Chapter 123: Choose Me as Your Mate

Hayley’s POV:

When I heard someone calling my name, I instinctively stopped walking and turned around. I was surprised to see Jeremy walking toward me, beaming.

“I’ve finally caught up with you,” he said, smiling as he raised a bouquet of flowers. “I picked these out for you.”

A little taken aback, I didn’t take the flowers. Instead, I asked, “What are you doing here?”

Jeremy looked as if he had something to say but hesitated. After a moment, he smiled, his expression darkening slightly. “Last time, when I asked you to wait for me after your exam, you left first. Do you know—”

He glanced at me but didn’t finish his sentence.

“But it doesn’t matter. I’ll be the one to come find you,” he said, smoothly changing the subject. “I heard the results of the Math Olympiad are out, and you got a perfect score again. Congratulations!” Jeremy said it sincerely. His gaze fixed on me with such intensity that it made me feel awkward.

I pressed my lips together, then asked, “Jeremy, do you have something to tell me?”

Jeremy shook his head and gestured to the bouquet. “No, not really. I just wanted to bring you these flowers. I picked each one carefully. You should take them.”

I declined directly. “I appreciate the gesture, but I’m not really into flowers.”

He looked disappointed. “Alright, next time I’ll bring you something else.”

I raised my gaze and spoke earnestly. “Jeremy, we don’t know each other that well, so you don’t need to do all this.”

His face instantly turned red, and he stammered, struggling to find his words. “N–no, it’s fine! I want to do this.”

I advised him, “Jeremy, you really shouldn’t do things like this in the future. Don’t you want to find your destined mate? Even if she hasn’t appeared yet, it’s better to wait for her instead of choosing me at random. It will only cause trouble for me.”

Jeremy seemed caught off guard by my straightforwardness, looking a bit flustered. “Did I make things difficult for you? If I did, I’m sorry. If you don’t like it, I won’t do it again.”

After a moment of reflection, I asked, “Jeremy, why are you doing this? Or, what do you want to achieve by doing this? I’m not pretty enough. Some might even say I’m ugly, and I’m just an Omega. Why are you interested in me?”

Jeremy looked at me. “You’ve misunderstood. I’m not just interested in you. I… I like you. Yes, Hayley, I like you. Even if my wolf doesn’t react to you, my heart races every time I see you.”

I frowned, listening as he continued.

“The fact that you can get a perfect score in the national math Olympiad is enough to impress me. And your kindness and willingness to help others are truly admirable. I’m drawn to your intellect and your heart. Your appearance and social status mean nothing to me. I hope you’ll consider giving me a chance—”

Before Jeremy could finish his words, a cough interrupted us from behind. I snapped out of it and looked up to see Benjamin standing nearby, though I hadn’t noticed when he had arrived.

Benjamin smiled apologetically. “Sorry to interrupt, but your pen dropped into my car.”

I blushed instantly with embarrassment! Of all moments, why did Benjamin have to walk in on us?

Jeremy looked at Benjamin with a confused look. As he picked up on the Alpha’s presence, he instinctively took a couple of steps back, his confidence noticeably wavering.

He glanced at me, his voice trembling slightly as he asked, “Who is this?”

Without a second thought, I linked my arm with Benjamin’s and replied to Jeremy, “He’s my mate! I’m sorry, Jeremy, but I can’t accept your feelings.”