Gabriel
"It was weird for me to sit around a dining table with people other than my parents. I couldn't even remember the last time I sat down to have dinner with them. I should start thinking of how to make it up to them and start creating free time to spend with them. Maybe Rachel would like to go with me.
My mind wanders away like this for a bit, before I remember something I want to talk to Rachel about.
"Hey, Rachel?" I asked sweetly and she glared back at me.
Aww. I feel the love.
"What?" She snapped at me and my wolf sighed in contentment after hearing our mate's voice.
"So pathetic ".
"What do you think of Steve as my beta?" I asked and she snorted on the water she was drinking.
" What ?" She chokes out her cough.
"I had plans to make Steve my beta, I am curious to know what you thought about my decision". I say simply and her brow raises in disbelief.
"Why?" She asked and both her parents sat quietly and watched us.
" Because you will be my Luna and you know much about the pack dynamics so I am curious about your thoughts" I explained to her and she blushed a little which was incredibly cute and I smiled back at her a little.
"Well, I think that is a terrible choice to make," she says firmly.
All cuteness is gone.
"And why is that?" I asked, trying not to get defensive, she sighs and rolls her eyes, which was way less adorable than when she smiled at me.
" Look I know he is your best friend" I cut her off before she could finish her sentence.
"Aldoesn'ton't have a best friend," I said and she snorted at me
" Yes they do" and they are called Betas. So now don't interrupt me again I will stab you with a fork. I opened my nose to say something again but her little growl cut me off.
It was always adorable when she let out her growl, like a kitten or something. I don't think she would ever like such a comparison.
As I was saying, I know he is your bestie, but the problem is he does everything you say, that doesn't make him a good beta, what you need for a beta is someone who will challenge you, question your decision, and be honest with you. Steve would rather eat his foot than tell you that you are wrong, that is not a good way to make a pack function. She finishes with a shrug and goes back to eating her food as I sit trying to digest what she just said.
She is right about Steve. He would never tell me that I'm wrong, he never challenges me, and he doesn't even push himself hard when training against me. That was why I stopped sparing with him, he is always going easy on me and it was annoying.
" Who do you think would be a better candidate for a beta?" I asked her curiously and she narrowed her eyes at me.
"Do you care about my thoughts and are you just asking to get on my good side? She asked with a serious expression and I rolled my eyes back at her.
I seriously want to know what you think. I have someone else in mind. I don't know if we have the same thought about him. I said and she was silent for a while before nodding.
"Ethan". she says and I nod in agreement.
"That's what I was thinking ". I say
" Why were you thinking of him? She asked and I took a deep breath.
I feel like this was a test.
"He always pushes me during training, shows me how to improve, and tells me his opinion, he is smart just like you. He sees a fault in things like patrol schedule and honestly that dude is a jacked. He is fucking scary". I conclude and she gives me a little no with a smile.
" And right there is how you think like an Alpha," she says and I could sense a hint of pride in her voice that made my head swell.
"I will offer him the position tomorrow," I say and Rachel gasps in surprise.
"Really?" She asked incredulously and I nodded.
"I told you that I would listen to everything you say and that I would make an effort. This is me doing that I respect your opinion". I say earnestly and her parents look a little shell-shocked.
"Thank you". She murmurs and I smile at her with a wink.
"Did I earn myself a spot in your bed tonight instead of sleeping on the floor?" I asked and she groaned in annoyance before tilting her head back and looking at the ceiling.
"Just when I thought we were making progress". she murmurs and I can't help but chuckle.
" Well you can always join me on the floor, too, I am not that picky," I said, drinking the rest of my water and going to wash the dishes.
"You don't have to do that, Gabriel". Her mom says, but I shook my head.
"At our house, if mom cooks, dad does the dishes. I was ingrained in me, Mrs. Wilson. I won't be able to sleep tonight if you don't allow me to do the dishes". I say with a smile and laugh quietly.
"I don't think you did get much sleep on the floor anyways, I will see if I can find something to give it a little extra padding," she says, patting my shoulder affectionately.
"Oh no please don't" I whisper conspiratorially." If the floor is comfortable, Rachel won't take pity on me and let me in her bed. I said quietly and she laughed heartily this time around.
" Good luck sweetie, you are gonna need it," she says.
"Any tips?" I asked and she thought for a moment.
"This girl would do just anything for Oreos, and she hates flowers. At least bouquets, she says if you love something you would let it grow. Not cut it down and watch it die" I kept this information away for later.
"That's very profound". I Muse and she nods in agreement.
"We always joke that our Rachel is an old soul, wise beyond her years".
"Well, then she is perfect for an idiot like me". I said and she smiled again.
"And you do well to remember that". She says with a pointed stare. I swallow hard and nod.
"Yes, ma'am". I responded nervously and she left me to do my chore. After I finished the dishes I wandered up to Rachels's room, the door was open so I peek and look inside and see her reading a book in bed.