Page 2 of Star-crossed Betas

“Might I suggest a solution that doesn’t involve anyone being held hostage? What if we skip the engagement?” I keep my head down in submission while waiting for them to respond.

“If you haven’t noticed,Phoenix,we’ve spent the last seven hours sittin' around this table with thisengagementas the sole item on the agenda,” Connor snaps back. I hate how he says my name like it’s poison on his tongue, yet his familiar Mancunian accent makes my heart ache at the memory of its absence.

“You misunderstand me. I’m proposing we sign the agreement and have the binding ceremony for the marriage on the same day. We can still have the wedding party next Saturday as planned, but we’d make it official in advance.” I manage to speak clearly despite my heart trying to beat its way out of my chest. As I lift my gaze to Connor’s, I’m met with a brief slack-jawed expression before he swiftly schools it back to his preferred scowl of indifference.

“Looks like all the money you threw at the boy’s education paid off; that’s not a bad idea.” Alpha Kelly’s tone is baiting my mother. However, given she makes no secret of our pack’s wealth and the fact she spends a considerable amount of it on private tutors for every member, Alpha Kelly is barking up the wrong tree—pun fitting but not intended.

My mum looks over at me before she responds. I hate how much I preen at the pride in her eyes.

“I agree with my son. I suggest we meet back here tomorrow to sign the agreement. Jasper will contact Calvin Eastwood to officiate the marriage with Nina Fenwick to assist in the binding ceremony.” I’m glad it’s Calvin who will be leading the ceremony. He comes across as quite stoic and serious, but he has a soothing presence I know I’ll be grateful for tomorrow. As the eldest son of Alpha Eastwood, Calvin is well suited to his futureas Alpha of the Northumbria pack. I’ve never met their pack witch, Nina. But our pack doesn’t have a witch so I’m curious as to what she might be like.

“I would also propose that during the week between the official ceremony and the wedding party, Phoenix and Connor spend half the week residing with us in the Lake District and half the week residing in the Peak District before they take up residence in Yorkshire. It will give us time to sort out more permanent accommodations for them.” My mum presents her 'proposal' as more of a non-negotiable statement.

Alpha Kelly looks to his second in command, Sam, his eldest son and Alpha heir, who dips his chin in agreement. When he moves his gaze to Connor, the thick tension that has been an additional guest here today swirls around the room suffocatingly. Eventually, Connor submits, bearing his neck to his Alpha.

“Agreed. We’ll meet back here tomorrow at noon then.” My mum merely nods in response, stands, and puts her hand out for Alpha Kelly to shake. He mirrors her, shaking her hand firmly and bringing the meeting to a close.

Our fate is sealed.

As we file out of the room, nothing more is said. The atmosphere would lead you to believe we are heading for the gallows rather than matrimony.

When we leave the house, I walk briskly towards the tree line, not hesitating to strip once I’m out of sight. Shoving my clothes into my backpack, I shift quickly, scooping up my bag with my mouth before I set off running.

I was nine years old when I first shifted, a reasonably average age. It took so much concentration to manage it back then, yetnow it often feels as though I’ve shifted as soon as the thought has crossed my mind. It doesn’t hurt exactly, but it’s an odd sensation. Similar to the feeling you get after a big workout, your muscles are sore and aching, but it kind of feels good at the same time. Satisfying—like you’ve finally scratched an itch you couldn’t reach all day.

Needing to burn up some of the pent-up energy from sitting around in a tense room all day, I run swiftly through the woods. My paws pound against the damp ground as I weave in and out of the trees.

Around three-quarters of an hour later, I slow down as I approach the familiar cottage. The beautiful stone house in Kendal sits on the very edge of our pack’s territory. The property has been in my family for generations. Although it isn’t the home my family usually resides in, it’s one of my favourite places to stay.

The scents of our land—fresh water with earthy undertones—fill my senses, and I suddenly have to swallow a lump in my throat. It’s only just hitting me that this land I’ve called home my entire life won’t belong to me anymore. In a week, I’ll be living in Yorkshire, trying to build a new life there.

Before I can get too caught up in my thoughts, I’m assaulted by a small timber wolf bursting through the front door. My younger brother Alfie is fourteen, and as a late shifter, the novelty hasn’t worn off yet.

Although his fur is similar in colour to mine, when he’s in his human form, he’s the spitting image of Jasper. They both take after our mum with honey-blonde hair, pale blue eyes and porcelain skin. I, on the other hand, am the double of our dad, tall and broad with olive skin, chestnut brown hair and brown eyes.

I’ve always been especially close with my dad; he’s a pure beta, same as me. Jasper is an Alpha-beta, which essentially makeshim the Alpha heir. My younger brother Alfie is a beta but has a dormant Alpha gene, so he’ll probably always be a beta.

Our mum has been grooming Jasper to take over for as long as I can remember, and I was often overlooked as a result. I think my dad must have seen it too, because he always made an effort to spend extra time with me.

“Nix. Mum. Alpha Mum. Where’s Jasper? All Safe?”Alfie sends his jumbled thoughts through the pack bond.

“Jasper’s safe. He’s gone to get Calvin. Shift back, Alf,”I reply, before returning to my human form and throwing on my clothes from my bag.

Standing in the doorway is my dad; he smiles at me softly and squeezes the back of my neck as I walk through the front door. He smells of old leather andhome.

The cottage is toasty inside; my parents’ housekeeper, Claire, has lit the fire and prepared dinner. Claire joined us from a pack in Cornwall when I was still a toddler. She was originally our nanny but became the housekeeper once the three of us were enrolled in school. We all gather around the table to eat. She's made lasagne with garlic bread—one of my favourite meals.

“Thanks, Claire. You’re the best,” I say to her as I serve up an exorbitant amount of food onto my plate.

“You’re welcome, love.” She smiles at me over her shoulder while clearing up the kitchen. My parents are both reticent through dinner. Still, Alfie compensates for the silence by yammering on about his latest D&D campaign.

After scoffing down a ridiculous amount of food, I try to make my excuses and head to bed. My thoughts are scattered, anxiety swirling in my gut, and I desperately need some time alone.

“Can I speak to you privately before you go to bed, Nix?” my mum asks. I nod and then follow her into the study when she gets up.

I love this study; it’s small and cosy, the walls lined with old, musty-smelling books. In one section is over a hundred books detailing the history of our pack since its inception in 1845. I’ve always loved history and learning about the way of life back when my ancestors settled on this land all those years ago. I suppose it’s really no surprise that I chose to become a history teacher.

The weathered, red chesterfield armchair squeaks slightly as I sit, and my mum leans against the windowsill opposite me.

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