The Replacement Aplha

The Beach Party

“Do you really keep all of this stuff in your car?” I asked as Victoria dumped out the contents of her makeup bag out onto my bed.

“Sure, you never know when there is going to be an emergency.” She sorted through the various cosmetics and tools spread across my duvet.

I had a hard time believing that there would ever be such a crisis where makeup would be the only solution.

 Suddenly, I was glad Dad wasn’t home as I would have been embarrassed to get caught participating in something so… out of character.

“You are much more tanned than me, so we’ll have to use your concealer. Other than that, I should be able to work with everything we’ve got here,” she explained excitedly.

Victoria instructed me to sit on the bed while she pulled up a chair for herself and began working on her masterpiece.

“I’m not really a big makeup person… do you mind not putting too much on?” I asked nervously. What if she was planning on making me look like one of the girls in her fashion magazines? Those girls had so much makeup caked on they could easily have been the centre attraction at a circus.

“Don’t worry. You’re so naturally good-looking, I’m just going to enhance a few of your best features.”

Victoria’s brow frowned in determination as she began applying various liquids and powders to my face. Her technique was very gentle, and I had to hold back a sneeze when the brush tickled my nose.

While my eyes were closed, she dusted my eyelids with a shimmery eyeshadow and asked, “So, what kind of tiki-themed clothes do you have?”

“Tiki? I don’t think I have any. Thomas didn’t mention there was a theme.”

“We’ll figure something out,” she stated. “Alright, you can open your eyes now, I’m done.”

I grasped the handheld mirror Victoria had thrusted at me and gazed at my reflection.

I couldn’t believe that the girl looking back in the mirror was me. Victoria had done an exceptional job.

My watery blue eyes looked strikingly sharp against the silvery eyeshadow and subtle eyeliner. My cheeks were both rosy and sharply defined from the blush and bronzer that had been applied. There was no evidence left of the small pimple that had manifested on my cheek earlier; my skin was clear and glowing. Even my lips, which were full and plump on their own, looked better with the soft pink shade of tinted lip balm.  

“Wow,” was all I could say.  

“I know, right?” she said, already sorting through my meager closet. “You look stunning. You’re going to make all of the guys at the party go nuts.”

“I told you, I don’t really have any beachy clothes,” I said.

She turned, grasping an old tank top of mine and a pair of scissors. She lifted one eyebrow up suggestively. “Then I guess we’ll have to improvise.”

I stood in front of the bathroom mirror, gawking at the outfit Victoria and creatively put together for me. After several minutes of begging, she had finally convinced me to wear it tonight. She thought I looked like the Moon Goddess herself; I thought I looked promiscuous.

The white tank top had been cut and tied so that it stopped two inches above my bellybutton. An old blue beach wrap was used as a makeshift skirt that slit dangerously high above my knee.

Victoria had used some of her shimmery gold eyeshadow to paint delicate, swirling patterns on my hands that climbed up towards my wrist.

 “You look amazing,” Victoria reassured me, popping her head into the room.

“Why don’t you come with me?” I offered, but Victoria just shook her head.

“A lowly Omega like me doesn’t belong at a party like that,” she said sadly.

“But I’m an Omega,” I reminded her.

She leaned her small body against the doorframe. “Yes, but you’re also a Healer. Plus, you were mated with Alpha Ben. Obviously, fate has much bigger plans for you.”

“Well, I’m sure Thomas wouldn’t mind if I brought a friend…”

“Seriously, Scarlett, I can’t go. Thanks for the offer, though.”

I didn’t blame her for rejecting my suggestion, I understood what was going through her mind. Like her, I was an outcast, and was likely to be the lone wolf at the party. It was very probable that I would end up sipping a coke alone while I watched the remainder of the guests enjoying themselves.

Victoria checked her phone and gasped. “You better get going. At this point, you are well beyond being fashionably late.”

She shoved me, rather aggressively, out of the bathroom and towards the front door. I barely had time to grab my car keys and purse before she practically threw me out of the house.  

Victoria started towards her vehicle.

“Have a fun time!” She waved enthusiastically at me. The ignition of her beat up Chevy truck fired up. I watched her back out of my driveway.

And with that, she was gone.

And I was alone.

Breathing exercises have been proven to reduce anxiety, I thought to myself as I took a final turn down the sandy lane that would lead me to Eclipse Beach.

One slow, controlled breath in, then release.

In the darkness, my headlights suddenly illuminated cars parked on either side of the road. I decided to pull over and join the parade of vehicles aligned on the curb.

I got out of my Kia and nervously watched various friend groups as they laughed and conversed together, all hurrying towards the main attraction. I could hear faint music thumping distantly in the evening air. Lights glistened further down the road, drawing the young guests in like moths to a flame.

I shivered. It was cold. I should have worn a sweater, but Victoria had advised against it.  

Rubbing my arms viscously in hopes to create warmth from the friction, I began the trek towards the shoreline.

A couple of giggling girls dressed in bikini tops and daisy-duke shorts glanced at me. At least I wasn’t going to be the most scantily dressed female at this event.

I passed a circle of young men who were sharing a joint. The hair on the back of my neck pricked up when I felt their eyes watching me.

That, I definitely didn’t miss.

The crowds of people became thicker and the music’s volume intensified. 

I sucked in a breath when a throng of guests split and allowed me to see the extravagant setting that opened up before me.

The main structure looked like it had been built right on the spot. It was a great wooden platform that was raised several inches above the sandy beach. A DJ blasting the song ‘Knee Deep’ by Zac Brown Band occupied one side of the structure. On the other side, at least a hundred guests were dancing to the catchy tune.

Strings of lights illuminated the entire location while heat lamps flickered, providing warmth in the brisk evening. To provide additional heat, several massive bonfires had been built further down the shoreline.

Extravagant tables were piled high with theme-appropriate foods including fresh oysters, delicious looking shrimp, and beautifully decorated deserts.

Several Omega’s tended margarita and mojito stations, serving drinks in fresh pineapples and coconut shells.

It was every 18-year-old’s dream birthday party. No doubt Luna Evelynn had planned every little detail, down to the last drink umbrella.

The extraordinary surroundings distracted me from seeing the birthday boy himself. It wasn’t until he sent an exaggerated wave in my direction, did I finally notice him. 

Thomas looked painfully handsome in his Hawaiian shirt that, much to my pleasure, was unbuttoned, exposing his cleanly cut abs and solid pectoral muscles. He was holding a pineapple drink in one hand and was surrounded by a group of ogling girls.

Before I knew it, he had excused himself from his fan club, and after a few disappointing pleads from the girls, he made his way towards me, a wide smile spread across his face. 

“Scar!” he cried out.

His intoxicating smell drifted towards me again – fresh timber.

“I’m 18 in t-minus…” he glanced at his watch, “…1 hour!”

He pulled me into a strong hug.

“Looks like someone’s feeling better,” I said when he finally let me go.

“Much better, all thanks to my brilliant Healer! Brilliant, beautiful Healer!”

I was shocked. Thomas never made comments about my looks.

Over the years, I had complained to him countless times that my attractiveness was a curse instead of a blessing. Not only did it give me unwanted attention, it also prevented pack members from seeing me as more than a pretty little object. No one bothered to look at the girl inside.  

As I studied his face, I quickly discovered the reason for his compliment – his flushed cheeks, his blissful demeanor – Thomas was slightly intoxicated.

“Why don’t I get you a drink?” Thomas suggested.  

“No thanks, Thom.”

“No, seriously, Scar. The daquiris are to die for!”

The words stung, bringing back a painful memory I would have preferred to not recollect while I was surrounded by a hundred whispering guests. 

Thomas saw the hurt in my eyes and his smile immediately evaporated.

“Oh s**t, Scar, your mom….” he trailed off, “I’m such an i***t. I’m so sorry.”

“It’s okay. It’s not that big of a deal,” I forced the corners of my mouth upwards.  

“No, it is a big deal. Look,” he put down his pineapple drink at a table and raised both of his empty hands out in front on him. “That was my last drink for the night.”

I grasped one of his hands and gave it a comforting squeeze. “Thomas, it’s your 18th birthday. You have to drink.”

“Nope,” he shook his head and his playful smile returned, “I don’t need alcohol to have a good time. Especially when I’m with you.”

I became aware that I hadn’t let go of his hand. We stood there, looking at each other in silence, until someone interrupted.

“There you are!” A familiar voice called out.

Emily.

She was wearing a skimpy bikini top and a mini skirt that left little to the imagination. Her hair had been curled and was piled on top of her head with elegant ribbons. Although her breasts were relatively small and she didn’t have much for curves, she had a flat stomach and toned legs.

I had to admit, she looked good. Even the cut on her eyelids had started to heal, and any remaining evidence of it had been covered by a thick layer of concealer.

Her eyes drifted towards Thomas and I’s interlocked hands and I instantly let go. She frowned slightly and tilted her chin upwards.

“You haven’t been avoiding me, have you, Birthday Boy?”

“Emily! Of course not!”  Thomas gave her shoulders a quick squeeze with both of his outstretched arms. “I’m so glad you made it!”

“And you haven’t forgotten you promised to save me a dance?” she pouted, protruding her lower lip out dramatically.

“Of course not!”

“Good,” she gave a satisfied smile.

“Emily, I’d like you to meet a good friend of mine, Scarlett.”

Apparently, that was when Emily decided that I wasn’t just part of the background. She looked me up and down, then grinned.

“We’ve already met, actually,” she cooed. “Scarlett was the one who took care of me after my unfortunate incident.”

“Well that’s awesome!” Thomas exclaimed, “I’m sure you two will get along great! If you two will excuse me for a moment, I want to grab my Beta and introduce him to Scarlett!”

As soon as Thomas disappeared into the crowd, Emily’s attitude changed drastically from sugary sweet to hostile.

“I thought I recognized your name when I met you at the hospital,” she glared at me and crossed her arms. “So, I looked you up, and do you know what I found?”

“I think I have a general idea,” I said.

“You’re the one that rejected Ben and then disgracefully fled the pack, leading to his death.” Her eyes formed hateful slits. “If you think you are going to be able to dig your claws into Thomas as well, you can forget it.”

“Excuse me?” I scoffed.

“You heard me. I’m not sure if it crossed your empty mind, but it’s Thomas’s 18th birthday, which means there’s a very good chance that he will find his mate tonight. And it’s going to be me.”

Shit. Emily was right, I had completely forgotten.

It was very possible that Thomas’s mate was one of the doting female party guests here tonight.

I gulped.

Thomas had just come back into my life.

If he was mated tonight, I would lose him again. 

SR