no one will disturb them. But, why was Meg bowing to Talia? More questions.
Seeing that Yasmin was chattering with Cornelia and that James was listening to two witches talking, Kalina pulled Meg to the side with, "Tell me about the Midnight Guardians pack. How is life with Kai? Why didn't he come? Did you come here to visit your parents? How long are you staying? ..."
Meg looked at Kalina helplessly, unsure from where to start. But Meg was equally interested to hear what was going on in the Lightclaw pack, so she was asking questions of her own.
Alpha Magnus was alone in the study, sitting behind his executive desk when Tony arrived with Talia and Axel.
"Future Alpha Axel", Alpha Magnus greeted first without getting up. "I was not aware that you are here."
Actually, until Tony came to tell him that Talia wants an audience, Alpha Magnus didn't know Talia was there either, and he thought of giving a good scolding to his security. How can they have outsiders in the packhouse without him knowing about it?
"This is not an official visit.", Axel said.
There were two chairs in front of the desk, and Axel gestured for Talia to take a seat before he stood behind her, making him look like a guard. Tony was also standing on the side, so only Talia was sitting out of the three, leaving an empty chair next to her.
"Thank you for agreeing to see me, Alpha Magnus", Talia started with pleasantries even though the old guy technically ignored her so far. "I know you are a busy man."
"Since you know I'm busy, why don't you get to the point? I hope it's worth my time."
Talia noticed the unpleasant attitude Alpha Magnus didn't show last time. Was it because Damon was not present now? Maya and Kalina warned her that Alpha Magnus was not easy to talk to, but Talia didn't think he will be outright rude. How bad would it be if Axel was not with her? Talia pushed those questions to the side.
"This is about the upcoming Council of the Alphas. Alpha Edward requested this meeting because he is displeased that his daughter failed in becoming the Luna of the Dark Howlers pack. Alpha Edward is set on increasing his power and he wants to use the Council of Alphas to suppress Damon."
Seeing Alpha Magnus' amused expression, Talia realized that he knew all this already and he was looking at her like a child who was complaining about some petty squabble on the playground.
Talia decided to change her tactic.
"Will you stand up against Alpha Edward? Or will you allow him to use you so that he gets stronger?"
Alpha Magnus' face darkened. "No one uses me."
"I was not talking only about you, Alpha Magnus. I was talking about all Alphas that are going there without an intention to do the right thing."
"Oh? And what's the right thing to do?"
"This is an obvious case of Alpha Edward trying to use numbers in order to bully Damon. Unless you oppose it openly, your silence will support it."
