Damon felt pride swelling in his chest at the way how Talia commanded this group of Alphas.
She looked at them without shrinking and he really wanted to build the shiniest pedestal in the world and put her on it so that everyone can see how amazing she is.
Talia felt Damon's support washing over her and it reinforced her resolve not to crack.
She lifted her chin proudly and said, "I'm not the one to bully people with excessive demands, but considering the amount of trouble I would get if I fail the test, I agree with my Beta. A kneeling apology will suffice."
Seeing that Alpha Edward hesitated, Talia decided to push his buttons. "Why are you not agreeing? A minute ago, you were confident that I'm an impostor who doesn't belong here. If you are right, there won't be a need for apologies or…"
"I agree.", Alpha Edward interrupted Talia's chatter.
"Good!", Talia exclaimed. "Now I want to see who else wants me to take this test."
"Wait a minute!", Damon said from the side, making everyone look at him.
"Why are you meddling?", Alpha Edward hissed.
Damon approached the group that was now forming a circle around Talia and Meg.
"I see that you and Alpha Talia are negotiating.", Damon said without removing his gaze from Alpha Edward. "If she passes the test, she gets an apology from Alphas who doubt her, and if she fails, you get to kick her out, but I have a feeling that it should be more than just words."
Alpha Edward frowned. "What are you talking about?"
Damon stuffed his hands into his pants pockets and looked at Alpha Edward smugly. "The two of you are wasting our time. It's been hours since I left my pack to come here and I still have no idea why. And now you are arranging this play that I need to watch without any benefits. Why would I care if you and a few more get on your knees?"
Alpha Edward's face darkened. "You want benefits? Isn't it in everyone's interest to confirm that…"
'PAK!'
Talia clapped her hands loudly.
"Alpha Damon is right!", she exclaimed. "I apologize for not realizing that Alphas won't be happy with just watching without participating."
Alpha Edward looked at her like she lost her mind. "You want people to participate? Didn't we agree that not everyone needs to do the test in order to save time?"
"You already wasted so much time that a few more minutes won't make a difference.", Alpha Cristian chimed in. "Let Alpha Talia speak. I am curious about her idea especially if it will bring me benefits."
Talia gave him a grateful nod before saying, "I don't want everyone to take a test, but, how about a bet?"
"A bet?", Alpha Edward asked in confusion.
Talia raised her index finger. "One million dollars each. Every Alpha in this room gets to pick if he believes I'm the real deal or an impostor. The winning group gets their money back and splits the rest. The losers will get no money and need to kneel and apologize."
"WHAT! Are you out of your mind?", Alpha Edward shouted, but before anyone could agree with him, Maddox was already by Damon's side.
"I will play that game!", Maddox announced.
"Me too!", Alpha Cristian was quick to add.
'I sure hope you know what you are doing.', Damon's voice sounded in Talia's head. "Count me in."
Talia looked around to see other Alphas gathered in groups to discuss the pros and cons of putting their money for Alpha Edward or for Talia.
Other than Tony, none of them knew for sure if Talia was the real deal, and even Tony knew only because Axel confirmed it. But these Alphas were aware that if they put their vote on the wrong side, it will be much more than just a million dollars on the line. Most of them were contacted by Alpha Edward in advance, and since he was the one challenging Talia, their vote will confirm their loyalty.
With nothing better to do, Talia was observing the spherical device that was placed on a small pedestal, resembling a crystal ball made out of copper or some other rust-like material. It had carvings of wolves and a moon etched into it. It was beautiful.
"Alpha Talia", one Guardian said from the side. He was the one who brought the gadget. "This device measures the bond between you and your pack. We call it the Sphere of Power. For a person not belonging to a pack, it won't show any reaction." He put his hand on the item and nothing happened. "Since you are an Alpha, the amount of light will reflect how much your people believe in you."
Talia placed her hand over her chest, remembering Axel's words how she can feel the hopes and support of their pack members. Axel also said that those will amplify her strength and abilities. Was this device measuring that?
"So, only Alphas of packs can make it work?"
The Guardian shook his head. "Only leaders can make it work. You don't need to be an official Alpha of a pack. As long as people follow you, the device will react to your touch."
Talia became restless after hearing these words. Sure, she was an Alpha of the Midnight Guardians pack, but were people actually willing to follow her?
'This is brilliant!', Meg praised Talia through the mind link.
'You think so?', Talia was not sure how this will end.
'Of course!', Meg was confident. 'Once the results are out, the misogynistic bastard from the Red Moon pack will suffer a loss, and that will shake the confidence of his cronies. Why would they side with a guy who lost before the meeting even started?'
'But they will test if I'm the real Alpha.'
Meg frowned. 'Are you worried about that?'
'What if the bond between me and the pack members is not strong enough?'
Meg shook her head in disapproval. 'Don't be silly. The whole pack worships you. They all felt your power during the Alpha ceremony, and Axel is reminding them how he found his mate thanks to you, and how you will do the same for everyone else.'
Talia was not convinced. 'Even after all this time?' Sure, it was only two-three days for her, but for the Midnight Guardians pack, that was more than two months!
'Especially after all this time.', Meg said with confidence. 'Axel explained to everyone that the two of you are working on ensuring the safety of our pack members. Do you know that since you became the Alpha not a single person tried to leave without permission? And now that Axel and Yasmin returned with the baby-news, I'm sure that the crowd is going wild.'
Talia closed her eyes and felt the emotions of the Midnight Guardians pack members. They were happy and excited hopeful and… 'Thank you, Meg, for reminding me what's important.'
Meg looked at Talia smugly. 'That's what a Beta should do for her Alpha. It doesn't matter what these old farts are scheming. Just like what you told Tony, remember that you are not alone. Believe in yourself, in your allies, and in your pack. If any of them dares to give you shit and crosses the line, I will blow them away and blame it on PMS.'
Talia stifled a laugh. She was really grateful that Meg was by her side.
