This is not beta. Betas are males who conspire together to gain power because they are not as powerful individually as alpha males and thus not only do betas use their cooperation to protect themselves and project power but they also try to take out any alpha males and gain dominance over the power in society.
Why do you think betas have to be conniving and underhanded? Their defining trait is weakness and submissiveness to stronger individuals, not conspiratorial activities. When a beta craves power despite his shortcomings that could result in the behaviors you describe, but what if he doesn't? He'd just put his head down and work to his own ends, making sure to never step on anyone's toes along the way lest that result in recriminations. Besides, craving power itself is an alpha trait. Betas live to please others. They would rather people like them than to actually get what they want in life.