The Selkie's Alpha

Chapter 1

The breeze carried the scent of the sea throughout the Cowrie Cabana. Seagulls serenaded the waves shushing against the shoreline, and the sand sparkled beneath the sun's warm rays. Whether they were humble humans or venerable vampires, all the resort's guests cast their worries away with the tide.

The selkies running the resort lacked the luxury of such carefree relaxation, especially those who worked alongside Brooke.

"Make way, everyone!" She yelled as she barreled into the banquet hall. A menagerie of balloon animals squeaked in her arms, with a rainbow of seahorses, manta rays, and starfish spilling onto the floor. "It took forever to get these tied."

"Great bumbling blobfish, could you make a bigger mess?" Her assistant, Benjamin, groaned as the flowers he'd set out disappeared under a sea of colorful plastic. "You do realize this isn't another birthday party, right?"

Brooke's cheeks flushed to match her bright red hair. "Yeah, but who wouldn't love a bunch of balloon animals?"

"Anyone over the age of ten." Benjamin brushed a heap of red snapper off the table, sending the whole school fluttering to the floor. "Werewolves are coming from all across the country for this. Look at everything we have set up!"

Intricately patterned plates lined both sides of the table, with artful arrangements of orchids and other tropical flowers bringing a burst of color to the room. One of the selkies dusted the crystal chandelier in the middle of the banquet hall while another folded napkins into swans, perching them on each plate. Even the menus were fancy, each one handwritten in elegant cursive.

"Just because they're Alphas doesn't mean they can't have fun." Brooke eased her armload of balloons onto the table, earning an exasperated sigh from the selkie setting out the wine glasses. "Just gotta find the right place to squeeze it in."

"The Alphas will be too busy schmoozing with each other and obsessing over our VIPs to enjoy much else." Benjamin rubbed his temples. "The Blue Moon Ball is the most important event we'll host all summer, so the last thing we need is to worry about you—"

"Her doing what, Benjamin?" Mrs. Wells entered the banquet hall bearing a clipboard and a scowl. With her iceberg-white sealskin draped across her shoulders and her manager badge pinned to her chest, she left no room for questioning who was in charge of the resort. "Cedar Pack just arrived, and we don't have time to clean up any messes."

"Doing whatever this is." Benjamin waved at the balloon animals scattered throughout the banquet hall, kicking a blue and white narwhal away from his feet. "I highly doubt the Alphas would appreciate a circus."

Heat rushed to Brooke's face. "It's not a—!"

POP!

A cascade of silverware clattered to the floor as one of the staff grabbed the table for support, the deflated remains of a balloon clinging to her high heels. Benjamin swore as he dove for a vase, only for leaves and soggy petals to spill across the table like the aftermath of a hurricane.

All eyes turned to Brooke.

"I just wanted the Alphas to have fun." Brooke hugged her armful of balloons close to her chest, grimacing as they squeaked in protest. "Sorry, Mom."

Her mother surveyed the damage with her lips set in a firm line. After a moment of silence, she let out a long, slow breath. Nodded.

"Nothing we can't deal with." Brooke's mother put a hand on her shoulder and offered her a tired smile. "The balloons might not fit with what I had in mind, but I'm sure the pups would love to find a little friend waiting for them in their rooms."