Chapter 1

 “Stella! Are you ready yet?” This girl took forever to get ready! “Our plane leaves in thirty minutes!”

 

“Grace, you are the Alpha’s daughter. You literally own the airplane, relax.” Stella looked over at me. I have been packed for an entire day at this point. Laying on her four-poster bed, she was taking her sweet ass time getting around.

 “So, that doesn’t mean we should be late.” It was all I could but stare at my beautiful best friend. Creamy mocha skin with long black hair and chocolate eyes. She was built like a model, but she always compared herself to a stick. Small breast and a little booty was all she had but knew how to dress her body.

 “What you should worry about is what you are wearing.” Stella looked me up and down pointedly. The disapproval was clear before she looked away. 

 “What’s wrong with what I’m wearing?” It was black biker shorts and a white Nike t-shirt. Stella, of course, was wearing a red sundress.

 “You look like a scrub.” Stella was zipping up her suitcase.

 “We are going to the beach. I don’t care what I look like!”

 “What if you find your mate?” Stella argued as I sat up. It was all I could do to not roll my eyes. I was 19 and mateless. Stella didn’t have a mate either. She is 20 and has accepted she probably won’t. Since she has an older brother, there isn’t any pressure on her. I also had an older brother, but since I was Alpha blood, it was frowned upon I didn’t.

 Stella was finally ready to head out, making me a little less anxious. However, we barely made it out of her room before we both got lectured this time. “There you are. Sis, you’re going to be late.” Vincent, my brother, was walking up to us with his future beta and Stella’s brother, Derek. 

 Vincent had his entire body covered in tattoos at this point. Both arms, chest, back and probably 80% of his legs. He thought it made him look tougher. His black hair and dark eyes and standing at 6’7” helped that out. Derek was the male version of Stella. Tall and skinny, with black hair and mocha skin. Although he had his fair share of tattoos, he didn’t have nearly as much. However, he was a little taller than Vincent.

 “Stella took forever.” Derek took Stella’s bag as Vincent took mine.

 “You two need to be safe on this trip. Stay in the designated areas and do you remember our allies in that area?”

 “Yes, Vincent.” I didn’t even try to hide my eye roll this time. “Alpha John..”

 “Alpha Ethan!” Vincent looked alarmed, but I started laughing.

 “I know! It’s so easy to get you going.” I pushed his arm.

 “Not funny. He isn’t exactly a friendly Alpha.” The moment the doors opened, the sun welcomed us. There was a car waiting to take up to the plane.

 “He’s been our ally for how long now?” Stella asked.

 “Decades, but that is beside the point. He isn’t friendly or easy to work with.” Vincent looked strained.

 “Didn’t he just take over?” I asked.

 “Yes, about a year ago.” Derek put our luggage in the truck as Vincent opened the doors.

 “He has assigned two guards to you. Don’t embarrass us.” Vincent said as I slipped in and sat down.

 “Seriously? You are worried about us embarrassing you?” That struck a nerve. “Thanks for the confidence.” Grabbing the handle, I slammed the door shut, making him get out of the way. I even made sure to lock it so he couldn’t open it again. Stella got in on the other side.

 The car drove away, leaving Derek and Vincent watching us. “Don’t let him ruin your mood!” Stella grabbed my hand and tried to make me feel better. 

 “You’re right. Fuck, Derek. This will be a great trip.” Pushing him out of my mind, I started thinking about the ocean.

 “I hope our body guards are hot.” Stella smirked.

 “Better be. What kind of vacation would it be without some eye candy?”

 “Oh, look!” Stella held up her phone. She showed me reviews for this new club that was just opened. “It’s only been open for a few months, but this place looks amazing.”

 “Good thing I brought a dress or two!” There was a black and a deep red one that always got me free drinks.

 “I also have a list of restaurants I want to try.” Stella pulled her phone back and kept messing with it as we pulled into the private airport.

 “I want to go shopping too.” The car came to a stop in front of a red carpet. Grabbing my purse, I was out before the guards could open my door.

 “Have a good trip, Grace.” Evan was always someone I enjoyed flirting with. We never kissed, but he was my go-to pick for a bodyguard. I’ve been known to ditch a few guards in my time, however I liked Evan, so I listened. Since I listened, dad started always assigning Evan to me but he commanded Evan to never touch me inappropriately unless it was life-threatening situation. Which only happened once or twice? Mainly because Evan Agreed to go on adventures with me.

 “I’m sad you’re not coming!” I pushed out my lip.

 “I’m sure you are.” He rolled his eyes and grabbed my bag as we walked to the plane. “Seriously, call me day or night. I’ll be on a plane in minutes.”

 “I know. I can always count on you.” If there wasn’t some stupid rule about mating in your rank, I would seriously look at Evan. He isn’t the tallest but is still 6 foot. On the skinner side, but completely void of fat. Nothing but muscle lined his body, except a massive back tattoo that came up to his neck and around his shoulder. It was tribal in memory of his grandma that passed away.

 “Bye, Evan!” Stella waved from the top of the stairs as I took my bag.

 “I’m serious, Stella. Do not drink tequila and go into the water!” Evan gave her a look as I ran up the stairs.

 Rolling her eyes, Stella walked into the plane. “Get drunk once and go for a swim once and the world is ending.” Sitting down, we buckled up as the crew took our bags down below.

 “Girl, you almost drowned.” Giving her the side eye, I felt the engine start.

 “One time!”

 “That’s all it takes!” I shrugged as the plane started moving.

 “Good morning, Grace and Stella. My name is Oliver. I am your captain today. My co-pilot, Greg, will serve you both drinks and a snack once we are in the air.” Oliver looked back at us. “Please buckle up.”