Page 69 of Scent to the Feral Cowboys

“I call dibs on him next time!”

I forced a laugh, trying to join in, but I found myself fidgeting with the beaded bracelet at my wrist again. That constant reminder of my secret warmed. It threatened to burn my skin so I wouldn’t forget.Why was I suddenly so uneasy?I'd passed every test so far without issue. Not a single Alpha had reacted tome outside basic arousal and desire. Management was clueless. Only Crystal knew the truth. Yet…

When the car parked again, and we all poured back outside, the conversation had shifted to the big tech party. Jade’s voice pierced the night as we strolled toward the diner, its many windows pouring golden light and its roof vents sending scents of pancakes and bacon into the air.

“Apparently, the merger is worth, like, billions. And those tech bros just want one hell of a party.”

“We are going to make so much cash,” Stacy crowed, tilting her head so the darkness carried her words higher.

“Maybe one of us will have our Pretty & Slick Woman moment,” Tanya quipped, new enough to the industry that she still romanticized the ‘rich guy rescues beautiful sex worker’ trope.

"Seriously though," as she spoke, Crystal pushed open the diner’s door. “Let’s coordinate. These big groups love when we partner up. Remember how we handled the bachelor party last month?"

“I sort of felt bad for the bride afterwards,” Vicky commented, then grinned. “But not bad enough to change what I did. Six Bennies in one night.” She sang out the last sentence.

As we slid into a booth, three on each side, Tanya locked eyes on me. “I don’t want to partner with you.” She didn’t sound mean, just resolute.

“Okay,” I shrugged. “No biggie.”

“It’s just that…” She bit her lip, looking unsure.

“I really don’t mind, Tanya. Partner with whoever.” I smiled at her. It was hard being the newest dancer.

“It’s just that you’re too good,” she sighed out. “I don’t want to look like a novice.”

"That's our Lucky," Crystal turned in her seat to look at me, her voice affectionate. “She makes all of us look bad.”

I’m not sure why, but her words felt like the kind of praise I didn’t get these days. I cherished the way Madame Belova once commended my technical precision, my stage presence, or even the curve of my fingers as I held my arms high.

“I don’t make you look bad,” I responded, “You guys are amazing dancers.”

“Shut up,” Jade chided. “False humility is just bullshit. Now, let’s go get your pathetic egg whites ordered.”

I felt warm inside, the irrational fear about tomorrow chased away.

It was still weird to think of where I started, versus where I now sat.

In a greasy diner.

With five other exotic dancers.

Concocting a plan to milk the most cash out of a bunch of Alphas.

18

NELLY

Three days ago…

[Almost present day]

Club Midnight, Seattle's Central District

Testing wasn’t in the club this time.

Instead, I was staring at a mobile lab which shouldn’t be intimidating. Yet, it was.

This felt different… more formal than the other two times.