Every day, I scrubbed three thousand dishes, working fifteen hours straight. When the Alpha announced the Mate Trial, I thought I was the only one there who was completely unaffected.
I couldn't afford to stop working for even a second, still drowning in the medical debt I took on years ago to save my baby.
“Oh, it’s just so exciting. The chance to be the alpha’s mate!” The blonde, bubbly customer gushed, “I hope he picks me!”
I wiped down the table next to hers and sighed silently. It wasn’t the first time today I’d heard this very conversation, and it wouldn’t be the last, either. I put a wad of tips in my apron as I heard her friend continue.
“I can’t believe all eligible females are being summoned for this mate trial. But I mean, it’s nice that the alpha plans to consider everyone, even the…more unfortunate ones.” Her gaze flicked to me, and I reddened.
It was no secret around these parts that I was a ‘workaholic’ waitress, which was frowned upon in the shifter world. Most females would rather go to the salon, shop, and go to parties, but I was here every day, working hard. The comment didn’t bother me too much, I liked taking care of myself and brightening the days of my customers that came into the diner.
Besides, there was no way that I was going to participate in this mate trial. But these girls didn’t know that. Her blonde friend didn’t notice the pointed look my way and continued the conversation.
“Everyone thinks he’ll choose the Blake daughter anyway since they’re such an elite family. It will give him more connections.”
I walked behind the bar and grabbed another cup of coffee for our regular, Paul, who was sitting at the bar, and he grunted his thanks. My coworker, Betty, smiled at me as she walked back to the bar register beside me to ring up a customer’s tab.
“What was her name again?” The snarky friend asked.
“Ava Blake.” The blonde adjusted a curl from her shoulder. “She’s rich and a model.”
Betty looked at me with her green eyes wide and an eyebrow raised, voice low. “Agnes Blake, Ava Blake. You’ve both got the same last name.”
“Never heard of her. Must be a coincidence.” I replied quickly.
I thought about my response for a second and winced inwardly. Everyone within 1000 miles of Bark Hollow knew who Ava Blake was. Even lone shifters knew about my stepsister.
Our family was prestigious, and word got around fast about how beautiful she was. But Betty just shrugged, either not wanting to press it further or choosing to believe what I said. Either way, I was grateful.
There were many reasons I had left my family’s shadow, things I didn’t want to get out.
Things that were painful.
I couldn’t care less about this mate trial or my stepsister’s part in it. I also firmly believed that this alpha would not choose Ava to be his bride. As part of his mate trial announcement, he’d also mentioned his prior marriage and his six-year-old daughter—she would be a package deal that came with marrying him, and taking care of her was one of the stipulations mentioned.
My stepsister loathed kids with the same level of disgust she showed to the insects in the garden.
The bell chimed to announce a new customer. I glanced up to greet them with a smile but was met with the sight of my best friend, Elise, eyes wide with worry as she barged through the door.
I hadn’t seen Elise in a few months. She’d been my best friend for my entire life, but I’d decided it would be best to minimize contact with her, in case my family tried to follow her to track me down. Not that they had or would.
“Bathroom, now.” She ordered, urging me to follow. I tugged off my apron and followed her, locking the bathroom door behind me.
“Elise? What’s wrong?”
Her red curls were wind-blown, and her blue eyes were red and puffy. She’d been crying. She put her hands on my shoulders.
“Aggie, I desperately need a favor. A major one. I’ll owe you big time.”
Her tone was pleading, desperate. “Please, Aggie.”
“Alright, alright,” I soothed, “What is it?”
“I need you to pretend to be me and go in my place for the mate trials.”
I blinked. “You need me to what?”
“Please, Agnes,” She paused. “I’ve met someone. Someone I truly love. My mate. But my parents don’t approve and want to throw me into the mate trials to get into better standing with the pack!”
Tears began to streak her face. She wiped at them with her sleeve and continued, “But I’ve figured it out. You can go in my place, using my name, and the registrar will inform my parents that I am participating.”
“What would you even do? Your parents will find out.” I stated pointedly.
“Yes, but by the time they do my mate and I will be gone. We’re leaving the pack. We have it all planned out.”
“This is ridiculous,” I protested. “What if we get caught?” I crossed my arms, taking a step away from her, “And I can’t afford to stop working, you know, I have to pay off my medical debt, you know that.”
Elise continued to plead, big blue eyes shining, “Come on, you’re a Blake by birth—which protects you from any fallout, and you’re an eligible female with the right to participate. The alpha won’t punish you. And I’ll pay for your time.”
I shook my head, thoughts of seeing my stepsister turning my stomach. “I don’t want to see Ava—”
“Fifty thousand dollars.” She interrupted.
I froze. “Done.”
I owed so much money and interest on my debt… fifty thousand dollars would change everything. Even if it meant having to see her. If I could bear the unruly customer now and again for a stingy tip, I could deal with seeing my stepsister too.
Elise squealed and hugged me. “Thank you, thank you!” She shoved an envelope into my hands.
“My invitation,” She informed me. “Be there at noon. Don’t be late!”
I put on the simplest dress I could find in my closet, a pale blue chiffon with a hemline below the knee, paired with white flats. I wasn’t looking to draw the alpha’s attention, if there was even a slim chance he would be interested in me. I kept my makeup simple, not accentuating my full lips or gray eyes, and I pinned my long dark hair up in a bun at the base of my head.
I knew how the other girls planned to dress for the mate trial today, and that my current look wouldn’t be enough to turn heads, but I could blend into the background.
I took a deep breath as I walked through the large ivory, ornate doors of the alpha’s mansion. “Are you Elise Matthews?” The burly guard at the entrance asked.
I nodded, and bit my lip nervously, but he waved me on through. My shoulders relaxed. The room he'd waved me into was already filled with other girls.
It looked like I’d been the last to arrive.
Just like I thought, they were dressed similarly to me, but with hemlines slightly shorter. Most had full blowouts and a lot more makeup, but I’d expected that too. I kept my head down as I found a seat in the corner of the room.
I glanced up through lowered lashes and saw Ava, chatting with one of her friends. She luckily hadn’t noticed me, but I marveled at how she looked the same as the day I had left. Not one thing had changed about her, and she seemed like she hadn’t lost any sleep over what had happened, either.
Not that I was surprised. I watched the way she held the attention of the rest of the girls, enrapturing her audience. It made me glad that she could do so at this moment because it meant that it was more likely that I would slip through these mate trials unnoticed, without a second glance from any of these girls.
Hopefully, the alpha would pass me over, as well, and grant me a quick exit that would bring me closer to the plans I had in mind once I finished this farce and Elise gave me that money.
The room began to stir, interrupting me from my thoughts.
The burly guard entered. “Introducing Alpha Elijah Hudson!” He boomed.
The girls who were seated stood—save for me since I was blocked from view. They preened as the alpha walked through the doors.
My view was also blocked by the girls, so I only caught a quick glimpse of a large, toned bicep as the alpha walked in before I glanced back down, curling my hands into my dress.
He walked around for a minute until his steady voice reverberated through the room with a command. “You, stay.”
I let out the breath I’d been holding in relief. He’d chosen someone. I could go home.
The girls in front of me filtered out of the room, and I stood to do the same. But as I scanned the rest of the room, my stomach sank. Something was wrong.
All the girls had left.
I lifted my head and met the icy gaze of the alpha, Elijah.
I gaped at him. “Me!?”
