Chapter 9 New Beta
2770 Words
PHOEBE
I hadn’t seen Chance in a couple of days. My disappointment was difficult to keep down.
He’s probably busy. There has to be a lot of work in planning to set up a new Realm.
The romance novel I was reading about a seventeen year old girl whose Mate Bond activated a year early didn’t help matters.
That would be nice. At least I’d know.
I chose three rooms to show Chance, in case he wanted to look and nonchalantly made myself available during room service hours. This wasn’t anything out of the ordinary. Mom and Kelli both often played Host, as well, and sometimes, Conrad and my brothers did, too.
Parker helped just this morning so my being there wasn’t obvious. Esther was focused on the doctor’s eating schedule and probably didn’t notice, however, neither of us spoke on the matter. Not teasing kind of came with the pinky swear.
I had a paper due for school, however, so I headed to the library after the breakfast rush this morning. Doctor Lockwood was seated at a table in the corner with several books spread out.
“Good morning, Doc.”
“Miss Phoebe,” Al smiled. “Just the person I need.”
“At your service,” I curtsied and grinned wide—something Conrad did often for dramatic effect.
Doc laughed. “Please, be my guest and have a seat.”
“Sure. How may I help?”
“I know you can MindLink. Is that normal for underage shifters?”
“Outside of my family, or any Alpha family, I don’t think so. Well, Gen could, but she didn’t know who or what was talking in her head at first. And I guess she was born an Alpha. I’m also limited to immediate family, and female employees such as Kelli and Esther.”
“Do you know how MindLinking came to be?”
“According to some children’s stories, a fairy gifted her wolf friend with the ability so they could call for help if the evil warlock came for either one of them.”
“Do you believe in fairies?” He asked.
“I’ve never met one, but I hope they exist and that I get to one day.”
I noticed the books he had were on The Fey, Telepathy and Clairvoyance.
“Are you looking for something in particular?”
“Yes and no. I hope to find out why your brother still can’t MindLink, but I’m not sure what I’m looking for,” Al explained.
“Hmm. This gives me an idea. I have to write an open topic paper for my History class. MindLinking would be fun. Maybe I can help you that way,” I offered.
“If it helps you pass your class, then how can I refuse?”
Realizing that most of the books were the only copies we had, I made arrangements to have Anne get me copies. Al didn’t want me to have to wait and delay my paper and tried to get me to take them.
“Anne has almost as many copies. It saves her time that way. And if she doesn’t have a copy, she’ll make one. Historians can type an average of 520 words per minute,” I explained to his surprise.
::Phoebe?.:: Kelli MindLinked. ::Chance is in the Dining Hall looking for you.::
Oh, Goddess!
“Al, I must leave you now. I have someone wanting to look at room vacancies.”
{~>*•**•*Wow! That soon.
“I don’t see how I can say no.” There was no way I was going to turn this opportunity of a lifetime down.
The girls clapped in happy little chair dances as I silently realized I wouldn’t miss the Halloween festivities.
“I have to get back to Phoenix, but I’ll get the paperwork drawn up as soon as possible. Thank you so much! You just took one worry off my mind!”
“You’re welcome, Gen. I truly am honored.”
“I’ll see you soon. You, too, Phoebe.”
“Congratulations, Beta Chance.” It seemed fitting that Phoebe, my first potential real friend, was the first to call me that.
“I-uh, damn that sounds weird.” I felt so sheepish. “Thanks, Phoebe.”
“You’re welcome. Let’s go look at rooms. I’ll have to go get different keys because now you’re required to have a room on the Alpha, er, Royal floor.” I’m sure my eyes were big at her revelation.
“Seriously?”
“Yep,” Phoebe insisted. “I can show you the books if you’d like.”
“I believe you. I’m still just stunned. Why doesn’t Dan have a room here?
“He could, but he’s not required. Gammas usually stay at the Armory or have their own place.”
“Ahh.”
She patted my arm. There were no tingles or anything like I’d heard came from the MateBond, but it was comforting.
I followed her down a long hall to some offices and waited while she reprogrammed keys. Her caramel hair was down today and most of it fell down over a shoulder where she’d tucked it out her way in cascading waves. It wasn’t as easy to discern she had a heart shaped, almost elfin face with one side framed by hair.
Now I would really have to tread carefully with her. I suddenly had a lot more to lose.
I noticed a map of the packhouse on the counter and turned my attention there to avoid assessing Phoebe’s characteristics.
There were three towers I had noticed from the outside. The top floors of each were considered the Royal floor and were connected by skywalks.
“There’s only one room available near Gen right now. They’ve got extra staff, of course, right now, but,” she emphasized, “you can remodel if you don’t like the layout. You might want to hold off on any changes as I do believe Healer William will be heading home soon and I’m not sure about other staff.”
“Phoenix is doing well, then?”
“He is doing really well and I can’t imagine retaining all six.” She pursed her lips. “You don’t have to be in the same tower, either. There’s a couple of rooms available in my tower and a couple in the one where Kelli and Conrad are.”
“I’m really not picky.” I wanted to say I did not want to be in the same tower as her parents if I developed a serious crush on her, but kept my mouth shut for now. I’d find a way to have the necessary conversation about my interest in her later.
I chose the room closest to Gen at Phoebe’s urging. It actually had a bedroom rather than a sleeping area and the view from the balcony was the best.
“I’ve never been in this room, she admitted. “Dad’s Beta, Mario, had this room.”
“So everyone moves around with a new King?”
“Used to. After moving furniture the last time, dad and Phoenix said forget that nonsense. You can change rooms later if you like, but you won’t be required to. It can be til death do you part. Or a quake forces you to evacuate.” She gave a nervous laugh and I had the urge to comfort her.
“The new realm is really nice, if I do say so myself. You’re going to love it.” I subconsciously placed my hand on her shoulder.
Be careful, Chance. You’re a Beta now!
“I actually wanted to talk to you about that. I wouldn’t mind going to visit and helping a little. We’re all supposed to make at least one trip prior, right? Mom told me to talk to Uncle Morty.”
“That was being discussed last I knew, but I am in favor of doing so. What do you need from me?”
“Details, first, of course,” she laughed. “You’ve been there. I’ve never been outside this Realm.”
“Seriously?”
“Seriously. I also need a ride to talk to Uncle Morty about it. I am still restoring an old 1974 Ford pickup.”
“Nice! Wait, do you mean you’re doing the work yourself?”
“Mom’s brother, Uncle Sam, is teaching me. He’s an excellent mechanic.”
“Wow! Maybe you could help me with my old truck. I have an old Dodge.”
I would never have guessed this crown princess had any interest in old trucks or in working on them. I scolded myself for suggesting she could help me, but I was caught up in the thrill of mechanics.
I also probably should have made up an excuse not to give her a ride, but I somehow found myself unable to lie. The next thing I knew, I had enlisted her help in decorating my new place and was driving her downtown before we went to find Morty.
You’re going to get in so much trouble, dude.
{~>*•*<~}
GENEVIEVE
Phoenix wrapped me in a big hug when I told him Chance accepted my offer.
“Should I invite him to our next family dinner or do you want to reacquaint yourself with him first?” I gave Phoenix options.
“Both.”
“Ok, I can ask him to come early or something. Here are the swords I made today.”
Phoenix seemed really impressed with my work, but also preoccupied. I wondered how his appointment with Al went, but I didn’t want to pry. There were books on the coffee table, however. I recognized a couple, but not all.
“What are these?”
“Hold on,” Phoenix held up a finger and opened his e-journal. The printer kicked on. I knew having to type everything up and printing it irritated my husband a lot.
Communication was crucial and when one of your trusted means of communicating was out of order, it was an enormous pain in the ass.
“Oh wow, this is interesting. So Al is trying to figure out what gives us the ability to MindLink. That makes sense.” I was hoping to learn more about things that were actually troubling Phoenix, but this gave me clues.
I didn’t think that was causing nightmares, though. I’d have to be patient. His trauma, according to Al, was most likely seen as ‘pictures’ in his head that were hard to describe with words.
Phoenix started typing. “I want to go with you and Calvin to the bridge.”
“Sure! I completely forgot to talk to him about that today. I was too focused on my new Beta and Gamma.”
Phoenix tsked and shook his head at me, an ornery smile tugging his lips.
“Shush you,” I laughed. “Still want to go down for lunch?”
“Yes! Am ready!”
“Ok! Help me keep an eye out for Natalie. Or Daniel.”
- Writer
