The Merciless Alpha(erotica)

We got underway late the next morning, taking a short run and anchoring in Moonstone Cove. Here, we got everyone in the water and having a good time. We dove another three places around meals, finally getting underway after dark and heading for La Jolla. It was a little different sleeping while we were moving, but it was very comfortable. When I came up the next morning, we anchored near a remote free-diving spot. The water was too deep for most, but Amy and I could free-dive down fifty feet or more.

That night after dinner, I gathered everyone in the salon and told them about the plans I had for not just this boat, but my career. I used the television and my tablet to show them what I’d researched. “The show I would produce would be a reality show based on our lives and our adventures,” I said. “Modeling, diving, and education would all be represented. We’d start as we leave on our Bodyglove World Tour, then use this boat as a platform for filming additional episodes over the next few months. I think we can put together a season of quality hour-long programs with significant financial upside.”

They had a lot of questions, but we had a lot of answers. Dad was happy we were talking an all-female crew, but Carolyn wanted the majority to be werewolves for protection. I told them I would look for people in the Packs, but the specific skills needed probably didn’t exist among them. Alpha Steven was concerned we didn’t have enough adult supervision.

“This isn’t about partying, this is business,” I said. “I’m putting my money on the line because I believe in this, and I won’t let anyone derail it. I’m bringing in a director, crew, underwater photographers, and everyone else I need. It costs too much money to mess around,” I said. “In between episodes, this will be our home. We can dock outside Vampire territory, and I can have all the security and visitors I need.”

We talked about it for hours, then went to bed without an answer.

Our parents and our Alphas agreed to support my plans before we docked at the marina in Coronado on Friday morning. I was the last one out, locking up the boat behind me. I’d called my accountant on the ride in and told him to execute the one-year lease.

I thanked Captain Thomas and Lynette, then told Loretta goodbye. She’d been great with us; if she were a werewolf, I’d have hired her and her Mom on the spot. The crew got into their rental car while we piled into the two cars we’d left in the lot.

It had been a great time, and I was sad to see everyone head back home.

We had a lot of work to do if we were to make this all work.

The first thing I had to think about was a crew for the yacht. I didn’t need anyone while my boat was in port, but the fine print of the lease agreement required me to hire a properly licensed staff if taking it away from the docks. Even after I owned it outright, my insurance company would insist on proper staffing, or they could deny the claim.

I had talked to Captain Thomas and Loretta on the way into port about the requirements to get a Master’s license. There was no ‘pleasure boat’ exception once I started taking on film crews. The ‘Good Times’ had a seventy-ton displacement, and I intended to operate it in the open ocean. US law required the Captain to have a Coast Guard Master license valid up to 100 tons, authorizing operation up to 200 miles offshore. It wasn’t an easy license to get; you had to have 720 days at sea, with at least 90 of those in the past three years on a vessel over fifty tons, and pass a comprehensive exam. The minimum crew size was the Captain and a Deck Hand.

I wasn’t going to be at sea for that long for years.Text © by N0ve/lDrama.Org.

“There’s a big ‘but’ in that, though,” Thomas had said. “A licensed Master is required on the bridge when the boat is not at anchor or docked, but Coast Guard regulations don’t allow the Master to be there for more than twelve hours a day. So, you have to go from port to port, anchorage to anchorage, each leg less than twelve hours. If you want to make a long transit, you need two people licensed to that level to go straight through.”

“Where do I find a second Master,” I asked. Who knew owning a big-ass boat like this could be so COMPLICATED?

“Right here,” Loretta said. “I’ve been crew on my father’s jobs since I was sixteen. I’ve got my First Mate license already, and I take my Master’s license exam next month.”

“What about deckhands? Could we use Makani and Noelani?”

“They could assist, but they don’t have a Mate’s license, and there is no time to get them in the timeframe you are talking about,” Thomas said. “Lynette is also a First Mate, so despite her duties in the kitchen, she counts. With the three of us, you meet requirements for any transit you want to make. My family can provide all you need, plus as fellow supernaturals, you don’t need to hide your true nature around us.”

That conversation was on my mind as I made up a list of what people I would need for each part of the project. The first part of the adventure was the easiest. I needed a traveling film crew for a little more than two months. I made my list.

Director, with experience with underwater filming, preferably in documentaries

Camera operators (2) with SCUBA qualification and extensive underwater and above water experience. Must also be able to operate hand and fixed cameras above water.

Sound Technician

Safety Diver (hire locally?)

Scientist (hire locally)

Security (2) (Best if can double as safety diver)

I needed at least two camera operators, as I needed to capture what was going on in the boat at the same time as what was going on underwater. The list barely changed for when we moved onto the yacht.

Master 100 Ton Inland/Near Coastal (2) Must be US citizens

Mate

Cook/Housekeeper

I thought about using the twins to cook and clean, but they were going to be part of the reality show. I made a note to talk to them about SCUBA qualifications and free-diving practice. I was going to be busy, so I was hoping Amy could get them the classes and work with them before we left.

I had promised Alpha Steven I would hire werewolves whenever possible, but I didn’t have much hope that I’d find two USCG-licensed Masters of the right tonnage rating among the group. I composed a letter to the Alphas, telling them I was putting together a crew for a documentary series, and asking for any qualified females in their Packs with interest to contact me with their resume. The email included approximate dates and promised market rates and travel. I sent the draft to Alpha Steven and Alpha Leo first, making sure it was ready before I sent it to the rest of the Alphas that night. They responded within the hour, and I sent it out before we left.

With Susan’s help, the girls made three runs to the Marina with our stuff. They got our clothes and other bed/bath things packed and loaded onto my yacht by four. We didn’t have much to start with, and the furniture stayed with the condo. They also brought our kitchen stuff and enough food for the night and morning. Susan promised to deliver groceries to us on Saturday morning. We left the twins there and headed for the base.

Amy and I waited in the parking lot outside the Special Warfare Center for Kai and his buddies to come out. They looked beat after another week of training, but Kai’s face lit up as soon as he saw Amy. She took off running into his arms, leaping up for him to catch her and spin her around. “Amy?”

“I got some of my vision back, my love! I can see your face now!” She proved it by moving in for a lip-lock.

“Seriously? That’s great!” Ricardo hugged Amy as soon as Kai let her go, letting go before Kai got upset.

“How much of your vision came back,” Manuel asked as he got his hug.

“Eighteen percent field of vision, a rough circle where I’m looking,” she answered with a big smile. “Outside that circle is still blurry, but I’ll take it!”

“That’s wonderful, honey,” Kai said as we started loading into our SUV. Amy got in the back with her husband and Manuel, as Ricardo had called shotgun.

I drove out of the base, startling them all when I turned left into the Fiddler’s Cove Marina. “Wait, where are we going,” Ricardo asked.

“It’s a surprise,” I said as I pulled into an open parking spot.