A SHORT BETA MOMENT

By the time we got back it was nearly morning, except that it was still winter so you couldn't tell by the sky. I noticed it wasn't a full moon anymore.

I wondered who woke Rebel up from his dream travel and what he was doing now.

"Just leave the truck on the side. It's fine as long as it's wide enough for the bus to pass." Beta Lucas told Harvey, "You need to rest now."

Everyone looked tired.

Dad decided, "We'll deal with everything else tomorrow."

What else was there to deal with?

"Return the Lorent warriors and their old cars tomorrow morning. Have their captain come pick them up." Dad looked at me, "Is that alright with you Sam?"

I nodded. I had forgotten about them. Seemed like Alpha James had forgotten too. Hahaha. He forgot his own warriors.

"We'll deal with the rogues tomorrow night." Dad continued.

I can't even remember what the rogues were for now... Actually they were just taking up space in the pack house basement that could be a cool games room like at Henry's.

"Let's see if we can get some info about the rogue king." Dad mumbled, mentally running through a checklist while Beta Lucas typed it out.

Oh yeah. The Rogue King. Every now and then in history, one of those pop up. Information would be useful.

And now that I had thought of Henry's basement games room, I remembered Henry. Specifically, I remembered I needed to give him a call about his personal assistant leaking info files. I guess I'll do that tomorrow too.

Beta Lucas and Harvey were typing furiously into their phones.

Killion and Ben just watched from their screens. Freeloaders.

"What else? I feel like I'm forgetting something..." Dad looked at me, and then at Beta Lucas.

"There will be breakfast with the pack in the morning. Luna is visiting the destitute home at lunch time. We have a meeting with Beta Gerald at his place. The first Alpha Duty will be tomorrow afternoon. Renovation on your home will begin Monday morning. The workers are arriving in the dorms tomorrow. We have a meeting on the future alpha ceremony in the evening." Beta Lucas informed my Dad.

"No, it's something else...I feel like I had left something hanging." Dad stroked his chin, "Ah, no matter. It will just have to wait till I remember."

"I need to call Henry tomorrow." I told my betas. That's all.

"Oh, and if Bell shows up again, get him to contact his parents." I remembered. Okay, that should be all.

"Should I arrange your playdate for next Saturday?" Killion offered.

"Oh yeah, okay, cool." I said, "Dad can my school friends come over?"

"I think I am booked full all this month. Next month would be better for me." Dad said.

"They're here to see me, not you Dad." I sulked.

"Your mum and I want to meet your friends. I heard there were boys?" Dad lifted a brow at me.

"Of course there are boys. It's not like I'm in a girl's school!"

"A girl's school..." Dad muttered to himself.

I shook my flaring hair out. Geesh.

"Then the first Saturday afternoon of next month then?" Killion asked.

"Yes. Alpha will be in." Beta Lucas answered. (Because he would know better.)

Killion nodded and started typing into his phone, "Noted."

We were all just standing on the cold curb of the packhouse. The Betas were forming a circle next to the truck, their phones glowing in their faces while their thumbs tap tap tap on the screens. Betas were so weird. They were like a whole different species of wolves.

Dad patted my head, he attempted to soothe down the stray hairs, but they didn't quite listen, flaying up again the moment he released them. I had long grown resigned to looking like someone who rubbed a balloon all over my head.

"How does your mate do it?" Dad wondered aloud.

I shrugged, "I dunno. My hair has a mind of its own."

Dad chuckled, "A mating bond is such a wonderous thing."

By now the Betas were done with their circle of synchronization rituals. Beta Lucas and Ben waved goodnight. The rest of us went home... Home to the cosy penthouse, like a small nest in a tree.

Standing in the lift, it was crowded. I was surrounded by my Dad, Killion, and Harvey, their familiar smells and warmth enveloping me.

I realized when my friends come over to see my home, I did want to show them my Mum and Dad, maybe even Savy and my Betas too. My home wouldn't be home without them.

I wondered when did these three betas suddenly become part of my life, part of my home, my family?

I guess it's really true what Mum said, the Beta is family too.

I think family bonds are a wonderous thing. As long as I had them, I would always have a home.