"It's uncommon. It's much rarer for betas or omegas to choose it. A strong-willed alpha could do it."

She can do it. She knows she can.

"And an alpha with a pack is more powerful." It's not really a question.

"She is. An alpha surrounded by betas is something to behold. Until she slaughters dozens for sport. Be careful, Regan. If this is what you want- decide, and act accordingly. Do not trust your imuplses."

Her impulses are screaming at her. She will not listen to them. She is in control of this. Not the wolf.

"It's the right path. This alpha is going to just keep gathering power. It's already killed so many. I am not like it. I will be better. If I take Scott as my beta... it'll take that power away from it and put it in our hands."

Nod.

"You will be the best Argent and the best alpha this world has seen."

Regan really hopes that she doesn't fuck this up and have to kill her.

"Whether the beta is usual or not... well, I guess he'll be useful either way. In our hands, or dead."

"He will. We might need to move sooner than any of us would like. Allison has gotten awfully attached already."

"She has. But she chose this. Knows the consequences. Maybe it'll be good for her. Every path is a lesson."

"Speaking of lessons, I wanted to make something for the family. We can say it's to celebrate Kate's arrival. Something that goes well with bacon, but isn't so mundane itself. Join me in the kitchen tomorrow?"

"Wouldn't miss it. Big day tomorrow. We're gonna need it."

Eventually, the Argents go to bed.

More eventually, the Argents wake up. Chris drives his daughters to school, performing the stern father to Allison's rebellious daughter. There's no need for a performance with Regan.

Allison fills the air with idle prattle. She's bored of this school already, but the alpha problem is thorny enough that she can enjoy pretending to be normal, for a few hours.

Regan leaves Allison to herself and whoever is hanging around today and eventually heads to her appointment with Ms. Morrell when math happens.

The office smells less offensive to her keen senses. Dr. Morrell watches her enter.

"Regan, welcome. Take a seat."

Regan sits and wrinkles her nose a little. It is better than last time though. "Do you usually keep wolfsbane in your office? Seems a little threatening."

"I prefer to consider it appropriately cautious. It makes this place safer, for most of my students. I haven't had someone like you visit me in years."

"Someone like me? How would you define that?"

"Did you want to be explicit about it? I thought we were going to keep things more subtle."

"What's the point in that? Other than being confusing."

“That would be the main appeal, yes. I prefer to keep an air of mystery around dangerous topics, but we can dispense with it if you like. Tell me, should I fear your family based on their reputation?”

"There are a lot of aspects of our reputation. But all of them are valid, I guess. Plus, fear keeps you healthy and alive."

“Thank you for the advice. As for everything else, I was wondering what you intend to do here. This town has been a peaceful place for some years now, and I’m loathe to see that change.”

"And what about the murders that have been happening all over town? Doesn't seem very peaceful to me."

"I agree. What exactly is your proposed solution to that? I haven't been able to identify the murderer yet, and I suspect that helping you do so would lead to some unwelcome results."

"What sort of unwelcomed results were you envisioning? I'm looking to end the murder and violence. Protect people. Who else is going to?"