The Beta Queen

Chapter 6

Chapter 6 

I feel someone shaking me as if trying to wake me up. I didn’t realize how tired I was I have completely missed dinner. I sit up and look at the alarm clock. It’s 11:30 at night. Thirty minutes to go until I meet my wolves. 

Mom has a huge plate of lasagna and a bottle of Dew. I thank her and hug her for my favorite meal and drink. I’m done with the lasagna in less than 15 minutes. As I chug some Dew, I peer at my Mom. Her eyes glisten with unshed tears. I’m her baby, the last one pup born to her and I am about to meet my wolf or wolves tonight. In just over 15 minutes I will be considered an adult. 

I go into my closet for my most worn baggy combo. I change in there and come out with my pajamas in hand. I lay them at the foot of my bed before joining Mom, who is now standing by the door with the plate and fork. I give her a hug and kiss before we head downstairs. I hesitate at the landing when his smell hits me. But then I remember he thinks I am beautiful no matter what I wear and continue down the stairs with confidence. 

We reach the bottom of the stairs and Mom heads into the kitchen to place the plate and fork into the sink. I head into the living room and see everyone standing in a circle. I look up at the clock. Two minutes to go. I make my way to the center and take my spot near Marie when the clock strikes midnight. 

I feel a burning sensation right before my bones begin to break, it seems all at once. I hear the ripping of clothes by each one that is turning with Marie and I. Each new wolf has a parent in front of them holding a mirror so we can see our transformations and what our wolves look like. After a few minutes of excruciating pain and some screams by some turning for the first time, I peer at myself in the mirror. 

My wolf is rather large with pure white fur. I raise my tail and see it is tipped in bright purple as is my ears and paws. Everyone is in awe of the new wolves. I hear a crash and look to my right. I see Luna Grace on her knees turned toward me. I look behind Marie to see Alpha Drake and see him bowed on his knees as well. Only those who did not fully understand the legend telling at the emergency pack meeting are still standing until they see Future Alpha Brandon follow suit of his parents. I see a girl brush against him as he bows and a low growl escapes my throat. 

Hi, I’m Rose and that girl has touched mate. 

Hi, I’m Elna. We have a lot to talk about. 

Hi, I’m Kris and it’s nice to meet you. 

Good Goddess, how many of you are there? I ask. 

I believe there are four of us. The other or others will surface later, I guess, Elna replies. 

I won’t be able to go to school again, will I? I ask them. 

Of course, you can, all three reply. 

I lean forward and rub my nose against my mom’s cheek. I’m ready to shift back. It seems she doesn’t understand so I whine a little. 

How do I change back Mom? I link her. It seems to take forever before Alpha Drake stands. That signals everyone else to stand as well. Our parents guide us through shifting back to human form. After we are shifted back, we are covered with sheets to shield out nakedness. Alpha Drake takes the podium. Just as I am about to bow, Rose hisses at me, do not bow to any man when our mate is present. 

I see the girl grab onto Brandon’s wrist and I growl again. I want to rip her hands off her body. Before I knew it, Rose takes over and the word escapes my lips in a whisper, “Mate.” At that moment, everyone looks at me and then in the direction I am looking. No one is supposed to know who their mate is until they turn eighteen. Everyone in Diamond Rough knows just how introverted I am. Once I push Rose back to the back of my mind, I feel my cheeks burn and eventually drop my gaze. 

Alpha Drake clears his throat to get everyone’s attention once more. I pay attention only because I have no idea what he is going to say. I would rather have a conversation with my wolves. 

“Congratulations and happy birthday to our newest young wolves. Please remember we still have a couple human teachers at school for the time being. Joining us on our pack lands is your Geometry instructor, Mrs. Mitchell. She helped to protect our pups and young wolves during the rogue attack at the school, exposing her supernaturalness to the true wolf. All of you heard the legend at the emergence meeting. The true wolf shifted for the first time tonight. She is the queen, or rather will become the queen, of werewolves, witches, and vampires. The Moon Goddess has truly bestowed a gift upon our pack. I did notice that we had three omega pups shift as well. Two of those pups are now deltas and will train with our warriors after homework. Until the queen has been through her coronation, we will all address her as Princess. She will continue with her studies at this time as well. Princess, is there anything you wish to add?” 

I was about to decline when Elna spoke up. Security from the rogues. I nodded and politely made my way to the podium. I could hear the whispers as everyone allowed me to pass. After reaching the podium, Alpha Drake bowed to me and I did a slight one. I turned to address pack members gathered for the turning event. 

“Hello everyone. Congratulations and happy birthday to our newest young wolves. Many of you are concerned with the safety of the students since this afternoon. I wish I could say there won’t be any more attacks. From now on, no will be excused from training unless they are expecting or hospitalized. We will continue as always to be peaceful. The training is necessary to defend ourselves. Omegas will train in shifts. If an omega has morning duties, they will train after lunch. And vice versa. I know our strength is peace but that doesn’t make us weak. We are not as weak as the rogues think we are. I also wish to put to a vote how everyone would feel about a pack meeting on Sundays. That way everyone will be included on what’s going on with the pack, our borders, and whatnot. Thank you all.” 

I step back from the podium and look over at Brandon, our eyes locking. Suddenly, I can hear his thoughts as a link opens between us. I stare at his lips as his thoughts get dirtier. I simply reply to him in link, I would to feel all of those things with you right now. He smirks and takes a step towards me. The silly girl puts her hand on his shoulder and I growl loudly. Making everyone turn to see what is happening. Those closest to where I am standing begin to whimper. Some lower their heads. 

The silly girl retreats quickly, confused. Future Alpha Brandon slowly approaches me. He gathers me into a warm embrace. Alpha Drake disperses the crowd except for our immediate families. 

“Princess, I have been waiting for you,” said Brandon. 

I am confused but I don’t want to leave his warmth. I sigh and turn while still wrapped in his arms. I feel his hardness against me and I want it desperately. I look to Alpha Drake and he nods. Everyone heads to his office. I reluctantly step out of Brandon’s embrace but continue to stand in front of him, shielding him from eyes that may be lurking. 

You must calm yourself. You will have me all to yourself soon enough, I link him. I can wait as long as you say I must, he replies. We quickly join the others where a heated discussion is taking place. We quickly learn the discussion is about me. 

“She just turned 16. She shouldn’t have to worry about anything other than studying right now,” my mom says. 

“But she is also the future queen, Gamma Mattie. And from what the legend tells us, he isn’t her only mate,” said Alpha Drake. 

“How can she cope with all of that? Learning the politics of running the packs, multiple mates, learning the laws of vampires and that of the magical community. Not to mention putting laws in place for rogues from all three communities. She still has to finish high school and yet everyone wants her to go ahead and mate since she found one of them already,” my mom practically yells. 

I clear my throat. They turn and look in her direction. I stifle a yawn as we all take a seat. I am tired and want to go to bed... with Brandon. But I know there are some formalities that must be done before that happens. 

“Princess, how many wolves spoke to you upon shifting?” asks Alpha Drake. 

Answer that truthfully. Only three spoke up, Elna tells me. 

“Three wolves, Alpha,” I reply. 

Why am I telling him this, I ask Elna. He must contact the elders of werewolves, Elna replies. 

“Shy!” shouts Mom. 

I snap back to the conversation around me. I realize I am now sitting on Brandon’s lap. I can feel him beginning to harden again beneath me. 

“I understand everyone’s concern. I don’t know why Rose surfaced and revealed our mate so soon. I can assure you that if and when Brandon and I complete the deed, we will use protection until I graduate from school. We won’t be having any pups anytime soon if that is what everyone's problem is,” I tell them. 

I can’t stand up unless you cool it, I link Brandon. It’s either you or Rose making it hot down there. You have to get her under control or cool yourself down, he pleads back. I tune back in to the conversation going on outside my head. 

“When will you want some Luna duties transferred over to you?” asks Alpha Drake. 

“No time soon. While it is true I wish to be treated as an adult for mating purposes, I do still have responsibilities as a tutor until the end of term. Speaking of which, Luna Grace, several of the girls need extra work to make sure to pass at the end of the year. If you would be so kind as to allow them off for the weekend so I can help them get more prepared for cumulative finals, meaning they have to copy my notebooks, we all will greatly appreciate it. I also fell asleep reading in the tome and need time for that as well. But since I will have three mates, I think I should be able to get to know Brandon and vice versa. Which means I have an overflowing plate for the next six weeks, at least,” I respond. 

I continue speaking, “Now please, I have a few hours before I have to be up for training and tutoring. Although I am exempt from training this morning because of shifting for the first time, I prefer to lead by example. But please, my private life is and will continue to be private.” 

Can I get up now? I ask Brandon in link. Please do. I’m trying my best to hold back Chuck but I’m starting to lose, he replies. Shyanne gracefully stands up and yawns again. She looks toward the window behind Alpha Drake. Instincts immediately kick in. Before she realizes what is happening, she shifts into her wolf and growls. Alpha Drake moves slightly away from the window. 

Kris sounds another loud growl as she pushes Shyanne to the back of Shyanne’s mind with Rose and Elna. Seeing Shyanne’s wolf continuing to look at the window, her father speaks to her in a closed link. What is it? There are no rogues on pack lands according to reports, he says. No but there is a traitor to our pack sneaking up to the window right now, Kris replies. Alert Alpha Drake in a closed link. The traitor is a member of the pack. Beta Aljep begins to remove his clothing as Kris allows Shyanne to resurface. Still in wolf form, Shyanne turns to Brandon. She lowers her head to the sheet at his feet. He picks it up and places it on her back. In her wolf form, it barely covers her. She shifts back into her human form as Gamma Mattie opens the door. Her father speeds past as she steps from Brandon, who kisses her forehead, and walks out the door. 

Before Shyanne leaves Alpha Drake’s office, she turns to him. “My first advice as Princess is to advise you to place the traitor in the dungeon until I can get a full assessment of him.” 

Alpha Drake lowers his head. “As you wish, Princess.” 

Shyanne quickly takes her leave before her father and mate return with the traitor. She gets to the staircase before the front door opens. She looks around for a place to hide knowing the white sheet would still be visible in the dark. When she looks down, the sheet has turned black, to blend in with the darkness around her. She wraps the sheet tighter around her body and over her head. She watches, unmoving and barely breathing, as her father escorts one of the warriors who was out on night patrol to Alpha Drake’s office. Her mate is in wolf form but hesitates as he catches her scent. As they disappear down the hallway, Shyanne yawns and makes her way upstairs to her bedroom. 

Shyanne leaves her door slightly ajar, linking Brandon to wake her at an appropriate time to have breakfast and to make it to training. She lays down on the bed, keeping the sheet over her, closes her eyes and welcomes the sleep.