Page 39 of Free for Adventure

She chuckled. “You wouldn’t. My mom died because she mated with my father. I never met her. Dad was an alpha, and Mom was a beta. They didn’t even get a year together before I ruined everything. Don’t worry, I am not guilty. Dad made sure that I knew that I was wanted and loved, but I associate alphas and families with death. Even with these marks that indicate things will have a more favourable outcome, I still think what I think.”

Kayak said softly, “I guess I can see how a family situation like that would alter your sense of family.”

“My family is dead. Home is a concept I don’t really grasp. No matter how fun you three look, I can’t see myself here. There is nothing that appears achievable. I don’t fit.”

She got to the older hotel and walked to the room that had an exterior access.

Kayak muttered, “You are kidding.”

“Nope. I don’t like to be confined. I need a way out at all times.” She opened her door and held it open with her shoulder.

“Yeah, I am getting that.”

“Drop the camera on my bed, please.”

He looked around. “Since there is nowhere else to put it, fine. Fuck, this place is tiny.”

“Thanks for dropping that off. I am going to send the footage to Ford, and that’s it for the day.” She flexed her hand. “I think I might head to the first aid centre. It will be fun and different for them not to have sex sprains on the menu.”

She got her computer up and pulled the drive from the camera. The file transfer to Ford’s drop site was underway.

She looked up, and Kayak was still there, all muscly and nearly naked.

“You can go and find a shirt or something. Resume your normal daily tasks.” She double-checked the upload and nodded before walking toward him. “I am still going to the first aid centre for a quick x-ray.”

“You don’t trust Skaay’s work?”

“I triaged the injury. My shoulder is fucked up as well.” She nodded. The door closed behind them.

She walked to the cluster of shops and went past it to find the first aid centre. She was pretty sure that she was in for another relocation. Her shoulder felt like hell.

Chapter Seven

Thera sat up and breathed through the pain that had struck. Both her shoulder and wrist had been out of alignment. Her arm was fucked. She got her phone out and typed with one hand to Ford. I just cracked my arm and am out of commission. If you are sending someone to do the B-roll, let me know.

There were the three dots, and when the message popped up, she leaned back and exhaled, keeping tears at bay. Thera, we have wrapped up here, and I don’t have any other projects for you. Enjoy your vacation, and send the camera back when you can.

She nodded and replied Sure.

Kayak came into the small room, and she said, “Are there any places around here that can ship the underwater camera back to the mainland?”

He frowned and nodded. “Sure. Why?”

“I won’t be needing it again.”

“Why not?”

“He doesn’t have other projects for me. So, now, I have to start up the freelancing career again. Steady work was nice while it lasted.”

Kayak handed her a cup of juice, and she sipped at it.

She swallowed. “I have the hotel room until the end of the week. I can relocate to Emerald, maybe become a wedding photographer or something?” She muttered it out loud and sipped at her juice as she thought. Her left arm was in a sling, and the tech was off getting a brace for her wrist. Skaay had taken care of the crack on her elbow. It showed as healed now.

Kayak nodded. “I will be right back.”

“Mm-hm.” She kept going through her options. Being a videographer for private porn was an option. Taking pictures of people’s pets was an option. Maternity shoots were going to be a thing if Haravin was as pregnant as Thera thought.

Thera had talked with Alexi, and they had discussed how eager alternative alphas were to have their true forms photographed with their families.

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