"Oh, quite." A voice spoke up, Jon shivering as Ophidian slithered up behind him, putting a hand on his shoulder. "I've claimed Jon as mine. Betas can be pets, or servants or vassals. Betas, once claimed, are not allowed to break away from their Alpha...unless they prove their dominance over said Alpha and become an Alpha themselves." The serpentine being explained. "I've heard the whole conversation, miss. Those people were...well, hungry. They swallowed up others whole. You needn't be concerned though. It's quite forbidden to actually KILL betas or alphas."