The Alpha's Temptation

glitter POV

I heard my mother’s footsteps creaking on the floor, and I jolted upright, heart skipping a beat. Hastily, I checked the time. Seven o’clock.

How had it gotten so late? I hadn’t even realized I’d been lying there, lost in my thoughts for hours—dreaming of a better life, praying for my mate, and reliving memories that still made my chest ache.

“Glitter?” my mother’s voice called softly from the hallway.

I hurried to throw on some clothes, smoothing my hair in a vain attempt to look presentable. “I’m up, Mom!” I called back, trying to mask the whirlwind inside me.

She appeared at the doorway, her face carrying the familiar mixture of fatigue and warmth. “Good morning,” she said gently. “Are you ready for the day?”

I nodded, though my mind was elsewhere. “Yeah… just thinking about things,” I muttered, brushing past her.

She gave me a small, knowing smile. “You always do that. Just… don’t let the weight of the world fall entirely on your shoulders, okay?”

I swallowed, the ache of responsibility pressing down as usual. “I know, Mom. I’ll be careful.”

And with that, I moved to start my day, thoughts still swirling around the life I longed for—the life with a wealthy, strong mate who could lift my family out of the struggles we’d endured for far too long.And even if he can’t… even if my mate doesn’t appear rich, strong, or powerful enough to give my family the life we deserve, I will do it myself. I’ve been carrying this weight for years already; I’ve learned how to fight, how to endure, how to bend without breaking.

I will work harder. I will push further. I will climb every obstacle, face every hardship, and take every opportunity that comes my way—because my mother, Jennie, and little Naomi deserve more than struggle. They deserve a life I’m determined to give them, no matter the cost.

No one else can guarantee it. Only I can.

I’ve always been the one doing the chores at home. Washing dishes, cooking, cleaning up after Jennie and Naomi… it’s just part of my life. People see me and think it’s easy, but it’s not. I’ve finished high school and now I’m in college, studying law—and I’m on a scholarship because I’m brilliant enough to earn it.

Sometimes I wonder how I even do it all. Balancing classes, studying, working my part-time job… it’s exhausting, but I can’t stop. I tell myself it’s all for Mom, Jennie, and Naomi. They don’t have to worry about me; they shouldn’t have to stress themselves over my life.

My parents use me as an example sometimes, proud of what I’ve accomplished, but they don’t know how much I’ve sacrificed. They don’t know the nights I stayed up, the days I skipped meals, the hours I worked just to make sure we had enough. And I can’t tell them—I won’t let them see how heavy this really is.

Everyone sees the scholarship, the grades, the way I handle everything and wonders how I manage it. But the truth is… no one can really know. I work. I fight. I carry it all myself. And I’ll keep doing it until the life I dream of is real—for all of us.