Chapter 1: Special Request

*Gwen’s POV*

As I was weaving my way through the crowded club, balancing two full beer glasses on a tray, someone suddenly grabbed my arm, stopping me in my tracks. It was the club manager, looking serious. He pulled me aside into a quiet corner.

"Gwen," he said quietly, "we have a special request for you."

I was surprised. A request for me? That was unusual. Normally, these requests were handled by the girls in flashy outfits, not someone like me – a girl dressed in oversized t-shirts and baggy pants.

"Who's asking?" I inquired, feeling curious.

The manager shook his head. "You'll find out when you get there. It's in Lounge 3. Drop the tray and go. Right away."

I felt irritation bubbling inside me. I didn't like being bossed around like a pet. But with Mr. Tony's stern gaze fixed on me, and the silent threat of losing my job looming over me, I followed his orders.

Setting the tray down with a loud thud that earned me a few annoyed glances, I hurried towards lounge 3, feeling my heart race with each step. As I approached the door, I paused for a moment, bracing myself for whatever awaited me on the other side.

I was still curious about who wanted to see me, so I decided to peek through the crack in the door before entering. My heart nearly stopped at what I saw.

There, surrounded by scantily clad women, sat Derek, the Alpha's son, accompanied by his two friends, Jeffrey Connor and Dan Bennett. My stomach churned as I took in the unexpected sight. Derek and his friends had asked for me?

Nervousness flooded through me as I gazed at Derek's handsome face up close for the first time. I'd harbored a crush on him for as long as I could remember. He was the epitome of what a girl could desire – tall, handsome, and strong, with an aura of mysterious charm about him.

But he is the Alpha's son, his status is way above mine as a low-ranking Omega. I couldn't understand why they wanted me. I pondered.

Summoning all my courage, I pushed the door open and stepped into the dimly lit room, ready to fulfill whatever they asked of me.

"Hello, you requested for me, how can I be of service to you?" I asked, trying to sound confident and professional despite my racing heart.

But Derek and his friends ignored me, they were too caught up in their own enjoyment with the women giving them lap dances. Suddenly, a potent scent filled the room, overwhelming me. I looked up and met Derek's eyes, and in that instant, I knew.

He is my mate.

Derek Cobbs, the most arrogant, infuriating, and undeniably attractive boy in the entire pack, is my mate. The realization hit me like a wave, and my wolf stirred with a mix of joy and possessiveness.

Derek immediately looked up at me. From the look in Derek's eyes, I could tell he felt the mate bond too. But before I could fully grasp the situation, Derek spoke, his words piercing my heart like a knife.

"I just smelled her as my mate," he said to his friends, his tone dripping with disdain. "Can you believe it?"

I felt the color drain from my face as his words sunk in. He was disgusted by me. The one person I'd always longed for, the one I'd dreamed of being with, was repulsed by the mere thought of me.

Tears began to well up in my eyes as Derek and his friends started making fun of me, their laughter filling the room. I wished I could run away, and escape the humiliation, but I couldn't risk losing my job. It was my only way to survive.

"If you have nothing for me to assist you with, I'll be on my way now," I said and turned to leave.

"Stay," Derek said, his voice dripping with malice. "Entertain us."

I blinked in disbelief at his words. "I-I'm just a waiter," I stammered, my voice barely audible. "I'm not a stripper. I can ask the manager to make arrangements for them"

But Derek didn't seem to care. "I'll give you 30,000 Moon coins," he said, sounding really arrogant. "Enough to change your miserable life forever. What’s your answer, Omega?"

I wasn't sure what to do.

Part of me wanted to keep my pride, but the other part really wanted the money he offered. It was more than I could ever earn in months of working at the club and cleaning the pack’s hall. But the idea of humiliating myself for Derek's entertainment made me feel sick.

But in the end, the temptation of the money was too much. With a heavy heart, I agreed, preparing myself for what I had to do.

I took off my shirt, feeling Derek's eyes on me as I got on the pole and started dancing. I tried to ignore the shame and embarrassment, focusing instead on the promise of the money that I would receive at the end.

When I finished, Derek threw the money on the floor and told me to pick it up. I had never felt so humiliated in my life. I bent down and gathered the money from the floor, my hands trembling as I hastily made my way to the dressing room, desperate to get away from Derek and his friends' stares.

But just as I reached the safety of the dressing room, Derek came barging in, his presence filling the small space. I backed away, my heart pounding in my chest as he advanced towards me.

"What do you want?" I asked, barely able to speak.

But Derek didn't answer. Instead, he moved closer, his eyes roaming over my body with a hunger that made my skin crawl.

"You're beautiful," he said, his voice low and husky. "Hotter than any of those other girls out there."

I swallowed hard, my fear mingling with the undeniable pull of the mate bond that connected us. I could feel my wolf growl within me. I wanted him, despite everything, wanted to give in to the overwhelming desire that coursed through my veins. But I couldn't. Not like this.

"I said, what do you want?" I repeated, my voice stronger and louder this time, though my hands shook with fear.

Derek's face turned hard, his eyes flashing with anger. Without warning, he reached out and slapped me across the face, the force of the slap making me stagger.

"You think you're too good for me?" he snapped, his voice full of spite. "You're nothing but a worthless little nobody. And you always will be."

As I raised my hand to touch the side of my face he had slapped, the next word that came out of his mouth shattered me into a million pieces.

"You think you're too good for me? or having me as your mate elevates you somehow?” he snapped, his voice full of spite.

"I…I" I stammered, fear clogging my throat.

"What do you think I came in here for? To have you? You think too much of yourself, Omega. I'm here to reject you."

As I raised my hand to touch the side of my face he had slapped, the next word that came out of his mouth shattered me into a million pieces.

“I, Derek Cobbs of the Stormfur Pack, reject you, Gwen, as my mate"