=Eric=
"Ten thousand dollars will be sent to your account tomorrow morning if you spend the night with one of the Alphas."
The man standing in front of us doesn't look very sure that any of us could actually pull it off.
"There will also be a group of guys and girls from the packs," he continues, "but it's always nice to have humans like you at these events, for variety and all that."
So basically, we're the extras, the background humans. The ones who are just here to fill the room, look good, and mean nothing. Because what's a fancy ball without a few people who don't really belong?
I sigh. Whatever. I'm here for one reason only, flirt, get the attention of a female Alpha, spend the night with her, collect the money, and leave.
They call it a mating ball, which sounds sweet and harmless. But I already know it's anything but. People come here to hook up, plain and simple. Most just want a wild night, maybe a few numbers, and some fun before heading back to their packs. The air here already feels thick with that kind of energy.
We humans are only hired to make the event look livelier, to make it seem like a real party instead of a ceremony. But everyone here treats it as an excuse to enjoy themselves, and maybe that's fine. It's not like we stand a real chance anyway.
Werewolves mate with other werewolves. That's just how it works. An Alpha choosing a human as a mate? I've never heard of that happening. Still, I'm here, hoping to win the big reward, spend the night with an Alpha, get the money, and maybe get out of the mess I call my life.
If I could pull that off, I'd finally have enough to leave the ruins and start over.
I walk over to the rack to check if my suit passed the quality inspection. Apparently, if your suit doesn't meet their standards, you have to wear one of the backup ones, and those things are terrible. Just the thought makes me shudder.
At the far end of the rack, I finally spot mine. The dark purple fabric, so deep that it almost looks black, hangs neatly on its hanger. The color catches the light in a way that makes it look richer, more expensive than it is. I pause for a moment, running my fingers down the material. I was supposed to wear this suit at my wedding. Instead, I'm going to wear it to try and impress someone enough to take me home for the night. What a fall from grace.
I take the suit down carefully and start changing into it. The fabric slides against my skin smoothly, the fit almost perfect, hugging my frame in all the right ways. The color compliments my skin tone and the dark shade of my hair, and for a brief moment I feel a flicker of confidence, like I could actually pull this off. I gather my other clothes and shoes, stuffing them into a bag before heading to the next room.
Inside, a man takes the bag from me without saying a word. He places it into a locker, shuts the door, and hands me a small paper slip with a number printed on it. I nod in thanks, folding it and sliding it into my pocket. When I turn around, there's already a line forming near the make-up station. I sigh quietly and move to join it.
The rule about getting our make-up done still feels ridiculous to me. As if anyone here really cares what kind of eyeliner I have on. But then again, they're paying me to look good, so I guess it makes sense they'd want to make me look even better. Still, sitting there like a doll waiting to be polished up doesn't exactly help the nerves that are already building in my stomach.
A soft tap on my shoulder pulls me from my thoughts. I turn and see a girl behind me, smiling brightly, her lips already shining with gloss.
"Who are you looking forward to?" she asks in a curious, almost teasing tone.
"What?" I blink at her, frowning a little. Looking forward to what?
She tilts her head, giggling in a way that's just a bit too high-pitched. "You didn't see the list?" she says, holding up her phone for me to see. The screen glows with names, a long list of people, most of which I don't recognize.
"List?" I echo, still not sure what she's talking about.
"The list of Alphas who'll be here tonight," she says, smiling like it should be obvious. "You know, to see who might catch your eye."
I glance at the screen again, scanning the list. Every name there is male. I hand the phone back to her, raising an eyebrow.
"I thought there were female Alphas coming too?"
"Oh, right." Her face falls slightly as she taps quickly through a few screens and then shows me a new list. "These are the rumored female Alphas who might show up tonight."
I look again, but none of the names mean anything to me. I'm not exactly the type to keep up with celebrity gossip, and I know even less about werewolves and their social circles. It doesn't matter anyway. The names blur together in my mind.
"Thanks," I say as I hand her phone back.
She flashes me another grin, her perfume hitting me a little too strong. "Good luck."
I give a small nod. "Yeah, you too."
As I turn back around, I hear her humming softly to herself, clearly more excited about this than I am. I focus on the front of the line instead. Just in time, one of the make-up artists calls for the next person, and I'm guided into one of the chairs.
The bright lights above the mirror make the whole room glow in a harsh white, and I can see every small imperfection in my reflection. The stylist doesn't say much as they start brushing through my hair, adjusting, shaping, touching up my face like I'm just another prop for tonight. I sit there quietly, watching as my own face slowly becomes someone else's version of handsome. Someone who might actually belong in a room full of Alphas.
The hall slowly starts to fill, one person after another stepping inside until the room begins to hum with quiet chatter and the faint clink of glasses. I was one of the first to finish getting ready, so I ended up at the back of the room, sitting on one of the chairs and scrolling through my phone as I watched everyone else pour in. Most of them look good, some even stunning ,but I suppose that's a given for an event like this. No one comes to a mating ball looking ordinary.
After a while, the man from before steps up to the front of the room. His voice cuts through the noise as he begins, "There are a couple of rules. First, the werewolves get first pick. That includes both the Alphas and the Omegas."
A few groans ripple through the crowd, mostly from the humans.
He doesn't seem to care. "Second, no fighting, no arguing. Everyone here is expected to behave. If you cause trouble, you'll be escorted out, no money, no nothing." His tone is sharp, like he's talking to a room full of unruly children. "And yes, before anyone asks, it's happened before. The other werewolves will be arriving soon, so I suggest you all be on your best behavior."
Then, just like that, he steps down and leaves the room.
I sigh quietly. Rules. Always rules. With every new instruction, this whole thing feels less exciting and more like a job I shouldn't have taken.
Around me, groups are already starting to form. People are greeting each other, chatting animatedly about which Alphas are expected to show up tonight, who has already confirmed, and which ones are rumored to make a surprise entrance. The air is filled with that nervous kind of energy, the kind that comes from equal parts excitement and fear.
I can't help but watch, wondering how they can all be so caught up in it. Sure, meeting a famous Alpha sounds thrilling, but the way some of them talk, it's like these Alphas are gods walking among mortals. The admiration borders on worship, and it makes me uneasy. There's a difference between being impressed and being obsessed.
A group nearby turns toward me, and one of the girls calls out, "Who are you waiting for?"
"Hmm?" I look up, not realizing she was talking to me.
"What Alpha," she repeats, frowning slightly. "Who are you hoping to meet?"
I blink, caught off guard by how serious she sounds. "I don't know," I answer honestly.
The girl laughs and shakes her head, giving me a look like I've just said something ridiculous. "Amateur," she says, turning back to her friends. "You'll never make it."
The rest of her group giggles and shifts a little farther away, whispering among themselves. It's almost like they don't want to be associated with someone who isn't obsessed with the same names they are.
Fine by me. I didn't come here to make friends, and I don't need their approval. I'm not here to socialize or gossip about who's the hottest Alpha or which one has the most powerful pack.
No, I'm here for one reason only. The ones who actually matter, the Alphas, will be walking through those doors soon.