For the next twenty minutes, I sat still with the dress in my palm, contemplating whether to reveal who I truly was or simply go along with the flow. I was almost ready to dash out and expose the truth, but then I realized I could be killed for impersonating a higher-ranked werewolf as an Omega. On the other hand, if I went along with the flow and eventually slept with the Alpha, I could still be charged for deceiving him—with a punishment far worse than death.
My fingers trembled as these thoughts tormented my mind. I raised the dress again for another glance. It was practically a nightgown, but the most revealing kind—upper-thigh length, with a neckline that would leave my cleavage bare.
This is madness. Why would the Alpha sleep with three girls when he already has a Luna? What kind of rule was this? And how did the Luna ever accept such a thing?
I forced myself into the dress, and when I finally turned to the mirror, my heart sank.
It was too revealing. Almost the whole of my thighs were bare. My cleavage was exposed, and my nipple peaked through the thin fabric.
This was sick. I had never worn anything like this before—not to talk of wearing it for a man.
A knock on the dressing room door startled me.
"The sun is down, ma'am. I'm ready for your makeup and hairdo."
I swallowed, biting back the tears that threatened to spill. "Come on in."
She entered quietly, her eyes lighting up as soon as they landed on me in the dress.
"You have nice curves, ma'am. I'm sure the Alpha will like it."
"You think so?"
"Ma'am, you are absolutely stunning. I'm not exaggerating when I say you are the most beautiful girl I've ever set my eyes on. Your curves… your figure… everything. You are gorgeous."
"T-thank you," I whispered, settling into the chair for her to begin the hairdo. But compliments weren't what I needed. What I needed was to be told I could leave, to be told this was only a dream.
"Your hair is soft," she murmured as she combed through my strands and worked oil into my scalp.
A tear slipped down my cheek. This shouldn't be happening. What had I done to deserve this?
She sprayed and styled, then placed a pink bow to support a small pack of hair. Her fingers brushed my face only slightly, just enough to wipe away my tears.
When she was done and applying lip gloss to my lips, she told me I had two hours left, then left me to my thoughts.
Two long hours.
Two hours of trying to think of an escape, but none came. Instead, I fell deeper into thought.
If, by any chance, I was chosen as the Alpha's breeding mate, my entire life would end. No finding my true mate. No marriage to the love of my life. Just a body—a breeding machine—for a man who already had a wife.
Why would any girl want this?
By the time two hours passed and the full moon glared back at me through the window, I had decided. I would reveal who I truly was before anything happened. And if it cost me my head, then so be it. Perhaps that was the punishment the Moon Goddess had set for me—for trying to escape my werewolf life.
The woman came for me almost immediately, guiding me from the servants' quarters to the main Pack house where the Alpha was waiting.
She explained that I was being taken to the guest room, because it couldn't be done in their own bed.
At that moment, my thoughts flickered to the other two girls. Were they happy to be doing this with the Alpha, or did they feel as miserable as I did? Considering the number of applicants, they were probably thrilled.
The room was dark, lit only by moonlight. Still, I caught glimpses—the king-sized bed with its silk sheets, the polished bedside tables, the three-seater couch, the mini bar in the corner.
My heart thudded painfully at the sight.
I swallowed. "D-did he do it with the other girls here?"
The woman closed the door behind her, leading me further inside. "No," she answered. Then, lowering her voice, she added, "I shouldn't be telling you this, but… he didn't last more than five minutes with the other girls before he was done. If you can last longer, you will be chosen. Do your best to satisfy him, okay?"
She gave me a warm smile, then slipped out of the room. Just before shutting the door, she called out, "Expect the Alpha in ten minutes."
My heart thudded harder, threatening to burst through my ribcage.
If lasting longer than five minutes was what would get me chosen, then I would do the opposite. I had never been intimate with a man, but I knew what to do to make sure it ended quickly.
I clenched my sweaty palms.
You can do this, Bambi. Just make sure you don't get chosen. Once this is over, leave the Pack immediately.
I sat carefully on the bed, eyes darting around the dark room, counting the seconds on my palms until—
Soft footsteps.
The doorknob turned.
The door clicked open.
I jolted to my feet, my heartbeat skyrocketing.
A figure stepped in—tall, broad, commanding.
I couldn't make out his face at first. He stood near the door, his eyes scanning me. Then, with deliberate calm, he shut the door and stepped closer.
I bit my lips anxiously, smudging the lip gloss without realizing.
His scent reached me first—masculine, laced with something floral. A beautiful scent. It should have drawn me in, but instead it made my stomach turn.
And then—he stepped into the moonlight.
My heart stopped.
The first thing I noticed were his eyes. Silver and smoldering, just as Sable had described. His face was sculpted perfection—clean-shaven, with full lips and a straight nose. His black hair was damp, a few strands falling into his view, only making him look more devastatingly handsome.
He was the most handsome man I had ever seen.
It was true what they all said. Sable hadn't exaggerated. None of the other girls had exaggerated.
I finally understood why over a hundred girls had applied just to be his breeding machine.
He was on black pants and white t-shirt, first three buttons undone. He looked freshly showered. He smelled it also. Such an heavenly smell it was.
Unconsciously I found my hand shooting out to unbutton his shirt once he was within reach.
Gideon said full moon always made an unmated person horny but for the ones that haven't had the experience, it was always ten times worse. I couldn't relate to his words then but now I could. Because something in me is itching to rip off his clothes and devour him whole.