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“Alpha!” he groveled. I could never quite remember his name, but it wasn’t relevant. I wasn’t there to see him. “How wonderful that you could make it tonight.”
“It’s good to be back,” I agreed, allowing him to take my coat as the guards fell into place after piling out of their tail car after me. I marched through the back hallway, allowing the manager to guide me, even though I knew the place well. I owned it, after all, a fact that few people knew.
In fact, I owned a lot of real estate in secret. I couldn’t bring myself to display my entire portfolio before the whole kingdom yet, not when I had no idea where my father might be.
I had to do something to keep my hands occupied while I waited for my father to return from wherever his travels had taken him. In my mind’s eye, he always returned to reclaim his throne and mock me for thinking I could ever really run the kingdom as well as he had. And when that happened, I would merely leave Steelshire Castle with my portfolio of properties and start anew.
The best-laid plans, I suppose…
I passed by the changing rooms and faltered, hoping to get a glimpse of the new dancer I’d seen online, but to my dismay, the doors were closed.
“Would you like me to open them, Alpha?” the manager asked, noting my disappointment.
My brow furrowed, and I scowled. “Of course not,” I growled. “It’s obviously closed for a good reason.”
He balked at my response, and I rolled my eyes, brushing past him to head up toward my private box. The posh theater was filled to capacity beyond the closed curtain, a distinct smell of leather and sage wafting in the air.
I passed by an array of expensive dresses, lined on a rack for costume changes, their matching shoes aligned in front of them, and I tried to imagine which ones the new girl would be wearing that night.
I suppose I’ll have to see for myself.
I made it into my spacious, freshly polished box. The Royal Guards remained outside, and I perched on the edge of my microfiber seat to lean casually over the edge of the high-paneled balcony. The cabaret was already filled, the show minutes from starting.
“What can I get you, Alpha? Champagne? Wine?” the manager asked.
“Whisky,” I replied. “As always.”
Again, he paled and shuffled away, muttering something that sounded like, “Stupid! I should have known that.”
I swallowed a smile and turned my attention back toward the crowd, my heart pumping inexplicably. I wanted the show to start, but my eyes also scanned the Roman-styled theater for any signs of damage or age. It remained in pristine condition, much to my relief.
The orchestra warmed up, honks and tweets reaching my ears as the show readied itself, and I sat back.
Less than three minutes later, the lights began to dim as the announcer told everyone to take their seats, and the managerreturned with my bottle of aged whisky on a silver tray, a bucket of ice at its side.
Shuffling back, he started to leave the box, but I stopped him.
“One minute!” I called out after him. “What’s your name again?”
He tried to hide his displeasure at my memory but smiled thinly and gave me an exaggerated bow. “Jergin, Alpha. At your service.”
“Jergin, that’s right.” I nodded. “That’s all for now, but don’t go far. I might need you for something later.”
Jergin’s azure eyes gleamed with interest, but he wisely did not question my intentions.
“Of course, Alpha. Anything you need, I am happy to provide.”
I smirked and let him leave, but my grin was short-lived as bouncy, lively music flooded the hall and the curtain lifted on stage. Ah, this is what I came for, what I had been looking forward to all night.
Sure, I could just as easily have them come to me, visit in the privacy of my own floor, and put on a show specially tailored for my eyes only. But that would take away from the full sensation I received when I observed their true act, the hours of practice that the females put into their shows for this night, this time.
No. This was so much better.
Suddenly, half a dozen females in skimpy, glittering outfits appeared, swinging their long legs in a coordinated dance routine.
My breath caught as she drew my eyes immediately, her chestnut mane gleaming beneath the stage lights, her ivory smile glittering even from the distance. Next to the other faeries, she shone, her movements more graceful, her curves more definitive, her allure captivating me like none of the other performers had ever done before.
I didn’t realize I was almost hanging over the balcony until the soles of my dress shoes slid over the floor and launched my torso forward. My hands curled around the railing so tightly that my claws extended as my body instinctively morphed, believing I was in mortal danger, but I stopped myself from shifting into my wolf form before I could lose my clothes.
