A Gift from the Goddess

Chapter Thirty-Two “Beta? No… that’s impossible.” I sat staring at Elder Luke in disbelief, unsure if he really had just suggested that. “… Why?” Elder Luke argued. “Because I’m a female,” I pointed out. “There is no such thing as a female Beta. It’s not a rank we can hold.”

“And neither is an Alpha female, but we both know you could claim that authority if you really wanted it.”

He was referring to my new title of ‘Saintess’. With it came the perk of overthrowing Aleric and becoming essentially an Alpha in the process. But Beta...? I paused in thought. No, it really wasn’t possible. Being a leader was one thing. I knew I would be capable of making the correct choices for the pack as an ‘Alpha’, however, as a Beta, there would be more reliance on being able to carry out whatever those orders entailed; sometimes b y means of fighting. I had never even managed to win in a fight against Cai, there was no way I would be able to hold my own in a real battle

“I’m not strong enough. The Winter Mist would need someone more like my father to replace him one day. I know already that I would make an incredibly weak Beta.”

He half-smiled knowingly. “A little birdie told me that you were training with a certain Alpha heir from the Silver Lake pack. They mentioned that you showed quite good potential too.” 

My jaw opened in surprise. How could someone have found out about that? Only Cai, Myra and I knew about it. Not only that but, whoever this person was that told him, they must have seen me in action at the gym. Otherwise, how else were they able to provide any sort of assessment of my skill?

“How...?” I finally managed to ask. He chuckled softly. “I didn‘t get to where I am today without help. Not all of us are born into ranked families.”

I had never thought much about it before, but it was true. I could vaguely remember hearing that Elder Luke had come from a completely average house with humble beginnings. He had gotten to where he was now due to his own dedication and hard work

“Even if I can fight a little, there is no way I would be accepted as a Beta,” I said, bringing the conversation back to the topic at hand. “I don’t see any way the Elders or Aleric would allow it. The Elders are adamant about me fulfilling the prophecy and becoming Aleric‘s Luna. And Aleric… well there is no way he would tolerate a female Beta, let alone being stuck with me of all people.” 

“You talk as if you already know exactly what will happen,” he said, making me become instantly tense. I had to remind myself that it was just a figure of speech to relax again. “I feel that you need to think about this more objectively. Out of all the options you have before you, which one seems the hardest to achieve your goal? Starting a political takeover and

a bunch of old coots and a teenager to give you a chance at a role that already has a current vacancy for an heir? I think you‘d be surprised by how many Elders would be in favour of you becoming Beta just to ensure you remained compliant. It

bit at my lip, trying to think through the options properly. It still felt so unattainable even though he had laid it out nicely before

easy route… suck it up

To hold that title again would be a last resort, though I wasn’t sure I could even call it that. To be stuck in that house at the mercy of Aleric once more was a fate that guaranteed my

u p becoming Beta right before my death. If I was, by some miracle, accepted as a Beta heir then things between us may get uncomfortable. I was essentially robbing him of something he must have thought was a sure thing. How could he have anticipated that a female Beta may be possible? But if I were a male then he would have had no right

be impossible to be forced to become Luna by anyone. Once the oath is taken, another rank cannot be granted within that pack. It also gave me a legitimate reason to officially reject him without questions being asked, since dating what is effectively your boss would be

the pack rising up against him since it would be seen as a direct attack against the Goddess herself. Then add in the fact that I was already second in command? He could forget keeping his position for long… and guess who would replace him as next in line? Me. It was effectively

unable to outrightly contest the decisions I’d suggest, without good reason, and would be forced to have a real discussion with me as a valued ranked member. “No… you’re right. Thank you, Elder Luke,” I said, still a bit lost in my thoughts. “You‘ve given me a lot to think about.” Soon after we’d spoken, I ended

anxious I was, they would only become more concerned. I didn’t want to say anything to them yet until I’d had time to process everything that had

itself so the children could participate. Whilst it was used mostly as a fundraiser, it was also a great opportunity for some of the guests to meet the children in a less pressured environment, and maybe even consider adopting. I had already planned to donate a large cheque under my alias name, and another smaller one o n behalf of the Chrysalis family, with my parent’s permission for that one, of course. Knowing Myra, she would have made me

we came to a less busy area. I could see this place must have been used primarily as a playground or backyard for

in, lost in my thoughts over how pretty the grounds were, when I

child had launched themself

with children,

the small blonde boy said, looking sad. “It’s fine! Thank

to me one-by-one. The eldest in the group was nine, the youngest was six. Myra mentioned there