Beta Tobias' Perspective
The early morning sunlight streamed through the thick forest canopy, filling the air with a moist, earthy scent, while birds chirped happily on the branches.
At that moment, I stood outside Giovanni's office, feeling a sense of unease. Giovanni, the Alpha of the pack, had finally woken up.
As the Beta of the pack, I bore the burden of protection and surveillance. I needed to find out from Giovanni exactly what had happened on the day he was attacked and gather some clues about the assailant. After all, any werewolf who dares to attack an Alpha is unforgivable.
Recently, however, I'd noticed something strange about Alpha Giovanni's condition, something that had caught my attention.
Ever since he was injured by Aurora and a man and treated by Fern, Giovanni's behavior has become increasingly unusual. Especially after he woke up, he seemed to be confused about many things.
Most worryingly, when Fern's name was mentioned, he looked at me as if she were a complete stranger, as if he had never heard of her. The situation disturbed me, and as Beta, I had to get to the bottom of it.
"This isn't normal," I thought darkly. "I have to find out why."
Giovanni wasn't just my Alpha. He was my best friend, and the beta position was entrusted to me out of trust. However, no matter how close we were, I was his subordinate first, then his friend. Still, he had my absolute loyalty, no matter what.
I knocked on the office door, and after receiving Giovanni's permission, I stepped into his office, closing the door behind me. Giovanni was sitting behind his desk, working on some paperwork.
"Giovanni, how are you feeling?" I asked cautiously.
He looked up at me, his expression still cold. "I'm fine, recovering quickly." His answer was short and firm, but I could still sense an unnaturalness about it.
It was my duty to follow his every order to the letter, but I needed some clarification.
"Alpha, any change of plans regarding Ms. Fern? I thought ......" I cautiously tried.
"Fern again. Honestly, who the hell is she? I've been hearing that name over and over since I woke up. Even Aurora mentions the name in front of me," Giovanni said with annoyance.
Aurora?
That answer made my heart sink; apparently, things were more complicated than I thought.
For some reason, I felt like he was a little out of sorts today, as if he was not in a good mood.
Something was bothering him. I didn't know why I felt this way, but I shouldn't ask.
If it was something he wanted me to know, he would have told me.
But I'd received confirmation that was all I need from him.
After finishing my daily debriefing, I left the room.
I then headed straight to Fern's place, anger burning in my chest.
Pushing open the door, I found her organizing some herbs and potions, apparently unsurprised by my arrival.
She remained unfazed when I burst in angrily. Calmly, she put down the herbs in her hands and looked up to meet my gaze. I was filled with anger.
"What did you do to Giovanni?" I asked, almost snarling, my fists clenched as if they would explode at any moment.
Fern met my angry gaze without panic. "I did my best to heal his injuries and help him regain his health," she said calmly, though I knew it was anything but simple.
"Then why doesn't he remember you?" I pressed, stepping closer, a spark of anger in my eyes.
Fern didn't flinch, her gaze firm as she met mine. "I did what I had to do to ease his mind of unnecessary pain."
"Who are you to decide what's necessary and what's not?" I growled, my voice low and threatening. "Do you realize the consequences of this?"
"Consequences? You mean the fact that he's now alive and emotionally stable, no longer tormented by love, no longer depressed every day?" Fern asked calmly, almost rhetorically.
I was speechless for a moment.
Surprisingly, Fern sighed softly, as if she had expected this moment. "Don't you think this current situation is just right?" she asked back, a hint of helplessness and bemusement in her tone.
"What?" I froze, her words calming my anger slightly, but confusion remained.
"An emotionally stable Alpha is what the pack needs, isn't it?" she explained, her eyes firm and calm. "While an Alpha who is crippled by love and depressed every day brings nothing but negative effects to the pack."
Her words made me ponder. As a Beta, I knew full well that the pack needed a strong, calm leader, not an Alpha who was emotionally unstable and trapped by love. But even so, I still couldn't accept her manipulation of Giovanni.
"You think that's enough?" I said icily. "What will happen to Giovanni if he finds out you planned all this?"
Fern's expression remained composed, as if she had already braced herself. "I know it's risky, but I'm willing to take that chance." She met my gaze squarely, without fear. "Because I believe it's what's best for the pack."
Her words were resolute, leaving little room for argument. I knew she had a point, yet doubt lingered in my mind.
Fern took a deep breath, softening her voice. "Beta Tobias, I understand your concerns. But please trust me, this is the best course for Giovanni and for the pack as a whole. We need a strong and decisive leader, not someone shattered by the loss of a loved one."
My clenched fists gradually relaxed, conceding that Fern's rationale held weight. Despite the anger still simmering within me, I recognized that maintaining the pack's stability was paramount.
"Alright, I'll cooperate," I said coldly after a moment's contemplation, "but you'd better truly make Giovanni fall in love with you, or you might not withstand the Alpha's wrath once he regains his memories."
Fern nodded, a mixture of emotions flickering in her gaze. "I will. But also remember, it's not just for me; it's for the future of the entire pack."
With a disdainful snort, I turned and left Fern's place.