Alpha Hayley’s Destined Mate

Chapter 97: Getting Engaged to Her Destined Mate

Hayley’s POV

“Rachel is getting engaged. A few days ago, she came to school to hand out invitations,” I heard. Hearing her name again unexpectedly brought me a sense of calm. I simply responded, “Her life doesn’t concern me.”

Christine, however, was visibly upset by the news. “How is it fair that someone like her is thriving and getting engaged to her destined mate? Shouldn’t there be consequences for bad people?”

Noticing the confusion on Christine’s face, I gently tousled her hair. “Let’s not dwell on it. We need to focus on our own lives. What happens to others isn’t our business.”

Christine didn’t push the matter further, and we both entered the classroom.

Benjamin’s POV

For the past several days, it felt like Hayley was intentionally avoiding me, and this realization was eating away at me, leaving my wolf, Lawrence, feeling just as irritable. What was going on? What happened that night? Sadly, the details remained elusive.

My restlessness grew. Nothing seemed to be working out in my favor, and to top it off, the translator I needed for Mornant had turned me down for the in-person gig just last night. I pressed the intercom to summon my assistant.

“Have you found anyone for the Mornant language translation? I need their resume.”

My assistant appeared uneasy as he reported, “Alpha, we still haven’t received any resumes.”

With no other option, I decided to reach out to the translator again. “Make an offer! If you’re willing, salary won’t be an issue.”

After sending that message, a nagging feeling made me add, “If you have any questions, we can discuss them face-to-face. I’m open to negotiating salary.”

As an Alpha, I’d never stooped to this level. If it weren’t for the company’s needs and the lack of alternatives, I wouldn’t have demeaned myself like this. But at this point, I had no other choices. Unless it was absolutely necessary, I preferred not to use my Alpha status to pressure anyone.

“Keep searching for a Mornant language translator. Let me know immediately if you find anything,” I instructed my assistant, who stood patiently at my side.

“Will do, Alpha.”

Upon my return, I asked, “Is there something else?”

“It’s me.”

I looked up in surprise. “Grandpa, what brings you here today?”

“I thought you could use a break from work, and since I had some free time at home, I decided to stop by.”

I stood and handed him some financial reports I had already reviewed. “Grandpa, here’s the financial report for this month. Take a look, but I have a meeting coming up, so I have to go.”

He accepted the papers but didn’t even glance at them. Instead, he set them aside. “There’s no rush. I want to talk about something.”

Noticing the serious expression on his face, I immediately signaled my assistant to close the door and asked, “What’s on your mind, Grandpa?”

He smiled and replied, “Why are you so tense? It’s nothing serious; I just wanted to discuss your upcoming birthday. Have you thought about it?”

I was taken aback. “Grandpa, it’s just a birthday; it’s not a big deal.” I didn’t care for formal celebrations. A simple family dinner was all I wanted, as per our tradition.

“I was thinking we haven’t celebrated properly in a long time. Let’s throw a birthday party this year; what do you think?”

I tried to excuse myself with work. “Grandpa, I’m busy with packing and company matters. I also have to go on a business trip to Acxia soon. Maybe we can skip the celebration.”

“You’re too focused on work. If that’s how you feel, I’ll handle everything. Just show up when it’s time.”

With him putting it that way, I felt I couldn’t say no any longer and decided to go along with his plan. After all, he was the person I respected the most.

Hayley’s POV

After school, as soon as I stepped outside, I noticed Irving’s car. He got out and approached me. “Let me take your bag.”

I handed it to him, and he opened the car door for me. Once I was inside, he started the engine and began chatting as we drove.

“How was school today? Everything alright?”

I nodded. “Yeah, it was fine.”

Irving fell silent for a moment, glancing at me. I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off about his gaze. Hera, the voice within me, stirred restlessly, heightening my sense of caution.

When we arrived home, Irving parked in the underground garage, and I joined him in the elevator. But just as the doors began to close, the lights flickered before plunging us into darkness.

Despite feeling alert, panic washed over me. “What’s going on?”