The Beta Queen

Chapter 2

    Mark helps me ease down onto my bed with as little pain as possible. Jana has retrieved my bag and brings it into my room with her laptop and bag. Mark stands back after ensuring I am in a comfortable position. He turns to Jana and relieve her of her laptop, charger, and bag. Before Jana could move, he put his hand on her arm. She looks at him quizzically.

    "Jana, I know Marie is not the only one to make you leave Shy. You do it to her because I did it to you. For that, I truly apologize and hope you can forgive me," he said. I can see the tears forming in his eyes as he realizes it is learned behavior as well.

    Jana drops my bag to the floor and engulfs our brother in a hug. As she releases him, she said, "I forgave you the night of my first shift. I realized a few months before that that you was trying to help me." She picks up my bag begins taking the wet books and notebooks out of it. "You was trying to make me a better listener. I would hear a car move but had no idea where it was coming from. Two weeks before my first shift, I listened harder and realized it was your car." She turns to me and says, "And that is the mistake I made with you, Shy. I would get so angry that I thought you was always in trouble. I just waited at the last mile, instead of inching along like Mark did with me. And I should have listened to my wolf this afternoon. When I saw Dad come thundering past my car, I knew something had happened. Seeing no bandages near your neck, I also realize how much you listen to me. I told you when you were 13 to --"

    "Always keep my neck and chest protected if something doesn't feel right or I get attacked," I finish for her.

    "Mark told me the same thing at that age," she said. Her eyes clouded over for a minute and I saw a tear slowdown her face. "Excuse me for a minute."

    Mom comes in as Jana turns to leave. I call out to her, "Jana wait. I forgive you." Mom stops and holds Jana in place. Mark leaves without another audible word. He just told me in mind link that he loves me and he will check on me later. I tell him that I love him too as he closes the door behind him.

    Mom gives Jana a hug and Jana turns to me. I can sense the sorrow in her. "Mom, please don't let Dad punish Jana. She feels bad enough," I said.

    "I know. I heard every word. If you don't want to be heard, keep your door closed," she said. "And Jana, I forgive you too."

    We all went still as we hear the announcement for the pack meeting for tomorrow morning through the pack link. And Dad made sure the message included everyone. Right after that announcement, came another, which surprised Jana and myself. The third surprised Mom and made her frown. The messages came through once more to be sure everyone knows about them.

    First Dad's voice: Tomorrow morning at eight will be a mandatory pack meeting. This is an emergency meeting intended for every pack member. This means all pups and omegas should be present as well. No pack member is exempt from this meeting.

    Next came Alpha Drake's message: All school-age pups and wolves will now be escorted to and from school. Further details will be announced at the pack meeting tomorrow morning.

    And then the message that is upsetting my mom: Beginning tomorrow morning at six, all pups and wolves under the age of 17 and over the age of 3 are to report to the front lawn of the pack house to begin training. Shyanne is exempt from training until she has made a full recovery. Details of the reason behind this sudden training will be discussed at the pack meeting. Omegas are included in this age group training as well.

    I see the anger in mom's face as Brandon's message ends. "Mom, he is just trying to help," I say as Jana pulls my jacket from my bag. I watch her check the pockets before going to wring it out since it is still dripping wet. Her eyes widen as I guess what she has found. She pulls my cell phone out and I see it is damaged before repair.

    "By including pups too young for school? We are a peaceful pack," my mom replies.

    "I don't disagree with you mom. Diamond Rough is peace-seeking. Maybe Future Alpha Brandon has a point. We continue to be peaceful while silently training becoming diamonds in the rough. We learn to defend ourselves and not panic. It will be a great help against rogue attacks," I tell her.

    Jana is silently checking my phone. "Shy, your phone looks like it can't be repaired. The screen shattered and it is too waterlogged. I'm sorry," Jana said. I had received that phone on my 12th birthday. I look down as I feel the tears form. The memories in it were the reasons why I had refused all upgrades. They are of the good times with my once best friend. I quickly wipe the tears away, not wanting to show any emotion.

    Jana knows what the tears are for. "Don't worry, Shy. I'm sure Mom and Dad can get a similar and compatible phone. I'll see if everything on this one can get transferred over to it. I know it holds a lot of memories for you."

    Just then, Mom remember something else she wants to talk to me about. Before she can speak, Luna Grace make an announcement via the pack link: Anyone who is being bullied should report the person or persons doing it directly to me. All bullies will have to answer to me. If found guilty, you will answer to Alpha Drake and myself.

    Mom looks at me and says, "I thought you were best friends with Marie? When did the bullying start?"

    I look down and answer her in a whisper, " A little over two years ago, a few days after she hit puberty. It wasn't her fault though Mom. She was just trying to fit in with the popular girls. I was and am an easy target."

    "No, you are not. As a daughter of the beta, I know you are not. Just because she has alpha blood doesn't make it okay for her to treat you this way," said Mom.

    "Had I known she was bullying you, I would have never believed her every time she would tell me you got in trouble. I thought you two were still friends!" said Jana.

    "It's okay Jana. Like I said, she was just trying to fit in. Whenever we pass each other here, she has a look of regret. I didn't want to say or do anything to encourage her friends to do anything else to me. I never believed Marie hates me, until today."

    There was a knock at my door. I tried to get up to open it but feel a sharp pain causing me to wince. Mom pats my shoulder to make me stay where I am while nodding to Jana to open the door. Luna Grace walks in, followed by Marie and Future Alpha Brandon. I feel his stare and hear a sharp intake of breath. Everyone turns to look at him. I realize what he is seeing. My tattered and so-called baggy clothes are just about dry but he is able to see what they are hiding. I see a look of lust flash in his eyes before he looks at my mom.

    "How are you feeling Shyanne?" asked Brandon.

    "At the moment, sore and relieved." 

    Brandon nods and excuses himself, quietly closing the door behind him. Luna Grace nods as he left. She sits on the edge of my bed near me. I notice Marie is still standing in the same spot as when she came in, her head bowed.

    "Why are you relieved Shyanne?" asked Luna Grace.

    "Luna Grace, everything is out in the open. The reasons behind certain actions and the fact that I am still alive. Thank you, Luna. I feel like you understand being bullied. Were you bullied too? I mean, if you don't mind me asking."

    "I don't mind Shyanne. Yes, I was bullied in my old pack. So, don't ever hesitate to come to me if you have any information. Now, trying to fit in or not, it is still bullying. Not even someone with alpha blood is excused for that type of behavior. Nor will he/she get just a slap on the wrist. Marie will be your omega for the next two weeks. That includes school as well." She stands as if preparing to leave. "I have to inform the parents of the other girls so they can be punished as well." Luna Grace takes her leave with a nod to my mother, closing the door behind her.

    I am about to say something to my mom, when I hear a whisper. "I'm sorry. Please forgive me." I look over at Marie, as did Mom and Jana.

    "I can't forgive you for today Marie. You see, I forgave you every day for the past two years after I cried about it. I can't do that today. My life was in jeopardy today. And then I find out that you would lie to my sister just so you could bully me some more before coming home. Maybe after the two weeks are up, but not right now. I kept quiet about your antics because you used to be my best friend. I held onto that because I had proof of it. I was going to present you with that proof on OUR birthday. But thanks to you, your friends, and the rogues that proof is now gone as my phone is completely destroyed from the water and the attack. Today really opened my eyes to the fact that the girl that used to be my best friend is gone and not coming back," I said.

    I can see the tears flowing down her face, her makeup getting ruined. I can't tell if the tears are truly genuine or not. I heave a sigh as I force my mom to allow me to get up. The pain is actually almost gone, which puzzles me. Shaking my head, I mind-link mom to ask Luna Grace to allow my other bullies to come to my room with schoolwork so we can get it out of the way. I know Luna Grace is going to keep them busy so the sooner our assignments are done, the less trouble they will face at school from teachers. After getting a pair of pale pink pajamas out of my wardrobe, I turn to Marie.

    "Have a few omegas help you to get enough tables and chairs in here for you and your friends, also for Jana and myself. Please clean your face before doing so. I expect you back with your assignments and the task done by the time I return from the shower."

    Mom follows me into the bathroom. She helps me to remove my still soggy shoes and socks. My pants feel like they are glued to my skin. Jana walks into the bathroom and help us to peel them off. I pull my tattered t-shirt off over my head. Mom help me unhook my bra since the clasps are in the back as I lean in to turn on the hot water. Mom frowns as she carefully removes one of the bandages. I snatch the rest away before hurriedly getting in the shower. I stand there under the hot water for a while. I can feel my sore muscles loosening up. After standing there for another 15 minutes, I begin to lather my body with my favorite soap. I'm enjoying this leisure shower while also giving Marie some time to complete the task I had given her. 

    After another twenty minutes, I turn off the shower. I grab a towel and wrap it around my body before leaving it. I dry off and look at my body and see there are only bruises. My cuts are all healed. Puzzled, I put on my pajamas and pick the discarded clothing up from the floor, using the towel to get any excess water off the floor. I enter my room, dropping the t-shirt in the wastebin. I arrange my pants, they are a bit salvageable, bra, panties, and towel on the hamper to dry. Yes, as my omega, Marie could have done those things for me, but I am a neat freak, sort of. I like to keep things in certain places.

    Turning, I hear a gasp and a thud as something heavy hits the floor. Future Alpha Brandon is staring at me as if he has never seen me before. I hear a soft growl and immediately feel my hand being tugged. I look over to see Jana pulling me. Out of curiosity, I am led back into the bathroom. She lifts my shirt to reapply the bandages, but is met with the same bruises I saw instead.

    "You haven't met your wolf yet. How is it possible all of your cuts are healed already Shy?" asked Jana.

    "I don't know the answer to that. But maybe you can tell me why Future Alpha Brandon growled at me like that. It was a low and soft growl but I heard it."

    Jana's eyes widen and she shakes her head. She opened the door and made sure Brandon was gone before allowing me out of the bathroom. All five girls are present and almost all of them are pissed. Marie is the only one to look remorseful. The taller one looks up and sees me. I believe her name is Essence. She looks me completely over before speaking.

    "Are you okay, Shyanne? I mean, really ok? I apologize for my actions and for putting you into a life-or-death situation. I never gave a thought that my actions would actually cause any harm, injury, or death. I don't blame you if you don't forgive me. I don't blame you if you hate me. What I did was inexcusable and I am deeply sorry."

    "Me too," chirped the other three.

    I raise my eyebrows but know that Essence is speaking truth. "I will forgive you four on one condition. You are to never bully or prank another person again. Now for the duration of your punishments, you are to meet me here every day after school. All five of you. I will help you with your assignments before you go to your duties. I'm sure that Luna Grace has let you all know that school and home, well basically anywhere inside the Diamond Rough borders are supposed to be a safe haven for all of us. And thank you, Essence, for asking if I'm ok. I feel much better after my shower. Even more so to be able to speak to all of you without there being any consequences."

    Marie lowers her head before speaking, "If I may, Shy, I took the liberty of setting up your laptop and arranged my books alongside it since we wet yours with the water. I asked Brandon to take care of the tables and chairs so I could dry your notebooks. I got most of the recent pages dry. I didn't realize you took that many notes in classes. I also set Jana's items up beside you as well."

    "Thank you, Marie." I look up and see Luna Grace standing in the doorway. I smile at her before addressing everyone else. "Let's get started so you all can do what you are assigned to do. If anyone is having trouble or need extra time, ask me for help or ask Luna Grace if you can have the time for the help."

    An hour and a half later, we are done. Marie takes my wet books and notebooks with her. Jana is scowling at her computer. Essence and the other three are somewhere in in the packhouse or on the grounds cleaning as per their punishments. Luna Grace had accepted my instruction of them coming to me first to get assignments out of the way. I tell Jana to take a break from writing her paper. She sighs in relief. I chuckle as she rubs her temples.