Chapter Three

The Ballerina

I haven’t told Quinn that I need to quit. I know departing from the club will leave her short staffed, but I am hoping I will be able to keep my job. If I’m lucky my new husband won’t have any interest in me besides the perfunctory breeding. If he doesn’t want me to be underfoot, I can keep doing what I love even after this ridiculous mating ceremony is over.

Sitting in the back, I touch up my makeup after finishing my routine. I have already gotten all my effects in order for tomorrow. In my cupboard, I have a pretty white sundress with a lace overlay that I will wear for the ceremony. I may not want to go through with this, but I know if I make anything less than the full effort, my father will lose his fucking mind.

He is not a good man, or a good father. He is prone to violent outbursts that can run for minutes or days. I have been on the receiving end of his punishments before and would prefer to avoid doing that again.

“Ballerina,” Quinn calls out as she makes her way through the other dancers. “I have a bachelor party that just watched your routine and have requested a private dance. Are you up for it?”

“How many guys?”

“Three.”

“Give me five minutes to change and I will be out.”

Quickly I drop my robe and find a different outfit. Neon pink lace underwear, black-and-pink plaid schoolgirl-style skirt with a matching tie, and white thigh-high stockings with black stiletto heels. I purposefully undo the top three buttons on the shirt to show off the lace from my bra before I make sure my hair is perfectly in place.

Making sure to put an extra sway into my hips, I step out from the back and stride toward the bar. Chin up, breasts out, I strut like the proud peacock I am. I can feel the eyes of the other patrons as I walk to the table, smiling at some of the regulars, and it has pride surging through me. I work hard to stay in shape and keep my appearance perfect and it shows.

“Sam,” I call out to the bartender. “Give me a bottle of Fireball and three shot glasses.”

He laughs loudly while gathering the items I requested. “You love doing this, don’t you?”

“Yes, sir. I wouldn’t want it any other way.” I bat my eyelashes at him as I steady the black tray on my left hand before striding away. All the hours of ballet have helped me perfect my balance.

At the entrance to the private room, I knock loudly, count to three, and push the door open before striding in confidently. Three men dressed in suits stare back at me, each of them assessing me with various levels of interest.

“Gentlemen,” I purr seductively. My name is Ballerina, and I will be your entertainment for the next hour.”

“Entertainment?”

The question comes from the man with jet-black hair and icy-blue eyes. Depositing my tray on the coffee table I take a seat beside him on the tan leather couch. His scent hits me, and heat floods my core. Peppermint and coffee.

Thank God for my suppression patch. The males will assume I am simply aroused. If I wasn’t wearing the patch, my omega scent would be filling the room and the club, driving every male mad. The scent of an unmated omega in a state of arousal is enough to drive betas insane. Alphas will rampage and tear this place brick from brick to get to someone like me.

“You are paying for my time and as long as your request falls within the rules we uphold here at Dark Side of the Moon, the sky is the limit. Dancing, talking, drinking, whatever you want.”

I run my fingers along his thigh, trying to entice something, except a frown from the man has me enraptured. Interest shines in his eyes but he holds himself back, spreading his thighs and resting his arms along the back of the couch. More comfortable in his own skin than any man I have ever met. He knows he is attractive and the smell of my arousal hanging in the air is only making him cockier.

“Why don’t you pour us each a shot of whatever you brought in here with you?” he says with a smug grin. “Then we can decide what to do next.”

Rising from my spot I bend over at the waist, making sure the man behind me has an obscene view up my skirt. I’m not usually so brazen but if this is going to be my last night of freedom, I may as well enjoy myself.

“Fuck me,” he grumbles, and I feel giddy at his reaction.

Slowly, I pour the drinks and pass one to each of the men. Turning, I face the dark stranger once more.

“Which one of you is the lucky bachelor?”

“Me.”

That single word carries more weight than anyone could imagine. He sounds about as happy about his upcoming nuptials as I am. Probably got some stupid girl knocked up and now her father is demanding the mating ceremony. Some people are more traditional in their views than others are. I know I wouldn’t be going through with this if not for my father. I had always pictured finding my fated mate and spending the rest of my life with him. In love. Yes, I’m a romantic, not that it matters anymore. Romance will be the last thing I find with my forced mating.

“Well,” I say with an impish smile, clearing the damning thoughts, before grabbing the remote for the sound system and hitting PLAY. “Let’s make sure you enjoy your last night as a free man.”

Walking back around the table, I straddle his hips without waiting for his permission. I place his hands on my hips, already gyrating, making sure he knows this lap dance isn’t for anyone else but him. His fingers dig into the flesh of my ass, and I know I will carry the bruises in the morning. I guess I’ll have to shift before the ceremony to make sure my future husband doesn’t see it. I wouldn’t want to start my mating with a fight straight off the bat.

“What are you doing?” he asks, staring at my breasts as I slowly unbutton my shirt.

“Lap dance, silly. Just sit back and enjoy the ride.”

His friends laugh in the background, but I am more focused on the sound reverberating from his chest. The deep growl builds, making it clear his animal is more than happy to comply.

I have decided that I won’t run from my responsibilities. Tomorrow I will be mated to a stranger but tonight I am still a free woman.

If I must quit my job tomorrow, at least tonight will have been worth it.