Not just the Beta (Oriana and Slade) novel Chapter 134

Palmer

They had spent all morning out there in the forest, going around in circles, tracking every scent that any of them smelled to try and locate Oriana. There was, however, nothing to go on. She had run a full decoy mission for them to track.

They’d tracked her and another female rogue scent, all over the place, from where it started right up at that portal, those trails had all merged into the same track. And they had no idea how she’d gotten from the portal into town. There was no scent of her any closer than the lake, or that little pond he and Yuri had tracked her back to.

Everything led to the portal. He had no idea if she’d actually gone through it or not, but they all now doubted it, even Slade thought it was her way of trying to get them; to go through it. Believe she’d gone through it, they didn’t even know if she knew what was on the other side of it. If so, had she been aiming to harm them? That was a full concern.

They’d only found one thing that was odd out there in the forest, a necklace that hung from a tree, though it did not held Ori’s scent or a rogue scent at all, it smelled like some human had left it behind. But it was right where Ori’s rogue scent had started; odd is what he’d deemed it.

They’d gone back to their hotel after lunch and crashed out for a few hours, and were now in the café once more, with new knowledge, after what that Sheriff had said. Those three girls over there behind the counter, were Ana’s sisters, and Ana was Oriana, so the entire time they’d been here in town those women had known who they were.

He sat himself where he could see the three of them. Maddie, he knew right away, was exasperated to see them in her café once more. Zara was partially amused at Vance and his attentions on her.

But then she’d stood back and watched, with curiosity, the movement of her sister Londyn, after she’d been physically moved aside by Maddie. Zara was intrigued by something about her.

Londyn, however, though Maddie had moved her aside, all the way behind the coffee machine; away from Yuri and he knew it. So that she herself could deal with them, Londyn had, little by little, made her way back to the counter, until she was standing right there next to Maddie once more, looking at Yuri.

He focused his sole attention on Londyn, and yes, she was more than interested in Yuri, she wanted to look at him, but also had from what he was picking up, mixed emotions where he was concerned.

Palmer got up to order before Maddie could come over to the table. He smiled right at her with his most charming smile, and Maddie narrowed her eyes on him, “I said I’d come to the table.”

“Mm,” he nodded, “but with Not for Zara and Not for Londyn over there, irritating you. I thought it might be nice to avoid them.” He was just being friendly with her, he had no issue’s with any of them. They were, if he was correct, just out to protect Ori and her daughter; he liked their loyalty.

“What will you have then?” she asked flatly. She didn’t want them in the café, he was getting that loud and clear.

“Hmm,” he thought about it for only a moment as his eyes moved to the specials board. Nearly laughed as he realised all he needed to do was be very simple but direct. “The boss will have the Ana, special.” He stated, and he watched as her jaw suddenly tightened, “Vance will definitely have the Zara, Special.”

Her jaw was ticking now as she glared right at him, “Yuri, he will have the Londyn, special. Cold brew.” He felt her annoyance notch up to anger with his ordering, “Me, I’ll have… you know what I’ll take the Maddie, special in a latte, thanks.” He’d chosen their drinks on purpose knowing that they all knew who they were, he could play this game, of I know who you are but will plead ignorance about it, as well. “We’ll all have the

house burger with extra fries. To go with those drinks.”

He watched her punch in the order on the register and state the amount. He pulled out his card. “I’m Pamler,” he stated, “It’s nice to meet you, Maddie.”

She just looked at him, again with those narrowed eyes, then nodded and indicated to the eftpos machine

“Pay when you’re ready. Tap, insert or swipe.”

“Hmm, now there are some choices.” He smiled right at her and couldn’t bloody help himself “Which do you prefer?” He smirked just a little, and watched as she threw her hands up in the air, and then just stalked away. Full annoyance rolling off her at his innuendo.

He heard both Yuri and Vance snort with full amusement. Yes, he had a dirty mind sometimes, “I like to insert, personally,” he stated and saw Zara nearly burst out laughing. She also found it amusing, it seemed. Maddie, however, did not. She was the oldest and in protection mode, he thought.

Londyn stepped to the counter as he chuckled softly and completed the payment. He winked right at Londyn, and she frowned up at him, and he got annoyance back from her, she didn’t like him winking at her.

‘Exactly the same?’ Slade frowned at him, his attention drawn away from the window.

‘Yes, exactly the same… Yuri, I believe got himself a Mate while he was unconscious, Palmer told him ‘She reacts like a Mate to him, and those around her getting between her and what is hers, or females, even her sisters she doesn’t like it at all.’

‘There will be no coercion, Palmer. Slade’s frown deepened and there was annoyance in his voice.

‘That’s why I’m telling you my theory, not Yuri. We could, however, test it quite easily though. If young Londyn over there did scent out Yuri on that full moon, she’s definitely otherworldly. All we’d have to do is get Yuri to touch one of her sisters in a flirty manner, a soft caress to an arm or hand even. She’ll feel it.’

‘We don’t know what they are, Palmer. It could cause an actual fight to break out.’

‘Oh, I’m betting on her losing it, if Yuri touched another, she’ll likely out herself. I also don’t think that her sisters know about it, if this is the case. She’s not said anything to any of them.’

Yuri sank down and looked at him. Palmer smiled at him “Thanks.” He stated and took the spoon, twirled it around in his fingers and then accidentally dropped it on the floor. “Bummer,” he sighed, “Excuse me, Maddie, could I get another spoon.” He smiled at her.

She nodded and brought him a new spoon. He let his fingers brush against hers ever so slightly and allowed his charm to roll over her just a little, smiled right at her, “Thank you.” he was just trying to get her to let go of her annoyance with them all being in here.

Her eyes flashed right to his and there was pure annoyance in them, she’d not only felt it, understood what he’d done and didn’t like it either. “Don’t touch me, I’m not for you.” she grated out, right at him and turned and walked away from him.

Palmer was just staring after her, he’d not used all that much on her and to have her react like that, it shocked him completely. Not many could avoid his charm ‘Not human.’ He shot down the mind-link to all