The Alpha Behind The Mask-Chapter 56: Playroom

Aurora’s POV

​"I want to kill you," I said without hesitation.

I meant it. Or at least, I wanted to believe I did. But the moment the words left my mouth, they felt like a lie.

Raymond didn’t flinch. If anything, he looked pleased. A dark smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth, as though my threat amused him.

He leaned in, his scent clouding my senses until my thoughts began to blur.

​He slowly released me, and I stood upright, my frown deepening as I adjusted my scarf with trembling fingers.

​"If you are so jealous... then be my submissive for three months," he said, his voice a low, smooth rumble. "You’ll have me all to yourself." He smirked, clearly enjoying the heat I felt rising to my cheeks.

​I glared at him, my heart hammering against my ribs. "In your dreams," I spat.

​He didn’t look offended. If anything, the challenge in my eyes seemed to fuel him. "We will see about that, Aurora," he said softly. Then, with a predatory grace, he turned and vanished into the club’s shadows.

​I tried to focus on work after that, but I failed miserably. Every glass I wiped, every drink I poured, and every fake laugh I gave—my mind was still stuck on him.

​"Aurora."

​I turned to find my manager standing there, a uniform clutched in his hands.

​"Take this. Go change. Now."

​"Why? Why should I wear this?" I asked, confused. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

​"You’re working the Playroom tonight."

​"How? Why me?" My eyebrows shot up.

​"Kathy just came down with sudden stomach pain; you have to replace her. Go change quickly. The play is about to start," he said, rushing off before I could get a word of protest in.

​"You’ve got to be kidding me," I muttered under my breath.

​In the two years I’ve worked here, I’ve never set foot in the Playroom. I stayed at the bar or the dance floor. The staff in the Playroom were a different breed—hardened, discreet, and willing to witness things most people couldn’t stomach. How was I supposed to cope with watching a Dom take a sub in front of a live audience? Just the thought of it sent shivers through my body.

​"Aurora! What in God’s name are you still doing there?" my manager barked from across the room. I grumbled and trudged toward the locker room.

​The uniform was nothing like my usual one. It was a short white dress with ridiculous, frilly designs. I stared into the mirror and groaned. My thighs were almost completely exposed. I barely recognized the girl staring back at me. This place was going to ruin me. I needed a new job, but where else could I find pay this good?

​I left the locker room and met my manager outside.

​"Wow. It fits you perfectly," he said, his eyes traveling over me lustfully.

​"Where do I start?" I asked, feeling irritated and far too exposed.

​"Right. Listen, there are rules," he said, snapping back to reality. "First, don’t look at the play for too long. I know they’re masked, but you must not stare."

​"I get it," I replied.

​"You’re there to serve the Doms and submissives. No chatting, no sitting," he warned.

​"Yes, sir."

​"Gracie!" he called out.

​A girl in the same short white dress walked over. "You and Gracie will work together. She’ll show you the ropes. Be careful," he added—it sounded more like a warning than a plea.

​I watched him leave and turned to the girl.

​"I’m Gracie. You must be Aurora," she said, offering a hand.

​"Thank goodness, this one is nice," I whispered to myself.

​"No need to be scared, just follow my lead. You can make some serious money in there," she said with a wide grin. I knew exactly what she meant. "Too bad today’s play doesn’t involve sex," she added, her smile turning into a frown.

​"No sex?" I asked.

​She giggled. "Are you new to this?

​"I only work the bar and the dance floor," I replied.

​"Wow, and the manager let you into the Playroom? Girlfriend, you are highly favored." She gave me a questioning look. "I had to make sacrifices to get this shift. How many Doms did you have to sleep with to get in?"

​"Excuse me!" I snapped, my anger flaring. "What is that supposed to mean?"

​"I’m sorry! I was just curious how you got in so easily. Please, let it go," she begged, looking genuine.

​I scoffed, but I didn’t need an enemy. "It’s okay. I understand."

​She smiled and led the way. We climbed the stairs and walked down a long hallway until we reached a massive set of doors.

​"Are you nervous?" she asked, pausing.

​"A bit," I admitted, biting my lip.

​"Don’t be. I’m right here. And like I said, no sex today—just foreplay and displays." She smirked and pushed the doors open.

​"This is it," I whispered, stepping inside.

​The moment I entered, a loud scream from a submissive pierced the air. She was wearing a black mask, her hands chained, kneeling before a man I assumed was the Dom. He was huge, with a well-trimmed beard and a mask that only covered his eyes.

​"Stop staring and move," Gracie’s voice snapped me back to the present.

​I followed her to the bar stand inside the room. She handed me some whiskey bottles and glasses.

​"Be careful. Don’t look them in the eye. If you do, they’ll think you’re trying to identify them, and that’s a big problem," she warned seriously. I took a deep breath. "You can do this," I muttered to myself.

"You!" Dom signaled to me. With shaky legs, I walked over.

​"Get me a cocktail." His voice was rough. His eyes remained fixed on the stage while a submissive lounged on his lap.

​"Yes, sir." I rushed to the bar, grabbed the drink, and returned. "Here it is." I set the glass on the table beside him.

​"Here’s my card." He handed it over with his left hand while his right caressed his submissive’s hair. She giggled like a small child.

​I rolled my eyes as I walked away. I couldn’t understand how a grown woman could act like a baby for a "sex adventure." I swiped the card and brought it back.

​"Yes, master!" the submissive on stage cried out.

​I couldn’t help it; I turned to look. The Dom was down to his underwear, and the submissive was completely naked. A tap on my shoulder made me jump. It was Gracie, and she looked furious.

​"I told you not to stare."

​"I was just looking, not staring," I grumbled. She just rolled her eyes and walked off.

​I looked around the room. Every Dom was masked and mesmerized by the performance. If they were so proud of this, I wondered why they felt the need to hide their faces.

​Another man gestured to me. I took a breath and approached.

​"Whiskey. Two ice cubes," he said in a low commanding tone.

​He was alone, no submissive in sight. He was chewing gum slowly, and I found myself watching the rhythm of his jaw.

​"Do you have something to say?" He looked directly at me. He had a stunning set of sea-blue eyes.

​"Not really." I turned to leave, but he stopped me. My heart raced as I turned back, avoiding his gaze.

​"Add more ice." He turned his attention back to the stage.

​I felt a wave of relief as I hurried to the bar. I fixed his drink and brought it back. He took a sip, his eyes never leaving the play.

​"Here." He pulled some bills from his wallet. "Keep the change."

​"Thank you." As I took the money, I noticed he was visibly aroused—and he wasn’t trying to hide it. I swallowed hard and tried to retreat, but he grabbed my hand.

​"Like what you see?" he asked with a grin.

​"No," I replied instantly.

​He studied me with those sea-blue eyes for a moment before letting go.

​"You’re a newbie," he said, sounding almost disappointed. "You can leave." He waved a hand to dismiss me.

​I hurried back to the bar. Gracie was watching me with a curious expression.

​"It looks like Master Eli is interested in you," she teased.

​"Whatever," I muttered.

​"What? Do you even know who Master Eli is?"

​"I couldn’t care less," I whispered.

​Before she could respond, the sound of the playroom door opening echoed through the room.

​"Go welcome him," Gracie ordered.

​"Why me?" I frowned. She gave me a look that told me I didn’t have a choice. I walked toward the door to greet the new Dom.

​I reached the entrance, ready to give my professional welcome, only to freeze.

​It was Raymond.