Page 11 of Last Resort (Betas in Waiting #29)

T yr was up on the call , checked payroll, and started cursing. It was because you were announced as an omega. Payroll put it into a holding account until you have a registered pack member confirm the pay destination. Fuck. No, I didn t order this. I would never, Poppy. You know that.

Poppy was stunned. Omega. Right. I knew there was a reason I didn t come out prior to this. I forgot about that.

She felt a hand rubbing her back. Myro mentioned, We can sign paperwork. We are already linked.

She frowned. This isn t right. I should be able to have a job and earn what I earn. And own what I own. Unless my car has been repoed and my apartment emptied.

Breen frowned. That isn t right.

Tyr s eyes widened, and he did some typing. Nothing is going on at your apartment, and your car is fine.

Good. So, since I haven t been officially declared an omega by the Omega Centre, and I haven t been examined, this is just a knee-jerk reaction by payroll. If they want me to prove that I have the logistical capability of a beta, I will challenge them to boxing when I get back, but I am guessing that Mikkala, Forza s drinking buddy, did this.

Tyr nodded. The transfer is heading to you right now.

Great. So glad I had to get an entire roomful of people involved in this just so your asshatted company doesn t fuck their participation in this competition.

He blinked. What?

Kekoa said, If you didn t have an employed fourth, we would have disqualified Sityr from the competition... and explained why. Extending a temporary staffer to you was as good as we could get.

Tyr s eyes were wide. What?

Simon appeared behind him. Who?

A young woman with boundless energy. She s also my kind of omega. Her name is Mickey.

Tyr blinked. She s good to participate?

Give her the right motivation, and she can run around the world.

Oh. Good.

She s local to the islands. She can do everything in the challenges.

Tyr looked relieved. Good.

And Forza should be back soon. She had better not try anything with Mickey. She isn t as nice as I am.

Simon asked, You are doing well?

Yeah. I guess. I am coming home with souvenirs.

Myro and Breen leaned in behind her on either side. Myro smiled. Hello, Simon.

Myro? Is that you? You are a...

Dark elf. Yes. And Poppy is my partner. And Breen s, but I think Antonio will be cooler about it than you look to be.

Simon blinked. Tyr stared.

Poppy waved. See you when I get back.

Tyr nodded. Yes. I have a lot of grovelling to do.

Myro chuckled. Just wait until you see her debugging. She s a machine. I m in love.

Poppy looked at him. How did you see?

He chuckled. Exterior monitors so we couldn t interfere.

Breen sighed and put his chin on her shoulder. It was spectacular.

Dude, you have some niche interests.

He kissed her neck. You should know that by now.

She shivered. Knock it off.

He bit gently, and she smacked his head. He leaned back, laughing.

Tyr was staring. Simon had a small smile on his face.

I see. Tyr, start working on the contract and actually listen to Roane when she tells you what Poppy can do.

Poppy nodded. Account for a mate leave. Just in case.

Below the camera, she was hugged from two sides. There was a reason for her declaration, and it had to do with getting water from the island spring with intense healing properties. She didn t know where Win was, but she had told Poppy that once the block was dissolved, her heat was going to come on kind of quickly. Swimming in the pool at the waterfall had been bad enough, but it was external. Drinking the stuff had hit her hard and sent healing warmth all through her. She knew what happened next.

Tyr brightened. Mate leave? Yes. We can put that in.

Myro murmured, Tiberia s offer will be better.

Tyr stared. You are trying to poach her?

I am giving it my full attention. Myro did something that he would never do if he weren t taunting her boss. He leaned in and dragged his tongue around the shell of her ear point to the tip.

Her body clenched, and there was a flood of heat that raced through her.

Every alpha in the room snapped their head toward her.

Poppy swallowed. Oops.

Haravin asked, What happened?

Poppy grimaced. Without getting gross, my body just came online.

Narro laughed. That is an accurate description of what my senses identified.

She looked at Tyr s astonished face and Simon s heavy-lidded eyes. We need to go find Roane. We are working on that contract... soon.

They went dark, and Poppy looked around where Kekoa and Haravin had been. Estrya had her hand over her mouth, and she was laughing until tears flowed. What got you, Poppy?

I drank water from the Wonder spring. Kimo was giving it to Nina, so he just handed it around. She paused. Wait. That doesn t sound right. But he has the spring water bottles. That is what he gave us on the way here. From Breakridge.

Myro chuckled. Narro, I am sure that you will forgive us for taking our mate somewhere with less open doors.

Go. Go. I will take care of any questions. Do you have anything you need to record before they go, Estrya?

Estrya grinned. No. We are good until they return. I will notify Serin and Deno so they don t worry.

Poppy sighed. Why are you talking like we are going somewhere?

Myro eased her to her feet, and she swayed, dizzy. Because we are, Poppy. Remember that house I mentioned? He picked her up.

Yeah.

We are heading there now. Myro stepped through the portal that he opened, and Breen came with them.

The bite of cooler air made her shiver, and she looked around at a huge space and an enormous bed. And to her surprise, he walked to the wall, pressed a hand to it, and a door popped open. Myro murmured, I had this outfitted the moment that I ran into you.

She walked into the space and blinked. Oh. Pretty.

Every wall had something soft. Pillows, a wide pallet on the floor, and the largest princess bed she had ever seen were drawing her attention, and the charging station with a laptop on it ready to go indicated that he had been popping back and forth while she slept.

Poppy smiled. I had heard elves were tricky.

Breen was looking around and chuckled. This is like looking into your mind.

She wrinkled her nose. I still don t know what you two are.

We are your devoted servants.

Smartass.

Myro smiled. Why, yes. I am.

What are your third faces?

Oh. That.

Breen chuckled. Those faces.

She turned and stepped into the room and then looked at them. Those faces. You show me yours; I will show you mine.

They sighed. Myro asked, You are sure?

Yes.

A pointy-eared skull covered in white flame was standing with a breastplate for armour and leather pants.

Breen shrugged and took on crimson flame and clothing to match Myro s. His face was a similar skull but with a red fire overlay.

She pulled her own form on, and the swirling vortex of time spun behind her head. Both of the terrifying figures seemed to smile, and she walked toward them, stroking their skulls in turn, Killer cheekbones.

They shifted back to normal, and the guys slumped in relief. Breen caressed her hair. Your other form is magnificent. We have seen it before, but up close, it is stunning.

She smiled. Thanks. I can t see it in a mirror, so I just see the reflection in the eyes of others. A warm wave rolled inside her. Oh, that was weird.

Myro frowned in concern.

It felt like my uterus ate some spicy tacos. She looked at her skin, and the pearly gleam was getting shinier. Oh. That s odd.

Myro chuckled. Thankfully, female Elite are visual indicators.

She looked at him with a raised brow. How many have you seen?

Breen shrugged. We have seen the rescuers and those who fell, but you are the first one in heat that we have seen. At this point, all changes to your physiology will be attributed to your heat until it s over.

When do we start? she asked quietly.

Myro removed her clothing and knelt to kiss her belly. He looked up. Now would be good.

The exercise gear was removed, and she stood wearing nothing but the braid in her hair. A moment later, she was wearing them, and every touch was fire.

She touched and ran her fingers over tense skin over hard muscle, but even touching them was enough to send heat through her system.

Their hands moved over her like they had at the bed and breakfast, and when her knees wobbled, they took her to the flat platform, and her need took over the room. The silky cover against her skin didn t jar her out of the need that was flaring, and she lost herself to their touches until she wanted more and lunged for Myro simply because he was in front of her.

She flattened him to the bed and straddled him, sliding onto him as he gritted his teeth. She was stretched and heated, and when she was down to the knot, he gripped her hips. She started moving and came twice before he rolled her to her back and thrust to the knot again. Poppy clutched at him and panted. Myro gleamed with sweat and smiled. What do you want, Poppy?

World peace, but if I can t have that... again. Her last word was throaty. She clutched at him as they were rolled to their sides.

She felt Breen behind her, and he whispered, Ah, ah. Poppy. Don t wear him out. You are going to need him later.

She felt his erection against her thigh and started to twist against Myro. He grunted as her slick got her loose, and her hips rocked back at Breen.

He chuckled while Myro growled. Breen slid into her and started a slow thrust that forced her down on Myro. He caught her and supported her as Breen rocked her back and forth. It was the start of a very long day.

They used so much clean-up fire on her that her skin glowed when she finally came to. She looked around and smiled. The guys didn t look like the princess-bed type, but they were all together in the four-poster, cuddled like kittens.

Breen s head was between her breasts, and Myro was warming her back. She smiled and ran her fingers through Breen s white locks. He leaned his head back and said, Hello, beautiful.

Myro nibbled at her shoulders and moved along to her neck. Beloved.

She continued to pet Breen s hair and lifted a hand to do the same to Myro as he moved up next to her. Mine. And just perhaps we started a little more.

Myro chuckle. Perhaps. Your heat would continue on for a few more days if nothing had started. Whether it remains or not is up to the stars, but right now, one of your lady cells is having a moment of its own with one of ours. And the rest of our little perverts are watching. What the light means is that the spark has begun. I will warn you, there are more losses among our kind than standard humans.

I know. It is one of the things we are born knowing. However, I get the feeling that things are changing. She smiled. We are stronger now. The world wants more of us. I believe it is on our side. I know the islands are.

She sighed and continued stroking them. Should we get back?

Myro grunted. No one needs us for extra scenes. They cut the spearfishing. It would have been too much of a blood bath.

How do you know that?

I read my texts and emails. Don t you? He ran his tongue along the edge of her ear.

Not recently. She chuckled and then whined, pushing back against him.

He growled slightly, Do you want sex or just an orgasm?

She let out a happy sound. Yes.

He laughed. Anything for our lady.

Breen moved and slid his fingers between them, hissed, and eased his erection into her. Myro pushed into her alternative entrance, and they slowly rocked against her until she screamed and shuddered. The slick made everything easy, but when they locked, the knot was secure.

She shivered and looked up at Breen. So, come here often?

He chuckled. As often as I can. I am very glad we spent those evenings playing. It reduced your hesitation. Kept you comfortable with us.

Yeah, that s a good thing. Screaming and running was an option.

Myro laughed. Really?

Well. No, but I was bound by honour. She smiled. Which one of you turned the pheromone scrubbers on?

Myro chuckled. I did. The air in here was very thick. Not complaining. Breen and I did our parts.

Breen sighed happily. Yes, we did.

Stop looking so smug.

Nope. This is permanently fixed now. He kissed her softly.

Myro chuckled. If everyone agrees, my home will be suitable as a packhouse.

Poppy mumbled, If I still have a job, how long is the commute?

We are on Arbour Lane.

She blinked in surprise. Really?

Really. Other elves are on this stretch of road, as well as a snake den and a phoenix.

Nice. Looks like the dark Elite are picking up all the prime real estate in the area.

Myro murmured, We will provide for ours. This is a new start. A start long delayed.

She sighed and relaxed. Did you really wait?

Well, there was the cannibalism discussion, but the dark Elite are the same in number as they were when we arrived here. No increase in population. Our losses have been few because they were draining us, but our number was stable. You are our hope for a future.

Did the Elite bring you here?

They and the mages. They wanted power, so they called us. We came.

Breen murmured, And we came knowing that there was nothing for us here. And then, one day, the queen arrived. She radiated power, and the Elite were going to kill her. We insisted that she be given over to us, and our king took her and protected her. She was trained in all our arts, given our history, and taught how to use the magic that came naturally to your people. When she finally insisted on taking the king as her husband, he surrendered happily, and yes, she was close to the age you are now.

Myro laughed. To his astonishment, she climbed him like a tree, and from there, they were inseparable. The Elite and the mages remained quiet, but when she eventually got pregnant and the seers determined it was another tiny woman with power, the Elite and mages set things in motion. She and her child were murdered, the king went into shock, and we went with him. Since she was born into your world, her soul waited until the time was right, and it returned. Her return was our sign that freedom was close.

And now here you are, stuck. She smiled, but her mind spun at what she had heard and seen via their link.

Breen smirked. We are loose; I just like story time.

Myro snorted, and fire moved across her in two colours as they eased out of her, and the rush of fluid was burned away. What was trapped inside her was hers to keep.

They got dressed, hydrated, and left the nest to leave his bedroom and see the house. Oh. Big.

Myro took her hand and said, Come on. I want to show you the study.

He walked slowly with her, and she tried to keep up. She grunted. Just leave me here. Go for help.

Breen picked her up and grinned. I ll help. Sore?

Muscles don t know which way to go. They are taking off in different directions.

Aw, you need a hot tub and a massage.

I have to settle for a warm bath if we are trying to build a person.

He kissed her cheek. I am glad you know that.

Yeah, my body would react like it was an infection and choose me over it.

Which it should.

Yeah. Thank you for agreeing with me on that.

Myro was walking fast and pushed open double doors to display an enormous space with three fully tricked-out stations.

What do you think, Poppy?

Oohh. Putmedownputmedown . She kicked and wobbled toward one of the setups. Myro picked her up by her shoulders and set her down on the corner console. It was the safest place in the room. The other terminals would hide her if someone were using them.

She looked at the tower and ran her fingers over the wall of screens. This room must be hot as hell.

I have underfloor heating and cooling, serious venting, and enough power in here to plug in a fan if you need one.

If I am here, pregnant, in a corner, I might need one. Of course, I might just work from an office or use a laptop on my time at home.

She glanced at the guys, and they both looked ridiculously pleased. She laughed. I am happy to work wherever I am, but I need to work. I need to let that part of my brain unravel and shape reality. I do it on the computer so I don t do it in reality. It s a compensating mechanism.

Their eyes widened, and Myro said, Oh. So, how have you been keeping from frustration?

Masturbation is one. Designing small apps is a great way to distract myself.

They blinked.

Fortunately, my brain is really relaxed right now, for reasons. It will be a few days before I need to do something else. She rubbed her hands and chortled. And then I am going to be in here, playing.

Myro laughed. We are also going to be entertaining. Do you know many of the other omegas?

A few. And some mages. One in particular.

Mages? You know mages?

One hedge witch, one blood witch, and one mage. They all ended up in the dark mage zone, and all fought their way out.

Myro blinked. Ah. There are still dark mages?

Poppy nodded. There are. If we have a dinner party, I am inviting Wren.

Not Tyr and his den?

Fuck em. She paused. I will invite Roane and Narro.

Breen laughed. I think we might have to have all the company heads here for dinner.

She made a face. Get catering.

Myro chuckled. You don t want to cook for twenty?

Nope.

Fortunately, one of ours is a chef with a lovely restaurant. We can go there when we finish up in the islands. Myro smiled. I will make reservations now. Even though I have so much clout, he has mellowed since he got his mate and ended up in a quint. It s an interesting story.

Tell me while we are relaxing on a beach somewhere.

Breen smiled. I know just the snack stand.

Myro sighed. Home tour is over?

Yes. Sorry, Myro. I will make it up to you later. She smiled.

Delight filled his gaze. Suddenly, I am in the mood to lay out with my mate draped over me.

And then I can flip over and flatten Breen.

Bring it on, Poppy. Breen walked forward and picked her up. Now, back to the bed and breakfast.

Myro put his hand on Breen s arm, and they were in Poppy s room at the bed and breakfast.

Poppy glanced at her arm cuff, and it said 100 percent match. She guessed that they had confirmed the guess of the software. She unfastened the cuff and rotated her wrist. Oh, that s better.

Myro and Breen followed suit, and they each rubbed their wrist.

Myro looked at them and said, Now I feel like we need more manageable matching jewellery.

Poppy smiled. We could check the shopping district. We haven t done that yet, but then we need the cuffs on again.

Myro paused. Didn t Deno say we could use the small bands like that?

I think we would have to set them up. She looked out the window and saw the sunset. She checked her phone and confirmed. We have time.

Myro looked at them and smiled. Perhaps something a little more in the nightlife range.

I don t own anything like that.

Breen looked at her, tilted his head, and waved his fingers.

Flame started at her feet and moved upward, exposing skin, dissolving her spandex, and leaving her in a floaty dress anchored to her with straps in a charcoal grey.

It was attached to her at every curve, and the panels were loose from the widest part of her hips to the floor. The sandals were pretty and were made of similar straps to the ones she was wearing with nice soles. She paused and looked at the two who were wearing island-style wraps from hip to ankle. One thing. She twirled and asked, Now, how close to my bits did the spin get? The breezes here can be flirty, and you didn t even provide a G-string.

Breen nodded. It would just irritate you right now. One more strap wrapped lower on her hips.

That s what I thought. Let s see if we can find Deno and ask about our bands.

They grinned, and Myro said, I think necklaces would be particularly nice. Platinum for me and Breen, platinum and black diamond for you.

They filed out. Deno was walking toward them and paused. You just left.

Myro and Breen looked at her. Poppy shrugged. I fudged it a little. I didn t want to miss anything we still had to do for the competition.

Myro laughed. So, somewhere in my house, we are all locked together?

Poppy nodded. Yup.

Nice.

They got the information from Deno, and he grinned. You three have a very steep expense account. It is linked to the bands already. Congratulations, by the way.

Poppy blinked. Congratulations?

On the bonding. I can see the bites.

Oh. The bites don t matter; they are just for fun. It is all about the braids. She wrinkled her nose and inclined her head. See you later. I have worked up an appetite.

She linked arms with her men, and they walked toward the village where light and music were happening. It looked like quite the party going on, and she was in the mood to join.