Talia's smile froze as she realized that Alpha Magnus was looking at her with a smug expression.
He assumed that she stopped talking because she was out of arguments, unaware of her exchange with Damon that just transpired.
Another wave of anger simmered in Talia, this time with a dose of determination, and she asked Liseli to block those turbulent emotions from reaching Damon. He had a lot on his plate already, and Talia wanted to deal with this herself. If she can't handle one Alpha, how can she stand by Damon's side and challenge many?
Talia couldn't believe that Alpha Magnus would be so aloof to the consequences of his selfish actions. It's not that he didn't care about his pack, but he didn't care about anyone other than himself.
Talia knew that she could suppress Alpha Magnus with a thought and force him to obey her, but was violence the only solution? Was this the time to be picky about methods to achieve goals and prevent an incoming calamity?
She needed to calm down and think this through because if she acted recklessly she will be the cause of a war, yet she came here to prevent one.
Talia could feel the will of the Midnight Guardians pack. They supported her with the hope that she will lead them into a better future, and Alpha Magnus was the prime example of a man who would sell them out to the highest bidder without blinking. Heck! He would probably enslave her people so that he can use their powers for his benefit!
Alpha Magnus was looking down at Talia and she hated it. Behind that desk was not an Alpha of a pack. That was another bully, a person who wouldn't hold back from harming others in order to get what he wants, but… was she any better?
Talia was never so conflicted.
Wasn't she considering doing whatever it takes in order to get her way? Didn't that make her a bully in someone's eyes? Just as she believed that her cause was right, Alpha Magnus believed that there was nothing wrong with his actions. On the other hand, they were werewolves, where power rules. What's the use of her powers if she won't use them for herself? She consoled herself that it was not only for herself.
Everyone in the Lightclaw pack suffered because Alpha Magnus was selfish and narrow-minded, and that pack was not the only one. Talia knew about the situation in the Red Moon pack, and after her experience in the Dark Howlers pack, she understood why people were seeking refuge under Damon's protection.
Normal people didn't want to live in a place where they will be oppressed and forced to bow their heads while a handful of people enjoys a lavish lifestyle.
Damon showed Talia how an Alpha works hard for his pack, and that he will fight when needed. Damon didn't kiss anyone's ass, he didn't host parties, and their packhouse was not encased in gold and silk. Because of his efforts and sacrifices, everyone in the Dark Howlers pack could live with dignity, regardless of their status or job. It was not perfect, far from it, but Damon did the best he could, and people supported him. Talia admired him immensely.
As a stark contrast, Alpha Magnus was sitting behind that desk and mocking Talia because she came to him with a request to do the right thing without bringing gifts. Unacceptable!
With this, Talia's resolve firmed. She will do the right thing for herself, for Damon, and for everyone who wants to live freely.
'Liseli', Talia called. 'Open the mind-link with the Midnight Guardians pack. I want to talk to Axel and… hold down Alpha Magnus. I don't want him to move or to say a word.'
Liseli didn't respond, but Talia felt her approval and the surge of energy that froze Alpha Magnus in the spot.
'Axel!'
Axel jolted when Talia's voice sounded in his head, and if they were not facing a serious situation of an uncooperative Alpha Magnus, Axel would jump with joy, and probably give her a hug. Her voice in his mind meant that she accepted the mind-link and their pack. THEIR pack. He finally got his sister back, and he was happy.
'Did you bring what I asked you to?', Talia asked.
Axel knew what she was talking about. 'Yes.'
Other than the token representing the Alpha of the Midnight Guardians pack, Axel also brought several doses of concoction that erases short-term memory.
Axel explained to Talia that the concoction was something that Cassandra came up with, as a way to deal with the accidental witnesses of powers that members of their pack possess. Whoever leaves the Midnight Guardians pack would carry at least one syringe with him in order to conceal the existence of their abilities. Also, there were cases when spies would follow them with the goal to find the entrance into the territory of the Midnight Guardians pack, and the memory-erasing potion came in handy more than once.
As for why Talia needed so many, those were part of Talia's backup plan, in case things go really wrong in the meeting of Alphas. She would make them forget what happened and use suggestions to convince them that Alpha Edward is the bad guy who shouldn't have their support.
Other than Cassandra and a few of her helpers, no one knew how to make those, so Talia thought that even if she uses it on Alphas in the Council, no one will suspect her because no one was aware of such a thing as a memory-erasing potion.
Talia had no intention of defeating Alpha Edward by cheating. However, she was determined to cut off the assistance he would get to pressure Damon. When she put it in the context of protecting what's dear to her, an act of erasing the short-term memory of a dozen Alphas was acceptable.
Unfortunately, the Council of the Alphas was only a few hours away, yet she had a mountain of tasks to complete, and if she was not careful it could all blow up in her face. Big time!
Talia already held Alpha Magnus in place, and she wanted to know who will support her.
'Axel', Talia called through the mind-link. 'How far will you go to get this settled?'
'Do you plan on killing Alpha Magnus?', Axel asked stiffly.
Talia was surprised that Axel went to that extreme. 'I hope it won't come to it.'
'I don't know what you are planning, but I've got your back, Talia.', Axel said with amusement in his voice as he added, 'Keep in mind that we can't erase the memory of the whole pack. I have only fifteen doses.'
Talia was touched by Axel's support. He really was a doting older brother. 'I don't want to erase the memory of everyone. Just one will do.'
