Alpha Hayley's Destined Mate by Andrea Townsend

Chapter 68 No One Is Their Match

Rachel’s POV:

Remembering the warning Hayley had left yesterday, I spent the night in anxiety.

Just as dawn broke, I was startled awake by a loud pounding on the door. “Open up!

“Your loans are due! We’re here to collect the payments! Don’t hide inside!

“Hurry up and pay!”

In a panic, I rushed downstairs.

+8 Pearls

My father looked at me with disappointment; he had just learned about my borrowing from loan sharks.

Wave after wave of debt collectors surrounded our home, blocking any escape. “Rachel Softson! Hurry and open the door to pay! Otherwise, we’ll turn into wolves and give you and your family a proper lesson!”

With a loud crash, the front door of our house shook violently, and I was so frightened I could hardly stand,

“You wretch!” My father slapped my face hard, and a sharp sting radiated through my cheek.

I dropped to my knees, crying and pleading, “Dad, please help me! I’m begging you! If you don’t help me, I’m finished.”

“I don’t have any money; you made this mess, so you deal with it.” My father angrily turned away, and I quickly rushed to grab his leg.

“Dad, I really have no way out! They are Beta werewolves who have been to prison, and none of us can stand against them. Our only option is to pay them back…

“Rachel, you …” My father pointed at me, his finger trembling, but before he could finish, he coughed up blood and fell heavily to the ground.

“Dad … Dad … “No matter how much I shouted, he showed no sign of responding.

Then, with a loud crash, our front door was kicked down, and a pack of black wolves lunged toward me, their mouths wide open and sharp fangs bared.

Hayley’s POV:

After I won the public speaking competition, Henry was the first to find me and offer his congratulations.

But I couldn’t shake the feeling that there was a new found tenderness in the way he looked at me.

Could he be thinking of choosing me as his mate?

I quickly shook my head, dismissing the absurd thought.

My wolf, Hera, hadn’t reacted to him at all.

school, Rachel had taken a leave of absence, yet the rumors about her hadn’t stopped.

1/4

10:26

No One is Their

Rachel’s family went bankrupt.”

+8 Pearls

came after her

flaunt her wealth and Beta status all over the school. This

now they shared the gossip with a

had expected these rumors, given how

house tonight! My mom’s making your favorite paella!” Christine’s voice broke into my thoughts. She looked

and happily agreed, “Sure, I’ll head to your place

Hayley, you’re the best!”

I took out my phone and texted Irving, letting him know he didn’t need to pick

left school, I spotted Irving’s car almost

you both a ride,” he said, looking at

no objections. “I’ll tell my driver to head home, and we can all go to my place

all got into Irving’s car and slowly drove toward Christine’s

and one of H’s classic songs started playing. Christine

nodded slightly. “I’ve liked her for many years.”

from her first song, ‘Forgotten Sea. Almost every one of her songs has been played on repeat

Well, it looks like the three of us are like–minded friends,” Irving said with a smile, making Christine look at me excitedly. “Hayley, do you

cough, trying to sound casual. “I like

every detail from H’s viral debut track, Forgotten Sea, to each release that followed. By the end, she sighed softly. “I’ve admired her for years, but it’s a shame… H never appears in public, so I still have no idea what she looks like. Her music has just captivated me

curious too–what kind of woman would have such

nostalgic moods, I sighed

reached Christine’s house quickly, and with her enthusiastic invitation, Irving joined

me warmly as soon as

2/4

10:26 Thu,

68 No One

talks about you all the time. Welcome to our

having me,

46 Pearls

be so formal! Please feel free to come by whenever you like,” she replied as she headed

proudly showing off her collection. “These are all albums containing songs written by H, except for

she handed me her prized album with a

take it from you. You should keep it. But I have the first

eyes lit up. “Are you serious? I’ve wanted those forever! I tried so many channels but couldn’t get them. I can’t believe you have them. Hayley, you’re amazing!”

came in with a plate of

her arm with her mom’s and said with a mischievous smile, “That’s