Cornelia and Jas stayed late into the night.
The data from Cassie's phone and tablet was retrieved, so Damon, Talia, Cornelia, and Jas looked at the pictures of docunts and maps while discussing various strategies.
Everyone could see that Jas was in his elent. He ca up with scenarios no one thought of, and he provided various solutions while clearly stating the pros and cons of each.
Jas didn't sound like a sixteen year-old boy. He was more like a top-tier strategist with several decades of experience behind him, and Cornelia's inputs complented him perfectly without overshadowing his brilliance.
Damon was more and more confident that he needed to convince Jas to co to the Dark Howlers pack ASAP. What if soone else snatched him first? Having Jas as an enemy would be dangerous, but Damon knew that pushing too much could backfire.
"Maybe you should stay here for the night," Talia said when they were done with serious talk.
Jas glanced at Cornelia, who was dozing off on his shoulder, and he couldn't make himself wake her up. He scooped Cornelia into his arms carefully, ready to take her to the guest bedroom that Cornelia used when she was in the Dark Howlers pack.
Before Jas left the study, Damon said, "Thank you for this. I'm sure that with your plans, we will save many lives."
"Don't ntion it," Jas responded with a smile. He loved that Damon acknowledged his inputs and even thanked him. Alpha Edward never did that.
"When will you join the Dark Howlers pack as my Gamma?" Damon had to try.
Jas didn't have an answer to this question.
Seeing that Jas didn't respond, Talia spoke, "Do you want to stay in the packhouse or a separate house with your mate? As a Gamma, you will get a suite on the second floor and an office. Or if you want more privacy, we will arrange a ho for you. It can be in Darkbourne or in the forest. Apartnts are also an option. Talk about it with Cornelia when you get a chance."
Jas stifled a laugh. They were talking about it like it was a done deal.
The truth was that Jas would often daydream about his life with Cornelia. He would work as a Gamma, and she would do her research; they would wake up side-by-side, et for lunch and dinner, and then spend the night together. During weekends they would travel, go shopping, or just laze in the house... without hiding. Jas would do it in a heartbeat, only if his father were not looming over his head as a threat to ruin the world.
"I will think about it," Jas responded to Damon and Talia before walking out of the study with Cornelia in his arms.
Talia was about to plop into a chair, but Damon wrapped his arms around Talia and pulled her to him.
Talia buried her face into Damon's chest and enjoyed his solid embrace. When they stood like that in silence, it seed like there were no problems in the world.
'KNOCK-KNOCK-KNOCK!'
Three small knocks on the door disturbed their peace.
"Who could it be this late?" Talia asked in a low voice, and Damon responded with a shrug.
He pushed Talia to stand behind him before calling, "Co in!"
The door cracked open to reveal a figure.
Damon frowned in displeasure. "Keith? I assu there is a reason why you are here in person and not contacting us through mind-link."
"This should be discussed in person," Keith responded, and Arya peeked from behind him.
Damon waved at them to get inside. "Must be urgent if you couldn't wait until morning."
Keith glanced at Arya. "We wanted to wait with this, but considering the recent developnts, we decided that this should be addressed as soon as possible."
Talia was worried. "What is it?"
"I want to appoint Arya as your guard," Keith said to Talia while glancing at Damon.
Talia's eyebrows shot up in surprise, and Damon's went down into a scrutinizing frown.
Talia was aware that Arya was tagging along with Keith, but she assud that Arya wouldn't tie herself to Talia because of how shaky they started. Also, Arya was probably aware of the ambiguity between Keith and Talia. Actually, Talia was waiting for Keith to say how he wanted to abandon his position as Talia's guard because he would focus on his mate. This was unexpected.
Damon was still rembering the scene of Talia above Arya, and he didn't like the idea of Arya being close to Talia. As her guard, there will be instances when male guards should look away, so female guards were preferable, but why Arya?
Talia and Damon exchanged quick glances before asking in unison, "Why?"
"Is there a problem?" Arya asked. "As a forr General in the Spring Leaf pack, my skills are not lacking. I am willing to take the blood oath and pledge my loyalty to Luna Talia."
"This is not about your skills or pledging loyalty," Damon said.
"Alpha," Keith called before Damon could reject Arya as Talia's guard. If Damon voiced it, it would be impossible to take it back because Alphas don't change their decisions. It would be perceived as a weakness. "You said that as Luna Talia's head guard, I have the freedom to appoint and dismiss other guards. Arya has the skills and is willing. Please, consider this request."
Damon poked his cheek with his tongue while scrutinizing Arya.
"Let ask you one thing," Damon said. "As Luna Talia's… no. As my mate's guard, will you put her safety above everything else?"
"Yes," Arya responded without missing a beat.
"I want you to imagine a scene where you are facing rogues. They captured Keith and Talia. You can save only one. Which one will it be?"
"That's not fair," Talia said before Arya could respond.
Damon agreed. "Life is not fair, kitten. You are my first priority. If your life is in danger, I will abandon everything in order to save you. I don't need a blood oath for you to know I'm serious about it because my life would be hell without you in it. Similarly, Arya and Keith are mates, and they will prioritize each other over you. Blood oath won't prevent them from doing so because I'm sure Keith will rather lose his life than watch Arya suffer."
"So, what are you suggesting?" Talia asked.
"Keith can remain your guard, but Arya will stay behind when he is on a mission to protect you. If they have problems with that, Keith can stay behind as well. I will rather have fewer people guarding you than rely on a person who is a liability."
"Alpha!" Arya exclaid. "Can I speak?"
"Go ahead." And make it quick.
"I understand your thinking," Arya said. "In a way, it makes sense. However, I am willing to work with my mate to ensure Luna Talia's safety. Please, give a chance."
Damon was not willing. "Do you think I will give you a chance to fail and endanger the life of my Luna?" And there was his pup as well.
Talia put her hand on Damon's arm and gave him a squeeze. "Let her talk." Talia was curious to hear what Arya had to say.
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