Beauty and

Chapter 13 Bailey

+5 Pearls

The rest of the party had been nothing more than a drag. My brother and sister had done what they do best and chose to throw insults at me, before wandering off and leaving me alone. So, I had chosen to go and find a quiet seated area, while my parents were circulating. I could only assume my Dad knew many of the people here. Though as a pack Beta, it was not uncommon for him to have to socialize or to work alongside other packs. Personally, I can think of nothing. worse. The thought of having to make polite conversation with people I either don’t really know or I don’t really like is my idea of hell.

Thankfully, I was considered unimportant, so I was able to fade into the background. I don’t even think my own family had noticed 1 had disappeared. Much like they rarely did at our own social events in our pack. I would stay for a minimal amount of time before making my excuses and leaving. Usually I would just sneak out, and this was rarely noticed. Unfortunately, here was not our pack, so I did not have the option of escaping to our home, so instead, I sat upon a quiet bench in the shade of some beech trees and from here have a perfect spot for people watching.

I had noticed the ever so happy beast of a Beta had already made his excuses and left. Seems he was even

less sociable than me. You would think, as the Beta, he would be expected to stay for the duration of the party, but it was definitely implied when he spoke to us that he was wanting to get away. And, by that point, the party had been going on for less than an hour. He seemed such a strange character. Not what you would expect for a Beta.

I know a Beta is meant to be strong and dominating, much in the same way as an Alpha, but, they are also meant to be approachable and decent. Kind and caring. Friendly and hard-working. Much like my Dad. I was unsure if my brother held all those traits, but that was a different story. Hopefully he would improve as he got older, or that is what I kept telling myself, despite the fact he had already attended his Beta training. But, this Beta here seemed to lack most of these skills too, or that was my first opinion of him.

And don’t they say first opinions matter the most? He came across as mean and moody, and quite honestly terrifying. I could not imagine anybody wanting to approach him for assistance, het would likely eat them alive sooner than help them.

I could see the former Alpha, his ability to walk was somewhat declining. But boy, did he look cheerful! I could not help but smile at the older man as I watched him pose for pictures with some of his pack members. The biggest, toothiest grin he could smile upon his face as he posed. Like he did not have a care in the world. He looked like he was enjoying his birthday party, and I guess, at the end of the day, that was what mattered the most. Though I could only wonder if he would actually remember any of the party in the days that followed!

‘Bailey, can you head to the car please. Morgan is being sick so we need to go home. My Dad suddenly mindlinks, taking me by surprise. I had expected to have to sit and endure the boredom of the party for hours yet. I wonder why my sister was sick? Not that I am going to complain, it meant we got to head home a lot sooner than planned.

‘On my way.’ I responded, and began to head to the car, walking through the beautiful gardens of the pack to the parking area at the front of the packhouse. This pack certainly took care of their packlands. All so well maintained and truly beautiful.

“Oh, and you thought it was okay to let her drink?” I heard my Dad chiding my brother as I

12.23 PM |

Chapter 13

Bailevit

+5 Pearls

reached the car, which suddenly explained why my younger sister was being sick. My idiot of at brother had obviously thought it would be okay for her to drink alcohol. As werewolves, we generally have a better tolerance to alcohol, but this does not form until we have our wolves. And, for Morgan, she had only recently shifted, so this was definitely something that was still developing. She was not used to drinking. And I would say the pool of vomit at my Dad’s feet was proof of that.

“She is plenty old enough. Stop being so protective.” Jordan says with a dismissive shake of his head. “Was good fun, wasn’t it Morgan?” he now grins at our sister, who is hunched over, with Mum holding her long dark hair back from her face so she doesn’t get her own sick in it. Morgan looked up, looking decidedly green, and far from impressed.

“It doesn’t feel fun.” She mutters, before hurling up her guts a little more, making my own stomach turn.

“You are a disgrace.” My Dad says, as he opens the car to get inside. “Meant to be responsible as the next pack Beta and look at the things you do.”

“Oh and you were holier than thou, were you and didn’t have fun when you were iny age because you were the pack Beta?” Jordan argues. “Like f**k you did. I have heard the stories of the sh*t you and Alpha Marshall did.”

I rolled my eyes, knowing this could easily escalate to something more than it needed to be, like. so many of the arguments did between these two. “What we did is irrelevant. This is your sister, you are meant to look out for her.” My dad said with a warning tone.

Hmm, chance would be a fine thing Jordan looking out for his sisters. Or me, more specifically. He never bothered looking out for me once I was a teenager. If anything, he was one of the leaders of the gangs of idiots picking on me for being different. Teasing me for studying. Far from being a protective brother, if anything, he was a lousy brother.

“I am being a good brother. Letting her live a little. Having some fun. Shame you have forgotten. what that is in your old age.” Jordan says with a sneer.

Dad shook his head. “And that is why you are not ready to be the Beta. I am beginning to wonder if you ever will be.”

Jordan gave our Dad a dark glare, before climbing into the passenger side of the car. “I will sit here Mum, you can sit in the back with Morgan to help her if she is sick again.” He informed her.

Great, so I get to sit alongside Little Miss pukey-pants all the way home, and a very happy looking Mum. Though, looking toward the front of the car, and the atmosphere that was forming between my Dad and my brother, I could only imagine the journey home was not exactly going to be pleasant. The two of them were so alike, not that they would admit it, but that meant that they clashed a lot. And it meant we had to listen to far too many arguments.

Why I couldn’t just be blessed with a decent family who just got along I don’t know…