I Claim You, Mate

Elara's POV

"Save me, Elara!"

I thought it would be another quiet night... until my father screamed my name.

Three men stormed into our house with hockey sticks. The floor was covered with broken glass and smashed furniture.

I ran to my father and wrapped my arms around his body. The loan sharks swung their sticks, ready to strike.

Pain shot through my leg when one hit me. I almost collapsed.

"Move away! Tonight we'll kill your dad and sell his kidneys!" one of them shouted.

I shook my head, sobbing. "No! Please!"

But my father reeked of alcohol. He shoved me aside and turned to face the men. "Leave me. Take her with you as compensation."

I could not believe my ears. The smell of alcohol reached my nostrils, making me realize my dad was drunk.

Tears streamed out of my eyes. "Dad..." My voice broke. I couldn't breathe. He couldn't have said that-right?

The men sneered. "Carl Hayes, that's the only way left."

Two of the men grabbed my arms tightly. I shook my head and begged them.

"Please, give me some time. I will pay your money soon."

"Really? How will you pay ten thousand dollars so soon?"

I had been trying to make ends meet by taking on part-time jobs. I was working very hard to settle my father's debt.

He was an alcoholic person. But he was my father; I could not leave him.

That was how I was living my life.

"We are giving you a week. You are turning eighteen next week, right? We will sell you at a high price. A virgin omega... that's what every man wants to ruin in their bed."

I lowered my head in shame. My dad was listening to them shamelessly. I just wanted to die.

He was a businessman who lost all the money in business. My mom left him when he started gambling. Then he started to drink and beat me for money.

I was a young omega who struggled to live a normal life in the Blood Rose Pack.

When the men finally left, I couldn't sleep a single minute that night.

By sunrise, I packed my books and walked out without once looking back.

*****

"Elara, please don't cry."

I hugged my best friend, Julia, and poured my heart out. We were outside the campus.

Julia was rich, but she never judged my poor status. She always tried to console me.

I enrolled in 'Moonlight University' three months ago. It was a university for the elite. I was fortunate enough to be admitted here thanks to a scholarship.

"What will you do now? What about your Mom? You can shift with her," Julia said when I broke the hug.

I leaned against a tree, lowered my head, and shook it in denial. "She has her own life. I heard she is getting married soon."

"Why don't you tell her that your dad is treating you like this?"

"I don't want to be a