Chapter 69 The Beta’s Steel

Chapter 69 The Beta’s Steel
3RD PERSON'S POV 

Ronan stood there in the beta’s study, feeling smaller than he wanted to admit. The room smelled like old paper and coffee, and the beta hadn't even offered them a seat. He just stood behind his cluttered desk, watching them like a teacher who already knew the kids were lying about their homework.

Diane let out another nervous chuckle. It was higher pitched than usual and anyone could tell it was fake.

Ronan glanced at her, then at the beta. The man's face was unreadable. He had the kind of calm that made you nervous. Like he could see right through you and was just waiting for you to catch up.

The beta's eyes finally moved to the baskets the maids had set down by the door. Two of them. One filled with bright, expensive fruits. The other is packed with seafood and other fancy foods. A lot of money sat in those baskets.

"So," the beta said slowly, leaning back in his chair. "That's quite a welcome gift."

Diane smiled wider. Too wide. "Oh, it's nothing. Just a little something for you. You've been through so much lately. We wanted to show we care."

The beta didn't smile back. He just nodded. "I see."

There was a pause. An uncomfortable one. Ronan could hear someone walking past the door outside, and the distant sound of kids playing somewhere in the pack grounds. Normal sounds. But inside that study, everything felt tense.

Diane cleared her throat. "I'm sure you've heard by now. Alpha Damon wants to step down. He's letting the people decide who should lead."

The beta tilted his head. "I heard."

"Well," Diane said, leaning forward a little, "we just need to make sure the people make the right choice. Ronan is the obvious one. He's young, strong, and he has good blood. But people have short memories, you know? They need... guidance."

Ronan shifted in his seat. He could feel where this was going, and his stomach didn't like it.

The beta raised an eyebrow. "Guidance."

"Yes." Diane nodded eagerly. "And you're close to the people, beta. They trust you. They listen to you. So if you were to maybe... mention to them that Ronan is the best choice. Tell them to pick him when the time comes. That would mean a lot."

The beta sat up straight. His eyes narrowed just a little. "You want me to tell everyone to vote for Ronan."

"Well, yes," Diane said, like it was the most normal request in the world. "That's all. Just a little word here and there."

The beta was quiet for a moment. Then he said, "Let me ask you something, Luna."

"Of course."

"If the people see Ronan as someone capable, someone worthy of being alpha... they will pick him on their own. Without anyone telling them to. That's how this is supposed to work."

Diane's smile faltered. Just a little. "I know that. I wasn't saying…"

"But you came here," the beta continued, his voice calm but firm, "with two baskets full of expensive gifts. And you're asking me to influence the pack's choice. So I'm going to ask you directly." He looked her dead in the eye. "Are you trying to bribe me?"

Everywhere was silent for a few seconds.

Diane's mouth opened but nothing came out. Her face flushed.

Ronan let out an awkward laugh. "What? No. Of course not. Mom was just…we just wanted to check on you. The gifts are just courtesy. That's all."

"Yes," Diane jumped in, laughing nervously too. "Courtesy. We brought gifts because we care about your wellbeing. Not because we wanted anything in return. That would be ridiculous."

The beta didn't laugh or crack a smile. He just watched them scramble.

"I've been beta for a long time," he said quietly. "I've seen a lot of people come through that door with baskets and boxes and smiles. And every single time, those gifts came with strings attached. So I'll tell you what I told everyone else." He stood up. "I don't accept bribes. Not now. Not ever."

Diane's face went stiff. "I told you, it's not a bribe…"

"But that's what it is," the beta interrupted. His voice wasn't loud, but it was final. "Maybe you don't want to call it that. Maybe you convinced yourself it's something else. But you came here asking me to use my influence to swing an election. And you brought gifts to soften me up. That's a bribe."

Ronan opened his mouth to argue, but nothing came out. Because the beta was right. And they both knew it.

The beta pointed toward the door. "Please take your baskets and leave."

Diane stared at him. Her eyes were wide, but not with surprise anymore. Something darker was creeping in.

"Beta," she tried one more time, her voice sweeter now, almost pleading. "You're misunderstanding. I'm just a mother looking out for her son. There's no harm in…"

"I said no." His voice was steel. "Take your things and go. Now."

The sweetness drained from Diane's face. Her eyes turned cold. She stood up slowly, and for a moment, she just stared at the beta like she was memorizing his face for later.

"You know," she said quietly, "I came here in good faith. I wanted to be kind to you. But if this is how you treat people who only want to help..."

The beta didn't flinch. "I treat people honestly. That's all."

Diane let out a short, bitter laugh. Then she turned on her heel and walked toward the door. She stopped by the baskets and looked at them for a second. Then she nodded to the maids.

"Pick those up. We're leaving."

The maids scrambled to grab the baskets, their eyes wide and scared. Nobody spoke. The only sounds were the shuffling of feet and the rustle of plastic bags.

Ronan stood up slowly. He didn't look at the beta. He couldn't. His face was hot with embarrassment. He just followed his mother out the door without saying a word.

The walk back to the pack house was silent and tense. Diane walked fast, her back straight, her head high. But Ronan could see the way her hands were shaking. The way her jaw was clenched so tight he thought her teeth might crack.

The maids followed behind them, struggling with the heavy baskets, not daring to say a word.

When they finally got back to the pack house, Diane stopped just outside the door. She didn't turn around. She just stood there, breathing hard.

"Mom," Ronan said quietly.

She held up a hand to stop him. "Not now."

"But…"

"I said not now, Ronan."

He shut his mouth. He watched her walk inside, her footsteps sharp and angry on the floor. The maids hurried past him with the baskets, nearly tripping over each other.

Ronan stayed outside for a moment longer. He looked back toward the beta's apartment, even though he couldn't see it from here. He thought about the look in the beta's eyes. A look of disappointment.

He ran a hand through his hair and let out a long breath.
Ronan finally walked inside, his shoulders heavy. He had a feeling this was only the beginning of their problems. He didn't know what it was. But he was starting to get scared to find out.