His Wife Is My Sister, But I'm His Mate

Liora's POV

I was sitting in front of the cracked mirror in the dressing room, fixing my lipstick when Nina, one of the girls, popped her head inside.

"Liora," she said, chewing her gum like always. "Madam wants to see you. Now."

I blinked at her. "Madam?" I asked, confused. "Why? I'm up in twenty minutes. This is my solo. Biggest night of the year, remember?"

She just shrugged. "Don't ask me. She said it's urgent." Then she walked away, swinging her hips like she was already on stage.

My heart gave a nervous jump. Madam never called me before a performance, especially not tonight. I had worked for months to get this solo. A full house of hockey players who'd booked the entire floor just to watch me dance. If I were lucky, such tips could cover my rent for a whole year.

With a sigh and smoothing my sequined bra, I left out of the dressing room and proceeded toward Madam's office at the end of the hallway.

Madam looked up from her desk when I stepped inside. Her face softened before that familiar warmth climbed back into her eyes. To me, Madam was not just the owner of the strip club. She was more like mother: very strict and protective.

She said, "Liora, my girl," smiling. "Come in."

I closed the door behind me, leaning against it. "Why did you summon me Madam? Remember I have a big night ahead. Solo. Hockey Team. Tips. Rent. Need I say more?"

She dropped a pen on the desk. "There's a man. He's got two days left of bachelorhood, and he wants to spend it with a private performance. His last gift to himself before he ties the knot."

I blinked at her, unsure if I heard right. "Wait... he's getting married? And he wants a strip performance from me?"

Madam nodded.

"That's cheating," I blurted out before I could stop myself. "Isn't it? He's about to mate some woman, and this is how he spends his last days single? That's wrong."

Madam gave me that look-the one that always made me feel like a kid. "Liora. You're getting paid to dance. Not to worry about morals. Leave the right and wrong to councils and seers. You just do your job."

I bit my lip. My chest felt tight, but she wasn't wrong. Morals didn't pay rent.

"How much are we talking about?" I asked carefully.

She smirked. "Add a couple of zeroes behind your annual earnings."

My eyes widened. "What?"

She laughed at my expression. "That's right. Enough to cover more than just your rent. You could start fresh if you want to."

I sank into the chair opposite her desk, stunned. Who would pay that much for one dance? But then again, it wasn't my business to ask.

I forced a smile. "Thank you, Madam."

She leaned forward, her eyes sparkling. "Don't thank me yet. The man is already waiting in the VVIP room. Go change into your