The Alpha’s Temptation

CHAPTER 3

AMIRA

Receiving a text from the company informing me that I wasn't expected to resume my duties until Monday was a small relief, giving me four more days to ponder over Ciara's words. As much as I wanted to exact revenge on Nix for what he did to me, involving someone else in the picture—especially my Alpha and boss—seemed like a step too far.

Lost in thought, my phone suddenly rang beside me on the bed, jolting me out of my thought. Seeing my mum's name on the screen, I let out a weary sigh before swiping to answer the call. "Hello, Mum," I greeted, my voice filled with exhaustion.

"Don't 'hello' me," she snapped impatiently. "Where the heck are you, Amira?"

Sitting up straight, I furrowed my brow. "I'm at home, of course," I replied, puzzled by her abruptness.

She scoffed in disbelief. "And what are you doing there? Did you forget today is Grandma's death anniversary? Everyone is here except you, and your father is livid."

My heart sank as I realized my mistake. "I'm sorry, Mum, it completely slipped my mind. I'm on my way now," I apologized, feeling guilty for missing such an important occasion.

After hastily disconnecting the call, I hurriedly got ready, changing into a simple black dress and pulling my hair into a messy ponytail before rushing out of the house.

********

It took me an hour to reach the family home, and by the time I arrived, the event was almost over. The first person I encountered was my elder brother, who regarded me with disdain. "Sometimes, I wonder if you intentionally try to get on Dad's nerves," he sneered.

Rolling my eyes at my brother's snide remark, I brushed past him and his equally irritating mate, making my way over to my parents. My father, engaged in conversation with my mum, halted abruptly as soon as he caught sight of me. Before I could utter a word, I was met with a stinging slap across my cheek.

"Even if you don't have respect for me, at least have some for your grandma," he spat, his words laced with anger. "She was the only one who tolerated your crazy behavior when she was alive."

Poking my tongue into my cheek, I slowly lifted my head, meeting his gaze head-on. "A good parent would have asked to know why their daughter was late for her grandmother's memorial, especially for the very first time," I retorted.

"Did you just talk back to me?" he growled, his eyes flashing with fury as he took a menacing step towards me.

"Apologies," I muttered sarcastically, unable to mask my bitterness. "I forgot I wasn't supposed to stand up for myself whenever you hit me unjustly." I understood that my father harbored resentment towards me because I was a constant reminder of my mother's infidelity, but that didn't justify his continuous outbursts of anger directed at me.

Before he could raise his hand again, my mother intervened, her voice calm but firm. "Let's not do this now, Sabestine. You can always discipline her later," she urged, casting a reproachful glance in my direction.

With a dismissive roll of my eyes, I walked past them towards the room where my grandmother's picture was kept. Placing a rose by her portrait, I whispered a heartfelt message, expressing how much I missed her and wishing she were still here.

After paying my respect, I rejoined the rest of my family in the dining room.

A few minutes into the meal, my dad cleared his throat, his voice breaking the uneasy silence. "When are you getting married to Phoenix?" he asked abruptly, catching me off guard. My heart skipped a beat, and I felt a lump form in my throat.

"We've been together for over five years now, and the sooner you marry him and make us in-laws with the Alpha, the quicker you'll prove your significance to this family," he continued, his tone demanding.

I took a moment to compose myself, focusing on cutting into my steak before responding. "The marriage between me and Nix won't be happening, thanks to your daughter," I replied, the bitterness evident in my voice as I glanced at Mia.

The clinking of cutlery ceased abruptly as everyone turned to stare at me in shock. My dad's expression darkened with anger, his features contorted in a fierce scowl. "What did you just say?" he growled, his voice laced with rage.

Setting down my fork, I folded my hands calmly on the table and met his gaze head-on. "Mia here is having an affair with my mate, and he rejected me four days ago because of her," I stated firmly, hoping that finally, my father would see the truth that his precious daughter is just plain evil and acknowledge Mia's wrongdoing.

My father's gaze shifted to Mia, who appeared unfazed by the tension in the room. "What is Amira talking about?" he demanded, his voice tinged with disbelief.

Mia's response was curt and unapologetic. "You heard her. Nix left her because he loves me," she declared confidently, her expression betraying no hint of remorse.

A heavy silence settled over the table, broken only by the sound of Jane's quiet chuckle. "This family always has drama," she muttered under her breath, her words barely audible except to those sitting nearby. Only my brother’s mate can find humor in such a situation.

My father turned his attention back to Mia, his expression grave. "Phoenix, does he love you?" he inquired, his tone serious.

Mia nodded without hesitation. "And you're sure it will lead to marriage?" my father pressed further.

I couldn't contain my disbelief. "Are you serious right now?" I interjected, my eyes widening in incredulity at the absurdity of the situation.

"Interrupt me again, and I'll empty this hot sauce on your face!" my father bellowed from across the table, his threat ringing out with authority. "Who cares about which of you gets married to Phoenix? At the end of the day, we're still in-laws with the Alpha," he declared dismissively.

"And what about me?" I pressed, my voice trembling with emotion. "Don't you care about how I feel in all of this?"

My father met my gaze with cold indifference. "No, I don't," he replied bluntly, his tone devoid of sympathy. "What use are your feelings to this family? Will they bring us more money or connections? Will they pay our bills? You're to blame for believing in the mate bond."

I felt anger rising within me, unable to make sense of his callousness. "How is that my fault?" I exclaimed, frustration evident in my voice. "Since when is it a crime to believe in mating bonds?"

"You should have learned from your own existence," he retorted sharply. "I believed in the mating bond with your mum, and then you came along—an undeniable proof that mating bonds are just an excuse to shield you from reality."

I placed my hands on my thighs, gripping the fabric of my dress tightly. "How long?" I demanded, my voice barely above a whisper, as I awaited his response.

He fixed me with a steely glare. "How long what?" he countered, his tone sharp and dismissive.

"How long are you going to punish me and hold me responsible for my mother's mistake?" I pressed, my voice trembling with frustration and hurt.

"For the rest of your life," he replied coldly, his words cutting deep.

His sudden change in topic caught me off guard. "I heard you got a job at the Alpha's company," he pointed out, his voice taking on a more authoritative tone. "Instead of sulking here, I want you to put in your best at work and make the Alpha believe that you're okay with Phoenix's rejection so that nothing can stop this marriage from happening."

Before I could respond, Mia interjected, her voice dripping with disdain. "I'm sorry, but she can't even do that," she declared, drawing everyone's attention. "Phoenix is not comfortable with the fact that he might run into her anytime he visits his father at the company. As we speak, he's giving his father a thousand and one reasons why Amira shouldn't work for him."

My eyes widened in disbelief, and I rose to my feet, unable to contain my anger any longer. "What the heck did I ever do to you, Mia? Why are you after me?" I demanded, my voice trembling.

Mia merely batted her lashes at me, her expression smug. "This has nothing to do with me, love. It was all Nix's idea," she replied casually, as if she were discussing the weather.

"I swear you whispered it to him," I accused, my voice rising with agitation.

She chuckled dismissively. "Don't be so sure."

"Enough!" my dad thundered. "With that being said, Amira, it means you have to do nothing. Stay away from Phoenix and the Alpha until the wedding happens."

Dumbfounded by my family's betrayal, I stared at them in disbelief. It was clear that I wasn't wanted here, so I might as well embrace my rebellious side. "And if I don't?" I challenged him defiantly.

His gaze hardened with anger. "You won't dare go against me," he declared, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Suddenly, a mischievous grin spread across my face. "Then you don't know me well enough," I retorted defiantly. Stepping closer to Mia, I rested a hand on the table and leaned in towards her. "I swear on our grandmother's grave, Mia, this marriage isn't going to happen. I'm going to make sure of it," I vowed, my voice dripping with determination.

My gaze bore into hers, emotionless yet filled with a fierceness. "I'm going to make you experience the same rejection that I experienced," I vowed.

"Amira!" my father bellowed, his voice filled with disbelief and anger. "Have you lost your mind?"

Straightening up, I turned my gaze from Mia to him, my expression unchanged. "No, I haven't lost my mind. But you, on the other hand, just lost a daughter," I declared, a defiant smile playing on my lips. "I'm going to be this family's biggest nightmare."

"Then watch me disown you and take you out of the family's register," my father threatened, his voice laced with fury.

I couldn't help but chuckle mockingly at his words. "Don't stress yourself, I'm going to do it before you do," I shot back, my tone dripping with defiance. Snatching up my purse, I stormed out of the house.

I couldn't afford to lose my job, not when it was my only avenue to seduce the Alpha.

I am going to become his irresistible temptation, a force to be reckoned with. No one was going to stand in my way—not even my own family.