Beta Bully (M/M) - Chapter 34 (Early Access) (Patreon)

The New Alpha

Long tables adorned with piles of food sat parallel either side of an enormous rectangular swimming pool embedded into the lawn. The bright summer sun reflected off the clear rippling water. Balloons sprung from everywhere and streamers connected tables, chairs and gazebos with colourful trails.

Luca’s mother hadn’t been kidding, a lot of guests had already gathered around the water and at the tables. Easily a hundred people milled about, some already helping themselves to food and drink. They cheered when they spotted Luca and Darcy approaching. Luca laughed and waved back. As they walked, the grass tickled Darcy’s feet despite his sandals and the sun warmed him all over. Maybe there was still some lingering heat from Luca’s… awakening.

A trail of people heading over from the drive continued to grow the group, spilling out across the neatly maintained lawns. Luca grinned at everyone he passed, but seemed to be leading them in a deliberate direction.

He leant down to speak directly into Darcy’s ear.“We need to do introductions with the titled pack members first, out of respect,” he said.

Darcy didn’t know how many other packs’ titled members were invited, but he hoped the introductions were over quickly so he could get one of the bright orange smoothies laid out over many of the tables. They had stripy straws and little umbrellas and the condensation on the sides of the cups told him they were exactly what he needed to survive the heat.

“Starting with my pack’s alpha and other beta,” Luca added.

“Of course,” Darcy replied with an eager nod of his head. He was actually petrified, desperate to make a good impression on the alpha and other beta of his soul-mate’s pack. The entirety of his adult working life would be spent at the alpha’s side.

“They’re usually together so it shouldn’t be difficult to find them.”

“They’re close, then?”

“Very.” Luca gave him a look that hinted at some inner pack gossip, but he decided now was not the time to ask. “They basically grew up joined at the hip with another guy, but I don’t think he hangs around as much now they’ve taken up their pack positions.”

“You’ll be their new ‘third guy’ after the summer,” Darcy said.

Luca’s smile was meek for once. He glanced at his feet for a moment before answering. “That’s true.”

“Are you nervous about it?”

“A little.” He continued to lead him around the crowds. Darcy clung to his hand like a life preserver, allowing his long strides to drag his much smaller legs along. “It’s a lot of responsibility. But when you grow up with a title, people kind-of already expect you to fall into your role.” Luca paused his words and glanced about like a meerkat on patrol. Darcy couldn’t help with the search, he didn’t know what he was looking for - except perhaps a pair of giants. Luca decided their current course was fine and they kept walking. “When fights break out, they look to me to take charge of the situation. When something needs to be decided, they expect me to make the choice and have thought of all the reasons why it’s best for the majority.”

“That must be tough,” Darcy offered. He squeezed Luca’s hand and he glanced down at him with a quick smile.

“Not as tough as having the omega title,” he countered. “At least I get some advantages - like an excuse to be bossy.”

Darcy hummed before replying. It was sometimes difficult to put into words the experience of being an omega. “Being an omega only sucks when people treat you the way they think an omega should be treated, rather than just a normal person,” he said carefully.

“You’ll tell me if I ever treat you like that, right?” Luca asked.

“I promised I’d always speak up now, didn’t I?” he asked back with an eye roll.

“No more broken promises or deals,” Luca added, putting his pinky out for him to lock. The size difference in their smallest fingers was comical. Luca grinned down at him.

His eyes flicked up and past him, out into the crowds.

“They’re over there,” he whispered.

“Okay,” Darcy whispered back. Luca gave him a reassuring smile, but he still smoothed his shirt nervously.

He took his hand again and walked him to the edge of the party.

The pair stood tall, and proud, and very close to each other. Darcy could see the alpha’s mouth moving in tiny twitches, hiding his words from watchers. The beta was close enough to listen intently, and his body language betrayed that he was giving the alpha his full attention despite his eyes roaming the crowds. A king and his knight overseeing the celebrations around them.

Their eyes locked onto Luca and Darcy simultaneously.

Luca greeted them politely once they were near enough and Darcy kept himself tucked into his side.

“Darcy, this is Alpha Nicholas and Beta Oliver,” Luca announced.

Standing barely a metre from the pair, Darcy was surprised to realise they were the same height. From afar, the alpha’s aura gave him a sense of enlargement over his beta. But up close, they were just about equal in length, and Beta Oliver definitely had him beat in width. He was monstrous. Even his hands looked like boxing gloves. Darcy sidled in even closer to Luca’s hip instinctively, despite it becoming clear his mate would be considered the weakest of the trio.

“Call us Nico and Oli, Omega,” the beta offered cheerfully. He had a gentleness that radiated from his round face and relaxed style. He was dressed like a surfer who lifted yachts to workout.

The alpha said nothing in agreement, merely watching him with mild interest. His dark hair was brushed back neatly, leaving only two mid-length sections framing his face. It held a stern expression.

Darcy swallowed and his mouth felt sticky all of a sudden. “It’s nice to meet you, Alpha Nico and Beta Oli,” he said. He lowered his eyes and bobbed his head respectfully. Luca’s hand stroked his back with a comforting touch underneath his flowy shirt. He knew there had been another reason he picked such a loose garment. Easy access.

“It’s great to meet you too, Omega Darcy,” Beta Oli replied. His voice was loud, but like a children’s tv presenter, or someone who ran exercise classes and yelled encouragement at all the flagging participants. It had an uplifting energy. “And there Nico thought he wouldn’t be getting an assistant! This is great timing, right as Beta Luca is about to join us.”

“I’m looking forward to starting,” Darcy said politely.

“As am I,” Luca added.

“And we’re looking forward to having you on board,” Beta Oli replied. Alpha Nico nodded twice in silent agreement beside him. “We’ll let you get going, I’m sure you’ve got plenty of people to greet and thank.” He stuck his hand out and Luca shook it with a wide grin.

“Thanks, Beta,” he said once his hand was released. He wrapped it around Darcy’s waist and began to walk him away.

“No problem at all. Happy birthday, Beta!”

“Happy birthday, Beta,” Alpha Nico repeated quietly.

It sent a little shiver down Darcy’s spine. He ignored it. Probably the breeze getting under his loose shirt, anyway.