*Rian*
Michael's eyes reflected a dull gray in the bright fluorescent lights of Thea's kitchen. We were sitting opposite of each other at the table, struck by thoughtful silence. I was in disbelief.
"I know this is difficult to comprehend—"
"Difficult?" I snarled. "It's impossible! It's not true. It can't be."
He gave me another patronizing look. "I assure you, it is possible."
"No. Betas don't become Alphas. I am not in any position to be Alpha. Everyone knows that." The anger pulsing through me tickled that reckless, uncontrollable part of myself that everyone feared. Even me.
"It doesn't matter," Michael gently argued. He had this fatherly way about him that usually calmed people. Right now it was just making my fury escalate. "Alpha Rosco said you were the one in his dream. You are the rising Alpha."
I knew exactly who I needed to call after this. Uncle Rosco had screwed up somewhere, because I was not going to be the next Alpha. Not a chance. The position required a stable, wise, and patient wolf who could dedicate every living moment to keeping peace between packs and nurturing the next generation.
"You were supposed to be the next Alpha," I grumbled angrily, my trembling hands clenched into fists. "You are way better suited for this."
"It is what it is." Michael slid the watch across the table to me. "The watch is yours now."
My fingers absently rubbed against the engraving on the back, the etched letters that spelled out my name. The letters that should have been Michael's.
"You understand what this means, don't you?" he asked.
"What?" It meant all kinds of things. I wanted to know what, specifically, he was referring to.
"You have to return to Oregon. Alpha training is a long and tedious process."
I glared at the still hands of the silver watch. The metal felt cool on my fingertips. My decision had been made the moment this conversation began. "I'm rejecting the title."
Michael rolled his eyes. "You can't reject being Alpha."
"Sure, I can."
"You know that's not how it works. Even if you hid from us, it'll consume you."
"There is a way to break it," I reminded him.
The disregard he'd shown a moment earlier suddenly turned cold. His eyes narrowed. He knew what I was thinking. He knew it was a bad idea. Rosco would know it, too. But I wasn't in the mood for good ideas right now.
"Neither Alpha Rosco nor your father will let you do it." Michael shook his head. "You'll ruin yourself forever. It won't be worth it, Rian."
"I can make that decision for myself."
"You're young and reckless," he scolded, lips twisting in disapproval. "You don't understand the consequences of what you're considering."
All I could hear were negative, unhelpful statements. My temper inched towards complete abandonment. It would feel so good to let go and surrender to my other side. The initial feeling was always bliss, intoxicating with empowerment and inhuman strength.
No, I scolded myself. Thea will kill you for tearing her house apart. I couldn't lose the progress I'd made since coming to Tidy Heights. I couldn't.
"Get out," I told Michael. "Get out before I do something stupid."
"You have to listen to someone, Ri—"
"And I'm not going to start with you. You are not my father or my Alpha, so shut up and get out." My tone was sharp, slicing through any affection my cousin and I once shared.
I knew I was cranky because my wolf wanted to be unleashed. My other side was a kick for my adrenaline addiction. It was a bad combination.
Michael dejectedly headed for the front door. I followed him until he spun around, index finger pointed accusingly at me.
"Your behavior will catch up to you, Rian," he hissed. "Make no mistake."
Then I slammed the door.
YOU ARE READING
The Beta
WerewolfBoy meets girl. They fall in love, overcome some tragic hardship, and live happily ever after. Except what happens when boy is actually a wolf? Well, that makes things a little more tricky.
