Page 12 of The Weakest Wolf

I clear my throat. “That’s not the role of a beta.”

A beta shifter chosen to be second-in-command advises the alpha, helps with pack finances, and enforces order when a packmate steps out of line. He—because it’s always a he—functions as the alpha's eyes and ears in his absence because no alpha can be everywhere and see everything when a pack can be a hundred or more. It’s a position of trust and respect.

They donotcook breakfast or scrub the floors.

Which means Galen’s created this little role as just another lever to get what he wants from me. It won’t work.

“The role is whatever I say it is. Any other questions?”

“Why me? Sounds like you just need a cleaner.”

He nods. “It does. I want you close.”

Of course he does.

“And?” Because there has to be another reason he’s twisted the role of a beta into something that it’s not.

“Call it curiosity.”

“About?”

“You.”

Great. More attention.

“There’s nothing to be curious about.”

“You don’t follow orders. Maybe I want to see if you know how to give them.”

“Bark like a dog,” I order before he’s finished speaking.

His lip twitches. “Funny.”

“Now you know.” I move to step around him, but his hand manacles my wrist, stopping me dead. “Pick someone else.”

“Giving orders is only one part of being beta. Let’s see if this pack will follow them.”

No. Once they’ve stopped laughing, they will rip me apart.

“Again, easy question to answer. No. They won’t.”

“And what would happen if a beta other than you was the leader? Would the pack follow his orders?”

He means Bowen. In a day, he’s seen enough for him to suspect that Bowen wants the top job and he’s decided to run a little test. Using me.

I shrug. “Depends.”

“On what?”

“Who knows? Ask one of the men. I’m sure they’ll tell you.”

“And the reason you can’t?”

“It sounds complicated. Too complicated for a brain like mine to work out.”

Amusement flares in his eyes. “Is that so?”

I nod. “It is. So you should choose a guy to be beta. Because I’m a woman.”

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