Chapter 5

Anita's POV

My head snapped back instantly as Marshall shot me a disdainful look. I couldn't help but wonder what was going through his mind right now.

I felt awful about the way Alpha Hades had asked him to leave his office. It was harsh, really harsh, and so unlike him. Even if Marshall had decided to pitch himself so aggressively, it was only because he believed in his qualifications; his confidence was rooted in that belief, not like me, who has nothing to show.

Why did Alpha Hades choose me over him? I feel so bad for Marshall, and I know deep down that I'm the one who should be leaving, not him. My eyes flicked to Alpha Hades as the door clicked shut behind Marshall.

This is purely unfair, just like Marshall had said earlier. Maybe Alpha Hades was upset by how rudely Marshall had addressed him. I should probably talk to him about it.

"Alpha Hades," I called softly, and he turned to face me.

"Yes." He answered, turning his face.

"Please I want to talk to you about him." I said, pointing towards the exit door.

"Yes? What about him?" Alpha Hades asked, his eyebrow raised in curiosity.

"I think he is the most suitable candidate for this job. Honestly, I'm no match for someone like him. He has all the qualifications, the degrees, and everything else. Please, can you give him the job offer? I don’t want the job, but he does. He needs it. Besides, I’m a rogue, and no one would like seeing a rogue like me close to an Alpha. It’s almost impossible for this kind of thing to happen. I feel like he is the one you need, not me," I said firmly, trying to make my point clear.

Yes. I did that.

He needs to understand that I don’t want this kind of job. I need a job, sure, but not this one. This is a very risky job that could easily endanger someone’s life.

Imagine a day when the Alpha is running away from his rivals, and I don’t even know about it. What if a stray bullet meant for him ends up hitting me instead?

If I become his personal assistant, as he suggested, I’ll have to be by his side all the time, no questions asked, with no time for myself.

It would be like he is in control of my life, and I don’t want that. What would people even say about this arrangement?

They might think the Alpha is having sex with me every day. And with his handsome face, what if he decides to do just that?

The risks associated with this job are too high for someone like me. People are so quick to make assumptions and take actions. They are so quick to point fingers and slander someone, especially when they know you have no one to back you up or speak for you. I don’t think I can handle this kind of scrutiny, not with the way things are in this world.

Who knows if he has a girlfriend, and what if she comes back and sees me with her man? She wouldn’t like to acknowledge that I am his personal assistant. She would likely start treating me like I’m his mistress.

That’s just how people are. No one cares about how you feel. Everyone will take advantage of you if you don’t know what you’re doing. That’s why, I do not need to start this job, I need to leave quickly, before it’s too late.

I don’t want problems, especially now that I’m already settled in this pack and have at least found a suitable maid job. For now, nothing else matters.

Only survival matters. Nothing else.

Alpha Hades kept his gaze on me after I finished speaking. I couldn’t read his mind, but his face was as cold and unreadable as always.

"You are the one I choose, and I don’t need any silly excuses from you. What are those things you’re saying? Do they even matter?" He asked, and I nodded, acknowledging his words.

"Yes, they do matter, Alpha Hades. I cannot become your assistant for many reasons.

Firstly, the pack members—they will start mocking me and think I am your secret lover. That’s why I gained your favor instead of Marshall’s. And if he goes out, he will probably spread rumors. Don’t you think people would believe him?

Secondly, considering your pack members again, once they believe what they assume is true, it would lead to me being expelled from the pack, and I don’t want that to happen to me.

I am just a rogue, and everyone usually sees me as an outsider, so I am always very careful about what I do in the pack. I don’t want anything to make them throw me out of here, please. That’s why I am still begging you to please take back Marshall. He is better than I am," I pleaded, looking at him with earnest eyes.

His arms were crossed over his chest, as was Beta Damian’s. They were both undeniably handsome, but if someone had to choose between them, Alpha Hades would come first.

"Anita, you’re not getting my point. I have clearly stated that I do not judge based on qualifications. I judge based on abilities, not status. You really amaze me. How can you be advocating for someone else and forgetting yourself? I remember you saying that you are a rogue, right?" He asked, his face softening with concern.

I nodded, and he smiled, then scoffed, "Do you see what you’re doing to yourself? Instead of thinking about how to earn my approval and become a citizen of this pack, you’re speaking for someone else. Is that how selfless you are?"

My pupils began to dart around in confusion as I looked at him. Was this really coming out of this cold Alpha’s mouth?

Is this for real? I can’t believe it.

Why does he seem so kind? I’ve never seen an Alpha, not even the one in my original pack, act like this. My father wasn’t as soft-hearted as this.

The Alphas and the pack members always did things traditionally. In fact, the Alphas were always the ones orchestrating traditional plans themselves, but this one seems different from all of them.

Just listen to him, saying he doesn’t judge by status, position, or even qualifications?

I stood there, stunned, staring blankly at his face. What more could I say to defend Marshall now?

There was nothing I could think of at this moment.

After he finished speaking, he picked up the cup of coffee in front of him and took a sip. Then, he set it down again, and I could see unease creeping into his expression.

He seemed troubled by something. Suddenly, he slammed the cup on the table, and I flinched.

"Alpha Hades, are you okay?" I rushed to his side, trying to understand what was happening to him, and so did Beta Damian.

He quickly raised his hand, signaling us to stop approaching. We froze in our tracks, a look of surprise on our faces.

"You don’t need to worry. My mate is the one tormenting me," he said, his words heavy with sadness.

My brows furrowed in confusion. What?

"How is that possible, Alpha? Can a mate really torment her other half?" I asked, my voice calmer than ever as I looked at him with sympathy, seeing his heart visibly racing in his chest.

"Yes. They can. They can. I feel like I’m being cheated to the core," he muttered, lowering his head like someone who had lost all hope.

"No, Alpha Hades, please don’t say that. I feel like something is wrong somewhere," I added, and he lifted his head to look at me, his expression turning dangerous.

I quickly stepped back.

"What are you saying? She is with another man, and I confirmed it myself this morning, over a call. I wish I had known earlier," he snapped, his veins bulging as his grip tightened on the cup.

"But are you sure about who she was with? Because I believe that if she had truly cheated, you wouldn’t have had the strength to conduct this interview. You would have been weakened by the effects of the mate bond between you two. Don’t you think so?" I reasoned.

His eyes remained fixed on me, unblinking. I wondered what he was thinking as he gave me this silent treatment. But anyway, I had to finish what I was saying so he wouldn’t start blaming an innocent girl for no reason.

"You know, she could have been with her brother too. You never know. Since the man’s voice was audible on the call you made earlier, I feel like he is someone close to her. You could also check things out for yourself.

It’s better if you go to her house and see her to find out what’s really happening and clear up any doubts you have about her. She is your mate, so you both are supposed to trust each other, not doubt each other," I concluded, letting out a deep, relieved breath.