Author's note: If you are buying the privilege, I want you to wait for a day so I could fill the new tiers and you can unlock up to ten extra chapters from the 2nd of this month.

-------

I gulped at Rita's question while the girl indifferently blew on her chewing gum till it popped and she kept her eyes locked on mine, waiting for the answer. The members were all waiting for the answer with curiosity laced in their eyes. I could see the few hopeful looks that wished for what Diana had said was true, while others started to give an incredulous look.

My eye did not go to meet Channing's as I spoke, looking straight ahead towards the members, "What Diana said was baseless. I am not Channing's soulmate."

Everyone's faces turned to Channing, and he sighed, walking ahead to stand next to me. He kept a distance between us and I knew why he was doing that. I had already shown him a subtle rejection and then I had ducked away from his touch.

Channing looked my way and then back at the members, "I and Selene are simply good friends. To be honest, I feel somewhere very grateful and in debt towards Selene for saving my life when my own trusted Omegas had betrayed me. But that has not biased my judgement towards the selection of a good Beta for Winterwells." The heaviness of that guilt for not saving their Alpha was weighing again on the members.

Channing was making sure the pack members didn't ride their high horses just because Channing smiled at them. It would take some time for everyone to this recent change, including Channing, who was sure to have trust issues henceforth.

I sighed, seeing how the atmosphere had once again flipped its coin. I talked in a rather casual tone to say it in as polite manner as possible, "I am not Channing's soulmate we simply have a great friendship and I don't like to discuss about my personal matters in such a way so let's keep it that way with me when I don't wish to answer some questions. But you all should know Channing better that he would not take this decision of me becoming the Beta with any kind of secret relationship between us"

Sam spoke after he locked his eyes with my hazel eyes, "I don't think we should trust the words of the people who had conspired against our Alpha."

Arina was quick to agree with Sam, "Yes, Sam is right."

The faces of the members relaxed, seeing how someone had spoken up. The curiosities still remained, but they now understood. Sam smiled at Arina and she returned a compassionate smile to him. It immediately made me smile knowing that Sam now knew of Arina being his soulmate, unlike last time. It was heartwarming to see them give each other the accepting vibe and couldn't wait to start teasing them together.

Channing cleared his throat, and all eyes turned to him. Sam and Arina's gaze broke and Arina saw Channing was looking at them as well. Her face immediately lit up red and I had to curl my lips inwards to bite my smile in.

"Alright, let's have the new member introduce herself and then we can introduce ourselves," said Channing. "Let me go first. I am Channing Warchild, the Alpha of Winterwells, and my abilities include increasing my strength tenfolds. Also, I will turn 25 tomorrow and I love gifts, so don't feel shy about bringing me one Dandeline." Channing flashed a kind smile to Dandeline, and everyone else lit up with Channing's changed mood.

Channing signalled me to go ahead and introduce myself. I gave a polite smile to Dandeline, "Welcome to the pack, Dandeline. I am Selene, the new Beta here. Looking forward to getting to know you well." Dandeline was putting up a good show, so I did the same.

I felt a glare boring into the back of my head and I did not have to turn back to that it was Jack who was unhappy about me taking the position of John, who in Jack's eyes I had killed.

Dandeline flashed a wide grin to Channing as she got up with his help, "I will make sure to bring a good gift for you, Alpha Channing."

Channing chuckled at her statement, "You can bring more than one, I don't mind."

Dandeline giggled, covering her mouth with her fingers as if she belonged to an elite family and the girl knew her etiquettes. I almost reacted to seeing her act like a rich kid. Right now, if someone were to tell she was the princess in disguise, then people would believe her more than if I told the same. She was giving an impression of being the pampered little sophisticated child and, my goodness, she was so good with the act.

Dandeline introduced herself, standing like a confident girl and waving to the members, "Hello everyone, I believe some of us have met before. I am Dandeline and my special abilities include forming illusions around for my own self but I look forward to improving it with you all and better it so I could use it with others as well."

Rest all introduced themselves and I took this opportunity to brush my memory about the pack member and their names.

After all the introductions, members were all dispersed after being told to spread the word about tomorrow morning's training. Jack me and Channing were the only ones remaining at the ground now.

Channing turned to stand between me and Jack now facing each other. Jack was failing miserably at hiding the scorn on his face and there was so much he wanted to say to me and try to bully me, but I looked at him with a smile, now asking him to come at me if he dared. I had got this position of Beta of my own accord, so I proudly held it in front of his face.

Channing cleared his throat to get our attention and his lips were set in a thin line looking at me as if I was some kid. "What is your problem with our new Beta Chief Jack? It seems you still hold some grudges against her."