Page 1 of Second Shooter (Betas in Waiting #28)

Win jolted upright at the jangle of her phone. She dug it out from under the pillow next to her and sat up as she answered. “Hello?”

“ Win, this is Aggie. ”

“Uh-huh.” Win pawed hair out of her eyes.

“ My photographer flaked on me for this wedding today, and I was wondering if you could do it in a subdued style? Fifteen hundred bucks today and another fifteen hundred when the photos are presented. ”

Win yawned. “What’s the dress code?”

“ Formal. You can wear anything dark .”

“Cool. Cool. How long do I have?”

“ The bride is on the way to her hair appointment. ”

“Right. What is she like?”

“ She’s sweet. It’s her association with another photographer that’s the problem. Alexi is going to be at the wedding, and the family wants to have him as a guest. Harry can’t stand to be observed, and he is terrified of having Alexi watching him. He cancelled but is trying to hold onto the deposit.”

Winifred headed to her closet and found a bias-cut dress in a midnight blue that had simple lines and she could move in. “Send me all the info, including the shot list and a link so I can see his style. She’s doing a getting-ready setup?”

“ Oh, thank you, Win. Yes. The list is on its way.” The intense relief rushed out through her voice. “ I will have coffee waiting and a pastry. ”

“Right. Is my appearance covered in your contract? I don’t want to deal with that again.”

“ It is. A second shooter can be assigned at my discretion as long as the shot list is complete and four hundred usable images are presented. ”

“Right. Extra memory cards.” Win put the cards in her bag and verified that she had three charged battery packs and a spare charger. Her spare camera was packed and would be hidden in her car.

“ The guests are international, and you need to keep your distance. This is an alpha-beta wedding, and the couple’s legion will be there. ”

“Oh, wow. Demon alphas. Okay. The rest of the guests are a blend of alphas?”

“ And betas and omegas. It is a really high-powered and wealthy mix.”

“Fancy sneakers. Got it.”

“ I know you will do great. Get there as soon as you can.”

Win nodded. “I am already in the shower. See you in a few.”

She cleaned up, got into her dress, bike shorts, stockings, and sneakers, and left her hair loose to dry as she got her gear and drove. Ten minutes after the call, she was on her way to the very exclusive hotel that was becoming known for extravagant weddings and amazing images.

Win drove straight to the hotel and parked at the far end of the lot. She verified that the deposit was in her account and smiled. Agatha was always prompt.

Win got her bag and her favourite camera. She wrangled her hair up into a ponytail, flipped it on itself a few times to make it look fancy, and headed for the hotel’s main entrance.

She asked for the concierge, introduced herself quietly, and Agatha bolted toward her. “Ohmygod, you made amazing time, Win. Hector, this is the photographer for today. Harry bailed, and Win has agreed to step in.”

“Mr. Nickelson is interested in this day running smoothly.”

Win nodded. “So am I. Please show me to the areas where photos are common. Or have a staff member run me around so you can get back to today’s urgencies.”

Hector nodded. “Thank you. Callie, can you show this lady the areas where wedding photos are frequently taken.”

One of the clerks at the desk nodded and came toward her.

Win nodded. “I am not trying to take anyone away for long. I need to get to the bridal suite.”

“I will show you to the suite after I show you the grounds.”

“Thank you. Let’s go.” Win smiled. They began to walk with long strides, and half an hour later, she knew where her sites were and where she needed to be.

Callie walked her to the bridal suite and whispered, “Good luck.”

Win nodded and knocked. A woman in a dark orange gown answered. “Yes?”

“Hello, I am the photographer assigned by Agatha. Apparently, Harry found out Alexi would be here and pissed himself.”

The woman with white hair smiled. “That sounds likely. Who are you?”

“Win. Second Shooter Photography.”

A voice came from inside. “Let her in. It will be a bit of a relief. Actually, Harry’s pulse always picked up when we mentioned getting the bride ready.”

The door was opened, and Win walked in, smiling and being introduced to the matrons and maid of honour. Karo, Luna, Millie, and Wren. Zara was getting her makeup done by the hired artist, and an elderly woman sat in the corner, eating from an elaborate tray.

Win introduced herself to the familiar woman. “Zara, welcome to your wedding day. I am going to begin recording it for you.”

Zara paused and smiled. The blindness in her eyes didn’t detract from her in the slightest. Win lifted her camera, removed the lens cover, checked the light in the room, and got to work.

She had been there for an hour when Agatha came up to check, and she looked at Win. “Win, honey, did you get your pastries and coffee?”

Win was pulled out of her focus. “Huh?”

“Sorry, everyone. Win has low blood sugar. I pulled her out of a sound sleep, and she didn’t have time to prep snacks.” Agatha pulled Win to one side and got a wrapped Danish into her hand.

Instantly, all the ladies were insisting she sit down and eat. A cup of coffee was being poured for her, and she was being asked how she took it.

Win cleared her throat. “I just want to get back to work.”

Agatha snorted. “Then, two pastries and a coffee, and I will set my alarm to get you some food before the ceremony.”

“Fine.” She ate the Danish and then another. When the coffee was in her hand, she downed it. She got up and washed her hands and then nodded to Agatha. “Thanks for the reminder. The second shooter has entered the building.”

Agatha nodded. “Where are they working?”

“Shots of the decorated hall and the photo sites.”

“Excellent. I will stay out of her way.”

Win lifted the camera and got back to work. Weddings went fast, but she was nearly through the bridal suite shot list when they finished, and downstairs, she had done all of the environmental shots.

Alpha-beta ceremonies weren’t religious but, rather, announcements that they had come to an agreement and wanted their friends to celebrate with them.

Wren looked at Win when she and the others were getting their hair done. “You have power.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“You aren’t a member of the Book Club?”

“Nope.”

“Why not?”

“I work evenings. This became my therapy.”

Wren and the others froze.

Wren asked, “What do you mean?”

“Well, I am older than most of you, except Luna, no offense.”

Luna laughed. “None taken.”

“Right. So, the club was starting up and collecting people who had been attacked and helping them out, but when I was assaulted, no one came. There was a bigger issue with someone else, and I was out on my own to heal and regroup. I have tried to make it to a meeting or two, but all the work I could get was evening work. Moving inventory, restocking, that kind of thing. Anyway. No chance for me to join. I hear it’s nice.”

The bride asked, “What happened to you?”

“Something unpleasant, and unpleasant isn’t for wedding days. Emma, you had some gifts for the bride?”

Emma got up and brought the hair stylist for the bride a set of jewelled pins. “My mother wore these and my grandmother, so aside from me being the something old at this wedding, I thought these would sparkle like stars in your hair.”

Zara smiled, and her eyes sparkled as Win took shot after shot of Emma’s hand setting the pins in Zara’s hair.

Zara ate, and then Agatha came back and let them know that they had thirty minutes to get in place.

The dress went on slowly, and Win took the photos, capturing the moment for those who were not in the room and for Zara, who was humming with excited happiness and would not recall details.

She whispered soft instructions as the gown went on, and then she eased forward to get her in a twist with her legion marks, and with a whisper, they glowed.

Win grinned and said, “All right. Ready to travel.”

There was one last snap of the ladies getting ready to head to the staging space before the walk, and Win got the picture of all of them together. It seemed important.

They headed out. Win put her battery on the charger and kept the first card in a pocket on her dress collar.

The camera was set up, and she was ready for the next run; the lens changed while she walked.

The women picking up flowers was a lovely set of images. Luna and Wren duelling with bouquets was a laugh. They were all in good spirits before she said, “See you up there.”

Zara smiled and said, “Thank you for showing up, Win. This is becoming fun.”

There was a soft knock, and Win looked out at what she recognized as the groom. “Waiting for Emma?”

He nodded. “You are the new photographer?”

“Yes. I am Win. And here is Emma. Wait a moment.” She slithered out and aimed at the door as Emma eased out with her corsage in place. She beamed up at Randolph, and he beamed back.

It was a glorious photo. Randolph began to walk his grandmother to the front of the ceremony space.

She got to the front and tucked herself alongside the groomsmen but had a full view down the aisle. Her second shooter was ready at the start of the walk.

Win took images from every available angle and kept herself as invisible as she could.

The ceremony was sweet, but she focused on things like Randolph and his legion’s expressions as Zara began her walk down the aisle.

That shot was worth the entire day; their expressions of joy, lust, and wonder all blended together.

From there, it was the couple’s photos, legion photos, and family photos. Friends, buddies, and, of course, family counted Randolph, Nikolai, and Alexi, with Alita and the new baby, and Zara, of course.

Alexi was watching her closely, and he had his camera with him. He walked up to her after she had finished with his family and said, “Do you mind if I take a few?”

She smiled at him. “Please, enjoy yourself.”

His eyes lit up as he realized that she understood, or that was her guess. He began to relax as he took photos after she finished with the shot list.

The rest of the shots were only the first dance, cake cutting, and the reception.

Win looked around and found Agatha, who was rushing toward her with a wrapped sandwich. “Oh, Win, I am sorry. I forgot.”

Win took the sandwich, stood, and ate.

Alexi said, “Cocktail hour is happening.”

She smiled. “I know you are an art photographer, but very few brides and grooms remember to feed the help. I get what I negotiated for and nothing else. This has to last me until the end of the reception.”

Alexi frowned but then asked, “While you are eating, can I look at your camera roll?”

She shrugged and handed it over. “Just don’t delete anything.”

He flicked through the images and slowly grinned. “These are really good. I can hardly wait until they show us the gallery.”

He got to the image of Zara with the gems in her hair, looking over her shoulder where the marks were glowing.

“Oh, wow. They are going to have that everywhere.”

She chuckled. “That would be nice for them. I can hardly wait to see what my second shooter caught.”

“Wait. I just saw you.”

“Yes, that’s the idea. Folks only remember one photographer. That’s the idea, but I get some amazing footage. Right now, she is filming falling flower petals for transitions.”

“Interesting. You really have an eye.”

“Some would say I have two.”

He smiled. “What do you think of these?”

She took her camera back and looked at his screen. “Nice. What are you trying to give them?”

“Reality.”

“I aim to capture an emotion. The weddings are so stressful that folks aren’t at their best. I try and find the best to provide them with memories they didn’t have of the day. Small bits of stillness when their emotions were pure.” She finished her sandwich and folded the wrapper. “And then it all turns to drinking and fucking.”

Alexi spluttered with laughter.

“But for those few moments, when they see the images, there was something there that got to shine through.” She looked at Alexi. “Take all the photos you want to satisfy your muse, but if you catch me in any, let me know, and I will remove myself.”

Alexi frowned. “You don’t like being in pictures?”

“Nope. It isn’t my family and isn’t my day.”

“Oh. Right.”

There was a group of women who were walking out with babies in their arms, and they sat in a corner of the gardens for a chat. Based on their clothing, they were part of the wedding. She switched to a long-range lens and took some close-up images.

“We can go up to them,” Alexi murmured.

“Shhh. You will spook them.” She got some lovely images, and then she switched her lens out.

She smiled. “I am going to head to the kitchen and get some shots of the cake.”

“May I come with you?”

“I thought you would be with your family.”

“We go to a lot of weddings lately.” Alexi chuckled. “They are enjoying being with the other new parents. The cocktail hour will be crawling with them, literally.”

She giggled. “Well, it looks like I have my next assignment then. Now is the time when I try and get everyone into at least one image. It always sucks when you know you were at a wedding, but you can’t prove it.”

Win walked with him, and they chatted for a while before she said, “You know, Harry was supposed to be here, but he heard you would be here, and I think he pissed himself and panicked. Or couldn’t find clean pants.”

Alexi grinned. “His faulty bladder is my blessing. I am very glad to have met you, Win.”

She nodded. “It was nice finally to speak to you as well.”

“We have met before?”

“Not met. Just been at the same place at the same time. You do a lot of family photos and art photos of couples. I take their families and steal their souls at moments like this.”

“I don’t remember you.”

“No one does. Well. Agatha does. I hear it happens with my kind of beta.”

“Oh, you are one of the ones with extras?”

She curled her lip. “That makes it sound like I have three breasts.”

Alexi chuckled. “I mean the betas with special talents.”

“Oh, yes. Well, it was a survival situation in my case. Okay, sorry. Playtime’s over. I have to go back to work.”

Alexi smiled. “I will see you later.”

She nodded and began to record the bits of folks playing, chatting, one alpha balancing a canapé on his nose before he caught it in his mouth.

There were fun moments, serious moments. Baby moments, young child moments. It was a fun time, and everyone was enjoying the day.

She went to the bar and asked for a soda.

“Are you a vendor?”

“Yes?”

“Four dollars.”

“How about water?”

“Three dollars.”

She looked at them. “How about a glass?”

He looked at her and handed her an empty glass. She went to the restroom, turned on the cold tap, and started chugging.

A woman with long brown hair, a pregnant belly, and soft brown eyes stepped toward her. “Are you all right?”

“Yes, ma’am. Just paying the price for not thinking ahead.”

“Dinner will be served soon. It smells wonderful.”

“I am sure it will be.”

The woman cocked her head. “I don’t know you, but you feel familiar.”

“Oh, I am Win. I am the photographer. I have taken your picture for a few magazines, Dell.”

The woman was stricken. “I don’t remember you. I am very good at remembering faces.”

“I know. You do try hard. I will see you out there. Don’t let Antonio hog dessert.”

She took two more glasses of water and walked the glass back to the bar, setting it down in front of the bartender.

It was time to finish the night.