The Alpha's Forbidden Desire

Ariel opened her wallet only to be faced with the emptiness inside of it. A terrible sigh escaped her lips before mumbling, “As empty as my life.” With a sober look, she zipped up the wallet and looked out through the window in the kitchen watching other kids play with their parents. She wished that she had this opportunity that lasted forever. Now she was deeply suffering for it. She missed it. It was her fault after all. “Ariel…” A tiny feminine voice called her name in concern as she had entered the kitchen for a while but it seemed Ariel wasn't able to notice. Upon getting her attention, Ariel blinked her eyes and sniffed. A tear dropped from one of them and she quickly wiped it off as she turned to face the lady. “Cecilia, you called?” “Yeah…” The lady responded with concern and placed a hand on her shoulder as Ariel fully turned towards her. “I noticed that you hadn't come out since you entered, so I came to check up on you. Are you alright, Ariel? Do you have to do this? Did you find another offer elsewhere?” Cecilia asked her curiously. Although she didn't know much about Ariel's life and her family, she had never for once seen her happy. Whenever she smiled, it wasn't from the bottom of her heart. It was more like a fake smile - a smile that compressed her troubles and pain. Cecilia had tried reaching out to Ariel a few times to speak to her as a source of comfort but she was bent on keeping her problems confidential so Cecilia let it be. But all of a sudden, Ariel announced that she would be quitting her job today which took her by surprise. This was the only bakery shop that had better offers for her. No other bakery shop was willing to give her the money she was earning right now — it wasn't a copious amount but it was manageable for a person. This got Cecilia really worried. Ariel smiled — that fake smile again, “Yeah, I got carried away by the kids.” She pointed at the window and slowly removed Cecilia’s hand from her shoulder after carrying the flour that she had come here for. “You are avoiding the question, Ariel. Did you find another job elsewhere?” Ariel paused and pursed her lips. She was contemplating whether or not it was going to be good to tell her something regarding her problem. She turned around and tried feigning nonchalance. “It's personal, Cecilia. I would appreciate it if you can respect my privacy by not asking much any further, please.” Cecilia nodded. “I apologize. But in case you need someone to talk with, I am free to be approached. I will miss you, Ariel. Take care of yourself.” “Thank you, Cecilia. I promise to stay in touch with you.” Ariel delivered the bag of flour to a different unit and checked her phone. It was already five in the evening. It was time to say goodbye to everything and everyone. She headed to her boss’s office and knocked before entering. The woman whose legs were up on her desk and was watching a family drama on the TV turned her head lethargically towards the door to see who it was. “Oh, Ariel. You are here.” “Yes, ma'am.’” She brought her legs down and opened her drawer, took out some cash and slammed it against the table. “Are you sure you want to leave, Ariel? You do know the implication of leaving now, don't you? If you leave, I won't accept you back. This is your last chance to reconsider your decision.” The woman warned her carefully, her tone was calm but carried tensity underneath. Ariel's chest tightened, she immediately forgot how to breathe for a second. She remembered that voice in her head. “Quit your job in two days. You will be leaving this place after all so it's useless.” She nodded, holding back her tears. “Well then. This is the money. You can leave. Bye.” Ariel, with shaky hands, picked the money from the table and bowed her head appreciatively. “Thank you.” She walked out thereafter. The woman shook her head pitifully at her. She continued watching her drama anyway. Ariel left the bakery shop with a heavy heart and arrived at the hell abode she called a house. “You are here. I thought you were probably going to escape again. Nonsense. Go and take your bath. Your father will be here with the visitor. He needs you to get ready immediately. He is an Alpha and he doesn't like it when he is delayed.” Her stepmother, Jackie, blabbered to her before taking her seat happily on the couch. When Ariel wasn't moving, she twisted herself to take a look at her again but this time, it was as if she had seen something disgusting. “Well, what are you waiting for? You have finally found a way to make things right but you are here being sluggish. Get to work girl and stop lollygagging!” She half yelled at her and Ariel hurried to her room. Yes, she was getting married tonight. She quitted her only source of income because she was going to get married. As she walked to her room, she passed by her step sister's but instead of walking away, she paused and decided to listen to her speak. She was laughing on the phone with her friend and her legs were playfully dangling in the air as she laid bare tummy on the bed. “I know right? She is getting married. Mum brought up the suggestion. I got admission into one of the famous universities but we ran out of cash because mum wasted it on the latest designer shoes and bags that came out last week. Dad doesn't know, we lied to him. Now we don't have money and I need to go to school so mum suggested that she get married to a rich Alpha…exactly, I need to be able to afford my education. I don't care…I heard the Alpha has a mate and a room of concubines, he even runs a s*x club underground, she might end up there…” Her stepsister burst into laughter heartily — mocking the wounds of Ariel once more. Ariel was shaking from anger. Her fingers had turned into fists and her eyes became red and tear filled. So this was the real reason. It was not about her father forgiving her, it wasn't about making up for the crime in the past which she wasn't even sure if she was guilty of it…it was about settling the greedy needs of his wife and other child. She was getting sold off because of them. Why? Ariel broke down in tears, she covered her mouth with her palm and rushed to her room where she fell to the ground and cried her heart out. Why didn't she matter to her father at all? Was this how much he dreaded her?