The Beta Queen

Chapter 3

    I smile to myself as I see the grade on my geometry test. I always get an A and this is no different. The test was more difficult than usual. The bell rings signaling the end of the day. Just one more day until I turn 16, I think to myself. Above the movements of my classmates, I hear three names being called by Mrs. Mitchell to stay after class. My smile fades as I realize all three have omega duties and one of them is mine. I slowly gather my books and slip them into my bag.

    "Sometime today, Shyanne," said Mrs. Mitchell.

    "I'm sorry Mrs. Mitchell. I carpool with them. That is why I am waiting. I'll wait outside."

    I go outside to the hall. I almost close the door completely behind me, leaving it cracked just enough for me to hear. From Mrs. Mitchell's tone, I know it has to be something serious.

    "Did the three of you think you could cheat in my class and get away with it? Did you think I would never figure it out?" asked Mrs. Mitchell.

    "No ma'am. We didn't cheat," replied Marie.

    "How do you explain all of you coming up with the exact same wrong answers?" asked Mrs. Mitchell.

    "We may have gotten confused on the same ones," said Essence.

    "How do you explain getting correct answers on the homework but confusion on the test?"

    "Mrs. Mitchell, Shyanne helps us with our homework. If you look closely, I put a question mark on the ones I was unsure of so I could study more. If you don't mind, we are becoming quite tardy to our homework session and impromptu study group," said Marie.

    "You may go, but if I find out Shyanne is doing your homework for you, I will all four of you expelled for cheating."

    I jump back from the door as I hear her voice getting closer to it. She opens the door and glares at me. Marie, Essence, and Jamie come out of the classroom. Rounding the corner to our lockers, we see Jana, Rain, and Skylar coming towards us. Jana can see the anger on my face. I see her a cower a bit, puzzling me.

    "What's wrong, Shy?" asked Jana.

    "Mrs. Mitchell has accused us of cheating and has threatened to have us expelled."

    Stopping at our respective lockers, I see Marie stifle a yawn. She wipes a tear from her face. We don't have any homework for Mrs. Mitchell but I tell them to bring those books anyway. Stepping outside, we see Future Alpha Brandon is our escort this afternoon.

    We get inside the SUV. Marie allowed me the front seat since she is my omega. On the way to the pack house, I ask Brandon to mind-link Luna Grace about excusing the other four from their duties for the day. He gives me a look and then looks in the mirror at the others.

    "We were accused of cheating. Me for doing their homework and Marie, Essence, and Jamie for a test. I need to know what they need further study on," I said, knowing what the look was for and giving a valid reason for Luna Grace.

    "I'm sure Mom will not have a problem with it so I will ask her," said Brandon as he pulled up to the pack house. He let us out in the front before going to park the SUV. Luna Grace met us at the door.

    "That is fine, Shyanne. I'm sure that no one was cheating. That would mean further punishment and I am sure everyone has learned their lessons already for any wrongdoing," said Luna Grace.

    "Yes, we have, Luna Grace," replied all seven of us.

    We climbed the stairs to the fourth floor. Depositing our bags in the spaces we designated as our own, Essence asked, " What wrong did you do Shyanne?"

    "I didn't tell or call out any of you. I was wrong to hold out. Just like I was wrong to continue to withhold your names except Jana and Marie during questioning about the rogue attack and the event leading up to it. I knew Future Alpha Brandon could recognize you but I also didn't want anyone else in trouble," I said. "Now let's get down to business. Marie, if you will, grab some snacks and drinks. Also, anyone, including you Marie, who wants to shower and change, please go ahead and do so. I want to go over your tests so hurry back please. We'll get the other assignments done first."

    Jana hung back. When everyone else had departed, she wrapped her arms around me and kissed my cheek.

    "Thanks for your help with my paper. I got a B. It feels so good earning it myself. I'm going to take a quick shower and help Marie with snacks. I love you sis," said Jana. She skipped happily from my room. I stared after her. It had been so long since Jana had given me a hug or kiss. I shook my head, grabbed a fresh pair of panties and pajamas, and went into my bathroom for a shower.

*********

    We all sat down for our assignments. Marie and Jana had brought up an array of food. Marie had moved spaces after the first session and brought up an extra chair. The extra chair was for one-on-one help with an assignment if anyone needed it. I always checked over everyone's assignments except Jana's. She refused to let me, telling me that it was Mark's job. He had excelled in school, like I am doing.

    After all assignments were done, everyone took a snack break while I looked over the geometry tests. Mrs. Mitchell was right about the same wrong answers. Essence, Jamie, and Marie had used the same wrong formulas on the same questions. On a couple, there were a step or two missing but the formulas were right on Marie's and Jamie's tests. My heart is telling me they had not not cheated. It had to be confusion or rushing. After everyone had used my bathroom, we sit back down to go over the entire geometry test.

    I told them if they got the question wrong to stand up. I called out the first question. Skylar and Jamie stood up. I asked them what formula they used and the reasoning behind the formula chosen. After Jamie gave me her reason, Skylar facepalmed herself and groaned. I raised an eyebrow and told Jamie to check her work again. She gave the right formula but missed a step.

    "I don't have a reason a reason other than a careless mistake. I was supposed to use this formula on the next question and the formula on the next question for this question. Could I have a few minutes please?" asked Skylar.

    I nod my head. Skylar sits back down as Jamie stands back up. Skylar bends her head over her papers. After a few minutes, she stands up again. This time, they both give the right answer and Skylar gives the right formula. We get finished just before dinner as I had continued through the remaining 24 questions in the same manner. The only one who knew this part of our session was being recorded was Jana, who came up with the idea.

    I have become very confident in the improved study habits of everyone. Jana had left an hour ago to meet Mark for him to go over her assignments. She took as much trash as the bag could carry. Marie gathered her books into her bag and sat it beside my door. Skylar, Essence, Jamie, and Rain put their items into their bags and helped Marie stack the dishes and bag the remaining trash. They grabbed their bags and each had something to take downstairs to the kitchen. Marie remained obviously very tired.

    "What's up Marie? You are excused from punishment duties for today, remember?" I asked her.

    "I wanted to ask you a personal question," she replied quietly.

    "Okay, what is it?"

    "Why do you wear baggy clothes all the time? You're obviously not even remotely fat and I just want to understand," she said.

    "People called me fat so much that I didn't want to show my body. I don't wear makeup because I don't want to be painted. When the day comes that my mate finds me, I want to be accepted or rejected for my natural beauty," I told her. "Now seeing as exhausted as I feel and you look, go have dinner and get some rest. Before I come down, I'm going to email Mrs. Mitchell to see if you, Essence, and Skylar can do the test again."

    Marie was picking up her bag as I said, "By the way, Marie, you are forgiven."

    Marie drops her bag and runs over to me, enveloping me into a tight hug. "Thank you Shy. I cried so much the previous nights. Especially the first night, the day you was attacked. I kept thinking about how I almost lost you completely. I never stopped loving you as my best friend. I cried myself to sleep every night that I was mean to you. Can we ever get that back?"

    "We'll work on it," I told her as I patted her back through her tears. I sit back down to my open laptop to email the video I had recorded of the test review to Mrs. Mitchell and ask for a retest of the ones accused of cheating. Marie slung her bag onto her back and made sure every piece of trash was in the bag before she left, closing the door behind her.

    After emailing Mrs. Mitchell, I put all of my things back into my bag and sat it by the door. My laptop, I left open so I could check my email after dinner. I went into the bathroom and scrubbed my toilet and shower. I kept my room and bathroom spotless. After I finished, I wiped down my counters, sink, and mirror. I placed my cleaning supplies back under the sink and stretched. Before heading downstairs for dinner, I grab a clean oversized t-shirt to put on over my pajama top. As I open my door, a sweet intoxicating scent hits me and I stop. The scent gets stronger as I descend, then start to fade as I pass the third floor. I calm myself as I had felt the heat rise between my thighs as the scent was at its strongest. I make it into the dining room, joining the rest of the packhouse for dinner.

**************

    My alarm goes off. It is 4:45 in the morning. It has gone off at that time every morning since the rogue attack. I groan and carefully get out of bed. I straighten the bedcovers before heading into the bathroom. Sometime during the night, someone brought up a gift bag and placed it onto the counter by the sink. I grab it to see what is inside while I relieve myself. Inside were clothes that were my correct size with a note.

Baggy clothes are good for training with the pack. These are for training and workout purposes only. You're beautiful no matter what you wear. Brandon

    I feel my heart skip a beat as I read the last sentence. The future alpha thinks I am beautiful. I wanted to squeal with delight but thought better of it. After I flushed the toilet, I quickly brushed my teeth and hair. I took the bag into my room and pulled out six sports bras with matching leggings. I quickly dressed in the lilac and gray ensemble before putting on shoes and socks. Before going downstairs for a quick breakfast, I folded the rest and put them in a drawer. 

    I walk into the pack kitchen and see everyone staring at me. I begin to feel uncomfortable. In my baggy clothes, I blended in. I quickly sit down and Marie places a plate of eggs and bacon in front of me, smiling. I smile back before digging in. Suddenly, the scent from last night hits me again. I cover my moan of pleasure by sticking a piece of bacon into my mouth. Future Alpha Brandon walks into the room. Taking the empty seat beside me, he leans over and whispers in my ear, "Excellent choice."

    I blush a little before finishing my bacon. He digs into the huge plate of bacon and eggs that was placed before him. Before I could get up to take my plate to the sink, Marie appears behind me with a fresh portion of eggs and bacon.

    "Trust me," she said. I accept the fresh plate of food and finish it just before Brandon finishes his heaping plate. By that time, it was almost time for the morning training session. I head outside as Marie clears my plate to get a head start on stretches. In just a little over 18 hours, I will shift and meet my wolf for the first time. I smelled Marie right before she appeared beside me.

    I can see she is trying her best to follow the stretches I am doing. I slowdown so she can try to mimic my movements. Marie is not able to go as deep into some of them as I am. But then, I have been doing these stretches for the past month. We hear the final call from Brandon and take our spots in the ranks. Before Brandon started the stretches before training, he cleared his throat and made an announcement.

    "As most of you know, tomorrow afternoon marks one week since Shyanne was attacked by two rogue wolves. Tomorrow is also special because we will have more than two people meeting their wolves for the first time. Those people will also be excused from school as they will either arrive late or not at all due to fatigue. There will also be a small turning event. One of those people turning is my sister, Marie, who shares that day with more than one other person. Now, Mark will help some of you this morning by teaching you some basic maneuvers that helped save his sister's life. Now let's partner up and get to work so the littles can get back to bed and the rest off to school."

    Being that Marie has alpha blood running in her veins, it was only fitting that we were partners as I was a daughter of the beta. Brandon started his rounds with the little pups so they could get off to bed. He never kept them out as long as the rest of us. I suspect he works with them when we are in school.

    The closer he got to Marie and I, the more his smell was dulling my senses. That distraction caused Marie to get some good hits in as she was on the offense. When Brandon was about ten feet away helping another pair of young people, Marie was able to get me off my feet. She helped me up and whispered for me to focus.

    I try hard to focus but Marie is able to get me off my feet again as Brandon approaches us. He reaches out a hand to help me up. As I reach for it, I feel a jolt of electricity. Ignoring it, I put my hand firmly in his, knowing he feel the sparks too, and get up. I lean in to him and barely more than whisper to him, "I know who you are already."

    I begin to spar with Marie again, this time on the offense. Her defense has gotten much better after just one week of training. I wasn't able to catch her off guard at all. After telling Brandon that I know who he is, I became more confident and less distracted. Marie is still able to ger some great defensive hits in though. Brandon made sure to stay away from us.

    After another 30 minutes, we are done with training for the day. Marie holds my arm to hold me back. I look at her and see she wants to talk. I wait a couple minutes to make sure everyone else has gone in.

    I see the way she is looking at me. Raising an eyebrow, I ask, "What's up?"

    "What did you mean when you told my brother you already know who he is? I barely caught it but I heard you. If it had been about focusing or something around training, you would have said it a little louder than that," she said.

    "Something is happening to me that I don't understand. I want to talk to my mom or your mom about it first. If that is okay with you. I'm not shutting you out, I just need to talk to one of them firat," I replied.

    "Okay, it's cool. Shy? May I recommend something from my closet for school today?"

    I nod my head. Marie grabs my hand and we run back into the packhouse to Marie's room. She goes into her closet rifling through her clothes. She finally emerges, handing me something blue and lilac. Heading into her bathroom, she said, "I only have time for a quick shower and minimal makeup. Go on Shy so we don't be late."

    I head upstairs to my room. I lay out the clothes Marie had loaned me. I strip naked, dumping the sweaty clothes into the hamper before jumping into the shower. I wash my hair in the shower knowing a simple ponytail will help maintain the natural curls of my hair.

    I turn off the water and wrap a towel around my hair. I grab another towel to wrap around my body before leaving the bathroom. Walking into my bedroom, I sense something off. I had shaken off that feeling before getting into the shower. I mind-link my mom to come to me. I am too scared to move from the spot I'm standing in. I hear Mom knock on my door. I link her that I'm too scared to move.

    The door slowly opens. Dad walks in first. Then Mom. They both watched me. "Shy, honey?" asked Dad.

    I hold up a finger and concentrate. After holding my breath for a while, I point to the closet. I could hear someone breathing in there. Mom moved to open the door to my closet as Dad position himself in wait for something or someone to jump out. As Mom slowly turn the knob, we hear there is a four-year-old pup that hadn't returned from training. We all stop and listen. As Mom slowly open the closet door, we can hear light snores coming from inside. I breathed a sigh of relief as Dad reach in and bring out the sleeping pup. They both look at me in surprise.

    Dad alerts the pack to cancel the pup alert as he leaves with the sleeping pup. Mom closes the door behind him and faces the wall, giving me privacy to get dressed. I can tell she wants to talk. I do too. I quickly dry off and put some lotion on. I pull on a pair of panties and the matching bra.

    "Mom, how come my senses are so heightened when I haven't met my wolf yet?"

    "I guess it is a blessing, Shyanne. A blessing from the Moon Goddess," she said.

    I slide on the snug jeans Marie loaned me. "Just a blessing, huh? I sense you are not telling me the entire truth. I guess it is a blessing that I know who my mate is already?" I ask her as I pull on the lilac top. "I'm dressed and thanks for the privacy."

    "So, you know who your mate is because it was said to you? How can you sense I'm holding something back?" asked Mom.

    "I don't know how I can sense you holding back some of the truth. I can also smell my mate sooner, a lot sooner, than when I see him. My training was completely off whenever he got close to me this morning," I said as I went into the bathroom to hang up my towel and tend to my hair.

    I can sense my mom's hesitation as I unwrapped my hair and hung that towel up to dry. With my hair still slightly damp, I brush it and put it up in a neat bun leaving a few strands out at my temples. I grab two flexi rods and was wrapping my loose hair around one of them when Mom came into the bathroom.

    "On the day you was born, I had what I thought was a dream. In that dream, I was told the female I bear will be very important to all werewolves and will have unfathomable power. I put it off as delirium to the pain of childbirth. I saw some of your powers in you before. I never imagined that what I was told would be true. You caught your father lie about something that protected me before when you was just a small pup. From then on, I warned him to never speak lies around you. I believe your power healed your cuts before the first training session," she said.

    I had completely finished my hair but felt angry inside. When I looked at myself in the mirror, I saw that my eyes had changed color to a steel gray from the soft hazel they usually were. Startled, I look over at my mom.

    "My eyes have changed colors," I said. "They're now gray."

    She walks closer to me, inspecting them. "They aren't. They're a bright blue. They used to be hazel."

    We hear a knock at the door. Mom and I both leave the bathroom. I grab my bag as Mom opens the door. Marie is standing there, ready to go.

    "We'll finish our talk later Mom. Thank you," I said to her as Marie walk down the hallway to the stairs. I follow Marie downstairs to the SUV that held the others in our carpool.