Page 7 of Flying Blind (Betas in Waiting #27)

T he longer I am here , the more it feels like home, Zara said to Lyric as they went for a walk after breakfast.

Yeah, that was the idea when my grandparents built this place. I do tours in the winery and around the vineyard. Everywhere we go is a slow walk. It s kind of nice. Lyric chuckled.

So, you are an Elite omega, right?

Apparently.

How did you know?

Oh, there were some thugs who wanted to vandalize the winery and spray paint some walls. I charged out and stopped the little buggers on the quads and blinded them with a blast of glitter while I waited for the police to show up. They hit the building and a few of the large rocks nearby. There were six of them.

What happened?

Well, I got back to little cute beta me, and I talked to the officers in my robe and nightie. The nasty young boys got hauled away, and the next day, they had their vision back. They apologized to me, and their quads were impounded. That was it. They paid for the dented wall, and the rocks didn t have any hard feelings.

And what about you?

I practiced getting shorter and taller and had plenty of rocks and trees to play with. Axel did the cooking while I got myself under control. I had no idea what was going on, but I knew I had to get a grip on it quickly. When I turned twenty-two, my first heat kicked in, and my life went to hell for a few days.

Right. This put an end to that. She pointed to her face.

It would do that. How are you feeling about things?

Well. I am not hooking up with the guys who thought this was a great way to get a partner, and that s a load off. Zara swallowed. Are you sure I am safe here?

Yup. Even the crickets have to ask permission to enter, but they give me an annual request for passage. Lyric laughed.

So, how did you react to your brother being a demon alpha?

Oh, easy. He was always introspective, but when the fire started to rise, the hobby of metalwork became something for him to do on the daily. I took over the day-to-day at the winery, and he grappled with controlling the flame inside him. I think the temper that came with it was the hardest part. He is normally the most easy-going guy you could imagine, but when he was learning to control it, he was a monster. Fortunately, he took it out on stone and wood. Never us. She chuckled. He cleared the entire lot where the guesthouse is located, right down to the stumps. By the time he finished that task, he was himself again.

Well, that s good to know. Rayd is really calm, and it looks like Lykon is as well. I am feeling a little relieved. Zara smiled. I was scared that they would be aggressive or out of control.

That isn t a demon thing. Demons are precise and determined. That is how they become so successful.

How did you learn that?

Someone sent me a pamphlet. She chuckled. No, I did a lot of research. Lots and lots of research. I like doing research. I find it entertaining. Anyway, there have been demon alphas going back throughout history. The only ones that were successful and respected were the ones who managed to create socially acceptable businesses and take over countries, all had a mate, and the smallest grouping was three males to one female.

Oh. Well, I guess I am lucky. Do you know how it s going to happen?

The mating or the marking? I think you know the mating part. The marking will probably have you kneeling with two on one side of you and one on the other. Based on the mark, Lykon will end up on one side.

Okay.

And then they bite. You should be able to make decisions on what to wear by colour by morning.

Just like that?

Oh, there is a little more to it than that, but that is between you and your mates, and I am not thinking about my brother having a mate. I consider that advanced for him.

Zara chuckled, and they both paused as they heard a familiar voice.

Why is it advanced? The voice was smooth and amused.

Lyric didn t pause. Because you are antisocial, despite any romantic forays into the world, nothing lasts. Keeping a mate that you have to watch out for, support, and assist through life is definitely advanced.

I don t have to do it alone, he mumbled.

Zara muttered, I am here, you know.

Lyric laughed. I know. If you need him anywhere, put five reminders into his phone, two minutes apart.

Hey! That s you?

He brushes his teeth four times a day and uses a special floss. He gets it for himself, but bring your own floss. Lyric was speaking as if ticking items off a list.

Our third is on the way, Lyr. You need to let him through.

Lyric sighed and chuckled. The helicopter is hovering above the landing area. It s funny. They are stuck.

Lyr!

Oh, fine. There. They can land. Big baby.

He growled, and she laughed.

Zara s spine had shivered at the growl.

Do you want me to escort you there or my brother?

I... think it would be safer if you did. This is going to be overwhelming.

The sound had to be Lyric blasting a raspberry at her brother. Hah, for today, she likes me best.

Zara chuckled. Oh, this is going to be interesting. Lykon, please go and greet the other two. I will be there when Lyric finishes taking the scenic route.

Lykon sighed. You have five minutes.

Yeah, yeah. Blow it out your forge.

He growled again. Lyric turned them toward the east, and they walked toward the sound of the rotors.

Lyric said, Do you know why I did that?

No. I confess to confusion.

To show that you can defy them and assert yourself and not have to worry about repercussions immediately. He s probably going to oversalt or cook my food, but at least we got to show you that he isn t going to lose his cool.

Zara smiled. Thank you for that.

You already know Rayd. I am giving you a crash course on Lykon, which only leaves your last mate. You will have two you can trust right away. I know I have said this already, but it bears repeating. I want you to relax and enjoy your mates. It has been stressful enough for you. So you can trust them. Emma and I are only a loud shout away, and if my brother smokes after sex, I don t want to know.

Zara was still laughing when they arrived in front of three grey vortices.

The new voice said, This is her? She has a lovely laugh. I wouldn t expect that of a woman mating a legion.

Lyric s sense of humour was contagious as Zara found herself saying, I don t want to know what its nickname is. What is your name?

He paused. Rayd snorted, and Lykon groaned. Lyric, you are contagious.

There was a bright cackle, and Lyric stepped back. And... launch.

Zara was on her own, and she held her hand out slowly. The new alpha took her hand in a gentle grip. He solidified to her senses. My name is Taka.

Hello, Taka. I am Zara.

Zara. His voice vibrated as he said her name. Are you ready to join us?

Yes.

He touched her cheek and removed the lace that covered her eyes. Oh, there it is. You were too perfect. I had to see their interference somewhere.

She smiled and turned her face toward his voice. There it is. Did you want to see the brand?

Oh, yes.

She pulled her hair over her shoulder and showed him. His fingers stroked it gently, and he made an approving sound. It is clean, so despite their other issues, they took care.

What would have happened if it was blurry?

The energy transfer would be blocked or unmanageable. The result would not be good for you. But that is not the case. It is nice and clean. So, when are we going to mark you?

She paused. Uh, I don t-Rayd?

Rayd stepped in close to her and touched her shoulder. When would you like it?

Well, if I have a chance at seeing again, now would be good.

Zara didn t hear them move, but she was lifted, and Lykon said, Follow me.

They moved fast and soon were at the guesthouse. It had been part of the tour, and Zara knew it was huge, but it felt tiny with all three alphas in it.

She was surprised when Lykon carried her to the second floor.

Why are we up here?

Privacy, and Lyric has put extra wards around the guesthouse, and we will want to consummate our link immediately. We will try and be careful, but it is a matter of urgency, and we will need to maintain your marks.

She was placed on the edge of a bed, and they moved around her in grey whirlwinds. So, we are hoping for an artificial heat?

Lykon touched her cheek and murmured, There won t be anything artificial about it. Our heat will drain into you, and when it reaches you, we will know.

She shivered as they moved around the very large room.

Rayed touched her hand. This will be easier if you aren t wearing anything.

She blinked and shivered. Right. She pulled her dress up and off her body. It was taken from her, and she worked on her shoes, then her bra and panties.

That was it. She was naked in a room full of demons, but two of them weren t unknown, and she kept hold of the reference to Lykon and his dental floss fetish as they led her to a soft pad on the floor and they eased her to kneeling.

They stopped touching her for a moment, and she saw them speaking together in a strange grouping. Three fiery tornados leaning together. Fire had joined the dark grey vortices. She swallowed and pulled her hair over her shoulder to get it off the marks.

They turned to her, and one was on one side and two on the other, just as Lyric described. They knelt next to her and leaned in together. She felt three bright points of pain and then nothing. They leaned back, and she didn t know what was happening when she smelled blood that wasn t hers, and there was contact on the marks again. She inhaled as fire blazed through her, and she lifted her hands in front of her, and her senses showed that fire covered them. It was warm but didn t burn.

The hands remained on her back, and soon, the fire turned to black flame. The licking along her nerves was warming in a way she hadn t counted on, but she supposed it would be handy if sex came next. Fire as foreplay was not on her bingo card.

Brightness started to fill the world around her, and she blinked rapidly as shapes across the room began to solidify. Oh. Wow.

She held up her hands and saw them for the first time in two years.

Tears started to fall.

Rayd s voice said, No need for tears. We are good catches as far as alphas go.

She turned her head and looked into his eyes. They were nice eyes with flame burning inside them, black hair, tanned skin, and the hint of paler skin from sunglasses on the bridge of his nose. His jaw was wide, and he looked sturdy. Everything was reinforced. She whispered, You need to use sunscreen so your nose won t get a farmer s tan.

He smiled slowly.

Nice smile, though.

He stroked her cheek and introduced her to the man on his left. This is Taka.

She looked at the man with glossy black hair held back with a silvery tie. He looked like he had been cast from a similar mold, and his eyes were so dark they were nearly black. Hello, Taka.

He smiled. It is good to be seen, Zara.

Their hands were still on her back, and she slowly turned her head to Lykon. She stared. Oh, my. Hi, Lykon.

He was an angel. Golden with navy blue eyes, his features were carved by a loving hand, but his body was as broadly built as the other two. He smiled shyly. Hi, Zara.

She reached out and touched his cheek. Hi.

He leaned in, and she kissed him. Pleasure trickled through her system, and he tasted minty. She grinned and felt a giggle run through her entire body. Rayd snorted, and Taka sighed. The men still had their hands on her back.

Lykon was softly smiling as he raised his head. I could feel that. Why were you laughing?

Mint.

I am going to strangle my sister.

She giggled again. She gasped as Rayd slid his fingers into her without much warning. And that appears to be most of the foreplay you need.

She blushed.

But not all that you will get. We are linked to you, now we need to seal it. More biting may be involved.

Um, fine. Go as slow as you can. Don t miss any spots.

Rayd s eyes lit up. Does that mean?

Don t miss any spots. She blushed as his eyes gleamed brightly.

Taka chuckled, and they all closed in on her. Their hands on her back shifted, and she was stroked and soothed, and parts of her were sucked on until she shivered in their arms.

Her senses started to leave her control, and she felt what they felt as they touched her and slid into her. She felt their shock when she was pinned between two of them, and her body rioted.

She was sweating and moaning, and their deep growls and grunts drove her higher until she screamed and gripped Rayd s shoulders. The bites on the ball of her shoulders stung, but Rayd and Taka slowly licked their marks while they waited for their knots to release.

When they came loose, she groaned, and Lykon lifted her and carried her to the bathroom, sponging her clean and crooning to her softly. Zara sighed. Thanks. This is a lot.

It s not over. It s only starting. He smiled. You can sleep when you need to, but we will be waiting.

She blinked. Oh. Right.

Yes. Three mates today. You are holding up well.

Is Lyric as pretty as you?

Prettier, but her colouring is more like Rayd s. We got our features from our mother.

Oh. I never imagined her with black hair. I imagined it was more like yours.

Nope. Whatever set of genes got her started, black hair was prominent.

She smiled. I look forward to meeting her.

He chuckled. Can we stop talking about my sister? She can find her own mate.

Zara blushed. Right. Sorry, my alpha.

His eyes blazed red, and he pulled her onto his thighs while he knelt and slowly slid her over him. He moved slowly and carefully inside her until she gripped his shoulders and twisted against him, trying to make things go faster. He pivoted and laid her back on a towel, sliding in and out of her until her bucking hips started catching the edge of his knot.

She was clawing, begging, whining as he continued his relentless drive on her senses, and then she pulled him into her with her legs around his hips, and he drove in deep, tipping her vocalizations into a scream that was matched by his growl.

He held himself inside her, and when she yanked at him, he pressed his weight on her.

Her senses remained scattered for several minutes, and then she sighed. Sorry about that.

About what? He leaned up on his elbows, wedging himself further.

Clawing you up, pouncing on you?

It was fun. We are just starting to get used to you, but the fire in your blood is making it easy.

Is that what this is?

Partially. I think you are partially happy that you are not trapped, and this is your joy. He smiled. I can feel the joy through you.

Zara kissed him slowly. I can feel it through you as well.

They waited until his knot came loose, and she smiled as she was rinsed off again. She looked to the doorway, and Rayd and Taka were watching.

Were you there the whole time? She squeaked.

Taka nodded. Of course.

She blushed brightly.

Rayd chuckled. Come on, Zara. You need a rest to continue bonding with us.

She looked at the window, and the light was turning red. How long were we...

Lykon chuckled. Five hours. You have a lot of stamina, Zara, but you need to let your body take in the connections we have put in place.

She nodded. Uh, how?

It took a bit of arrangement, but Rayd lay back with her on top of him, and Lykon was on her right, Taka on her left. It was hot, it was sticky, and she was out.