Book 1: The Lost Luna - Ch. 5 Caught Up In Thoughts
Adriana's Point of View
I looked in the mirror to check that my hair, makeup and coloured contact lens were still okay before I left. I had to be careful to ensure no one saw me without the coloured lens. I had violet eyes, and that was extremely rare. My mother had homeschooled for this reason. She wouldn't explain why I had to keep my eyes coloured, other than to say it was a life or death situation.
One last check. Everything was looking good, so I was off out the door. Tonight I had work. Six months ago, I managed to get a job at the Luna restaurant. Not only was it my first job, but it also wasn't a difficult job, and I used my music skills. The owner and all staff members were werewolves. Still, we also catered to many human customers who were totally unaware of us. It was a fantastic gig as I loved being a musician, and I enjoyed most of it.
Only most of it, though. What I didn't like about it was getting hit on by over-entitled male customers. Just because I was an entertainer, playing the piano and singing during their evening dinner, they felt they had the right to treat me as if other things were for sale. Occasionally James, my boss, would have to step in and get rid of them. He was like a father figure to me. I felt I could trust him totally.
However, no matter who propositioned me, it wasn't going to happen. Hell no! Turning them down was something I was experienced at. They were all revolting humans, and I found none of them appealing. Even if they had been werewolves, I wasn't interested. I supposed I looked pretty good, and wearing an elegant evening gown that accentuated my curves probably didn't help. It still didn't give them the right to expect something more from me. I didn't usually speak to any of them, and I certainly didn't lead them on.
As for why I turned them down... It was not that I didn't want or like sex. Eventually, it was going to happen. I just didn't want to give it away. When I was younger, I wanted to save myself for my true mate if he ever turned up. I then found out that Omegas like me didn't have wolves and therefore weren't likely to have mates. We were the lowest of the pack hierarchy. Now I had just turned 18 when non-Omegas had their wolf appear. I wasn't expecting one, so I was stunned to meet mine.
My mind kept dragging me back to the past, about when my mum joined the pack I was part of. They had taken my mum in when she was heavily pregnant with me. She was from a distant pack who had been attacked by rogues. Everyone had been slaughtered except for her. She'd managed to escape and was able to join our current pack. We were assigned Omega status, so relatively low in the pack hierarchy, but we were treated well enough. There was always enough to eat and a place to live.
When mum passed away four months ago. It was about a month before my 18th birthday. I personally think she had died of a broken heart. She'd told me that she loved my father and that he was her true mate. He and the rest of the pack had been killed while she was away in town, so she sought refuge here. She said it was a secret that they were true mates, and I wasn't allowed to tell anyone. I never knew his name; she wouldn't tell me that for some reason. I wish I could ask her now as to why I had a wolf. Unfortunately, she took that knowledge to her grave.
It had only been three months since my wolf introduced herself to me. Her name was Calliope which was just perfect because her name meant 'beautiful voice'. I only hoped that each time I sang, I did her justice. She seemed to like it, so I was happy. I didn't know what she looked like yet as we hadn't had our first shift yet. She told me it would happen when we were ready. I asked her why I had a wolf because Omegas didn't have wolves. She wouldn't explain other than to say the Goddess doesn't make mistakes.
This also meant that I would have a mate. This, Calliope explained, might take time. She would let me know when he was close. She felt he was close by, but she couldn't pinpoint him. I was part of a massive pack, so they were bound to be part of the same pack. I wasn't sure that I actually wanted to have a mate at all. What also worried me was their reaction to finding out an Omega had a wolf. I couldn't even talk to my mother about it. I can only assume she had a wolf, considering what she told me about her past.
Damn these morose thoughts. What I did need to focus on right now was entertaining the crowd. Most of them were humans though a few werewolves were present. They were mainly further up the hierarchy than me, but I wasn't there to mingle with guests. I was there to entertain and rebuff men, and tonight was just another night.
It was time to go and perform, so I left the dressing room. The noise from the front of the house clashed with the busy sounds coming from the kitchen. It sounded like there was a full house tonight.
As I approached the front of house, something was off with my wolf, Calliope.
"What's wrong?" I asked her, but she ignored me.
It was off-putting, but I couldn't dwell on it, as it was time to start.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, put your hands together for our lovely musician tonight, Adriana Argenté," announced James.
Standing just offstage, I took a deep breath and walked forward.