Page 3 of Last Resort (Betas in Waiting #29)

A gentle hand woke her. She looked up to see the flight attendant and an empty plane.

Poppy sat up and threw the soft blankets off, grabbed her computer, and checked for her phone.

The attendant smiled and handed her the phone. Ohno realized he still had it when he was leaving. Your companions are outside the plane, waiting for you.

Oh. I am so sorry.

Don t be. Win expressed to me how exhausted you were. She smiled. You would have to be to sleep through their plans and discussions.

She checked her phone s charge and put it in her bag. Right. Where is my carry-on?

With your two companions.

They aren t... never mind. She sighed. How tall am I, and do I have clothing on?

You are back to beta size and wearing a sweatsuit.

Great. Thank you. I don t grow that much, so I can t really tell by perspective.

You are lovely in either form. You have a particularly serene expression.

That comes from dealing with a male-dominated occupation. You have to be serene. If you raise your voice, you are hysterical.

The attendant smiled. I understand completely.

Poppy paused. Can I keep one of the blankets?

The woman grinned. Yes. Absolutely. We get a lot of omegas travelling with us, and we stock the blankets. They are frequently stolen.

As she spoke, Poppy rolled the blanket into a tight cylinder before stuffing it in her bag.

So, they are waiting for me?

At the base of the stairs. In the heat.

Oh, damn. Okay. She exhaled and hugged the attendant. Thanks for your help and the blankie.

The woman hugged her back. Go get em, and let the world know we are here and we survived the Stronghold.

Poppy leaned back with wide eyes. Oh, wow. You escaped.

She nodded. I did. I was thirteen. A little regular hair dye, and I pass for normal. I do look forward to meeting one of the specialists who can help me finish my transformation. Being in the air has been great. Elite couldn t track me. I am going to be watching your progress. I am pretty sure you are going to kick ass.

Poppy shrugged. I am not sure how this is going to work. I am not really part of the company team.

You just be yourself. The other two are waiting.

Right. I have to leave the plane. She sighed, smiled, headed for the open door, and carefully made her way down the steps.

Breen and Myro were waiting for her. They had duffel bags and her carry-on. She was blushing as she walked up to them. Sorry for sleeping. That never happens.

Breen smiled. It is absolutely fine. You looked tired.

Thanks. So, we are taking the ferry over?

Yes. They mentioned you would know where to go.

She picked up her bag and nodded. Follow me.

They followed her, and Myro grabbed her bag.

He smiled at her surprise. Allow us to tell you about the plan for us.

Let s wait until we are on the ferry. She checked her watch and started sprinting. Breen caught her up, she pointed to the doorway in the airport, and he hauled ass to customs.

He set her down, and she was going to pull out her passport, but the official said, We have been notified, and you need to run if you are going to catch this ferry.

Breen nodded and picked her up again, walking rapidly through the airport until she pointed at the ferry terminal. They walked up, and grinning staff waved them onto the ferry as they entered via the ramp connecting the dock to the airport.

When they were on the ferry, the ramp lifted, and the boat started to move.

Breen walked to the upper deck and settled her on his lap while Myro sat next to them.

So, why carry me?

Breen laughed. Because I counted on you still being sleepy enough not to protest. I wanted to get you into my arms sooner rather than later.

She snorted. Why?

Myro chuckled. As we sat there with you napping, Win mentioned that you don t sleep when you fly or anywhere there are other people. So, when that was mentioned, Ohno talked to his mate and Narro, and they got on a conference call with the king and the spirits of the island, as well as some others who are there for this event, and they decided something about the teams.

Poppy was wary. What about the teams?

Well, as you know, this event is for charity, Breen said.

Yes. And publicity.

Myro chuckled. That goes without saying. So, the decision is that our little grouping was brought together by fate, and we are going to be a composite team. If we win, each charity gets a third of the accumulated profits.

She noticed Breen s hand on her thigh. Makes sense, so what is making you guys circle around me?

We are going to be competing as ourselves. Mostly. Breen and I each have a third form.

Poppy stilled. What?

You are going to be a triumphant and free light Elite omega. We are going to be your intendeds. Your loyal dark Elite.

Great. How much do you want to bet that they name us team black and white or piano keys or some such?

Breen chuckled. Probably. I don t mind.

Myro shrugged. I don t either.

Poppy sighed. I am going to be out of a job when I get home. How long will it be before our companies see the first footage?

Myro smiled. Two days.

Great. I am employed for two more days.

Myro frowned. Why? What happens when they see what you are?

By the laws of the land, I will be an omega and not able to take care of my own business affairs. I become a parasite to my family, and they will have no compunction about selling me to the highest bidder. Not because they want to, but because they have to or face charges.

Breen frowned. But you are meant for our kind specifically. They can t just sell you.

They can, and they will. Some members of my family are money-focused. Now that the Omega Centre has gotten into the idea of unusual omegas, there is profit to be had. I was an average-sized human, and I know I am a short Elite.

Myro patted her shoulder. We think you are just right.

Breen caught on to what she had said. You have family?

I do. They are well-off and mortified at my mutation. They sold me to the Stronghold when I was a teen, but I got out. That mortified them even more. I came out looking like I had been before, which was terribly embarrassing. I got a lawyer and forced them to give up the funds they had gotten for me. It was put in a trust, and I was on my own from then on. I got emancipated and continued school. That s where I met Roane and how I eventually got hired on at Sityr. Until then, I was freelancing on dozens of projects, looking for a home.

Myro smiled. Admin freelance?

No. Coding. My descent into admin was an assumption on Tyr s part that led to a lot of frustration for me. If I weren t making little apps in my spare time, I would have gone nuts.

Myro grinned. Are you open to offers? Tiberia is always looking for skilled personnel.

You don t know anything about my work.

Myro shrugged. That s true for now, but I am very interested in seeing your skillset.

Breen snorted.

Poppy sighed. Right. So, we are a team? Colour me unsurprised.

Breen cuddled her, which was actually nice in the cooler air off the ocean. So, we are going to be given a list of tasks, and our job is to get through them as rapidly but effectively as possible.

Myro nodded. Everything we do will be recorded, and they are going to chop chunks out of it-

Poppy said, I believe that is called editing.

Breen snorted. Have you seen the games his company produces? He doesn t edit anything; they just go on and on.

Poppy chuckled. They are rainy-day games. You get comfortable and just settle in.

Right. Just settle. Breen chortled.

Myro looked irritated. Shut it, Breen.

Poppy snorted. Guys. Have you seen the list? We have a few hours to figure out what we need to do first.

Breen frowned. We are settling in first. A new bed and breakfast has opened, and we are being housed there. Your reservation is refunded, and we are the only guests that the new facility has to offer.

Oh. Okay.

So, our only job today is to make a plan, record it, and meet our camera team. Tomorrow morning, we film the intro and try and look surprised that no one else is here yet.

Poppy paused. What?

Everyone else is starting on Emerald, Myro smirked. We have three days to do what we can out here and do our best times. Since we are working as a group, the best time out of all of us three will count.

She nodded. Do you have the list?

Myro got his phone out and turned it toward her.

Right. I can do that, that, that, that, and that without trouble. She ticked through the food, dance, and snorkelling as well as the cliff climbing and kayaking. I haven t used a catamaran, can t surf, and my free diving is weak, and scuba diving is non-existent. Island running will be boring, and I am not very fast.

Breen smiled. If you are willing to learn, we are both good divers. We can help you on the climb and will lean on you for the food prep, dancing, and kayaking.

Myro observed. The catamarans are both individual and group exercises.

Neat. There s also a bobbing for treasure event.

Breen snorted. Free diving.

Yeah. That.

Myro chuckled. I am suddenly looking forward to this silliness.

So, what charity is your company putting in for? She looked to Breen.

He smiled. Children s hospital. Yours?

Victim reconstruction fund. For those who alphas have torn up.

Myro winced. For me, it is the labour and delivery floor of Hybrining Hospital. A staff member was having a child, and she was in distress, and they did amazing work to save them both. Mother and son did just fine.

Okay. So, all great causes. Anyone not voting for all three is going to be a heartless bastard. She chuckled. Any idea how many votes people are getting? How many days it s going to run?

They aren t telling, but I wouldn t put it past them to use us in the teaser trailers. Myro shrugged. We are striking to look at when we are all blinged out.

She made a face. I burned my training costume as soon as I could.

Breen nodded. Appropriate. A mated outfit would be different. Very different.

Myro must have seen something in her face. Don t worry. We aren t going to pounce. Until you let yourself be unlocked, we won t be able to get scent confirmation anyway. For now, it is just participation among those with a similar ear pattern.

She snorted.

Myro grinned. There are bonus activities if you want to see them.

Bonus?

Sure. Anything to get a bump up in the fan ratings. Given our fans, the hardest thing will be weeding out repeat voters and auto-diallers. He grinned.

What kind of bonus activities?

Get a tattoo, get a piercing, and get a cuff and spend a night learning how to use it. Be a local for a day or so. Guide a tour. That sort of thing.

Sounds fun.

It should be. This is supposed to be fun.

Poppy smiled. I can almost believe that. Hey, at least I can get some rest.

Breen kept his hand on her thigh. Do you have trouble sleeping?

Usually. I see the future and the past together in my dreams. It doesn t make for restful nights. She shook her head and touched her forehead. I still can t believe I slept on the plane. I never sleep on flights.

Breen chuckled. I found it very encouraging.

She leaned back and looked at him. Why?

Because omegas only get true rest with their alphas. That means when your senses are free, we might find that we are a match.

Yeah, that would be a shocker, she muttered.

Myro snorted. I am thinking it is likely. Having the blood witch on the plane was a bit of a shock.

Oh, Win? Yeah. She s coming out to take pictures and meet her parents. She smiled. She or her mates could transport them, but it is easier if they know where they are going the first time.

The guys nodded. Or if they know of someone nearby that they have an attachment to, then a transport is fairly easy, Myro said.

I just need a description of the landing area. I can go anywhere. Well, I cheat. I look it up online.

Breen stroked her hip, and she glared at him. What is with the wandering hand?

Just seeing how comfortable with us you can be.

Or how far I will let you go before I smack you?

He chuckled. That as well.

Myro asked, How long is the ferry?

Ninety minutes. We have quite a long way to go. I think I am going to go in search of coffee at the commissary. She squirmed off Breen s lap and said, Anybody else want anything?

Myro smiled. I could go for some fries if they have them.

Cheese?

If they have it.

She nodded. Breen? What do you want?

He stood up. Anything I can say right now would get me smacked.

Myro smiled. I will keep an eye on the bags. You two go ahead.

Breen grinned, and Poppy headed down to the lower levels. She found the food with little difficulty. She ordered the cheesy fries and a large coffee and then turned to Breen. What are you up for?

He grinned and ordered a sandwich and a bottle of soda.

She paid for everything and carried her coffee and the cheesy fries back to Myro. Breen followed with his sandwich and soda.

Here you go. She handed the fries to Myro and sat with her coffee between her hands.

Myro forked up some of the fries and said, Thank you.

He began to eat quickly enough to honour the cheese sauce but slowly enough that he still enjoyed it.

She smiled, and Breen consumed the sandwich with the same enthusiasm. The scents of food got to her, and she finished her coffee and headed downstairs again.

Breen mumbled around his food, Where are you going?

She just said, Back in a minute.

She got to the counter and ordered the cheesy fries and a soda. The woman grinned, Yeah, they look really good.

Poppy smiled. They do.

Do you want them loaded?

Poppy grinned. Please.

They were rung up, and she waited while the fries were assembled with bacon, shredded cheese, cheese sauce, sprinkled green onions, some jalape os, and a fancier fork. Her mind had a set of giggles as she returned to the deck where the guys were seated and talking. She sat nearby and kept her drink between her feet.

Myro shook his head. I would have shared.

I didn t know I was hungry until everyone was eating.

Breen sighed. Fair enough. Did you want to sit with me again?

You mean on you? No. Why?

You are shivering.

It s a little cool up here.

Myro grabbed Poppy s soda, and Breen lifted her into his arms and settled her on his lap. She was immediately warm and cozy. She sighed and stabbed her loaded fries. Stupid alphas.

Stubborn omega.

She mumbled around a mouthful of fries, Hey, I am a beta on paper.

Myro looked at them. Hey, those look really good. May I try some?

Breen sniffed next to her ear. Me, too?

She sighed and took a few more mouthfuls before extending a loaded fork to Myro. She took two more bites and did the same to Breen. It was pack behaviour, but she didn t know what Myro or Breen were. She could feel more energy in them, which meant they shifted shape, but what she was sitting on was unknown. Myro was power as well, but she wasn t sure what. Breen felt comfy and fuzzy.

She continued taking two bites, then feeding one to Myro, one more to herself, and one to Breen. The fries didn t last long.

She grabbed her drink from Myro and sipped it. He grinned, gathered their empty containers, and left to get rid of them. She patted her stomach and sighed. Those were really good.

Breen chuckled. Did you have them the first time?

Yes. I was travelling with the hen party, and they all wanted to fit into their dresses. I didn t care. I snacked my way across the islands.

More than just Wonder?

Wonder is a chain, and Breakridge is nearby. She was getting drowsy again. Why am I so fucking sleepy?

Breen wrapped his arms around her and pressed his head to hers. Maybe you needed to let yourself relax. Maybe you know that we are about to have an action-packed week. Maybe Myro and I let you relax.

She pressed her lips together. That was a mate response. Her body was turning itself over to them. Poppy made a mental appointment to give her body a talking-to. It was obviously just enthusiastic about finding guys in her category. The standards were not that high.