We’ve already got to know Alpha, leader of the Whisperers, over the past few episodes of the back half of The Walking Dead season 9. Next week’s episode, however, will throw her right-hand man Beta into the mix. And this promo for episode 12, titled “Guardians,” gives us our first look at Ryan Hurst’s character in action.

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Beta features in a clip in which he gives Alpha some words of advice in their conflict with the survivors. “We need to protect ourselves,” he growls. “We need to be ready.” It sounds like Beta’s worried that Alpha’s actions are opening them up to new dangers. However, he’s still loyal as he’s seen helping her don her zombie face-mask, a moment previously featured in the season 9B trailers.

Elsewhere, it looks like there’s going to be a lot of turmoil ahead for Lydia and Henry. The teens developed a bond last week but this promo shows Lydia having to play down their connection to her mother, who’ll apparently want to confirm her daughter’s loyalty. It seems a punch to the face isn’t good enough, as the trailer ends with Alpha throwing a knife down at Lydia’s feet, with Beta holding Henry still. But will she go through with it?

The synopsis for “Guardians” also teases that problems will arise in one of the communities – likely Alexandria – just when they need to stick together to defeat the Whisperers. We also don’t like the sounds of “deadly consequences.” We can’t see Lydia actually killing Henry, so who else is going to face their fate? Read the plot description below and decide for yourself.

“While one community struggles to ease tensions that threaten to divide from within, the true nature of another group comes into focus; a mission to rescue a friend has deadly consequences.”

The Walking Dead 9×12 “Guardians” airs on AMC this Sunday.