10. ELLIE

ELLIE

Three Weeks Later

Life has returned to normal, kind of. I still think about being stuffed between those two gorgeous men and my heart yearns for their touch even if I know that it’s best we parted ways that morning. Carleen still teases me about it now and then but for the most part, we don’t talk about it. I’ve returned to juggling late-night shifts at Euphoria and studying for my degree with the occasional night on the town with Tati and the other girls.

No one has mentioned that night and how I disappeared but I’m realizing that no one truly knows what happened. I’ll have to thank my sister for that. There is one change that I’ve made in the last three weeks—no more parties. I can’t trust myself not to indulge, trying to measure up to a night I can’t forget.

It’s why I’ve picked up an extra shift, twirling around the pole like I own it. Tati and I are almost always paired together, both of us moving with precision. Our little flips and slides as we spread our legs catch the crowd’s attention, scents strangling me as I try to stay focused. I wobble, nearly losing my grip, Tati looking over concerned. I wave her off, even as we bow and dip, my ass shaking for strangers that have paid to be here.

Any other day, I would be indulging in this vanity, drinking in the excitement and lust pouring off these individuals. But ever since that night with Macon and Savin, I feel like I’m showing something I’m not supposed to. I feel like I’m exposing something that is rightfully theirs. Stupid, seeing as we’re not dating, we’re not a pack, and I haven’t seen them in almost a month.

Tati throws out her hand and I take it, twirling into her chest as we play out our set just like we had in rehearsals. She unclips one of my shoulder pieces as I do the same for her, both of us sporting devilish smiles as the second half of the show becomes apparent. Two other girls join us on stage, as we turn to the crowd, peeling off our tops and throwing them over the stage.

There’s scrambling to grab the shimmery material, our torsos bare except for the thin lace covering our tits. My breath catches in my throat as I stare out into the darkness, momentarily only seeing two men who stole my heart in a matter of seconds. It’s just Macon and Savin there, Savin’s head thrown back in ecstasy as Macon holds him. The Alpha is stroking the Omega through his pants, both of them turned on by my display.

Heat bleeds through me as I continue to move, my cheeks heating and my body crying out with need. In the next second, their image is gone and I’m left with the crowd I’m being paid to dance for. The chaos of Euphoria comes back to me, a few hoots erupting from the darkness as I continue my set. When the set ends, the lights shutting off so that the next rotation can begin, I rush off.

I’m confused, horny, and disoriented. Macon and Savin weren’t actually there but they are the only thing on my mind. I stuff myself into a makeup chair, letting my head fall to the dresser in front of me. Tati follows and I know she’s about to comment when our boss, Lewis, decides to steal the seat next to me.

“That was some performance you put on out there, Ellie.”

I groan, wondering what Lewis wants. He’s an easy enough person to appease but he either wants more energy, more money, or more skin. I wait for him to explain his sentence because he will eventually. He always does.

“I mean, you’re one of our best dancers but that show out there? I had been meaning to talk to you because I thought something might be wrong. But damn, this last set? You outdid yourself! Where has all that energy been?” His gleeful expression when I look up makes my stomach uneasy. The Alpha isn’t hard on the eyes, what with his shaggy brown hair and wide smile. He reminds me more of a puppy than an Alpha at times but in these moments, there’s a completely different side of him.

One that I try to avoid. “I guess I just needed a boost.” I shrug, not wanting to let anyone know what happened out there. It seems that my energy is directly tied to the Astors and I hate it. “I’m going to get changed and head out. I’ve got an exam soon and could use the time to study.” More bullshit coming out of my mouth which Tati immediately catches onto.

I stand and grab my bag, pulling out a shirt to cover myself and chucking my heels inside. It barely covers my chest but at least I won’t be flashing my tits to the public. The short shorts I’m sporting are enough to cover my ass and I’m comfortable enough in my body not to care about anything else.

“Wait, Ellie, I thought you might like to pick up a shift. I would have asked one of the other girls but after this…”

“I’m good. Thanks, Lewis. I’ll catch you at the next shift.” I don’t wait around for him to wrangle me into staying longer or discussing a new routine, because he absolutely will. I also ignore the buzzing in my bag as I exit through the back, knowing full well that Tati is furiously texting me for answers.

Heady sunlight unforgivingly blasts my vision and I sigh, remembering how odd my work and school schedules truly are. It feels like midnight inside the club when in reality, it’s probably just after 11 am. I’ll never understand the people who enjoy watching this during the brunch hour but it pays the bills so I’m not complaining.

I make my way over to my black and green Yamaha, running a gentle hand along the curve before patting the seat. It’s one of the few joys I have in life and a present from my parents before I moved out. Carleen’s taste is very different but she’s happy with her compact sports car. I throw my bag on the ground and pull out my pants and shoes, not caring who’s watching a Beta dress in the parking lot.

I’ve shown more to strangers before, even if it’s starting to feel weird. Once dressed, I pull my hair back into a ponytail, throw my bag over my back, put my helmet on, and rev up my bike to head home. A good long nap and shower are in my future, most likely in that order, regardless of what Carleen says when I get home. I turn onto my street and park, frowning when one of the Betas who owns a business below our apartment waves me over.

“Heath, not in the mood right now. I just got back from a shift.”

He snickers. “Oh, I can tell. You looking for some extra work, Beta?” Heath has the same puppy energy that Lewis does, the difference is that I find this Beta safe. From anyone else, I would rip their head off for addressing me like that. With Heath, he doesn’t mean any harm. Usually. He thinks he’s being more respectful by using designations. I just think it’s stupid.

In a different life, maybe I would have settled down with Heath. He’s sweet, owns a business, and has no problems that I dance and strip for a living. In fact, I’m pretty sure he’s enjoyed the stories I’ve told him a time or two while promising to beat up anyone who touches me without consent.

It’s a baseless threat. We both know he would never step inside Euphoria. He’s too pure and it does nothing for him the way it does for me. So, we settle for the occasional banter as I pass his door on my way up to mine.

“Not particularly,” I finally say. I have the time and could use the extra cash but my bed is calling out to me. Now that I’m thinking about it, maybe I will take a shower first, stuff myself with that knotty dildo I bought a few days ago so I can think about something other than Macon’s cock.

Goddess, the girth on that man.

Shit.

Heath raises an eyebrow and I sigh, turning off my bike and following him into the shop below our apartments. It can’t hurt to appease him and if it’s an easy enough job, that means I can help more with rent. Carleen doesn’t need it in the slightest, but goddess, I feel like a failure at times compared to her. Even if this is my second degree and it’s in public health, no less.

“Got a new one that just opened up!” He shouts as he ducks behind the counter. The space is empty and clean, everything tiled in white. I’ve never understood the lack of décor but Heath does well for himself as a hiring agency and he treats everyone well.

“Don’t say it like that, Heath,” I joke. “Sounds like you’re selling me something rather than offering me a potential job.”

“And yet… aha! Here.” He grins as he opens a manila folder, pointing to a job application. “Maid quit this morning. Well. No, she got fired. Was in everyone’s business but I know you. You don’t like attention so this is good for you.” He pats the papers a few extra times as if it’ll make it easier to see. My frown deepens as I read the job description. Easy enough but in Caper County, the richest part of this area. Which means I’m cleaning for rich people, most likely people I’ve stripped for.

That’s not going to be weird.

Heath is still grinning when I look up at him. “Most of the girls want it easy, a pack to take care of all their needs but not you. And definitely not Carleen.” He wiggles his eyebrows and I narrow my gaze at him. Does he have the hots for my sister? Ew. Also, bad news—she’s not looking.

“A pack isn’t going to magically save me, Heath. I’m not ready to buckle down and answer to an Alpha. Fuck that shit.” I start reading over the description again, getting down to the daily pay. $300? Goddamn, that is a pretty penny.

Heath slowly pulls the folder from me. “That’s not how packs work, Ellie. Not all of them, anyway. Do you want to fill the position? It’s temporary and really a trial. The boss is very picky about the rules.”

“It can’t hurt to look into it. Do I even get to know who I’m working for?”

“Not until you sign an NDA. I know you saw Caper County, Ellie. Here. This is the address you’ll meet her at and she’ll vet you. Say, 1 pm?”

My face scrunches up and I glare at Heath, wondering what he’s going on about until I realize that he’s planned for all of this. He’s been waiting for me to get home so he can ask. After all, he gets a cut as a finder’s fee. I’ve picked up an odd job or two from him before and the daily pay in cash means that his cut has to be pretty large.

1 pm barely gives me two hours to shower and sleep. I also still need that good hard knotty fuck to forget Macon. This is yet another bad idea in the string of bad ideas but I nod, holding my hand out for the paperwork. Heath gleefully slaps it into my hands and I head upstairs, focused on crashing into bed. I ignore Carleen telling me to shower first, waving her off as I start stripping, my clothes falling to the floor.

“Seriously?” Carleen yells playfully, stomping after me. “Your shift that good?”

“Sure. And then Heath caught me.” I slip out of my bra, having no shame standing half-naked in front of my sister. She sighs, used to my antics when I’m tired. “Gonna make a few extra bucks and start pulling my weight.”

“You don’t have to.”

“I know. Still want to.” I yawn as I move to the dresser by my closet, fumbling around for one of my big comfy shirts that I sleep in.

”Hey, got any more pads? I’m on my last one and haven’t had time to get to the store.”

My face pales and then I nod, moving around a few items in one of the drawers to hand her an unopened 20ct package. She stares at it and then at me and then back at the package.

“I thought we were on the same cycle, Ellie.”

“We are. I just don’t like that brand much anymore. Take it.” I’m a shit liar when it comes to my sister but she leaves my room without protest while I try to avoid the nagging feeling that something is wrong. My period should have started three days ago. I’m three fucking days late. And three weeks ago, I was servicing the most beautiful cocks in the entire world.

Without a condom.

Fucking birth control, my ass.

Well, that’s tomorrow’s problem.

My only focus right now is sleep and regret.

A whole fucking load of it.