CINDY'S POV

Good morning, folks. In today's news, our respected Alpha Luis continues his search for the unnamed girl who owned the fallen necklace. He is willing to turn over every stone in the country just for this girl because, finally, she was his fated mate.

The radio crackled with a news report. The people in the pub were alert, halting their drinking and talking to focus on the radio.

The pub has a large radio behind the counter for the public to hear the latest news. People love to be here in the evening, especially on Friday nights, to relax. And I'm glad I got to work here because the ambiance is refreshing.

When I left my stepfamily, I went to the next town and found myself in front of this pub. It was evening, and no one was outside. Luckily, the pub's owner, Mr. Jerry, went out to take out the trash and saw me lying beside the entrance.

He quickly got me inside and gave me something to eat. I thought all people were bad, just like my stepmother and stepsisters. But Mr. Jerry proved to me that everyone can be kind if they choose to be. He took care of me while I was in my vulnerable state. He fed me, bought me clothes, and gave me money to buy my needs.

"Why are you so kind to me?" I said one day.

He smiled sweetly, like a father looking out for his daughter. "You're reminding me of my dead daughter. She was just your age when she was stolen from me because of her illness."

To repay his kindness, I worked for his pub. I became a waitress. Customers, regular or not, treated me kindly, and I never experienced harassment.

In this town, the people are friendly, warm, and respectful. Now I see why they are really supporting the reign of Alpha Luis in the country, because he is also like them: friendly, warm, respectful, and born in this town.

So, when they knew that he was searching for his mate for many full moons, they helped in the search, too. They searched by interrogating young ladies who attended the party and relaying the message to the pack's council.

But for whatever reason, they didn't ask anything from me. Maybe because I was from a different town, so they thought I was out of the equation? But still, I was puzzled and glad at the same time. I'm trying to get my life together, and this normalcy is what I wanted, not unnecessary attention.

When my shift was over and I returned to my small room on the second floor of the pub, I dreamed of him again. Most importantly, I dreamed about the time we spent at the party.

Morning came. As usual, I started mopping the floor and cleaning the windows.

"You don't have to do that, Cindy," Mr. Jerry said when he entered the pub and found me wiping the tables.

"It's the least I can do for your kindness to me."

Again, he let me do what I wanted. The two other workers entered after a minute, and then the number of customers who came inside slowly increased. For a short period, the bar was full of customers, even though it was still afternoon.

I was busy putting a glass of beer on a customer's table when I heard the sound of the chime on the door, indicating someone had entered. When I turned around to greet the newcomers, I froze when I came face to face with my Aunt Jezel and her daughter.

"Well, well, well, look who's here," Aunt Jezel said as she stepped forward to me.

"The brat has found a cheap job. A waitress? Oh, come on. Didn't the owner of this establishment realize you are fit to be a janitor?" Stephany added.

Jenny, with a large bump on her belly, laughed. "I bet she has slept with lots of men here. Are you giving them the satisfaction they want every night, Cindy? Is Alpha Luis not enough for you to seduce?"

All the customers' attention was on us now. They were intrigued by the scene in front of them. Even now, these three still love to be in the spotlight.

Are they really craving to be the center of attention? Well, I'll give them what they want.

"Are you that obsessed with me that you really followed me here? You're all so pathetic for not having a life of your own. I guess the money from my father's savings is gone, so you want me to take care of you. Well, news flash, I'm not the old, stupid Cindy anymore. Now, get out!" I ordered, pointing outside.

The surprise and shock were evident on their faces. They couldn't speak because of the humiliation. But then, Aunt Jezel raised her hand to slap me, but a hand stopped her midway.

When I looked at the man who stopped her, my mouth dropped open. It was Alpha Luis.

CINDY'S POV

Alpha Luis is here, and he's protecting me. I can't believe I get to see him in person again.

"Your mind is brainwashed by that girl, Alpha. You should get away from her," Aunt Jezel said.

"An abuser should be the one to get away from her. No one should mess with my mate, or else I'll banish you from this country."

Aunt Jezel and her daughters were scared. They immediately shuffled out of the pub, afraid of Alpha's threat. When they were gone, the people inside cheered.

"All hail our incoming Luna!"

They were all happy that Alpha Luis visited his old town and, especially, that he'd finally met me, his missing mate. Because of that, the owner opened the pub, offering free drinks to all customers. We had a mini-celebration, and Alpha Luis's messengers spread the news.

"Good morning, folks. Our dear Alpha Luis finally found his mate in a pub in his old town. You can really find your true love in your old town, eh? What a day to celebrate! We now have a Luna."

The pub's radio greeted me when I went downstairs to prepare the pub for opening. Usually, I woke up before Mr. Jerry, but today, he was already there.

"Good morning, Luna. You have a guest."

I saw Alpha Luis sitting at one of the tables. When he saw me, he stood up and gestured for me to sit in the next chair.

"Hi!" he greeted, smiling. "I'm Luis. May I know your name?"

I halted, thinking that letting him know my name might be a rude thing to do, but I composed myself. "My real name is Cinderella. But, please, call me Cindy."

"Cindy," he whispered, nodding.

"What are you doing here so early?" I said.

"I'm here to legalize our bond." He produced a contract. "If you sign it, you accept our bond. But if you reject it, then..." He trailed off, smiling sadly.

If I rejected this, it meant we'd be mateless forever. It's my dream to have a family, but more than that, part of me wanted to sign it to get back at Henry and my stepfamily. If Henry saw me happily living with his bachelor uncle, I'm sure he'd be dripping with jealousy.

Without a second thought, I signed the paper. "I accept you as my mate, Alpha Luis."

After that, he told me we'd be living in his mansion. The werewolf scouts packed my things, and four automobiles were ready to drive us there. I thanked Mr. Jerry for his help before getting into a car with Alpha Luis.

My days in the mansion were a new experience. I was pampered like a princess. The maids tended to my clothes, bath, food, and other necessities.

When Alpha Luis was done with work at the pack council building, he spent ample time sightseeing with me, just the two of us. We walked on the beach at sunset, ran as wolves in the woods, ate at fancy restaurants, and I participated in a donation drive.

He was so passionate, unlike Henry. Despite not knowing the extent of the abuse I suffered from my stepfamily, he knew deep inside his heart that he'd protect me.

"I don't want any bruises on her. Understood?" He said to his maids one day. It warmed my heart because I proved Aunt Jezel wrong. Someone was willing to love me.

That night, while we were having dinner, a messenger knocked on the door.

"Alpha, your ex-girlfriend wants to see you. It's urgent."

We made eye contact, and I knew what he meant. He wanted me to go with him. Together, we went to the mansion entrance and saw a lady in a white dress with long black hair.

She was beautiful, but her face was tear-stained. When she saw me, she pointed.

"You!" she shouted. "You're not his mate. I should be his Luna. I'm the real owner of that necklace from the party."

CINDY'S POV

The pack council interrogated the girl, who was temporarily staying at the council's quarters while the investigation was ongoing. I didn't know what the deal was with her, but I was sure she wasn't telling the truth. I was the true owner of the necklace.

I was walking in the hallway of the quarters, taking Alpha Luis his lunchbox, when I turned the corner and saw Patricia, the girl who claimed to be the necklace's owner.

"I'm amazed you have the guts to be in the council's quarters when you're not the real Luna," Patricia said, crossing her arms.

"I am the real Luna," I emphasized. "You're the impostor, the alpha's ex-girlfriend trying to win him back to improve her reputation."

She looked surprised by my reply.

Did she think I would back down just because I look innocent? She was wrong. I had been through a lot at my old home at the hands of my stepmother and stepsisters. After years spent in Mr. Jerry's town and at the pub, I'd learned to fight back and stand up for myself. I was no longer someone who could be easily treated like an animal.

"Let's see," she said, raising an eyebrow. "When the investigation proves I'm the real owner of the necklace, you'd better pack your clothes before I throw them out of the mansion."

She walked past me, hitting my shoulder.

When I reached Alpha Luis's office, I gave him his lunchbox, and we spent some time talking and laughing. Then, someone knocked. Beta Eric entered.

"Alpha, the investigation is over. We need your presence in the meeting room to discuss the findings."

Alpha Luis looked at me and took my hand. We walked together to the meeting room, where the Gamma, the Omega, two elders, and Patricia were waiting.

Alpha Luis sat at the far end of the table, and I sat beside him.

"We've figured out Patricia's identity," Beta said, looking at Patricia. "She isn't the Alpha's Luna. She's just after Alpha's power. It's you, Ms. Cindy. You're his Luna."

"What? No!" Patricia shouted, slamming the table in rage. "You're deceived by that girl! I am the real Luna!"

I stood up. "If you won't accept the truth, you can leave."

At Alpha's whistle, two guardians entered, grabbed Patricia, and dragged her from the meeting room, amidst screams and protests.

"You did great," Alpha whispered after I sat down.

Because of the incident, Alpha Luis, wanting to avoid further damage to his reputation and prevent my humiliation, decided to parade us around the country.

We took a five-day trip in a float, showcasing my presence as his Luna. The float was surrounded by werewolf scouts and guardians to ensure our safety. The locals were cheering our presence. The radio constantly announced the parade and my status as the official Luna.

It was slightly embarrassing, but also great, that Alpha Luis wasn't ashamed to have me as his Luna. If it had been Henry, he would have certainly denied me. I wonder what he'll react with this. I hope he'll regret breaking up with me for Jenny and receive the karma he deserves.

We returned to Alpha's mansion safely. A small celebration was held in the banquet hall with the councils, elders, and powerful men from around the country. A small crowd applauded as Alpha and I walked the red carpet to our seats on stage.

The emcee kept the celebration lively with his witty punchlines. I laughed a couple of times, and during that, I noticed Alpha looking at me lovingly. After dinner, the audience lined up to give me gifts. Some gave vegetables, domestic animals, and plants; others gave packaged gifts.

When it was time to unwrap the gifts, all eyes were on me. I chose the red gift first because of a fascinating smell emitting from it. When I opened the gift, my eyes widen with shock and horror.

"It's a time bomb!"