Annie Nicholas - The Beta

Competent leadership went hand-in-hand with confidence. Tonight, Robert couldnt find either. The alpha of the Vasi werewolf pack had left Chicago on his honeymoon, which placed Robert, his beta, in charge.

The weight of responsibility crushed him like a big, fat elephant. His goal to keep the pack intact seemed jinxed.

He folded his eyeglasses and placed them in a case, tucking it in his back pocket. If they broke it wouldnt be a big deal. They werent prescription anymore. Becoming a werewolf cured his eyesight. He just wore them out of habit, like a safety blanket.

Before knocking on the apartment door, he took a deep, shaky breath, and prayed it wouldnt be his last. Burgundy paint cracked and flaked when his knuckles rapped the door.

What? a deep voice barked from the other side.

He hated this part of his duties to the pack. It blowed. Why Eric, his alpha, insisted on making him beta was beyond him. Even Daedalus, their vampire trainer, appeared doubtful about the decision. Robert agreed with him. He sucked at confrontation, didnt like people in general, and preferred computer linguistics over speaking.

Glaring at the door, he restrained his beast who didnt like being pushed into this situation anymore than he did. Let me in, Talon. A thugs name suited him.

The door cracked open, and a set of dark brown eyes challenged him through a veil of unwashed hair. Talons beast had too much control over him. Shifters like him gave their race a bad name. Whats the problem, Bob?

A growl rumbled in Roberts chest at the jibe. Its Robert, or do you want me to start addressing you by your given name, Timothy?

Pulling the door open, Talon loomed over him. You can address me any way you want, asshole, but I aint responsible for my actions.

This type of macho posturing was why Robert left his old pack before finding the Vasi. He didnt have time to waste on pieces of shit like Talon and couldnt care less about werewolf hierarchy. Actually, thats why Im here.

Roberts teeth elongated just enough to indicate deadly intent, then he jumped the brute, going straight for the idiots jugular. He bit Talons flesh hard, not piercing the skin, and they landed on the apartments carpeted floor. The scent of stale cigarette smoke permeated from its fibers, making Robert want to gag.

Preferring to remain mostly in his human form, Robert had learned, with a ton of painful practice, to allow his beasts development in concentrated parts of his body instead of all at once. Now he could grow his claws, teeth, or other things at will. It took concentration and exquisite control to accomplish it. As far as he knew, no other Vasi had this ability.

So. He let the word roll in his chest as he spoke around a mouthful of Talons flesh.

His prey didnt struggle, which surprised the hell out of him. He expectedmore. But despite the lack of resistance, the smell of fury poured from Talon.

Placing a knee on the thugs sternum, Robert pressed his one hundred and sixty pound frame on him as he allowed his claws to grow and rest under Talons eye. He released his grip on the idiots throat. Rumors are racing through the pack. I thought Id get the truth from the source.

Three more days, he only had to keep things together for three more freaking days before Eric and Spice got home.

When Eric won the alphas challenge two years ago, Robert thought their problems were over, but theyd only just begun. Thank God, Spice showed up at their doorstep and mated with Eric. The pack needed a strong alpha couple to pull it out of the depravity it had fallen into with the old alpha.

Chicagos werewolves had grown and matured under their nurturing guidance. Theyd chased off most of the troublemakers and supported the weak, but a few issues remained, like Talon.

Some concerned pack mates called me. Sweat trickled down Roberts back as he ground his knee into Talons chest. The jerk might be playing nice now, but Robert expected to leave here with quite a few bruises if not worse. Theyre worried youre going to try something stupid.

Movement in the window across the room caught Roberts attention.

Daedalus stood outside on the ledge of the third-story apartment. He gave Robert a thumbs-up then leaned against the frame as if watching a show.

Talon shifted under Roberts weight and threw him off balance. Landing on his side, he rolled with the force and got to his feet. Years of training with Daedalus, the Nosferatu vampire warrior who surveyed the fight, kicked in.

As his opponent charged, Roberts heart raced with anticipation. When Talons hands reached for him, he twisted out of his way, grabbed his adversarys head and used the momentum to slam it in the wall.

The plaster cracked and dented inward. Sliding to the floor, Talon lay still.

Robert stumbled back, waiting for retaliation, but his assailant didnt move. Talons chest rose as Robert flipped him over, but his eyes remained rolled back in his head. Robert blinked. Talon was unconscious? Hed won that easily?

Yes! He pumped his arm in victory. All those antacids hed popped this afternoon were for nothing. His first unofficial challenge, and he ruled.

A tap at the window reminded him of his audience. Heat rose in his cheeks, and he dragged his gaze to his vampire trainer.

Daedalus gestured to open the window, so he scurried over to comply.

Did you kill him?

No. Robert glanced at Talons supine body.

Youre within your rights. Your pack mates heard him say he was going to attack you. Daedalus squeezed his six-foot frame through the opening into the apartment. What a dump.

Killing wont solve my problems. I need to earn the packs respect so no one will think to challenge me again, but not this way. Not to mention, killing is illegal. The idea of murder turned his stomach, though it appealed to his beast. Good thing he always maintained strict control and not the other way around. Too bad he couldnt say the same for Talon.

Some pack members held poor dominance over their inner beast, losing too much of their humanity as the animal took more and more control of their personality. Some poor souls lost it all and became nothing but animals needing to be put down. The old alpha allowed terrible things like this to happen, which had left the pack a mess.

In some instances killing is necessary. Daedalus crossed the room, baring his fangs as he crouched next to Talon.

Roberts soul shriveled at the sight. Dont. Could he fight the vampire and defend his helpless, yet stupid, pack mate? Sure, but hed lose.

Daedalus was a gazillion-year-old vampire warrior who thought tossing him around the practice mat taught good fighting skills. After the way Robert just defeated Talon maybe the vampire really knew how to teach. Didnt mean Robert could defeat his instructor.

Daedalus paused. Its a mistake to let him live. Hell come after you again. Creatures like Talon always do.

Hanging his head, Robert played with the temptation. Only three more days, then these kinds of decisions went back on his alphas shoulders. Let him be. Ill deal with it if he didnt learn his lesson tonight.

Disappointment passed over Daedaluss face. Robert hoped it was because of a missed meal and not his decision. He and the vampire were far from best friends, but he did respect the bastards opinion.

Lets go, Robert said. Im sure theres still time to find a nice juicy evil-doer before sunrise for you to snack on. He left the apartment and heard Daedalus close the door as he followed.

You did well tonight. Daedalus slapped his back so hard it rattled his molars. Theres an alpha in you. I knew it. Well schedule more sparing time together. Hone your reflexes and increase the speed of your attacks. The Nosferatu eyed Roberts shoulders and arms. Maybe add some bulk with more weight training.