Page 4 of Filthy Beginnings

She only needed to be patient for a little while longer.

Gliding from her stool, she moved to the front of her glass cage. Egan insisted on this positioning since it was the best place for the fighters below to view her—and the ideal angle for the cameras to project her image onto the massive, shuttle-size vid screens outside the fighting arena. The consortium was serious about its advertising. Flashing screens hawking every type of vice and entertainment dominated the golden skyline, and none was more lucrative than this tournament.

“We will begin the next round shortly.” Egan Avitus’s voice rang out once more. “But before we do… a little incentive.”

Resignation tightened Scarlett’s belly.

Head bowed, arms stretched overhead, wrists crossed, she assumed her expected position as the lights in the arena dimmed and the stage spotlight strengthened. Her stance lifted the top of her gown and bared her midriff to everyone below.

She knew what they saw. A willowy omega with shimmering golden skin in a clear cage, her golden hair streaked wine-red, brushed to a sheen so it fell in waves to her mid-back. Golden cuffs imprinted with the consortium label encircling her wrists and throat while a sheer gold and red top accented her full breasts, and a matching skirt sat low on her hips and draped to the floor. Every inch of her was done up like a doll, posed for others’ viewing pleasure.

To the consortium, profit was everything—sex and violence the key to fueling their greed.

The stadium announcer boomed, “Warriors, you all know the extraordinary wealth that awaits the tournament victor. But remember, there is another trophy to be won. A prize that can bring an Alpha even greater pleasure.”

Below, she saw Egan nod.

Her signal to begin.

Music swelled from the speakers.

Wrists rotating, she slid one foot in front of the other, let her thigh peek from the high slit in her gown, and—Damien’s face in her mind, his words held close to her heart, the toy he’d given her sending small pleasant pulses to her core—did as commanded, letting her omega gift rise to the surface as the music swelled.

While most omegas lost their gifts by adolescence, hers had remained, saving her from a life as one of the consortium prostitutes that worked the city bars and fighting tournaments, but condemning her to an existence as one of its prizes—a pretty, performing pet.

Iridescent hues shimmered across her body, sliding sensuously over her thighs and up her stomach. They reflected off the crystal of her cage, sparkling colors that flashed and swirled in time to the music.

Murmurs rose. Waves of lust hit her from the audience. She ignored them and thought only of Damien.

Of the way her gift grew brighter, warmer, more substantial, each time they met at their secret place and he touched her, vivid colors dancing across the walls as he held her down and made her scream his name.

Of the future they would soon make together.

Her sex grew wetter as she rolled her hips, the movement brushing the toy against her clit.

Priming her for Damien.

“A truly sensual delight. Untouched. Trained just for you. All consortium prizes have a pretty gift, but this one is especially lovely—and flexible.” The announcer droned on, but she tuned him out, letting the movements carry her away.

Taught the galactic mating dance from the moment her gift first appeared, her trainers made her practice until her feet bled, her muscles honed sleek as a fighter’s, and she could call her gift on cue, willing it to appear and disappear across her body to the rhythm of the music.

Failure had not been tolerated.

She’d hated every moment—until Damien arrived.

Now, she danced for him.

Her hands snapped above her head once more, her wrists crossing. The music ended.

Silence.

The slight rasp of her breath was the only sound she heard.

Then a roar. Catcalls.

“That prize is mine.”

“No, mine. The rest of you don’t stand a chance.” Stomping boots and boastful declarations echoed through the arena as the fighters’ aggression amped up—exactly as the consortium intended.

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