James thought how that was a possibility. With Damon attending the party, his father could ambush Damon or attack the Dark Howlers pack, or both. Without Alpha Damon, his pack was vulnerable.
In the end, it won't matter if people knew who was behind the attack on Damon, no one would dare to say a word if they succeed in eliminating him.
Damon was just one man, but he was the Alpha of the largest pack in North America. With Damon gone from the picture, it will be carnage to fight for what Damon currently controls.
"I will keep my eyes open," George said from the side. "The party preparations need manpower. I will send a few Omegas loyal to me."
"Will you attend the party if it's confirmed that Alpha Edward is planning something?" Cornelia asked as her eyes darted from Damon to Talia.
"Of course!" Talia exclaimed. "How can we miss James' birthday? Damon will attend with his Luna Talia, who is also Alpha Natalia Moonrider of the Midnight Guardians pack. It will be our debut as a mated couple. No more secrets. And if Alpha Edward tries to put a finger on Damon, he will need to go through me. If he wants war, he will find out that we are ready."
People might think that Talia was boasting, but her eyes were shimmering in silvery light, so no one dared to question her.
"Are you sure you should take a risk considering your condition?" Maya asked.
"What condition? Do you think our enemies care if it's convenient to attack?" Talia asked. "I've had enough of waiting to see from which corner enemies will slither. If we stay passive, it's only a matter of time before we fall to one of their tactics. I won't sit still and watch them hurt my friends, my pack, or my mate."
Damon puffed his chest with pride. That's his kitten!
George felt that his fighting spirit was swelling at Talia's words. It was inspirational.
George cleared his throat to get everyone's attention. "My preparations are done. I am waiting for the right time to issue an Alpha challenge to Alpha Edward."
"Don't rush," James said. "My father has many ways to deal with you outside of the Alpha challenge. Now we know someone is pulling the strings behind these attacks. It's someone powerful enough to unite rogues and Alphas. Getting rid of Alpha Edward might unleash calamity no one knows how to deal with."
"Who could be that strong?" Caden asked.
"This is not about strength, but it's about brain and resources," James responded. "Wave a piece of territory or money while coddling their egos, and they will all become lapdogs. It could be the Guardians, humans, or maybe someone we never heard of." James turned to Cornelia. "We know there are other realms, and it takes only one portal to connect them."
Maya shifted in her chair. "When you speak like that, it sounds like enemies might pop from anywhere."
"That is true," James said. "But the enemies we should fear are those among us, wearing masks of allies."
Damon was alerted. "Are you saying that someone here is a traitor?"
James shrugged. "Who knows? Anything is possible. Take me, for example. My father is proudly showing me as his heir, the next Alpha of the Red Moon pack, yet I am sitting here with you, and I didn't blink when George said he plans to kill my father. Aren't I a traitor? You can argue that my father is greedy and we are only protecting our lives and the people we care about, but in the end, there is no right or wrong. It's all a matter of perspective."
With that, James stood up and walked out.
Cornelia was unsure what to do. "Excuse him. James is under a lot of pressure lately."
She was about to get up and go after James, but Damon was faster.
"Let me talk to him," Damon said before disappearing through the door.
"George," Talia called. "I don't think you should delay challenging Alpha Edward. Make sure you get the timing right so he can't trick you or avoid fighting you. Once Alpha Edward is gone, you and Dawn will be the only Alphas there, and no one will be able to harm you. Protect your allies and provide guidance for those willing to follow you. We will help you deal with the ones that are retaliating. Just give us a heads up, so we know it's coming."
Outside…
Damon found James in the garden. He was standing next to the fountain and staring at the water that trickled to create ripples in the moonlight reflecting on the surface.
"How are you doing?" Damon asked.
"Like crap," James responded. "I don't want Cora to find out, yet I end up cracking." He turned to look at Damon. "How do you do it? How do you keep your cool with so many dangers?"
Damon puffed his cheeks. "First, talk to her. Be honest. Tell her how you feel."
"How I feel? Like a cornered rat. No matter what my plan is, I don't see how I can come out of it alive, and if something happens to me, who will protect my mate?"
"If that's how you feel, that's what you should tell her. Your mate feels your emotions, and without you explaining, she will get worried and think of unreasonable scenarios. Women do that. Besides, there is no need for you to feel cornered. There is always a solution."
"Are you talking about me becoming your Gamma?"
"Yup."
"Are you not afraid that my father will use that to attack you?"
"Nope."
"What changed?"
Damon stuffed his hands into his jeans pockets. "We are not playing undercover games anymore. We know exactly who our allies are, and everyone else is an enemy. There are no neutral parties. The latest rogue attacks show that Alpha Edward and his cronies are making their moves, and if you stay where you are, my most reliable strategist is stuck behind enemy lines. I would rather have you in my camp and use your brain to get us out of this pickle while minimizing casualties."
"How do you know I won't betray you?" James questioned with a stubbornness of a teenager.
Damon shrugged. "I believe you are a smart guy. Even if we ignore the lack of your Alpha aura, Alpha Edward always cared only about himself. He used your sister, he is neglecting your mother, and he is displaying you like you are a trophy. Everyone is a pawn in his eyes, and he gives no loyalty. Future under Alpha Edward's shadow is grim."
"And you are offering me a bright future?"
"No. I am offering you a future in which you will be my Gamma; what you will do with it is your business. I will demand your loyalty and that you perform your tasks to the best of your abilities. In return, I will ensure your basic needs are met. Outside emergencies and usual work hours, you will be free to do whatever you want, without hiding. With your mate. And the best thing..." Damon gave James a meaningful look. "I pay well."
James burst into a laugh.
'PAK!'
Damon smacked James' back with more force than necessary, and the unsuspecting teen nearly fell into the fountain.
"You should laugh more often. You are only sixteen years old, yet you are acting like a grandpa."
"I do what I need to survive," James responded.
"Then do it. Come to my side and survive. I will be waiting."
With that, Damon turned and walked back to the packhouse.
