Getting Ready
Stefan
A strange, prickling warmth swims in my veins. Every time I move my eyes, the room spins slightly, and the light dances.
“She’s ready!” someone yells out, and I turn my head, curious to see what’s happening.
The small tent is lined with long folding tables with little chairs every few feet. All kinds of makeup and hair products litter the table as busy betas prepare omegas. They’re making us pretty, or at least that’s what the beta curling my hair said. Or maybe she said something else. I don’t know.
It’s so hard to concentrate on anything other than the twinkling lights floating all around me. Those awful drugs make it impossible to think. It’s like my mind is made of thick fog, threatening to seep out the top of my head. And my body is way too heavy. It’s like my hands are made of metal, pulling my arms down.
Down.
Down.
Will my bones stretch like rubber from the weight?
Could they pop off like a cheaply-made, plastic doll?
I’d have to learn how to eat with my feet. I snort, then giggle at the funny thought.
“Let me see your face.” The sweet beta styling my hair leans down, admiring the way my curls lie across my forehead. She’s pretty with a button nose and pink lips. I want to kiss her. I’ve never kissed anyone before, but the drugs coursing through my veins make me feel like I can do anything.
“I want to kiss you,” I blurt out, happy when she smiles wide. It makes her eyes crinkle and her nose scrunch.
“You are precious.” The button-nosed beta beams at me, cupping my face. “But you don’t want me,” she says with a girlie giggle. “Once you get on stage and smell all those sexy alphas, you’re going to want them.”
My nostrils twitch as I scent the air. She’s right—the breeze is thick with alpha. But I can already tell they’re all male. I don’t want a man. I want a girl.
“I’m not gay,” I say firmly, and the button-nosed beta giggles, but it’s not a sweet laugh.
“Oh, you sweet thing.” She grabs a hand mirror off the folding table laid out in front of us. “Once your heat hits, all you’ll care about is getting filled.”
“ Filled ?” I balk. “I’m not a girl,” I snip. “A male alpha can’t mate with me.”
“Oh, you sweet thing.” She tips her head back, opening her mouth wide as if I’ve just said the funniest thing she’s ever heard. Her reaction makes me like her a lot less. I’m glad I didn’t try to kiss her. “Trust me, there are many ways an alpha can fill you.”
Shock and confusion twist inside me. Fill me where? In my mouth? I resist the urge to gag. That would be so gross.
“I know you’re young,” the beta continues, “but once your heat hits, you’ll be begging for it.”
My cheeks burn with embarrassment. Why on earth would she mention my heat? It’s so personal.
I turn my head, focusing on the small omega in the chair next to me. She looks sad. Tears drip down her rounded cheeks while another beta paints her lips a dark red.
“Next!” a scary alpha yells through the flap of the tent before sticking his head inside. He’s got wild brown hair that falls into his face like a lion’s mane. His dark eyes scan the small space, then they narrow as an omega in a pink dress is pushed toward him. He licks his lips as she approaches, spending extra time staring at her chest.
All the omegas getting their makeup done are wearing pretty dresses or skimpy clothes that resemble lingerie. It’s hard not to look at them. I’ve never seen a woman wear anything like that before. It makes my privates tingle.
Not wanting to creep anyone out, I stare at my lap. They put me in an oversized white dress shirt and nothing else. No slacks. No underwear. It’s comfortable enough, but it smells like someone else. The fabric drips with a strange alpha’s aroma, making my eyes burn. I don’t want to wear it, but it’s better than being naked.
A not-so-distant crowd of alphas begins to cheer, yelling and barking over one another as an announcer introduces a new omega. I can’t make out his words over the hard voices, but it’s clear this omega is popular. It feels like this auction has lasted for hours. How many more omegas can there be? I scan the room, realizing there’s only a handful of us left.
And soon, I’ll be the one forced onto that stage.
“I knew they’d love her,” a blond beta says with a laugh. I rub my belly, trying to force my growing fear away.
“I bet twenty bucks she ends up with a pack.” The button-nosed beta holds a mirror up to my face as the scary man calls for another omega. “What do you think?” she asks.
I had assumed the beta was putting lotion on my skin, but it's clear now that she wasn’t. She put makeup on me like I’m a girl. And I look…weird. Like someone else is wearing my face. I admittedly haven’t seen my reflection in a very long time, but I know I don’t look like this naturally. The makeup is caked over the dark circles under my eyes, and sticky lipstick makes my mouth look massive and shiny. It feels gross when I press my lips together and then slowly pull them apart.
Why would anyone want this on their skin?
“Are you upset?” the beta asks me as she lowers the mirror. “Do you need more medicine?” Her dark eyes are wide with concern. She was clearly hoping for a big reaction from me and not the frown that’s pulling the skin on my face.
“I’m good.” I lift my mouth into a smile, tugging at the leather collar secured around my neck. The rough edges dig into my skin. “You did an amazing job.” I don’t know why I’m complimenting her, but I can’t help it. I don’t want her to think she did a bad job.
“Well, I’m glad you like it.” The button-nosed beta giggles as she sets down the mirror. “And this shirt is very complementary.” She fusses with my collar and then the cuffs on the long sleeves.
“Next!” The alpha with the lion mane sticks his head into the tent once more. But this time, his eyes land on me, and he smiles. Does he have shark teeth?
I blink repeatedly, not sure if it’s the drugs or my fear, but everything is suddenly a thousand times scarier.
“You’re up, little one.” The button-nosed beta tugs at my upper arm, forcing me onto my feet.
My legs feel like rubber with big knots for knees. I don't know if I can walk.
“Let’s go.” The scary alpha steps toward me. His hard eyes scan my face, then down my body, but he doesn’t admire me the way he did the others. I don’t know why, but it upsets me. It’s such a confusing emotion. I don’t want this alpha to want me, but the thought of being rejected is just as upsetting.
I want my sister.
“Come!” the scary alpha commands me, and a sense of mindless urgency grips me. My feet move, unable to defy the big man with his lion mane.
“Is he ready?” Angelica barks as we step out of the tent. It’s nighttime. The bright moon hangs heavy in the pitch-black sky, and stars twinkle down on us. “Tip your head up.” Her hard eyes scan my hair and face, then down my body.
I clasp my hands in front of my privates, wishing like crazy that I had been given pants or even underwear. This shirt is so thin. I’m sure it shows everything.
“He almost looks human.” Angelica nods in approval, then she grimaces. “If only he weren’t so damn thin.”
I drop my head in shame.
No one is going to want me.
Do I want someone to want me? No. Right?
But what happens if I get on stage, and the alphas refuse to bid on me? Will they give me away for free to a violent monster? Throw me away? Kill me?
The voices around me fade in and out as the rushing sound of waves fills my ears. It takes me several moments to realize it’s my pulse. Is my heart going to explode? Will blood spurt from my ears? Can that happen?
“This way.” Angelica makes me move.
We walk toward the back of a large stage. It’s made of thick beams of metal, with black curtains along the back that block my view of the crowd. I can’t see the alphas on the other side, but I can hear them. They sound restless, and they smell scary. Sharp alpha pheromones waft in the air, catching in the trees and clinging to my skin.
“Make sure you smile,” Angelica snaps as we walk up the small staircase. I flinch from her harsh tone, not brave enough to look at her face. “You’ve got a lot working against you as a male,” she forces me to stop right in front of the black curtain, “and if you want a nice pack, you’re going to have to convince them you’re worth it.”
“Yes, ma’am,” I mumble, scared of what might happen if I don’t respond.
Then she shoves me through the curtain, right into the center of a bright spotlight, and right into the view of a sea of hungry alphas.