Dripping fire, p.21
Dripping Fire, page 21
“Wait. What?”
“The fire sustains you and the babe. When it comes into the world, you will need much, much more.”
Niko was stretching.
“What do you mean? What happens if I don’t have it?”
“Babe dies. If there is not enough fire during delivery, mother dies. You will have plenty of fire.”
“But, what if I didn’t? What do you think happened to Luna?”
There was chortling. “She should not have a son, not be walking, but she is. She takes, and she uses to live. It is remarkable that her son is so strong, but she had to get the fire from somewhere. She chose very well. Her boy is healthy. You chose well, too. I will keep you charged all the way through.”
“Like a battery?”
“You will provide the nutrition and biology. I provide the power. We will make a strong alpha, boy or girl.”
She blinked. “Right. I need to talk to Luna the next time she is in.”
Niko put a hand on her arm. “Leave it. She has found a way to survive with her body bleeding its own energy. I hope that Jack is the man who put the block on her. I am sure that this is not what he intended.”
“I hope not. It seems cruel and vicious and thoughtless.”
Niko gripped her hand. “You know you aren’t in the same situation?”
She nodded. “I know, and I know that most women couldn’t take a single dragon, let alone half a dozen. I hope not all at once.”
Niko chuckled. “Dragons do not do well with others of our kind in competition for a woman or a man. The elite are trained to work together; for the dragons, it does not come naturally.”
She looked at Alexi, passed out and blushing in his sleep at his response to the change.
“I am glad I have learned to share. I wasn’t sure I could do it.” She grinned and stroked Alexi’s chest. “How many times will he have to drink fire before he turns into an omega?”
Nikolai smiled. “A few years. I do not think we will let it get that far. We have an omega. We do not need two.”
She nodded and said, “Tomorrow, I have to go meet with Ford about some of the stunts he wants in the video. “Well, he calls them stunts. It is just basic riding.”
“You are not taking any risks?”
“None.”
He nodded. “Keep me posted as to the results.”
She beamed. “Of course.”
Ford looked her over. “Well, you look happy.”
“I am. Exhausted and probably preggers but happy.” Alita smiled. “So, did you have the choreography?”
“I have the music. Can you just do whatever you would do with it, and then, we can discuss it?”
Alita nodded. “I can. I need to listen once through.”
“Of course.”
He played the music. It had a heavy beat, some quick changes, and a nice roll to it. There were no lyrics.
She closed her eyes and nodded. “Okay, this is what springs to mind.”
She moved with a sash around the widest part of her hips. She stepped, shimmied, lifted, and dropped her chest, stepped, twisted, rocked, and spun until the song was over.
Alita waited with her breath coming in controlled gasps. “So, where do we start?”
“Backdrop, camera, wardrobe, hair, and makeup.” He beamed, his dark skin gleaming and eyes bright.
She laughed. “You are easy. Mind you, I have seen your editing. You can make a rose look like a mass murderer.”
He chortled. “That is how I make the money.”
“Where are Olivia and the guys?”
“Olivia is meeting with her publisher and agent today. Dexter’s sister has gotten a foot taller emotionally since this started. Olivia is quite the catch. Her book is doing amazing in presales, which I am told is an excellent thing.”
Alita looked around at all the awards lining the shelf at the top of the wall. “Yeah, it is just Olivia that is doing well.”
He laughed. “We are very lucky that I am talented and our alphas are determined.”
She smiled. “Same here. All I can do is climb onto a big beast and hang on.”
He snickered. “A talent in itself.”
“And very lucrative.”
He looked shocked and then laughed. “You are learning quickly.”
“Yeah, I am still waiting for actual money or a credit or debit card so I can take Olivia out for ice cream, but I think that can come later.”
Alexi’s voice said, “I knew we forgot something. We’ll get that sorted tomorrow, princess.”
She smiled. “It’s fine. There are plenty of people to visit here and the horses to get around on, so I don’t need to buy gas.”
Alexi smiled. He handed Ford a flier. “Here, three weeks from Friday. I need to finish all the pictures, but I think it will be well received. Can I borrow Olivia for a sitting or two? Lexa is already in.”
He smiled. “We are doing a modern omega show. With videos.”
Ford’s eyes widened. “Right. The ones you bought the display rights to.”
Alexi grinned. “Yeah, that one. We have headphones for folks to watch them.”
Alita saw something on Ford’s desk. “Why do you have that picture of Luna there? Wow, she looks young.”
Ford raised his brows. “Luna?”
“Yeah, Luna Tesso. That’s her name. I am not hiding it anymore as she will be popping in and out, checking on her son. He’s our new housekeeper and stable hand. Erik Tesso. You will see him around. Silver-white hair and green-blue eyes. He’s nearly as big as Alexi.” Alita chuckled. “He’s sixteen and starting university this year. Studying engineering.”
Ford blinked. “So, his mom is going to be coming in a lot?”
Alita smiled. “She guesses every three months, but if Erik is doing well, it will probably be less.”
“So, not to be rude, but why is her son with you?”
Alexi informed him, “Dragon alphas need to engage in a kind of mentorship. Learning to fly is a bit tricky.”
“What about his father? I am guessing his father is a dragon.”
Alita scowled. “That is what she figures, too, but she didn’t get a name.”
Ford nodded. “Been there. Wait, is that why she disappeared?”
Alita nodded. “Pretty sure it is related. I got some other details but not that particular one. She will come for a visit, and you can ask her yourself.”
Ford whined, “I want to see her play.” He grabbed a remote and showed a video that was nearly twenty years old. A brunette with a familiar grin walked onto a stage, and she was introduced as Hey, the drummer’s a girl. Luna sat down, and she looked at the band, the singer nodded, and the first notes came out supported by the lightest drum beats, and then, the drum led the song.
The heavy rhythm turned the song from a light ballad into a blood-stirring pulse that made Alita want to move. “Wow. That was her?”
“That was a band member that disappeared days before the entire band was killed in a drunk-driving accident in the mountains. She was in hospital at the time, so she wasn’t suspected, but then, nothing. She simply disappeared.”
Alita couldn’t believe she hadn’t thought of it. She checked her phone for Luna Tesso, and her phone was full of images of Luna on the arms of different men. Rickart was one, and the elite were others, but then, there were the ones who looked like dragon alphas. They looked down at Luna like she was the best meal they had ever been offered.
She showed her phone to Ford, and he quickly used the name to start cyber stalking her. The pictures started to flow across the screen on the wall. There were ten men in rotation, and a few images of Luna’s back catching the light made the nickname the elite had used make sense. “Snowflake.”
Her back had a glossy snowflake that started just below her neck and ended a few inches below her shoulder blades. It was a glossy mark, but the photographer had caught it perfectly.
Ford stared at it. “Wow. If she has had that all this time, she’s strong.”
Alexi scowled. “I have seen them before. It’s a lock?”
“Yeah, whoever left it was planning on getting back to it right away.”
There was a whistle from the front of the house, and Ford called out, “Back here!”
A woman with dark hair, dark eyes, and a statuesque figure came in. “I have the costumes that Yemeen sent over.”
Ford nodded and smiled. “Alita, this is Yemeen’s assistant Nora. Nora, this is Nikolai’s omega, Alita. You already know Alexi.”
Nora laughed. “Alita and I have met during the video shoots. Are you being treated well?”
Alexi answered, “Of course. Niko’s family honours their omegas.”
Ford winced.
Nora nodded. “Right. I had forgotten that.”
She looked up and said, “Why are there pictures of Luna on the wall? Are you trying to get her into a video?”
Ford looked like he wanted to strangle her. “You know her?”
“Sure. We are in the same support group. Ta-ta!” She waved her hand and left with the garment bags.
Ford looked after her, and he muttered, “That woman is too competent for her own good. Sabin has his hands full if he ever gets back in town.”
Alexi paused. “She’s with Sabin?”
“Yeah, the night of Grigory’s party. She came back to work on Monday, and he was gone. Off on business, so I am guessing that he got what he wanted and left.”
Alita frowned. “That’s not right. Who’s Sabin?”
Alexi blinked. “Right, you haven’t met everyone yet. He’s Niko’s nephew. So, now... your nephew.” He chuckled. “In the same manner that Lexa is now your sister-in-law.”
“If Sabin comes back, what does that make Nora?”
Alexi shrugged. “A beta. Nothing more.”
“Right.” She was suddenly wildly uncomfortable. “That seems strange. They are still mates.”
“But, they are only betas. Betas are a dime a dozen, and the family is so freaking well off that women and men are always at the door.”
Ford scowled. “Nora isn’t like that. She had been actively avoiding Sabin, but there was an incident at the party that meant she needed a rescue, and he gallantly offered, but apparently, the gallantry has worn off. I know she’s hurt, but there isn’t anything we can do except be there for her, so we are.”
From the front of the house, Nora yelled. “See, yah!”
“Bye!” Ford called out.
Alita frowned. “That sucks. Even with Alexi around, I knew that Niko would want to keep me close for breeding, if nothing else. Not even having the Omega Centre on my side would have made it terrifying. Hell, it was terrifying when the dragon jumped me. Fun but terrifying. Doing that and then having to support me with a normal day job makes my head spin.”
Ford chuckled. “Yeah. You get it. I get it. It is terrifying.”
Alexi blinked. “I am a beta, and I am not really understanding.”
Alita looked at him blandly. “Can you get pregnant? Luna was in that situation. An alpha’s baby and having to survive, and she had to do what she could to keep herself and the baby alive.”
Alexi frowned. “I thought you were disapproving of her lifestyle.”
“Not anymore. Not now that I know what is going on.” She exhaled. “Ford, when she comes into town, I will try and let you know so that you can ambush her with your requests.”
He grinned. “Now, back to the dancing. When are you free?”
She pulled out her phone, Alexi did the same, and they coordinated her schedule for a shoot.
She looked at Alexi and grinned. “Does this count as a part-time job?”
Ford snorted. “Yes. I need your new banking details when you have them, so I can change the royalties to your account.”
“I get royalties?” She grinned.
“You do. You have gotten about three thousand since you started working for me.”
She nodded. “Of course, I have. Right. Alexi, what is Niko doing?”
Alexi thought about it. “Maybe icing his cock? I think we are wearing it out.”
Ford snorted. “Right, take the domestic stuff out of here and hike off to the Russian quarter.”
Alita chuckled and took Alexi’s arm as they walked to the jeep he had driven, and she mounted Lightning. She looked at him, and he revved the engine. She patted the glossy black neck and nodded. Alexi hit the gas, and she urged Lightning onward, and they thundered through the lots and toward their home where she was going to nag Niko into setting up her credentials and accounts so that she could go out with the ladies. Her own family felt a thousand miles away, but she knew that Niko was willing to help them out when needed and have them over to the house. If she played her cards right, she might even be able to get some of the faire troupes over to practice where Alexi could take photos. It might involve some begging, but her knees could take it.
She urged Lightning onward, blazing past the jeep as he had to slow down to go around some fruit trees. Erik was brushing Thunder outside, and the big beast greeted his friend. Lightning was happily prancing. He loved sprinting.
Erik took him and said, “He looks happy.”
She smiled. “So do you.”
“Nikolai has started my training, so I can prep for flight. It is the same kind of workout I do anyway.” He smiled. “You are looking happy as well.”
“Yeah, I have flickers of thoughts, but then, I look at Niko and Alexi, and I feel all warm and fuzzy.” Alita chuckled.
“It’s a good look on you. My mom is going to be so happy. She always thought you were just in need of the right situation. I guess you found it.”
Alita stroked the horse’s neck. “Yeah. Do you think your mom will find hers?”
“I hope so. I really hope so.” He sighed and went back to brushing Thunder.
Niko came out of the kitchen, and she smiled. Tying Lightning near Erik, who nodded that he would take care of him.
Alita sprinted over and jumped into Niko’s arms. “Hi. I need a bank account, driver’s licence with the new address, change in phone plan, and probably something else I am missing.”
“You need lunch. We will do the rest in the afternoon.”
She smiled. “Yes. Are you going to wear me into the house?”
He laughed. “Yes. I am. Come on, Erik put a sandwich platter in the fridge, and a giant fruit salad is next to it. We need to make a dent.”
“Yes, alpha. Where’s our beta?”
“Soothing his butt hurt that you beat him on horseback.”
“Well, he is faster than I am in the air.”
Niko kissed her softly. “What do you say to just a week with us up in the cabin and no clothes?”
“I am up for it. We might want to wait until after Alexi’s photography exhibit.”
“Thank you for reminding me. He asked my permission to ask you for a nude.”
She blinked. “Like, without foreplay?”
He leaned back and laughed. “We might be able to arrange foreplay.”
Hands from behind her cupped her breasts, and a warm mouth pressed to the marks. Alexi’s voice was warm. “I think I can find your motivation for an excellent expression.”
“Well, you will have to work really hard at it.”
Alexi’s hands gently squeezed. “I am a very hard worker.”
Alita squealed out. “Lunch! Errands! I need legal things!”
Niko sighed and set her on the counter, handing Alexi a twenty.
“What was that?” She tilted her head.
Alexi grinned. “I told him you were gaining enough control to defer pleasure for a few hours. He didn’t believe it. I win.”
She looked from one to the other. “I win.”
They surged toward her, and she yelped, tumbled off the other side of the counter, grabbing the food out of the fridge. They were grinning, and she suddenly realized that it was their libidos that she was going to be dealing with for the rest of her life.
The next few decades were going to be fun. She might even be satisfied by then, but for now, there was always the next time just a few hours away.
Author’s Note
So, this is the last of the Omega Next Door series. As you may have guessed by now, it is spinning into Betas in Waiting. Women who have been profoundly affected by an encounter with an alpha and who was then just left behind after their body began to transform to match him.
The next book up is Nora’s book. Dodging the Alpha, after that, is Luna’s story. Snowflake Unbound.
I know my omegaverse is not traditional, but I just can’t make everybody mean and grumpy all the time. I like the grumpy in small doses.
Thanks for reading,
Viola Grace
About the Author
Viola Grace (aka Zenina Masters) is a Canadian sci-fi/paranormal romance writer with ambitions to keep writing for the rest of her life. She specializes in short stories because the thrill of discovery, of all those firsts, is what keeps her writing.
An artist who enjoys a story that catches you up, whirls you around, and sets you down with a smile on your face is all she endeavours to be. She prefers to leave the drama to those who are better suited to it, she always goes for the cheap laugh.
In real life, she is now engaged in beekeeping, and her adventures can be found on the YouTube channel, Mystery Bees Apiary. Just look for the cartoon kittens.
Viola Grace, Dripping Fire
