Still Waters hide the deepest secrets

Betas

Back in the library, I find Shay waiting for me. "Hey, Shay, how was school?"

She laughs, "Boring as shit without you, Luna-in-training. How was your day?"

"Got my ass handed to me by Oliver in training and had a talk from the Luna." I make air quotes around talk and roll my eyes. "But she bought me some clothes, I avoided Marin, and no one's tried to kill me today." I open my mouth and a question comes out before I check it. "Why did you befriend me? All I do is get you in trouble with Marin."

She shakes her head, "You were nice, even when Marin wasn't. And you make me laugh. And to be fair, Marin hated me long before high school."

"Why?"

"I kick her ass in training," Shay tells me. "I have since fifth grade."

"How? Aren't Alphas' stronger?" I ask, knowing I have a lot to learn about wolf society.

"She's not an Alpha. She only has Alpha blood. It's different."

I sigh. "More I have to learn. So, what rank are you?"

"I rank as a Beta, but there is only one or two of those per pack. Your dad is Alpha Leo's Beta and Kyle is Dillon's. So, I'm officially a delta."

I nod, not really understanding but willing to go with it. "Did Marin bother you at school? I'll talk to Dillon or Alpha for you."

Shay laughs. "One day."

"Huh?"

"It took you one day to become a Luna." Shay shakes her head.

"Is that bad?" I ask her. Shay is my one friend here and I need to keep her. And I'm worried I won't be able to and keep Dillon and Luna all happy at the same time.

She laughs. "No, it's not bad. You'll make a great Luna. I just..."

I tip my head as she trails off. "Oh no, Shay, you are not getting out of helping me navigate in this world. It's your fault I'm here in the first place!" I want to tell her, now we don't have to have secrets between us, but we still do, or rather I still do. "I would make you my Beta, but Lunas don't have them."

Shay's eyes meet mine in shock and excitement. "Really? You would?"

"Of course. Now that I know your physical fitness was really training, and you're obviously good at keeping secrets. What more could I need?" I wink at her and parrot the Luna's speech at her, "But you will have to grow up and act like a Beta. Can you handle that, Ms. Kennedy?"

Shay holds up her right hand like she's taking an oath. "I willingly pledge my life to you, Nixie Ward."

The minute she closed her mouth after the last word, a bright, blue light flashes between us. I look at her, her eyes meet mine. "What was that?" she asks.

My face displays my complete lack of understanding. "I have no idea. But maybe it's a Beta bond thing."

Shay shakes her head. "No. Besides that bond is formed between the Beta and the pack. Not to the Alpha. And it has to be done by an Alpha and an elder of the pack."

"Mmhmm," I mumble. I have no explanation, but I feel good, no worries it might be anything but positive. "Do you feel me like I feel you?"

She nods, "It's like a pack bond formed between the two of us."

My eyes widen, "You feel the whole pack like this?"

Her eye narrow, "Just how do you feel me? I feel you but it's more like a vague presence. I think I'd know if you were in terrible pain or something."