Chapter 1

CLARK

"Papa!" I greeted my father cheerfully as he passed by my station.

I work as a receptionist in one of the prestigious hotels and casinos here in Las Vegas. After graduating from a community college, I immediately asked my father to stop working and took on the responsibility of supporting our family.

My mother passed away during childbirth, so it was my father who raised and cared for me. That's why, as soon as I became aware of things, I vowed never to neglect my father. After finishing school, I quickly looked for a job. It took me four years of hopping from one job to another before I was fortunate enough to land my current position.

"How are you doing here, my child? Are you managing your work well?" my father asked as he approached my station.

"I'm doing fine, Papa. But why are you here so early today?" I asked curiously. My work is during the graveyard shift, so my father volunteered to take me to and pick me up from work every day to ease his worries about my safety.

My father wanted me to take a regular day job—one with morning shifts and weekends off. While I would have liked that, this job pays significantly better compared to regular day jobs. Plus, there's the added bonus I earn from the night differential for working the graveyard shift.

"I—I didn't have anything to do at home, so I decided to come here early," Papa replied. I couldn't help but notice his evasive gaze, as if he was hiding something from me.

I didn't want to think ill of my father, but I couldn't stop myself from feeling suspicious because of his unusual behavior.

I let out a sigh and started organizing my things. There was still half an hour left before my shift ended. "Alright, Pa. I'll come to you as soon as my shift is over," I said.

I wasn't even done packing my things when I saw my father surrounded by men in black suits. My shock turned to horror as I watched them roughly drag him away.

Without hesitation, I ran toward them as fast as I could, my breath hitching with every step. I immediately grabbed the arm of one of the men who was pulling my father.

"Hey! What are you doing to my father? I'll report you for kidnapping!" I shouted at them.

"Don't worry about me, my child. I'll handle this. Just wait for me here," Papa said.

"No, Pa! I won't let them just take you like that!" I insisted.

"Clark..." my father called out again. 

I rushed toward them with confidence, knowing we were in a public place where they surely wouldn't risk doing anything harmful. But I was wrong. The people around us seemed indifferent, as if they didn't care about what was happening.

I shouldn't be surprised. We humans have no value to werewolves like them. They were on the top of the food chain, and we were nothing but dust. We are helpless humans among the most powerful creatures walking on earth. We are basically nothing but their slaves.

"Bring her," ordered one of the men, who appeared to be their leader.

My eyes widened in shock as they began dragging me along with my father. My mind was racing, trying to figure out what my father could have possibly done to deserve this. As far as I knew, he was a kind man who had never had any enemies in his entire life. I was utterly baffled as to why they were taking us. We always make sure that we are staying out of their way. How the hell did we get entangled with these ruthless creatures?

I repeatedly tried to break free from their grip, my concern more for my father's safety than my own. I had no idea what might happen to us today, but whatever it was, I wouldn't let them harm my father.

The men brought us to what seemed to be a large room inside the hotel. I was taken aback when I realized it was the office of the hotel owner. Only a select few employees were ever allowed inside, and almost everyone who entered left with bad news. I couldn't help but swallow hard in fear.

I was momentarily distracted by the grandeur of the room. It spoke of wealth and elegance, and this was my first time seeing it up close. A large painting of a woman hung on the wall behind a massive desk and chair.

In front of the desk were two single chairs positioned on either side, and a short distance away was a large sofa set with a small table in the middle. The men roughly made us sit in the two vacant chairs in front of the executive desk, while they themselves settled on the sofa nearby.

"Papa, what's going on?" I whispered to my father as I seized the chance to move closer to him.

"Clark, I'm sorry. I didn't mean for this to happen. I never wanted you to get involved in this. This is all my fault," my father replied, his voice trembling and tears welling up in his eyes. 

"Pa, what's going on? What did you do to these people? Maybe they're just mistaken," I said to him. "That's right! Sir, maybe you've got the wrong person," I added, turning to the men who had taken us. "This might be a case of mistaken identity. My father is a good man; he doesn't harm anyone," I explained.

"I'm afraid there's no mistake here, Miss. Your father has a huge debt that he needs to settle."

The deep baritone voice came from a door beside the wall where the large painting hung. I hadn't realized there was another room connected to this one. Quickly, I turned toward the direction where that deep baritone voice was coming. His eyes were fixed on his hand as he wiped it with a small white towel. He then lifted his lazy eyes and looked at me.

My eyes caught the brief flicker of surprise on his face when he saw me, though it was gone just as fast, replaced by a dark and serious expression.

I wasn't sure why my heart began pounding so hard as I looked at the man who owned that commanding voice. I blinked several times to make sure I wasn't seeing things. This was the first time I'd encountered such a perfectly sculpted face.

His deep, mesmerizing eyes seemed to pierce into my very soul. His thick eyebrows complemented his striking green eyes, and his perfectly shaped stubble only added to his allure.

This is not the right time to admire someone! I quickly scolded myself, snapping out of it. 

"How dare you look our alpha in the eye?" yelled the man beside. 

My eyes widened in panic upon hearing that before quickly bowing my head. 

"I'm sorry, Alpha. I—I didn't mean to stare." I apologized. I've heard about how gorgeous the owner of this hotel and casino is. He's always been the talk of the town whenever I was in my locker room. 

"That's enough. Let the woman speak," he ordered.

"Yes, Alpha!" he replied, bowing his head before turning towards me. 

I quickly turned my gaze away from the man. "Speak, human!" he ordered.

"I'm sorry, Alpha. But can you please explain what's going on here?" I asked, finally snapping out of my admiration for the man's perfect face.

"Your father owes me a total of three hundred thousand dollars," the man said, his voice steady. He walked slowly toward the chair in front of us, sat down, crossed his hands, and placed them on the desk.

"Sir, there must be a mistake. Your men must've gotten the wrong person. It's impossible for my father to have such debt. He doesn't even buy new clothes," I said, leaning slightly on the desk to move closer to him. Then, turning to my father, I added, "Pa, tell him that what he's saying is impossible. Maybe you just look like the person who owes him money."

"I'm sorry, Clark..." my father said, his voice breaking as he began to sob uncontrollably.

I was even more confused by what was happening. How could my father owe that huge amount of money? He couldn't even afford to buy himself new clothes or shoes, so how could this be possible?

"Pa? What are you doing? Just tell him that he must be mistaken," I pleaded with him. 

"Your father has been gambling with us for a couple of nights. And tonight, he lost three hundred thousand dollars at his table," the man in front of us explained. "I don’t usually get involved in my clients’ problems, but I don’t want blood on my hands," he added.

"B-Blood?" I asked in shock.

"Your father lost, and his opponent wants his money as soon as possible—or he will kill your father," he explained. "I didn’t want that to happen inside my property, so I paid off your father’s debt."

"Pa..." I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Tears welled up in my eyes as I turned to my father.

"Alpha, please have mercy on us. I’ll pay off my debt. Just don’t involve my child. Please, Alpha," my father cried, shocking me further as he suddenly knelt before the man.

"Pa! Get up, Pa!" I shouted at him.

"Please, I'm begging you. Keep my child out of this," he pleaded.

"I’ve already paid your debt. Now, you owe me, and I don’t do charities. I want my money back," the man said firmly, his tone serious.

"Thank you so much, Alpha! Don’t worry—I’ll pay you back as soon as I can," my father said.

"And how do you intend to do that?" the man asked, turning his piercing gaze toward my father.

Both of us froze at his question. How could we possibly pay back such a large amount? My salary as a receptionist wasn’t enough, and it would take me years to repay that debt.

"I’ll work for you!" my father said, shocking me even more. "I’ll do any job you ask."

"Pa, no! You're weak! You can even barely walk!" I protested. I turned to the man sitting behind the table. "I’ll be the one to pay off my father’s debt," I volunteered, causing the man to shift his attention back to me. 

He stared at my face intently, his gaze sending an inexplicable shiver through my chest. I couldn’t help but swallow hard at the way he looked at me, as if he was silently conveying something deeper.

"That's cute. But still, I have the same question. How do you intend to do that?" He asked, raising an eyebrow before leaning back in his chair and crossing his arms in front of him again.

"I'll work for you, day and night. I won't sleep a wink until I finally manage to pay back my father's debt." I suggested. 

It seemed that was the first time he noticed my uniform. His eyes scanned me from head to toe before returning to my face.

"I don't have that much time, miss," he replied as he casually leaned back against his chair.

I was holding my breath as I tried to come up with another solution. With my current pay grade, it would definitely take time before I finally manage to clear all my father's debt. 

"I—I don't know how else I will be able to pay you back, Alpha," I said.

"Well, that’s not my problem anymore," he replied nonchalantly, standing up abruptly. "I want my money by the end of the week, or you can visit your father in jail; your choice. You can leave now," he added dismissively.

"No, wait!"

He looked at me lazily as if what I'm about to say doesn't interest him at all. I turned to my father for a moment before I took a deep breath. 

"What is it, miss? I don't have all day," he said as he looked at me with uninterested eyes.

"I want to talk to you... alone."

***********************