Chapter 18: Beta

Charles

Standing in front of two guards that stood at the front of the door, Charles could see  one of the men yawn countless times.

Now noticing his presence, the other guard that was slightly alert than the other, gave several taps on the yawning guard's shoulder. 

Still yawning, he turned to the side with a palm tapping his widely opened mouth, but as soon as he saw Charles, his eyes opened wide.

 With his palm still over his agape mouth, the yawning instantly ceased. He quickly removed his hand from his mouth as he tried acting serious now. It was obvious that he was caught off guard by the Beta.

"B-Beta Charles," The less un-serious one stuttered. The guards were of course surprised to see the Beta as they knew he hadn't come to see their boss in years. "He-he's inside."

The now pretended to be serious guard then placed his hand on the door knob and opened it.

Charles didn't mind them, he just gave a gaze at the opened way. He didn't immediately enter, as he knew it really had been a long time since he set foot near the detective Rowe.

His mind suddenly flashed back to the last time they spoke. He rememberd it not being a casual chit chat, rather, an angry filled one. 

It was years ago when the Alpha had just been newly crowned in the secret werewolf hood. A Beta to this Alpha was the next to be crowned. The competition was of course really tense.

So many dragged for the position, trying to prove and show reasons why they should be Beta. Charles didn't even care; as always. Nothing excited him about that and if someone had told him he would be Beta someday, he would have referred to that person as the greatest liar on earth. He never knew. No one did. Well, no one was sure.

To be picked as Beta, you must have to show exemplary qualities above the others. This was how they were chosen, and also, with the approval of the Alpha.

Rowe was the man back then that had proved to have such good qualities. He was the greatest crime fighter in the police force and best case solver the city had ever had. He was so dedicated to his work. Charles thought he was too dedicated.

It was him whom had been picked as Beta. It excited him so much that he promised himself to work the hardest. 

Coming back from his police award ceremony where he had been given a gold medal and trophy, he and Charles walked on the snowy land, heading to the place where Rowe was going to be coronated as Beta next to the Alpha.

They strode by each other's side as they moved on the snow. London was freezing that day. It felt so cold that one could feel their tongue frost and teeth clatter. They both had their scarf and cold proof coats on.

"You like?" Rowe asked Charles. Charles wondered, slightly confused, as he didn't understand what he meant or referred to. 

"What?" asked Charles.

Rowe then used his foot to pour snow on him, making it hit his face. 

Rowe now let out a loud laughter at this. As he laughed out hysterically, Charles just turned his face away with eyes closed in annoyance.

The exasperating cackle just made him more annoyed, but as he was; calmed, he cooled down, sighing and snobbed his over joyed laughing fellow. Charles knew he was happy for today. Even if he didn't show it, he too was happy for him.

Noticing a chicken outdoor stand, Rowe said, "Oh mate, you think we can stop for some old chicken nuggets?"

With hands in his pockets and face not even showing he was excited about the offer, or thought of considering it, said, " We should keep going. We don't want to be late for the ceremony,"

Rowe now gave a look at the unplayful looking gentleman by his side. Charles noticed this action and asked with his deep voice,

"What?"

Facing forward now, Rowe said, " Nothing. Today just reminds me of when we were kids back then in the slumps. When we played in the snow that day that we promised each other that if one of us made it, we all would"

With a humourless chuckle, Charles said, "We? You were the one that kept on tossing those snowballs at me. I won't call  that playing," Charles then said. "Maybe we should stop by quickly for those nuggets."

A smile now hovered on Rowe's lips.

Now holding one of the chickens in his hand, Rowe handed over some shillings to the seller.

 "I'm glad I didn't take the car. I would've probably missed this," Rowe said.

Charles didn't eat. Rowe was the one that nibbled on the food until it slowly disappeared. 

As they kept on walking, Rowe suddenly sighted something unusual. He sighted a wanted wolf bandit, whom he had been tracking for months now, talking with a group of other unfriendly looking guys.

Rowe quickly held Charles arm, dragging him to a hiding place so they won't be seen.

"I can't lose him Charles," whispered Rowe. "He's been on my list for a long time now. I get him now and it'd be all over."

"No. Your life will be all over," Charles explained, not even caring to whisper. " You'll miss your coronation and that'll be it. And I'm sure you know there are thousands of other wolves lining up to take your place. What you've worked real hard for for years now will be over." He now said this last part looking at him with eyes filled with an unfamiliar emotion, "The good life."

There was a bit of a silence there as Rowe felt like he was now in a state of dilemma. He then finally broke the short silence as he spoke,

"You don't understand my job mate," said Rowe who was now giving him his medal and trophy. "Help me keep this. I'll be back for the ceremony. I promise."

He then left so he could catch this bandit whom they called, "The Wanted Blaze" 

Charles couldn't help but feel like it was going to be the end. A feeling of fear against near success syndrome. It was too much. It felt as though he had chosen one job over the other. This gentleman had no choice but to go on.

He pulled up a cab and off to the ceremony he went.

Now at the place, Charles sat waiting for the bandit chaser. So many other packs from England had showed up to pay their respect. Everyone stayed waiting for the supposed Beta. He didn't show up. No sign of Rowe yet. Whispers began to turn the place into a chattering hall, and the tension had now begun to grow rapidly. Charles anyways, still tried keeping calm as always. He knew he had warned his mate before.

"Where's the Beta to be crowned?" Was the big question everyone asked.

Everyone knew the ceremony must hold and push forward, since it was tradition and law.

Still in his seated position waiting, Charles suddenly noticed a pack of elderly honorable wolves stare at him. They were of course important honorable people, and were the committee that were to choose whom they deemed fit for the position.

Their eyes glanced at what was on his neck and hands. It was the medal and trophy Rowe had given him to hold for him. 

Charles prayed so dearly in his heart that they didn't think it was his.

One of them now approached him, and Charles couldn't help but feel confused with why. He really didn't want to be a part of something he never bargained for.

"I'm Mr. Jacob," the man that had approached him said with an arm stretched out. 

"Charles," he said.

He stood up to shake hands with him.

"You're the one that always follows Mr. Rowe around, right? You're his partner?"

Charles felt a little offended there as he knew he certainly did not follow him around. They were undeniably close, as they were almost always seen by each other's side, but Charles didn't think he followed him around.

Trying not to show he was slightly annoyed by the question, he said, "We both graduated the same year from Cambridge University."

"Oh, the Garrison scholarship. You both must have had exceptional grades. You've worked with him for a time so you you'd also have some piece of his knowledge,"

Charles didn't say a word.

Mr. Jacob went on,"The new Alpha needs someone that's smart and obedient. Someone who would take orders and also, someone competent," He then called out, " Mr. Loggman, come meet Charles."

The Alpha Loggman, whom Charles had heard so much about, came walking his way. He won't say he felt anything at that moment, he just asked one question in his head,

"Why meet me?"

Dressed in a fine formal wear, the newly crowned Alpha stood at his front.

Mr. Jacob mumbled some few things into Alpha Loggman's ears before finally saying out to Charles's hearing, "So what do you think about the gentleman?"  

He obviously refferd to Charles.

Alpha Loggman gave a look at the decent humble looking young man for a while, as if considering. With a hand in his pocket, he gave a shrug and said, "He seems calm enough. What's your name?"

"Charles," he said. "Denton Charles."

He was then further ushered outside to face the crowd. Inside of him, Charles knew very well of what was happening or about to, still he was drowned in denial as he had refused to accept it. 

"Mr. Jacob," Charles said to plead, still he maintained using his bold voice tone. He wasn't scared or shaky. He just wanted to put his point straight. "I apologise for the inconvenience my college has caused, but I am in no position for this office…"

Cutting him off, the Alpha said, "Mr. Charles, are you denying this office because of your friend, or because of you?"

Loggman asked him not really sounding interested as he didn't want it to seem like he was begging. He wasn't. Just advising.

"You live your life for yourself. You decide to live the good life, or the other one. You seem like a good person. Don't let that get in your way."

This made a little sense to Charles. He gave it a thought, but then he didn't still want to cause any misunderstanding. 

While thinking, he suddenly remembered what Rowe had told him earlier. He remembered him say to him that if one of them made it, the other one did too.

Although Charles didn't let out a statement, the ceremony still went on. They took his silence for a willing yes.

They did all sort of procedures, said alot of recitations, and pledges before the priest finally said, "We hereby crown Denton Charles as Beta, who is second in command to the Alpha, of the East-south pack in London."

That sounded as big as it really was to Charles. He didn't do or say anything further to stop it, and there surely was no turning back now.

Applauds then followed after this had happened.

In Charles's life, there had never been a worse timing. His college, Rowe, just suddenly stormed in, panting, showing he had been running here. He arrived as soon as this was said, and heard the whole thing.

Mouth agape and eyes widened, Rowe couldn't believe what had just happened.