Treein

Kestrel was a beta, and an aggressive one that most folks didn't like much. The Empire had picked a future husband for her. This guy was pretty much perfect: born into a high-class family, good-looking, rich, nice, and the envy of everyone around.
People were quick to start whispering.
"Why did such a great guy end up with her? She can't even make tea right and she barely passed her cooking class."
"He won't be able to put up with her for long."
"Right, their love story is a train wreck waiting to happen."
Hearing this stuff over and over, Kestrel started to think that she and her guy, Tarian, were doomed from the start. So, when Tarian showed up with a sweet and pretty girl, Kestrel pulled off her engagement ring and tossed it into the gutter.
From that moment, Kestrel lived free and happy, like a bird soaring in the sky, a fish swimming in the wide ocean.
But a few years into her easy-going life, at a royal shindig, Tarian cornered her. His eyes were all red, and he confessed that he was sorry for everything and that he couldn't stop thinking about her. But Kestrel, wild as ever, wasn't interested in going back to her old life.
Tarian turned white, gritted his teeth and said, "I don't care what you're like, and I can handle your shortcomings. You won't find a more understanding alpha than me."
"Well, I already have a new alpha." To totally shake him off, Kestrel made up a name on the spot. She quickly thought of all the alphas she'd met on the battlefield over the years, and chose the name of a buddy she was tight with, guessing he wouldn't mind.
"He's a good listener, and we're a perfect fit. Plus, he really likes me and doesn't care about my mistakes."
Right after a bummed-out Tarian took off, Kestrel turned around and smacked right into the guy she'd just made up. This guy, a real war hero who'd taken down tons of enemies, turned a bit pink, looked away, and muttered, "You... when did you figure out that I have a crush on you?"

The Beta Dominates Alphas

Later, both Serge and Nichole were shocked when they heard that Kestrel was about to take another trip away from the Tower.


"You mean you're getting ready to leave again?"


"Did the SRD okay your outside job so fast? Where are you going this time?"


"Did you really go to the Polluted Zone? What was it like? Was it scary?"


"I'm kinda jealous of you, Kestrel. Honestly, I don't care what people think. Few betas in the world get to live like you do, freely and comfortably just the way they want."


While they were talking, Locky, neatly dressed in a maid's uniform with a bright white apron, brought over a dessert tart. She moved smoothly and gently, setting the beautiful dessert tart on the table, every action just right for a rich family's maid.


"Thank you." Nicole gave her a sweet smile.


Kestrel's courtyard was messy, and this big place didn't have a butler or a gatekeeper. Good thing there was this kind and cute little maid.


Guest at Home (2)