The new Beta

Like expected, Daniel came back after 25 minutes. “OK, I’ve done some research. ‘Cause the Luna isn’t dead, we don’t have to nominate a new Alpha. And Adam, you’re not sixteen yet. You are still to young. Besides, you can only be the Alpha of this pack when your mother is dead or resigns. So, that leaves us with the two of you.” He stares at Bonnie and Joshua.

“What is it gonna be? Miss Evans, do you want to be the Beta without your partner James? Or Joshua, are you ready to take over and lead this pack until your Luna is awake and ready to lead again?”

Joshua looks at me, and says: “I am ready..”

“Good.. Let’s finish the paperwork together. Adam, miss Evans, I expect the both of you to guide Joshua. He can’t do this alone. He’s gonna need your help.” After this decision, Daniel Scott helps us fill in the documents. It’s almost 01:00 AM when we finished. I sigh. “Is everything done? Can we inform the pack members?” I ask Daniel.

“No, Adam, first we need to make it official. Not only by paperwork. We need to go to the hospital, to your mom. She’s the only one who can change the hierarchy in the pack. She’s still the Luna. We need a blood drop of her finger, to color between Joshua’s eyes to let him make contact to the entire pack. Otherwise he’s not able to mindlink the other members.” Daniel explains.

“Well, let’s head to the hospital then. I’m done with all this shit, there’s still lot to do..” I mumble annoyed. I’m losing patient - this is taking forever!!

After arriving at the medical centre, we encircle mom’s bed. The Elder starts the ceremony, it’s small but necessary. He takes mom’s right hand and pierces her index finger with a small needle. A drop of blood start to form. He then looks at Bonnie and says: “Bonnie Evans, Beta of the White Moon, with this drop of blood, you’re officially stripped of your rank as Beta. You will receive the rank you had before turning Beta. You no longer hold the power that goes with the Beta-rank. Thanks for your service.”

Daniel let mom’s blood drop fall on Bonnie’s hand palm. I see her gasp for air when the drop touches her skin. Then Daniel turns to Joshua: “Joshua Evans.. I, Daniel Scott, Elder of the werewolves, declare you the new Beta of the White Moon. With this blood drop, you receive the power of the Beta-rank. Do you promise to be the best Beta you can be, always trying to make the best decisions for the pack and your Luna, as long as you live?” he looks at Joshua, while he ask him the question.

Joshua is straightening his shoulders and clears his throat, and answer clearly: “Yes, Daniel Scott, Elder of the werewolves, I will. I promise I’m gonna be the best Beta I can be, always putting the pack and my Luna first, as long as I shall live.”

Daniel guides mom’s finger to the Joshua’s forehead, and colors the skin between Joshua’s eyes with Avery’s blood. Joshua’s body immediately reacts, I see a shiver going down his spine and his eyes opens wide.

I smile at Joshua: “You did great, Josh. Welcome to the pack, Beta!” And I slammed his shoulder.

After this short ceremony, Bonnie went home. She said she was tired, I understand. Joshua is still standing in te room, a bit distracted. Suddenly he looks up to me and says: "This is overwhelming! I hear all kind of voices! I can feel the members too. They congratulate me, with the Beta role. This is intense..." I chuckle.. "Yeah man, I remember the first day after I went 12 years old! It was chaotic.. But you can ask Jaggar to help you filter the most important messages and block the others. And trust me, after an hour, the most of the pack members are done congratulate you - so it's gonna be much quieter!"

I see the relief on Joshua's face.. I laugh: "Come on, buddy! It's just temporary! After today you're used to all the voices. Don't worry! Go, do something useful, to distract the voices." I then frown my forehead and remember: "We lost a lot of good warriors last night. I want a respectful ceremony to honour their duty. Can you start arranging their memorial?"

Joshua's face turns from relief to seriousness. "Off course, Adam, I'm honoured. I'll go to the packhouse and start immediately!" Joshua leaves mom 's room.

There I stand, alone, and I watch mom. She looks fragile in her hospital gown. I walk over to her small body and kiss her forehead. She feels hot and clammy - I'm stressed out! This cannot be good. I rush to the reception and ask for help. The receptionist promised me, they're monitoring every breath of hers. But mom has a fever, necessary to fight the venom in her blood. I'm not completely reassured - but I know there's nothing we can do right now. The results of her blood aren't back yet. We have to wait.

I'm lost in thoughts when I notice some chaos around me. Nurses running around, and yelling for 'guards'. I'm confused. Nobody seems to care about me. I grab the arm of one of the nurses who's walking by, I don't recognize her - she's probably human, and ask: "What's going on?" The nurse looks distracted and answers in a hurry: "The little girl is gone, you know... The one in the room next to their Luna. Just... disappeared!".

I let go of her arm, completely stunned. Shocked. "Say what...??" I whisper. Nobody's hearing me. The room next to mom's, is Eve's. Eve's room...