Tony was in the back of a modified van with his newly-appointed Beta Nate, Talia, and Meg.
The ceremony of appointing the new Alpha and Luna of the Lightclaw pack was finalized, and they didn't have much time to celebrate before they left to attend the Council of Alphas.
Talia asked Tony for a ride, and Tony offered them to all go in one of the vehicles that belong to the Alpha.
Alpha Magnus enjoyed the latest luxuries that money can buy, saying how his image reflects the image of the Lightclaw pack. Now that Alpha Magnus is retired, all those fancy toys belonged to Tony and Kalina.
Tony and Nate were facing Talia and Meg, each sitting in a comfortable leather seat reclines fully and it offers accessories that could be nicely tucked in when not in use.
Tony looked at Talia with awe.
For years, Tony was using Damon as a role model of a capable Alpha who could overcome any obstacle.
During their visit to the Dark Howlers pack, Tony was focused on his training and trying to impress Damon, like a fangirl who got a chance to spend time with her celebrity crush.
Tony never paid much attention to Talia, thinking of her as Kalina's friend, but in the last few hours, Tony realized that he made a mistake. Talia was a powerhouse. How come he didn't see it?
Even if he didn't have a sense for such things, and even if he considered Damon's care for Talia as something that mates do, Tony definitely saw that Axel and Maddox were paying close attention to Talia and everyone was gathering around her. At that time, Tony suspected that people were kind to Talia because she was Damon's mate, the future Luna of the Dark Howlers pack.
Tony cursed himself. He was wrong. He was so wrong.
Talia was right in front of him, yet he didn't see it.
What else did he miss?
This same evening, Tony listened to Talia defending him in front of his father and talking back to Alpha Magnus. That was something Tony was never able to do. Even as his parents were leaving for vacation, Tony was full of bitterness but the only thing he could do was wish them a safe trip. They will be gone by the time he leaves, and then he and Kalina will have free hands to do whatever they want, as Alpha and Luna of the Lightclaw pack. It was surreal. And it was all thanks to Talia.
But Talia did so much more than just talking. She solved his problems and she seemed so capable, and what was he? He could disregard his Alpha bloodline, but can he disregard the fact that he is a man?
Talia saved his whole pack and put them on another trajectory, one Tony feared he will ruin, but Talia assured him that he will have the necessary support to be successful.
Tony saw himself as a failure. The biggest one there is.
How was he capable of leading a pack?
"Are you worried about the upcoming meeting?", Talia asked Tony who snapped to look at her.
He was worried about much more than just a meeting, but he didn't want to admit to it. "Aren't you?"
"What's the worst that can happen?", Talia asked with a smile.
"I don't know.", Tony said with a shrug. "How about a war and our society falling apart?"
"That will happen if we don't do something about it.", Talia said. "If you didn't notice, the greedy people in power are getting more powerful, absorbing the ones that don't resist and taking forcibly the rest while regular people suffer."
"So, we fight?", Tony asked without an ounce of determination. "We are about to face hostile Alphas who have power, real power. What are our odds of winning?"
Talia didn't like Tony's deflated attitude. He didn't sound or look like an Alpha. If he was this timid, how will others follow him? Even Nate's head was lowered, and Talia was not sure if it was in fear or shame, or maybe something else.
However, Talia understood that Tony suffered from a lack of confidence. She was there, in that dark place where she felt unworthy, and Damon was the one who encouraged her to try and give her all. Maybe this was her opportunity to give a pep talk to Tony and his Beta.
"You don't need to fight if you are fine with people like Alpha Magnus and Alpha Edward telling you what to do. You have an Alpha bloodline and as long as you are obedient, your life won't be so bad. But, can you really live like that if people around you are suffering? You saw how things are in the Dark Howlers pack, and the fact that so many people are coming in daily, seeking refuge, should tell you what they want. A normal person is not interested in a fancy lifestyle and lazing around. They crave a safe environment, a roof over their heads, and a meal on the table, and they are willing to work for it. As an Alpha, you need to provide them with such conditions. So yes, when someone wants to take basic freedoms from our people, we fight."
Tony looked at Talia seriously. She spoke with conviction. Will he ever be able to match that?
"You are an Alpha now.", Talia said. "Don't you feel the connection with your pack?"
Tony placed a hand over his chest and nodded.
"Those are their feelings, their faith in you and Lina. Use it to boost your courage when you think that you reached your limits because if you give up, there will be no one else to fight for your people."
"How do you know so much?", Tony asked.
Talia smiled. "Damon showed me what it means to be an Alpha. I always thought that Alphas are about parties, bossing around, and fights. I could imagine him in a bloody fight to get his way. But after I arrived at the Dark Howlers pack, I realized that Damon is the one who wakes up at dawn and heads to his office, and then goes to the training grounds. That's the Damon outsiders don't know about because they only see him when he is out to have fun. Damon is not the smartest, the fastest, or the strongest, but he works hard, always with his people and for his people."
Talia stared into the darkness through the window and her brows came together, as she continued, "Even now, he went to that meeting, knowing that many Alphas will try to take what's his, yet he will face them and do his best. I guess that's what being an Alpha is, doing your best. I want to do what's best for my people, and for my mate. I know that I am not strong enough, and I'm definitely not smart enough, but I am not alone." She turned to look at Tony. "And neither are you. Use the will of your people to boost your determination and use your friends and allies to find the best solution and it will be alright."
"I wish I recorded this!", Meg's excited voice came from the side and after a second of silence, the whole van burst into laughter, defusing the heavy atmosphere and replacing it with a light one.
Tony and Nate looked at each other and exchanged nods while silently agreeing with Talia. They were not alone, and it will be alright.
