Beta VS Gamma

X

“Samiah…” I turn my body, sleep overwhelming me. “Ssssamiah….” My eyes pop open, and I look around the room. It’s taking me a minute to get my bearings, but the moment I do, I sit up quickly. My eyes land on my mom.

Her eyes are open far enough to see. I rush out of the chair and sit on the edge of the bed. “Mom! Mom, you’re okay. We are in the hospital. I was so worried, mom. I thought… the doctor sai-” Her hand lands on my arm with strength she shouldn’t have.

“I… I don’t have much time. I have to tell you something.” I feel a tear drop from my eye, but I don’t bother to wipe it away.

“Don’t talk like that, Mom. You have to believe that-” She squeezes my arm and I stop talking.

“It’s okay, flower. I’m excited to go. I miss your father so much. You don’t need me here with you; you will be okay.” More tears leak from my eyes, and I don’t care. My mom is talking about dying, and that’s too much for me. “I don’t want a pack funeral. I just want you to bury me behind the house… close to your father. Please don’t make it a big production.” I can’t speak; my voice isn’t as strong as it should be. I nod at my mom, wishing we were talking about something different. “I love you, flower. I’m so proud of you. I want you to live your life. Don’t rot here. Promise me.” I still can’t find my voice, so I nod my head vigorously. Mom pulls my arm forward. I lean down, and she places her lips on my forehead. Her kiss is cold, and it makes my heart hurt. I get on the side of her, snuggling in close. She lays an arm around me, and we stay that way.

~Third Person~

The door opens, flooding the dim clinic room with fluorescent light. Alpha Dean Tillman Sr. walks into the room, taking in his pack members. They are on the bed, wrapped up in each other.

Alpha Dean prides himself on being a caring man to all of his pack members. He can admit that he falls short in some areas, but he truly believes that he has people in place who will pick up the slack and have the same mindset that he has. He’s clearly wrong, but he doesn’t know that.

He looks at Samiah and Mariah, his heart going out to them. He remembers how tough it was for them when they had their loss. He remembers his Luna sitting with them many times, trying to give them love and care. I

It took him a while to hear about the accusations against Mariah and Samiah. The news left him feeling uncomfortable. He couldn’t imagine these two doing what they were accused of. When he discussed the issue with his Beta, Lee, he was assured that the accusations were true. He was told that Kemarion had gathered evidence and everything was taken care of.

He can admit to himself that he got lax and let the issue go. He didn’t follow up, and he didn’t even go to see him. He just got the news that they were released because they were falsely accused. He can’t help but wonder if he had stepped in, would they have been locked up for so long?

Alpha Dean sits in the abandoned chair by the bed and watches the two sleep. His heart is heavy as he goes over his lack of leadership. He always told himself that he wanted to be a good leader. He wanted to be a leader who treated everyone with the same respect, no matter their rank. He wanted to be fair, and he wanted his people to feel comfortable coming to him. To allow these two to be locked up for months on charges that weren’t true is unacceptable.

Samiah stirs and opens her eyes. She looks around the room before her eyes land on the Alpha. “Alpha Dean…” He holds his hand up to stop her words.

“Samiah.” His voice is low, not wanting to wake up Mariah. “I’m so very sorry about everything. I’m sorry that I didn’t realize the truth about your incarceration. I’m sorry that your mom is so sick. I really messed up.” Samiah shakes her head. She never considered that what happened was the fault of her Alpha. Yes, he is the head of the pack, but those who have certain responsibilities have to be held accountable for their actions.

“I understand. Thank you.”

“They say she won’t get better.” Tears spring from Samiah’s eyes at his words. She’s still struggling with that truth, but it’s sinking in more. “What do you need from me? What can I do for you?” Samiah gathers herself enough to be able to respond to her Alpha.

“Mom doesn’t want a pack service. She wants to be buried behind the house, next to dad. She just wants it quiet.” He shakes his head.

“If it’s okay with you, the Luna and I will be by your side. We won’t make a pack-wide announcement. We will just quietly support you during the service. I will have some warriors get everything prepared.” Samiah nods her head. She turns to look at her mom’s sleeping form.

“Can I make a request?”

“Of course. Anything you need, just name it.”

“I want permission to leave this pack.” Alpha Dean inhales sharply, and Samiah slowly turns to look at him. “It isn’t anything against you. I promised Mom that I would live my life, and I don’t think I can do it here. I’ve lost too much, and I think I need a fresh start.”

“I understand. I have an old car you can have. You can leave whenever you get ready. I hate to see you go, but I understand the feeling of wanting a fresh start. Just know that you will always have a home here.” Samiah nods with a sad smile. Alpha Dean sits back and puts his eyes on Mariah, replaying previous incidents and making a clear plan to do better.