CHAPTER 29: SPECIAL SEAT FOR A SPECIAL OMEGA!

Meanwhile, Elias sat in his room, the phone clutched in his hand, as he stared at the message he had sent to Jace.

’All I need is a private hospital,’ he thought. ’Somewhere Viktor can’t find my sister even if he’s after my life for lying to him,’

The Drago family owned half the city... hospitals, buildings, even the streets. But Jace had agreed to help, despite everything. Elias didn’t know why he trusted him all of a sudden. Trusting the same guy who’d shoved him into lockers and called him names for a year.

’I guess it’s because I have no one else,’ he admitted, his chest aching. School was a blur of isolation, the twins his only real friends, and Gerald a father figure he’d have to leave behind.

He remembered the matching app, the message offering one million to conceive an heir. It had scared him, but desperation lingered. He knew that one million could change everything. He pulled out his phone and opened the app, staring at the profile.

The message was still there:

"I’ll tell you who I am, but agree to my terms. The pay is more than enough... all I want is for you to conceive my heir. I’ll wait till you’re ready."

He’d rejected it... and the other four... but the words stuck.

’An heir? That’s not ordinary. Maybe it’s fake. A way to kidnap Omegas,’

He closed the app, slamming his book shut, frustration bubbling. The house was finally quiet after body care day; the twins had crashed early, the spa pros had packed up, and the mansion felt empty.

He left his room, wandering to the kitchen. Milo was there, as always, but Luka sat at the counter, sipping a weird green drink, his face twisted in disgust. Luka saw Elias and raised his hand like a kid.

"Hey! Finally, someone normal to talk to."

Elias sat beside him, eyeing the drink.

"What in the world is that bubbling disaster?"

Luka grimaced, pushing the glass away.

"Ha! I lost a bet with the kids. They made me drink this... mixture. Whatever they grabbed from the fridge,"

Elias squeezed his face, gagging.

"Egg is in that?"

Luka nodded, faking a tear.

"That’s gross. Are you going to be okay?"

Luka laughed, but it was strained.

"Barely. They’re as ruthless as their father. Right?"

Elias swallowed hard as he didn’t want to talk about Viktor. He tried to stand up to leave but Luka caught Elias before he could stand.

"Wait! I got something for you."

Elias froze as Luka leaned in, whispering,

"Kudos for punching Vik before his engagement. Such a bold move."

Elias flinched, the memory of his fist connecting with Viktor’s cheek flashing back.

"I didn’t mean to," he said, his voice low. "He... he was too close."

Luka’s eyes glinted.

"Too close? What happened? Tell me! Tell me."

Elias remembered the touch, the kiss on his neck, Viktor’s hand on his waist and maybe somewhere lower. His face heated.

"Nothing," he said, looking away. "Really."

Luka pressed, leaning closer.

"Come on, Elly. You don’t punch the mafia boss for nothing. Spill."

"Elly? Don’t give me a nickname?" Elias frowned but Luka didn’t listen. He was as stubborn as a child.

"Just spill it, Elly,"

Elias shook his head, giving up on making Luka stop calling him that.

"It’s private. Drop it."

Luka grinned, unfazed.

"Fine, keep your secrets. But he won’t forget that hit." He paused, sipping the drink and wincing. He forgot it was a disastrous drink.

"Where are the kids?" Elias asked.

"Body care day knocked them out," Luka said. "They’re asleep. Viktor’s with Clara."

Elias nodded, his grin fading.

"Clara’s here? For real?"

"Hmm-mm," Luka said, his voice quiet.

Viktor had a fiancée, one he was marrying in two days, yet he’d kissed Elias, pinned him, and groaned his name while doing... that. The thought made his chest tight...

’I’m not jealous,’ he told himself. ’Just confused,’

He sighed deeply, staring at the counter, when a soft voice came from behind.

"Hello, Elias. How are you doing today?"

Elias turned, nearly stumbling. Clara stood there, waving lightly, her face different... no heavy makeup, no flashy clothes. Her hair was down, her outfit simple... a blouse and jeans.

She looked... normal, almost pretty without the edge. Viktor hovered behind her, his expression shocked to see Clara walk up to Elias, his grey eyes flicking to him.

"Miss Clara," Elias said, standing straight, his voice polite but guarded. "I’m... fine. How are you?"

Clara smiled, stepping closer, her hand reaching for Elias’s. He tensed but didn’t pull away as she grabbed it gently, her grip surprisingly soft.

"I’m doing super fine, thanks to you," she said.

"Thanks to... Me? I’ve done nothing," Elias tilted his head in confusion.

"Oh Elias... you’ve done a lot," her voice earnest. "But I need your help, Elias. With the engagement preparations."

Elias swallowed hard, his mind screaming NO. Viktor’s face behind her was a mask of tension, his eyes saying the same. Clara’s desperation was clear, her fingers tight on his.

He parted his lips to answer.

"I... sure," Elias said, his voice small. "I can help."

Clara’s face lit up, squeezing his hand. "Thank you! It’s the guest list and seating arrangements. I have so much to do, and Viktor’s... always busy."

Viktor’s jaw tightened, but he said nothing, his eyes locked on Elias’s hand in Clara’s.

"I’ll leave you two to it," he said, his voice flat, turning to leave.

Clara pulled Elias to the dining room, spreading papers and lists across the table.

"So... let’s see! My family’s taking half the seats... cousins, aunts, friends. Viktor’s side is just his family. No one else."

Elias nodded, scanning the list.

"It looks... full. What do you need help with?"

Clara sighed, rubbing her temples. "Seating. My aunt hates Viktor’s sister... they fought some time ago. And my cousin wants to sit near the cake, same with Viktor’s brother, but Viktor’s brother, Luka, is a flirt. I need this to be perfect and not end with a fight."

Elias flipped through the papers, his mind half on the task, half on Viktor’s reaction.

"Put your aunt near the back," he suggested. "And Luka... he’s harmless. Just put him by the bar."

Clara’s eyes widened.

"You sure know the family? That’s surprising"

Elias shook his head.

"Just from the twins. They talk a lot."

Clara laughed.

"And you? Where are you going to sit?" The tone of her voice changed suddenly.

Elias paused, his pen hovering.

"Close to the kids..." he said quietly. "That’s where I’ll obviously sit,"

Clara’s smile faded, her voice soft.

"But I made a separate and special seat for you..." And said and pointed at the end. Somewhere close to the door.

Elias’s eyes widened. "Why?"

Clara leaned closer after making sure no one was around.

"Why? I can’t believe you’re really a cheap slut like they described."

She wore her wicked grin and Elias immediately knew she was back to her normal self.

Elias’s chest tightened.

"I don’t understand..." he said, his voice was so sincere.

Clara squeezed his hand tighter.

"You don’t have to... After all, those seats were made for omegas and you just happened to be one of them. Shouldn’t you be grateful?"

Elias’s face heated, and he looked down. He never thought he would be caught like this. He bit the inside of his mouth until it bled.

"I’m... I’m not an omega."

Clara smiled faintly.

"Of course not. You’re an omega-slut! Here’s some advice, sweetheart. I’m placing you close to the exit so it would be easy for you to leave the party and Viktor’s life for good. Once I’m engaged to him, he’ll belong to me and only me!"

"But, the kids..." Elias tried to speak and Clara shoved his hand aside.

"I’ll find a new nanny for them. Someone... better. Someone who Viktor wouldn’t be attracted to... sexually. You understand me, don’t you?"

Elias kept his head lower.

’Is this how everything ends? I was going to end everything but... She’s making it difficult and also easy for me. But... How did she find out about Viktor and me? Is there a spy in the house?’