The Alpha's Temptation

“Rewards and Rivalries”

I made breakfast, washed the dishes, and tidied up the house. By the time I finished, Jennie and Naomi had finally woken up. Thank God it was Saturday—they wouldn’t be going to school today, and at least I could breathe a little easier knowing I didn’t have to rush them out the door.

I served breakfast, watching them eat with sleepy little smiles. For a moment, I let myself enjoy it—the small peace in the chaos. But there was no time to linger.

Once they were settled, I hurried to get ready for work. College assignments, part-time shifts, and the constant pressure of keeping my family afloat didn’t wait for anyone. Neither could I.

Every step I took that morning reminded me of the life I was building—the life I had promised my family I’d give them. And no matter how hard it got, I would keep going. Because this was my responsibility. This was my fight. And I wasn’t about to let anything, or anyone, stop me.

By the time I reached my part-time job, the sun had climbed higher, painting the streets in gold. The café was already busy, the smell of coffee and fresh bread filling the air. I slipped behind the counter, moving quickly and efficiently, like I had done a thousand times before.

“Morning, Glitter,” came a familiar voice, smooth and teasing. I glanced up to see Ethan, one of my colleagues, leaning casually against the counter. His grin was infuriatingly charming, the kind that made customers smile just to watch him.

“Morning, Ethan,” I said, forcing a polite smile as I filled a cup with coffee. I couldn’t afford distractions—not from him, not from anything.

“Busy as always, huh?” he teased, leaning a little closer. “How do you manage to work so hard and still look like you just walked out of a magazine?”

I rolled my eyes but kept my tone calm. “Experience,” I muttered. “You should try it sometime.”

Ethan laughed, a low, playful sound. “Maybe I will. But if I’m honest, Glitter… I don’t think anyone works as hard as you do. You’re… amazing.”

I felt a small, annoying flutter in my chest but shoved it down immediately. Praise was fine. Flirting? Dangerous. I couldn’t let it distract me from my goals. “Thanks,” I said curtly, moving on to the next order.

“Ugh, there she goes again,” a voice hissed from across the counter. I glanced over to see Monica, one of the other girls at the café. Her glossy hair framed a perfectly made-up face, but there was something sharp in her eyes whenever they landed on me.

Monica had always been jealous of me—my grades, my scholarship, my looks, even the way Ethan couldn’t seem to stop staring. She pretended to be friendly at times, but I could feel the tension every time we were in the same space.

“Careful, Glitter,” she muttered under her breath as I reached for a tray. “Don’t trip over your perfect little life.”

I ignored her, focusing on the orders, smiling politely at the customers, and making sure Ethan’s teasing didn’t throw me off. I had learned long ago to let jealousy slide off me like water. It wasn’t worth wasting energy on her.

No one could help me the way I needed. Not Ethan, not Monica, not anyone. My family’s future depended on my effort, my sacrifices. My focus had to stay sharp.

Still… it was hard to ignore the way the tension, the attention, the envy swirling around me made every day feel… alive.

The rest of my shift dragged on, though I kept my mind sharper than ever. Ethan never stopped with his teasing, leaning just a little too close, brushing his hand near mine under the guise of “helping” with orders. I gave him polite smiles, careful not to encourage him, but I couldn’t deny that part of me was amused by his persistence.

Monica, on the other hand, was a constant thorn. She followed me around, “helping” when it wasn’t needed and muttering sarcastic comments under her breath. I had learned early on to ignore people like her, to let their envy slide off me. It wasn’t worth the energy to fight with someone who thrived on jealou

By the time my shift ended, the café had started to quiet down, and I was exhausted. I grabbed my bag and followed the manager into his office, the familiar smell of coffee and pastries lingering in the hallway.

“Glitter, have a seat,” he said, gesturing to the chair across from his desk. “I wanted to talk to you about this month’s performance.”

I settled in, keeping my posture straight. My mind raced briefly, wondering if I’d done something wrong, but the smile on his face quickly eased the tension.

“You’ve done exceptionally well,” he began, his tone warm. “Your dedication, efficiency, and the way you handle both customers and your team is impressive. Truly, you set an example for everyone here.”

A small smile tugged at my lips. “Thank you, sir,” I said, trying to hide the swell of pride rising in my chest.

He reached into a drawer and pulled out an envelope. “And this is for you,” he said, handing it to me. “An extra bonus for all the hard work you’ve put in.”

I took it, feeling a mix of relief and satisfaction. It wasn’t a fortune, but it was another step toward the life I was determined to give my family.

I glanced over at Monica, who had followed me into the office under the guise of “collecting her paycheck.” Her jaw was tight, her eyes sharp with envy. I ignored her. Let her be angry—her bitterness wasn’t my problem.

Ethan, standing near the doorway, grinned at me. “See? I told you hard work pays off.”

I shook my head, a small laugh escaping me. “It’s not luck. It’s consistency… and a lot of patience dealing with people like Monica.”

The manager nodded. “Keep this up, Glitter. You’re going far.”

I tucked the bonus into my bag, my mind already shifting to the chores waiting at home, my college assignments, and the next step toward the life I was building. No one could carry this weight for me—not Ethan, not Monica, not anyone. I would do it myself.