Chapter 1

Bailey's POV

The minute I climbed the stage, the excited screams became much more deafening. The beads on my thongs were shaking with every movement. I grabbed the pole in the center with my right hand and moved around slowly, not meeting anyone's eyes.

Following the beat of the music, I unwrapped the matching scarf on my waist, threw it to the side and did my dance on the pole. I went up and down, twerking, whining, waist breaking.

Right at the climax of my performance, a scent hit me. It was made of freshly cut cedar and bergamot.

No. Not now.

I slipped down the pole, shaking my waist. The scent got closer.

No. It can't be.

I turned around and backed the crowd, bouncing my ass while the beads on my thongs rattled together, bringing out the beauty in the dance much more. The scent had overpowered my senses now, heightening my fear.

No. He can't see me in a place like this.

It was like the world had stilled, time had stopped. Just me, the pole and the owner of the scent. I shaked my waist even more, back and forth, not daring to look at the direction of the scent.

No. 

The door opened, sounding louder than usual, despite the noise from the crowd. It was as though a microphone connected to a big, loud, speaker had been placed by the door. I sniffed the air to be more sure.

No.

As if compelled by a spell or force I couldn't see, I turned my head around, ever so slowly. My eyes landed on a figure.

His aura screamed pure power, danger and dominance. His cold gray eyes locked with mine.

MATE.

***

The show had ended much earlier than usual, to the sadness of those who lost the bidding and to the happiness of he who won.

I was back in my room, panting up and down. After I almost fell off the stage when the word "mate" had rang in my mind, the mystery man was nowhere to be found. He had suddenly vanished and here I was in my room, trying to still my thoughts.

He would think I'm dirty. He would think I've been used beyond repair. He would think I'm worn out. He would think I'm worthless. He would think I'm of no value. After all, nearly half the men in the city had slept with me. It seemed that's all they ever saved up money for nowadays. To bid and have me for the night.

He would think.....He would think......He would think!

The door opened and I jerked upright, eyes wide and hand on my chest, trying to still my racing heart.

"Casey". I finally breathe out.

"Bailey are you okay?"

I could only nod. I couldn't tell her I've met my mate and he had just seen me perform in front of hundreds of men, half naked. Flaunting what belonged to him for all to see.

"I know. I know. Having to perform in front of a man such as Alessandro Hall can be so exciting in ways that you can't even control the tension". I raised an eyebrow.

"Who's Alessandro Hall?"

"Bailey you gotta be kidding me! You don't know who Alessandro fucking Hall is?" Okay now she was overreacting a bit.

"It's not such a bad thing is it?"

"It is Bailey. He owns half of the city. Funny enough, the part we're in. And he's the big bad Mafia Alpha I told you about. He was here tonight!"

 "Uhm. If he was, I didn't recognize him and I didn't even pay special attention to him".

He couldn't be my mystery mate, could he?

"And what's more. I think he was the one that bid the highest for you".

My eyes widened.

What if mystery man had hung around and sees this Alessandro Hall take me home? He would never see my worth. May as well reject me. This hurt more than I could comprehend.

"And after having a taste of you, he might want you every........."

"Stop Casey! Stop!" I just couldn't stand the sound of her.

"What did you say you came here to do again?" I tried sounding less harsh.

"Maggie needs you in her office ". I looked at her.

"I'll be there soon".

"She said I should come with you". She cleared her throat. "And she needs you now".

I groggily followed Casey. The minute we stepped out of the room, I looked around, making sure my mystery mate wasn't in sight. I couldn't face him. Not tonight. But, his scent was still lingering around strongly. As we approached Maggie's office, the scent intensified.

Had he been here recently? Was he the highest bidder? Well if he was, I was fucked!

Casey opened the door.

"Maggie she's here". She announced then nodded and moved aside for me to pass in.

The minute I stepped my foot in, the scent hit me and I stumbled.

"Are you okay?" Casey whispered, immediately appearing at my back, balancing me.

Her eyes went to the man on the brown leather couch. We gasped together.

"Ma......"

Before I could finish, Casey beat me to it.

"Alpha Alessandro fucking Hall". She whispered.

"Casey you can leave us now. Thank you. Bailey please come on in". Maggie spoke and as if hypnotized, I moved, one slow feet after the other.

My mate, the mystery man from the performance was the Alessandro Hall Casey has been screaming since. He had his eyes trained on me, following my every step till I finally stopped in front of Maggie.

She smiled at me.

"Bailey we'll make this real quick". I nodded, forcing myself not to say ‘I would love that’.

"I don't know if you know this man sitted here". I turned to look at him and he still had his eyes trained on me. He looked really dangerous up close and definitely not someone you'd love to mess with.

"This is Alpha Alessandro Hall. The Alpha of Crystal Moon Pack. He owns half of the city. This part of the city we're in, inclusive. He was the highest bidder for you tonight". I took in a shaky breath and turned to look at him. His eyes had not moved an inch. Doesn't he blink?

"But......"

But what? Please tell me he's letting go of the bid.

"Mr Alessandro here is interested in having you as his personal doll". I was confused now.

"Personal doll?" I asked, more like repeated after Maggie.

"Yes. He's buying you. He wants you to be entertaining him only". My eyes had locked with his.

Somehow it stung. He didn't tell Maggie we're mates. He wasn't even taking me on the grounds of mateship but he was buying me to be his personal doll.

"In his house". Maggie completed.

"With that being said, I'd love for you to go pack your things and say goodbye to your friends in the house".

Like I have any friends aside blabbermouth Casey.

Alpha Alessandro blinked for the first time and then spoke. His voice was rich and full of authority and power.

"She won't be needing her things. I'll make everything available for her. And her purpose is to be my doll right? I'll prefer her with nothing at all".

I wanted to slap him in the face. I wasn't just some commodity doll.

"I have a few personal items I'd love to go with". I finally found my voice.

"Very well then. I'll follow you and we move from there". He was on his feet. "Thank you Maggie".

He grabbed my arms and tingles shot up my arm. He let go of me immediately, obviously feeling the current as well. His face was an emotion I couldn't read and then it immediately went stoic.

"Let's go". He didn't grab my arm again.

"And Bailey". Maggie's voice rented the air as I got to the door. I stopped.

"Be a good girl. He paid quite a fortune for you".