CHAPTER 6

~Audrina~

I was seething with anger as I warned the receptionist not to talk nonsense. "I told you to watch your mouth, didn’t I? Now, I am going to make you eat your words!" I spat.

She recoiled, her hand flying to her cheek as she glared at me with wide eyes. "How dare you lay your filthy hands on me?" she hissed, her voice laced with venom.

"How dare I? How dare you accuse me of such vile things! I could get you sued, you know!" I shot back, my fists clenched at my sides.

Ignoring my protests, she covered her face and pretended to call security. "Security! We have a problem at the front desk. Please come quickly!" She exclaimed, her voice loud and shrill.

I shook my head in disbelief, unable to comprehend how someone could be so heartless. "You're despicable and don’t deserve to work here," I muttered under my breath, my voice barely audible.

But the receptionist wasn't finished yet. With a smirk on her face, she dropped another bombshell that left me reeling. "You know, Alpha was photographed spending a night with a strange woman," she taunted, her eyes gleaming with malice.

"And recently, many women have come forward claiming to be that woman."

My heart sank as the pieces of the puzzle fell into place. Could it be possible that the person who had shared that intimate moment with me that night was none other than Alpha himself?

The thought sent shivers down my spine as I struggled to come to terms with the implications. Everything suddenly felt so surreal, like I was trapped in a nightmare from which I couldn't wake up.

"Is that supposed to mean something to me?" I asked, my mind racing with a million thoughts and questions.

The receptionist smirked, clearly enjoying my discomfort. "Oh, I think you know exactly what it means." In response, she spoke in a scornful tone.

I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms as I fought to keep my composure. "You're wrong, and you are just running your mouth," I insisted.

“Use your manipulation on someone more gullible because I’m not the one.”

But deep down, I knew that I couldn't ignore the truth staring me in the face, no matter how painful it may be.

I felt a flood of doubt come over me as the receptionist went on to spew her vicious lies. For me, what did this mean? Moreover, what would happen if the truth were revealed? The weight of it all seemed to swallow me whole. It was almost suffocating.

“I've never even met the Alpha, which you speak of," I protested.

My memory wasn’t so blurry; after all, the alpha who showed up to our pack wore a mask, so it couldn’t be him.

She scoffed, crossing her arms defiantly. "That's what they all say. But I've seen it happen too many times before," she retorted, her tone dripping with disdain.

Before I could respond, the lobby doors swung open, and a woman who appeared to be in her early fifties entered with a concerned look on her face. "What's going on here?" she inquired, her eyes scanning the room.

She did not take long to narrate her version of events, positioning me as her trigger. I tightened my fists as I listened to her twisted story, frustration building within me.

But I knew I had to set the record straight. "That's not what happened," I interjected, stepping forward to face the woman. "I came here seeking information, not trouble."

“Don’t listen to her, Madame Mabel; you know how desperate these girls are.” The other chimed, like anyone asked for her opinion in the first place.

“Not only does she want money to fend for her fake lifestyle, she insulted me and other members of the staff.” Another lie accompanied the former.

“And what position are you in to say that? Do you know her from Adam?” Mabel returned the question with a gaze.

“No, I don't, because I wouldn’t advise you to fall for her innocent looks if only you were to have attended to ladies who have been claiming this same story.”

With the way the situation was headed, I could tell that she might end up being brainwashed.

“Those other women are only after the alpha, but what I want is different!” I demanded.

“Yet you’re in search of a man; how low can you stoop, whore?” She muttered under her breath, making me want to rip her hair apart in annoyance.

I gritted my teeth, struggling to maintain my composure in the face of such embarrassment. "I am not a whore; stop calling me that," I shot back, anger laced in my tone. "And I won't stand here and be insulted by someone who probably bribed her way into this company!”

“You act like you’re secretly dating your boss or colleague, because why are you so possessive of this man in question?”

Madame Mabel frowned, clearly dissatisfied with the direction the conversation was taking. "Enough," she said firmly, her tone brooking no argument. "I will not tolerate such language in my establishment."

Turning to the receptionist, she fixed her with a stern gaze. "You will refrain from making any further derogatory remarks, understood?"

Her expression soured, but she nodded reluctantly. "Yes, Madame Mabel," she muttered, her tone sullen.

Satisfied that she had asserted her authority, Madame Mabel turned back to me, her expression softening slightly. "Now, Miss..." she paused, waiting for me to fill in the blank.

"Audrina," I supplied, meeting her gaze with determination.

"Miss Audrina," Madame Mabel continued, her voice gentle. "I understand that you are in search of someone. Can you provide me with more details?"

I was very relieved to learn that Madame Mabel was open to hearing my side of the story. Taking a deep breath, I began to explain the events that had led up to my visit to the company.

Madame Mabel listened intently as I spoke, nodding now and then to show that she understood. After I was done, she was silent for a while, lost in meditation.

She regarded me with a mixture of skepticism and curiosity before I handed her the torn check, hoping it would serve as evidence of my innocence.

She took the check from me, studying it carefully before turning her attention back to the receptionist. "Is this true?" she asked, her voice tinged with suspicion.

The receptionist hesitated for a moment before reluctantly nodding. "Yes, but she's been causing problems here for weeks," she added, shooting me a venomous glare.

I bristled at the accusation, but Mabel held up a hand to silence the receptionist. "Let me handle it my own way.”