Talia made a face. That was James' solution?
He wanted Talia to become power-hungry and to suppress everyone who opposes her? Should she become a monster in order to fight other monsters?
At this time, Keith, Sandy, and Liam entered the living room, to see that James raised his hand, palm toward Talia, indicating to her that she should be patient and hear him out.
The newly arrived trio wondered what they missed because this seemed important. Meg waved at them to come and get some snacks.
"I know what you are going to say." James smiled at Talia meaningfully. "Do you think I would speak those words if I don't believe you can do it? This is not about you doing everything on your own. Start by looking at yourself and then look around you. You are the Alpha of the Midnight Guardians pack. I saw you healing your guard and dispelling dark magic in a mystical ritual that caused a tornado. On top of that, you lived right under my father's nose, and it's not that he didn't realize you are an Alpha, but he was not aware of you presence at all. I can see that you don't think much about yourself, however, you can't deny that you are the catalyst of many changes in our society. People gather around you and want to follow you out of their own will, and that speaks about you as a natural leader."
James gestured toward Damon while continuing to talk to Talia, "Your mate is the strongest Alpha of the current generation. Look at people you call friends and see how many of them are Alphas, high-ranking members, exceptional warriors, and let's not forget the witches." His arm tightened around Cornelia's waist. "On top of all that, you have the most brilliant mind to help you." James cockily pointed at himself. "It won't be straightforward, but if there is a way, we will find it and we will succeed without spilling unnecessary blood."
Talia's eyebrows were so high that they nearly reached her hairline. "You will help?"
"Of course.", James confirmed. "I am personally vested because I want to live with my mate in any of our realms without worry that someone will try to snatch Cora from me because she is beautiful, smart, magical, and perfect in every way possible."
Cornelia was visibly flustered, and she was confident that James could hear the way her heart thundered wildly against her ribcage.
That was not the first compliment James gave her, but now it was in front of people, and she didn't know how to respond. Should she thank him? Hug him? Kiss him? Or pretend like everything was normal?
James smirked in satisfaction when Cornelia leaned on him and he extended his hand toward Talia, waiting for a handshake.
"What do you say, Alpha Talia? Will you accept me as your ally in weeding out the power-hungry individuals who are threatening our peace so that everyone can enjoy with their mates?"
Without a delay, Talia put her hand in James' and gave it a shake, formally sealing the alliance.
James already had a few ideas. "When we go to the Silver Flame Coven, we should discuss this with the high priestess. I don't recommend that witches join us openly and expose themselves this early in the process but they could definitely provide insights and magical tools that can give us an edge…" Cornelia told him about scrolls and items imbued with magic that non-witches can use.
James was confident in his fighting abilities, and not many things scared him. However, it was undeniable that he was helpless in the face of the Alpha aura, and it would be fantastic if Cornelia could help him get his hands on an item that will make him immune to such things. He would love to stand tall when his father tries to punish him and show how he can't be controlled. Soon.
Damon looked at Talia with sparkles in his eyes. Talia's genuine surprise was cute, but her most impressive feature was that she was not aware of how amazing she was.
Even before Damon became the Alpha of the Dark Howlers pack, numerous eyes were on him, waiting for the opportunity to strike and take him down, and now that he revealed Talia was his fated mate, the amount of dangers increased several folds. Damon was painfully aware that he will need a good strategist, and he was trying to come up with a solid plan to reel in James to his side, yet Talia got James to volunteer his services; just like that. And the best part was that it all sounded like it was James' idea.
Damon realized that none of this would happen without Talia. They wouldn't be here, because the Midnight Guardians pack doesn't welcome outsiders. They wouldn't be aware of witches without Talia opening the portal, and that meant that James wouldn't find his mate, nor become their ally.
Before dinner, per Talia's request, Axel and Talia went to the study.
They entered the study that Alpha Isaac and Alpha Sophia used. It was spacious to accommodate a sitting area and two massive desks.
Talia sat on the sofa and Axel realized that Talia didn't consider this study as her own. Well, she never used it, and since Talia was absent, Axel claimed one of the desks, and the other one was used sporadically by Yasmin, Meg, Kai, and Tyler.
Axel scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
"We should talk about this office. Do you want us to share an office, or should I arrange a separate space for you?" He paused when he realized how that was not right. "Actually, you should keep this office, and I will get another one for me. One desk will be removed..." He stopped talking when he realized that Talia didn't approve. "Or do you want new furniture? Is that it? We can arrange for..."
"Axel", Talia called, interrupting his chatter. "I wanted to talk to you about something else."
Axel moved to sit on the sofa, next to Talia, and he looked at her, silently telling her to go ahead.
"I thought about this a long time, so please, don't interrupt me until I'm done.", Talia started. She took a deep breath. "We had a pack run where Damon announced me to the Dark Howlers pack as his fated mate and as his Luna. I realized that there is a lot of things to do, and I don't think I will be able to give the Midnight Guardians pack the time and attention it deserves. I want you to be the Alpha of the Midnight Guardians pack."
Axel's expression didn't change. "Are you done?"
"What?"
"You said that I shouldn't interrupt you until you are done, so I'm asking, are you done?"
"Yes. I'm done.", Talia confirmed.
"No."
Talia was lost. Did he say that she was not done? It didn't sound right. "What do you mean, no?"
"I said, no. You can't give your Alpha position to me."
"Why?"
"Because I don't want it.", Axel said with finality.
"But I can't…"
"Being an Alpha is not about the time. It's about the heart."
Talia was totally confused. "What?"
