Chapter One

Amby grabbed her camera and drone bag with her small backpack in her other hand and stepped off the ferry and onto the largest of the Wonder Islands. She lifted her phone and checked the map. First, start was the dance studio. She was working on loosening her body up, and it seemed like a great place to start.

When she knocked softly at the door of the studio, a familiar face was attached to a body dressed in island attire.

"I'm sorry. We aren't quite open yet; I haven't buffed the alphas." She squinted into the light of the late morning behind Amby.

"That is a critical point to the process. You should get on that, Hara." She chuckled.

Hara rushed out with astonishment on her face. "Amby?"

"You've got it, cuz." Ambermarle Dillard stood there with a backpack, sunburn on her nose, and a cheeky grin.

"Amby, what are you doing here?"

Amby settled in place.

"Vlogging around the islands. It's a project that Ford got in his ear, and apparently, Emerald, Wonder, and the other islands in this chain have very specific festivals and attractions, so I am here experiencing life for the first time ever." She smiled. "I am not going to partake of these offerings, but I can advertise the parties and such."

"Wait, what do you mean experiencing life?"

Amby shrugged. "You weren't the only one they did it to. I can actually walk with a full stride now. It's amazing what we begin to feel is normal when we are told it is."

Hara's eyes watered, and she hugged her cousin. "I am so sorry."

Amby dragged in a calming breath. "I would say it's fine, but I had to give a deposition. Anyway, that is how your friend Ford found me. He tortured me into giving him some audio tracks, and when that was done, he asked me if I wanted to travel. I said sure, and he mentioned that this is where you were, so of course, I came. I have gotten some great footage during my layover on Emerald. Wanna see?"

Hara gasped. "Of course. Wait. Why are you here?" She pointed with her fingers down to indicate the island.

"I am doing the vlog on your new dance studio. Treasure Dance. Your instructors have to teach me to dance, island style. They have five days, which is the average time that folks spend here on the island, and while that is going on, I have to climb a cliff, go to a butterfly garden, and swim in the ocean."

Hara felt the curiosity of her mates, and she kept Amby outside. "That is quite the itinerary."

"I think Ford designed it because of my tattoo. Or whatever it is." Amby knew about the questions that would follow.

Hara paused. "You have a tattoo?"

"Yeah, it's really weird. Butterflies, a manta ray, and a waterfall. It's like someone was drunk and put it together."

Hara blinked. "Oh, right. Well, don't mention this to the guys. They might know the ray and try and hook you up." She paused. "Unless that's what you want."

Amby chuckled. "Well, I am a crappy swimmer, so unlikely to be the focus. Now, how are you doing?"

"Honestly, it was a rocky start, but now we work together pretty well. My mates are... well, the darkest one is Narro, the burnished bronze tall one is Kekoa, and the omega is Alohi. Kekoa and Alohi are the royal couple."

"What are you, chopped liver?"

"No, I work for a living."

They laughed together, and Amby came inside to meet the rest of the Treasure Pack. When that was done, the camera was set up, and interviews started. Amby focused on being natural in front of the camera.

After Kekoa had talked lovingly about his islands and the possibilities therein, the dance instructor came in, and Amby was off to her first lesson. She had an itinerary, and no one would stop her.

Illu was the instructor who showed her stance and position and walked her through the meaning of the dances that she was teaching. Barefoot, Amby paid attention to the master instructor as they moved around to island music. Illu taught the stories with the movements and urged Amby to remove a layer or two of clothing.

Amby sighed and pulled off her tee and then her tank top. The rigid sports bra was all that was left on her top, and Hara held her breath as the dance instruction resumed and Amby slowly turned.

Amby knew what her cousin was staring at. The butterflies were vivid and flying diagonally from hip to shoulder. The manta rose out of her hip, and from right shoulder to mid-back, there was a tumbling waterfall with a glittering cascade. It was vibrancy and colour, and you would have to be blind to miss it.

Illu said, "That is quite the tattoo."

"Isn't it? I am still getting used to it."

"What do the motifs mean?" Illu's question was innocent.

Amby looked at Hara. "I am sure I will find out eventually. All right, back to the torture."

Amby's arms moved, her bare feet slid, and her hips rocked.

Illu said, "You have to move your hips more. Come on, a pretty girl like you must have had her hips rocked a time or two."

Amby shook her head. "No, but I am working on it."

Hara remained and watched her learn to dance as the first challenge for her time on the island. When Illu called an end to the hour, Amby stretched and got her camouflage back on.

Hara asked, "Can you come to the palace for dinner?"

"No. I am here to have five days in the tourist area, but after that, I can come for a day or so until you get tired of me. Then, it is off to the next islands." Amby turned off her equipment and started breaking everything down. "Tonight, it is quick food and then some night market and then bed. Tomorrow, I climb that waterfall."

Hara chuckled. "Seriously? We can do that here?"

Illu smiled as she made notes. "We were adventure tourism before folks realized that we were sex-positive. Then, all bets were off, and more folks show up here to get their backs blown out than you could imagine. We have a ridiculously high alpha population. I am not complaining. I have a set of my own that I tried out first."

Amby just blinked.

Illu winked. "I am old, not dead. But frankly, alphas are good at making money, defense, and sex. May as well let them feel useful."

Amby chuckled. "Well said. I am on my way to my assigned quarters."

Illu asked, "Where are you sleeping?"

"The Ocean Facing Manor?"

"I will take you. My brother-in-law runs it, and he has been mentioning an interview."

"That would be me." Amby chuckled and raised her hand.

She put her cameras carefully away, heaved her pack up, and grabbed her backpack. "Lead away, Illu. Hara, call me if you have time. You know where I will be."

Hara smiled. "Your number is in my new phone. So, yes. I am very curious about the night market."

Amby grinned. "Perhaps I will see you there."

Amby hugged Hara and headed off with Illu.

Illu smiled at her with a slight wrinkling at the corners of her eyes and lips. "So, do you know what you are in for here on Wonder?"

"No. I think that is the idea. I am supposed to learn what actual freedom is all about."

Illu nodded. "This is the place for that. As long as no harm comes to those around you, you can do what you like here."

"What about harm coming to me?"

"You aren't as protected as a citizen, but there is recourse if you need it."

They were walking through the village, and Illu walked her to the coastal side. She walked Amby up to the manor and the front desk, where a man was frowning at the computer.

"Ohno. I have a guest for you."

He looked up and smiled. "Hello, miss. I am guessing that you are my missing guest?"

"Yes. Sorry. I should have come straight here, but I saw the dance studio and stopped in to start collecting footage."

"It isn't an issue. I have your key and a pamphlet of the sights in the village and across the island."

"Thanks. Thanks, Illu, for seeing me here safe."

Illu smiled. "See you tomorrow for another torture session."

"I look forward to it."

Illu came over and kissed her on the cheek before she waved and headed out.

Amby took her keycard and smiled at Ohno. "Thanks."

"I will walk you to your room."

"Oh, thank you." She smiled. "I think I have an interview with you later."

"When you are settled and dressed more comfortably."

"Uh, this is my normal attire."

"A sweatshirt? In this heat?"

"I don't have a lot of body confidence." She hid a smile. It seemed to be something that he didn't hear often.

Ohno shook his golden and shaggy head. "Oh. Right. This way."

He reached for her bag, and she surrendered it. The camera gear was heavy, but he could take her computer and clothes.

She took in the views of white stone and pale gold beaches covered with folks who had their bodies set to solar power. She got her phone out and took a picture.

"That is quite the phone."

"It was a gift from a friend. I got a new SIM card on Emerald."

"Smart. The fees here can be brutal."

They walked past a number of villas, and she got one that faced the ocean and had a lovely veranda where she could sit and enjoy the view.

"How much would this run me if I were paying for it?"

He grinned. "Six hundred a night."

"Ouch."

"We do a lovely breakfast from six to nine."

"Well, that takes the fire out of the wallet." She chuckled. "Please tell me this is all prepaid."

"It is."

She exhaled in relief. "That's a load off."

He chuckled. "And to be honest, the room rate for this particular room is twelve hundred."

"Oh, sweet cumquats." She blinked as he walked her to her door. "I don't think I will want to touch anything."

He laughed and opened the door for her. "There is a robe that has been made to your specifications, a full snack bar, and a coffee bar. A barista can be sent to your room for anything specific."

She saw his expression and sighed. "That would be you."

"It would be. You have excellent intuition. I am at your disposal."

"You don't have to try this hard. This place is stunning, and I was a barista in high school. I can manage anything."

He carried her backpack to a palatial bedroom with a bed large enough for half a dozen people. Everything was white, sand, and blue. It was a calming décor.

He set her bag at the foot of the bed. "Would you like me to unpack for you?"

"No thanks. That's three minutes of your life you will never get back." She grabbed the pack, unzipped it, pulled out the computer, and dumped her clothing on the bench at the end of the bed. "There. Unpacked."

He blinked. "That's it?"

"Sure. I don't have much variety in my daily wear, and I am going to be dangling off a cliff. It doesn't really lend to me wearing short shorts." She rapidly organized the piles into underwear, tees, sports bras, and leggings. The running shoes were tucked under the bench.

"May I wander around the manor and take pictures?"

"Certainly. I can guide you around the manor, and if you want to get some clothing for the night market, arrangements have been made."

She grimaced and made a video call. "Really, Ford? Clothes?"

"You are doing stuff that you are not equipped for. Make it part of the vlog." Ford rubbed his eyes.

"Did I wake you? Good. Sadist." She ended the call with a stab of her thumb.

Ohno smiled. "Your hotel keycard and a thumb print work as currency here. I can take you to a boutique that has clothing for every taste."

"Don't you have front-of-house stuff to do?"

He grinned. "I do not. The moment I stepped away, my staff took over."

"Oh. So this is your place."

"It is my business. My place is nearby."

She blushed. "I don't want to be rude, but I have heard that attentions from the locals must be purchased, and I am not really advanced enough for that. And Ford would kill himself laughing if I used my expense account for that."

"I am not offering."

She swallowed. "Oh, good. Right. Interview and stuff. Did you just want to get that over with and get on with your day?"

He frowned. "That wasn't what I meant. I will explain it to you when we go to the boutique."

"Why am I still doing that?"

"Because you are dressed in a manner that identifies you as a foreigner. You need at least two lighter outfits while you are here." He looked at the sad pile of clothing. "Probably more."

"Two outfits will be fine. I am just here for five days." She blushed. "And I need the outfits to cover everything."

"That is a taller order."

"I just want to get this over with. If you could just direct me, I can get out of your hair."

"It's my sister's shop, so it is best that I make introductions."

She huffed and looked at him. "Fine. Please direct me to the boutique."

Ohno smiled. "Of course. This way."

She took her keycard and slipped it into the pocket of her leggings. She grabbed her gimble and clipped her phone in, carrying it through the streets while looking around with her own eyes.

"You aren't ogling the locals through the phone?"

"No, I am more of an architecture fan. The people here are just going about their daily activities; there is no reason to stare, and if you see one alpha gut a fish using his own claws, you have seen ‘em all."