An Alpha's Beta

Chapter 1

Morning light streams in my room. I forgot to shut my blinds last night to catch some extra sleep, apparently. I always do this after patrol night. I intend to sleep in but the sun has other designs on my time.

Still, breakfast smells amazing, whoever they have on cooking duty is really outgoing themselves.

I groan slightly and sit up, letting my blankets fall away. I'm not the most chiseled of the pack, but I'm no slouch, either. My build is pretty lean, not that it bothers me much, I'm more about tactics and strategy than brute force.

I mean, I can fight, too, I just would rather work smarter than harder.

Regardless, I stand and stretch then find some jeans and a tailored button-down. I'm big on looking good, after all, the son of the packs Beta has appearances to keep up. My brothers and I have been trained since birth to look strong, put together, and overall masculine.

I slip on some loafers and leave my room. Living at the pack house has perks. Since I'm a single adult wolf I'm expected to live here with the other single wolves in almost a dorm style arrangement with the Alpha's family having an entire wing. My father has quarters on the premises but our family lives in one of the cottages on the packs territory.

Any single wolves who don't fit or are lower rank, like Omegas, have to live in other quarters on the grounds. Omegas generally serve the rest of the pack, though our pack, The Overhill Pack, is generally not cruel to our Omegas, unlike some. Alpha Zachary believes a pack is only as strong as its weakest member, and in turning weaknesses into strengths. That's why our packs numbers have grown as other packs cast out their weak, and we've proven a better front united against other packs.

As I round the corner to the stairs, Im met by my oldest brother Vincent, set to become father's successor in only 6 months. Father isn't in his prime and it's a well-kept secret that he may be ill, so Vincent will become Alpha Zachary's right hand.

He stops me and pulls me aside.

"Fabian, I was just looking for you. Alpha Zachary wants me to put together a delegation to the southern packs as a goodwill gesture."

"And?" I reply, a little sarcastically. I'm still sleepy and the breakfast smells are not doing anything for my temperament.

"I'm tapping you to go."

I swear in my head. My wolf perks up some. He's been dying to get out of here and do something more. I don't disagree, but a diplomatic mission is hardly what I want to do.

"Fine," I sigh. "What's the roster, and can we talk over breakfast? I'm starving."

He claps me on the back with a laugh and we head downstairs.

I snag a plate and help myself to eggs, bacon, and a massive pile of hash. Even a lean wolf's gotta eat. Vincent loads up similarly.

The dining hall is empty, save for a few straggling low ranking wolves who take one look at my brother and I and clear out. Rank affords respect, I guess. Though I'm rarely noticeable on my own, Vincent has a charming air and remarkable looks. He and Zachary, who isn't much older than us, will make an unstoppable duo as Alpha and Beta.

"So, is Alpha Zachary hoping to find a Luna down south or what?" I mumble, through bites of food. Vincent instantly narrows his eyes at me in disgust.

"First, don't talk with your mouth full, brat. Second, don't talk about the Alpha that way. You know as well as I do that he isn't really worried about that."

I shrug and keep eating.

"It's a small delegation. You, me, a handful of lower ranking guard wolves, and a pair of omegas. We're going to make contact with the Tall Tree Pack."

I nearly choke.

"The Tall Tree Pack? They're plains wolves! And not even centrally organized. How are we supposed to even know we've contacted the right clan within the pack? And why on this earth would you pick ME to go with you?"

Vincent just laughs at me, patting my back roughly so I can stop coughing.

"Because you're smart. You're wasted on patrols here, and you've got your magic."

Now my eyes narrow. That's another family secret.

"You didn't tell Alpha Zachary…"

"He already knew. He actually told me specifically to bring you, since Tall Tree is known for having sorcerers and shamans and all of that."

"I'm hardly anything like that," I snort, growling.

"You're going, Fabian. Alpha's orders."

A wave of fear rises in the pit of my stomach where my breakfast is suddenly revolting. My wolf's presence soothes me, as it has since he emerged.

I nod and sigh in answer.

"We're leaving tomorrow morning."