CLAIMED BY THE ALPHA WHO REFUSED TO LOSE ME

I dropped to my knees so hard the floor bit into my skin.

“Please,” I begged, voice cracking. “Please don’t do this. I’ll work. I’ll take more shifts. I’ll clean, I’ll serve, I’ll do anything. Just don’t sell me to that old man. I’ll bring money home every single day if that’s what you want”

The slap came fast and sharp.

My head snapped to the side. Heat bloomed across my cheek. The taste of blood filled my mouth where my teeth cut the inside of it.

Margaret the woman I had called Mom for years stared down at me with cold eyes.

“I’m not your mother, you stupid girl,” she spat. “Your real mother died in that plane crash years ago. Keep talking and I can make things faster for you. You can go meet her wherever she is.” She crouched so we were eye level, voice dropping into something poisonous. “There is no need for you to work. Mr. Black is going to pay half a billion dollars the moment you are married off to him. That money will be enough to buy Mia a ticket into the Gray family banquet. How could you even think of making that much with your little bar job?”

Behind her, Mia laughed.

My stepsister leaned against the wall with her arms crossed, looking delighted.

“Alpha Garcia Gray is choosing his bride at the banquet,” Mia said, voice sweet and vicious. “Rumor is he’s heirless. Can’t bear any children. If he picks me, I’ll become Mrs. Garcia. And if I find any means to carry his baby… our family will continue to shine.” She tilted her head, smiling like a knife. “You just go marry the old man already, Charlotte. He’s basically your soulmate.” She laughed again, the sound sharp and dangerous. “An old, wrinkled, rich soulmate.”

Margaret straightened and smoothed her blouse.

“Dress up,” she ordered. “You are going to be Mr. Black’s wife soon. Don’t make this harder than it needs to be.”

They left me on the floor.

The door clicked shut.

Silence rushed in.

I stayed on my knees for a long time, cheek throbbing, eyes burning. Half a billion dollars. That was the price of my body. My future. My life. Mr. Black was the oldest man in the city greedy eyes, cold hands, a reputation that made even the servers at the bar whisper. Marrying him would be a death sentence with better lighting.

I pressed my forehead to the floor and forced myself to breathe.

Running away was the only option left.

I had been saving every tip, every extra shift, stuffing crumpled bills into a hidden box under the loose floorboard in my room. One more good night at the bar. Just one more. Then I would have enough for a bus ticket out of the city and a few weeks of survival while I disappeared.

I stood on shaking legs, wiped the blood from the corner of my mouth, and changed into my black work shirt and skirt. My reflection in the cracked mirror looked pale and determined. I grabbed my bag and left before Margaret could change her mind and lock me in.

The bar was already loud when I arrived music thumping, bodies packed near the counter, laughter sharp under the low lights. I tied my apron with steady hands and got to work. Serving drinks. Clearing tables. Smiling when men stared too long. The familiar chaos helped quiet the panic in my chest.

Near the back, a group of well-dressed girls leaned together, voices carrying just enough for me to catch pieces while I wiped a table.

“The Gray banquet is going to be insane.”

“I’d throw myself at Alpha Garcia in a heartbeat.”

“Who cares if the rumors are true? Heirless or not, he’s still the most powerful man in the region. Imagine being the one he chooses…”

“I heard he really can’t have children. What’s the point of marrying an Alpha who can’t give you an heir?”

I kept my head down and moved past them.

What’s the point of marrying any powerful man right now? Running away and having enough money mattered more. Power wouldn’t save me from Mr. Black’s bed. Money and distance might.

Later, when the crowd thinned a little, my boss sent me to clean the private lounge rooms upstairs. I carried the heavy bucket of water and cleaning supplies down the narrow hallway, the liquid sloshing with every step. Most of the rooms were empty. I knocked on the last door on the left.

No answer.

I knocked again, harder.

Still nothing.

I adjusted my grip on the bucket, turned the handle, and started to push the door open.

A hand shot out, grabbed my wrist, and yanked me inside so fast the bucket crashed to the floor behind me. Water spilled everywhere. The door slammed shut. Before I could scream, a hard body pinned me against the wall and a mouth crashed onto mine.

The kiss was rough. Demanding. Nothing like the clumsy attempts I had known before. One hand gripped my jaw, tilting my head exactly where he wanted it, while the other braced beside my head, caging me in. He kissed like he owned the air in my lungs deep, hungry, and completely without permission.

My heart slammed against my ribs.

I didn’t even see his face.