Page 6 of Last Resort (Betas in Waiting #29)

E strya was reading emails when there was a soft knock on her door. After a lot of preliminary edits, they had managed something that was tight and easy to watch. It boded well for things to come.

She sighed and got out of bed, walking to the door. She opened it, and her breath froze in her lungs. Three alphas were staring at her with serpentine eyes. The first one s gaze was achingly familiar.

Erol. What are you doing here?

He looked at her and said, Invite us in.

She looked at the other two and took in all of their clothing. They were dressed in fabrics that were worth more than she made in a year. Fine. Come in, but keep it down. I don t want to disturb the others.

Erol nodded and walked inside, with the other two following him.

They sat at the small table, and Erol remained standing. He walked to her and caressed her jaw and neck. The touch was familiar and strange at the same time. She was making eye contact at his level. That was new.

He leaned forward, and she leaned back. Stop. You wanted me to leave town with no contact. I did. You can t just wrap yourself around me now without even telling me why you are here.

Adil got someone pregnant, and I needed to make the best impression. Having a woman that I rented when there was a need was qualified as embarrassing. He smiled and said, I am a grandfather now.

She stroked his cheek. Congratulations. I haven t gained a respectable skill set since we last met. By your logic, I am still a little whore. Well, big one now.

He flinched. I didn t mean that.

Yes, you did. I got my payout, and I moved as far away from you as I could. That is what you told me to do, and it is the last order I will take from you.

He blinked as if that had not occurred to him.

She looked past him. Who are your entourage?

The men smiled, and as she watched, she was suddenly in the room with two dark Elite with the aura of snakes around them.

Ah. That figures. Snakes drawn to snakes. Good evening, gentlemen.

The one with broader shoulders said, It is delightful to meet you, lady.

The other said, I was wondering what our mate would look like, and the gods have been more than generous.

She blinked. Ah. The mate thing. Let me just get this over with. So, you know what you are currently ogling. I was expelled from my home at the age of thirteen, found a way to keep myself in beta form, and sold myself to survive for years. Finally was old enough to get a job and met Erol while clearing the snow off his car at the airport. He said I looked cold, brought me into his car, and took me for lunch. I was seriously thin and had a number of vitamin deficiency issues, so he got them to make me a special menu of salads and desserts. He and I eventually became intimate when my pelvis could no longer cut glass, and that continued for three years until he dismissed me and sent me on my way. That was two years ago, and now, I am here.

The two men shrugged, and the smaller one smiled. Your present is what we are concerned with. And your future. We have a definite interest in your future.

Erol did a double take at his companions. Keep it to yourself, Seviir.

The man known as Seviir smiled. We will outlive you, Erol, but we are not going to keep to ourselves. We knew her when we saw her.

The other man had a more open face, but he smiled slightly at that. She is everything.

Estrya smiled. Flatterer.

She looked at Erol, who appeared stunned. You didn t know?

No. I thought they were just in the same clubs as myself.

She chuckled. They sort of are. Scales and tails.

He looked at her. You knew that this was what you were.

Of course. She shrugged.

You didn t tell me.

You told me at least twice a meeting that what we had couldn t last and you wouldn t embarrass your son. That meant that you never considered me more than a temporary diversion, and I was embarrassing. I would never have shown you all of me if you didn t want it, and you didn t. So, I never showed you.

He blinked and looked embarrassed.

Erol, I knew what we were, and now, we are nothing. We are memories, Your Majesty.

The broader of the two Elite walked up to her. I am Rizthan. At your service, my lady.

He extended his hand and happily sighed when she placed hers against his. His eyes closed in delight, and his eyes glowed red-gold. Whatever you wish, you shall have.

I wish for a good night s sleep. Can this entire alpha contingent leave my room? She looked around.

I am Seviir, and I am also yours to command, lady. The slightly slimmer of the two took her hand from Rizthan, bringing it to his lips and flicking his tongue across her skin and scales.

Erol was frowning. Seviir, what are you doing?

You may be a king, naga, but she is our queen.

Estrya smiled. She stroked Seviir s cheek with the back of the knuckles of her other hand. You are clever and quick, Seviir.

He grinned and straightened. Thank you, lady.

Erol tried to assert himself. What happened to the nightwear I purchased for you?

It doesn t fit. She gave him a bland look. The islands give me what I need. Her nightwear was baggy black shorts and a short tee with romping kittens on it. The island thought I needed kittens.

She looked at the three of them. Now, go. Tomorrow is a busy day for me, and you three need to be comparing portfolios or something. Figure out whose tail is bigger, and let me know.

Deno came in through the open door, his hair tousled from sleep. Gentlemen, if you wouldn t mind leaving? This is a place of rest.

Erol paused. Do you have more rooms?

Deno smiled. No. Not at present.

Erol hissed in displeasure and stalked away. The other two blew her kisses as they left.

Deno asked, Are you okay?

I am. I wasn t expecting them to seek me out. Snakes are more opportunistic.

Deno smiled. Get some rest if you can.

Yup. Big day tomorrow. The teaser promo drops in the morning. The island advertising with the local songs and Thera and Ambermarle in them is going to do really well. Belle rising from the ocean is going to be a hit. We save so much on special effects with those ladies.

Deno laughed. Have a good night. I will play Saint Patrick.

Don t drive them off the island, just away from me.

Will you sleep?

Yes, I had a chat with Win when she arrived. No surprises out of me.

Deno sighed. Good. Omegas are at a disadvantage if something more reliable isn t worked out.

You don t have to tell me twice. She grinned. Now, good night. I have to do morning instructions for diving and sailboarding.

Well, the snakes are gone for now. Do you think they will stay away?

Oh, no, but they are going to come at me from a different angle. At least I can brace for it.

Are they yours?

Estrya smiled. Two of them, yes. One of them was, but I wasn t worth a little embarrassment. He is very locked in his dignity.

Well, good night. Is there any pastry you like for breakfast?

I like meats, breads, sandwiches. Something solid. It s going to be a long day.

I will get you something and a basket. You can bring your picnic where you go. Hyperglycemic?

Yeah. Congenital vitamin deficiencies as well, so I bring my vitamins along while I stuff my face. She chuckled. I don t unhinge my jaw, but it s close some days. Good night, Deno. You are a wonderful host.

He smiled and inclined his head. Good night, Estrya. No more interruptions tonight.

Thank you, Deno. Good night.

She closed the door softly and went to look at the moon from her private balcony. She curled into the suspended chair and wrapped herself in the silky, soft throw. It was a beautiful view on a beautiful island. The locals were lucky. She loved living out here, but she knew it wasn t home. She just had to save enough to buy a small house on the outskirts of the town she once called home. She was halfway there.

She snuggled under the cool caress of the ocean breezes, the super soft blanket wrapped over her, and her alarms set for five in the morning.

Estrya rocked back and forth in the ocean breezes, closed her eyes, and went to sleep.

She was dressed and downstairs having coffee when her three contestants stumbled in. Hey, are you ready for your adventures today? You are going to do as many events on the water as you can.

Poppy yawned and said, Good with me. So, snorkel, scuba, sailboarding, surfing, kayaking, and catamarans?

Estrya chuckled. Perhaps not all of them.

I want to get this over with. I hate having a list of tasks that I can t complete. Poppy grabbed a cup of coffee and a bagel.

Breen and Myro looked calm and up for whatever the day brought, but they were both staying close to Poppy. It was cute. They tended to line up with her in the middle, like piano keys.

Poppy looked at her and mumbled, You wake early.

Didn t get much sleep. I had an unexpected visit from an old friend and two of my guys. She shrugged. Thought I should warn you. They may be slithering around nearby as we work today.

Poppy blinked. Slither? Oh. Snakes. Got it.

Yup. Food will be prepared for you on the charters. If you catch something, you can eat it. No, Breen, it does not mean you can throw Poppy onto the boat. She stopped the gleam in his eyes before it could start to glow.

Poppy blinked. What? Ohhhh.

Estrya smiled. Yes. Oh.

The guys smirked and sat next to Poppy as they got breakfast.

She got a ping in her earpiece and smiled. The boat s ready. Ambermarle and Belle are on board. The catamarans are in position. That challenge is for inter-team choices.

Poppy smiled. What kind of choices?

First for dinner. Who has to wear a different swimsuit, who has to do the baking challenge. That sort of stuff. She smiled. It gives you an opt-in or opt-out token.

Nice.

Breen asked, Can we use that to ask her to dress a certain way for the final ceremony?

You can always ask, but clothing is being provided for you. For the final ceremony.

Estrya finished her coffee, thanked Serine and Deno, and grabbed her basket. Deno provided the other three with a basket, and they headed back through the village and over to the docks.

* * * *

P oppy sat on the first ship with Thera and Orca on it. The equipment was on the second vessel where Kayak and Skaay were. Breen and Myro were watching the ocean as they lunged out, racing into the dawn.

Estrya murmured, Belle and her mate are on the other vessel, and I believe that Mickey is over there as well. You won t be outnumbered today.

What does Mickey do?

She s a diver, and she also did all of the vocals for the incidental music for the show. Andreaux is running final edits, and Violet is giving things the stamp of approval before the dailies are sent to the involved companies and the investors. She blinked, and understanding came over her features.

What are you just figuring out?

Oh, I had some visitors at the B and B last night. They must be investors for the show. Ah, darn. There they are.

Poppy turned and saw the yachts that were following them. One was huge, but the other was only slightly smaller.

The larger vessel is Aeryn s mates vessel. Sokar and Loken are good sorts. Funny alters.

Who is on the other vessel?

Snakes. Lots of snakes.

Poppy stared at her. What?

Three snakes. Big ones.

Why are they following us?

Estrya looked at her in amusement. Hmm, why would that be? Indeed.

Oh. Oh!

Poppy looked over at the boat that was keeping a reasonable distance.

They got out to open water near a reef and stood around, getting instructions. They got the briefing about the Darings and how much space they took up underwater.

Poppy wasn t sure how she felt about whales around her, but Skaay would be diving as a supervisor. They were given their challenges for the snorkelling, and when he signalled, they were to return to the vessel without delay, whether their challenge was done or not.

Poppy was going to try, but she was sure that she was going to get her butt kicked on this challenge. They were walked through breathing with the snorkel, and she remembered how to do it. With the camera, Ambermarle dropped into the water from Skaay and Kayak s boat and headed for the site.

Orc did the same from their boat.

Estrya was speaking to Thera s camera. And now for our first ocean-bound experience. Poppy, Breen, and Myro have been given their collection assignments from carefully planted items from the local reef and need to retrieve them and bring them back to the boat using flippers, snorkels, and their own lungs. I don t hold out much hope for Poppy, but she s going to give it her best.

Poppy settled her mask, stuck her tongue out, and then lined up with the other two at the edge of the dive platform.

Estrya chuckled. Go.

Poppy hit the water and heard splashes behind her. She turned back and grabbed the dive belt she had tried on, and it countered some of her buoyancy. It made swimming harder but diving easier. She caught up with Breen and Myro. They were looking for her, so this wasn t going to go the way the organizers thought.

She saw the first of the objects, took a breath, and dove. She grabbed the first item, saw a second, and went for it. She grabbed the green disk, moved up to the surface, took a breath, and looked for the third. She spotted it, and it was in line with Myro but not in his field of vision. She breathed, dove, and kicked calmly toward the disk hidden by the anemone. She grabbed for it, but Myro got there first. He smiled, and she looked left and right. Breen was on his way back to the boat, and she looked around and did a slow pass, seeing a yellow disk in the dimness. She moved calmly and got the disk. Her lungs were burning, and she slowly exhaled as she climbed toward the light. When her head broke the surface, she was a distance from the boat, but she could see it and slowly approached the vessel.

She put the icons on the boat, removed her mask and snorkel, then put her weight belt on the platform. The flippers were the last things to be removed, and then she pushed up and sat on the deck. Poppy grimaced. Estrya came by and asked, So, Poppy, you came in last. How does that feel?

She sighed and looked toward the camera. I m screwed.

By the end of the day, Poppy was just lying on the deck, groaning. Breen and Myro were concerned, but they had won the day. Poppy could do the same activity, just not as fast or with as much weight in one move. Stupid alphas.

* * * *

E strya looked at poor Poppy. Don t worry, Poppy, you will do better tomorrow.

I am going to be dead tomorrow. This hurts.

You wanted it over with.

Yes, but I didn t know that I would be over.

I will take you to the waterfall. You can recover there. The guys look like they are kicked puppies.

I would like to kick them, but I don t think my legs will move.

Aw, come on. I will get you seated, and they can rub the leg cramps.

At this point, I would present to an octopus with massage therapy credentials. Poppy groaned as Estrya lifted her up and helped her walk to the bench as the boat turned back toward the village docks.

Breen frowned and knelt next to her. Did you injure yourself?

Nope. Just tired. Muscles are sore. Apparently, I can rip open space and time, but I can t move faster than a wet alpha. She glared at Myro. Or two. I was always more power, less speed.

She straightened the black tankini with the Sityr logo. Oh, no. I have dishonoured my employer. Maybe I will be suspended without pay so I can do something interesting for once.

Estrya chuckled. Just wait until the final round. It will surprise you.

Really?

Really. These are computer game companies, after all. Estrya winked.

Poppy smiled slowly. Nice.

Ambermarle waved from the other boat, and a woman with strange chest tattoos stood next to her. Mickey looked familiar, but Poppy didn t know from where.

An hour later, they were soaking in the pool near the waterfall, and it struck Poppy. Dell!

Mickey looked at her curiously, her rich brown hair and dark brown eyes looking sweet and wholesome. Dell?

Your mark is like Dell s. She s a wildling. She s mates with a dire wolf and super nice to hug. She also has lactation skills.

Mickey chuckled. I am a sort of a wilding. Notice that the colour is different.

It s black.

Yes. It contrasts my skin. Mickey looked at her and raised a brow.

Black? Oh. Wow. You don t give off any of the indicators. I could swear you were a beta.

That is the idea. I am island-born over on Emerald, and this is a great place to be an Elite omega. She grinned. Though I do use a lot of sunscreen.

Poppy laughed and said, What kind of wild beast could be channelled here?

Well, it isn t here, really. They are in the dark Elite, right?

Oh. Right. Well, the matchy-match nature of things means that your guys should have white designs on them. She closed her eyes and then opened them wide. Oh, right. I saw them.

Where? Mickey tensed.

Ten years ago at the Stronghold.

Oh. Wait. You were there when they brought down the Stronghold?

Poppy nodded. I was.

The rush of water before Mickey held her tightly was her only warning. Thank you. I couldn t get out.

Poppy blinked and then wrapped her arms around the woman. Where did you go?

I asked you to send me back seven years. I needed time to heal, and that was the time I was taken. School trip to the continent.

Poppy looked at her and remembered the young woman. How did you avoid the Elite?

That is my talent, and I told them I was ten when they got me. I wasn t legal by their standards when you arrived and set us free, plus their vision was altered to think I was still tiny. And ugly. Very ugly. Mickey floated away. Sorry about the hug.

Can you show me what you looked like?

Mickey smiled and lifted her head, shrank to under five feet in height, and then she had mismatched features and a mole under one eye. Even her ears didn t match.

Oh, my goodness! I remember you. You had a serious expression when you were talking to me and refused to go to the queen s care.

I didn t need it. I had a family waiting for me and a community to help me. I had what I needed, and my family took good care of me while I recovered. I even got a job here in the new tech facility. I have recovered. She glanced down at the mark on her chest. This is just a side effect of survival, and it is there no matter what shape I change into. She resumed her adult form.

It s a side effect of having a match.

Meh. I don t appear in my omega form, so it won t cause them to raise their heads.

What do you do about heats?

I go deep into the woods and hang out with the birds. Animals come running to me and curl around me until it s over. Two days, and it s over.

Poppy asked, Can I see your Elite form?

No. I don t want to send any signals through the cosmos.

You are avoiding your mates.

Yup. Besides, on paper, I am just nineteen.

Poppy s eyes went wide. Oh, my god. You are right.

Mickey snorted. So, any guys trying anything had better be prepared to deal with my grandpa. He s been a mother hen since I was first taken.

Mickey got out of the waterfall pool and dried off on a towel before getting dressed. Ambermarle was still swimming lazily, and Estrya was talking on her phone.

Poppy stared. Can you please show me?

My ears are big.

Estrya stopped her call and put her phone down. No cameras, Mickey. You are clear.

Mickey nodded and started to grow. When she was about six four, she was stunning. Her features were sharp and had a fox-like cast, her ears were indeed large, and her hair was side-shaved, forming into a thick crest.

Her clothing was white, and it was lovely. A thick band wrapped her shoulders, where a long, fluttery sleeve hung nearly to the ground. Her swirling leaves and vines slightly disguised her considerable assets, but the wrap over her breasts left her midriff free. The skirt was on her hips and clung desperately. It looked like a few quick steps would have it sliding off the rounded curve. The fluttering skirt caught the breeze and lifted and floated.

Poppy was staring with her mouth open. Mickey, you are... stunning.

Okay, I am really uncomfortable with ya ll staring. Show s over. Mickey returned to her naked beta self and quickly got dressed. I stole the clothing design from the Stronghold. I thought it would be pretty.

Poppy nodded. It is. It is lovely. Do you have any other designs like that?

A whole book of them. Why? Mickey asked.

I think you could make some money with those.

You know a lot of enormous women?

Poppy smiled. I do. I also think adding bright colours would be good. Black and white gets boring after a while.

Mickey smiled. I will bear that in mind.

Poppy smiled and got out of the pool while Ambermarle still swam happily.

Estrya sighed and said, Time for dinner. Everybody out.

Ambermarle sighed and swam back to the shore, and Estrya got out. In five minutes, the ladies were walking down the road toward the village. It was a forty-five-minute walk to the village, and when they arrived, there were long tables set out, and the villagers were laughing.

Estrya sighed. Fuck, they brought them too early.

Poppy blinked. What?

The other teams are here. That s what the feast is for.

Breen and Myro were talking to their amazed teams, so Poppy sighed. Here I go.

She walked over to Rolf, Forza, and Darren. She waved at them, and their jaws dropped. Um, hi.

Forza looked at her. Poppy?

Yeah?

You are an... omega?

Yup.

Rolf stared at her. You are kidding.

No. I am not.

Darren said, So, are you hyperathletic or something?

Nope. Not compared to an Elite alpha but definitely better than most other omegas. My skills aren t strength or speed. Breen and Myro kicked my ass today, so it s up to you, as it always was.

Forza said, Couldn t you have distracted them or something?

Under twenty feet of water? What? Signal with my flipper or something?

Forza sighed and then seemed to realize what had been said. Will you sit with me during the starting ceremonies?

I believe I have to sit with my team. She gestured to Breen and Myro. To her astonishment, she saw that they were sitting with their teams. Or not.

Forza smiled. Sit next to me, Poppy.

Poppy paused and looked at her. No, I won t. Forza, you hate my guts. You have contempt for me, my job, and my responsibilities. Just because you heard the word omega doesn t change anything.

It changes everything, Poppy. Forza grabbed her wrist.

Poppy reacted. She snapped her hand against Forza s forearm and kicked her in the midsection. And when the woman charged at her, she knocked her to the ground with a right hook.

The entire square was silent, and Poppy s knuckles were throbbing.

She looked at Forza. I said no.

Forza touched her jaw. I thought you said you weren t strong?

Compared to you, it s a fair fight. Compared to them, it isn t.

She looked around and realized everyone was staring. Right. Good evening.

Estrya nodded at her. She wasn t going to give Poppy any attitude. Poppy headed back to the bed and breakfast.