Page 26 of Redeeming His Omega Mate

Damian gave a quick glance around the room before addressing everyone. “As we all know, the head of the pack protectors reported yesterday that we’re short on manpower. Unfortunately, this has impacted our ability to fulfill the terms of our alliance with Silver Fang. We are an honorable pack, and we intend to keep our word. That’s why we have Silver Fang’s delegate here today. She has a solution that not only benefits the alliance but could also help our pack,” Damian said, turning to me. “Tala, the room is yours.”

I gave him a brief nod to acknowledge his words, then turned my attention to the scorned looks on the elders’ faces, likely already prepared to dispute everything I was about to say.

I kept my expression calm, letting the sheer hatred rolling off themslide right off me. “To defeat the rogues and come out on top, we need manpower,” I began. “The rogue army has likely grown, and with rumors of a new leader, their attacks have become bolder. Silver Fang doesn’t have the manpower, and unfortunately, neither does Stonehart. But the difference here is that this pack has the numbers. What it lacks is the will.

“As a former member of this pack and as an Omega who spent most of her life in Stonehart’s slums, I can tell you with certainty that the reason the Omegas won’t stick out a claw for the pack is because the people in charge have done nothing but perpetuate the divide. The Omegas’ loyalty to their Alpha is broken. But that can be fixed. The Alpha needs to show that he cares for all his people, not just the Betas. He needs to ensure they have the same resources as the Betas. He has to be willing to root out the duality that has been ingrained in this pack for so long.”

I turned to Damian, meeting his gaze. “The Alpha needs to connect with the people. Like it or not, they’re the backbone of this pack, yet they’ve been neglected for too long. I believe if he reaches out and earns their trust, they will fight for him without hesitation.”

A stunned silence filled the room as I spoke. I could almost feel the disbelief rippling through the air, passing from one person to the next. Well, I didn’t expect this to be easy.

Finally, a voice broke the silence, and when I turned, I saw it was the same man who had practically called me a whore. “You’re suggesting the Alpha does what? Coddle the Omegas?” he sneered. “That’s weakness! We’ve ruled with strength and ruthlessness for generations. That’s why this pack survives.”

“No. That’s why it’s divided,” I countered, keeping my tone calm and controlled. “Ruthlessness has only bred resentment. And if you can’t see that, then you’re part of the problem.”

The man’s nostrils flared as he shot to his feet, glaring at me. “You little wench! Do you think you can just walk in here and start giving orders?”

“I will not tolerate being called names,” I said, my voice steady. “If you cannot address me with the respect I deserve, then I suggest yousit back and observe for the rest of the meeting, using a more professional approach.”

If anger had a physical form, it would have been him. His eyes looked like they might pop out of his head. Smoke seemed to be rising from his ears as he jabbed a warning finger in my direction.

“You are nothing,” he spat. “Just because you sit at a council table as a delegate from another pack doesn’t make you any different from the girl who threw herself at the Alpha only to be rejected in the most shameful way.”

“Enough!” Damian’s voice was razor sharp as he slammed his fist on the wooden table, the sound reverberating through the room and bringing it to a standstill. “We do not tolerate disrespect in this room, especially not toward our guests. You will sit down and remain silent, Elder Maren.”

Slowly, he sank back into his seat, his mouth set in a tight line, glaring at me like a storm cloud about to burst. My attention turned to Damian, his fiery expression softening as his eyes met mine. “Continue, Tala,” he said.

I took a slow breath. The room was still, the air thick with unresolved animosity.

“I don’t expect a complete overhaul overnight,” I went on. “But the Alpha can’t just sit on his throne while the rest of the pack suffers. He needs to show up and make his presence felt in places an Alpha would normally never set foot in. That’s the first step toward rebuilding loyalty and trust.”

I thought they might try to interrupt again. But they didn’t.

Damian’s gaze never left mine as I spoke, his eyes flickering with something I couldn’t read. Approval? Skepticism? Maybe a little of both.

“I understand that this might seem… unorthodox. But the divide between the Betas and Omegas runs deep. The Alpha has to be the one to bridge it. Silver Fang is counting on your warriors. Our lives depend on whether they’ll fight for this pack.”

I finished and rested my back in my seat. I held my breath, waiting for the inevitable rebuttal. But none came.

“I think it’s a brilliant suggestion,” Damian said, his voice steadyand commanding. “Without wasting time, we’ll start an outreach on the south side of town. I’ll meet with the Omega communities and listen to their concerns. If we’re going to defeat the rogues, we need them. The unity of this pack depends on it.”

His agreement left the elders in stunned silence.

“If this is what it takes to honor our alliance with Silver Fang and rebuild this pack for the better, then we will,” he declared, his gaze sweeping over the council members. “Anyone who has an issue with that is welcome to leave. But this is my decision, for the pack and for the future.”

The room was tense, but there was no more arguing. Elder Maren, still fuming, shot me a venomous look but remained silent.

Damian’s eyes met mine again, and for the briefest of moments, I saw something in them, something that made my heart stutter. For the first time, it felt like we were on the same side, united in a goal. But that didn’t mean that everything was suddenly healed. There was still the past between us. There was still the hurt.

I gave him a small nod. “Thank you, Alpha Damian.”

His gaze softened for just a second before he turned his attention back to the rest of the room. “Now, let’s move on to the next order of business.”

The meeting continued, and after about half an hour, it came to an end.

As the elders filed out, their contemptuous murmurs trailing behind them, I forced myself to push their words aside. I stood, gathering my things, ready to leave.

“Tala, please wait,” Damian said, bringing me to a halt.

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