Joining the Beta (boyxgirlxboy)

Chapter 2: Waiting (Day 1)

Chapter 2: Waiting (Day 1)

The rest of the day goes by in a haze. Anna and I float from room to room, activity to activity, jumping every time either of our phones makes a sound. Finally, after dinner, Anna cracks.

"Enough!" she claps her hands and I jump. "I can't stand moping around here any more. Let's play a game."

I follow her as she marches towards the Alpha's suites, our protection detail trailing behind us. It's only been a month since Anna and I left our old pack, and I haven't ever been to this part of the palace. I twirl and stare at the room. It's decorated beautifully in sage with gold accents. It's perfect for Anna. I glance over and see her standing in front of a tall bookcase filled with board games, her hands on her hips, head cocked to the side in concentration. I sit on the couch along the southern wall, still in awe over the room. There's a small table in front of the large picture window with a vase of fresh flowers sitting on it. The couch I've sunk into has matching arm chairs on either side and a wide coffee table in the middle. It was a comfortable room. Opposite the couch, there was an archway leading to a small office area decorated in pink roses. I smile knowing that Anna would be most powerful in the overwhelmingly girly room. Further down, there was a door that I was guessing lead to the Alpha and Luna bedroom.

Anna turns away from the bookcase with a game in her hand. She sits on the couch beside me and snaps her fingers at the two men lingering in the doorway. "Come sit down."

Edinboro speaks for both of them, "Perhaps, you'd both be more comfortable if we waited in the hallway-"

Anna shakes her head, "Nonsense. This is a four player game. You need to come in and have fun."

Edinboro hesitates in the doorway, scratching his head and looking at Grover for help. Grover shrugs and leans against the door frame. I can't help but grin at how uncomfortable the suggestion of having fun seems to make Edinboro.

"Would it make you feel better if I gave an Alpha command?" Anna asks with a grin. I know she's teasing but Edinboro just looks more uneasy. "Come on, Eddie, just play one game with us and then you can go do something dangerous and manly."

"Did you just call me Eddie?" Edinboro asks, his jaw hanging slack. Grover is doubled over behind him, trying to laugh silently. Anna and I are giggling, falling back into the deep cushions of the couch.

Anna waves her hand at him and in between giggles says, "Edinboro is a mouthful. Eddie seems to suit you much better."

Eddie huffs but moves to sit in the armchair to the left of Anna. "One round, Luna."

"Count me in," Grover says with a wink, settling into the chair beside me.

Anna launches into an explanation of the rules and we play one round before Eddie gets up and does a perimeter check of the room and pulls his cell phone out of his pocket.

Grover deals the three of us a new round, watching Eddie out of the corner of eye. "Anything we need to take care of, boss?"

Eddie looks up from his phone with a frown. "Nothing major, I just need to go make some quick adjustments." He looks at Anna. "Do you mind if I take care of something, Luna?"

Anna waves him away. "Please, I'm sorry that Princeton has put you on babysitting duty for the week."

Eddie smiles at her and I know how easy it will be for Anna to win the heart of her pack. "It is my honor, Luna." He bows and exits the room, locking the door behind him.

I put my arm around Anna's waist and squeeze her. "You're an amazing Luna, Anna."

She blushes and grabs the cards. "Come on, let's play."