Page 1 of Beta and the Beast
1
Sarah
Beta Beans and Brews has been my baby since I was twenty. I was still in college for my business degree when I got the idea to start a coffee shop. The world might be set up so that the most successful of our dynamics are alphas, but there's enough opportunity out there for betas and omegas, especially since I went into the beta-only market. I have the best possible location at a popular strip downtown, and the building is completely alpha-free.
At least, it was until about five minutes ago. Now, I'm not quite sure if my coffee shop will survive. My customers expect a certain amount of distance from themselves and alphas. Now that I can't guarantee that, it might cause some major issues.
There are a lot of bad alphas out there. Yeah, there are good ones, too. My brothers are both alphas, and they're greatguys. That doesn't negate the fact that I've been harassed by multiple alphas, and many of my customers have been harassed, assaulted, or threatened by alphas.
Alphas are stronger than betas and omegas. They're taller and more muscular and think they deserve submission with their mere presence. It doesn't help that they've used those traits to shoehorn themselves into almost every position of power in the world. Not to mention how many think they're owed romantic attention just because they're interested in you.
I've been propositioned by alphas before, and if my no doesn't work, telling them my brother has a beast that would tear them apart limb from limb usually does the trick.
Some alphas have a second consciousness that lives in their head with them and sometimes takes over their body. They're known as beasts. My brother Scott shares a mind with Fenrir. I think of him as a brother, and he's better-behaved than most alphas.
"I'm telling you now so you can get used to the idea," Sam tells me.
Sam's my oldest brother. He doesn't have a beast. He's just a regular alpha who also happens to own a community center where he's trying to help young alphas learn to be better than the majority of them. I usually love the work he does, but not when it's about to impact my business.
"When do you plan on opening the bakery?" I rub my temples as I ask.
"Henry will be here tomorrow to check it out. In the next few days, he'll get the contractors in to install the new ventilation system. He's offered to put high-end ventilators in your shop and the boutique on the other side."
Sam gives me a soft smile but doesn't reach out to give me his signature shoulder squeeze because he knows I'm not ready forthat. I'm still too heated about what's happening to my perfect little slice of life.
"And you had to move in next door?" I ask, hoping that he's changed his mind in the last five seconds.
"It's either us or some other alpha business. Your landlord hasn't found a beta business to take the spot in six months, and they're desperate."
I squeeze my eyes tight and try to control my emotions, which are trying to escape in the form of tears. I will not cry over this—at least not in front of Sam. My tears will only make him feel worse about this situation than he already does.
"I want to speak with your partner about this, and I want to know what steps you're taking to vet the alphas working in the bakery," I tell him on an exhale. "I need to look out for my customers and make sure they're not in any danger. Some of these people have been victimized by alphas."
"I understand." Sam does reach out this time, and his warm hand cups my shoulder before giving it a firm squeeze. It shouldn't make me feel better, but he knows precisely when to time them so they have maximum impact. "We want to do right by your customers and teach the young alphas how to interact with other dynamics. It'll take some adjustments, but you and Henry will figure it out."
My brows tug together. "What do you mean, Henry and I will figure it out? I thought you were in charge of this?"
Sam snorts as he stands and pushes his chair back underneath the small table. "No, Scott and I are busy getting the free clinic open. Henry's taking over all the stuff with the bakery."
"I don't know him, Sam!" I push my chair back when I stand, and don't worry about pushing it in. It's my store, anyway. There's no point in making it look tidy when I still need to clean up tonight. "Are you okay with me dealing with some alphastranger and his beast? Does Scott know?" I pause, my eyes going wide. "Does Fenrir know?"
Sam frowns at me before rolling his eyes. "Scott and Fenrir are meeting Henry and his brother tomorrow night at family dinner. If there are any issues, I'm sure they'll let us all know."
"Okay, but I'm still supposed to meet with this stranger tomorrow? Allow him into my business without either of you here?" I'm trying to appeal to the side of Sam that wants to protect those he cares about. It's not hard to pull it out of him. The only one easier to manipulate than him that way is Fenrir.
Sam narrows his eyes on me like he knows I'm trying to manipulate him. "Is this the route you want to go with this, Sarah? You fought for a long time for Scott and me to leave you alone and allow you to figure life out for yourself. Is this where you break your convictions into little pieces?"
I scowl before letting out an irritated sigh. "I don't want to work with some other alpha, Sam. I don't know him. He could be a grade-A asshole, and he has a beast. You and I both know Fenrir's an angel compared to most of them, and he's still awful sometimes."
"I've been in talks with Henry and his beast for months. I've been meeting with him every day for the last couple of weeks at the center. He and his beast are on good terms, and as far as I can tell, they're about on level with Fenrir. Romulus might be better than Fen, but don't tell him I said that."
"Fine," I huff again before leading Sam toward the front door of the coffee shop.
I still have closing duties I need to do and a pint of ice cream to eat to try to ease my sadness at my perfect little space being destroyed by alphas. And young, immature, probably rowdy alphas at that.
"It won't be as bad as you think it will be," Sam assures me as I unlock the door. "It'll take a little adjusting, but it's nothing you can't handle."
I press my lips together. I love my brother and his optimistic outlook on all of this. It's not that I don't trust him because I do. My customers have no reason to trust the alpha-run business going in next door. They'll see an alpha business next door and just go elsewhere for their coffee.
