In the study…
George, Dawn, Talia, and Damon discussed the latest developments. They couldn't communicate openly during the event, so it was important to figure out as much as possible in advance.
Cassie brought information about Alphas and rogues plotting an attack during James' birthday party with an intention to snatch Talia. This was not a surprise for anyone, and it matched what they knew before. The surprising part was that Cassie's information was legitimate.
Damon, Talia, Maddox, Cristian, and Tony collaborated in the last two weeks. They decimated rogues, cut underground supply chains that moved between several packs, and captured spies that resided in their territories. Did that make a difference? To what extent? No one had answers to these questions.
James said he would snoop around areas where his father might keep sensitive data, but Damon advised against it. If James got caught, a lot of things would be exposed. James was their hidden trump card in this mess that could erupt into a full-blown war if they were not careful.
"The most efficient thing will be to eliminate Alpha Edward," George said, allowing some of his Alpha aura to leak in a show of determination.
Damon agreed, but… "Didn't you say that he set up fail-safes? In case something happened to Alpha Edward, sleeper cells will act."
"I worked with James to take care of more than a dozen protocols Alpha Edward arranged."
"We have no proof that those are all of them," Damon said.
"We will never know if we got them all," George protested. "How long should I wait?"
"I don't know," Damon said honestly. "It's easy to prioritize your personal agenda when you don't have a pack relying on you."
George and Dawn didn't like this comment.
"It's not fair to use lack of pack to diminish the importance of what George wants to do," Dawn said.
"I'm not diminishing anything," Damon responded. "I only stated facts." He turned to George. "Think about Dawn and Omegas you've got here. If there is a chance, even the smallest chance, that Alpha Edward planted an explosive in your villa that will go off when he takes his last breath, would you go for a kill? Will it be worth getting your way if innocents need to pay the price?"
George gritted his teeth. At this rate, he will never get his revenge. Other than his revenge, there was Dawn. She was stuck in the villa, away from her friends, and deprived of simple things like going out for a walk without fearing for her safety.
"Let's not talk like we are not making progress," Talia said. "Our recent actions reduced the power that Alpha Edward and his allies have. Every day he is losing informers and resources. It's in our favor to drag this as long as possible and watch Alpha Edward turn impatient and make mistakes. We don't want to start an open conflict, but we are watching, and we won't stay still as he makes his moves. With any luck, he will lead us to the person who is pulling the strings from the dark."
Damon looked at Talia with sparkles in his eyes. She was kind and reasonable and his.
After their talk about handling Alpha Edward, it was time for Zina and Owen to appear in front of Talia and Damon.
Dawn wanted to stick around and be there to support her friend, but George advised against it.
"Zina and Owen need to do this on their own," George said. "I know you mean well, but with you around, Talia will feel pressured to put your friendship first." And Damon will do anything to make Talia happy. "No matter how much you care for Zina, it will be on Talia and Damon to hear them out and decide accordingly. Or do you think Talia and Damon will harm Zina and her mate?"
Hearing this, Dawn gave up.
Owen was nervous, and that made Zina nervous as well.
Damon didn't care to make them comfortable. He checked the time and waved impatiently. "We don't have all day. If you want to say something, out with it."
Zina gave Owen's hand a squeeze, silently telling him that she was there with him.
Owen straightened his back and lowered his head. "Alpha Damon, Luna Talia. I want to discuss the possibility of me joining her pack… your pack."
"You want to join the Dark Howlers pack?" Damon asked.
"I want to find out if that's an option and what conditions need to be met for that to happen."
"Why?" Damon asked.
Owen paused. "The Red Moon pack is not the most hospitable one, and we are considering options."
"Is that all?"
'Damon,' Talia called through their mind-link.
'Let me handle this, kitten,' Damon said. 'I know what you are worried about. Zina and Owen are in front of us, expecting we will provide them with solutions. That's not how life works. If he is a man who will take care of Zina, he needs to be in charge. There is strength in knowing how to deal with challenges, and there is wisdom in knowing when to ask for help.'
Talia didn't disagree with this, but… 'Aren't Alphas supposed to provide guidance to their people?'
'Owen is not part of my pack. If he wants my help, he needs to work for it and prove himself. Being mated to Zina is not enough.'
Talia remembered that Damon was a determined Alpha whose personality was molded by surviving in a hostile environment. Damon indulged her, and he let her have it, but that was only for her.
Zina realized that this was not going as easy as she thought it will. "Alpha, is there a problem with Owen joining our pack? We accept people from all packs and backgrounds."
Damon cocked an eyebrow at Zina. "When was the last time we accepted a warrior from a hostile pack?"
"Owen is not hostile."
"I was talking about his pack," Damon pointed out. "Let's say he has no ulterior motive other than to be with you. I can assume he doesn't have an exit strategy because if he did, we wouldn't be having this conversation. Did you think I will smuggle your mate out of here in a trunk without anyone noticing?"
Zina blinked at Damon. That was oddly specific. And why was Talia smiling at Damon like he said something important?
"What will happen when people from his circle notice he is missing? How long will it take until someone figures out where he went? Will they think I kidnapped him, coerced him, or bribed him? No matter how you spin it, Alpha Edward will use it against me." Damon leaned forward to rest his elbows on his knees. "Alpha Edward will use it against the Dark Howlers pack. He is your mate, but to me, he is a warrior from another pack. Ranked warriors don't leave their pack without reason. What is his reason? To be with you? If that's his drive, he doesn't need to leave the Red Moon pack. So, tell me, Zina, how do I welcome a warrior who is defecting to my pack?"
Zina's stomach dropped. "Are you saying that Owen can't join?"
