Mesmerised by the Alpha

Chapter 9. Valerie

By mid-morning, my stomach was already grumbling with anticipation for lunch. The scent of freshly baked bread wafting from the kitchen hadn’t helped, and I found myself clock-watching more than I’d care to admit.

The morning had been… strange. It had started with promise—another decent sleep in my new room, no creaky floorboards or ghostly wails, just the muffled sound of birds in the forest. I’d woken early, full of energy, and checked my phone only to find a message from Theo.

Sorry, something’s come up with one of the family businesses. Can’t make our run today. Rain check?

Disappointed, yes. But I appreciated the courtesy. He could’ve just gone quiet. Instead, I went for the run alone, determined to make the most of the cool morning air. That decision nearly cost me a sprained ankle—or worse.

Halfway through the path that looped behind the grounds, I almost fell into what looked like a freshly dug pit. Not just a hole, but a proper trap—wooden stakes poking up from the bottom like it was set for a wild animal. Or a very unlucky person. I skidded to a halt just in time, heart hammering in my chest, and scrambled away.

Who in the world was digging traps in the woods?

Shaken but unharmed, I returned to the hotel, where the day quickly ramped up. Calls from suppliers, emails from decorators, a string of enquiries from potential guests asking if they could pre-book. Dana had come in mid-morning carrying a basket of fresh herbs and complaining about a broken oven, and somewhere in between helping her and logging stock deliveries, I managed to spill coffee down the front of my shirt. It was that kind of day.

So when noon rolled around, I was done. Tired, hungry, and absolutely ready for something fried and smothered in cheese.

I practically skipped down to the bar, where the construction crew were already gathered, trading jokes over pints and paper-wrapped sandwiches. Nate was behind the counter, tossing a bag of crisps at Jordan and laughing as it bounced off his head.

“Hey, sunshine,” he said as I approached. “Rough morning?”

“You’ve no idea.” I slid onto a barstool. “Please tell me Dana made those loaded fries again.”

“She did, and I put a plate aside for you. You're welcome.”

My smile grew. “You're my hero.”

I was about to dig in when my work phone buzzed loudly in my pocket. I sighed and answered. “St Amstein Hotel, Jasmine speaking.”

Theo’s voice crackled through the line. “Hey, I’m at the gates. You free for lunch?”

I glanced at Nate. “Uh—well, I was just about to eat here, actually.”

“Could I join you?”

Before I could answer, Nate piped up with a tight smile. “Outside guests aren’t allowed in during renovation, remember?”

His tone was just sharp enough to catch me off guard. Dana, overhearing, gave a small snort.

“Says the man who let his mates in yesterday,” she said, not bothering to look up from her crossword. “Those lads in the red pick-up truck weren’t staff.”

I gave her a grateful look, but quickly waved it off. “It’s fine, honestly. We’ll just go into town.”

Nate said nothing, though his jaw worked as if he wanted to. I grabbed my coat and turned to the others. “Anyone need anything while I’m out?”

A chorus of “nah” and “all good” followed me out the door.

Theo was waiting by a sleek, impossibly polished truck parked just beyond the hotel’s gates. The kind of vehicle that made you do a double take—shiny, powerful, and expensive.

I whistled low as I approached. “What, do you own half the town or something?”

He grinned. “Something like that.”

We drove into Elmridge, the countryside giving way to cobbled lanes and quaint shopfronts. He pulled up outside a warm-looking pub nestled on the corner of the square. I recognised it from a story Dana told me—she used to work here before taking over the hotel kitchens.

Inside, it was a cosy, golden-lit haven. The air smelled of ale, rosemary, and roasting meat. The clientele were mostly young, laughing, beautiful people—though oddly similar, like they’d all walked out of the same fashion catalogue. The men looked like athletes, broad and chisel-jawed. The women were effortlessly stunning. Everyone greeted Theo with nods and waves, and when their eyes landed on me, their expressions softened, curious and respectful.

The pub owner himself came out to greet us, his face lighting up. "Alph—sorry, Theo. Great to see you." His gaze shifted to me with a polite smile. "And you must be the new girl from the hotel?"

“That’s me,” I said, shaking his hand.

“Welcome to Elmridge. Lunch is on the house.”

I blinked. “Oh—you don’t have to do that.”

He chuckled. “We like to welcome new folk properly. Doesn’t happen often. Most hotel guests stay cooped up. You’re a rare one.”

I thanked him and slid into a booth with Theo, still puzzled by the VIP treatment. But I couldn’t deny it felt good.

I ordered a massive steak with all the trimmings—fries, onion rings, peppercorn sauce, the lot.

Theo raised an eyebrow, a teasing smile tugging at his lips. “And here I was thinking most girls played it coy with a salad on the first date.”

I smirked. “Oh, so this is a date, then? I thought you were just welcoming me to town.”

He flushed, laughing. “Busted.”

We talked easily, the conversation dipping into home-life and old memories. I gave him the condensed version of my story—moving around, working hard, caring for Mum when she got sick. The rest, I told him with a playful wink, he’d have to earn on date two.

Just as we were finishing up, the door opened. A hush swept the room. A woman stepped in, all curves and confidence—long brunette hair, piercing grey eyes, lips painted in a deep shade of plum. Her presence was magnetic and cold all at once.

She strutted straight over and draped herself on Theo’s arm.

“There you are,” she purred. “I’ve missed you.”

Then her eyes turned to me, sharp and assessing. “And who’s this?”

Before I could respond, Theo straightened in his seat. “Valerie, this is Jasmine. She’s my date. Jasmine, this is Valerie… an old friend.”

Valerie’s smile twisted. “Is that so?” Her gaze lingered on me like I was something unpleasant on her shoe. “Well. How lovely. I guess this old friend will be seeing you later, then.”

With a dramatic huff, she turned on her heel and stalked out, leaving the scent of expensive perfume in her wake.

I blinked. “Ex-girlfriend?”

Theo sighed. “Yeah. We dated on and off since our teens. After my parents died… I decided it was time to stop messing around, and start looking for my soulmate.”

“You sure it’s done?”

He nodded. “Completely. I’ve been clear. I just… haven’t always had the guts to be firm with her. Childhood sweetheart stuff. Complicated.”

“I get it. I had one too. Dated for a few years until he cheated on me—with my best mate. Right when my mum was diagnosed with cancer.”

“Wow.” He looked pained. “That’s rough.”

I shrugged. “It was. But I moved on. Dated casually here and there. Just… never had time for a proper relationship.”

“Do you think you’ll stay in Elmridge long term?”

I smiled, twirling a chip in my sauce. “Don’t know yet. But I like it so far.”

Theo grinned. “Then I’ll take that as a good sign.”