The Alpha's Bride

Thank you, SilaMelei, for the Spacecraft gifted on May 1, 2022!     

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Talia stood tall as she kept eye contact with Alpha Richard.     

Alpha Richard couldn't believe that his heart was beating wildly when facing this small and skinny girl who made his instincts scream that if he made a wrong move, it might be his last. Confidence. Arrogance. How could she exert this pressure with the obstructions the Guardians set? But this was more than just Alpha's pressure, Talia was making his bones quiver. He never felt anything like that.     

When Alpha Richard lowered his head, Talia's eyes moved to Alpha Peter, Alpha Adam, Alpha Robert, Alpha Patrick, and then to Alpha William. Each of them lowered their head in front of Talia's firm gaze.     

Damon's chest swelled with pride, that's his kitten! And she was beyond awesome! He wanted to pull her into a firm hug, but he knew that won't be appropriate because she was dominating all those pesky Alphas and putting them in their place, below her.     

When Talia's eyes reached Alpha Edward, she met his furious gaze and she smirked provocatively. At that time, he knew, it was her doing. But how was that possible? And who the hell was she?     

Even without breaking eye contact with Talia, Alpha Edward was aware that his so-called allies were bowing in submission, and Talia was standing with Damon, Tony, Cristian, and Maddox by her side like they were her personal guards.     

Talia was right there, like the most important person in the room, leaving Alpha Edward in awe.     

A brilliant thought popped into Alpha Edward's mind: wouldn't it be nice if he can coax Talia to come to his side? They would be unstoppable! He conquered many women, he liked them young, and this one looked just about right.     

Talia felt shivers running down her spine as an unpleasant feeling descended on her.     

"Since no one has anything else to say, this meeting is over.", Talia announced.     

"Did I offend you in some way?", Alpha Edward asked.     

Talia paused. More than his question, it was his soft tone and that expression that looked almost like a smile. What the heck?     

'Don't let him get into your head, kitten.', Damon's voice sounded through their mind link. 'Sinister plots are brewing behind that friendly approach. If you brush him off, he will feign innocence and label you as a willful youth who is abusing her position.'     

Talia remembered what James told them about his father, how Alpha Edward won't confront anyone directly but will use schemes and other people to do his dirty work. Now that she thought about this, if James didn't give them heads-up that this was arranged by Alpha Edward, she would miss the small details of Alpha Edward signaling with his eyes to his henchmen what to do. And other than requesting from Talia to prove she is the real Alpha of the Midnight Guardians pack, Alpha Edward didn't do anything else openly.     

And there it was, his apology she didn't ask for.     

"No one ever heard of you before, and it was normal to be suspicious of your background. Everyone would do the same in my place, but if that came across the wrong way, I apologize. If there is anything I can do to show my sincerity, just let me know. We can arrange for a private meeting and…"     

Alpha Edward stopped talking when Talia raised her hand. "You have nothing I want."     

Yes, Damon warned her that she might be labeled as willful youth, but the idea of her meeting with Alpha Edward in private was making her hairs stand on ends.     

Before Alpha Edward could say anything else, Talia turned toward the door with Meg one step behind her.     

Alpha Edward's face was arranged in a deep frown as he watched Damon, Maddox, Tony, and Cristian following after Talia and Meg with their Betas.     

"Is the meeting really over?", Alpha Patrick asked.     

"Unless there are more arguments, yes.", Maddox responded from the door and everyone heard him when he cursed under his breath from the hallway, "I can't believe I wasted my time for this shit."     

No one wanted to be left behind, knowing that Alpha Edward was not in a good mood and that he will want to vent his anger, so the remaining Alphas swiftly milled out of the room with their Betas.     

Alpha Richard was among the fastest ones to get out, and he saw that the scary Talia was no more. Now she was just like a docile young woman with a sunny disposition as she looked at Maddox and asked with a smile, "How is Tanya?"     

"She is busy looking at options to move her company's headquarters to the US.", Maddox said with a smirk. "We are planning her Luna ceremony in about ten days, and we hope you will be able to attend."     

"We will be there.", Damon responded instead of Talia.     

Maddox snorted. "Who said that you will be invited?"     

The group burst into laughter, making Alpha Richard's eyebrows twitch. They all seemed to be friendly, too friendly. Even Betas Nate, Imre, Oliver, Meg, and Caden were chatting like friends of many years.     

The only way this cheery mood could be explained, was if they knew each other from before. If that was the truth, why did Alpha Talia sit on the sofa on her own, like she was not familiar with anyone? Was all that part of her plan? He remembered how Talia embarrassed him in the lounge and he balled his hands into fists. First, she accused him of hitting on her, and then she made him kneel! And he lost one million dollars!     

Alpha Richard's steps paused, and he contemplated going back to the conference room and sharing this with Alpha Edward. Surely, they can take advantage of this information but… then he remembered how Alpha Edward left him to burn there on his own, without clarifying who summoned the Council of the Alphas or what the real agenda was. If Alpha Edward didn't make him go to talk to Talia, he wouldn't lose his money or his face. Because of Alpha Edward, he ended up looking like an idiot! Well, two can play that game.     

With that, Alpha Richard moved toward the exit.     

Now that the meeting was over, Damon felt some pressure coming off, and he tugged on his necktie to come loose before undoing the top button of his shirt.     

The collar moved and Maddox noticed something pink on Damon's neck.     

"Woah, man! Is that…?"     

Maddox's question was cut short when Damon shot him a glare.     

Maddox's eyes moved from Damon's neck to Talia's which was covered with a scarf.     

Talia smiled when she understood Maddox's silent questions.     

"I have one also.", she said.     

Maddox couldn't wrap his head around it. "How is that possible?"     

"There are cases when mates are equals.", Damon responded smugly.     

Maddox rolled his eyes. "I know that. What I don't understand is how can good-for-nothing like you be equal to her majesty Talia."     

Damon's expression fell and Talia shook from the laughter she was suppressing. Damon cocked an eyebrow at Talia. "Are you happy when someone insults me?"     

"No.", Talia was quick to respond. "I am happy that you have a friend with whom you can crack jokes without spilling blood."