Chapter 2

“Good day, miss!” My partner happily greets the entire neighbourhood as we patrol through the streets.

I am the head of the Internal Security, an affiliate of the force who oversee protection of the pack’s borders. One of our main work is to patrol the neighbourhood around us to ensure safety.

“At this point, you know the entire pack by their names.” I roll my eyes at Brandon who happily waves at another man passing by.

“Come on, Beta. This is the best way to get inner information about the happenings in the neighbourhood. Friendliness pays off a lot.” Brandon says with a bright smile.

At the end of the street, I notice a woman happily skipping down the streets with her toddler. A smile appears on my lips at the sight. I’m instantly reminded of Jayden in his early years.

My smile is knocked off as Jonathan’s words replays in my head. Betas with no future. What baffles me the most was the disdain he used to spit those words. Almost like it was his worst nightmare for Jayden to end up becoming a Beta.

Luna Samira’s words lingers as well, the burn in my chest resurfacing. I’m taken back to the time I made the choice to become a working mother.

“Are you sure about this, Maya?” Beta Greg asked as he stared at Jayden in the baby carrier before looking at me. I could see the hesitation in his eyes. Not because he thought I wasn’t capable of handling it but because he was concerned about me.

I quitted my job as Beta as soon as I got pregnant with Jayden. I wanted to be a full-time mom and be present for him at all times. Finances were hard but at least, our days were filled with laughter and love.

But reality soon set in. Our rent has been due for three months and the expenses were taking a toll on Jonathan. I had to make the hard decision of returning to work in order to help out with the bills.

“I’m a hundred percent sure, Beta.” I responded with unwavering certainty and he sighed with resignation. He knew me all too well. I would never back down once I made up my mind to do something.

Getting back into work mode took me time to adjust because of how long I had spent at home doing nothing but caring for my home. However, in less than two months, I was already heading a department and with a raise in my salary.

I get up as early as 6am to prepare breakfast for the family and I drop Jayden off two hours later at school. And no matter how tired I was after getting back from work, I always helped him with homework and every other thing he needed.

Being a working mother wasn’t easy but it was what I had to do in order to support my husband and keep the family running.

“Oh, there she is again.” Brandon scoffs under his breath as we pass by a banner of Luna’s new policy in the Pack. Since she became Luna, there hadn’t been a week where she didn’t release a new law or rule for the betterment of the pack.

“You’re immune to the Luna’s contagious charm?” I ask, chuckling at the look on Brandon’s face. The one reason I agreed to work with Brandon was that he never worked too hard to please anyone just for favors. Not even the ever-charming Luna.

“I don’t know. I’m sick and tired of hearing about her. It’s been just a month but she’s all over the place.” He rolls his eyes.

“She seems all too perfect to be true. Always well-dressed, eerily calm and polished. She always says the right things with that soft, elegant smile.” I remember the few times I have seen Luna Samira. Everyone loved her because she always knew what to say and when to say it.

To me, she seems like a noblewoman bestowing charity than someone who truly understands the struggles of ordinary people like me.

“Those are nothing but political stunts. It’s no news that a lot of us were against her wedding to the Alpha due to the loyalty of his first wife. She’s merely doing this to garner favors and allies to defend her when things go south.” 

I agree with Brandon. Her favourite statement was ‘what’s best for the children’s future.’ but she has no idea how much effort and sacrifices parents have to make to even dream of affording the future to their children.

She has no idea what I go through every single day to make sure Jayden never feels neglected. She had absolutely no right to judge me like that. What does she know anyway? A woman, like her, born into privilege, probably never had to worry about money for even a single day.

Just as Brandon said, she’s merely using these tactics to polish and regain an image of ‘the perfect Luna.’

“The former Luna still has a lot of loyalists, huh.” I muse, understanding why many werewolves refused to bless Luna Samira’s wedding to the Alpha.

Alpha Conan has had two marriages so far–both were political alliances to strengthen the pack. His first wife, the late Luna Sana, was beloved to almost everyone. Her death, after giving birth to the Alpha’s first son, struck the entire pack in unrepairable ways.

Luna Samira was Luna Sana’s younger sister, yet the Council arranged for her marriage to Alpha Conan a few months ago. After their wedding just a month ago, Luna Samira moved into the pack affairs, claiming her territory in every notable jurisdiction.

I couldn’t blame her though. With the reputation her sister had in the pack, she was probably pressured to prove herself to be worthy of the position. Hence, her involvement in every sphere of the pack.

Inwardly, I sigh at the situation. The Alpha sure had questionable taste with wives.

“She does and no matter how many campaigns this current Luna chants, she will never possess what Luna Sana had–sincerity and warmth.” Brandon states as we arrive at the site.

Every other officer is present on the ground, standing in rows. The Alpha is coming for on-site inspection which he does once a month so it’s impertinent that all my men show up today.

A black luxurious car pulls up and the Alpha steps out. You don’t need to be smart to tell the shift in the air with his presence. Everyone keeps their head down as he steps towards us with his guards piling up behind him.

Alpha Conan is known to be cold and ruthless yet he has a magnetic pull that makes it simply impossible to ignore him. Tall with sharp features and powerful, he commands every room he steps foot in.

I don’t get to meet the Alpha often but being a Beta, I see him from time to time. With the little interactions I’ve had with him, there’s one thing I noticed about him which only increased the respect I had for him.

Alpha Conan is a competent leader. He sincerely works towards improving the areas that need improvement in the pack and he works with people. He doesn’t order them to work for him, even though we’re all obliged to follow his commands.

“Greetings, Alpha!” We chorus in unison.

Narrowing my eyes, I notice something new today. There is a child standing close to the air, his dark eyes looking down as though he’s scared to meet the eyes of someone else.

It doesn’t take me time to put two and two. I haven’t seen the boy before but I’ve heard of enough stories to confirm he’s the first and only son of the first Luna. Since birth, he has been frail and rarely seen in public. 

The Alpha arrives and gives us a briefing on what’s going on in the pack lately. Meanwhile, my eyes remain solely on the kid who seems so out of place. I wonder why the Alpha decided to bring his son with him today.

*****

Walking down the street, I keep an eye on the CCTVs we had installed to ensure they still worked perfectly. Brandon is heading down the next block so we can wrap things up on time today.

It’s recommended that everyone walks in pairs for safety and accountability but we’re short of staff which is why Brandon and I sometimes split the work for ease. 

My eyes catch the sight of a figure sitting by the staircase of an old building. Getting closer, I realise that this is the same boy I saw with Alpha Conan yesterday. It’s the Alpha’s son!

The boy is seated quietly, hugging his knees with blank and hollow eyes. I don’t know what he’s doing here all by himself. My maternal instincts kick in and I gently approach him.

“Hey there.” I smile when he looks at me from the corner of his eyes. “Are you okay?” My question goes unanswered.

I can tell he understands me but it seems he finds it difficult to speak with strangers. I had taught Jayden not to interact with strangers so this kid might be skeptical for the same reason. Still, he seems withdrawn and a little shut off from others.

“Are you lost? Why aren’t you in school by this time?” 

“I don’t attend school.” He says quietly and I take that as a good measure to move closer.

“Why not? A kid your age has to be in school to develop and grow.” I frown, wondering how the Luna failed to extend her ‘children’s futures’ policy to her nephew/stepson.

“Father oversees my education. I’m homeschooled with private tutors.” He answers and I raise my eyebrows with surprise. I hadn’t been expecting that.

No wonder he seems so lonely for a boy his age. Being coped in the house all day without any friends his age must be so stuffy and frustrating for him. I wonder if he even gets to be a child and throw tantrums when he wants to.

I decide to stay and play with him for a while, knowing my calming ability would smoothen our interactions and make him feel safe around me. It takes just a few questions to make him open up and smile a little.

He doesn’t talk much because he’s low on energy but he’s a great listener. I tell him a few fun things that Jayden does in school to pique his interest on what he's missing out on. Maybe he would convince his father to take him to a conventional school instead of overwhelming the child with classes from top tutors.

“Henry!” 

I jump slightly when I hear the thick voice coming from behind me.