“However, I do have conditions,” I say.
Now everyone is back to growling again, but other than the Jade Moon pack members, everyone is staring at me, all ears, waiting for it. I look straight at Vincent’s eyes.
“The Jade Moon Clan will pledge full and complete allegiance to the Blood Moon Clan from today on. Your turf will become part of their territory, and your Clan members will follow the same rules as theirs.”
“What? What kind of condition is that!” Yells Greg.
I glare at him, annoyed by their attitude. I take a step forward, and Bobo follows me, growling loudly at them.
“I just dominated your Alpha, I’m free to do whatever I please with this pack. You guys never cared about training properly, so it’s high time for things to change. Your turf is one of the first grounds outside of Silver City. If anyone launches an attack on the area, you will be the first wall of defense. Do you want to stand on the frontlines being unprepared like you are now?”
They look at me, dumbfounded by my words. I turn back to Vincent.
“And you, you’ll have to finally act like a real Alpha. You will train the young ones properly, watch the border, and make sure everyone in your Clan is treated fairly. Am I clear?”
My apparent calm may have led him to think he could answer back. He growls at me.
“Who are you to decide what kind of Alpha I should be? Aren’t you washing your hands of my pack? You are giving us to Him, and now you get to decide what we...”
“protecting their pack is the duty of any alpha here!” I start yelling. “Stop being so lazy and do what you were named Alpha for! You may have their respect, but you are worse than a dog if you think you can sit comfortably and relax just because of that! Any Clan could overpower yours, and yet I’mgiving you a chance to keep your turf and pack and turn them into a proper one! If you don’t like it, all of you leave!”
A long silence befalls on the assistance. I’m fuming, pissed at their attitude, and Vincent’s ignorance. But all of a sudden, I feel an arm around my waist, and a familiar smell surrounds me.
“...It seems like my coming here wasn’t necessary.”
I turn around, facing him. I can’t believe he really came!
Damian is holding me tightly against him, but his silver eyes are glaring at Vincent. I notice that everyone in the plaza has reacted to his presence. A lot of people have instinctively stepped back, shapeshifting to their wolf forms or regrouping with their peers. I’m sure some people even ran from the scene right away.
But the most scared one is definitively Vincent. He doesn’t dare to look up now and is shaking. Honestly, I don’t feel sorry for him; I’m tired of his attitude, and if Damian can finally get him to understand his place, so be it.
“What are you doing here?” I whisper.
“I couldn’t sit still while you were fighting this trash. And I have a few things to settle once you’re done with him...”
His ice-cold voice is definitely aimed at Vincent. Even his pack members don’t seem so sure about staying close to him now, as nobody wants to have a share of Damian’s wrath. But I’m not like them; I don’t fear him. Instead, I’m feeling even more confident with my mate next to me. I glance at Vincent, too, letting him make up his mind.
He is now looking at me, carefully avoiding Damian’s piercing glare.
“We agree to your terms, but we would like to pledge allegiance to you, Nora. I promise to do as you said, and I do recognize that I have lacked as an Alpha.”
To me? I don’t understand why they would obey me instead of Damian. Aren’t they supposed to form alliances with other Clans instead of a single person? Now it’s like he is submitting his Clan to me, but I’m not sure I want to be responsible for the Jade Moon Clan... Though in this configuration, it would be more like having ownership while Vincent is managing it, I suppose? When our eyes meet, I think I get it. My earlier words really did have an impact on him. Is it possible that I do have Alpha potential, as Tonia and Nathaniel thought? I exchange a look with Damian, but his eyes are still on my former Alpha. He is clear: I can do whatever I please with them. I turn to Vincent.
“That’s fine for me, then.”
“All right... The Jade Moon Clan, with me, Vincent Greene, as its acting Alpha, swears a total and willing allegiance to Nora Bluemoon. May the Moon Goddess be our witness tonight.”
A few people in the plaza applauds or whistles. Nathaniel and Damian both seem content too, and my mate gives me a swift kiss on my forehead.
“Well done, princess.”
I smile and blush, still a bit shy. I think it’s the first time Damian called me by something else than my first name... I lean my head against his chest. I’m tired, but his warmth is the best thing right now. He glances down and frowns with an angry look all of a sudden. I forgot the blood running from under my sweatshirt. I shake my head and try awkwardly to lower my clothing on my thighs.
“It’s okay, it’s not that bad.”
Damian is not listening to me, his eyes fixated on the thin trail of blood. I want to say something, but suddenly, both Bobo and I turn our heads in the same direction.
Alec’s smell. I’m sure of it. Bobo jumps ahead of me and starts running in that direction. I only take a second to shapeshift, escaping Damian’s embrace. I hear Tonia behind me.
