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!"

must be crazy. More like she's trying to flirt

stone on the cutting table didn't look impressive at all. Not smooth. Not pure. And definitely

valuable.

heard every sneer and chuckle, but I stayed

exactly what

me, who looked like he might faint. He had already taken off his glasses and was furiously wiping

...

thinking. That I didn't stand

if we can cancel the bet and pay a penalty. If an Omega like you falls into Preston's hands... Who knows what kind of torment he'd put you through?"

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

gave a lazy yawn and patted my lips. "Hmm... but

don't joke like that.

Something

slapped his shoulder with a grin. "Relax, kid. No need to panic. Let me catch

back stronger. You think you can hold

didn't even try to

okay not to

pure defeat, and I decided I'd teased him

I'm heading out for a nap,"

who just revealed a fractured dud," Preston sneered, his voice full of jibes. "What's the matter? Realized you have poor taste and are thinking

I rolled my eyes.

a stone. What about you?

nothing? Who exactly are you pretending

if my words

cool. "Looks like I struck a