She hugs me stronger than I anticipated. Something about the gesture calms me as the elevator lowers us to the fields.
“It’s going to be okay.”
“How do you know?” I ask as we get our turn in the large elevator.
“Because ABR will protect us. These males have signed up because they have money, kingdoms, starships, soldiers, and the desire to take care of a female. If what he wants isn’t what you want, you can opt not to pick anyone at the end of the week. Or, you can work for ABR until you can afford another heat.
“You put up the money for this first round, which shows your dedication. ABR doesn’t throw that away. You got yourself here. They’re never going to let you fall backward. You think it’s just an escape, but ABR, at leastOhni’sABR, is a stepping stone to greater things for Earth women.”
“Can I be honest?”
“Sure.”
As we step out of the elevator onto the fields and I get my first look at the massive arena where horny males will chase us and claim us, I can’t help but wonder. “Why here, for you, I mean. You must have money to go anywhere. Why not just visit places and meet someone the natural way?”
Cora bumps into us as we make our way to the railing. “I mean, take the time to do that or get a high concentration of hot, wealthy, capable alphas in one spot that will fight over me? Plus, all the fancy dining, spa evening, the space tour, and the hormonal games? Like, who wouldn’t want to speed up the process, feel like an object of lots of guys’ desires, and have a great time doing it?”
“Oh, please,” my other friend whispers. “She’s here to be the center of attention.” She waves to a group of blue-banded women. “I might be a pink, but even shy girls are here because, deep down, we all want to be valued and desired.”
“Cora? Is that you?”
Cora turns around and hustles off, shouting at someone else she knows.
“I’m Eira, by the way,” the woman beside me says. “Overheard your conversation with Cora. I was in the booth behind yours. Amphirans will like that crass humor. Use it! I like your choice!”
She gives me a thumb and then points to someone else. “I’m going to say hi to some others.”
“Sure. Thanks for—” I’m not sure what to say.Being nice?
“Don’t mention it.” She walks off. “Ohni! It’s been years, girl! I can’t believe you’ve taken over the races, and I’m so sorry to hear about your mother’s and Ruby’s passing. If you need anything—”
I smile to myself and stop listening because I really do feel tons better. Cora might be odd, but she would be good to a packof Mindor. It’s clear she has a pack mentality, monitoring the health of others.
“See you met Cora.” A green-banded woman leans up against the white railing beside me. “She’s nice. Gave me a pill, too. Did you hear about the changes this round?”
“Would only matter if I’d ever had the time to watch the previous ones.”
“Ah, I hear ya. Only managed to see a handful myself between shifts.”
I feel more comfortable talking with her, maybe because she’s more relatable. “Who are you hoping for?”
“Vinym, actually.”
“Aren’t they sort of poisonous?”
The woman wears glasses and sports a tight bun of auburn hair. “Anything in excess is poisonous. But I’m in toxicology, so to me, it’s interesting. Besides, I’m more turned on by intellect. Sure, muscle is hot, but if the dude’s dumb as rocks, I ain’t into it.”
I purse my lips, trying not to smile.
“What?”
“My plus one teased me about finding a tentacle alien and ending up with kids with extra limbs. So I’m just hoping for a standard humanoid so I don’t have to think about his comments for the rest of my life.”
She laughs. “With my luck, I’ll get picked by a big brute who can’t spell his own name and speaks in fragments. And, with my past, I won’t tell him no.”
“You don’t have to say yes,” I offer.
“This is my point. Ihaveto say no. I’m not good at that. What about you? Any worries?”
