Page 39 of The Betas: Rene
“I’m sorry for laughing. I can see why you didn’t ask René.” Martin seemed to consider his request. “It’s different for Betas than it is for Alphas and their Mates.”
“How so?” Frankie’s curiosity peaked.
“It is the one night when they aren’t on call. The Betas have clung to the old ways and enjoy the ceremony of the occasion.” Martin took a bite of his taco, and some of the insides came out on his fingers. He wiped his fingers on a dishtowel.
Frankie noted a rolled dishtowel at his own place. Embarrassed, he opened it up and put it on his lap. Edward laughed. “The mating imperative strikes again.”
Frankie, whose curiosity remained unsatisfied, ignored Edward and prodded again, “What do Alphas do?”
“All of the Council Alphas mate in their suites, then come down the next morning for the feast and to show the mark. The pack Alphas may or may not be old-fashioned, depending on the pack.” Martin gave Frankie a typically Gallic shrug.
“Why do the Betas stand on ceremony when the Alphas don’t?” Frankie persisted as Martin and Edward both made themselves another taco.
“Hi-Betas, especially the Hi-Betas who guard the First, are almost as important to the life of the packs as their Alphas. Therefore, it is just as important to the packs that our marks be genuine. Since the Betas don’t necessarily have quarters in the Alpha’s residence, there needs to be a means to ensure the integrity of the mark. Most Alphas would take their Beta’s word, but a Beta’s life is based on details so he likes the ceremony because if he has the ceremony, no one can ever question his Mate’s mark.” Martin chuckled, “And before you ask… Edward and I had the ceremony.”
“How do they verify the mark?” Frankie absently prepared himself a taco.
“After you finish your last meal before the mating, you will be escorted to the pack room by four Enforcers to be seen by The Alpha, The Alpha Mate, and five representatives of the pack, including the Alpha Bitch, her Mate, and pack physician,” Edward told him. “It’s highly choreographed.” Frankie blushed thinking of his earlier comments on The Alpha as dance director.
“How do they decide which two pack members see me before the mating?” Frankie prodded Martin for further information.
“They draw lots. It was done as soon as The Alpha notified the pack that my brother had a Mate.”
“What will they do?” Frankie, aware that the ritual was important to his Mate, wanted to get every detail correct.
“The Alpha and The Alpha Mate, after asking you four questions—”
“What questions?” Frankie panicked. He hadn’t had the time to study loup garou culture so he may not have the right answers.
“First they’ll ask you if you believe, as René does, that you’re his True Mate,” Edward told him.
“The answer to that is simple. As soon as I laid eyes on René, I wanted him forever. That scared me, but even when I thought René believed himself a werewolf, and Iknewsuch a thing wasn’t possible.” Frankie laughed at himself. “I still took a cab over to his house to make sure he saw someone who could help him. I never thought about leaving him.”
“The second question is, have you ever been marked by another wolf?” Martin’s face was deadly serious.
Frankie took the question seriously and considered his answer. “I never knew the loup garou were real. I’m no virgin, but I can honestly say that I’ve never been bitten, even as a child by anyone. So that would be a no.”
“Then, The Alpha will ask if you are willing to join the pack and answer to him.” Martin took another bite and wiped his mouth with the towel.
“I was going to work for The Alpha. I’d answer to him at work. It doesn’t make any difference to me if I answer to The Alpha twenty-four seven, especially if it gives me René. The only exception that I would make is if The Alpha asks me to harm someone. I won’t do that. I wouldn’t do it for my stepfather, and I won’t do it for The Alpha.”
Martin cocked his head. “You are a good fit. We have two laws, the first is harm no human. The second is to tell no one of the existence of the loup garou. According to our laws, it would be impossible for The Alpha to ask you to harm another human unless he wants to bring the wrath of the gods on his head.”
“The fourth question is, are you willing to be marked by René and to be his for this cycle, as you have been for previous cycles and will be in future cycles from now to eternity.” Edward smiled and touched his mark.
“Yes.”
“After he finishes questioning you, The Alpha will examine the line of flesh between your neck and shoulder for a bite mark. After The Alpha and The Alpha Mate are finished, you are inspected by five representatives of the pack. If no mark is found, you will be escorted back to René’s home by the four Enforcers who brought you to the pack room.” Edward looked up into Martin’s eyes as he spoke. Martin and Edward entwined hands and smiled at each other.
“This is so that no one bites or kidnaps me before I get to René?” Light dawned in Frankie’s brain.
“Yes.” Martin grimaced. “If you read our histories, you will find that in the previous generation, Beta Mates were kidnapped routinely.”
“Why would another wolf capture a Beta Mate? I can understand why The Alpha Mate, but—”
“Betas guard The Alpha and are generally incorruptible. However, if someone takes their Mate…especially a human Mate… René will always be worried about your safety as I am about Edward’s. That’s why he’s happy you will be working for The Alpha. Less time around strangers.”
“After I’ve answered the four questions and been examined by The Alpha, The Alpha Mate, and the five pack members, what happens next?”
