Alpha Hunter novel (Rayna and Hunter) novel Chapter 5

Reyna Cruz:

A month has zipped by, and I found myself cooped up in a cramped room within the servant quarters. Initially, I tried to psyche myself up, convincing myself to appreciate having a roof over my head. However, that sentiment shifted dramatically when I began experiencing a gnawing sense of isolation.

No one ever dropped by for a chat. After some time, they stationed guards to ensure I didn't venture beyond the servant quarters and catch even a fleeting glimpse of Hunter. It's quite ironic how he never made an appearance to check on me either. It felt as though my love had been a mere flip of the switch for him, something he could easily turn off.

The gleam of pregnancy had vanished from my eyes, replaced by ever-deepening shadows beneath them, which darkened with each passing night. Rising from the unforgiving mattress, I decided to take a stroll within the room, as I remained forbidden from venturing outside. It felt as if I were a captive, trapped within these four walls.

The unwavering affection I had harbored for Hunter was slowly losing its power. How could someone disregard their mate's suffering so easily? I'd posed these questions to myself repeatedly over the past month, yet found no answers.

As the door creaked open, my gaze fixed on a maid entering the room, bearing a tray in her hands. "What's this?" I inquired, wiping away my tears and offering a somewhat foolish smile when she responded, "Alpha King Hunter sent this for you."

"Did Hunter send this for me?" I eagerly seized the tray from her, a wide grin spreading across my face as I surveyed the array of delectable dishes.

This marked the first occasion he had ever sent me such mouthwatering fare. I had been utterly mistaken to assume the worst about him. Clearly, he hadn't forgotten about me. It simply took him a bit of time to realize that his earlier judgments of me were completely off the mark.

"Where is he? Why didn't he personally deliver it?" I fought back tears while conversing with the maid, who shot me disapproving glances. What troubled me most was his apparent self-consciousness, preventing him from facing me in person.

He made a mistake by not affording me a chance, but I suppose things were quite dire for me in the past. I would gladly overlook our differences and grant him an opportunity to make amends for the month he missed during my first pregnancy.

"Why would he bother visiting the servant quarters?" The maid snapped her fingers in front of my face and rudely remarked, "This is leftover from the engagement dinner. He wanted me to send some to you."

My joy instantly waned upon hearing her response. The moment she explained the reason for the food's delivery, my heart shattered into pieces.

A large tear escaped from the corner of my eye as I continued to gaze into her eyes.

"His engagement dinner?" I asked, a mixture of laughter and tears in my eyes.

"Yes, he got engaged to Tara today. She looked like a real princess, not some dirty omega," she remarked, her nose turned up, a mocking laugh in her tone.

"No! He can't marry someone else," I exclaimed, dropping the tray and startling her.

"What the fuck! You have gone completely crazy," she hissed.

"I won't allow this to happen!" I shouted, forcefully pushing her aside as I exited the room for the first time in a full month.

I felt foolish for having confined myself to that room, like a prisoner, all the while imagining that he would patiently await the outcome when he had clearly made it known that he wouldn't wait for me. The brown dress I'd worn for a month now appeared soiled, and its odor could stifle anyone.

It wasn't my fault; I'd been confined to that room merely so they could commence their new life.

"Stop! Alpha King Hunter will be furious with me for allowing you to barge into his celebration and disrupt--," the maid's voice dwindled as I raced ahead of her, determined to reach the Royal hall of the mansion where the celebration was unfolding.

I came to a halt as I reached the entrance of the hall, standing close to the wall, allowing me to observe the handsome Alpha King in a white suit, exuding charm with a bright smile gracing his lips. It was a sight I had once fallen deeply in love with, but by his side now stood his new mate, Tara, adorned in a stunning blue gown adorned with shimmering glitters, dancing with him.

The two of them conversed and laughed, moving in harmony and relishing a couple's dance. "Please, listen and go back to your room," the maid had finally caught up with me, but I couldn't bring myself to interrupt the ceremony. He looked so content with her.

It appeared that he entered this engagement willingly. It was utterly heart-wrenching to witness my mate dancing with my former best friend.

I took a deep, heavy breath before I turned on my heels and passed by the maid, heading back to my room. Every step I took towards my room was a step towards the realization of my own foolishness in contemplating embracing him with open arms, while he allowed others to mistreat me as he moved on with Tara.

There was no longer any need for me to explain myself. If he genuinely wished to discover the truth, he could have accessed my phone records to see if I had received those text messages or not.

As I stepped into the room and gazed at the bare walls, I pondered whether he had managed to find an escape from a relationship with an omega and simply didn't want to miss this opportunity.

I sank onto the mattress, tears flowing down my cheeks. My entire neck and cleavage were soaked.

No, I didn't want to fight for him any longer. He didn't deserve me. I deserved so much better.

"I don't want you anymore, Hunter! And I'll never plead with you to be the father of my child," I hissed under my breath, my lips trembling with determination.

I longed to scream and weep as loudly as I could. That night, I couldn't bring myself to sleep. How could I?

They celebrated throughout the night, the music playing in the background. That's when I made a decision.

If he didn't want to acknowledge my child, fine! It would be my gift to him.

"On this very night of your engagement, Hunter, I promise you I'll never refer to you as this child's father again. There! You are free, and I should be too," I wiped away my tears with the back of my hand and lay down. My pillow absorbed all my tears. The very next morning, I skipped breakfast and requested the maid to help me get in touch with the council.

After she left the room, I rose, washed my face, took a shower, and reluctantly put on the same dress. My foolish heart had somehow convinced me to persist in this state, believing that in four months, Hunter would ask me to return to the mansion after seeing the results.

What a fool I had been.

Now that my decision was firm, I settled on the floor and finished the food, aware that it might be the last time I enjoyed such a meal.

By the time the maid returned, I was prepared to leave.

"Elder Gale is waiting for you with the others in the foyer," she informed, stepping aside to allow me to pass.