He nods. “Exactly. The other Clans are not going to grow any bigger until years now. However, some of them started to understand that having allies might be much more profitable and efficient than waiting. Guess what the other Clans did once they understood that befriending some rogues and people from the former Black Moon Clan was how Damian and Nate beat our father?”
“...They would start seeking internal alliances,” I whisper.
Liam nods.
This is crazy... Werewolves are usually secluded to their own packs. Outside of our packs, we may be “friends” withother wolves, but it doesn’t involve any exchange, unless necessary. Like the Jade Moon and the Pearl Moon. I have always seen the two packs being friendly, but we never acted as one. They had their own fights, and we would never interfere. The most we exchanged was information about possible rogue attacks, but we never acted together against them.
I turn to Liam.
“How are things, then?”
He smiles. “You understand quickly. We weren’t sure of anything until two weeks ago. We knew the Rising Moon Clan had agreed to ally with the Gold Moon Clan, but we had no idea about the others.”
“Until the fight against the vampires, right? All the packs had to react, so the alliances naturally showed.”
I start recalling the events. That’s right. The Blood Moon rallied the White Moon and Opal Moon in the North, but the Gold Moon Clan headed south with the Rising Moon Clan, confirming those two are allies. Also, the Pearl Moon Clan moved to help the Jade Moon, so Vince probably has an alliance going with their Alpha. Then, I recall one crucial detail.
“The Sapphire Moon. They are the only ones that didn’t move.”
Liam nods. “Exactly. But the truth is, they are not the only ones. The Violet Moon also didn’t make a move, while their branch Clan, the Purple Moon, came to help the Sea Moon here.”
“However, the Sea Moon Clan is neutral, isn’t it?”
“Yes. My guess is Lysandra acted against her father, the Violet Moon Alpha, to help Old man Seaver. She is not one to miss the action, and I bet she didn’t like being told to stay on the sidelines.”
“If that’s so, the Violet Moon and Sapphire Moon Clan are allies...”
This means that their power would now be equal with the Blood Moon Clan! The Jones family is a powerful line of Alphas, and their Clan holds a lot of people. Not to mention Lysandra’s warriors! I’ve seen them in action, and they are real war machines. I try to make the math in my head, but no matter how many times I try to think of it, the Sapphire Clan, if allied with the Violet Moon, really is more powerful than the Black Brother’s Clan...
“...And they hate the Blood Moon Clan”.
“Exactly, Nora. Alcott Blue, the previous Sapphire Moon Alpha, had a long feud with our father, and it didn’t die with his son William taking over. He wants nothing to do with us and thinks Damian is not the right Alpha King for Silver City. So, he is waiting for an opportunity to overthrow us at any time.”
The pieces of the puzzle are finally assembling, letting me see the larger picture. I can’t believe I didn’t know any of this earlier. How could I be so blind? Seeing all the packs work together to fight off the vampires, I had no idea so many people were making their moves in the shadows. I look up to Liam.
“So, the Gold Moon wants to ally with Damian?”
He frowns but nods, eating the fries he had left on the table.
“Exactly. They were the second most powerful clan after us. Still, now, the Sapphire Moon bested them by allying with the Violet Moon, and the Rising Moon is nowhere as good as the Jones. So instead, they came to Damian with this proposal.”
I finally get it now. If the Sapphire Moon is after them, they must change alliances quickly and assert their positionto avoid a war. But why an engagement for that? I’m still so mad! I understand that the Gold Moon Clan would be the most powerful Clan to ally themselves with, but this condition is... Gosh, I’m annoyed just thinking about it! My wolf is furiously growling, too. I’m not okay with this!
“Hey, hey, Nora, calm down. Your Alpha aura is scaring everyone, girl,” whispers Liam.
I look around. Oh, Liam is right... Everyone is staring at us, and some people instinctively backed away a few steps from our table. Did I do that? My wolf was angry, but I never noticed I could let others feel my aura... I calm myself down a bit, embarrassed. Liam laughs.
“Wow, it’s the first time I see you acting like an Alpha. Except for that time with the Jade Moon, I mean. Girl, you do have fangs after all!”
“It’s not funny, Liam! I don’t even know how I just did this...”
“It’s an Alpha thing. If our wolf gets mad, other wolves will feel it and react to our aura. Yours is unusual, even I felt it... other Alphas are usually immune. Guess it’s your Royal side acting up, too.”
“We are not sure I am a...”
“Oh, stop it, Nora, you know damn well you are by now. Who needs those stupid tests?”
I shake my head. I’m not having this discussion now, and we have more important matters to discuss. I try to think calmly about this alliance with the Gold Moon Clan. Wasn’t there any better option?
