102- Roles and regtion
Bemy growls and I turn to him with eyebrows raised.
“She’s disrespectful.” He grumbles. I shrug.
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“She’s busy. She has a hard job and doesn’t waste time on niceties. I like her.” I conclude. He tilts his
head.
“I believe she likes you too actually. She doesn’t usually give out her number. People have to book her
through her assistant who generally chases off the time wasters.”
“Ah that makes sense. I’m kind of ttered that she approved of me.” I smile.
“I still don’t like her attitude though. If she were anyone else… or less skilled…” He trails off.
I cross my arms over my chest.
“Speaking of attitudes. You’ve been irritable since you came upstairs to get me. Bossy too. I am not
loving it. Is something wrong?” Bemy sits on the edge of the desk and leans his hands on his knees,
sighing.
“You’re right. I’m just frustrated. I want to DO something to fix this and I find I’m just sitting around
uselessly. I can’t evenfort you properly because I’m too busy getting worked up. It’s just not
something I’m good at.” He sits quietly, looking a little defeated. I consider what Megan has told me
about male and female Shifters and the differences in their roles. He wants to actively fix things and
protect me. He wants to provide for me physically and he’s good at it. From what Megan has said it’s
usually the instinct of the female Shifters to take care of issues that require patience, caring and
considering feelings. The two are meant to bnce eachother out. I don’t know how well I can do any
of those things, but it does help me understand Bemy’s frustration right now. He wants to take care of
everything immediately and he’s being forced to wait.
“I do understand why you’re frustrated, really I do. I’m frustrated too. But that doesn’t make it okay for
you to snap and re at people. Try to be aware of that.” I keep my tone friendly, but firm. As the Alpha
it is far too easy for him to take his bad mood out on other people who
102- Roles and regtion
don’t really have much of a chance to push back. Bemy’s expression stays frustrated for a few
moments then suddenly brightens. He gives me a satisfied smile.
“You’re proving again that you are so good at being the Alpha female. Worrying and taking care of
people’s feelings, even if that means telling me to back off is part of the job.” he says proudly. I scrunch
up my face.
“Really? That’s kind of weird.” Iment. Bemy shrugs.
“Someone has to stop me from being too much of a tyrant and I’m afraid that job falls to you.
sweetheart. I’m sure you’ll do great.” He assures me. I roll my eyes.
“While we’re on the topic. Other than preventing you from bing aplete dictator, what exactly is
the role you’re hoping I’ll eventually take on? I’m hoping the entire thing might seem less intimidating if I
actually know what’s involved.” I admit. I’m nervous but I do
my best to force some optimism and cheer into my voice. I’m pretty sure Bemy sees right through it
though because he begins running a hand from my shoulder, down my arm and back up again in a
not–so–subtle attempt to help me rx.
“It’s a little hard to exin as a specific list of duties. But basically the Shifterse to the female
Alpha with the kinds of problems they wouldn’t bring to me. Petty arguments, concerns or fears they
have as well as with the rtionship problems they have with each. other and with non–Shifters. The
Alpha female is also who they would see if they objected to a ruling that I have made on something and
want to have it appealed. Obviously you could refuse, but basically if they have a problem with
something I do then it would be up to you to talk to me about it and either change my mind or exin to
them why the decision should be enforced. Additionally, if a Shifter should do something wrong it would
be up to both of us to decide on the consequences, although in minor disagreements and rtionship
issues your would be able to manage those yourself. Enforcing those decisions bes my job.”
Bemy pauses to take a breath and examine my face to see how I’m taking things before he
continues.
“Basically, my job is to keep everyone safe, provided for and in line. Your job would be to make sure
everyone is content, secure and getting along.” He sums up. It doesn’t escape my notice that halfway
through his exnation he swapped from talking about the ‘Alpha female’s‘ role and began talking
about my future role. Still, most of what he said doesn’t sound too awful. Although he still hasn’t really
exined it in terms of specific tasks. Just a general description of the responsibilities.
102- Roles and regtion
“Okay, but how does it work? For example, the solving people’s arguments thing. How would I even
know about them?” I try to rify. Bemy shrugs.
“Every Alpha female does things differently. Some held official sessions where people woulde and
bring their issues to be resolved. Others maintain close rtionships with everyone and stay avable
so that people will bring their issues to them in a less formal manner. Some hire counsellors and make
sure they are avable to the Shifters, some investigate rumours. It doesn’t really matter, you just find a
way that works and manage it how you feelfortable. You won’t have to do it all alone.” He says
quietly. My expression must show how freaked out I am because he falls silent. I sigh.
“It sounds like a lot of work.” I state dully. Bemy nods.
“It is. There’s a reason it’s considered a full time job. It’s also the reason why the other Alphas are
displeased that I haven’t named the Alpha female yet. The job isn’t being done the way it should. I do
what I can and Megan helps me out a bit. But even though she’s my twin sister, she’s not the Alpha
female so she doesn’t have the authority to manage everything, particrlyints about me. Not
to mention she isn’t actually interested in the role. She has her own stuff, I don’t want to give her too
many duties and limit her freedom to make her own future.” Bemy confesses. That actually makes
me feel simultaneously better and worse. Worse because I’m thinking about the Alphas again and how
Bemy needs his mate. But better because Bemy is clearly caring about his sister and doing his
best at a role that does note naturally to him and the ce isn’t falling apart. So with their help I
would probably be able to manage it. Eventually that is.
“You’ve gone quiet.” Bemy remarks. I give him a weak smile.
“Just thinking. Thankyou for exining a bit.” I’m going to have to think about how I would want to do
things if I ever actually do take over the role properly. I’m not sure about the super formal sessions but I
wouldn’t want peopleing and harassing me at all hours for help either. It’s something I might have
to consider further before I’m ready to make any decisions. In the meantime, I guess I’ll work on
learning what kinds of help and support people actually want.