Page 11 of Second Shooter (Betas in Waiting #28)

Win watched Lyric chatting to her father. It was a great distraction from the teary couple who kept comparing her face to an image on their phones.

Lady Fen sighed and leaned over to speak to her. “My son and his wife were grieving Jia. Those are happy tears, but they are having a hard time expressing it. To learn that she has a mate and is living happily on an island somewhere hurts them.”

“They have other children. Two alphas and a beta,” Win muttered.

“Yes, I am aware. But the loss of Jia hurt them. Meeting you was a step toward recovery.”

“Well, everyone saved on holiday and birthday gifts.” She smiled. “Look on the bright side.”

Fen sighed. “You and Lyric are the first omegas my family has produced in my direct bloodline.”

“Oh. That. Right.”

“Do you have plans for children?”

Atil leaned forward. “Win has some old business to attend to. After that, we will discuss the next generation.”

Lady Fen spluttered, “But you will go into heat.”

“When I want to. I have been able to control it for over a decade. I have business to settle with the Stronghold Elite. It’s time.”

Lady Fen paused. “What are you going to do?”

“What is necessary. Break some walls and get the girls out of there. The Elite will need to take care of themselves. If they take one more girl, we will take her back.”

Lady Fen blinked. “You are going against the Elite?”

“They are going against us, so... yes.”

Fen grabbed her hand. “You can’t put yourself at risk. You are the only child Jia has.”

“I am not at risk. I am...” Win racked her mind and found the word. “Xian. I can be damaged but not killed.”

Lady Fen gasped, and the room got silent.

Win looked at her. “What do you think this body is for? I am not the only one. Lyric is one, Atil, Wellyn, and Draven are as well. What do you think the Elite are?”

Fen paused, and her eyes widened. “I hadn’t really put that together. Oh, so when they take the young women who manifest Elite characteristics—”

“They treat them to keep them from turning into this. They keep them as betas with lovely hair and small bodies and no power. I have come into my power. The scent of an adult female heat drives them insane.”

Lady Fen was served by two of her mates, and Atil and Wellyn served Win.

Fen said softly, “How do you know that?”

“They took me when I was seventeen. I escaped and ended up in a hospital and left months after I entered. I wore those scars for over a decade on my smaller form until two days ago.” She smiled as they ate. “That is how I know Nikolai.”

Lady Fen looked over at the dragon’s table. “How do you know Alexi?”

“When I was a child, I was on a field trip, and there was another trip with older kids from a different school. I think we were there for some kind of science display.”

Fen asked, “What kind?”

“We were watching an eclipse. I drew a picture of the red sun with the empty centre. I got lost on the way back from the restroom, and someone helped me, so I gave him the picture.”

Fen smiled. “It was Alexi?”

“I suppose so. He’s in a linked partnership. I have to just breathe through the pain and let that urge go.”

Fen frowned. “Pain?”

“Yes. I know it’s ridiculous. I am a fucking giant, after all. I would run the other way if I saw this in the mirror. It is too complicated.”

She prodded at her plate and felt like an idiot. Part of her had been convinced that they would be together. Now, reality was smacking her in the head, and she felt like a fucking toddler.

Lyric looked at her and frowned.

Wellyn said, “Come for a walk with me.”

She looked at him and nodded. He helped her out of her chair, and they left the dining room and walked to the roof space. He stopped and turned her toward him, stroking her back. “Why don’t you demand him?”

“People aren’t things to be demanded. The Elite demanded me, and I fought hard. I am not going to trap anyone in a similar situation. I also don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings, especially his.”

She pressed her forehead against his chest. “He doesn’t even know me. There is no reason for him to understand.”

The door to the roof swung closed softly. Alexi’s voice said gently, “Explain it to me then. Why do Niko’s memories have my tattoo on you?”

“Because I drew it, and when you helped me back to my group at the eclipse trip, I gave that drawing of the eclipse to you.”

He stared. “No way.”

“Yes way.” She looked at Alexi from the comfortable place in Wellyn’s arms. Niko and Alita were behind him.

Alexi stared at her and blinked. “There you are. Black hair, pony tales on either side of your head, huge dark brown eyes, and a small birthmark on the hand that you were using to draw. You were wearing black high tops there as well.”

She blinked. “Um, I like to be comfortable.”

“As for the other, I don’t know you, but Niko’s dragon is keen to have a connection.”

Her heart sank. “I am not buying you or even renting you.”

Alexi blinked and smiled. “Oh, that isn’t it. I can’t seek out another connection unless he agrees. He agrees. You are good with me and Niko and Alita?”

“Of course. They are your den.”

“But would you like to go on a date?”

She paused. “What?”

“Your smaller form so that I can feel like a big man, but yes.”

She chuckled. “Sure. Lady Fen got me a bunch of clothes. The rest of my stuff is at Lyric’s. You have already seen my one dress.”

He laughed. “Just the one?”

“Yeah. It was all I needed.”

“Well, would you go on a date with me?”

“Because your dragon wants it?”

“No, because he allows it, and Niko allows it, and Alita asks me what the hell is wrong with me.”

“What do you want?”

“To go for walks with you, taking photos of brooks and rocks and seeing how you see them and how I see them and comparing.”

She leaned back from Wellyn. “That sounds like fun.”

He smiled and stroked her cheek. “Your life has been particularly short on fun. Go on the date.”

“You know what is going to happen.”

“Yes, and his dragon is all for it.”

Alexi paused. “What are you talking about?”

“Well, I can make you an alpha or a delta. If I were you, I would pick delta. Just as tall and strong as an alpha but a better temperament and no knot.”

Alexi blinked. “You can do that?”

“Sure, I just have to do one teensy thing at the Stronghold. I should get that out of the way in a few weeks.”

“I don’t want anything from you.”

“I know, but if you want a physical upgrade, I can do it. Hell, I can even give you a beast, and Alita can ride you around.”

He stared at her. “You have that power?”

“Not yet. No. I will get it after my next visit to the Stronghold.”

“What?”

“Magic is magic. The dragons were strong enough to scatter and hold onto their power. Those who lost their energy surrendered it to the world until there were alphas strong enough to contain it again. That time is now. The huge wave of exceptional alphas is localized here because here is where the original gathering of the elves was. The Stronghold was the archive and study area. That is where magic was honed and developed.” She glanced at Wellyn. “It is also where it blew up in their faces.”

Wellyn smiled. “It did.”

Alexi paused and slowly raised his camera. “Sorry. Can’t help it.”

He took a picture of her and Wellyn.

Alexi smiled softly. “So, you kick ass, and then we have a date?”

“Yeah. Unless we bump into people while I am photographing a wedding in the meantime.”

He grinned. “Going to use the new camera?”

“Of course. And my second best one for my second shooter.” She smiled.

He blinked. “Second shooter?”

She mirrored herself and put her other self next to him. “Hello.”

He looked at her in surprise. She had used her beta form and was waving at him. “Are you okay?”

“What? How?”

“This is one of the things I learned to do. I am not really in two places at the same time. I have a portal under my feet and am moving rapidly between them. So, both are me, but I can shoot all parts of a wedding at the right time.”

He slowly grinned. “I did wonder how that worked.”

She extended her hand. “Just like that.”

He took her hand. Where she thought he would clasp it in a handshake, he lifted it to his lips. She blinked. “Um. Thanks? The reciprocation leaves my mindboggling.”

He grinned and placed a kiss on her palm. Both of her shivered, and Wellyn laughed.

When he let go of her hand, she bobbed a curtsy and returned to one body.

Alexi was smiling and a little smug. She looked at him and didn’t know what to say.

She cuddled up against Wellyn, and he obligingly wrapped his arms around her.

Alexi took a photo. “I thought she was tall, but now I see. She’s just right.”

Wellyn grinned. “She is.”

She sighed. “Okay, I have pulled myself together. I want to go and talk to Olly.”

“Excellent. Benjiro is my trainer.”

Nikolai asked, “Can he choose any beast?”

“Of course. Even a dragon, but that will take a few decades to develop fully.”

“If he chooses dragon, will you bear him a child?”

“Whoa. So far, we are talking about going for walks. My guys might want to put a bid in in case my uterus opens for business. If Alita is willing, I can give her one of my eggs, and he can father one with her.”

Alita blinked.

“Oh, that is a conversation for a much later date. I am not trying to force Alexi to become my lover. I just need him for some reason that has been with me since I was little.”

She took in a deep breath and released it. “Right. An issue for another day.”

She smiled. “Sorry for the fuss. The last few days have been a little much. I am going to go back and talk about hitting things.” She nodded, “Please excuse me.”

She made a run for it.

* * * *

Wellyn looked at the three who remained with him. “She felt the draw when she was small and did what children do when they like someone. She gave you a picture.”

Alexi smiled. “That picture is what made me want to take pictures. To capture the moments that faded otherwise. Niko helped me achieve that, but she started the burn.”

Wellyn chuckled. “I think you are just supposed to be in each others’ lives for now. What do you think, dragon?”

Niko’s eyes blazed. “They make pretty babies.”

Wellyn understood with a clap of recognition that he kept from Win. “You want female dragons.”

Alita stared. “I thought they only had boys.”

Wellyn smiled as the dragon’s eyes glowed. “The born dragons only have males. Alexi would not be a born dragon. He would be made and changed in whatever shape Win or Alexi wanted.”

Alexi said, “So, she wasn’t joking? She can really change me into an alpha?”

“Yes, but as she said, delta would be better for you. Still fertile, still large and strong, but you would retain the focus to take your photographs.”

Alexi blinked. “I need to do some research.”

“Look into dragons that wouldn’t alter your images or melt your cameras.”

Niko said, “I will help with the research.”

Alita said, “I like Alexi the way he is.”

Wellyn said, “I believe Alexi may be frustrated at being surrounded by extraordinary alphas and not being one of them. Love and affection are wonderful, but feeling equal is amazing. We are equal to Win. She is equal to us. She can do what we can’t, and we can do what she can’t.”

Niko snorted. “I made my own omega.”

Alita elbowed him sharply. “You didn’t make me. You tailored me. There was healing in the process, but aside from extra space internally, I am the same omega I was born to be before your son was born.”

The dragon sighed. “Sorry, princess.”

“Yeah, you had better be.”

Alexi sighed. “I have to do some research. This is a possibility that has never occurred to me before. The dragon made me more compatible for him, but that was at Alita’s request.”

Wellyn smiled. “You don’t have to transform, but a few meetings with her will settle what you are to each other. I believe that it might be friends, but she is tangled in a mating frenzy, and sorting social situations is likely difficult.”

Alita sighed. “I will talk to her.”

Wellyn smiled as Alexi’s omega headed down to the banquet room.

* * * *

Alita looked around and found Win sitting with Olly and laughing brightly. Olly had a relaxed expression on her face, which was rare. The woman was usually on guard.

Alita walked over and said, “May I join you?”

Olly smiled. “Please. Have a seat.”

Win looked at her. “I am so sorry about that. I don’t know what is driving me, but Alexi is important, and he needs an upgrade.”

Alita chuckled. “The dragon used to call him the useless beta. He offered him an alteration to please me, not Alexi. Alexi just wanted to be more useful to Niko.”

“Right. Would it make it better if I said I don’t want to borrow him, I just need him bulked up a little?”

“For you?”

“To contain the magic that is going to reside in him. There are a handful of suitable receivers for the extra energy that is going to appear. I guess you could say he’s a test case?” She shrugged.

“Hm. Why did you ask me and Niko?”

“You are his omega; Niko is his alpha. I wasn’t just going to turn him into something else without making sure you were aware and approved. He’s marked, so I didn’t want to mess with that, but he’s had dragon fire, so he can contain more than a beta who starts from scratch.” She rubbed her forehead. “I like him and don’t want him exploding.”

Alita’s eyes went wide. “What?”

“If he fights the change, the power will win,” Win muttered. “That is why I am being urged to begin a friendship with him. I have affection for him, but I don’t know what kind it is.”

Olly’s mouth was open. “You can make an alpha?”

“Yeah, three or four of us can. Or a delta. I would really recommend delta.”

Alita frowned. “I don’t know what a delta is.”

“It was like I said upstairs. All the size, none of the knot or bad temper. They don’t go into rut either.” She shrugged. “But they can father children.”

“So, you would like to carry Alexi’s child?”

The idea was startling. “No. Not at all. I don’t understand this compulsion.”

Olly smiled. “Seeing him wasn’t a mate response.”

“No, it was standard attraction. He’s pretty, and he takes photos, and I love photography, so he is like... a buddy, I guess. I was in my small form, and guys are a little more accepting of me crushing on them when I am small.” She gestured to her torso. “This doesn’t say sweet and cuddly if you aren’t my mates.”

“I wonder what Luna’s Elite would make of this.” Alita shook her head.

“Could you give me Luna’s number? I need to talk to her.”

Alita paused. “I will ask her first. Just a moment.”

A moment later, Luna answered, and Alita handed the number over.

Win smiled. “Thank you. I have to make a few calls. Olly, show Alita the pictures of the babies beating up their dad.”

Alita grinned, brought up images of her son, and began talking with Olly.

* * * *

Win spoke to Luna and said, “If your Elite have any friends, any good guys at the Stronghold, and if any of them want to get their mates and escape, they shouldn’t wait any longer.”

“ Who are you, and what do you know?”

“You know the elf with the school bus? That was me. I was the bloody one, and I am tired of women who look like us being terrified to go outside, to live, to have kids, to find love. I am tired of it, and those like me want to live free. So, freedom is what we will have. If this goes smoothly, no one dies, but there will be change, and it will be sudden.”

“ How long do they have? ”

“More than a week, less than a month.”

“ Right. ”

“Oh, and if your son’s dragon tries anything with my little sister before she continues her education and gets a degree, I am going to be very irritated.”

“ Oh, you are Cori’s sister? ”

“Yes.”

“ I was there when you ladies showed up. ”

“Oh, sorry. I was a little distracted at the time.”

“ It’s understandable. I would like to have a family dinner so I can meet her. ”

“Sure, as soon as I finish this project.”

“ Wonderful. Erik is an excellent cook. ”

“Well, that is a point in his favour. Warn them we are coming. We want to make sure that it all goes well.”

“ I will pass the message along as quickly as I can. ”

“They are with you, aren’t they?” Win grinned.

“ No comment .”

Win chuckled. “Well, have to get to the next call so that Cori’s safety is assured. If there is one thing I don’t pull punches over, it’s my sister.”