Treein

Kestrel was a beta, and an aggressive one that most folks didn't like much. The Empire had picked a future husband for her. This guy was pretty much perfect: born into a high-class family, good-looking, rich, nice, and the envy of everyone around.
People were quick to start whispering.
"Why did such a great guy end up with her? She can't even make tea right and she barely passed her cooking class."
"He won't be able to put up with her for long."
"Right, their love story is a train wreck waiting to happen."
Hearing this stuff over and over, Kestrel started to think that she and her guy, Tarian, were doomed from the start. So, when Tarian showed up with a sweet and pretty girl, Kestrel pulled off her engagement ring and tossed it into the gutter.
From that moment, Kestrel lived free and happy, like a bird soaring in the sky, a fish swimming in the wide ocean.
But a few years into her easy-going life, at a royal shindig, Tarian cornered her. His eyes were all red, and he confessed that he was sorry for everything and that he couldn't stop thinking about her. But Kestrel, wild as ever, wasn't interested in going back to her old life.
Tarian turned white, gritted his teeth and said, "I don't care what you're like, and I can handle your shortcomings. You won't find a more understanding alpha than me."
"Well, I already have a new alpha." To totally shake him off, Kestrel made up a name on the spot. She quickly thought of all the alphas she'd met on the battlefield over the years, and chose the name of a buddy she was tight with, guessing he wouldn't mind.
"He's a good listener, and we're a perfect fit. Plus, he really likes me and doesn't care about my mistakes."
Right after a bummed-out Tarian took off, Kestrel turned around and smacked right into the guy she'd just made up. This guy, a real war hero who'd taken down tons of enemies, turned a bit pink, looked away, and muttered, "You... when did you figure out that I have a crush on you?"

The Beta Dominates Alphas

Kestrel's first face-off was against the team's deputy, Raymond.

"Watch out, I'm better now," Kestrel warned, getting ready in a fighting stance. She held out her hand, and her black and white bracelet changed into a slim knife which she held tightly.

Raymond, whose eyes were a rich shade of blue, smiled softly. He had golden hair that was tied in braids and hung forward.

Taking out his special blade, he spun it around with style, making it dance in his hand.

When Raymond showed his knife, Ren figured out where Kestrel had learned to use a knife. The way they both moved their blades was so similar.

One second, Raymond looked all calm and smiley. But as they began to duel, his whole vibe shifted. His eyes got all intense, he sprung into action, and the sun caught the glint of his golden braids.

In a flash, Raymond's blade was super close to Kestrel's face, and he wasn't playing nice.

Seeing Old Friends (1)