Chapter 1| Stripped For My Mates

Daphne’s POV

I had always dreamed of a life far away from the dimly lit club, where the air was thick with the scent of expensive wine, sweat, and sex. The moment I stepped onto the stage, I felt the weight of the world on my shoulders. 

Being a stripper had become my only means of survival since my father's death, but each night was a reminder of the life I longed to escape. As I danced, the leering eyes of men made my skin crawl.

And the cheers from women felt more like mockery than support. I wanted to quit, to walk away from the life that had turned me into an object rather than a person. But with a mountain of debt looming over me, I needed the money; otherwise, I'd be dead. 

Each second felt like an eternity as I counted down the minutes until I could finally escape this club. I borrowed some money to treat the man whom I took as my father. He wasn't my real father, but he saved me and took me in, knowing fully well I was a rogue. 

But he died anyway, and I was left with nothing but debt and sadness. At the club, other wolves made fun of me. They called me "rogue" and "trash." They knew I never belonged to this pack, so they treated me any way they liked. 

I had to live far away from the club because of the bullying. People wouldn't leave me alone, so I moved to a new place after my father died. I was lucky to work there; the manager really didn’t care about me being a rogue.

All he wanted was to see if I could dance and make him money. I was so lost in thought that I didn’t even know Mr Raymond had been calling me until I felt a hand on my skin.

“Come with me,” Mr. Raymond said. I followed behind him to a corner. “We have a special customer," he said. "A VIP, and they’re willing to pay a lot of money just for you to dance for them."

"Who are they?" I asked. "It's a couple, and the woman likes women too," he replied. "Do I know them?" 

“You ask too many questions, Daphne; their names are secret; you'll find out when you see them.”

“If you please them, you’d be walking home with $1000 tonight,” Mr.” Raymond said. I thought about it. This could be my chance to pay off my debts and start fresh. I could finally leave this pack and start a new life somewhere else. 

"Fine, I’ll do it,” I agreed. “Get dressed, Daphne; they're waiting in the VIP room,” he said with a smile, and with that, I made my way to the VIP room. 

Mr. Raymond’s words kept ringing in my head: “They are powerful people, so do whatever it takes to make sure they are pleased.” I breathed in and out before opening the door, and I was shocked to the core after setting my eyes on the people who booked me. 

It was Alpha Bryce of the Moon Stone Pack and his wife, Xena. Mason, Bryce’s beta, also sat beside him. My breath caught as I took in Alpha Bryce’s appearance. 

He had broad shoulders and his dark hair framed his perfect chiseled face. His piercing blue eyes seemed to hold a depth of power and authority. He wore a fitted black shirt that accentuated his muscular build, and a silver pendant hung around his neck, gleaming in the light. 

The confidence radiating from him was undeniable, making it clear he was a leader not to be trifled with. And there was Mason who exuded an undeniable charisma that made him incredibly alluring. 

His muscles were defined and inviting. I felt like allowing the ground to swallow me up. I wanted to run away, but they had already seen me, and Mr. Raymond would be upset if I created a scene. 

“Hey pretty, I heard you are one of the best strippers here. Well, you were highly recommended." Alpha Bryce said with a mischievous smile playing on his lips, which sent shivers down my spine.

“What do you think, my love?” Bryce turned to Xena, his wife. “I like her already, baby, but I think I'd like it better if she were naked.” Xena replied. No, this can’t be happening to me; I only dance, and that’s it. 

I’ve never danced naked before, but when I thought about the money again, I couldn’t help but do it, and besides, it was the Alpha and Luna; I dare not refuse them. “You heard her pretty, strip now,” his voice echoed in the room. 

I gently took off my dress, and when I was fully naked, I could see them staring at me with lust in their eyes, including Mason. "Fu*k, she sure has a sexy body,” Xena whispered. 

“Now show us what you’ve got.” I moved to the pole, my whole body trembling. I didn’t want to fuck this up; this was my chance to leave this hell of a pack. So I swayed my body and hips according to this soft music. 

And judging from their looks, I knew they were enjoying it. I continued dancing, but then a scent suddenly hit me, and my eyes widened because I knew what it was. Trying to steady myself on the pole, I tripped and fell to the ground. 

When I raised my head to see who it was, I heard two voices say, “Mate!.” Xena quickly stood up. I could see the anger and rage all over her face.

“What the hell is going on here?” She yelled. They all looked shocked as they stared at me, who was still on the floor, naked. 

My darted between Alpha Bryce and Mason, I could see how disgusted and disappointed they were that this stripper and rogue in front of them was their mate. 

But Mason was silent the whole time as a grin appeared on his lips. I was frozen with fear, holding my breath as the air was thick with tension because any slight movement could provoke or trigger their anger, and I didn’t want that right now. 

How am I mated to the Alpha and his beta at the same time I wondered. “How come this filthy thing is your mate, Bryce?'' Xena yelled again, breaking the silence. She didn’t care that I was also mated to Mason.

Suddenly, Bryce laughed out loud without saying a word, like the situation was actually funny while it wasn’t. “So what now, Alpha?” Mason teased, “Are you going to take her as your Luna too?” 

“Never,” Bryce fired back. “The moon goddess must be insane to make this thing here my mate.” I knew what it was going to be anyway; there was no way either of them was going to accept me as their mate. 

Bryce was clearly in love with his chosen mate, Xena and Mason looked at me with only lust ready to devour me any minute. I stood up from the ground, trying to locate where my dress was, as tears welled up in my eyes. 

The moment I picked up my dress, I heard a voice that made me stop. “Where do you think you’re going?” 

“I'm done dancing,” I stammered. Bryce laughed again. “We paid heavily for your service, pretty, and we’re not yet satisfied with your performance,” he muttered. 

“Bryce,” Xena called his name with an angry look on her face. It was obvious she didn’t like what he was doing because she was just his chosen mate, and there’s a possibility he’d leave her for me. 

But when he didn’t give her any attention, she gave me a stern look and was about to leave the room when Bryce held her back. "Don't worry, my love; there’s no way I’m leaving you for this trash." 

He pulled her to his side, placing a soft kiss on her lips. My heart shattered into a million pieces after hearing what he just said. "What are you waiting for, pretty?" Mason asked as he spread his legs.

"Continue dancing." All Mason wanted was for me to dance, he didn’t want to talk about the mate bond. I tried to hold back the tears that I was holding, but they came flooding down my eyes as I danced and obeyed their commands. 

I watched how Bryce and Xena made out, like I wasn’t even present. It was really painful to watch one of my mate make out with someone else, and as soon as I was done, I quickly put on my clothes and made my way to the door, desperate to escape.

But as my hand touched the door handle, Bryce’s voice froze me in my tracks. “You’re surprisingly a good dancer... And I’ll surely see more of this; you’re my mate after all." 

His words dripped with sinister intent, and I felt a chill run down my spine. I still couldn’t understand what he meant by that because, after what happened today, I’m definitely done with this job. 

"Well, I know what you’re thinking right now; just to make things clear, there’s no way I’m rejecting you, Daphne.” He said standing up on his feet.

“Reject her now Mason” He ordered.