Alpha Hayley's Destined Mate by Andrea Townsend

Alpha Hayley's Destined Mate

Chapter 768 Something Doesn't Feel Right

The moment the lapidary let out a gasp of surprise, a murmur rippled through the crowd.

Even the people who had wandered off to watch the other attractions came flocking back, craning their necks to see what the commotion was about.

Preston, who had been standing at a distance watching quietly, now narrowed his eyes with sudden interest.

Could Hayley reallybethesecondchosenone?

Is itpossibleforhertospot a high-gradegemstonefrom a lumpofordinary- lookingrock?

Every eye followed the lapidary's careful movements as he worked, as if their collective gaze alone could peel open the stone.

Finally, with precise skill, the lapidary sliced away the top layer of the stone, revealing its core.

And just like that, all the anticipation collapsed into disappointment.

Laughter erupted, harsh and echoing through the hall.

"Haha! Just as I thought-nothing good ever comes out of those outer-hall rocks."

"This thing's average at best. It has impurities, and look at that—it is in the middle. I wouldn't take it even if it were free!"

"Figures. Omegas can't do anything right. I really thought we had another chosen one on our hands!"

crazy. More like she's trying to flirt her

on the cutting table didn't look impressive at all. Not smooth. Not

valuable.

every sneer and chuckle, but I

exactly what I

was Humbert, standing beside me, who looked like he might faint. He had already taken off his glasses and was furiously wiping the sweat from

... " he

he was thinking. That I didn't

we should reach out to someone local-see if we can cancel the bet and pay a penalty. If an Omega like

added quickly. "It's just the first day; we've got time

patted my lips. "Hmm... but I'm feeling a little

Carson, please don't joke like that. Lunch break just

768 Something Doesn't Feel

with a grin. "Relax, kid. No need to panic.

sleep, und weit hit back stronger. You think you can hold the

to fake it. "Not

chuckled. "Well, sometimes it's okay not to be

me a pitiful look, one of pure defeat, and I decided I'd

out something at random. I'm heading out for a nap," I said,

if it isn't Miss Carson, the lady who just revealed a fractured dud," Preston sneered, his voice full of jibes. "What's the matter? Realized you have poor

I rolled my eyes.

a

nothing? Who exactly are you

immediately, as if my words hit

smirked, my voice cool. "Looks like I struck a nerve. Now