"Who will go first?" James asked, and Alpha Peter was quick to raise his hand.
Interested Alphas took turns speaking, and James was taking notes on what they wanted and what they offered to the Dark Howlers pack in return.
Several packs offered regions within their current territories that bordered the Dark Howlers pack in exchange for expansion on the other side, into the unclaimed land of the Red Moon pack. Of course, they were hoping to gain more than they parted with, effectively increasing the size of their territories.
Some offered resources, valuables, business deals, and connections with influential humans, while others offered monetary payments that would stretch for generations in the future.
Everyone knew that with every next offer, the Dark Howlers pack was getting larger and stronger, but what choice did they have? Damon toppled Alpha Edward without lifting a finger, and it was obvious that George, Maddox, Cristian, and Tony stood by Damon. And then there was Talia. If those six came together, they could wipe out every other Alpha and take over their packs.
It was a monumental meeting where a handful of Alphas effectively changed the balance between packs and rewrote maps of the werewolf society.
Reporters of the WW Magazine were waiting eagerly outside of the conference room to get their scoop. This was huge!
After confirming that no one was left waiting to strike a deal, James glanced at his notes before announcing, "Alpha Damon will share his decision by the end of the day." James already took notes of deals that should be made and only needed Damon's approval.
"What if we disagree with his decision?" Alpha Patrick asked.
"In case of dispute, the strongest Alpha will break the tie," James responded. Seeing that Alpha Patrick and a few others frowned, James asked, "Is there a problem?"
Alpha Patrick cleared his throat. "How will Alpha Damon give us a fair judgment when he is the one who came up with the original decision?"
"Did I mention Alpha Damon? I was talking about the strongest Alpha," James said and gestured to the only female in the room.
Several Alphas in the room froze while processing what James said. Did he imply that Talia was the strongest Alpha? She was a female and a skinny one! Was Alpha Damon showing blatant favoritism to his mate?
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Damon asked Alpha Richard, who looked like he had swallowed a fly.
"Can I speak openly?"
"I wouldn't expect anything less from an Alpha," Damon responded and gestured to Alpha Richard to go ahead.
"Alpha Natalia is your mate. It is obvious that contesting your decision will be in vain."
Damon smirked. "If we are going to talk openly, I will do the same. You don't have the right to contest anything. This is not about you making a bid for unclaimed land. Alpha George won the challenge as my Champion, which means that the land belongs to me. I have the freedom to decide who will get it. If you have an objection, you are welcome to issue an Alpha challenge."
Alpha Richard's lips twitched. Alpha challenge? He was not happy with the situation, but he was not suicidal, alright?
Damon turned to Talia. "As my Gamma said, Talia will be the tiebreaker if there is conflict."
"Why should we listen to her?" Alpha William asked.
Damon couldn't believe this. "Are you doubting she is the strongest Alpha? Is it because she is female or because she is half your age? Did you forget what she did with the Sphere of Power during the last Council of the Alphas?"
Alpha William remembered because he was there, but some other Alphas were left puzzled, unsure of what Damon was talking about.
Damon pulled the collar of his shirt to the side to expose the left side of his neck. "Or do you need more proof than this?"
Talia stared at Damon. It was one thing to praise her in private, but now he said she was more powerful than him. And he said it in front of witnesses.
Talia cleared her throat. "Damon and I are equals." She exposed her neck to show his mark. "We have our packs, and we help each other when needed."
"You won't merge packs?" Alpha Patrick asked suspiciously.
"At this point, the Midnight Guardians pack is not ready to step into the open."
"But it might happen." Alpha Richard was emboldened to speak. "Do you think that's fair? You are aware of our locations and borders, yet you stay hidden. Is there a reason for it?"
Talia could see from where Cassie got her bravery and foolishness.
"Alpha Richard," Talia called and released her aura for everyone to feel, but she focused on pressing down Alpha Patrick, Alpha William, and Alpha Richard. Those three were most rebellious during this meeting. Didn't they get that Damon was giving them options and doing what was best for people?
The territory of the Red Moon pack was second only to the land belonging to the Dark Howlers pack. Damon didn't want to occupy it and stretch his warriors to protect another massive area because that would weaken the Dark Howlers pack.
Damon's options were to plunder treasury and whatever resources from the Red Moon pack he could carry and to leave people and land behind for rogues and other packs to fight over; or he could do what he was doing, to give others a chance to claim the land peacefully (for a certain fee).
"How is any of your business if my pack and any other will merge in the future?" Talia asked. "What gives you the courage to question methods other packs are using to stay safe? My pack doesn't have an interest in invading other territories. However, if you keep testing me, I might change my mind. After watching Alpha George fight, I'm restless, and I'm considering challenging someone. Will you be the lucky one?"
Alpha Richard was now visibly sweaty, and he stared at Talia in horror. She talked casually, yet he couldn't move a muscle!
"Well? Are you challenging me to a fight?" Talia asked, and Alpha Richard managed to shake his head weakly.
"I thought so," Talia said and retracted her aura. "I will say this only once, so listen carefully. Every time someone doubts me, they are doubting the Midnight Guardians pack, and I will consider it as a challenge to my position."
Damon looked at Talia with sparkles in his eyes. That was his kitten!
After the meeting, most of the Alphas dispersed to eat, rest, and process recent events while waiting for Damon's decision. Reporters were right there, eagerly waiting for a chance to get interviews, but Alphas agreed not to disclose details until Damon's decisions were final.
Maddox and Tony went to meet with their mates, and they promised to stick around and help Damon and George with whatever was needed.
James estimated that it would take about one day to direct refugees to their new destinations and for new agreements to get people moving. The key was to act swiftly and not give a chance to rogues to attack.
General Jordan was representing the Spring Leaf pack, and he organized people from the Red Moon pack who wanted to go there. Michelle was making necessary preparations for newcomers. Jordan and Lidia will stay to help, and that will give Lidia extra time to spend with her sisters. Cristian was sending several units of his warriors to serve as security until the division of land was completed.
