CLAIMED BY THREE: THE HYBRID'S TRIALS

RACHEL'S POV The moment I stepped out of the cottage I shared with my best friend, Lizzy and stared up at the dark clouds that hung in the sky above, I knew what sort of day it was going to be for me - a disastrous one. As an unmated Omega at the age of 21, it took just a couple of rude kids, or even worse, dumb grown-ups who couldn't mind their damn business, to spoil your day. Literally everyone in the pack wanted to know why I had not yet found my mate! Annoying as their questions were, I was forced to answer politely, or face a query from the old and haggard looking Alpha of the pack, Alpha Stephen, who had been looking for the best excuse to get my ass in his bed ever since I turned 18. I swept my red hair up quickly and tied it in a neat bun. Staring into the mirror that morning, I assessed myself. Over the years, my hair had turned a darker shade of red - a great contrast to my pale skin. I heaved a deep sigh and grabbed the keys to my stall before heading out of the cottage.  It was Monday - the busiest day of the week in the Oakridge pack, and I had to make sure I got to the market early enough to sell all the groceries I had in my stall.  Selling fruits and vegetables in the Oakridge pack wasn't very lucrative, but I still took it very seriously, as it was my only hope of saving up for college, and finally getting to experience life outside the disgusting slums, I called a pack. When I finally got to my stall, I started unpacking the fruits and vegetables I had brought and setting them on the wooden tables there. "Good morning, redhead," a familiar voice greeted me. I spun around to meet the ever smiling Lizzy. We had been friends for years now and we even sold together in the market.  "Good morning to you too," I returned her smile and continued arranging my fruits.  "You seem less cranky today," Lizzy continued. "Sign of a great day." I smiled at her remark but didn't say a word in response. Lizzy was literally the only person in the pack that I could tolerate, and for some reason, she didn't seem to mind that I was unmated at 21. She never even asked about it!  "Hey, redhead," Lizzy stared up at me. "Could you help me watch my stuff for a while? I'll be back in five. Thank you." I wanted to protest, but she was already sprinting towards another stall some meters away.  As she disappeared in the distance, I turned my attention back to the rest of the market, inhaling the sweet scent of spices that filled the air. But the smile on my face faded off in a matter of seconds, because standing just a short distance from me was my worst nightmare - Alpha Stephens, and beside him, two of his royal guards.  It was the first time in my life I had seen an Alpha at a market meant for commoners and I got the feeling that he didn't come to buy my fruit. "Good morning, Alpha," I greeted him with a curt bow. "Oh, you can quit with the formalities," he snorted. His pot belly bobbed up and down as he spoke, and I stared at it, instantly irritated.  "I've told you already," he added. "You can call me Stephen." Both of his guards turned in the opposite direction, as though they knew the reason he was there. "If you want some fruits, I have the fresh ones here," I pointed at some oranges I had separated on the table. He nodded in understanding, his dark gaze fixed on the fruits on the table and for a brief moment, I actually thought he was there to buy my fruits.  Alpha Stephen slipped his hand into the pocket of his royal robes and retrieved a leather pouch. He loosened the rope that held the pouch together and the sound of coins clinking against the wooden table silenced the market instantly. Everyone was staring in my direction now. "It seems you don't fully understand the offer you're rejecting, Rachel," He said in a low whisper. "You won't have to think about where your next meal will come from anymore." Sadly, Alpha Stephen was right. One good look at the number of coins that were scattered across the table and I knew that it was more than enough to cater for all my needs for a whole month.  But to sell my dignity? And worse still, to a man old enough to be my father? I could never.  "I'm not interested, Alpha," I tried to sound as polite as I could, while still maintaining steady eye contact with him.  "I can never be your whore." "We could use a more fancy term if you liked," He shrugged. "You would have your own quarters in my mansion, your own slaves. This is a rare chance to live the life of luxury that your wretched parents failed to give you. Think about it, Rachel." "There's really nothing there to think about," I replied at once. "What would I tell my mate when he comes for - " "Cut the crap," He growled. "Everyone knows you're wolfless and mateless. I'm trying so hard to give you a life here, and you keep rejecting it." "I'm honored that you even looked in my direction, Alpha," I said. "But I'm not interested in your offer - " I stared at the coins scattered across the table and I heaved a deep breath. I knew very well that two weeks with Alpha Stephen would be enough to get me the money I needed to get through college, but I was making the right choice. My mother would have been so proud of me if she was here.  "I also don't need your money, so you can take it back," I said and turned on my heels. "You'll not dare to walk out on your Alpha," He snarled and grabbed me by the arm. At first, it was just my arm. But then, he pulled me close to himself and before I could realize what was happening, he grabbed my breasts. "So soft," He whispered, his voice laden with unholy desires. "You're making a mistake, Rachel." It took my brain a few seconds to register what was happening and when it did, I acted on impulse - an act I was going to regret for the rest of my life. I slapped Alpha Stephen hard across his cheeks in the middle of the busy marketplace!