Arachnid Holiday (Betas in Waiting #33)

Chapter One

Rache put the nuts on the wires and pushed them back into the box before going to test the connection.

She unlocked her lockout and turned on the breaker.

The room hummed to life, and she smiled.

She put the plate on, took a photo, and took a photo of the breaker box before closing and locking it for the next contractor.

She grabbed her tools, made her way out of the building, loaded her car, and then handed her pass to the security checkpoint. She loved a good Friday. Even a bad one.

Rache got takeout and headed home. She grabbed the bag and her tools and made her way into the house. Her phone was buzzing, but she was off the clock, so she took her time.

Finally, she returned a call. “What is it, Tiffy?”

“You need to stop moping about that guy. What was his name?”

“Terus.”

“Yeah, I can’t believe you were sleeping with one of the dark elves.”

“Just dating. No sleeping with. I think he was just using me to get a feeling for the modern era. He had the theory, he just wanted to see it, and when that was done, we were done.”

“How long has it been?”

“Two months.”

“Geez. Get dressed. There is a new dance club, and if you don’t want to dance, you can at least listen to the music. I am giving you an hour, and then me and the girls are coming to grab you, so you had better be dressed.”

Rache groaned. “Right. Okay. What’s it called?”

“Quickstep.”

“Wow. I am eating dinner and taking a quick shower. Possibly at the same time.”

“Excellent. Wear something slinky.”

“Nope. You get what you get. Bye.” Rache stuffed her burger into her face, and she started stripping on the way to her shower. She did love a dance club, and new meant fun was a possibility. She missed fun.

Wearing her dancing shoes, her dark brown hair curled over one shoulder, Rache was wearing a pinup dress that was cobalt cotton. She felt ready to stand by the wall or hit the floor.

Music was already getting people on the floor. Salsa was really popular, and Rache just loved to watch. Tiffy and Mel were hopping with excitement, but Rache took in the ratio of males to females and hung back. She looked around, found a bar, and went to get a drink.

The bartender grinned. “Trying to get courage?”

“No. Social distraction. There are a lot of girls out there who want to dance, and I want them to have that chance.”

“Not you?”

“I have danced. I will return another time when I can bring a partner.”

He finished her drink. “You have a partner?”

“Not yet, but when I hunt one down, I will drag him in here and see what he’s made of.”

The bartender laughed and went on to the next client.

She sipped at the cocktail and watched the dancers. This was a fun way to spend the night.

* * * *

TERUS LOOKED AT THE security camera. “What is she doing here?”

Xeti looked over. “Who?” He was straightening the lines of his jacket.

“Rache, the beta I told you about. She’s standing by the bar and watching the dancers.”

Xeti paused. “Does she dance?”

“No idea. She looks comfortable, though. I didn’t think this was her sort of event. She seemed very practical when I knew her.”

“When was that?”

“Two months ago.”

Xeti frowned. “You were lovers?”

“No. Companions. I didn’t want to damage her.”

“Well, she has delightful curves, and I am going to go ask her to dance.” Xeti grinned. “Watch the cameras. You can see what you were missing.”

Terus snorted. “Sure. I am sure she is very efficient.”

Xeti looked at the woman who exuded calm control. “I think she is a woman I will enjoy having in my arms. Even if it’s just for a dance.”

Terus laughed and watched the main dance floor as his business partner walked down the stairs from the office and headed to the floor. Those who had seen him before were turning toward Xeti, but he focused on the woman in cobalt near the edge of the bar.

He spoke to her and extended his hand with a bow.

She put her hand in his, and they walked to the edge of the floor.

The music slowed, and Xeti spoke to her.

She answered, put a finger up to halt him, and wiggled her dress up so the vent was barely covering the top of her thighs.

Xeti checked her out, took her hand, kissed it, and they were moving.

Terus stared in horror as Rache anticipated every move, every twist, and every spin.

She clung to Xeti, stroked him, slid down his body, and backed against him as they swayed together.

When the song was over, Xeti tried to hold her, but she grinned and told him something.

She wiggled her dress down and left the dance floor.

She returned to the bar and ordered another drink.

An alpha walked up to her and asked her to dance. She sighed and returned to the dance floor.

Terus watched her move, and Xeti came back up.

“So, do you have your little beta’s number? She’s remarkably intuitive, and as we are unlikely to find a partner given our class, I am more than willing to enjoy a bright and witty woman.”

“Shut up.”

“So... her number?”

Terus sat growling.

* * * *

WATCHING A DARK ELF come toward her gave her all kinds of déjà vu. Then he stopped in front of her and smiled. “Lady Rache, may I have this dance?”

Black shirt, black jacket, matching trousers, and shoes. He was dressed to dance and make a delightfully large impact on the crowd.

“What kind of dance?”

“We will let the DJ determine it. So?”

She put her barely touched drink down and put her hand in his. “So, you have me at a disadvantage. Your name?”

“Xeti. This is my club.”

“It’s very nice. Classic and modern all at the same time.”

“Thank you. Do you dance much?”

“Not anymore.”

“That’s a shame.”

“That’s life. So, are you enjoying being free of the Stronghold?”

“I am finding my new life quite enjoyable.”

The first strains of what she knew was going to be a fast song, she held her hand up, and it paused. Wiggling her dress up so that it covered as much as a mini skirt was helpful. Now she could move.

Xeti was laughing, and when she nodded to the DJ, he took her into his arms, and they were off. It was fun.

He was an excellent partner. He always supported her and kept in contact, aside from when she was moving behind him and sliding down his body. That was fun as well.

When the song was over, she was sweating but smiling. She nodded thanks and carefully made a break for it, back to her safe little corner.

The bartender grinned. “Same again?”

“Yes, please.”

She was waiting when a brunette alpha came up with a grin. “Miss, will you dance with me?”

She sighed and looked at the bartender. “Hold that thought.”

He laughed, and she headed out again. She spun, stepped, kicked, and twirled, and he laughed with her. It was a nice change from trying to recreate favourites from baking shows.

When they finished their dance, he asked her for a second, and then another alpha grabbed her for the next, and her evening spun away. Finally, she declined a dance and staggered back to the bar. She looked at the bartender. “Hide me.”

He laughed and made her a new cocktail.

The drink arrived with a bottle of water. “On the house.”

“What? No.”

“Yes. Everyone is having a better time for having you here. Plus, management authorized it.”

“Why?”

“I think Xeti wants to dance with you again.”

“Now? Because I really need the drink and the water.” She cracked open the bottle and tipped it back, feeling a drop of water cruising down her neck. She didn’t care.

“I think he can wait five minutes,” the bartender muttered.

She slammed the litre bottle down and gasped. “Oh, that was good.”

There was laughter, and she finally got her drink. She sipped slowly. “At least my friends are having fun.”

She could see Tiffy dancing with a determined-looking beta. The others were either sitting at tables or chatting with some of the other girls. Noncompetitive ballroom dance was generally fun and friendly.

Rache finished her drink, and her head spun pleasantly. She asked, “Can I get another bottle of water?”

“Of course. Not much of a drinker?”

“I need to be loose for certain things. I don’t need to be inebriated.”

“Sensible.”

He got her another bottle, and she cracked it open and drank it the same way she did the first. When she was done, he grinned. “You know that you just set a dozen of the guys in here off.”

“That’s their problem. If they can’t control themselves, they should work at it until they can.”

He blinked. “Well, that’s true. Right, boss?”

Xeti moved. He had been perfectly still. If Rache hadn’t already seen him, she would have shrieked and jumped.

She nodded. “Hello, Mr. Xeti.”

“Just Xeti. Are you up to scandalizing the crowd?”

“Only for a little bit. I had a long day.”

He grinned, and she looked at his dark features, red eyes, and white hair. He was narrower than some of the dark elves she had seen while she was on jobs, but he moved well.

She cocked her head. “What do you want to do?”

“I think a foxtrot is right up your alley. Any objections?”

“Let me hike up my skirt here this time.”

He laughed. “Why did you wear a dress like that if you were planning on dancing?”

“I wasn’t planning on dancing. I was just planning on watching and getting out to get my friends off my back,” she murmured as she wiggled her skirt up.

“They dragged you here?”

“They think I am pining for a friend who dumped me.” She checked her skirt and took his hand, and they walked to the dance floor.

“You were dumped?”

“We were never actually dating. He was using me as some kind of data briefing, and when he was done, that was it.”

“Terus.”

“Ah, yes. You know him.”

He looked to the DJ and nodded. They faced each other, and then they were off. The dance floor had cleared when he showed up, so now, they had a lot of space to cover with sensual moves, quick steps, and twirls.

The world spun past, and she clung to him, followed his lead, and was sure that he would catch her if she tripped.

The music wrapped around them, and she slowed her movements as she bent back and was swept from left to right.

When the song ended, she was pressed against him and breathing heavily.

He was sweating lightly, and she caught his scent.

She flickered and then got herself back under control.

She smiled, let go of him, and wiggled her dress back into place. “Thanks for that. Have a pleasant night.”

“Allow me to escort you to your car.”

“I am getting a rideshare. This dress is snug, but it has a pocket.”

He paused. “I am getting the urge to forbid you from returning home.”

“Oh, that wouldn’t be a good idea. I would cork your spinneret faster than you can say bachata.”

He paused while she waved goodnight to her friends. She glanced at him, and he was stunned.

Shrugging, she left him and headed for the door.

* * * *

XETI WALKED BACK TO the control room and office. “Terus, did you tell her what you were?”

“No, of course not. I didn’t want to scare the little thing.”

“She knows. She knows what I am.”

“What? How?” Terus turned to stare at him.

“I don’t know, but she flickered while we were dancing. Can you give me a playback on it?”

Terus nodded to the other terminal. “It’s coming up there. Frankly, I had no idea she could move like that.”

Xeti sat and moved through the performance to the point where she was pressed back against him, and he went frame by frame. “There!”

She was looking down demurely, but her skin and hair were white, her eyes a glittering black.

“Holy... she’s an Elite omega.”

Terus came over and muttered, “Damn it.”

“And, her eyes are black.”

“Fucking hell. How did I miss that?”

“Did you hold her? Kiss her?”

“No. She was my guide to the modern era. She did her job well.”

“And she knew that it was a job.”

“Well, no. I asked her out because she looked sweet, and we flirted, and then I realized how much information she had at her disposal, and I focused on learning. I didn’t use a glamour. I didn’t have to.” Terus winced. “I may have cost us our mate.”

“You have cost me nothing so far, and as we are a pair, you are going to have to tell her you were mistaken.”

Terus looked uneasy. “I was very forthright as to why she was not suitable as a romantic partner.”

“Then, grovel you shall. If she is ours, we need her, and I need her just as a partner. She moves like we have been together for centuries.” Xeti paused. “She also does not have a problem that I am a spider.”

Terus wanted to cry. “Courting her will be hard for me.”

“You created the situation; you deal with it.” Xeti smiled. “Now, where does she live?”

“I don’t know. She always met me where we were going to be for the evening.”

Xeti looked at him. “You were utterly convinced she was of no use to you.”

“I didn’t want to engage romantic feelings and then hurt her.”

“Oh, so she merely felt like an unpaid tour guide.” Xeti looked at him. “What is her number?”

Terus winced. “I deleted it from my phone. I didn’t need it anymore.”

“Fine. I am going to track her after the club closes. Do you know anything else about her?”

“No. She didn’t share anything. Well, I didn’t ask about her.”

“What were you thinking?”

“I didn’t want to hurt her.” Terus’s voice was soft.

Xeti looked at him and saw what he saw in the mirror. The terror seen in the faces of those they thought loved them. The hope was as terrible as seeing the fear. Rache didn’t seem to fear much.

* * * *

AFTER ONE GUY TRIED to follow her out of the club, she webbed him to a wall. He would be released when he calmed down. He was screaming a lot.

Rache changed into sweats and comfy socks and got a tiny glass of elderflower liqueur.

Her schedule for the following week was already on her phone, and she laughed.

Installing extra breakers and holiday lighting for Quickstep.

It seemed their electrical designer had been focused on function rather than possible uses and installations.

She settled and thought about the dancing. It was more than she had done in ages. When Haravin had left the circuit, she had lost her only friend in dance, so there hadn’t seemed to be a point in continuing. Her partner had gone on to college, and she wished him and his husband well.

Rache checked her bank account. She almost had enough to go on vacation.

Haravin had opened an invitation and said she would help Rache sort out where to stay.

Spending the holidays somewhere warm was definitely tempting.

One more payday and she would be able to get her ass on a plane and spend the holidays somewhere warm.