Damon and Cristian exchanged quick glances like they were confirming if they heard the same thing.
The Silverfur pack was placed on to the East of the Dark Howlers pack, and it also shared a border with the Spring Leaf pack.
"No need for such a reaction," Alpha Adam said. "I am just trying to get more information. Are there some conditions I need to fulfill? Is there any transaction between you to keep this open-borders policy afloat?"
"You want to open your borders to our packs?" Damon was visibly surprised. Damon thought Alpha Adam would ask about Jade, and the conditions for releasing her from forced-labor punishment that was documented by the WW Magazine, and not discuss an alliance.
Alpha Adam pressed his lips into a line. "Is that so unexpected? Everyone would be attracted to the possibility of not needing to guard a certain stretch of the border. With fewer patrols needed, I can strengthen the ones along borders facing rogues and ease the load my warriors have. If we make this work, your two packs and the Blue River pack will be my allies. Even if you don't like me, you will come to my aid because if my territory is breached, it means that enemies can come to you easily." He glanced at Tony. "As a bonus, I am on good terms with Alpha Peter of the Evenfang pack. The South side of his territory borders the Lightclaw pack, and we could be the bridge to Alpha Anthony joining this alliance."
Damon couldn't believe this. It's not that just Alpha Adam wanted in, but he was negotiating for Alpha Peter too!? Alpha Peter was a bit older than Alpha Adam, but they were the same kind, both officially neutral and watching only for their own interests.
How Damon saw this, opening up borders to them would be an invitation to disasters on many levels.
"This is an interesting offer, Adam," Cristian said calmly. "We will consider it. However, as you know, we can't make that decision without involving Alpha Maddox; before we decide on anything, we will conduct a thorough investigation that must end with positive conclusions from all parties involved. If Alpha Peter is interested in opening up his borders, maybe the two of you should consider such a deal before you join our negotiating table. If you approach us to join as you are now, we will look at each of your packs individually."
The Spring Leaf pack was not the biggest, strongest, and definitely not the wealthiest, and they didn't have any hidden weapons either. The position of the Spring Leaf pack was secured by negotiating ability of Alpha Cristian. He was an Alpha, but he could read the room and navigate the conversation with such skill that he could slam a refusal into someone's face without offending the other party.
Considering that Alphas were known for their explosive temper and pushing their agenda at any cost, Alpha Cristian was an odd one.
Alpha Adam nodded while Cristian was talking, and then he left, pleased with the response.
"Are you serious about considering those two?" Damon asked when Alpha Adam was out of earshot.
Cristian shrugged. "Who knows? Let him play with Peter, and we will see how that turns out." Seeing Damon's obvious disapproval, Cristian asked, "Weren't you the one who spoke about a dream of unifying all our territories? I remember a speech about how that would eliminate rogues and allow us to move freely, which will also increase chances of our people finding their fated mates."
Damon said those things, but those were Talia's ideas. At that time, people didn't know that Talia was his mate, so Damon spoke in her place. It was her dream for everyone to live in peace, and Damon wished for the power to make it come true. Unifying territories of three packs was a step forward, but it was far from the end goal.
Tony released a long breath. "I wish my territory is closer to yours." They were allies, but Tony shared borders not only with the Evenfang pack but also with the Red Moon pack, and that was a big headache. If Alpha Edward attacked, Tony would be defeated before any reinforcements arrived.
"Me too," Damon said honestly.
It's not that Damon was buddy-buddy with Tony, but the Lightclaw pack was closest to the portal to the Midnight Guardians pack. If they could connect their borders, it would be easier for everyone to move around.
Unfortunately, Damon didn't trust Alpha Adam and Alpha Peter. If they opened borders with them, it meant that those two would know about witches and abilities, and Damon was not ready to share that information with the world; No one was ready for that, yet Damon could feel that a storm was coming.
Cristian's eyes lost focus for a moment. "My patrols caught some movements." He glanced to check the time. It was not time to end the party, but it was not early either. "I will get the kids out of here."
Cristian issued several commands through the mind-link, and the band stopped playing music.
Cristian went to the stage and took the microphone. "I want to thank everyone for coming here tonight to celebrate Ashton's sixth birthday. I'm glad to see you are having fun, but I must remind you that we have kid-friendly activities in the morning that start at seven o'clock. I will leave it to parents to decide when to put their children to sleep. We want you fresh and energized because we will build rafts and have a race on the river."
"YEAH!" A bunch of kids screamed, making grownups burst into laughter.
Cristian thanked everyone again, and the people started dispersing.
Guesthouses had tight security, so they were safe from the rogues. With most of the members of the Spring Leaf pack in shelters, the people left in the area were warriors and high-ranking members who were aware of the situation.
Ashton was reluctant to leave Talia's side, but he left with Luna Michelle's parents after Talia promised to watch him during the raft-building activity.
When Ashton was out of sight, Talia's smile faltered, and she looked at Damon with concern. 'What's going on, Damon?' She didn't have the pack mind-link, but she knew the plan, and the fact that kids and most of the grownups left, told her that something was happening.
'We have confirmed sightings of rogues,' Damon responded through their mind link. 'Do you want to go…'
'I'm staying with you,' Talia responded with finality.
Damon was now by her side. He cupped her cheeks with his palms and looked at her with all the concern in the world. "Kitten…"
"No, Damon. I am not backing out from this. I know what you are going to say. I am aware of the dangers, and I am aware of my condition. You might think I'm foolish, but I want to remind you of the fact that whenever something bad happened, we were apart. We need to stay together, Damon."
Damon frowned in disapproval, but he knew she was right. If it were up to him, he would ask her to go into a shelter, but that was not Talia. Even before she knew they were mates and that she had powers, Talia didn't go to a shelter. His kitten was always in the middle of a fray. Reckless kitten. His kitten.
Damon leaned to peck her lips. "Stay close to me."
Talia wrapped her arms around him. "There is no other place I would rather be."
Damon exhaled in defeat, and then he kissed her again.
