Open Waves (Betas in Waiting #39)

Chapter One

A nightmare woke Meeda from a sound sleep.

She sucked in a deep breath and opened the patio door off her bedroom.

She walked to the ocean in her sleep shirt and dropped it to the sand before she stepped into the waves.

She summoned her tail and moved deep into the darkness, where no one had hurt her and she had the power.

She laughed and played in the depths, looking at lichen and stroking the enormous oysters that surrendered their pearls when she asked. Vine could enchant the surrendered spheres, so Meeda collected three pearls in black, blue, and a surprising purple.

She stroked the oysters and told them what she wanted, that she would give them the strength to push the pearls out, and when she did, the oysters took in more sand to create another one.

Meeda cradled the three pearls and smiled at the coral and reefs as she cruised along the sea floor. She didn’t need to speak, didn’t need to think, she could just play.

She hummed her favourite songs, and the music didn’t go far. Swimming was almost as regenerating as sleeping, but the nightmares didn’t exist here. Even the things that considered her food weren’t a surprise.

Meeda played until the sun touched the water above her.

She felt eyes watching her, but she was underwater.

Eyes were always watching her, and she could call for help if she needed it.

It was comforting to be underwater. When she used her wings, she just got hungry, and then something had to meet her teeth.

Fortunately, Wonder had no shortage of alphas who just wanted a cuddle and didn’t mind the biting.

She was a holiday story for about half a dozen men, each donating about two ounces. Apparently, her bite felt really good.

She walked out of the surf and headed to the villa, the pearls in her arms.

She got breakfast started and had the coffeemaker chugging away before six in the morning.

She showered and put on a dress. Enjoying the option of fruit and pastry for breakfast was one of her favourite things about the islands.

Mia was local, and that meant she had the wherewithal to create a quiet space for herself.

Meeda, being her sister, extended that courtesy to her.

The king had created a writ that would let her make her home on any empty spot of land touching water that she wished.

Meeda sat on the patio and listened to the distant sounds of the repeat race that was happening.

Her friend Xida had been low-key conscripted by a two-man team.

She liked free running, so it wasn’t a big deal, and the alphas had bribed her to be their third as every team had not to contain just alphas.

Meeda wasn’t sure what Xida was, but she was either beta or omega. Either way, she was fit as hell.

The race took place around the island, and the first run was a test for footage.

The runners had all been put up for a few weeks of vacation or sent home and brought back and had made some nice snacks for Meeda.

She had tried to drink from Xida once, but it was not something Meeda’s body was interested in.

Today was the proper race. The race that counted for those who wanted to sprint around the island and climb trees.

Now that they knew what to expect, the run was going to be faster.

The island had put obstacles in the way and changed routes for the run, so things were going to be fresh and interesting.

Meeda preferred to use wings or tail for speed, so she sat back and enjoyed the thought of men sweating while getting dirty. It was the opposite of everything she did.

She heard soft laughter and moans from the house and grinned. She looked forward to Vine and Kazuya having an actual wedding. They needed a locked-in honeymoon in the worst way.

Mia walked out. “Morning, Meed. Had a rough night?”

“More like an extremely early morning.”

“Ah.”

“I got three giant pearls for Vine to play with. They should hold a spell quite well.”

“She will love them.”

“I know. They are in the fruit bowl in the kitchen. I hope no one tries to eat one.”

“Maybe you should bring them out here.”

“Good idea.” Meeda got up and went to get the pearls that were the size of a grapefruit.

Mia smiled and said, “Thanks for making coffee.”

“There had to be bonuses for not sleeping.”

“I know the answer, but the nightmare again?”

“Yup.”

Mia held out her hand, and Meeda took it, squeezing. “I worry.”

“I know. At least here I can hit the ocean when needed.”

“Even though it took everything from you?”

“It didn’t take everything; that was the pirates. It welcomed me and supported me until you could find me.”

“And that’s why our headquarters is on Emerald.” Mia squeezed her hand. She asked, “May I hug you?”

“Yeah.”

They stood, and Mia got a proper hug. It was rare for her to ask, but she was still an omega, even if her body wasn’t to spec. She required cuddles.

Mia looked past her sister to the open ocean and blinked. “Kaz said he had friends coming today?”

“Yeah. Why?”

“One of them is here. Well, almost here. There is a dark elf walking out of the water.”

Meeda turned and faced the incoming elf. She got ready to flick her wings and said, “Who are you?”

“I am here for Kazuya.”

“Great. Answer the question or end your lifespan.” She flicked her pixie wings out and hardened the edges.

There was a hum in the air as her wings started to vibrate. The approaching man froze.

She spoke around her extended fangs. “Name.”

“Akervel.”

“Welcome to Mia’s villa. Coffee?”

“Um. Yes. Thank you.”

Mia smiled. “I am Mia; this is my home. This is my sister Meeda. She has a few forms, but this one is the most effective above the ocean waves.”

Meeda waited until he was on the deck before she dismissed her wings and was just left with a slight hunger. She would find someone later.

She sat at the table, and Mia poured a cup of coffee for the visitor. She was an excellent hostess.

Meeda sipped at her coffee and watched the newcomer. He was wearing the same kind of wrap she was.

She ate a croissant and some pineapple while he and Mia chatted.

She checked her phone and smiled. “I am going to the road to watch the himbo parade.”

Mia laughed brightly. “Shopping for a snack?”

“Of course. The wings get thirsty.” She took her phone and left the deck, walking toward the front of the house, where the path passed by. Her phone showed the progress of the runners, and they would be passing Mia’s home in a few minutes.

She activated her wings and hovered above the canopy, watching the racers move in a near-tumbling motion. It was hypnotic to watch, and she was up above the drones.

She heard swearing, cursing, and collaborative orders flying between the groups. Some of the alphas just ended up carrying their team’s females or omegas on their backs as they moved around.

She saw Xida’s team farther back then was astonished to see a new team moving past the previous leaders. The female beta with multi-coloured hair, male omega, and male alpha were moving fast like a well-oiled machine. They boosted, lifted, and jumped in turn.

Meeda flew in time with them, watching the trio get closer and closer to the finish line before they crossed to wild cheers.

Meeda blinked. She had been flying for two hours, and she was getting hungry.

She couldn’t pull a snack dressed like this, so she returned home and dressed in something with more sex appeal.

The teams were going to be finishing all day. They had been running for hours, and the party was going to start after dark. They would have a chance to shower and change, eat and relax after their runs. One of those triads would have someone who wanted a cuddle and would allow a bite.

She smiled and landed on the deck, walking into the house to change into something a bit more revealing. She put on sandals with heels and walked out to snag a conventional snack.

Mia was there with Kaz, Vine, and Kaz’s friend. “Meeda, come sit with us.”

“I only have a few minutes, Mia. I am hungry.”

Mia blinked. “Oh. Right. Well, have a conventional snack and some juice, and then you can go find a donor.”

Akervel asked, “Donor?”

Kazuya smiled. “She’s part pixie. You know what they consume.”

“Oh. Do you need a donation, miss?”

Meeda froze. “What?”

“I am offering a donation so that you don’t need to find someone in town.”

She cocked her head. “Any conditions?”

“Where do you draw from?”

“Forearm.”

“Do you stand or sit?”

“I usually sit on the lap of the donor facing out and bring his arm across my body.”

He grinned. “Payment enough. Take what you need.”

She walked over to him, settled against him, pulled his arm to where she could access it, and pulled him in to bite. She felt him shudder as her teeth sank into his forearm and sucked seriously to get the four ounces she currently needed.

Akervel shuddered under her as she drank, but when she had had enough, she sent a coagulant through her teeth and kissed the vein that had fed her. He was breathing heavily behind her, and she said, “Am I too heavy? Did I take too much?”

He pressed a kiss to her neck. “You were unexpected.”

She turned and looked at him. “Okay, thanks for your help.” She got up and left his lap.

Mia held her hand out, and Meeda sat next to her. The side hug was immediate. “Too close?”

“Too interested.”

Vine’s eyes flared wide. “Oh, hell.”

“Yeah.”

Akervel said softly, “At least I did not run this time.”

Meeda looked at him and nodded. “Thank you for that. I do love closure.”

Mia smiled and squeezed her hand. “She really does.”

Vine opened her mouth to explain things to Akervel’s confused features. She paused and glanced at Meeda, and Meeda sipped a glass of juice while she gestured for Vine to explain.

Meeda knew the story from her own perspective. Her parents murdered, the boat sunk, and teen Meeda in an air bubble when the air filled with shadows. That was the last peaceful moment that she had for what was three years, maybe four. The time in that place was designed for pain.