“We heard the Luna’s calling, and thought this might be our last chance at settling somewhere decent. Our pack is only a third of what it used to be, and our people are exhausted.We don’t have any wealth left, only our people. But we would be more than happy to help you fend off that wretched Witch if we can,” finishes Ryan.
“Why did the Witch target you?” Asks Andrew Jones.
“We still have no idea. We only saw her from afar. But anyone she killed, she kept their corpses. We couldn’t even bury our people as we kept losing them to her.”
Oh, Moon Goddess, she kept the bodies? I exchange a look with Damian. Why would she take dead werewolves’ bodies for? My man just looks as confused as I am, and so does Neal. On the side, Nathaniel looks at a loss, too. This is too scary and disgusting to think about! Behind Ryan, a few of his people can’t hold their tears. I can’t even begin to imagine the nightmare they went through. Even the Alphas present seem truly sorry for them.
“May Moon Goddess protect her children and save their souls,” says Tiffany Pearl.
I didn’t see the Pearl Moon Clan Alpha arriving. But I recognize their Alpha instantly, she is one of the most beautiful women in Silver City. From what I’ve seen of her previously, Tiffany is not only pretty, she’s also extremely smart. If she could be on our side, it might be easier to convince others...
“Princess, while gathering us all, you mentioned a plan against that Witch?” She asks, looking directly at me.
I feel a bit awkward being called that, but this is not the time to be embarrassed. Especially since I feel she is giving me more legitimacy this way.
“That’s right. Most of you know that last time, we survived because a few packs helped each other. The White Moon Clan was supported by the Blood Moon and Blood Moon, and the Purple Moon helped the Sea Moon Clan, too.”
I notice Andrew Jones gives a glare at his daughter, but Lysandra ignores him.Grandpa Seaver is nodding. Meanwhile, Clark Hamilton, the White Moon Alpha, gives a glance towards Nathaniel.
“This wasn’t part of any alliance, yet they helped each other because they knew everyone’s safety was at stake. I know some of you already have alliances, new or old. What I want to ask you all today, is to consider a global alliance. All of the packs present, working together against whatever that Witch will throw at us.”
Immediately, a hubbub of shouting and talking raises from the benches, despite the Alphas attempts to moderate their own packs. From what I can hear, most of them are already against it. Why would they help other packs they have fought with countless times before? Why should they help smaller packs? My wolf is annoyed at all the jabbering, and so am I.
Suddenly, after a while of all the Alphas trying to calm them down, Damian lets out the most terrifying growl, and all the attention is on him once again. As if his Alpha aura had suddenly exploded in the middle of the stadium, the benches suddenly go totally silent again. Some people even fell from their seats or retreated by instinct.
My mate is so close to shape-shifting, his pupils turned black like an animal, and his teeth grew longer. He isn’t the King of Silver City for nothing. I can tell a lot of the people present are totally scared, but I don’t care if that’s what it takes for them to listen. For a while, the whole stadium goes as silent as a cemetery as everyone calms down.
“...Why should we accept an alliance?” Asks a female Alpha. “We have been fine on our own so far, and the other Clans never lifted a finger to help while we were in trouble!”
“I know this won’t be easy. Many of the packs here are used to cohabitating with others but also being on your own. However, if we act separately next time, we might all lose everything. If each pack only sticks to defending their own territory, the Witch will wipe us all one by one. You heard the Steel Moon Alpha. They were such a big pack, yet they couldn’t do anything against her. Even our biggest Clans won’t be able to act on their own this time,” I explain.
“That’s easy to say for you. But allying with the Blood Moon Clan? Do you know how crazy that sounds?” Says another Alpha.
Damian stares at that man, who seems to shrink under his glare, and for the first time, addresses the crowd. “I know many of you still have in mind the crimes committed by my father. You all referred to him as the Mad King, and he deserved it. I am not him. I haven’t sought to expand my territory, nor have I attacked other packs before. Most of you see my face for the first time today. Why would I go ahead and betray you now?”
“What about your alliance with the Gold Moon Clan, then? We are all aware of the financing issue that is going on. They have been closing off the banks, cutting us from our funds, and threatening us to use your very own name when we rebelled. Are you telling us you haven’t been pressuring the other Clans through them?” Asks the Asphodel Moon Alpha.
“That’s right. Was this a way to ensure we would obey to you today? Isn’t it a bit too much to ask for alliances when you are using another Clan to threaten us on the sidelines?” Asks someone from the Lotus Moon Clan.
I knew the Gold Moon Clan issue would come back sooner or later... And everyone really thinks Damian is stillallied with them. On the side, I spot William smiling. He was obviously waiting for this topic to come up.
Damian stays very calm and addresses everyone. “The Gold Moon Clan has been using my name to act on their own. The engagement is not real anymore, nor is our alliance with them. I know the rumors, but the Blood Moon Clan has had nothing to do with them ever since Nora had me cancel it.”
Me? He is making it look like I forced him to do it! Well, I did make him choose between Alessandra and me, but still!
“I am now addressing you all as the King of Silver City. I took over a position my father didn’t deserve because I had to. Our pack needed a new Alpha, and I became that man. Killing him also gave me the position as the King, with an even bigger Clan than the one my father led. I am the strongest werewolf; I am the King Alpha. Yet, I am mostly the Blood Moon Clan’s Alpha. I haven’t acted any differently since the Blood Moon Clan rose. I am not looking to submit anyone, but as Nora said, to find allies. Enough to protect Silver City. My brothers and I won’t be able to do it on our own.”
“you are only trying to raise an army!”
Everyone turns their heads to see who yelled that. Oh, Moon Goddess. Walking towards us is Alessandra King and her father.
The Gold Moon Clan just arrived.
As soon as I see that woman, my wolf and I want to attack her. How the hell does she dare to come here with that smirk on her face! Neal holds me back, a hand on my arm. He does well because otherwise, I might seriously go for her throat this time. In front of me, Bobo is growling like crazy, too.
Damian is glaring all his might at them, and they have no choice but to look down as they approach. Yet that doesn’t stop the Gold Moon Alpha, who ignores him to address the rest of the packs.
“Do you really believe this would be an innocent alliance? Damian Black is here to have you submit to him!”
