Home To Roost - 10. Acting Beta

It always seems in the big epic tales of heroes and magic, star battles and ship races, that marvelous and amazing things happen every day. Save the life of the maiden in distress, master a new spell, survive the battle with the space pirates, and inch ahead of the competition and win the race in order to claim your freedom. All of it seems so...so unreal.

Yet, in real life, you have times when things are just mundane.

Dean missed Kao even though they talked on Skype every night. He longed for his touch, to feel his heart beating, thudding softly, as they slept in bed or on a bed of sand. He went to work, did his job, came home, maybe had a double date with Kao and Victoria as they watched a movie together thanks to Skype.

Nothing happened, and it was wonderful. No evil werewolf stalkers, no psychotic, dictatorial older brothers trying to keep someone prisoner, no trials. Of course Dean had a few things pop up, but they were mostly routine. He had to fire a guy for falsifying his time sheet. He was also asked to babysit Alice one evening. That was an interesting night. Goldie had asked if Dean would be willing to watch her for a few hours while she dealt with an internal pack matter.

"Anything I can help with? I'll watch the cutie, but I might be able to help in other ways."

"Dean, you're a gem for wanting to help, but this is Cali Sands problems, and I don't want to bring another pack into internal issues. I know you're not officially with Homestead yet, but that is merely a formality. Still, thanks for watching her. I hate having to keep her from some matters, but a child should not have to witness her mom tear the head off of someone's neck." She said this part with a bit of tiredness, like she didn't want to kill someone, but she had little choice.

"Well shit. Of course I'll watch her. Afterwards, take a shower, get cleaned up, then come over if you need a shoulder to cry on." That got a bit of a chuckle.

"I may do that. Dean, were you not so firmly going to Homestead, I would be asking you to join Cali Sands. You have the makings of a good Beta...and I'll need a new one very soon." Yikes. She had to take out her Beta by the sound of it.

"Well...I could stand in as Acting Beta. I mean, I have never dealt with it formally, but it could help us both out of a jam. I need some training to get up to speed." Kao had been doing what he could to help Dean with what his duties would entail; he had a packet of information he needed to know so he wouldn't make as many mistakes.

There was a silence, and then Goldie said, "Deal. Dean, you will be my Acting Beta as of tomorrow. I won't be expecting you to get everything, but if I seem to be making a huge mistake, let me know and why you feel that way. I am not above admitting when someone has a better idea. Something Jon taught me a few years ago, actually."

"I'll do my best, Goldie. Now, bring on the little bundle of cute, deal with your business, and then bring your tail over for a movie." He heard her chuckle as she hung up. Dean called to Idaho quickly. When Kao answered, Dean wasted no time in telling him what just happened.

"Dean...I'm very proud of you. Goldie will be a tough person to deal with, but she wouldn't have accepted your offer if she didn't think you were up to the challenge. You may never get a call to act on it, but this will be good for you and for Homestead."

Hearing Kao was proud made Dean's heart swell. God, he loved his little love bird. "Thank you, my mate. It honestly makes me feel better knowing you're proud of me." They talked for a few more minutes until the doorbell chimed and Alice was led in by a VERY large man. God, he was almost as big as Dylan. "Hey, pumpkin head," he said to Alice, and she giggled and came over for a hug. "So, did you bring a movie or something, or shall I look for a good one?"

"Hi, Dean. I brought a movie, but I have homework. You can head back to Mom, Sarge."

The one called Sarge gave Dean a stern look, but turned and left without a word.

"Enforcer?" Dean asked as he led her to the dining room table, snagging a few cookies and some milk for her to munch on.

"Yup, and my personal body guard. Don't let his grumpy face fool you. He's a big teddy."

Maybe to you, Dean thought. "So what homework do you have? You're like, what, six years old?"

She giggled a bit. "I am seven, and I skipped to third grade. Apparently they think I'm 'advanced' for my age. I wonder when they will realize I'm not really smarter than other kids my age. I just have more time to read."

"Well, take it as a compliment. You'll graduate high school sooner. Less chance for boys to get hurt by thinking you're cute."

She made a face like boys were icky. "Will they really think that?"

"Yup. Boys are dumb, but they like pretty things." He watched her blush a bit. "Now, did you want some help with your homework? I think I can remember third grade."

"That far back? Wow!" she said with a grin.

Dean just loved her to death. She was smarter than any other seven-year-old he'd met.

Goldie arrived about an hour later looking well enough, but to Dean's nose she smelled tired and very upset. Her eyes were a bit red, probably from crying, and he could see a small cut healing on her hand. She gave a smooch to Alice as she pulled her into her lap and cuddled her daughter. Dean got up to get her a glass of water and offered a stiff drink. "Thanks, Dean."

"No problem. This little bundle of energy finished her homework, and she started on an assignment due next week for English." Dean was looking and smelling for any sign she might need that shoulder to cry on.

Goldie just hugged her daughter a bit tighter.

"Everything go good at the meeting, Mom?" Alice's voice was neutral, as if she knew what had happened.

"Everything is all taken care of," Goldie responded softly.

"And did Mrs. Grindel take it well?" That must the Beta's widow.

"She was not happy at all, but she understood it had to be done."

Dean just put his arm out and pulled the duo against his shoulder. Both had tears in their eyes, letting Dean know the two had cared about the now deceased Beta. Goldie obviously told Alice what would happen, but she didn't want her daughter to have to see it happen. Both ladies just clung to Dean as they cried. He wished he could do more than just be a shoulder, but he felt it was all they needed right then. He wondered just how stressful it would be to have to end the life of someone you trusted, someone you cared for. Had Jon made such a decision yet?

When the moment had passed, Goldie sat up and patted Dean's cheek in a silent thanks. "Guess what, Baby Girl."

"What?" she asked with a small sniff.

"We will have a new Acting Beta until a permanent one can be found." Goldie was trying to make it sound like a good thing, but Alice's blank face wasn't impressed. "Yup. Dean will be our Acting Beta until Kao graduates or until a permanent one is found." She glanced at Dean to see if it was okay for him to do it for so long. He nodded.

"Really?" Alice seemed to like this. "And that means Kao will come here to see Dean, and I will get to see Kao." She obviously adored Kao.

"Yup. Now, let's finish the movie." Goldie grinned at her daughter, glad to see she was happy with the new change in her life.

Dean went to Goldie's building after work the next afternoon so he could be formally greeted by the pack's higher-ups. More than a few stared at him as he walked in like he owned the place, dressed in his custom suit of navy. Even the human workers just watched as he walked to the private elevator that went to Goldie's office and swiped his new card to open it and take him to the top floor. As the door was closing, he could hear as few of the Lycan workers asking who the new hottie was. It made Dean smirk.

When the elevator got to the top floor, Sarge was there with his normal dour look. Must mean Alice was here. "Sarge," Dean said with a nod of his head. The man nodded back and seemed to relax a bit as he let Dean pass. A little whirlwind came running up and into his arms. "Hey, pumpkin head. Could you ask the Alpha to get Sarge another expression other than grump?" He smelled an amused scent come from none other than Sarge himself, although his expression did not change.

"I tried, but she says that it's still on layaway...whatever that is."

Dean laughed and carried her to the conference room door and set her down. "Are you allowed in there right now?" he asked. She nodded, so he scooped her back up and carried her in, Alice grinning and giggling.

"I see the leech has found you," said Goldie, and gestured for him to set her on the sofa. "Everyone, this is Dean Whitmore, the soon-to-be mate of Kao Saechao, and he will be our Acting Beta for the time being. Our allies, Homestead, have been very gracious to send Mr. Whitmore to us."

Dean set Alice on the couch and gave them each a bit of a bow. "I am happy to be of service to you and the Cali Sands Pack, Alpha Kirkland."

One person around the conference room table spoke up. "While I am sure Acting Beta Whitmore will be suitable, would not someone from inside the pack be more so?"

Goldie shot a very brief look at the speaker. "I am sure one will be, but until the board has decided on a suitable list of candidates, Dean will be filling the post." Her tone said this should be enough reason for any who were there.

But someone spoke up anyway. "But he's not even a wolf. This council has always been wolves and bears." The speaker was an older man. Dean guessed he was an "old guard" type, a traditionalist through and through.

Goldie was about to speak up when Dean did. "I understand your concern. Pandions are not known to be the strongest of the shifters. If such is the requirement of the council, then I shall step aside. I am sure both Homestead and the Rogue Valley Flock will understand and will easily overlook any potential insult." Dean turned after bowing, mentally ticking off seconds in his head until someone spoke up. He expected to get to about five before they called him back.

He got to two. "That will be unnecessary, Acting Beta." Dean stopped and came back. "Were you put in the place of a Prime Enforcer, I'd think such reasoning would be useful." This speaker was a middle-aged woman with steel gray hair and a pair of eyes that saw right through Dean's little ploy. She knew that having two extremely influential and powerful packs feeling insulted wouldn't be good for Cali Sands. "Yet it is your reasoning we need, and your ability to let Alpha Kirkland know there might be better alternatives."

No one seemed to want to refute her words, and Goldie gestured for him to sit at the only empty seat beside her. Her face was impassive, but as Dean sat, he could smell her amusement. She knew he had backed them into a corner with that simple line of logic. "Perhaps, Dean, you can give your insight into a potentially sticky problem. Feel free to be you normal self. Dean, while he can be formal, is not, which is one reason Alice adores him."

"Hit me. What needs looking at?" He was handed a packet, and as he scanned it, he could see one thing was very obvious. "So, who's in favor of the alliance, and who isn't?" It was split fairly evenly. It would be a political alliance for Goldie. She was being asked to find a suitable mate. "Since the council cannot decide, let's ask the one person who will be most affected by this." Dean turned to Alice. "Pumpkin head, could you come here?" She got up and bounded over to sit in his lap. "Have you met Alpha Olsen and Alpha Rogerson?" If they were shocked by him asking her, they didn't show it.

"Yeah." She nodded. "Alpha Olsen smells like mothballs and muscle rub, but he's really nice, and he adores mom. Alpha Rogerson is nice to look at, but I wouldn't trust him within a mile of my Mom." When asked why, she replied, "He's only interested in Mom's money and power. While he was here, he was making eyes at more than ten other women when mom looked away. He's a creep."

Dean gave her a hug and shooed her back to the couch. "I would say Alpha Olsen would be a suitable candidate as a mate."

One youngish man spoke. "Interesting. Why ask her?" His tone was curious without any hostility.

"Very simple. No one pays any attention to children, so both would have said or done things with her around they wouldn't have done otherwise. Also, Alice is damn smart for a kid. Her observations would be biased but founded in truths adults might not see. She's also the one who would be most affected by the mating/marriage. Her liking or disliking the future mate is paramount as she could, and would if I know her at all, make the mate's life a living hell." Dean looked to see most were confused.

"Having grown up human, I have seen marriages fall apart and one parent trying to find someone else. If they didn't at least ask the kid's opinion, they were in for a very rude awakening. I know I gave my step-dad the worst time for the year he was married to my mother. He filed for divorce because I made sure mom knew he was a cheating, slimy, piece of shit, rat bastard." Goldie was grinning. "I doubt Goldie cares either way or there would be no discussion about it, so it falls to Alice to make the choice for her. Politics via a seven-year-old." Dean just sat back and sent a smooch to Alice who ate it.

There was silence until the same steel-haired woman nodded. "As the deciding vote, the council has put forth that Alpha Olsen is the better candidate." She looked damned impressed by Dean's logic and reasoning with only a minute of prep time.

"And that is why Dean is Acting Beta," said Goldie, sitting back to smirk at the older men on the council.

"I do have one question. Why mothballs and muscle rub?" Dean asked with a smirk.

Goldie laughed. "Lars isn't a wealthy man. His pack isn't much bigger than your average grade school classroom. Maybe twenty-five. The suit he wore to put his best foot forward was his father's, hence the mothball smell. The muscle rub was because he had been horsing around with Alice...quite literally, because he was on all fours with her riding his back." That made Dean laugh. "He's a bit older than I am, but he's a good man who wants the best for his pack and is willing to give up his title as Alpha to make sure they're safe."

"Sounds like a good match, to be honest. No false pride or posturing, only concern for his people. I assume his pack is or was assaulted by another, prompting him to make the alliance." Goldie nodded. "I'd like to meet him. I know Jon would, too. Sounds like someone worth knowing, especially if Alice approves." He grinned over at the girl who was currently sitting there being asked to do homework by Sarge. "Please correct me if I'm wrong, but is not Alpha-Mate an equal title to Alpha?"

Most of the old guard bristled at the question, practically rolling their eyes at his "ignorance", but Goldie made a vague motion with her hand. "Yes and no. Traditionally they're equal but the Alpha is the only one who decides the course of the pack. The Mate can heavily influence the decision of the Alpha, but not change anything on their own. With some of the younger generations, and very commonly among same sex couples without a clear leader, they share the decision and burden of the pack. Case in point. Jon and Pat." Mentioning their names sent a slight tinge of negativity into the air from a few of the traditional members. "Jon is clearly the leader while Pat is more than happy to fulfill the duties of a traditional Alpha-Mate. Yet Homestead itself is run by three Alphas with Jon being the final say."

"Thank you. My mate said that as he takes the official office of Beta for Homestead, I'll be seen as his equal." Again there was that scent of negativity. Dean was starting to get agitated by it.

"I know for a fact Jon wouldn't differentiate between you and Kao, but others may. Why bring it up?" Goldie could smell Dean's emotional shift and hoped that it didn't go past annoyance and agitation.

"If you do decide to accept Alpha Olsen as your mate, and him being an Alpha in his own right, won't that make for either a good co-leadership or a power struggle? I see Rogerson being a problem with the last. With enough forces, he could've been trying to stage a coup." A few of the others could see that as a problem.

"You have a point. However, Lars has made it clear it would be my pack, and he would be glad to help me, but it is my decision." That sent up another wash of negativity. Goldie must have seen Dean's shift in posture, because she shook her head ever so slightly.

"Alpha, may I request a private meeting with you to discuss inter-pack relations?" Dean's tone was formal, which sent up huge red flags for Goldie. Even Alice heard it loud and clear.

Goldie stood, motioned for him to follow, and entered what had to be her private office. "Dean...be careful."

"Goldie, I will deal with disrespect towards me and take it with a grain of salt. Yet the older gentlemen quite obviously have no love for anything they do not deem traditional. From Jon and Pat to a female Alpha, they have all but shouted their 'disapproval' of anything they don't agree as being traditional." Dean was giving off massive amounts of anger.

"I know, I have dealt with it since I took over the pack from my father. They won't openly say what they're thinking because I just removed a man for open disrespect. They're scared right now their quaint little lives are being pulled in an unknown era. Gasp...change happens. I feel your pain, but I ask that you don't make an issue of it unless they say it openly. Even as Acting Beta you outrank all but one person, and that's Mirabelle D'Arlene. The steel hair who knows when to compromise."

Dean nodded. "So wait for them to fuck up and then rip off their heads. Got it. I like Mirabelle. What is her rank anyway?" He was curious if there was a rank between Alpha and Beta.

"She's my mother, the former Alpha-Mate. While she is only one in name, she acts as an adviser for me." It was obvious Goldie had a lot of love and a lot of respect for her mother.

"Wouldn't she make a good Beta?" Dean asked, curious why she was not chosen for that position.

"It would be a step down for her."

"Would it? She has no rank right now save the one she gets by simply being your mom. There would be no shame or dishonor for her to take the place. Travis has been Jon's Acting Beta since Angus McDouchebag took over the ECP, and he was the Alpha for the largest pack in the US and is up for a place on the Council."

She had to admit, he had a solid point. "I don't know if I could get that by the council here. While I am Alpha, they could make my time very difficult."

Dean snorted. "Bullshit. You may not want to exert your power, but those old farts in there would shake in their Depends if you told them how it was going to be." Dean liked the snort he got from her. "I get it, the older generation should be honored, but they don't run the pack, you do. If they can't handle having a woman as Alpha and Beta, then they can just suck it up and get the fuck over it."

Goldie gave him a hug. "Sometimes I need to hear a good pep talk." She went to the door and called for her mother to come join them.

When Mirabelle entered, she snorted away the remnants of Dean's anger scent. "You asked to see me?"

"Mom, Dean is pretty much family, so you can be informal." She scented Dean's pleasure at being called family.

"I see. Well then, sweet pea, what's got the lad pissed other than the old farts being dumbshits?" Her manner went from perfectly poised to gossiping mom in the blink of an eye.

Dean just roared with laughter. "I knew I liked you. Yes, Goldie, she would be perfect."

"Dean has advised me to have you as my Beta."

Mirabelle's reaction was one of shock. "I'm an old nag. You really wouldn't want me."

"Mom, you pretty much give me advice anyway, so why not make it official?" Goldie smiled and gave her mom a hug. "He is right, and he reminded me that those dumbshits out there are not in charge."

Mirabelle looked over at Dean with a grin. "You will be a good Beta. You already know the art of manipulation. That sweet lad Kao has found himself a good mate." She cackled when Dean blushed a bit. "You sure you want me to be your Beta? Travers would be a good alternative."

"For when you retire, yes. Mom, please take it. That way those old farts won't be able to run over you as if you didn't serve as Alpha-Mate for forty years." When it looked as if she were going to decline, Goldie pouted and said, "Please Mom?"

Mirabelle just laughed and nodded. "I'll take it. Dean, thank you for telling my girl she doesn't have to take no shit from those old geezers."

"Hey, Goldie's a ball-buster, and I see she got a lot of that from you. Now, since you have your Beta, what shall I do?" He was curious.

"Stay and learn from Mom and Travers. He's the youngish one who asked why you brought Alice in. He was my former Beta's apprentice, but even he said he wasn't ready to take the job." There was a lot of respect there for his honesty.

"Cool. Sounds awesome. Now, shall we go piss off a bunch of old buzzards?" They shared a laugh and Dean offered his arm to Mirabelle.

"My, my." Her smile, and the way she took his arm, was both motherly and maidenly. It had probably been a long time since a gentleman offered to escort her. "I see why Alice likes you." When the trio walked back into the conference room and Goldie had taken her place at the head of the table, Dean pulled out the chair he sat in for Mirabelle and kissed her hand before taking the seat she originally used. "Such manners."

"As you can see, I have chosen my Beta. With the advice of Mr. Whitmore, who shall stay on for learning purposes, Mirabelle D'Arlene is now Beta of this pack."

There was a very noticeable silence from the table, but Travers nodded. "Honestly, Alpha, I believe you have made an excellent choice. I look forward to working with you, Beta D'Arlene, if you would still have me as your apprentice." His smile was genuine and only got bigger as she nodded.

But not everyone was happy. "Alpha, shouldn't you have discussed this with us?" asked one of the buzzards.

"You seem to forget that I need not consult you at all. This is my pack," her voice stressed the word my, "and I don't need approval from anyone." Her gaze was firm and the old man just looked down.

Another one wasn't so easily chastised. "This is outrageous. First a woman Alpha, and now a woman Beta. What is next, a woman Prime Enforcer? I'll not sit by and watch this pack go down the drain." He lunged at Goldie, who was ready for it.

Her only thought was Men.

But he didn't get more than an inch as Dean grabbed him by the throat and slammed him onto the table, his eyes glowing a burnished gold. It so shocked the old wolf that he didn't know what to do. "While I understand a formal challenge to the Alpha shouldn't be interfered with, you never issued a challenge. Therefore, I'm well within my rights to rip out your throat for the utter disrespect you have shown today. Give me one reason, you old fuck, and I will have to buy Goldie a new window when I throw you through it." Dean's tone was cold, livid from the earlier anger. He went to struggle, but Dean's gripped tightened.

"Jackson, please escort Mr. Tucker to a holding cell until I can deal with him." Said Enforcer came forward, and Dean let the man up, his eyes still filled with rage. "Perhaps this is a good time to remind some people. Dean is Pandion Lunais. While he may be physically weaker, I wouldn't blink or take your eyes off him. They're faster than anyone else in this pack."

"I apologize, Alpha, for my outburst and show of aggression. I guess part of me dislike when people insult me, my mate, my best friends, and then someone tries to hit a lady. Call me old-fashioned." His eyes shifted back to their natural color as he looked at Goldie.

Goldie and Mirabelle exchanged a smile and then a laugh. "Dean, would you have thrown him out the window?"

He grinned, but there was an edge to it. "Naw...I would have dragged him up the stairs and tossed him off the roof. Multiple times if he lived through it."

Travers just shook his head. "Would you have done the same for Alpha Davenport?"

"Yup. No one hurts my friends without answering to me." After that, the subject was dropped.

As Dean was leaving the meeting, Sarge was at the elevator and raised a huge fist. Dean grinned, gave it a bump, and got a grin from the dour-faced man.

* * *

"You didn't," Kao said with shock.

"I did," Dean said with a grin. Having told his mate the outcome of the meeting, Dean was wondering if he had overstepped his bounds.

"Huh. Not very diplomatic of you, my love." Kao's tone was full of both mirth and gentle reprimand. He honestly would have loved to have seen Dean in action.

"Call it my one huge failing. No one will harm the people I care about. Well, except me." He told Kao about the time he decked Jon in the nose for not telling him he was a furry.

Kao sighed. "Whatever shall I do with you?"

"Oh, I can think of a few things." Dean could almost feel the blush over the phone.

"So, graduation is May 15. I sent invites to Father, Phuong, the guys in Montana, and Goldie and Alice."

"Did you send an invite for Sarge?"

Kao laughed. "Like I would forget him. Alice can't go anywhere without her shadow."