The Beta's Choice

Anticipation

Though the Mating Ball wasn’t for another two days, many were arriving early, as they had further to come. As was usual, the Alpha was the first to greet the guests, with his Beta by his side. His parents at the end, in the foyer, and the twins between them. They didn’t need to be there and had said as much, but their parents had insisted. As the Alpha teams arrived, Vail could see their eyes wander around and take in the pack. Few had been inside the pack for the last thirty years and it was natural to be curious. He hoped it was just curiosity, he knew their pack was not as large, or as capable, as others. It left them vulnerable, it was only their location that offered protection from other packs coming in to take over. By inviting others in, they were letting them see exactly where their weak spots were. It was a chance he would have to take if he wanted to interact with other wolves.

They had been standing for hours by this point and had greeted half a dozen packs. The Alphas had been a mixed bag, some very traditional and a few not at all. A few older Alphas were there only for their team, and young Alphas like him were still making alliances. Their greetings were also a mixed bag. Some seemed polite, others were obviously sizing him up, and not shy about it. Alphas were known for their ego, so the fact that they felt they were superior was to be expected, but he didn’t like it. He glanced back and realized his siblings weren’t exactly thrilled either. His sister was trying to get some of them to let go of her hand. He caught more than one stroking her hand and had to remind Dom to behave via mind link, though his parents had also done the same, as well as telling Charli to be nicer to the wolves that took an interest. There was finally a gap while the parents took the last team up to their rooms, and the twins sighed.

“Are we almost done? Some of those wolves are just creepy.” Charli pouted. Dom put an arm around her without a thought. Their parents had told the two not to touch each other, to stay apart, but they were gone now. Vail felt bad, he too wanted them to take a break from each other and hopefully find mates, but he also knew that no one else could comfort them like each other.

“Almost, Kaleb?” He glanced at his Beta who had the list off to the side, he was marking off teams as he looked it over.

“One more today, only three tomorrow. The Great Springs pack called this morning to apologize but they are unable to make it.” He kept his head down but let his Alpha know via mind link, *There was a rogue attack, they are fine but they have missing pack members. They are out hunting for them.*

Vail nodded, *Did you offer assistance? It’s a chance to develop a relationship.* They really didn’t have the numbers, but the offer itself would be a good first step.

*Of course, Alpha.* Kaleb grinned at himself, this was a formal event, so he was using titles, but it still annoyed his friend.

As Vail looked at his siblings he saw their eyes go far away and knew they, too, were having a private conversation. With a quick feel along the lines of his pack, he smiled at them. “Parental check.” Like that, they stepped away from each other and straightened their shoulders, pasting on polite smiles. Parental check had always been their code to each other when their parents were around. It wasn’t that they didn’t love their parents, but even with the small age gap, the three hung out together a lot, which meant they got into trouble together a lot. If one got caught, they would warn the others. If their parents were trying to find one of them for something, they warned each other. It took their parents years to learn that was why they could only find one at a time.

There was the sound of tires on gravel and his parents arrived just as the cars pulled up. Vail gave a nod to his parents and stated, “Last ones today.” And received a nod in return. He saw the relief in their eyes though. This had already been more interaction with outsiders than they had had in decades and he realized none of them had been prepared for the emotional tax it could take on you. There were only two SUVs. Like most packs, they were black, with tinted windows, and very nondescript. Vail had been taking notes for when they needed to purchase pack vehicles. The driver got out and opened the back door as two wolves came out. The other SUV emptied itself and waited for their Alpha, then stood behind him. It wasn’t hard to see who the Alpha was. Like most, he was taller and fully muscled. It was his Beta that got Vail’s attention. He wasn’t nearly as large as most, not that he wasn’t muscled, it was just leaner. If he had to put it into words, he would say the Alpha was a bodybuilder, while the Beta was an Olympic runner. As wolves, they were all runners.

Clark and Lance made their way up the stairs and Clark had a genuine smile on his face. He hadn’t glanced around the whole pack but did look up at the house as he offered his hand. “Alpha Vail, it’s nice to meet you finally. You have a wonderful pack house, it fits the location perfectly!” And it did. Sitting in a valley as they were, with a lake and often a bit of a mist around them, the pack house was the tallest structure, but it was built with wood sidings and windows naturally set back to prevent the blinding of the sun when the light hit them. If it was smaller, it would be a perfect high-class cabin getaway. As it was, it looked like it could, if they wanted, fit their entire pack easily.

Vail gave a nod and took his hand. Not trying to squeeze hard to show dominance was a nice change. “Alpha Lance, allow me to introduce my Beta, Kaleb, and my family. My younger brother Dominic, sister Charlotte, and my parents, Roman and Martine. We are so glad you were able to make it. I hope the trip wasn’t too arduous.”

“Not at all. I feel bad coming a day early when we are so close, but I was hoping that you and I might have a chance to meet before the Ball. I understand as a new Alpha how much you have to do, however.” He wanted to offer an out just in case, but he was hoping to get an alliance before other packs tried. He knew some of the other packs and had negotiated with them himself. They could be quite demanding, assuming as longer established they had the upper hand.

Kaleb and Lance had already sized each other up and nodded to each other. All that was expected of them. Vail was surprised that the Alpha had gotten to business right away, though he was hopeful. “Of course, my parents will take your team to their rooms and give you all a chance to rest first. I would love a chance to speak, say after dinner?”

“After dinner, it is then.” Lance smiled and walked past to greet the others. He greeted Dominic but offered no hand, as Dominic didn’t seem interested either, he offered a hand and a bow to Charlotte, who politely took it. He saw her wince as he bowed over her hand and did not kiss it. He was sizing her up and he felt bad for it, but it was to be expected at a mating ball.

Lance smiled brightly at the two of them and offered his hand to Dominic. “Dominic, right? I’m Lance. Twins? You two look so much alike,” He looked from one to the other, “Both quite stunning. You’ll be the belles of the ball, I’m sure.” He was only half flirting, but they had looked so tired and uncomfortable. He felt bad for them, having to stand there all day and do it again tomorrow.

Dominic took his hand with a tight smile that slowly fell into a look of surprise. He addressed them both, not as a throwaway younger brother and a possible Luna, but as just people, which was different. At least today it was different. As Lance shook his hand and then offered a bow to his sister, they looked at each other. “Yes, we are twins. Though I suppose there really isn’t any hiding it, is there?”

Lance laughed and the sound sent shivers down both of their spines, their hands, at their sides a moment ago, snatched out to each other in surprise. Charli blinked a few times before addressing him, wishing he would reach for her hand as well. “We’ve never been to a ball before, so we’ll probably just be awkward.” She felt her ears go red. She was babbling! Dom squeezed her hand as he felt suddenly warm in the chest and light in his breath himself.

Lance shook his head, “You two? Awkward? Pardon me, but I think that would be impossible.” He added a wink and then turned to greet their parents. Neither took their eyes off of him, barely noticing the rest of the Alpha team as they came along and nodded politely at everyone.

*Did you feel that??* Charli mind linked with her twin, her voice sounding breathless even in her head.

*I want to call dibs but, I think there’s enough to go around.* Dom replied and both suppressed giggles as they watched their parents lead the guests away.