FATED TO ALPHA HUNTER BY VENNEH LISAH

𝗔𝗡𝗜𝗔'𝗦 𝗣𝗢𝗩:

The week quickly went by, and Hunter and I were doing so well. I think we were at our very best. That Saturday, we had a doctor's appointment. I had gone twice already, but they couldn't administer a birth control method for me unless I went with my spouse, who for those two times was too busy to show up.

I arrived at the hospital ten minutes late than the time we agreed to meet with Hunter. He had some things to take care of before he could join me, but I was utterly dismayed to discover that my mate had yet to arrive.

It was already more than an hour past our agreed time when he finally called me. As soon as I picked up, his voice blared through the phone, 'My love, I am so sorry I can't make it again. I am held up at the place I left for in the morning, and I won't be back till late at night. Will you please talk to them to insert the IUD in my absence? It's taking really long.' I wondered why he didn't mind-link.

'Hunter, please, this is the third time I've come here and been asked to come with you, or else nothing will be done. I'm sick and tired of coming and going. Do you want me to beg?' I asked, my temper was rising.

" Please find a way to handle it, even if it means off the books," he stated before abruptly hanging up. I didn't even get a chance to express myself; he blocked his mind-link and his phone didn't go through either. The fingers clenching my phone turned white, while my lips moved soundlessly, cursing him for not putting me and our needs first. I was simply not his priority.

My mate didn't bother to tone down his voice at all, which meant that a lot of people had overheard my phone call conversation that was on speaker. The gazes that everyone else shot at me were filled with sympathy and pity, stabbing into me like thousands of needles. I almost cried seeing most ladies there with their men.

Energy failed me, and I slumped on a nearby chair, taking in my environment. Off to the side, I saw a pair of dark, fathomless eyes watching me thoughtfully while the man's slender fingers tapped on the armrest of his chair. I found myself staring back, and with my heightened hearing, I couldn't help overhear his conversation with another guy, though his eyes never left mine. I averted my gaze.

"Mr. Richard," a young man sat at his side. Leaning down, he whispered, "Miss Barbra has informed me that she's still stuck at work. She will not make it here on time. If you could go on without her." My eyes went back to him again.

"I wasted my time talking to her about this test," Richard did not even bother to turn his head. His sharp gaze was fixed on me as he added placidly, "I must get the test done today. Tell her I no longer need her help; she should not bother again." Richard said.

"But..." the young man started, with an upset look on his face. "You need those tests today..."

As though he hadn't heard the words, Richard stood up from his chair, and I averted my eyes to my phone.

"Excuse me, miss? Would you please help me?" a crisp voice rang out, dragging me from my phone. When I raised my head, I was slightly surprised by what met my eyes. Richard was standing in front of me.

His features were so perfect that they would take anyone's breath away. His sharply defined brows rested on a chiseled face that looked as though it was sculpted out of marble. He resembled a flawless masterpiece. Despite the simplicity of his white shirt, the design accentuated his lean yet powerful body. He carried a noble and proud aura that made him appear more aloof and unapproachable. It wasn't until he repeated his question that I snapped out of the daze I had gone into.

"What?" I asked, my breath stuck in my lungs at his words, as humiliation and distress swept through me. "I couldn't help but overhear your conversation earlier. You need your partner who isn't here, don't you?" he asked.

Without waiting for my reply, Richard continued in an indifferent tone, "What a coincidence. I'm in the same boat. Since our goals are alike, why don't we lend each other a hand?" The way he said it made it sound like a business deal, not a matter of health or whatever he was in the hospital for.

At that point, I finally understood that the man was serious. "Sir, we don't even know each other! Don't you think you're being a little too impulsive?" I said, pretending not to know his name.

"We don't have to know each other to help each other out. I will stand in as your spouse, and you stand in as mine. I need to get some tests done, and after that, we can both go our separate ways, never to see each other again," he told me. His reply was calm and straightforward, catching me off guard and leaving me speechless.

"Oh, I get it now. You're looking down on me because I'm not handsome enough to be by your side, aren't you?" he said.

"Of course not!" I replied automatically. As I caught sight of the small glimmer of amusement in his dark orbs, I realized that I was doing exactly what he had wanted me to.

"Miss," he folded his hands on his chest before fixing me with a burning gaze. "I'm pretty certain that you need this very badly. If you miss out on this chance now, I can guarantee you that the next time you're here, you'll be all alone without a partner, making the same call," he stated.

I have to admit that he was very convincing. He was right, I didn't think Hunter would ever commit himself to this course, and as I was resuming school on Monday, I didn't want to skip classes for hospital visits. I desperately needed to get it done and over with that same day.

Seconds ticked by as I stared at the man for a very long while. At long last, I squeezed out, "Do you also need this?" I asked, skeptical of his intentions.

His lips curled up into a small smirk as he said, "Yes."

Once again, I fell silent. I crossed my fingers nervously, conflicting emotions swirled within me. In the end, I bit my lip and voiced my resolve. I nodded in agreement. "Alright, I agree," I said, breathing a sigh of relief.

One hour later, I walked out of the county hospital with a printed paper slip clutched in my hands. Written on it was my birth control method, the day it was inserted, and its expiry date. I felt as though I was floating on air, as if everything had been nothing but a dream. I had never thought that I would one day pose with a man, a stranger for that matter, as my spouse.

Lowering my eyes to the bottom of the leaflet, I saw that both of our names were written there. How absurd was it that my spouse's name was written as Richard Avril instead of Hunter Allan. A simple but fitting name for a man like him.

"Ania Talia?" I picked up Richard's voice as he pronounced my name slowly. The low timbre of his voice caused it to roll off his tongue smoothly. It took me a minute to notice that he was standing in front of me, handing a card that was pinched between his two fingers to me.

"I believe we have established a basis for friendship. Here is my card, feel free to call me anytime," he said, and I tilted my head to meet Richard's unreadable gaze. "There's no need for that. I have a ma....," I wanted to say a mate but then realized he could be human. So, I hurriedly said, "I am married." It was easier for him to understand that way. I waved my hands in refusal at him. "My husband will not understand," I added.

Hunter didn't strike me as the jealous, insecure, possessive mate, but the only men I interacted with were pack men in the pack house. I didn't know how he would react to me having another man's contact, and I didn't want to find out.

"Trust me, you can keep it. You never know when you might need me again, maybe when you need that IUD removed and your husband doesn't show up or any other place you need your man. I can be your on-call husband," he teased, grabbing my wrist as he stuffed his card into my hand.

"Fine then," I said. Since he had helped me, so to speak, I did not want to get into an argument with him over his good intentions. Hence, I accepted the card and kept it aside in my bag.

"I have to take my leave now. I hope you have your own means of transportation," his tone of voice was as neutral as ever when he said that.

"Yes, I do," I said, knowing I would take a cab home. Kim had dropped me off and left when Hunter said he was on his way, and he had to take care of something too. As if abruptly remembering something, Richard spoke up again, "By the way, you are very beautiful."

"I know. My husband tells me all the time," I quickly responded. Richard arched his brows all the way up; however, he did not respond to that. All he did was smirk and walk away. I waited for him to get into a black car before I left.

Immediately after, I tried to call Hunter to inform him that I got the birth control, but he didn't pick up my calls; his mind-link was blocked. I heaved a deep sigh of relief and took a cab. I headed over to the supermarket to buy groceries and kitchen supplies.

Thereafter, I returned to the pack house, which was buzzing with activity as I organized everything in the kitchen. We were expecting the new principal of our school, who was coming over for dinner and to visit the pack house. Everyone was on their toes as we planned to welcome and host him for dinner. Just then, Rina came to the kitchen with Grace, a young lady on her final year, just like us. Grace sat on the kitchen counter while Rina helped organize the pantry. Her eyes were gleaming as she asked, 'My Luna, why are you so quiet and distant, not like your usual self?'

'You are very observant. I had an eventful afternoon at the hospital, that's all,' I said, giving her half-truths and not telling her anything more.

'I see,' Grace said as she scrutinized me before commenting, 'Is that why your heart is thrumming erratically? What could be so disturbing?'

"I'm nervous about hosting our new principal as it's my first time as a Luna. It's difficult to know what he likes or dislikes, and I want to make a good impression since the school funds our pack house as an orphanage. The principal is the sole signatory to the funds, and first impressions are important," I admitted to Grace.

Grace's expression became serious as she responded, "Just do your best, and everything else will fall into place."

I quickly changed the subject, not wanting to dwell on my nerves any longer. "Are you ready for the dinner?" I asked.

"Absolutely!" Grace exclaimed, gesturing to her attire. "What do you think of my outfit? Rina says the new principal is hot and handsome."

I noticed for the first time that Grace was wearing a beautiful white dinner dress, and her hair had been styled perfectly with high heels. "You look stunning!" I complimented her. She was truly gorgeous.

Grace's eyes lit up with delight as she asked, "Do you think I have a chance with the wealthy, bachelor principal of our school as his chosen mate?" I replied, "If the moon goddess pleases, then perhaps. But if he sets his eyes on you, I have no doubt he will be attracted to you." Just as I finished speaking, Rina joined us, and we all chatted with Valentine as we moved things around. Eventually, I excused myself to freshen up. Hunter mind-linked me, saying that he was on his way to the pack house with the new principal.