Chapter 1
Luna
“Iknow,I’mjustwaiting for her to finally find a pack and move out.” The words repeat in my head over and over again. How my mom doesn’t want me here anymore, about how she can’t wait till I’m mated and out of her hair.
It’s not like I want to be here either, but hearing your mother say how much she can’t wait for you to be out of her house? It sinks deep, and it hurts. Your mom is supposed to be your biggest cheerleader, not the person who judges you the most.
If she saw me now, she would be judging. Honestly, she would probably have a heart attack if she knew what I was doing.
The stage is bright and lit with purple lights as the two girls ahead of me try out. There’s only three of us, and according to the woman hosting auditions, it sounds like we could all get hired tonight. The Omega dancing right now is gorgeous as she walks around the pole, hooking her ankle around the shiny metal and dipping backwards. Her back is arched showing every curve of her body as her black hair falls behind her.
That.That is what I want. To captivate a stage, to be in front of people and be able to be myself. To have people want me so desperately that they’re willing to empty their wallets for it. Because the Alpha I want to notice me, well, that just isn’t going to happen.
The song set goes on as the Omega on stage shows all her moves, and I feel completely unprepared. I can dance, but no way in hell am I going to look as elegant as the girl on stage. Her outfit also looks like it stepped off a super hot slutty Broadway show. I have on booty shorts and a bralette I bought at Victoria’s Secret before I got here.
I feel so out of my depth as I wait for my turn to audition. But I need this: independence, money, and freedom. While I’m not against finding a pack, I don’t want to be forced into finding one. Especially when I know they would be second best to the pack that I actually want.
The girl on stage finishes her set, and we all clap for her. She has a beaming smile on her face as she walks across the stage in her tall platform shoes—I’m barefoot.
Fuck. I’m so not cut out for this. I think about leaving; maybe it’ll be easier to sell my used panties on the internet instead.
“Luna,” the manager Gina says, and my cheeks heat. It’s now or never. I know how much money I can make in just a few months here. Enough to put a deposit on an apartment and get myself some furniture. I can even get the cat that I’ve always wanted.
I can do this, for me. Without help from anyone or a subpar pack that would never compare.
With soft footsteps, I make my way to the stage. Gina is kind as she smiles up at me from her chair. She has wild, curly brown hair and is petite with big brown eyes shielded by wide-brimmed glasses. Definitely not the type of woman you would imagine running a place like this, but it somehow puts me at ease.
“Hello, dear, aren’t you cute.”
“Uh, thanks,” I say, rubbing my arm.
“You provided ID right?”
“Yes, I’m twenty-one.”
Gina smiles and nods her head. “Do you have any dancing experience?”
“Not much.” I don’t want to lie. And I don’t think dancing alone in your bedroom to “Mr. Brightside” counts, but I need this so badly. I’m honestly feeling less anxious the longer I stand on stage. The bright lights warm my skin, and I imagine what it feels like to have all those hungry eyes on you.
Powerful.
It would make me feel powerful, and I smile at the idea. Omegas don’t have many opportunities in this life. But I have one right here and now, to take control and take what I want. And what I want is for Alphas to look but not touch, and then paying me in the process.
“If selected, how soon would you be able to start?” Gina asks.
“Immediately,” I respond, and she smiles.
“You have your song picked out?”
I nod, and she holds up her hand. The music starts, and “Good For You” by Selena Gomez comes on. It’s literally like the Omega national anthem, and I watch as Gina smiles at the song choice.
The soft but sexy song flows through me, and I move my body accordingly. I imagine a crowd in front of me, and the goal is to tease and entice. My scent is the luring factor, but the way I move is what will keep them at my stage. I know I’m not as skilled of a dancer as the girl before me. But I know that the naivety of my dancing will be an attractive factor for patrons.
I keep my movement sexy, acting like the pole is a tall, brooding Alpha who wears suits and glares.
Should I be picturing myself dancing on my stepbrother? By most societal standards, it would be a no. But right now, acting like I’m putting on a show for Ian, it gets me going. I can smell my perfume wafting off of me in waves. Gina has a wide smile on her face as she watches me dance.
I know I have a similar smile on my face. Picturing Ian behind me, his hands on my hips as I dance for him. His fingers graze over my long hair, wrapping it around his fist and pulling me back to his chest.
