The Beta's Choice

On the Menu

As so many packs had arrived a day early, Vail’s mother had set up a dinner in the private dining room for the Alphas and Betas. Dressed in their suits, most were already milling about and talking, some having already known each other. His mother was looking around nervously, as she didn’t see the twins yet. With a shake of his head, Vail mind linked to his siblings. *You two better hurry, mom’s noticed you aren’t here and the rest will soon enough.*

*We’re almost ready! Perfection like this takes time, big brother!* Charli teased.

He was well aware that she was simply looking to make a grand entrance, and a grand entrance she made. Coming down the main stairs with her brother escorting her, she opted not for a long cocktail dress in pack colors, but a short sleek number. It was obviously satin and the shine of it emphasized her figure, it stopped mid thigh and hugged her figure as it went to a sleeveless halter top, and the back wide open other than two strings of crystals hanging loosely at a slope. It was a bright red and the matching red heels were so high he wondered how she walked without falling. For someone not interested in a mate, she sure knew how to get the attention of every single male in the room, and maybe a few not so single wolves. Vail just took a quick look around and already he saw wolves puffing out their chests, eyes shining with wolves pushing forward, and then he looked at his siblings. His brother held a smirk, knowing he was upsetting the wolves that wanted to be near his sister, and she held a dangerous smile on her lips as well.

“Well, now that we are all here, why don’t we go in and get seated?” Vail announced. He let others file in first. His mother had taken care of seating with place cards so he wouldn’t worry too much about who was where. He was just glad his parents weren’t there for this one, opting for a break and eating alone in their rooms. He waited for the twins to catch up and sighed, muttering to them, “Mom is going to kill you.”

As they filed in, he saw that the Red River pack was seated next to him, and the Beta in the middle of two empty seats. There was no way his mother did that. He turned to look at the twins and they had the good sense to blush and brush past him to sit at his left and on the other side of the Beta Lance. “I may have been down here earlier, just to make sure everything was in order.” Charli stated with a bat of her eyes. Vail shook his head and went to the head of the table. Everyone was standing, waiting for the head of the table to sit first. He did and then waited as the others sat. A quick mind link to the Omegas to start serving and he allowed conversations to start. Before he could say much, he saw the twins had already turned to the Beta.

“So, you are here to find your gifted mate?” Charli started. Lance looked slightly uncomfortable and took a drink of his water. He noticed the seating and thought it odd, but wasn’t going to complain. They were guests, of course, but he did give his Alpha a quick look.

“Well, if I do, I do, but I haven’t yet, so I am not concerned.” He replied with a clearing of his throat. He then tried to turn the conversation back to them. “And you two? Hoping to find your mates? Will you be bringing them here or going to their pack?” With alpha-blooded to alpha-blooded, it wasn’t always as clear who went to who’s pack. Lance noticed Dominic was uncomfortable and so he turned towards him with his brow furrowed.

Dom shrugged, “We aren’t concerned but, “

“Our parents are,” Charli finished. They both had a tone of sadness and worry.

“Hmm, I understand that. I was considering a chosen mate, my mother is definitely wanting some grand pups soon.” He tried to laugh it off, and shook his head. The meals were robust, wolves ate quite a bit, a large steak, a full potato, vegetables, and this was just the first course.

“What about your dad?” Charli asked.

“He pressuring you too?” Dom added.

Lance licked his bottom lip and kept his eyes down. “My father was killed in a rogue attack almost a year ago now. But yes, he would have wanted grand pups, he just wasn’t as bothered by how he got them.” He didn’t mean to let that bit slip. He also didn’t notice Clark, his alpha, paying attention to the conversation.

The twins looked at each other, wondering if that meant what they thought it might mean. Hoping that perhaps Lance might just be interested, Dom smiles and puts a hand on his arm lightly. “You know, no one has come to our pack in over thirty years. Would you like a tour?”

Charli leaned forward and looked at her twin, then at Lance. “Yes, we can show you around, and not just the pack town. The lake is beautiful at night.”

Lance relaxes and nods, looking from her to Dom. “Sure, a tour would be great. If it’s allowed, of course, I know that pack security and safety comes first.” Luckily, that seemed to appease the twins and the rest of the dinner went smoothly. After dinner, he excused himself and said he had to meet with his alpha before they could go out anyway. The twins left to change and meet in the foyer later and Lance followed Clark into Alpha Vail’s office.

Once Alpha Vail took his seat, he gestured for the two to sit as well and they did. Before Clark could say anything, Vail put a hand up. “I hope you don’t mind, but, I have some questions for your Beta.”

Lance and Clark looked at each other, eyes a little wide as they were taken by surprise. Lance then looked at Vail and nodded. “Of course, Alpha Vail.” He knew that his alpha would have his back if need be, but he also knew that he was hoping for that alliance and didn’t want to be the reason that didn’t happen.

Vail sighed, “Please, just, Vail.” He sat back uncomfortable, and then pursed his lips and sat forward, elbows on his desk. “I couldn’t help but notice the, um, attention, my siblings were giving you.” Lance nodded, but as he wasn’t asked a question, he did not say anything. Vail knew he had to give something to get something and he was worried enough about them to take the chance. “The twins are a bit different. Part of the reason my parents are so worried. I don’t want them disappointed and, so, if you are simply being nice in order to procure an alliance, I can tell you it is absolutely the wrong way to go about it.”

Lance finally released the tension in his shoulders. “I did notice that your siblings weren’t too happy with the others in the room, most likely because they had been rather obvious in their interest in Charlotte and dismissal of Dominic. I won’t lie and state that I am here for a gifted mate, or that I am not interested in Charlotte as a possible chosen mate. However, I have genuinely enjoyed both of their company and getting to know them. I would never use one to get to the other, or to your pack, Alpha.” There was a slight edge to the last sentence but he was still being polite.

Vail watched his face, even as he stopped talking, Vail was watching him, assessing if he believed him or not. Finally, he nodded. “Fair enough. They don’t normally take to others. I have no objections to a chosen mate match, but only if the twins agree. Both of them. It would make an alliance easier. I just want you to be aware that when I say they are close, I mean it. To be perfectly honest, it makes some uncomfortable.”

Lance smiled then, “I noticed. They speak in unison or finish sentences for each other, without even mind linking they seem to know what the other is thinking and I can tell that they won’t want to be separated and I have no issues with that. I would never take a mate, chosen or not, and then hurt them by yanking away the family they need.”

Vail looked at Clark then. “As his Alpha, does this work for you?”

Clark nodded, “I trust my Beta and know he will take good care of his mate. I would like to discuss the terms of an alliance, by mate match and not, but I have no issues with him choosing your sister, should they all agree to it.”

Lance nodded, “Then if I may? The twins offered me a tour this evening.”

Vail blinked surprised but nodded, “Of course, it sounds as if I don’t need to remind you to be a gentleman while out. However, please don’t let them pull you into any antics. We can work out some details this evening then.” He glanced at Clark, who smiled up at Lance and gave him a nod. With a bow of respect, Lance stood up and then headed up to change himself. The truth was, as much as he enjoyed getting to know them both, he was starting to wonder if maybe asking Charlotte to be his chosen mate might be a bad idea. Especially with her brother around as part of the bargain. Not because he would be upset at their relationship, but because he found himself drawn to both and that could get complicated and messy fast.