Alpha Hayley's Destined Mate by Andrea Townsend

Chapter 746 An Unremarkable Stone

Hayley's POV:

The raw stone was completely covered in thick moss. Its surface had a faint reddish tint, and under the light, it looked more like an ordinary rock than a gemstone.

It was about the same size as the first one, but its rough, unremarkable appearance caused a stir of murmurs and disapproval across the room.

The starting bid was set at 280,000 dollars.

In the silence that followed, I called out enthusiastically, "Five hundred thousand dollars! I'll take it!"

The moment the words left my mouth, every pair of eyes turned my way. Some were confused, others suspicious or outright condescending.

A half-second pause later, the whole place erupted in laughter.

"Haha! Whose spoiled rich brat is this, making a fool of herself in public?"

"She looks decent enough; too bad she's just an Omega. Doesn't even have the basic knowledge to tell a rock from a gem."

"Hey, sweetheart, do you know what premium gemstone rough looks like? The lighter the outer layer, the better chance there is something valuable inside. You take that rock home, and your elders are going to faint from rage!"

The man stretched his neck and made a show of looking concerned, drawing a wave of laughter from the

crowd.

no one else placed a bid. My bid stood

and putting them in their place. Instead, I scanned the room, gave a half-smile, and laughed at

could've

congratulate me. Then a sharp male voice cut through the room

and

voice was low and clear, firm enough to carry across the hall. Everyone

wondering which poor fool was

when I saw Truman standing at the railing in white gloves, looking down at the raw stone from above like he was examining

brow furrowed. I had a bad feeling

12

An

jealousy. She turned to Freya and hissed, "Why is

Truman wrapped around her finger! He's seriously

really going all out, huh? Willing

you low- class mutts? Watch your mouth!" That one sentence managed to offend

someone shot back. "Too bad, just like these seats, some ladies get the VIP treatment, while others are stuck down here with the rest of

you've fallen so low you're squeezed in with us on the first floor, why are you so smug? Maybe

a big spender, but at least she's pretty. That one over there? I doubt even a man without a

the crowd showed no mercy now. Their taunts came one

so furious, her fangs came out, gleaming and sharp, ready

and land her in the line of fire, quickly held her back. "Celine! Calm down! Alpha Truman is still watching from upstairs. Don't make yourself