Chapter Two

Ohno chuckled, and then, they turned down a bright alley where a sweet boutique filled with clothing and delicate handcrafts from the island was located.

"Hey, bro. Bringing in another stray?" The woman with tawny hair and blue eyes smiled at her brother.

"This is the vlogger that is going to experience the island truly. She's already been worked over by Auntie Illu, so she's well on her way. Amby, this is my sister, Ahheel."

"Pleased to meet you." Amby inclined her head.

"Oh, you are the most adorable little tidbit." Ahheel was a lovely alpha who glided when she moved. She looked at Amby and reached out to caress her cheek. Ohno grabbed her wrist. "What are you doing?"

"She has skin like an omega. She feels so silky." Ahheel reached out with her other hand.

Amby dodged the incoming hand and said, "While this is entertaining, I would like to get two outfits suitable for running around here in the evenings and then maybe grab a shower and a nap before the night market starts."

She used the camera to take a slow circle of all the clothing on offer.

"You aren't speaking?"

"No, I will put background music in and do a voice-over." She smiled. "Then, I will ship it over to Ford, and his company will edit it a little and polish it up. Social media is the next stop."

"Well, little one, what are you looking for?"

"Something that covers my back. Aside from that, I don't really care."

Ahheel grinned. "Bad tattoo?"

"Not a tattoo, but yeah, I have marks there that I am unsure of."

"I have a few dresses that will suit you. You are a good height."

Ahheel walked around the shop and gathered a half-dozen dresses. "Come with me to the change rooms."

Ohno snorted. "Come out, and I will give you an honest opinion. Also, don't let Ahheel flirt with you. She attaches very easily."

Amby walked into the change room, and Ahheel grinned. She hung the dresses on a hook and said, "Take your time. I am going to look for a few more."

Amby nodded and paused the camera while she posed. She then shucked out of all her clothing and pulled a dress on. The first was a wraparound sarong, and it was a little baggy. She turned the camera on again and mimicked the previous pose in the mirror.

After that, she turned to the curtain and stepped out. "I think this one dips a little low and is kind of baggy."

Ahheel looked at her. "Uh, yeah. I will try and get one of the designer wraps from the next shop. Try something else. I will be right back."

Amby looked at Ohno, but he wasn't saying anything. She returned to the change room and kept the camera in mind as she changed into the next dress that felt like it was crafted of seafoam.

She turned the camera back on and turned from side to side. This dress made her feel like a princess.

Ahheel asked, "How are you doing?"

Amby brought out the camera and twirled. "I like this one. It feels very princessy."

Ohno chuckled. "It looks lovely on you."

"Thank you. I think this is one of them."

Ahheel held up a rich, blue dress. "Try this one. I think it will make your eyes sparkle."

"I am guessing this one will make Ford curse my expense account, but sure."

She took it to the change room and came out a few moments later.

"It's a bit restrictive."

Ohno murmured, "You aren't wearing it quite right. Ahheel can assist, but she needs to keep her hands professional."

Ahheel raised one hand in the air. "Promise. Come on, little one."

They went back into the change room. There was an unclip, a twist, and then the wrap opened to mid-thigh, was snug around her waist, and the final tuck at the bodice actually offered some support.

"There, kitten. Now you look perfect. Is that how you wear your hair?"

"Braided and up? Yeah. It keeps it out of the way."

"If you want to hide the butterflies on your tattoo, I would loosen your hair."

Amby hissed, and the mirrors showed her one large and two small butterflies emerging from her shoulder just above the edge of the cliff.

"Those are island butterflies. Do you like them?"

"Uh, not particularly. I didn't have a choice in the mark on my back. It's a pretty picture, but nothing there was my impulse."

Ahheel touched the butterfly. "Holy shit! It moves."

"Yeah." She sighed. "Should we show Ohno?"

From outside the change room, she heard, "Yes!"

She got away from the other alpha and went to see her brother with the camera still running. "So, better?"

Ohno looked at her. "Oh, yes. Perfect. Get that one."

"Um, I am going to try some of the others that have full backs. This one is a little complicated."

He stated frankly, "The others aren't as sexy."

"Sex isn't something I am interested in. It's literally the last thing on my mind."

Ohno sighed. "Pity. I will explain to you how interactions begin here anyway."

"When I am done dressing, please."

She returned to the dressing room and undid the dress, causing it to slither to the floor. She caught it and folded it carefully, seeing the price tag. She swallowed and put it safely in the corner. Two thousand wasn't what she was willing to pay for a dress.

The dresses she was trying on were about four hundred or less. It was still high but not astronomical.

She smiled and quickly tried on the other outfits, picking two more.

She pulled her travel clothing back on and the keeper gowns over her arm. "Okay. I am done."

Ahheel looked at her keep pile hopefully and then slumped. "You didn't keep the blue one."

"I understand that this is an industry, but I just can't spend that much on something I won't wear again."

Ahheel grimaced. "There was another tag?"

"Yup. So, it was lovely, but not for me. Frankly, it has the same price as my first car, and I don't think I could even breathe in it."

Ohno sighed. "But it looks so good on you."

"I don't wear things that I worry about. I also know I am paying the tourist tax, so that is another thing."

Ahheel smiled. "I was going to offer you a discount."

Amby put her hand up. "Not necessary. But despite my cousin making her home out here, I am going to do this and return to my nice and quiet life."

Ohno sighed and then paused. "You have a cousin here?"

"Yes. I have done an interview with the king, so she and her pack will be there."

Ahheel paused. "What is your cousin's name?"

"Haravin Dillard. Hara."

Ohno walked around to stare at her. "Haravin? She's the beta of the Treasure Pack. Yeah, she could keep Kekoa calm, all right. I was there when she met the ocean. She's... do you do that?"

"Oh, the statue thing? No. That isn't my style. I can't hold my breath under water, and I am not bulletproof."

Ahheel took the dresses numbly and removed the tags before folding the dresses carefully and sliding them into a woven bag with the boutique's name on it.

She snagged it.

Ohno paused. "You don't have any swimwear, do you?"

"No. Snorkelling is scheduled for the last day, so I have some time." She looked at Ohno. "Can't I just go commando under a wetsuit?"

"The waters are warm right now. Proper swimwear is more practical."

She grimaced. "Fine. Just point me at a shop."

Ahheel walked to the wall of her boutique and pulled, opening a hidden room covered with brightly coloured suits.

"Why are these hidden?"

Ohno chuckled. "They are Ahheel's personal stash. She only brings them out for folks she considers worthy."

Ahheel smiled. "Come on, Amby. The sooner we start, the sooner we are finished."

"Fine, but I have to cut this out of the video."

Ohno smirked. "We won't tell. I have seen thousands of women in swimwear. You don't have anything I haven't seen before."

She shrugged. "I am not going to challenge that."

Ahheel started gathering two-piece suits.

"Ah-ah. One piece, racer style."

"Damn. One two-piece?"

"Sure. I won't wear it, but it will be a nice memento."

Ahheel smiled. "You never know. Okay. Here we are."

There was a separate change room, and she put on the sports suits one by one, picking two. The final selections made her laugh. "Ahheel, where is the fabric on these?"

"Look close. It's there."

Wearing the disposable plastic panties that were an adhesive strip, she put on the bikinis and looked at the bright blaze of the tattoo on her back. She sighed. If she hadn't met a lot of women with marks of a similar nature, she would have been freaking out and seeking a priest.

"Amby? How are things going?"

She walked over to the door and flipped it open. Ahheel's breath left her lungs in a whoosh.

Ohno stepped forward, and the colour left his face.

Amby blushed. "That bad? Told you sports all the way."

Ahheel smiled weakly. "Not bad at all. Try the blue one."

She shrugged and went back into the room and quickly changed. This one was fancier and a little more structured.

Amby stepped out and noticed that Ohno had angled himself a certain way. She turned and thudded her head against the doorway. "Mirror behind me."

Ahheel shrugged weakly. "Yeah. It's an amazing tattoo, and it's moving. Can you feel the ray swimming?"

"Only when agitated. The butterflies get excited when I am moving, and the cascade just keeps me calm."

"So, those are the only alphas you are interested in?"

"I am not interested in these ones? The marks appeared. I didn't make a wish. They are just there."

She shrugged. "Okay. I do like this one despite the exposure."

"What is your concern with exposure? Your body is lovely," Ohno asked with a genuine expression.

"Oh. That is simply because of my upbringing." She backed into the change room. "I will explain it when I am dressed."

She was naked except for the sticker when a hand came in with a very pretty two-piece. She sighed and said. "Fine, one more."

Amby put the last suit on, and it was even nicer than the second. It supported her breasts, showing off plenty of cleavage at the same time. It was flat silver with small dots on the edge in a specific pattern that was oddly familiar. She turned and checked out her front reflection and smiled.

Ohno asked, "Can we see it?"

Amby sighed and stepped out. "I hate that I like this so much."

She put her hands on her hips. Ohno was looking at her with shining eyes. Ahheel had her hand to her mouth. "Oh, goodness."

"What? Did I put it on wrong?"

Ahheel shook her head. "No, it is perfect."

"Okay. I am just going to change." She backed away from Ohno and closed the door. She had seen alphas like that before. He had fixated on her.

She got into her far-from-sexy street clothes as fast as she could. When she was dressed again, she realized she had left the sticker on. She sighed, slipped her leggings and underwear down, and then ripped the sticker off. She hissed and discarded the sticker in the small receptacle.

She stepped out once her clothes were right again. "Okay. So, I like these two." She held up the one-piece racer-style suit.

Ohno murmured, "What about the silver two-piece?"

"Uh, no. I will skip that. I am just here to do a job, not taunt alphas into coming after me."

Ahheel smirked. "Probably wise. It cuts into my bottom line, but don't worry about it."

"I am sure someone will be worthy of your super-secret stash." She smiled.

Ohno seemed to have gotten himself together. "So, did you want to grab a snack before we do my interview and you prepare for the night market?"

"Oh, great. Wait. I have to pay for this stuff."

Ahheel took her bag with the dresses and walked over to the till. She got the swimsuits and folded them before tucking them into the bag. The total on the pay pad was extreme but under two thousand dollars.

She paid for it, exhaled, and tried not to leave the clothes behind. The card went back into her pocket, and Ahheel paused. "Oh, wait. I have a present for you."

"I can't really accept a present." She was ill at the thought of presents. Growing up had been a whirl of embarrassment, and she had to express gratitude or be grounded, punished, starved, or whatever. Presents didn't make her feel great.

Ahheel said, "Please. I insist."

She pulled a jewellery box from beneath the counter, and Amby opened it. A wide white and silver cuff was sitting on silk.

"It's very pretty, but I can't."

Ahheel asked, "Why not?"

"I don't accept gifts. They end up costing me." She bit her lip. "I only went on this trip because Ford wanted footage, which I know is just a fake-out to splay me out in front of the alphas that are represented in my mark. That is what this whole project is about. Ford is an insanely persuasive matchmaker."

"Ah, well, the bracelet is related to this. This is a patron cuff. During the night market, the locals interested in liaisons wear black cuffs, and the patrons wear the white cuffs. If they are both interested, the cuffs determine the price based on biological signals. The more interested both parties are, the lower the price. So, if you were interested in sex, you could chat with someone with a black band, and if they were interested, you touch the bands, and they light up. That locks the black band and your band, and no one else can join. It prevents tourists from going crazier than they already do. Oh, you can check on the stats of your would-be partner. There is a display."

Ahheel pulled a black cuff from under the counter and slipped it on. "It's powered by body heat. Come around here, so I can show you."

Amby walked around, saw the display as Ahheel tapped it, and showed her how to navigate the system. "These are my stats. Health, experience level, level of interest."

Amby was relaxed when she saw the level of interest was zero. Health was one hundred percent, and experience level was ninety percent.

"Now, just to see something fun, touch my arm."

Amby carefully touched Ahheel's arm. The interest number turned to eighty-five percent, but then everything changed. The display changed colour, and a new set of data scrolled up.

Health was one hundred percent, and all stats were zero. Interest was fifteen percent.

Amby yanked her fingers away, and Ahheel looked at her in surprise. "Aww, kitten."

"I am not a kitten."

"No, but you are an omega. How did you get out of the country?"

She stepped back and around the corner. "I am five foot ten. I am a registered beta. The Omega Centre is trying to put in new regulations, but everyone thinks omegas are teeny, so it is a hard sell."

"So, you are an omega just wandering around a bunch of horny alphas?"

Amby nodded. "Yes. What they don't know won't agitate them."

Ahheel sighed. "And only fifteen percent interested. That's just light cuddling."

"Sorry."

Ahheel grinned. "It's fine. I still got to touch you. Most alphas never even meet an omega."

Amby nodded. "Well, thank you for your hospitality. I guess it is time for a shower, and then, I interview your brother about the manor and life on the island."

Ohno cleared his throat. "Speaking of, we should get going."

Amby nodded to Ahheel and took the bag. "Thanks for this."

Ahheel smiled. "I will see you later. Oh, and take the cuff. You may find it useful, and if you don't use it, Ohno can return it."

Amby nodded, and Ahheel folded the case closed and put it in a separate bag. Amby took it and held it away from her.

Ahheel laughed. "It won't bite."

"But it will broadcast the scores that I don't have, and that wakes up certain alphas." She exhaled and muttered, "I know how it works; I just don't do it."

She turned to Ohno. "Right. Back to the manor?"

He nodded. "You can freshen up. I will have some snacks sent to your room. We can sit outside in your courtyard, and you can interview me with the sun staining the water."

"I got lectures on lighting, so I think sitting in the room with the windows open and chairs set so that your head doesn't get a glow that turns you into a deity."

They walked back, and she took more footage.

The entrances to her rooms were external, and it was definitely not the room that omegas were usually kept in. Far too many escape routes.

"Oh, shoot. It's going to take me about twenty minutes to freshen up." She winced.

"I will order some snacks for you. You have to be hungry by now."

"Oh, I am, but I can wait."

"No need to wait. You go get your shower. I will be at your door in twenty minutes."

Amby nodded and headed to her door, using her card to open it. When the door clicked, she opened it, headed inside to take a quick shower and get changed into island casual.

Twenty minutes later, she had the interview spot set up and the lights and diffuser. The phone was nearly fully charged, on its stand, and aimed at the two chairs.

The soft knock at the door caught her by surprise.

Amby went to the door, checked that it was Ohno, and opened it. He looked disgruntled.

"Uh-oh. What's wrong?"

"The cliff-climbing guide for tomorrow is here. He needs to discuss things with you."

"Oh. Uh, sure."

Ohno sighed, carried the tray in, and set it down. "I will bring him in."

She blinked and checked her bound hair behind her. It covered her back, which was all she wanted around here.

After she snagged and cracked open a bottle of juice, two alphas walked in.

The darker-haired of the two walked in and stared at her. "Ambermarle Dillard?" His body was very fit, with well-developed hips and shoulders.

She raised a hand and smiled. "Present. I prefer Amby."

He looked at her. "I will be your guide tomorrow, and we are going to leave at five in the morning. What do you have for clothing?"

"Exercise gear, running shoes, sports bra, leggings. That's about it. I will be bringing my drone and phone with me, but the drone will just record my ascent... hopefully."

He nodded. "Good. That will do. Have you climbed before?"

"Not for an extended period. I have just practiced a bit at the gym."

"I will be here at five to collect you."

"Great. What is your name?" She sipped at her juice.

"Dorian."

"I am going to have to interview you as well tomorrow."

"I am aware. The top of the falls would be best, but I think the sound will be overwhelming."

"I can put a body mic on you."

"We will hash it out tomorrow. Have a nice evening." He inclined his head. "Do you have plans?"

"I am going to the night market and then getting some sleep."

His eyes widened. "Really? You look so delicate."

"Not for sex. Just to see it and understand how it works."

He grinned. "Oh, okay. I thought you had no idea what went on there."

"Um. No. I know. I was briefed at length." She sighed. "I think puppetry may have been involved."

Ohno snorted.

"Well, I will be doing most of the heavy lifting, so I will see you tomorrow." He stuck his hand out, and she took it on reflex. Dorian paused. "Your hands are very soft."

"I moisturize."

His eyes crinkled with his smile. "I am suddenly looking forward to our jaunt."

"Me, too. I just have to tick more things off my list to get the footage Ford has demanded. He's a pushy bugger."

She smiled and pulled her phone out, setting her alarm to four thirty. She reset it in place and double-checked it. "Apparently, they make a four thirty in the morning now."

Dorian nodded with a smile. "I will be here to wake you up on time."

Ohno cleared his throat. "I will give you a wakeup call."

"Uh, that is too much. You are already showing me around the night market. I am sure that I can manage an early morning. I am fairly sure you need more sleep than that."

Ohno looked at her as if astonished, but then, understanding flared through him. "How much do you think alphas sleep?"

"Eight hours?"

"Try three to five. Less or more if there is a mate involved."

She blinked. "Why would it be le—never mind."

They both smirked. Alphas wore their fascination with sex on their skin. They were smart, driven, physically fit, and taller than the majority of betas. These two were examples of different genes yielding a similar result. They both wore the results of a lot of physical activity in their bodies. Amby knew she looked like she pushed paper for a living because she did. Ostensibly, that was why Ford had asked her to go to the islands for this promotional project. Ven was a member of the book club and had suggested to Ford that if he could, they would start shipping the various betas out as tourists to see if they could find the alphas where they lived.

Amby didn't see the point as the energy seemed to be located around the city that the book club called home, but the designs on her were not something she would run into back home.

Dorian and Ohno chatted, and Dorian left. It was time to get the interview off her list.