My Beta's Mate

Luna Ruby

Sam

I woke up the next day with the biggest grin on my face. None of it was a dream. Jewel kissed me and she indicated it herself. I don’t know what sparked it, but I’m so damn happy that we finally made some sort of progress.

I get out of bed and head to the training field. Today happened to be my and Jewels shift to train the teens and pre-teens. Although these pups won’t see patrol until they’re in their junior and senior year, we like to make sure that everyone knows how to defend themselves or how to escape if need be. The world of werewolves has been tamed over the years, but blood-thirsty Alpha does come along and an enemy should have the decency not to attack a pup, but that doesn’t mean that they do.

I got up early on purpose to make Jewel and myself coffee. She isn’t the best morning person. Especially not after how late we were up last night. We ended up cuddling on the sofa in my office. Just kissing and talking about memories and each other. I didn’t realize that she was an artist...and originally wanted to go to school for art. Part of me wants her to go, but the other part isn’t sure how I could make that work. She also was an avid surfer in California, but now she lives in the Mountains with me. I make a mental note to plan as many trips out to the coast as I can. I just want her to be happy and taken care of.

I went over the hill and I saw Jewel was talking to some of the younger girls. She looks over at me and smiles, and I smile back. She blushes and looks away. One of the girls caught that and smiled at me. I have a feeling that we’re going to be the talk of the middle school by tomorrow.

I get in earshot and she says “Good morning, Alpha.” using my formal title as we’re working together right now and in work mode.

“Good morning, Beta.” I said back.

I handed her the other coffee, that I was carrying, and she smiled at me before turning back to the girls that she was having a conversation about knowing when to fight and when to retreat.

We try to keep our budding relationship sort of a secret. As much as I want everyone to know. I also don’t want my pack to get attached to a Luna who is still deciding. Nothing with us is ever simple, but it's something that we discussed last night. I wasn’t expecting her to become Luna until when and if she was ready. I’m hoping the more pressure that I can take off of her the easier that it will make things for us.

Soon, most of the teens and pre-teens have arrived and we split them into boys and girls. I’ve found that, at this age, it helps keep them on task. Myself included.

I run them through some stretching and we go for a run through the woods. I’m pushing their pace on purpose. I want to see one who is keeping up and two, who stays behind to watch over the younger ones. Those who keep up would make good warriors. Those who stay behind on purpose, would most likely make good leadership.

Everything goes well and I make some notes as to who to watch as they progress. I then split them into groups and they started sparring. My Omega, Liam, came to relieve me as I had a zoom call with Andrew to check on his progress.

“Geez Alpha, what did you do to these kids? They look exhausted already.” Said Liam.

“Just pushing their endurance a bit. Good luck.”

—

Jewel

I can’t really say what got into me last night. One moment I was having a girls' night with Christine and the next I decided that I was going to make a move. We had talked about going on a date, but that became hard to accomplish with how busy we both became. Part of me feels like it was too sudden, but the other part knows that he has been quietly chipping away at my walls and fears. He doesn’t push me much. Except for when it matters. The little gestures have been adding up. The coffee was left on my desk. The touches here and there when no one is watching. Him brushing a hand down my arm as we walked by each other, hugging and holding hands when no one is around. When he asked for my advice on the pack expanse, that was just the last straw for me. Sam is very self-composed and takes his responsibilities very seriously. I felt needed and it gave me an extra bit of confidence.

I expected it to be brief and then I’d escape… but that is not what happened at all. I think our chances of remaining friends just went out the window. That should bother me, but it doesn’t. I’m less anxious than I was before.

I finish the training with the pups and I head back to the children’s home to check on things. I went in and found Christine reading all of the younger ones in a story. We’ve added several staff here to help and I’m glad. Juggling fifty kids, with ages anywhere from two to thirteen, has been a lot. The previous Luna roped in several older and semi-retired women to bring their experience and wealth of knowledge into the mix.

Between all of us, we have established routines of meals, activities, and getting the older ones off to school. Luckily, we can walk them there. I can’t imagine what would happen if this pack went to a copack school or even a human school. I review their schedules as well as the snack cabinets. The pack members have also been so generous. Dropping off anything from clothing to toys to help these kids feel more at home. As much as I miss California, with its warmth and close proximity to the ocean, the more that I stay here, the more I feel at home.

“Your title might be Beta, but I can’t help but think that you’d make a good Luna.” I nearly jumped out of my skin as Sam’s mother Ruby comes into the room.

“Well, if that ever happens, then I’d have big shoes to fill.” I said, smiling at her. Luna Ruby was not only a Luna, but a doctor within the pack. She saved lives in more than one way. Not to mention she’s a guardian like Amber is. Alpha females are rare, let alone Alpha mother and daughter duos like theirs.

“Well, with how my son looks at you, I would say that it’s only a matter of time..”

I can feel myself blushing.

“Oh don’t be too embarrassed. I’m getting old and past the age where I’d beat around the bush. I just want to see my son happy and it's nice to see him interested in someone after his mate died.”

Oh wow, so she really doesn’t know that Sam and I are second-chance mates. Maybe that is a good thing.

“Well, thank you Luna.” I replied back. Sam and I hadn’t been obvious with our relationship, but I guess nothing gets past Ruby.

“ I heard that you two are going to California together. Please give Amber a hug for me.”

Suddenly, a light bulb went off. That is where this whole conversation is coming from. She thinks the trip is a romantic one, but it isn’t, but it is.. I guess Sam and I hadn’t established what it was.

“...Yes, I’m going back to celebrate my birthday and Sam offered to come along on pack business.”

Luna Ruby rolled her eyes…”You and Sam both treat me like I was born yesterday. I know a good match when I see one. ‘Pack business’ can be handled over zoom...but anyway. I hope that you two have fun and know that things are taken care of here.” she said all of this with a warm smile.

Author Note

Luna Ruby is so straight forward and I love that about her. Who is excited about a weekend away for Sam and Jewel? I know I am!!