The Council of Alphas (8)
Talia looked at Damon who was talking with Maddox, Tony, and Cristian in low voices, with their four Betas standing at a respectable distance.
Damon wanted to stay by Talia's side, but Talia told him how that was not a good idea and that he should be with his buddies until Alpha Edward shows his cards.
Talia feared that if they were too close, she might reach to hold Damon's hand or lean on him and that would be a big revelation they were not ready to make yet. She wanted Alpha Edward to believe that she was on her own, isolated, and vulnerable because if he realized that she has the backing, he might retreat for now and hit them later when they are not expecting.
Talia believed that they were at an advantage because their enemies didn't know she was Talia, the mysterious girl from the Summer Solstice festival, the one who went as Damon's date to Kalina's Luna announcement ceremony, Damon's assistant… Damon's mate.