Alpine

being the beta's mate and all that

"You don't need be embarrassed. It's perfectly natural."

My tail trashed anxiously between my legs. The second the door had shut, confining me to a small space with such a powerful ranking member it had happened. My good clothes were ruined and I cowered in a corner like a terrified animal. Though I suppose I was. I hide my face with my paws, as if I could sink through the floor. I had overturned a chair on my way, which made the Guards burst into the room solidifying the stupid mistake I had made.

"Sir?"

"Leave us." The Alpha waved them off. "This is a perfectly natural response Alpine."

God he knew my name! I whimpered in embarrassment as I slowly peeked up. The man looked almost amused as he looked down at me. "Come back up. You can't shift back now clearly." He looked down at my clothes. "But we can still chat with you in that form."

He righted the chair and sat behind his desk. The adrenaline had temporarily numbed the pain but now it back as I straightened and stepped around the chair. I wrapped my tail around my waist and sat hesitantly. It felt so strange. I toyed with my claws as I waited for him to speak. "I've gotten raving reviews from your future mate Alpine. You have nothing to worry about." He began. He opened a file. "I try to meet with all the Omegas I can before they move on. This Merge is especially important seeing as you're going to a potential Beta. But as always my concern is for my packmates, not politics."

He looked up at me. "Sir?" I whispered when he didn't speak.

"I need to know that you understand the enormity of this. You are not just moving households or getting married. You are changing your Pack. You will not longer view me as your Alpha but as an Alpha from a different pack. And I will not see you as an Omega from my pack but the mate of a Royal. Your family is still your family of course but coming back here isn't as simple as waving at your brother as you pass the borders." He picked up a pen. "You are no longer a member of my pack if you do this. Their laws and expectations will be different. How you are seen by rank is also different. Here would always be an omega but there they are little less strict with Royals. It's a cultural change and they'll expect you to adapt. That means not hiding from your superiors either."

I looked down in shame. "I'm sorry Alpha."

"Don't be. Your response is as it should be for my Pack. But there will be different. I need you aware of that." He repeated. "There are limits to the amount of passes we allow. Usually not more than two a year."

Twice a year? I would hardly see my parents anymore. Could I handle that? "Oh." My voice was small, mirroring exactly how I felt about that part.

"Yes oh." He echoed. "I wish I could give you more time to comprehend this but I can promise you your gut choice is the right one."

I loved Owen so much. This role was what I had worked so hard for; suffered for in some cases. I couldn't live at home forever and I didn't want to. I would miss my family, as I should, but it was worth it to make this change. "I'm ready Sir. I-I love him."

He smiled at me and it was incredible. I never imagined I could make a werewolf as powerful as my Alpha happy. "You're still my Pack member until that wedding." He reminded me. "Which means minding you parents. I noticed those strap marks."

I dunked my head to my chest as my shame grew a tenfold. "Now now Alpine. Don't beat yourself up. You think my boy never gets in trouble? Fifteen years old and a nightmare." He waved his hand dismissively. "Just remember your rank for now. Even though it will be changing don't forget what you are in this pack: an Omega."

***

"Wow! A beta's mate."

Going out to tea with Parker had been a welcome surprise that my father allowed. I guess my punishment was over. "I know. It hardly seem real." I toyed with the wooden stick I was twirling around my cup. "How about being an Instructor huh?"