In the Middle of Enemy Territory

People were walking around. Sure enough, no one was wearing much. A couple of people were even led by her with collars and leashes nothing more. Tara thought that was the floor show until she heard the crack of the whip again. She jumped in response and watched it land on the bare backside of a bound woman.

The sounds brought her attention to a woman bent over a bench and restrained with chains. Tara’s body shivered with unfamiliar feelings she couldn't describe. Tara could see the woman’s face and she appeared to be enjoying this treatment. That this was the best thing ever that she’d experienced.

As the floor show continued, Tara watched the crowd as the large dark-haired man plied the whip to the women’s flesh. His tanned bare chest gleamed in the club's lights, accenting his sculpted muscles and warrior’s body. His tattoos fascinated her. As she watched, his concentration never strayed from the woman. He ignored everyone else. To him, it was just the two of them. An intimate encounter on display. Tara couldn’t help but feel her own restless need. She craved to touch herself, but she wouldn’t do that here. She couldn’t let herself go and draw attention to her sad existence.

Women in the audience lounged on men’s laps or at their feet. Men relaxed and toyed with these women’s naked flesh. The women didn’t mind, some vocally displayed their enjoyment. Others moved to clearly find more enjoyed in what the men were doing.

The floor show continued until he commanded the woman being whipped to climax. She shattered spectacularly right there for the entire crowd to watch; nothing was hidden from the crowd and Tara saw and felt everything emotionally and visually. Her most intimate body parts were on full display, she couldn’t have faked it. Tara felt the need to clamp her thighs closed in response to everything she’d witnessed, and she held her purse before her.

Tara wasn’t envious of her being whipped. No, she was envious of the woman being free enough to let go like that before everyone and on command. To give herself permission to let go and just feel. There was no way she could have faked that. Tara struggled not to feel her own response to the highly charged encounter.

Now Tara was standing there, feeling more isolated than when she first entered.

When the floor show ended, another man took a woman over his knee and spanked her where he sat.

It was a type of spanking Tara had never seen. It wasn’t rushed or done in anger. He would slap her butt cheeks and then rub the red spots that formed with a firm hand. She’d cry out and counted each slap. Moaning in delight as he caressed her intimately. She was panting and begging for more. Thrusting her bum up begging for another slap.

It was so intimate that Tara had to look away when his hand disappeared between her bare thighs, and she began cooing in delight and thrusting her hips against his hand.

She couldn’t help it. She felt her own discomfort growing between her thighs as she watched. Tara wondered what he said to her as he spanked her. Because he was smiling as he administered each slap and looked pleased as he examined the results. Tara couldn’t see the woman’s face, but her moans and writhing told her the woman didn’t care who heard her response. Tara wished she could have that freedom.

“Abby knows she’s just a tool for him. She’s Cal’s current submissive, and she has a thing for pain. Think of her as a show horse or a pet. Cal is the owner of the Wild Wolf and Alpha of the Crimson Nights.” Rachel watched her liked a hawk with a gauging look. “It’s not all about the pain. It’s about control. As a submissive, you explore your experience. The dominate is there to ensure you are looked after properly and receive what you need. That you don’t get carried away and injure yourself? And of course, no one takes advantage of you or harms you by going beyond your limits or breaks general rules of conduct. Mind you, dominates find pleasure in giving and seeing their efforts received in an open and honest way. They also love to watch a submissive grow and embrace their true selves. ”

“Oh, I’m not here to be whipped or spanked. I just want to have a few drinks and maybe play a few games of chance.” Tara wasn’t prepared, nor did she trust Rachel enough to admit how she felt about all of this. It didn’t matter if she succeeded or failed with her job here. She’d never be back.

“Of course you are.” Rachel wasn’t arguing with her, but Tara got the suspicion the blonde member services manager didn’t believe her. Or she knew something Tara didn’t.

Currently, Tara was feeling so many things after watching a woman climax on stage in front of a crowd that she was overwhelmed. “Follow me, and it’s time to show you, our establishment.” Tara followed Rachel in a desperate bid to find a place where she could compose herself or hide from the feelings, she was experiencing.

As they made their way through the club, Rachel pointed out various things to her except where the gambling was. Rachel introduced her to staff and patrons alike. It was uncomfortable for Tara as male eyes took in her lacking form. She was sure they compared to most of the women here, Tara’s form looked like a teenage boy. It wasn’t until she found herself in the uncomfortable place of being introduced to an Alpha that she understood their disapproval. With her dirty blonde hair, blue eyes, and boyish figure, Tara wasn’t the typical female shifter.

“Tara, may I introduce you to Alpha Jones? This is Tara, and it’s her first visit here.”

“Welcome Tara, and who are you with?” Tara felt like this job would fail ultimately, there were too many eyes on her. Too many knew her name and what she looked like.

“Was I supposed to come with someone?” Now she wondered if she’d done something very wrong by coming alone.

“No, but it would explain your poor condition. You have no meat on your bones.”

“Life’s like that.” Tara couldn’t meet half of these people’s eyes and now she was defending her poor diet and her struggle to survive.

“Hmm. Well, I hope you find what you need here this evening. I’m sure someone will take ownership of you and see that you get the proper care you deserve.”

Tara thought they would want her pack affiliation at the very least. But they didn’t and she was thankful for that. But when the Alpha spoke of ownership and caring for her. She struggled to stay quiet and not rudely correct him. The thought of being someone’s property terrified her and excited her in the same breath.

They finally stopped at the entrance to the gambling den. “That’s the end of the tour. If you need any help or have questions, just ask a staff member to call me. Now if you insist on gambling, don’t drink at the same time. If you do, keep track of your drinks and gamble responsibly. At these tables, shifters gamble away their lives and have lived to regret it.

Tara nodded while she thought it was too late for that. She was regretting everything, but there wasn’t much else she could do but continue.

“Remember, if you’re caught cheating, then you are at the mercy of the house. That means you’re at the mercy of the Crimson Nights Alpha. Have a good evening, and don’t forget to enjoy yourself.” Rachel smiled before she finally left Tara to her own devices.

She turned to the room before her and searched for a game she could enter.

Rachel entered the back office and watched the gaming floor. This was highly irregular. Beta Jaxon was working the door tonight since Henry was with his very pregnant mate. He’d spotted a little wolf skulking around, waiting to get in. Like Chris, the front room bartender, they’d both been drawn to the meek little thing. They weren’t attracted to street waifs, and that’s what she looked like. Underfed and undereducated. She knew nothing of this scene and Rachel was sure she knew less about gambling.

Cal wasn’t with Abby arranging for her aftercare, something he didn’t do with any submissive. Rachel knew Cal found that to be too intimate for the relationship he laid out between his submissives. Abby would never become his mate, though not from her lack of trying. Rachel knew Cal was about to give Abby to another because it was now a problem.

Rachel expected Cal to enter the office soon and she would point out the potential problem for him.

She watched Tara settle at a card table, looking nervous and keeping her head down. This girl would sell herself into something before she knew it, and the rules within the club stuck. You lose, you pay. What the payment was would be at the digression of the winner.

These were Cal’s rules, and this was his territory. She was here by his leniency and good will.

Rachel knew this waif wouldn’t listen to the warnings she was given.

Cal finally entered the office and sat beside Rachel as she watched the floor.

“You mentioned a potential problem?” His eyes never stopped scanning the crowd below as he spoke.

“Blonde hair, tied up in a bun, with black lingerie at table four. I’ve got someone watching her. She’s curious about other aspects of the club, but she won’t admit it. All she wants is to drink and gamble.” Rachel pointed out Tara to him. “She’s filled out an account. Put in a small amount of cash. Oh, and her name is Tara.”

“Tara, eh? Perhaps I need to go introduce myself?” Cal’s eyes never left Tara as he spoke. Rachel figured he was still in his zone from the demonstration by the way he watched their newest patron.

“She might run and then we won’t know who sent her. Because she’s definitely no gambler.”

“I’ll be nice until I know what I need. She won’t be leaving here if they sent her to mess with my business.” Cal smiled down at Tara. His grin was far from friendly. He was expected information from her, and he couldn’t wait to get it especially if she resisted.

Cal stood up and left the office. It was no use changing his mind. He was one of those people who got an idea and ran with it when he was good and ready. Discussing it wasn’t an option at this point.

Rachel sighed. Being the Den Mother of the Crimson Nights could frustrate her.