The Alpha King's Mate

Chapter 7

Iris’ POV

No way… he can’t be here.

Suddenly, my palms start to sweat, and I become hypersensitive to everything around me. I hear the clanging of dishes in the back kitchen, and the steps of every single person walking around me.

“Iris?” Kyle puts himself into my view, and I shake my head. “Yeah?” I say, but it comes out as a mere squeak. “Are you okay?” He asks and I clear my throat and nod.

“Of course. Sorry, I was just processing what you said. To be honest, that makes me kind of nervous.”

“Don’t be, you are a regular here and everyone loves you. I’m sure the Alpha king will be smitten as everyone else is here about your voice.” I half smile and look around.

I’m welcome here… I can do this.

“I know. Thank you for reminding me.” I pause slightly and then continue, “So, what’s the plan for tonight? Is anyone else playing?” Kyle nods and hands me a piece of paper. “There’s two other bands playing in addition to you tonight, I’m sure you recognise them?” I look at the paper in my hand and scan the names and I smile. “Yeah, of course!”

Kyle walks past me to grab a box of cables. “One of them wanted me to ask you if you would help them with a couple songs, I’m pretty sure it’s ones you have done for them before, but you can always chat with them later about that. You ready for soundcheck now?” I nod.

“Guess that’s my cue!” Gene says and she hugs me and heads backstage with her bag. Kyle hands me the microphone that he just finished setting up and I step on the stage, feeling that oh so familiar sense of belonging.

___

After sound check, I head backstage to find Gene and to talk to Ciara, the lead singer of one of the other bands playing tonight. As soon as I enter the space, I see them both near the back left of the room on the couches, laughing hysterically. Ciara sees me first, and it warms me to see the huge smile that forms on her face as she rises from the couch and makes her way over to meet me.

“There she is! How are you, Iris?” She asks as she embraces me in a tight hug.

“I’m good! How are you and the band?”

“We are great! Super happy that we’re playing the same night as you. Ready to rock some songs together?” I chuckle.

“You know it.”

“That’s my girl! Alright, I will leave you to get ready, and I’ll see you on the stage! We can catch up more later, kay?” She winks at me and heads out of the room. I walk over to Gene who has pulled out my outfit and set up her makeup bag on the vanity table that is back alongside the left wall. I grab my outfit and head into the changing room, stripping out of my plain jeans and t-shirt and pulling on some fishnet tights, and another set of jeans, black this time, with ripped holes, as well as a red, long-sleeved crop top with a deep V neckline.

I grab my discarded clothes and head back out, where Gene whistles at me. “Look at you, hot stuff!” I roll my eyes and place my clothes into my bag. “Oh, shut up.” I say as I sit down and run my fingers through my coppery red hair, trying to decide what to do with it, and Gene laughs lightly.

“You look great though, seriously.” Gene says as she starts on my makeup, touching it up from the day and adding smokier black eyeshadow and two-tones red and black winged liner, then lashes and mascara. When I get a moment to pause, I look at her, and it’s like she can read my mind.

“Don’t worry about the Alpha King. He’s just another pair of eyes.”

“It’s nerve wracking to even think he’s going to be watching.”

“He’s probably up on the top VIP floor, he might just be here to pick up chicks, you never know. Don’t stress.”

I sigh. “I’ll try not to.”

“Okay, stop talking. Lipstick.” I clamp my mouth shut and let her finish her work, and before I know it, I’ve got a full mouth of dark red lipstick on and can finally tackle my hair. I section each side and leave out some bangs to frame the sides of my face, and then French braid the sides back into the rest of my hair and leave it down. Gene helps me do a slight curl to the front pieces and hairsprays everything in place.

“All show ready! I’m going to head out, can’t wait to hear you!”

“Thanks for helping me get ready.” I say as she starts to pack up her stuff, and I look myself over in the mirror.

“Anytime. Knock ‘em dead.”

I laugh. “You sound like an encouraging mother.” She snickers at my statement. “I do, don’t I? Regardless, have fun. You need this.” Our eyes lock through the reflection of the mirror and I half smile.

“I know.”

____