HIDDEN HEAT

The line stretched for three blocks, a sea of broad shoulders and confident smirks that made Alex's stomach churn. He pulled his hoodie tighter, ducking his head as another group of alphas strutted past, their scents mixing in the morning air like a toxic cocktail of testosterone and ambition."Next!" The casting director's voice boomed from inside the building.Alex checked his watch. The suppressants he'd taken at dawn were holding, masking his omega scent completely, but they'd wear off in exactly six hours. He had to make this count."You look nervous, pretty boy."Alex's head snapped up. A tall alpha with perfectly styled blonde hair and predatory green eyes was staring at him, lips curled in amusement. His name tag read "Jake.""Just focused," Alex replied, keeping his voice steady.Jake laughed, stepping closer. "Right. Well, don't worry—most of us won't make it past today anyway. Alpha Star only takes the strongest." His eyes raked over Alex's smaller frame. "No offense, but you might want to hit the gym before trying out for alpha competitions."Before Alex could respond, Jake was called inside. The blonde shot him a mocking salute and disappeared through the doors.Alex clenched his fists. You have no idea what I'm capable of."Contestant 847—Alex Chen!"This was it. Alex walked into the audition room, where three judges sat behind a panel. The center judge, a sharp-eyed man with silver hair, looked up from his clipboard."Well, this is interesting," the man murmured, studying Alex with curious intensity. "I'm Ethan Martinez, head judge. You're quite young, aren't you?""I'm nineteen, sir.""And small for an alpha." The female judge, Dr. Sarah Kim, frowned at her notes. "Your application says you're from Seattle?""Yes, ma'am.""No pack affiliation listed," the third judge observed. "That's unusual for someone your age."Alex's heart hammered, but he kept his expression calm. "I prefer to prove myself on individual merit."Ethan leaned forward, and Alex caught a whiff of his powerful alpha scent. Most omegas would have trouble staying upright this close to such dominance, but the suppressants held firm."Interesting philosophy. Well then, Alex—show us what individual merit looks like. You have two minutes to convince us you belong in Alpha Star."The music started. Alex had practiced this routine a thousand times in his cramped studio apartment, perfecting every move, every expression. But now, under the bright lights with three pairs of critical eyes watching his every move, everything felt different.He began to dance.The choreography was sharp, aggressive—designed for alphas who could command attention through sheer presence. But Alex brought something else to it: a fluid grace that made the powerful moves look effortless, a magnetism that had nothing to do with biological dominance and everything to do with raw talent.When the music stopped, the room was silent.Dr. Kim was staring. The third judge had dropped his pen. And Ethan...Ethan was smiling."That was..." Dr. Kim started, then stopped, shaking her head in amazement."Unexpected," Ethan finished. He made a note on his clipboard. "Alex, what drives you? Why do you want to be an idol?"This was the question Alex had prepared for, but suddenly his rehearsed answer felt hollow. Instead, he found himself speaking from the heart."Because music doesn't care about your biology. It doesn't care if you're the strongest or the loudest. It only cares if you can move people, if you can make them feel something real. And I know I can do that."Ethan's smile widened. "Congratulations, Alex. Welcome to Alpha Star."The relief hit him like a physical blow. He'd done it. He was actually in."Report to the dorms tomorrow at 8 AM," Dr. Kim added, handing him a packet of papers. "Room assignments are included. You'll be sharing with another contestant.""Thank you," Alex managed, his voice barely steady.As he walked out of the building, packet clutched in his shaking hands, Alex allowed himself one moment of pure triumph. He'd fooled them completely. Now all he had to do was fool 99 other alphas for the next three months without getting caught.How hard could it be?He pulled out the room assignment sheet and froze.Room 237: Alex Chen & Ryan TorresThe name meant nothing to him, but somehow, staring at those words, Alex felt like his entire world was about to change.