Alpha Hunter

Chapter 9

Reyna Cruz:

I grasped the loaf of bread and the carton. As I turned around, I caught sight of Tara embracing him. It pained me deeply when Hunter noticed me and enveloped her in a tighter hug.

“And you know why I adore you, Tara!” he admitted, his gaze locking with mine. As if they hadn’t inflicted enough agony on me, now I had to witness their affection for each other.

All the self– assurance I had mustered to hide my misery crumbled as I observed Hunter behaving this way‘ with her. All those beautiful moments when I used to be I could break down like a shattered soul in front of them, I sprang to my feet and bolted out of

the store.

Once I was out in the open air, tears streamed down my face, blurring my vision as I cried loudly, much like a child. “This isn’t fair,” I bawled, rushing to c

“Hey, get off the road!” a man yelled from his car. I got up unsteadily, clutching the shattered bread, and then dashed back home. I had scraped my chin,

I rushed into the house in such a hurry that I forgot I would encounter Polline there. She stood up from her chair and witnessed my sobbing. I promptly s

“Did you find this in the trash can?” she asked, arching an eyebrow while looking at the bread in my hands.)

“N– no!” I squeaked, “I was so full… I didn’t want to get anything,” I fibbed, sobbing and trying to smile simultaneously. I didn’t even know how to express my

“Okay,” she said, walking past me and leaving the room I called my home.

I placed the bread in my lap and sat on the floor, taking bites as my l*ps trembled. I knew Nera felt as much pain as I did. ‘That’s not fair. They were so h

‘Karma doesn’t exist,‘ she continued, but I couldn’t manage a single word amidst my excessive tears.

‘Karma never catches up with rich and powerful folks, you silly wolf, I breathed heavily, finally forming a complete sentence. The bread tasted delicious, and I wanted to focus o

“Ummm! It’s sooo yummy,” I sobbed, grinning oddly, as the door swung open, and I realized I hadn’t locked it. Polline walked in with a tray of food in her hands. She came closer and stood before me, prompting me to raise my head to meet her gaze.

“I don’t know why your mate couldn’t see your worth all those years. But one year was enough for me to recognize the kind of person you are, Reyna. Yo

“They are soooo happy!” I cried, tears streaming down my face as she caressed my cheek. “Then be happier thant them. And remember, you’re not alon

She was right. Today was a harsh reminder that nobody would come to make me happy; I had to find happiness within myself.

“Now, let’s eat well so you can focus on your work,” Polline pulled the tray of warm food closer to me and sat

down beside me.

“How did you know I’m working?” I asked in surprise.

“I saw all the pages under your pillow. I can tell you’re very talented, and I have high hopes for you to get this job,” she smiled, indicating that she had read about the part where I had written about the online job interview: The rogue king had sought a copywriter to promote his ventures, and he n

“I wished to, but my interview is scheduled for around 2 am,” I sighed, recalling how devastated I had been when I realized my little lie on the CV had put

“No library will be open at that time, and that’s also when Turner decides to turn my world upside down.”

“Oh, that’s not a problem,” Polline snapped her fingers and quickly rose from the ground, hurrying out of the Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

room without explaining. I wondered what had happened, but the enticing aroma of fresh pancakes and milk tea kept me in my seat. I began devouring t

1. me.

Polline returned with a laptop, and my hopes soared. “Can I use your laptop for the interview?” I asked as I rose to my feet and smiled.

“No,” she shook her head, but before my smile could fade, she added, “you can keep this.” She offered me her laptop, and I found my hands trembling a

“No, that’s too big of a favor,” I protested gently.

“It’s fine, I don’t need it. Some girl I helped gifted it to me. Now I have five of these lying around, and every time I look at them, I wonder whether to sell them or let them gather dust. Here, use it. I’m sure you’ll do great tonight, a the bed and gave me a side hug.

I couldn’t quite grasp it. How could someone be such a stranger and so comforting at the same time? It made me realize that outer appearances didn’t matter much.

“Thank you. I don’t know how I’ll ever repay you for this,” I said, holding her hand and beaming.

“Oh, I’m not doing it for you,” the sudden change in her tone alarmed me. I looked into her eyes and saw a depth, of emotion.

“I had a lost daughter who would have been your age if she had lived. She needed me, and I was too caught up- in alcohol and partying. When I looked

you thrive.” Polline shocked me with the weight of the sadness she had carried in her heart.

“I promise, and I’m sure your daughter is proud of you. Anyone would be to have another person like you,” I couldn’t express how much this meant to me

to check on me; I was left as if I never existed.

That night, she looked after Turner, and I gave my best during the interview, falling asleep around 5 am. I awoke to email notifications.

“Good morning,” Polline entered the room with breakfast at the same time. I got out of bed and checked the emails for the results.

As my eyes locked on the screen, I gasped, and she rushed over to check on me.

“What is it?” she asked, but I couldn’t even respond to her. “Hey, it’s okay. Failure is just a part of–,” she began, running her fingers through my hair to ca

“I got the job in the biggest rogue project ever!” I exclaimed joyfully, hugging her. Perhaps this was the start of my new life.

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