After that day, Alpha Joseph just wouldn't stop. Every evening after work, I'd find him waiting for me, trying to talk, trying to make amends. I ignored him at first, but soon, my coworkers noticed. The handsome man who seemed to have eyes only for me had everyone whispering, speculating.
"Who is he?" They'd ask, nudging me with curious glances. "Why do you seem to hate him so much?"
It was uncomfortable, to say the least.
One evening, after yet another run-in with him outside the boutique, I finally lost it. "When are you going to stop? You're making me uncomfortable!"
He looked genuinely hurt, his voice soft. "I'm sorry, Anita. I just want to talk. Please."
I sighed in frustration. "Alright, let's go to that café across the street."
We walked in silence to the small café and found a table near the window. I sat down, arms crossed, and stared at him. "So, what do you want from me, Alpha Joseph?"
"Can you stop calling me Alpha?" he asked quietly, eyes pleading.
"No. Just talk." I didn't care about that anymore. I just wanted this over with.
He hesitated, looking down before he finally spoke. "Anita, I'm so sorry. I know I didn't treat you right, but I swear, I've realized my mistakes. Please, come back. I really love you."
"Well, it's too late now," I said bluntly. "So please stop."
"I've cut ties with Nelly. She even left the pack," he said, as if that would somehow change everything.
I laughed, bitter and sarcastic. "Congratulations."
He reached for my hands, holding them gently. "Anita, I'll do whatever it takes to win back your love."
I yanked my hands away. "Just go back already."
"No," he shook his head firmly. "I'll stay here and prove myself."
I didn't argue anymore. We sat in silence for a while. He tried a few times to help me wipe my lips after I sipped my coffee, but I pushed his hand away each time. I wasn't about to give him any false hope.
A week later, I arrived at work and was completely taken aback.
"Hey, Anita! Did you hear? He's our new cashier!" One of my coworkers grinned. "Everyone's talking about how handsome he is."
I almost rolled my eyes. They had no idea he was a millionaire and an Alpha, now pretending to be a lowly cashier.
"And, um, are you two really dating?" she whispered, nudging me.
"Of course not," I said, shaking my head as I walked away.
Joseph—yes, I had started calling him that, thanks to his constant insistence—quickly became popular with the girls in the boutique. But everyone knew his attention was focused solely on me.
He was persistent. Every day, he brought me breakfast, and though I rejected it at first, I eventually gave in. He started bringing me lunch too, sometimes eating in my office, though we'd sit in silence. He made sure I ate, followed my car in a taxi to make sure I got home safely, and even helped me with my files and serviced my car.
It didn't take long for guilt to creep in. He was doing all of this, hoping I'd take him back. But I had no intention of letting him back into my life.
Months passed, and to my surprise, Joseph had been working at the boutique for over five months. I was starting to worry. What about his pack?
One evening, after working late, Joseph stayed to keep me company. I noticed him rejecting calls throughout the day, and when he excused himself to use the restroom, his phone buzzed with a new message. I glanced at the screen, curiosity getting the better of me.
It was from his mother:
**"Joseph, please come back. It's almost been six months. If the Alpha position is left empty for that long, you'll be removed. Son, it's time to give up. Anita has moved on."**