Moonlit Mischief: A Shift in the Heart

Lying in bed, I glanced at my bedroom window. I observed, despite the presence of my blackout curtains, that the sun still illuminated the sky. Shifting onto my side, I reached out for my cell phone on the bedside table. Enthralled, I gazed at the poignant collage I had crafted with the very last photographs that held immense sentimental value to me. These pictures depicted moments captured with my parents, mere moments before the savage wolf pack claimed their lives. Regrettably, I was absent that day. Instead, I spent my time assisting my grandmother in the vibrant garden. Yet, even now, the piercing echo of my grandmother's horrified scream reverberates within me, a haunting reminder of that fateful day.

When I was just thirteen, I suffered the tragic loss of both my parents. The thought of embracing them is a distant dream, and I yearn for the wise counsel of my mother in times of need. The dream of my father walking me down the aisle on my wedding day will never become a reality. These moments, so precious and irreplaceable, were cruelly taken from me by the wolf pack. Their actions not only stole my past but also permanently altered the course of my life.

Just as I unlocked my phone, it began to ring. It was Phillip, the manager of the establishment I worked at, Luxury and Lace. I sighed, sliding it to answer the phone, “Hello?”

"Emberleigh, could you come in earlier than planned? Kai is sick," Phillip requested.

"I can. What time was Kai supposed to be here?" I inquired.

"At seven. Can you make it? If not, it's okay. She wasn't scheduled to be on stage until nine tonight. She was just going to help organize everyone's things," he explained. 

“I should be able to get there maybe around eight.” I told him.

“Perfect. See you soon.” He hung up the phone. 

I spent just a few more minutes in bed before mustering the energy to hop into the shower. I followed my regular routine: wash, shave, moisturize, style my hair, and apply my makeup. Once I was ready, I glanced at my reflection in the mirror. I often felt awkward as I left my home. I was dressed in cozy leggings and a tank top, wearing a full face of makeup and my hair styled. "Someday, I won't be doing this anymore," I uttered to myself.

Grabbing my keys, I strode out of the garage and settled into the driver's seat. With a swift press of the start button, the engine burst into life, ready for the road ahead. The garage door opened and I left my home.

Around thirty minutes later, just after eight o'clock, I pulled into the staff parking lot, parking my sleek BMW with precision. Carrying all my bags and supplies, I swiftly made my way inside. As I approached the backdoor, the friendly guard, Gregory, greeted me with a smile and held the door open.

"Good evening, Emberleigh. Before settling in, Phillip requested for you to visit his office," Gregory informed me.

"Good evening, Gregory. Thank you," I replied with a warm smile.

Following Gregory's instructions, I proceeded towards Phillip's office and gave a gentle knock on the door. "Come in," his authoritative voice echoed from within.

With anticipation building, I carefully opened the door and stepped into his office, ready for whatever awaited me.

“Firstly, I would like to thank you for coming in early tonight. We have a large group coming in and they have requested a few girls to be available for their private viewing. You, Karly, and Tabitha are going to be available to them, if they want.” He told me.

“Okay that is fine, do we know when they’ll be here?” I asked him.

“They mentioned a time frame of around ten to eleven, could be sooner or it could be later. If you're concerned about it, you can fit in a few dances. However, the earnings tonight for the three of you will surpass anything you've ever left here with.” Phillip's eyes gleamed with anticipation. 

"Oh, so they're wealthy?" I smiled.

“Fucking wealthy. Rolling in the money. In fact, they reserved the spaces on either side of where they will be for privacy.” He leaned back in his seat.

“Who are they?” I asked him.

"It's the Alpha from the Lunar Shadows Pack," Phillip continued, his words fading into the background as my ears rang. A sudden sensation of dread washed over me, causing my face to pale and my body to tremble. The very pack that had taken away my parents was now making its way here. I would have no choice but to dance for them. 

“Are you okay? You look like you’re going to be sick. Oh, crap! Did you catch what Kai had?” Phillip stood from his desk worried.

"I shook my head and said, "I believe I just need some cold water. Thank you. Excuse me," before turning and making my way back to my area in the girls' dressing room.