“Calvin.”
I smile and nod. “Is there anything you like, Calvin?” Riley gave me the tip to say their name as much as possible. It makes them feel like you’re connecting, and they’ll tip out the ass because of it. He slides two more twenties on the floor of my stage, and I grip the bars.
“Let’s see you on the pole, sweetheart.”
I nod, and even though I’m not good on the pole, just kind of swinging and wrapping my calves around it, Calvin seems to enjoy it.
Before I know it, I have five Alphas sitting around my stage watching me attempt to dance. They look up at me while I’m looking down on them. It may not seem like it, but I’m the one with the power in this situation. I say who touches, I do what I want in this cage. All of them look at me hungrily. My scent drives them wild, and I can see how much they all want me.
I can’t help the smile that takes over my face. I don’t think I’ve ever felt more beautiful or powerful in my life.It almost makes me forget about what I can’t have.
Chapter 4
Luna
“Ohno,blueisn’tyour color,” my mom says from behind me as I look in the mirror. I actually really liked the dress, but as my mom clicks her tongue, she has me doubting myself. “Maybe yellow,” she says, and I grimace. She’s dressed like she’s the one going on a date tonight, her blonde hair in a blowout, a full face of makeup, and a skin-tight black dress. Her heels click against the linoleum as she glares at me.
“Yellow will wash me out.”
“Well, blue makes you look sick,” she says, pulling a deep maroon dress from the rack and handing it to me. “Try this one.”
I hold back my eye roll as I grab the dress by the hanger and shut the dressing room door behind me. I don’t even want to be here shopping for a dress—for a date I don’t even want to go on. But if it gets my mom off my back, it will be worth it. Maybe I can say I have a stomach ache in the middle and come home. If my mom picked the pack, I know they’re going to be a bunch of stuck-up assholes.
They’ll probably think that I need to stay home and pop out as many babies as they want right away. Don’t get me wrong, I want kids—someday. But I’d like to live a little first, be the center of attention when it comes to my pack. Maybe travel or find something I really enjoy. I sigh as I look in the mirror. The dress is pretty. It’s tight against my chest and flairs at the waist. I just don’t like it as much as I like the blue one. When I step out of the dressing room, my mom claps.
“That’s the one. Less slutty,” she says as she makes me spin around. I repress a scoff as she directs me to keep the dress on. Her friend is doing my hair right after this, and then I go right to my date.
I thought maybe this would appease her, and she’d back off of me for just a moment, which is a delusional way of thinking. She doesn’t stop speaking. “Jordan is a doctor, José is a lawyer, and they have a Beta named Ted, but I don’t know what he does.” The way she talks about the Beta isn’t surprising. I’m not exactly sure how my mom ended up with Stewart, but I know she thinks he’s less than her. Anyone who isn’t an Alpha is less, and other designations are there to give Alphas what they need.
“I’m sure they’re nice.”
“You need to focus on Jordan and José. They’re the ones you need to impress. So no sassy comebacks. Always act interested in what they’re saying, and try to find something you enjoy that’s similar.”
She’s fussing with the sleeve of the dress, and I shove her hand off my shoulder. “Despite what you may believe, I know how to speak to people.”
She clears her throat and takes a step back. “I’m just trying to help, Luna.”
“I know.”
“I just want you to have the best. My daughter deserves the best.”
She heads to the counter to pay for the dress as I collect my purse and clothes.Her daughter. Not that I—Luna, as a person—deserve the best, but because I’m a reflection of her is why I deserve the best.
I take one look back in the mirror and hang the blue dress up to be restocked. I hate how symbolic it is. How it feels like everything I want is out of reach because of my mother. I’m hoping that changes soon. I made two grand last night. Two-fucking-thousand-dollars in one night. It’s not like I have many bills right now, but if I can keep it a secret for a few months, I’ll be able to get out of her house and live for myself. I’ll be able to buy the blue dress I want and not feel guilty and be able to go on the dates I want to. Even if I don’t truly want to go on a date at all, at least it will be my decision.
“Luna, today,” my mother says after checking out. I give the cashier a polite smile as I follow her out of the store, and we head over to her friend Jenny’s house.
My hair has more volume in it than usual, and I have to blink multiple times to get used to the fake eyelashes that Jenny put on. I’m sitting next to the Beta who goes by Teddy, not Ted. José and Jordan sit across from us, and I can’t help but feel the power dynamic. It’s a statement of them being the Alphas and the ones in charge. It’s hard to not roll my eyes and tell them how chauvinistic and douchey they seem.
“So, Luna, do you have any hobbies or passions?”
“I really love animals, reading, and I like gardening as well.”
José smiles and nods his head, but Jordan doesn’t look impressed. “I like reading too,” Teddy says next to me.
“Were you asked a question?” Jordan says to the Beta.
I glance over at the Beta, and he looks his head down, fidgeting with the material of his pants. “Sorry, is he not allowed to speak openly?”
