Alpha Hayley's Destined Mate by Andrea Townsend

Chapter 776 Poor Humbert Hayley's POV: 40 Peade His palm was wide and warm, rough with old calluses. When it brushed against my skin, it felt a bit like fine sandpaper-abrasive, but strangely grounding.

Yet somehow, the restlessness in my heart began to settle.

All the fury, the desire to tear into him, and the unshakable resolve to sink my teeth into his throat disappeared in an instant.

"Stop being so guarded, so hostile toward me," Truman said softly. His dark eyes locked on mine, filled with something deep-something honest. "I'm here to protect you Thud. Thud-thud. Thud-thud-thud.

My heart pounded wildly in my chest.

I looked up in confusion and stared right into Truman's eyes. For a brief moment, I felt a strange familiarity.

Just like when I looked at Benjamin.

The realization hitlike a bolt of lightning. And after that fleeting calm, panic surged back into my chest.

But he wasn't Benjamin. Hera could smell the difference between them.

How could 1-how dare l-be drawn to two different men? "No! I can't!" The chaos insidebubbled over. I cried out, not even realizing it.

Then, as if burned, I ripped my hand away from his and spun around. I flung the door open and refused to look back at him.

"Leave. Now. I want you out of my sight." Benjamin's POV: The moment I saw Hayley's expression, I knew something was wrong.

Even my wolf could sense the shift in her mood.

This wasn't the Hayley who snapped and scoldedwhenever I teased her. This was something else.

I didn't know what I had done to push her away, but I knew one thing: I couldn't keep pretending Truman. Not like this.

So, I turned and left without a word. At the doorway, hesitated, glancing back- worried, hoping.

But all I caught was her face as she slammed the door shut, cold and resolute. Chapter 776 Poor Humbert My chest tightened, as if something had clamped around my heart, squeezing every breath out ofIt took a long moment before I managed to turn away again. And when I did, I walked with purpose. Because in that moment, one thing beccrystal clear. Hayley's POV: I leaned against the door, my breath shallow as I listened to the fading sound of his footsteps. My brows were furrowed tight.

What on earth was wrong with me? How could I be drawn to a man who already had a mate?.

Benjamin was the one fate had chosen for me. My destined mate.

I barely slept that night, tossed in a haze of frustration and confusion.

By ten the next morning, I arrived at the auction hall right on time. The Rock Betting Auction was still in full swing, as lively as ever. Even though a day had passed, people who had struck gold through rock betting were still glowing with victory. Word had spread like wildfire, and the event had drawn in even more hopeful dreamers, all chasing the fantasy of overnight riches. A small group of diehards-gamblers to the bone-had been camped out since day one, waiting for something truly legendary. They refused to leave before they saw the rare treasure.

Swere even saying they'd stayed just to witness the showdown betweenand Preston.

As I walked past, the buzz among them picked up immediately.

"There she is! Told you she wouldn't just disappear before giving us a show." "Yeah, and Preston brought in his secret weapon this time. That girl's going to get crushed." "Shame, really. Hate to see a pretty face lose that bad. Well, not really-hahaha!" I caught every word but didn't flinch. My expression stayed cool, unreadable. I walked past like I hadn't heard a thing.

Humbert, however, looked like a nervous wreck.

"Ms. Carson," he rushed over nervously the moment he spotted me, "you've heard, right? Preston's secret weapon showed up today!" "The Hanovers' network in the rock betting world is massive-he must've brought somer you, this isn't just sregular expert!" He looked downright defeated, his brows scrunched in worry.

"Oh yeah?" I arched an eyebrow and said coldly, "You think they're better than me?" 1. ig. I'm telling Chapter 776 Poor Humbert Humbert blinked, then gavea look filled with complicated emotions. He hálf- joked. You do remember yesterday's gem reveal, right? The whole room's been laughing about it ever since.

Then ca heavy sigh.

Yeah, he clearly didn't have much faith in me.

I yawned behind my hand, completely unbothered with his disappointment.

I couldn't care less. Covering a yawn, I muttered, "It's freezing in here. I'm so sleepy; maybe I should just go. back to bed."

Without missing a beat, I turned and strolled straight toward the exit, right through the sea of curious and doubtful eyes-just like yesterday. Once again, I abandoned Humbert to handle everything independently.

This time, Humbert didn't even look surprised. He'd probably gotten used to my antics by now.

It seemed he'd finally realized something important: counting onwas a gamble in itself. If he wanted to win, he'd better rely on his own skills.

I glanced back just once. There he was, clenching his fists, trying to pump himself up. Then, with determination, he plunged back into the sea of uncut stones.

Satisfied, I turned to leave for real.

But I wasn't heading back for sleep this time.

I had someone to meet. Nocturne was waiting.

NASK

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