The Four Beta Brothers
Chapter 123

JUNIPER

Kalli held up two dresses, wasting no time once I was inside. "Which dress do you think looks more luna-like?"

The dress on the left was a white, formal dress with sleeves that hung off the shoulder and a slit on the side that went up to the middle thigh. The other dress was a pastel pink with a bell bottom. Roses lined the bottom of that dress with a line that swerved up to the corset. "The pink one will make you look like a princess, but the white one will make you look like a queen," I said after studying both of them.

"What an elegant answer," Kalli said. "I like the way you think. I will go with the white one then."

"My former best friend was into fashion, so I picked up a few things from her," I said, thinking about Moira. The problems with her felt like a lifetime away.

"At least you picked up something from that traitorous brat," Kalli said.

Her comment took me by surprise. "How did you-"

"Know about Moira? People talk. Ethan mentioned a few things while filling us in on everything," Kalli explained. "Plus, Winston knew the reason Ethan and his brothers were sent to CUW in the first place, so I was able to connect some dots. From what I understand, you're much better off without her. You don't need fake friends."

"Yeah," I said, taking a seat on her bed. The duvet was the same shade of pink as her dress, and a mound of pillows was stacked near the headboard. "I just wish I was better at making friends. I have the Burrell brothers now, but it's different when you're dating someone."

Kalli sat in front of her vanity and started taking out the curlers from her hair. "Good thing you have a new best friend." I looked at her, a little confused, so she continued. "Me, that is. I had to leave all of my friends behind in my old pack, but I'm not really sure they were actually my friends in the first place. Once I had a proper title, they all tried to use me for their own gains. I'm better off without them, but I'm happy to have you."

"But you don't know me," I said.

"You fought to take down one of the most powerful werewolves in this territory, and you jumped in front of a bullet to save your mate. That's all I need to know to determine you'll be a good friend and second to the luna," Kalli said.

"I don't feel like I deserve that kind of praise," I admitted. For the majority of my life, I constantly heard whispers telling me I would never be anyone worthy of anything because I was an omega. I fought to prove everyone wrong, but now that the soon-to-be luna was telling me what I had always wanted to hear, I had a hard time accepting it.

"Don't ever let anyone make you believe you deserve anything less than everything," Kalli said. "It's time you start acting like you belong here, because you do. I promise you that."

I smiled, knowing I was going to enjoy working with Kalli closely when the time came. "Can I ask you a question?"

"Shoot," she said, turning her attention back to her hair.

"What's the deal with Luna Heline?" I asked. "She didn't seem to like me very much when I met her."

"That's just how Heline is. She didn't seem to like me much when I first met her. She's kind of the opposite of Alpha Williams. She's cold and bitter at first, but she warms up after a while. Alpha Williams is friendly to everyone, but he's much harder to get to know on a deeper level," Kalli said. She leaned in a little closer and whispered, "I think part of her problem is that she doesn't love Alpha Williams. They're not true mates. It was an arranged marriage for the good of the pack."

"Really?" It was common for werewolves to settle in relationships without their partner being their true mate, but Kalli's information still shocked me.

"Yeah. You pick things up if you listen close enough. The walls whisper. It's been interesting navigating this new world with Winston. I wasn't exactly expecting to essentially become the queen of werewolves. I wasn't even supposed to be the luna of my own pack. My goal was to be one of the top warriors. I never wanted to deal with politics. Funny how life works out that way, huh?"

"For what it's worth, I think you're going to make a great luna. If Luna Heline is as cold with everyone as she was with me, then I think you will be a wonderful change of pace."

Kalli paused and smiled. "I knew there was a reason I liked you. Now, we have to decide what you're going to wear tonight."

I looked down at my clothes. I hadn't had a chance to change after all of the traveling, but I didn't think there was anything wrong with my outfit. I was wearing a nice blouse and a pair of jeans. "Is there a dress code? Since it's going to be a small ceremony, I didn't think it mattered what I wore," I admitted. I had a nice yellow dress for tomorrow, but I hadn't planned on anything special for tonight.

Kalli smiled. "It always matters what you choose to wear, whether you are making the conscious decision to dress in something comfortable or something that makes you feel beautiful. Clothing is more than just a fashion statement. It can change the way you feel, and tonight you deserve to feel beautiful."

Kalli stood up and held out her hand. "Come on. I'm sure I have something for you to borrow."

She led me into her walk-in closet, and bright colors lined the wall. Kalli went straight to her dresses, skimming through them quickly. It didn't take her long to pull out an emerald green dress. "This will compliment your eyes perfectly. And it's meant to be a mid- length dress, so our height difference shouldn't be an issue. What do you think?"

"I like it," I said. "Actually, I love it."

***

Kalli hooked her arm around mine. "They are ready for us."

We stood in front of the back door. Everyone was already outside, waiting for us to join the ceremony.

"Let's do this," I said. I opened the door for Kalli and let her walk out in front of me.

I followed a step behind her, wanting to make sure all of the attention was on her. She was the one being crowned the new luna tonight. It was a small ceremony that only involved the alpha, luna, Winston, Kalli, the Burrell brothers, and myself. Alpha Williams wanted to pass on the official title to Winston early, in case anything went wrong tomorrow. Winston tried to argue, saying it wasn't right, but everyone else had agreed to the plan. If everything went wrong tomorrow, at least Anthony wouldn't be able to claim the title of alpha without a fight.

Kalli walked towards the archway where Winston was already waiting for her. His entire face lit up as he watched his mate walk towards him. He took her hand and led her to the place in front of his parents.

Ethan approached me, placing his hand on my lower back and guiding me to stand next to him. Tonight, my place was by his side as we received our official titles.

You are the most stunning person here, Ethan linked, his hand moving lower down my spine.

"I am honored to have the two of you standing before me today," Alpha Williams stated. "I have watched you grow into the man you have become today, Winston, and I know you will be an amazing future alpha of this pack. Your energy and ideas will do great things for all werewolves, especially with your wonderful mate by your side. Do you accept the responsibilities that come with being the alpha of this pack?"

Winston smiled and squeezed Kalli's hand. "I accept the responsibility and swear to the Moon Goddess that I will do everything in my power to do what is right for all werewolves." "Kalli?" Alpha Williams said.

"I swear to the Moon Goddess to fulfill my duties as luna in every way possible," Kalli said.

Alpha Williams paused, looking at the rest of us. "As all of you as my witness, I hereby relinquish my power as alpha of all werewolves." He turned to Luna Heline.

She took a step forward, avoiding eye contact with everyone. "I relinquish my power as luna."

Silence swept through the air, and then Kalli and Winston started to glow, a sign from the Moon Goddess herself that she accepted them as the new leaders of this pack.

Alpha Williams nodded at his wife. He reached for her hand, but she took a step back, ignoring his gesture. He turned to Winston instead. He clasped his shoulder and said, "I know you'll make me proud, son."

Winston smiled. "I will do whatever I can to ensure I do." He then turned to Ethan. "I hereby choose you to be my beta, to be my second hand when I cannot be there and to protect not only me and my luna but all werewolves who need it. Do you accept this role?" "I do," Ethan said.

Kalli then turned to me. "Juniper, I choose you to be my second in command, to be the voice of reason when I need it and to assist me with my responsibilities. Do you accept this role?"

I glanced at Ethan, then Asher and Axel. They were all watching me closely, waiting for my answer. "I do." I felt a shift inside of me as the bond to my old pack broke and the new bond was created. Accepting my new role also initiated me into the new pack. Winston let out a cheer and pulled Ethan into a bear hug. "Welcome to the top, my man."

Kalli hugged me. "I'm so happy to know you will be here to help me with my new responsibilities. I know it will be just a little easier with you by my side."

"There is food and drinks inside," Alpha Williams announced. "I think it's time to get our party on."