Page 10 of Last Resort

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Poppy woke up and blinked. She woke up! That meant she had been sleeping. Her head turned, and the soft, silky feel of a blanket against her cheek made her smile. She looked around, and Myro was looking at her with a slight smile on his face. She eased her face into calm lines, and Myro snorted.

She stuck her tongue out at him, and he grinned. She shifted out of her sleeping ball, and Breen took the blanket from her. She wanted to make a sound of protest but knew it would be a needy whine. She slowly sat back up and did a controlled stretch.

The attendant came by and smiled. “Would you like lunch?”

“Yes, I am just going to find the restroom.”

“To the rear on the left.”

She walked to the restroom and used the facilities, and when she looked at herself in the mirror, she jolted. “Damn it!”

There was a laugh from the passenger area.

She was standing there in full Elite omega manifestation. Pointed ears, shining skin, and long white hair that hung down below her butt. Her sweatsuit wrecked the view, but she washed her hands and stalked back to her seat, meeting the surprised gazes of the folk who had seen her other form.

“Hey, what’s up?” She waved at the recruiters and the photographers. “Hiya.”

A familiar woman raised a camera and took a snap. Win was there with both of her mates and an impish grin.

“Yeah, sorry. I didn’t think I could sleep on the flight, but I did. I slipped. I understand if this makes me ineligible to compete. I can get myself home.”

Narro snorted. “Oh, I already told them. It’s why I asked for your optional height. It will be a fun addition to the program.”

She glared at him. “Squealer.”

“I worked for Ford. I know a good opportunity when I see one. Your flickering as needed between forms is going to be quite the crowd-pleaser.”

She made a face. “It will be embarrassing.”

Narro asked, “Why don’t you smell like anything?”

“Good hygiene?”

He grimaced. “Really?”

“Well, I had my cycle neutralized to run some errands. It would have been inconvenient, and I don’t want it turned back on until this program is over. I don’t want to lose because I grab onto the wrong guy or the right guy. I am not going to show up on the after-show pregnant.”

Narro blinked and nodded. “That is... sensible.”

“I am nothing if not sensible.”

She returned to her spot, and the attendant brought her a tray with food. A teeny salad started things, and she fought not to make a face as her little pod companions were watching. She moved on to the chicken with roasted vegetables and then had a roll. By the time she finished, there were two bottles of water near her that she took down.

She sat back, and the attendant smiled as she removed the plate. “Did you want dessert? We have a lovely ice cream.”

“No, thank you. I have a list of treats I want to pursue when we land. It’s the only thing I ever used the cuff for. Snacks.”

Myro blinked. “So, you did have a cuff?”

“Oh, sure. It’s in my computer bag, actually. In the islands, it is all you need. Food, shopping, entertainment, sex. All with the tap of a cuff.”

The alpha with the clipboard was leaning against the empty seat. “That is an excellent advertising campaign. I am Ohno, by the way.”

She nodded. “Hello.”

“There is an unfortunate situation with the reservations for your hotel room. Someone has leaked the information to the press, and the hotel is swarmed. I wasn’t able to secure your rooms in time. We have a few people who will put you up for a day or two until the program starts.”

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