Fairytale Flicker

Issa went from ex-stripper to intoxicant with one touch of an alpha. Spending years with her skin hidden, she gets the shock of her life after a wedding when a friend introduces her to a familiar face, and her body goes wild... again. Issa lived her last few years in shadows, going out with all her skin covered until she attended a friend’s wedding and bumped into the guy who started it all for her. He just wants a hookup, and she doesn’t want to play, so she leaves him and returns home after the wedding. Covered up after a nocturnal grocery run, she finds two men on her porch, and one is her would-be hookup. The alphas agree to court her, and she agrees to let them... with conditions. There is a rough start, an awkward mistake, and a truce before they can begin moving forward to join the magic that binds them. Daynette met her alpha years ago, then attacked the same night. She had no memory of the night but one adorable souvenir. When one of Issa’s mates recognizes the little girl’s distinctive features, he makes a call. Daynette’s world tilts as she ends up looking up into eyes that look exactly like her daughter’s. Oh boy. She really wished she could remember their time together. The characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author. Fairytale Flicker Copyright © 2023 by Viola Grace ISBN: 978-1-990635-22-9 ©Cover art by Angela Waters All rights reserved. With the exception of review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, is forbidden without the express permission of the publisher. Published by Viola Grace Look for me online at violagrace.com. Fairytale Flicker Betas in Waiting Book 7 By Viola Grace Chapter One Issa pulled her hood on, snugged her gloves into place, and looked at her face in the mirror. Her makeup was holding, and she looked normal, just like any normal beta. She stepped into her shoes and left her house to pick up groceries. She kept her hands in her pockets and walked through the winter streets, looking at all the couples who were walking together in the glow of the lights and reflections of the snow. She could feel happiness in the air. The winter festival was around the corner, and she just wanted to feel as close to normal as she could. Garlands hung on entryways, wreaths were on doors, and when she looked back, her own home blended in. It looked ready for festivities, but she didn’t have many people to celebrate with. She kept walking and heard snippets of music and television coming from the homes. A smile came to her lips, and she kept walking to pick up her needed food items to get her through the week an hour before the shop closed. She hummed to herself and watched the stars flicker and dance. The late-night concerts were letting out, and her street was popular for free parking. In the time she had entered the store to the point of walking home, half the street had cleared. Issa despised hearing the laughter of the folks getting back to their cars and the roar of the engines. She liked her life quiet, and the people she observed needed to be in love or infatuated. Anyone else agitated her after the change. She walked home with the soft rustle of her fabric bags brushing against her legs and frowned when there was a sleek sportscar parked behind a heavy jeep in front of her house. Issa paused and looked at her porch. Two men were visible sitting on her lawn chairs. They were oddly familiar silhouettes. Issa walked up to her door and unlocked it. They rose to their feet. She stepped inside, closed and locked the door behind her. * * * * Thacker looked at Remon. “That wasn’t the reaction I was expecting.” Remon snorted and shook his ridiculously good-looking head. “Nor me. I usually get a second look, at least.” Thacker raised his hand and knocked on the door. “Issa. We would like to speak with you.” She returned to the door and looked at them through lightly tinted sunglasses. “Why? You explained yourselves very well at the wedding. Not looking for a mate. Got it. You do you, and I will do me.” She looked at Thacker and then to his left. “Both of you.” Thacker cleared his throat. “We have reconsidered.” “Congratulations, but I believe no means no.” Remon’s car alarm started sounding, and Thacker felt his smugness at his back. Issa hissed and said, “Turn that thing off and come in. I have neighbours.” Thacker stepped inside when she opened the door, and Remon’s car silenced itself. “Nicely done.” Remon murmured softly, “Not just a pretty face.” They walked into the small, tidy house and looked around at the seasonal decorations. Issa lived in a warm holiday-scented cave, and it suited her. Remon closed the door behind him, and Thacker wiped his feet before taking off his shoes and walking into the space that had been designed with their hostess in mind. She looked at them with a glare and asked, “Can I get you water or anything?” Remon murmured, “Water would be great.” Thacker nodded. “Please.” Issa nodded. Her dark sweatsuit covered her body, and her gloves were still on. “Back in a moment. Have a seat.” Thacker watched her move soundlessly away in her thick socks. She liked soft things all around her. She would need a nest, unlike some of the other betas. He liked nests. His beast thought it was a fantastic idea. Remon’s beast could go fuck itself. He sat carefully on the couch, and Remon sat next to him. The couch creaked. Thacker asked, “Can you heal a couch?” “I