Chapter 4: The New Beta
760 Words
Chapter 4: The New Beta
The funeral lasted until sunset.
From the break of dawn until the last rays of daylight disappeared beyond the mountains, the entire pack gathered beneath the Great Moon Tree to bid farewell to their fallen Beta.
Bonfires burned across the sacred grounds.
The scent of incense drifted through the cool evening air.
One by one, warriors stepped forward to speak.
"Beta Alexander saved my life during the Northern Border Raid."
"He never abandoned a wounded warrior."
"I have never known a braver wolf."
Stories of courage echoed throughout the territory.
Stories of sacrifice.
Stories of honor.
The pack mourned the loss of one of its greatest protectors.
When the ceremony finally came to an end, people slowly began returning to their homes.
One by one, they left.
Until only a single figure remained.
Eva.
She stood before the newly raised grave, unable to tear her eyes away from the simple stone marker that now bore her father's name.
The evening breeze brushed gently against her face.
She remembered the countless times Alexander had smiled at her.
The countless times he had reassured her.
"No matter what happens, you'll always be my daughter."
At the time, she hadn't truly understood the meaning behind those words.
Now...
She finally did.
A tear rolled silently down her cheek.
"...Dad."
Her voice barely rose above a whisper.
"I'm trying to be strong."
She swallowed the lump in her throat.
"But I don't know how."
Silence answered her.
The wind rustled the leaves above.
Nothing more.
After several more minutes, Eva quietly wiped away her tears and turned to leave.
She didn't look back.
She couldn't.
***
Three days later...
The Alpha summoned every warrior and elder to the central square.
Word spread quickly throughout the territory.
A new Beta would be chosen.
By the time the sun reached its highest point, nearly the entire pack had gathered.
Eva stood near the very back of the crowd.
Alone.
The Alpha stepped onto the raised platform overlooking the square.
His commanding presence silenced every whisper.
"Our pack has suffered a great loss."
His deep voice carried throughout the gathering.
"Alexander served this pack with unwavering loyalty."
"He fought countless battles."
"He protected every member of this territory."
"And he gave his life fulfilling his duty as Beta."
The crowd lowered their heads in respect.
After a brief moment of silence, the Alpha continued.
"However..."
"A pack cannot remain without its Beta."
He slowly swept his gaze across the assembled warriors.
"After discussing the matter with the elders, I have reached my decision."
The entire square became deathly quiet.
"I hereby appoint Marcus as the new Beta of our pack."
A wave of applause erupted.
Marcus stepped forward from the crowd.
Tall and broad-shouldered, he carried himself with quiet confidence.
He knelt before the Alpha.
"I accept this responsibility."
"I swear upon my wolf to protect this pack until my final breath."
The Alpha rested a hand upon Marcus's shoulder.
"Rise."
"From this day onward..."
"You are the Beta."
The cheers grew even louder.
Among the crowd, no one looked happier than Melissa.
Her eyes sparkled with pride as she rushed toward her father.
"Congratulations, Father."
Marcus smiled warmly before placing a hand upon her head.
"I'll do my best."
Around them, pack members quickly gathered to offer their congratulations.
"Congratulations, Beta Marcus."
"The pack is fortunate to have you."
"You'll lead us well."
Others turned toward Melissa.
"Congratulations."
"The Beta's daughter."
"You must be proud."
Melissa accepted every compliment with a graceful smile.
Standing near the edge of the crowd, Eva watched in silence.
Only a few weeks ago...
People had greeted her father the same way.
Now...
Someone else stood in his place.
It wasn't wrong.
The pack needed a Beta.
She understood that.
Yet...
Watching another man inherit the position her father had once held made the loss feel real all over again.
She quietly lowered her head.
No one noticed.
No one called out to her.
No one asked how she was doing.
The celebration continued.
Laughter slowly replaced mourning.
Life moved forward.
Eva turned around and quietly walked away from the square.
She passed through the crowd unnoticed.
Not a single person stopped her.
Not a single person watched her leave.
Behind her, the pack welcomed its new Beta.
Ahead of her...
Only silence awaited.
As she walked back toward the small shack she now called home, one painful realization settled deep within her heart.
The pack had already begun moving on.
Without Alexander.
And...
Without her.
- Writer
