Chapter One

Serin sighed as she looked at her assistant. “The hotel rooms are set?”

“They are set, Serin. Adjoining.” Aeryn grinned. “Well, I will say one thing about the islands.”

“What?”

“Folks sure get up early.”

Serin looked toward the dock and groaned. “You have a wicked sense of humour.”

“I know. It’s why you keep me around.” Aeryn smirked. “That and my barista skills.”

“And your organizational skills and your ability to carry all of my luggage.”

“Nice. Glad you worked that in. I also think it is cute that our names rhyme.” Aeryn remained seated as the rest of the horny holidaymakers rushed toward the assembled crowd.

Serin laughed, got her crutches in her hands, and pushed herself upright. She walked slowly with Aeryn behind her carrying the packs and wheeling the luggage.

Serin moved slowly on the boat but picked up speed on the island. She could feel the energy trying to climb into her again but now wasn’t the time. She had to deal with the welcoming committee.

“Thera, I see you can keep a secret as well as always.” Serin smiled.

“Sorry, but I wasn’t alone when you chatted with me, and they recognized your name.”

Serin looked at Orc, Skaay, and Kayak. “If you boys could keep your tongues out of her mouth, she might not have spilled the secret.”

They paused and then carefully hugged her, one by one.

Kekoa was watching, and when she walked up to him and inclined her head, he let out a huff and hugged her, lifting her off her feet. “Serin, finally, you are where you belong.”

“A little worse for wear, but I am here. At your service, Your Majesty.”

“The island will make you right again, Serin, but you need to take your place.”

“Yes, yes. I know.”

He chuckled. “Always impatient.”

She sighed. “Put me down.”

He laughed. “Always bossy.”

“Assertive.”

He carefully set her back on her feet, cupped her jaw, and kissed her cheek. “Welcome home.”

“You may regret that. Things are going to change.”

“I am going to be a father, so things already have.”

“My assistant and I are going to check in at the Dark Well Hotel.”

“Why there?”

“The closer to the soil for me, the better. The manor is too fucking tall.”

He blinked. “Oh. Right. Well, would you like a hand?”

Serin smirked. “I think Aeryn would welcome any assistance that can be offered.”

Aeryn muttered, “I’m fine, boss.”

Kekoa made a joke. “Does she have a mark on her?”

Aeryn snorted. “No, shit, Sherlock.”

Serin leaned back and laughed. “This is going to be more fun than you can imagine, Your Majesty. Come on, Aeryn, we need to unpack and get you into something with less than three layers. Sweatsuits aren’t made for the tropics.”

Serin put her crutches forward and swung her legs. They worked past the crowd that touched and greeted her as she passed. Aeryn surrendered the bags to the half dozen alphas waiting to help, but she kept the packs with the computers.

Serin inhaled, and the familiar scents of heat, sun, and soil came to her nose. The Dark Well was off the direct path but had a spring attached to it.

She watched the alphas walk to the hotel and smirked as they obviously wanted to carry her to speed things up but were nervous about suggesting it.

Her legs had begun to fail two years earlier. She had loaned some power to a friend, and it had drained her. Without the island to replenish her, she had been stuck with a slow deterioration and trading her cane for crutches. When a wheelchair had been the next step, she decided to come home.

Aeryn had already been doing a lot of her leg work, and it was not a hard sell to get her to come along, even if she risked meeting her match. As far as Serin knew, Aeryn had no match, but there was the possibility that she might feel complete with a mate. Right now, she was a riot on two legs. Not much could stand in her way and certainly not for long. She was a handy woman to have around.

Aeryn checked them in, and the dazed clerk smiled and asked, “Are you both betas?”

“Yes, we are. How occupied is this facility?”

“We are at fifty-percent capacity, miss. Please, ask for anything you need, including room service.”

“Are the natural spring pools available?”

“Yes, miss. Were you interested in them?”

Serin smiled. “They are my primary reason for booking here. The rooms are adjoining?”

“Yes, ma’am. Would you like help with your bags?”

Aeryn smiled and nodded to the collection of alphas who were staring at Serin. “I’ve got it. Thank you for your assistance.”

They nodded and released her luggage.

Serin smiled and thanked the alphas. “Don’t tell anyone I am here.”

There was a curl of power that she sent out to confirm that no one wrecked the surprise. It really wasn’t hard to bind one thread of gossip when it was about her.

They got their keys, and Aeryn carried the bags to their rooms on the main floor in a distant corner closest to the spring.

Serin smiled. “There is nothing like coming home again. I was surprised by your passport.”

Aeryn chuckled. “I thought you had me thoroughly vetted.”

“I did, but you were born on Emerald?”

“In the middle of the chain on a small research base for weather systems. Natural births are given citizenship, and we get a kiss on our head from the ruling body if we leave with our parents. So, my parents have one country of origin, and I have another.”

Serin smiled. “So, your skills come from the islands.”

“They come from the wind and waves. I am wind and waves. Well, I am now.” Aeryn looked at her. “What can I get away with without causing notice?”

“The maxi dresses. Sandals.”

“Nice. When are we going to your family home?”

“This afternoon. I need to spend some time in the spring to recharge. You are welcome to wander around or check out our office.”

“Of course, Minister.” She grinned. “Are you good?”

“I am good. I know my way around.”

“Okay. Call if you need me. I am gonna strip.” Aeryn headed into her bedroom with her wide lenses in place.

Serin laughed as her assistant began to change into the uniform of the islands with enough concealment to avoid attracting attention. Aeryn had confirmed that she had never been assaulted, but she had run into an alpha at some point, and now, she was using comic book disguises, and so far, they had been working.

Aeryn came out a few minutes later when Serin was finishing her change for the springs. Hair scraped back in a high bun, a voluminous maxi dress in a beautiful blue with a loose sash at the hips. The wide glasses that she favoured obscured her strikingly pretty face.

“So, do I look like a hotty on the prowl?”

Serin grinned. “Nope. You look like a sixty-year-old librarian on vacation.”

Aeryn pumped her fist. “Yes. I will shed my alter-ego when we start trolling for partnerships for the adventure tourism. Amby’s video is only going to whet the appetite, and some folks are terrified of diving. I am more of the jungle hikes, sea-doo, and zipline type myself.”

“Those require infrastructure, and that requires money that Kekoa is not willing to part with. We’ll get it done. Investment will be good for the island.”

Aeryn laughed. “And the population. So many males and so few females. It’s no wonder there are large groupings happening.”

“And you don’t intend to join on.”

“Nope. I like my romance limited to one person, maybe two.”

“How about three?” Serin boosted herself up on her crutches.

“Don’t push it. Do you need a hand getting around?”

“No. I am home now. People are willing to help me.”

Aeryn nodded. “Off I go. Do you want one of those cuffs?”

“Oh, no. Not yet. Not until I am back on my feet. A few days.” Serin breathed deeply. “I already feel better.”

“Are you sure you want me to start running around?”

“Yes. The sooner you get used to this place, the better. See if you can find some food or something.”

“Right. I will bring back some snacks.”

“See if you can find the little sweet crackers with sesame seeds.” She smiled. “Back before lunch?”

“I will try. I may get lost.” She laughed.

Serin smiled. “Just ask for someone to walk you back to the Dark Well. They will do it.”

Aeryn nodded and walked out with the no nonsense clip of hers. Serin followed, wearing a loose robe over her swimwear. She moved slowly down the halls, feeling the heavy silence of the waiting world. When Kekoa was voted in, the people were excited because his union gave energy to the population, but the island went dormant when she left. It was the same as when she took that step onto the ferry. It had waited for her. Now, she had to find the mate that was destined for her at this point in her life and see if he was willing to negotiate. The first mate that was chosen for her was a dud, so now, she was hoping that the island was a better judge than her parents.

Arranged marriages weren’t common, but since land was at stake, she had gone along with them. The turnout had been a disaster, but now, she was older, wiser, and far more powerful. Things were going to be set to rights.

* * * *

Aeryn looked at the very handsome alphas, the charming betas, and the welcoming faces that greeted her as she wandered around the village where they were about to make their home.

A small building down a quiet lane had their office. The Ministry of Tourism was going to make its home there, and that is how they were going to bring more citizens to the island.

She used her passcode on the door and gripped the handle, pulling it slowly. It smelled like new paint and coconut. The interior was arranged into a boardroom and small offices with Aeryn’s desk being out front.

The boardroom had some boxes. Aeryn tore them open and grinned. It was time to make a call.

An hour later, Aeryn heard the knock on the door and opened it to Thera and her three mates. The guys looked worried until they saw her, and then, they relaxed.

Thera grinned, and they hugged. “Back in the islands, eh?”

“Yes. I am guessing you are adapting well?”

Thera giggled, and her men looked relieved.

Aeryn smiled and introduced herself. “Gentlemen, I am Aeryn Yesterway. I am the assistant to the new minister of tourism. Serin. I have a few things for your mate that I believe she will enjoy, and you will have to carry, so this works.”

Thera blinked. “Oh, sorry. I am getting used to this. This is Orc, Skaay, and Kayak of the Daring Pod. My pod.”

“Pleased to meet you.”

Thera murmured, “Aeryn works for Serin, and Serin convinced Ford to send me here to shoot the background shots.”

Aeryn smirked. “Serin is a long-term thinker. I prefer to act in the moment. So, Thera, did she share any of what we are going to need?”

Thera shrugged. “She was vague.”

“Right, well, come this way. I will explain as you open the boxes.”

Thera was curious, and so were her pod. Thera got to the boardroom and started opening the boxes, squealing as she did so.

“We are going on a full what can you do in five days ad campaign. Everything action-centred is going to be there, and I need you to take the images, still or moving.”

Thera gasped as she unwrapped box after box of cameras, bags, tripods, and equipment. When she was caressing the handheld camera, she looked up. “Do you have an athlete or fitness model for me to shoot?”

“Well, yes and no. The person that you are going to be photographing is me.”

Thera laughed and said, “No. You are kidding, right?”

Aeryn smiled. “Since your pod is taken, there isn’t any issue, so...”

She released her hair to cascade down with the ends near her ankles. Aeryn removed her glasses and calmly walked over to the ironwood table. She lifted it. “So, I will be removing my camouflage for this as there are some stunts that I have planned that would not be suitable for someone else to attempt. The jet ski is in storage, and tomorrow, I would like to take it for a spin. Those will have to be distance shots, I am afraid.” She set the table down.

Thera was holding a camera and cocked her head. “Can you outline your figure a bit? I want to see what I am working with.”

Aeryn laughed and reached behind her to tighten her maxi dress, and Thera nodded with a smile. “Thought so. You were in one of the battle scenes on one of Ford’s videos.”

“Yes. Part of an army of amazons running across the plains or something.”

“Yeah, you weren’t even winded.”

“I’ve got stamina, but I try and avoid being in the public eye. This is the one exception I am willing to make.”

Thera snapped her camera and looked at the image. “Nice. So, why are you hiding what you look like?”

“Once upon a time, I did a good deed, and I have had someone trying to track me ever since.” She held up a hand. “It isn’t malicious. It was just interest, and I am hoping that enough time has passed that he has lost that interest.”

Kayak snorted. “So, he was an alpha?”

“He probably still is. There was a gunfight, a car chase, and a bloody kiss in the hospital.”

Orc murmured, “Oohh. All the elements of a good romance. How long ago was it?”

“Eight years. I was working at an auction house, and there was an incident. The attackers were... detained for the authorities. I got fired for leaving my post.”

The orca alphas looked at her with interest.

She grinned. “Enough about me. The shots I need are going to be on a jet ski, a paddle board, and surfing. Then, swimming, snorkelling, and scuba diving. Are you four up for that?”

Thera muttered as she looked down at her new camera, “They had better be.”

Skaay laughed. “Miss Aeryn, do you have any skills that we need to be aware of?”

“Oh, I control wind and waves.” She smiled brightly.

The orcas laughed, but Thera looked at her seriously. “Thanks for this opportunity.”

“No problem. After this, it is trekking through the jungle and zip lining all over the place. We can use our drones.”

Thera giggled. “This is like the best holiday present ever.”

“I am glad I could find something you like.” She pulled her hair back into a bun and fastened it with hair pins. The glasses slid into place, and she fluffed out her dress.

Thera asked, “Why are you still hiding if you are willing to be out and about?”

“Because casual exposure is the kind of thing that will get me into a photo database looking for my features.”

Thera blinked. “You are joking.”

“Nope. That’s how he found me the first time. He insisted on courting me, but I was twenty at the time. I disappeared, and I heard he was still looking, but I wasn’t able to face settling down. I wasn’t done yet, and I knew it.”

Thera nodded. “Ah. Got it. That’s the same reason I couldn’t come back here until I knew the time was right.”

Orc frowned. “You weren’t ready?”

“I wasn’t ready. Dad still needed me, and it took me two years of dealing with my grief to come to the conclusion that I was ready to find someone to touch my soul.”

Kayak smiled. “And other places.”

Thera snorted.

Aeryn chuckled. “Well, this is your loot to do with what you please. So, are you willing to participate? You will be compensated for your time as a photographer and the charters.”

The guys grinned, and Thera made happy sounds as she tucked the cameras into their travel bags. Kayak helped, and soon, they were all geared up, and he said, “So, tomorrow morning?”

Aeryn nodded. “Dawn?”

“How about before dawn? There is a wandering island that would be fun to get shots against. It’s a little far out, but I am sure we can find it.”

She wrinkled her nose. “Maybe on the second trip out. Tomorrow, I just want to do the active stuff.”

Kayak nodded. “As long as we can get some footage. That thing only comes by once in a lifetime.”

“For how long?”

“It is usually visible for about two weeks according to legend. Reports said it appeared two or three days ago.”

She snorted. “Fine, we can film near it tomorrow.”

Kayak chortled. “Yes.”

Thera smiled. “I know the logo on this tech.”

“Yes, Violet has been interested in local economy and wants to trial some of her newest cameras and drones for this.” She chuckled. “We are to test to destruction, if necessary, but normal use is expected.”

Thera smiled. “We can do that. I am going to test all of this out in our cove. The guys need to smile pretty for the cameras.”

“Go nuts, just have everything charged for us leaving at...”

Orc grinned. “Four.”

“Ouch. Right. Four. At the dock?”

Skaay nodded. “Yes. We can come collect you if necessary.”

“No. The Dark Well is off the beaten path. I will find my way.”

Skaay blinked. “Why are you staying there?”

“It has a natural spring, and Serin needs it, so she will have it.” She shrugged. “I won’t be spending much time there.”

She had a thought. “Oh, do any of you know of a vendor that has little sesame seed crackery things that are sweet?”

Orc smiled slowly. “I know it. It is near a bakery, and they usually have a stack in the corner. Do you have a sweet tooth?”

“No. Serin wants to get back to the home feeling as soon as she can. She requested it, so I will try and find it. Thank you.”

They walked out past the neatly stacked cardboard, the guys all carrying black bags and Thera grinning and taking aim with the camera in her hands.

They wandered out, and Aeryn asked, “Do you guys have any bookings for the rest of the week?”

Thera nodded. “In two days, there is a bachelorette party that wants to go snorkelling, but I am not invited to that. The ladies want to swoon over the guys, I guess. Huh. I don’t see the appeal.”

The squeal as Kayak threw her into the air and caught her made Aeryn laugh. They were still in the fun phase of their relationship, and Aeryn hoped it never faded.

For now, she had to get those little treats for her boss.

She locked up and went on the hunt.