Page 8 of Facets of Attraction (Betas in Waiting #30)

A n hour later, she was standing with both of her mates looking over her and discussing every inch of the fabric that they were wrapping around her... without contact. She was wreathed in silks so light they moved in the light breeze of the room, wrapped in corsets that seemed to be Vemel s favourite, and Themak preferred things that were easy to remove. Lots of fluttering and delicate wrappings that moved with every puff of air.

Asel finally got tired of it around hour three and said, Have you created your baseline?

Vemel chuckled. Tired of posing for us?

Yes. I also need to put something on to go see the lawyer. The clock is ticking.

To her amazement, Themak and Vemel did rock-paper-scissors. Vemel smiled. I win. So, you will wear one of my choices.

What?

Well, you can t wear what you have on. It is far too delicate and needs some accessories, so I am going to dress you in the manner of my choosing.

Don t I get a say in this?

Not until you learn how to keep your clothing together for extended periods. When I watched the video, you left it free to follow your moods. The shaping was sloppy, and you will soon do better.

How?

We will practice. We will practice every day until it is natural as breathing, and you can hold it without thinking.

And until then?

One of us will do it for you, and you had better hope it is me. Themak wants you in gauzy sacrificial robes the entire time to make his beast happy.

Sacrificial robes?

Thousands of years ago, maidens were sacrificed to dragons, and the beasts took them eagerly. That is a lot of instinct to fight, so if they find the right partner, they don t have to fight. My part in this complicates matters, but as long as the dragon remains respectful to you, all will be well.

Themak chuckled. He is very respectful; he just wants to see her soft and helpless with clothing that can be shredded with the tip of a claw.

Asel blinked. Wow.

Themak grinned. The power that you wield is part of it. He knows that you are strong, so if you are willing to put that aside and trust him, the idea arouses him to the extreme.

Well, I can t have that. We will have to arrange a helpless-innocent night.

Themak s skin scaled over before he straightened.

Vemel grinned. Now, if that is sorted, I believe I have just the outfit for being one of the sexiest women alive and meeting with their lawyer.

He frowned and got to work. When he was done, she was wearing a white button-down shirt, a corseted vest that framed her breasts, a pencil skirt that was just above the knee, and four-inch heels. She was dressed in their colours but lots of ombre. Nothing was a single colour except the shirt.

Themak nodded and said, I will get the accessories. He walked out.

Asel asked, What s going on?

Vemel smiled. He s getting the accessories. We had to wait until we met you to make sure we picked the best ones.

Best?

Most suitable. We thought your skin would change, but there was no way of knowing until it did. He walked around her slowly, trailing his fingers across the lacing down her back. I am astonished at how much this suits you.

Well, I do have average curves, just scaled for size. You are a little heavily muscled for a model.

He chuckled. I am very proud to have been consistently in demand for a decade. Few can manage it.

The fact that you don t visually age must help.

Oh, yes, that is a tremendous boon.

She was about to say something else when Themak returned with a tray covered with flat boxes. They looked like jewel boxes. Oh crud.

Themak set the tray down in midair and opened the boxes one by one. He looked at her, hummed, and started with a necklace that lay flat against her collarbone and was platinum studded with black diamonds. The bracelets went on, and then the rings were put on one by one. There were twenty, with two bands per digit.

She flexed her hands, and Themak grinned as he picked out the earrings made of a cluster of fine chains, again with the black diamond.

He slipped them into her ears and fastened the clasps at the back. There, lovely, Princess.

Vemel sighed. Of course. Forgot.

She blinked as he made what seemed to be an upside-down tiara and slid it under her hair on her forehead.

There you are, Princess. It matches your marks perfectly. He kissed her.

Themak looked at the collection of boxes and found one that was wider and taller. Ah, yes, almost forgot. He lifted a web of diamonds and more platinum.

Asel held up her hand. Nope. Not wearing a hair web. Not today. If we do a public celebration, absolutely, but not for a meeting with my lawyer.

He grinned. Fine. Thank you for playing, though. You held out longer than I thought you would.

Vemel was clothed in smoke and grinned. He really did. He has a whole selection of belts and armbands for you that he is holding in reserve. Would you be averse to more ear piercings?

No, as long as it was done professionally.

Excellent. Vemel s clothing formed up, and his ears were studded with the same bright platinum that was on her. What else are we allowed to pierce?

She grimaced. Make a list and give me a marker. I might also need a piercing dictionary.

Themak snorted. No. Ears only. I like the rest of you as you are.

Vemel sighed. But a clitoral or nipple piercing would be so cute.

She shrugged as Themak s clothing formed into a serious black suit that made him look like a hard and deadly wall.

Vemel was wearing a similar corset to hers, a suit jacket over top, snug trousers, and a belt buckle made of carved stone.

Vemel checked his expensive watch and smiled. Shall we go?

Are we driving?

Oh, no. This is door-to-door service. He wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her tight against him. Themak wrapped them both in his arms, and they reappeared on a lovely estate with a huge driveway.

Vemel kept her at his side, and Themak brought up the rear as they walked toward the door. A wide SUV was near the doorway, and a slick sports car was behind it.

Vemel grinned. Oh, they are here. Excellent.

Who is here?

Well, your sister and hers decided that the idea of straightening out a contract was a good idea as well, so our lawyer is here with your lawyer, and the negotiations will begin when we arrive. Dante has a list of our assets, and we will begin from there.

Oh. Well, that s cool. She smiled. Two hugs from my sister in the same day.

They walked up to the door and rang the bell. A blonde alpha with an eye patch answered the door. He looked at them, and his eye went wide. Holy shit.

Asel smiled. We are here to see Magnus.

Uh, yeah. Right. I am Theo. The others are in the living room. He stared at her. You are-

Unexpected?

He laughed. That. Definitely that. Please come this way.

Vemel kept his arm around her as they entered the expansive manor and were led through the house and into the room where three dark elves were seated with an alpha and Honey.

Honey stood up and gasped. Wow. You look amazing.

Thanks. I feel expensive and shiny. She smirked. And slightly armour-plated.

Honey came over and hugged her. You look lovely, Asel.

Compliment the guys. All I did was stand there and let the lacing happen.

Vemel grinned. I look forward to the unlacing.

Asel snorted. Yeah, you have mentioned that every few minutes since my breasts swelled under my collarbone.

There was a female voice arguing with a male. I don t care. I have actual elves in my house, and I wanna see them.

The alpha with her sighed and waved his arm. There they are.

Themak chuckled. Hey, Kern.

The man looked at her mate, and Asel blinked as the understanding hit him. Themak? Holy hell. You look different.

Themak took a few steps from Asel and shook Kern s hand. Good to see you again, Kern.

Kern looked over to Asel, and she smiled and tilted her head. I think your omega is broken.

The pregnant woman snapped straight, and the dazed and happy expression was unmistakable. You... why do your eyes say you know me?

Oh, we have met, but I didn t look like this. I worked at the hotel where the JN Foundation did a lot of their events. So, I have seen you, but you haven t seen me.

Reebee stared at her and squinted. Oh, blond hair, brown eyes. Efficient as hell.

Asel smiled. That s me. Well, that was me. I am figuring things out all over again.

Reebee looked past Asel and jolted when she saw Vemel. You are familiar, and I have seen those ears before.

He chuckled. Good. I was wondering when they would show up.

Asel looked at him. What did you do?

Nothing. But we were gone long enough without contact that they probably had endless meetings until they decided to send help. Wait, did one of mine make a deal with one of yours?

Reebee nodded. Yes. He did.

Vemel smiled softly. Do you know where to find him?

Uh, the observatory. He s in charge of it.

Stargazing, of course. Princess, do you mind if I pop out for a moment?

Uh, sure. I am sure Themak is trustworthy and concerned with the bottom line.

Themak grinned. Of course. Don t I look trustworthy? His fangs showed.

Vemel shook his finger at Themak, Give her everything she asks for and then anything you can think of. But I get to dress her outside the home, got it?

Fine. I get to choose on my birthday.

Vemel snorted. Right. Off I go.

He disappeared, but Asel could still feel the link in her mind.

Asel drifted to Themak. Just you now, big boy.

He wrapped an arm around her reinforced waist and walked to the others. Hey, Dante.

Dante grinned. I heard that. You aren t playing hard to get at all, are you?

Themak laughed. Absolutely not. We have been thoroughly gotten.

Open link?

Absolutely not.

Honey chuckled. Just me there, then.

Dante had two sets of paperwork with him, and the regular alpha sighed and said, Ladies, shall we adjourn to the kitchen? These guys can fight over how much they are offering to line your nests, and we can figure out what you actually need.

They walked with him to the kitchen as the three circled Dante and thought of new things to give their mates.

Reebee and Kern were cuddling at the table.

Asel smiled. Sorry to interrupt you. We needed a less hostile environment. The guys are so aggressive that there are probably going to be piles of clothing next to them as they try and give up their wardrobes as well.

Kern grinned. We are good. Kagan is standing by to make coffee and snacks.

An alpha wandered casually out of the pantry and froze when he saw Asel and Honey. Oh, wow. I have seen some of the light elves at my uncle s place, but I have never seen a dark omega. May I have a photo?

Sure. We re twins. Boggles the mind, I know.

Honey moved to her, and they both faced the camera with slightly mocking grins. They had been smiling that way since they were ten.

Magnus moved around and took his own image. Do you mind?

Asel smiled. Knock yourself out.

He took a few snaps and laughed. Rhymbia is going to want this as a screensaver.

Asel looked confused, and Reebee laughed. Me. Reebee is a nickname. And yes, yes, I would.

Kern asked, Asel, how did you meet Themak?

Honey chuckled. I recognized their marks and told them. In revenge, Asel told Alen and Baran who I was and nearly got me hauled out of the screening over his shoulder.

Asel snorted. Not nearly. He had a determined look and was heading for the exit.

Rhymbia asked, You stepped in front of an alpha with rutting on his mind?

Asel laughed. Sure. Why wouldn t I? I can defend myself against most alphas. I have Themak s fire.

Kern blinked. Unexpected.

Rhymbia smiled. I can borrow power from alphas for emergencies.

Honey smiled. Cool. I just grow fangs and tear out throats.

Asel smiled. Everyone needs a hobby.

The ladies laughed, and Magnus sat at the counter and asked them what they wanted for their comfort, their children, and their peace of mind.

Asel paused and tried to focus on the task.

Honey looked at her and smiled. I am gonna have a ton of kids. So, that is what I want taken care of. Alen s beast will take care of me. He s cute with round little ears.

Magnus asked, Open pack?

Honey blushed. Um, yes. Apparently, there are a few more throwbacks among the Elite that won t line up with Mickey. She s going to be the focus of the ocean-born ones, and I am land.

Yikes. Pretty sure it will be a closed pack for me, but all of Honey s kids get rich uncles.

Kern chuckled. You don t know the half of it.

Rhymbia asked, Did you want to see my contract? It was pretty specific.

Asel smiled. That might be helpful. Vemel is an omega, so things are a little strange.

Rhymbia blinked. Seriously? Well, he is gorgeous.

Very. But he is him, and whatever he is, so it is a little different.

Kern chuckled. Different is correct. Themak and Vemel are bond companions but not lovers.

Asel turned to look at him. You know Themak well?

He has advised me on a number of things, including mineral investments. He s a genius when it comes to ethical mining and the capabilities of any given area.

She smiled. That sounds like him. I get the feeling he personally picked out the stones and gems I am wearing.

Kern looked at her, and his brows raised behind his dark lenses. Holy. Those are all...

Yes. The settings are platinum.

Rhymbia looked at the designs. Ooh. Those are lovely.

They are having a lot of fun with this. Asel sighed.

Honey chortled. I bet. Do you know whose sperm was fastest?

I am guessing Vemel s just teleported where it wanted to be. She grimaced.

There was a deep laugh from the living room.

She groaned.

Rhymbia frowned. What s wrong?

With big ears comes enhanced ability to hear around corners.

Vasuki is going to kick himself for being at work today.

He s related to one of the strongest of us, so I am guessing he has seen it all before.

Kern shook his head. No, I can confidently say that he hasn t.