CINDY'S POV
Good morning, folks. In today's news, our respected Alpha Luis continues his search for the unnamed girl who owned the fallen necklace. He is willing to turn over every stone in the country just for this girl because, finally, she was his fated mate.
The radio crackled with a news report. The people in the pub were alert, halting their drinking and talking to focus on the radio.
The pub has a large radio behind the counter for the public to hear the latest news. People love to be here in the evening, especially on Friday nights, to relax. And I'm glad I got to work here because the ambiance is refreshing.
When I left my stepfamily, I went to the next town and found myself in front of this pub. It was evening, and no one was outside. Luckily, the pub's owner, Mr. Jerry, went out to take out the trash and saw me lying beside the entrance.
He quickly got me inside and gave me something to eat. I thought all people were bad, just like my stepmother and stepsisters. But Mr. Jerry proved to me that everyone can be kind if they choose to be. He took care of me while I was in my vulnerable state. He fed me, bought me clothes, and gave me money to buy my needs.
"Why are you so kind to me?" I said one day.
He smiled sweetly, like a father looking out for his daughter. "You're reminding me of my dead daughter. She was just your age when she was stolen from me because of her illness."
To repay his kindness, I worked for his pub. I became a waitress. Customers, regular or not, treated me kindly, and I never experienced harassment.
In this town, the people are friendly, warm, and respectful. Now I see why they are really supporting the reign of Alpha Luis in the country, because he is also like them: friendly, warm, respectful, and born in this town.
So, when they knew that he was searching for his mate for many full moons, they helped in the search, too. They searched by interrogating young ladies who attended the party and relaying the message to the pack's council.
But for whatever reason, they didn't ask anything from me. Maybe because I was from a different town, so they thought I was out of the equation? But still, I was puzzled and glad at the same time. I'm trying to get my life together, and this normalcy is what I wanted, not unnecessary attention.
When my shift was over and I returned to my small room on the second floor of the pub, I dreamed of him again. Most importantly, I dreamed about the time we spent at the party.
Morning came. As usual, I started mopping the floor and cleaning the windows.
"You don't have to do that, Cindy," Mr. Jerry said when he entered the pub and found me wiping the tables.
"It's the least I can do for your kindness to me."
Again, he let me do what I wanted. The two other workers entered after a minute, and then the number of customers who came inside slowly increased. For a short period, the bar was full of customers, even though it was still afternoon.
I was busy putting a glass of beer on a customer's table when I heard the sound of the chime on the door, indicating someone had entered. When I turned around to greet the newcomers, I froze when I came face to face with my Aunt Jezel and her daughter.
"Well, well, well, look who's here," Aunt Jezel said as she stepped forward to me.
"The brat has found a cheap job. A waitress? Oh, come on. Didn't the owner of this establishment realize you are fit to be a janitor?" Stephany added.
Jenny, with a large bump on her belly, laughed. "I bet she has slept with lots of men here. Are you giving them the satisfaction they want every night, Cindy? Is Alpha Luis not enough for you to seduce?"
All the customers' attention was on us now. They were intrigued by the scene in front of them. Even now, these three still love to be in the spotlight.
Are they really craving to be the center of attention? Well, I'll give them what they want.
"Are you that obsessed with me that you really followed me here? You're all so pathetic for not having a life of your own. I guess the money from my father's savings is gone, so you want me to take care of you. Well, news flash, I'm not the old, stupid Cindy anymore. Now, get out!" I ordered, pointing outside.
The surprise and shock were evident on their faces. They couldn't speak because of the humiliation. But then, Aunt Jezel raised her hand to slap me, but a hand stopped her midway.
When I looked at the man who stopped her, my mouth dropped open. It was Alpha Luis.
