Chapter 6 –– Performing for the Alpha

Adriana's Point of View

I stepped onto the stage, and applause greeted me, swelling from the darkness like a wave. It was funny how the room seemed so dim from up here, the audience hidden in shadows, their faces obscured. When I sat among them before, it was nothing like this—each table was lit well enough for customers to see their food, their drinks, and even the expressions of those around them. But now, as I stood under the spotlight, the crowd was reduced to an indistinct murmur of silhouettes.

The applause was encouraging, a steady reminder that I was making a name for myself—not just as a singer but as a songwriter. It wasn't always easy, but I was finally gaining recognition for my craft, and life felt pretty good. Sure, it had challenges, but I was moving forward, one note at a time. Right now, though, I needed to push aside other thoughts and focus on my music. My fingers hovered over the keys, my breath steadying as I prepared to let the first melody flow.

My usual routine was simple but effective: thirty-minute sets followed by a much-needed short break before diving into the next block. The music was a mix of quiet background pieces that blended into the room's ambience, familiar popular songs that would catch a listener's attention, and one of my originals every so often. Those were always my favourite moments. Sneaking in something I'd written felt like sharing a piece of my soul with the crowd, even if they didn't know it.

It was a solid routine, one that worked well for me. The tips I earned reflected that. Night after night, the small tokens of appreciation piled up, and they weren't just a nice bonus; they were my lifeline. Tips were the lifeblood of entertainers like me. I'd worked hard to become the kind of musician people wanted to tip generously.

Over time, I'd saved quite a bit from those nights, giving me a quiet sense of security. No matter what happened, I had something to fall back on. And, if it came to it, I had an escape plan. If my mate ever showed up and things didn't feel right. If I felt like I couldn't keep my independence or the bond threatened to take away the life I'd built, I could leave.

I knew wolves were supposed to want their mate, to crave the bond as a part of their soul. But the thought of giving up everything I'd worked so hard for? That scared me more than anything. I wasn't sure I could do it.

For now, though, I wouldn't let myself worry about it. The music called to me, the audience waiting in the shadows. As I pressed the first note, the rest of the world faded.

I was almost at the end of my second thirty-minute block when I smelt the most incredible smell. It was like chocolate mixed with the scent of forests. It was so strong that I could almost taste it and wanted to.

"Our mate is close by," said Calliope, my wolf.

"What? I can't concentrate on that right now!" I answered Calliope. It explains why she was off tonight. At least I was no longer talking out loud to her. Learning how to speak to her in my head took a few weeks without saying anything.

"You better not miss him," she warned.

"Trying to concentrate… Damn! What if we don't like him?" I asked.

"How could we not? He's our mate, and he'll be perfect," she softly growled, almost like a purr.

I managed to push Calliope aside and ignored her while finishing my set. It wasn't easy, as she was so excited about meeting the man we would potentially spend the rest of our lives with. After finishing my set, I told her, "I appreciate your enthusiasm, but I'm not sure I am ready to meet our supposed soulmate just yet. At least tonight, I need to focus on the rest of my performance." Despite this, she was still sitting in the back of my mind, wagging her tail.

Once the applause had died down and the overpowered stage lights were dimmed, it was time to look around. I sniffed the air, and the scent was overpowering. I could determine where the smell was coming from, so I looked toward the diners in that area. Our Alpha, Beta, and Gamma were there with two other females. All of them were stunningly attractive, and all the bland humans couldn't take their eyes off them.

Daemon Corbeau, our Alpha, was a supernatural being who stood out. He was tall, with broad shoulders and a tanned complexion. His black hair was immaculately combed, and he looked like a Greek God, fit for Selene, our Moon Goddess. Even normal Wolf-Shifters had difficulty resisting his looks, let alone humans. I must admit, I had trouble keeping my eyes off him.

As no other Wolf-Shifters were present in the vicinity, only humans, I realised that my mate could be either a Wolf-Shifter or a human. At that moment, my gaze fell upon the Alpha, who sniffed the air and glared at me. Our eyes met, and it was apparent that he was not pleased.

Oh shit! Oh shit! Oh shit! You had to be kidding me? The Alpha? Was my mate the Alpha of our pack? My mind raced with questions and confusion as I tried to make sense of the situation. I felt a mix of emotions - surprise, excitement, and a hint of fear - as I realised the weight of what this meant for us. This news would change everything.

"I can't believe it!" I told Calliope.

"Our mate is the Alpha," purred Calliope. "As he should be. I was not meant to be a lowly Omega."

"You realise that he will probably think I am an Omega?" I reminded her. "We are technically violating his laws by living outside the pack."

"You are destined for greater things, remember," she answered.

Sure, I was. My wolf was completely delusional, and now the Alpha is my mate. I didn't know what to do. It was a lot to handle, but I knew I had to stay strong and keep my wits about me. "He won't like it, so prepare to be rejected," I warned. "This is not going to go well."

I quickly got up and made my way backstage. I didn't want to face rejection in front of the entire audience. Despite being raised as an Omega, the lowest-ranking member of society, I still had some self-respect and dignity that I didn't want to compromise. Hurrying backstage seemed the safest option, allowing me to avoid unwanted attention and maintain my composure.

I went to my dressing room, weaving through the quiet backstage corridors with purpose. It wasn't far—a small but cosy space tucked away from the buzz of the venue. Over the last few months, it had become my sanctuary, a place where I could retreat and catch my breath when the emotional weight of performing threatened to overwhelm me.

As soon as I closed the door behind me, I heaved a deep sigh of relief, the sound echoing softly in the room. The muffled applause and chatter from the audience were faint now, separated by walls that offered just enough solitude. My body relaxed slightly as I leaned against the door for a moment, letting the adrenaline of the set start to ebb away.

The room wasn't much, but it was mine. A warm lamp cast a soft glow over the worn couch, the small vanity, and the scattered sheet music I'd left earlier. A vase of fresh flowers sat on the table—courtesy of the venue manager, who made a point of brightening the space each week. The scent of lavender lingered faintly in the air, calming my nerves as I sank into the familiar comfort of the room.

This was where I came to decompress, to shake off the intensity of being in the spotlight. It was where I allowed myself to feel, process, and recharge before stepping back into the world. Tonight, the performance went well, but the crowd's energy always left me a little breathless.

I walked over to the brightly lit vanity, catching a glimpse of myself in the mirror. My cheeks were flushed from the heat of the stage lights, and my hair was slightly dishevelled. I looked… tired, but in a good way. I smiled faintly at my reflection before sitting down, running my fingers through my hair to smooth it out.

Composing myself—that was the plan for this break. Whether it meant closing my eyes for a few minutes, sipping on the tea someone had left on the side table, or losing myself in the music sheets that always seemed to call my name, this was my time to regroup.

I exhaled again, slower this time, letting the tension of the performance melt away. This room wasn't just a physical retreat; it was my mental refuge, a space where I could be entirely myself. And right now, that was exactly what I needed.

Sitting on the plush chair, I gazed at my reflection in the mirror. A sudden idea struck me as I sat there, lost in my thoughts. I could tell James I wasn't feeling well and needed to go home. It was a clever plan, and it would take me away from Alpha Daemon for tonight at least. I could deal with it tomorrow after a good sleep. Yeah! That's what I'll do.

"Why are you running away from our mate?" demanded Calliope.

"Alphas do not mate with Omegas! We are supposed to be an Omega, remember?" I snapped at her out loud as I still didn't have the whole inner voice thing happening. "I am not ready to face him or be rejected just yet. I need time to prepare myself." Calliope was silent. I opened the door to go and talk to James, but I found that the doorway was filled with an angry-looking Alpha. Fuck!  

"Who are you talking to, and why are you blocking my mind-link?" he demanded.