Claimed by My Bully Alpha Chapter 15

Aurora’s P.O.V

Every day, I would fetch my brother from school and drop him off at home, or with our next door neighbors, depending on how long my shift for the day was, before I headed to work.

But today, I wasn’t able to pick Riley up on time, and so the only option that had been available to me…hadn't been the most favorable one.

“Sorry I’m late buddy,” I huffed, breathless after running toward the gate, where he was waiting for me patiently, his big blue eyes wide with curiosity.

“It’s okay,” Riley smiled, peering up at me. “Did something happen?”

There was no way I was going to tell him about everything in my life, so I shook my head and gave him my best smile. “Nah,” I said, patting his head lightly. “I just had to finish some schoolwork, that’s all.”

“Oh,” Riley nodded, grabbing the straps of his back as he walked beside me slowly.

But when I glanced at the time on my phone, I realized that I wouldn’t be able to drop him off before I went to work.

“Riley,” I said, a bit hesitantly. “I’d have to take you to the restaurant with me, since I’m already late today. That okay with you, buddy?”

I thought that he’d want to go home immediately and rest after a long day, but his eyes sparkled with happiness instead.

“Yes!” he exclaimed, clapping his hands together. “I want to go to the restaurant! Uncle Jerry is really nice and he gives me snacks too!”

I could feel the knot in my stomach tightening as Riley happily skipped ahead of me, his small hands gripping mine tightly as we made our way toward the diner. I was late—way later than I should have been—and I couldn’t help but feel guilty. I knew the longer I took, the more Jeremy, my manager, would be frustrated, but there was nothing I could do. The teacher had kept me after class to finish up my assignment, and I couldn’t leave Riley at our neighbors like I usually did.

“Are we gonna eat dinner here?” Riley asked excitedly as we entered through the diner’s back door. His innocent question made my heart ache. I wished I could give him something better than this—the same old diner with its cracked booths and stale coffee smell—but it was the only place I could afford, the only place where I could make sure we had food every day.

“Not tonight, little man. You’re just gonna hang out here until I finish my shift, okay?” I said, brushing a lock of hair from his face.

He nodded enthusiastically, plopping himself down on a stool at the counter and staring up at the cooks who were bustling around the kitchen, barking orders. Riley was easy to please, but that didn’t mean I didn’t want more for him. I wanted him to have everything I couldn’t, but sadly, I didn’t have much to offer him.

I sighed and slipped my apron over my head, tying it around my waist as I approached Jeremy, who was standing behind the counter with his arms crossed. His eyes immediately narrowed when he saw Riley.

“Aura, we’ve talked about this,” Jeremy said, his voice low and serious. “I can’t have you bringing your brother here every day. You know that. It’s distracting. We’ve got a full house tonight, and I need you focused.”

“I’m sorry, Jeremy. I was running late, and I didn’t have time to drop him off anywhere,” I apologized, trying to keep my voice steady. “I promise it won’t happen again.”

Jeremy’s stern gaze softened slightly, but only just. “Fine, fine. I’ll let it slide today but don’t make it a habit. Got it?”

I nodded quickly, relieved that he wasn’t going to make a scene. “Thanks, I really appreciate it.”

“Stay here,” I told him earnestly. “Careful; don’t touch anything.”

“Okay,” Riley said, swinging his feet back and forth from where he sat, as his eyes eagerly scanned the scene all around him.

I set to work immediately, serving coffee, delivering plates of greasy burgers, and greeting regulars with a smile I didn’t quite feel. Riley sat quietly on his stool, content with his juice box, watching me as I worked. It broke my heart a little bit each time he watched me like that—like I was some kind of superhero who could do everything. But all I felt was utter exhaustion.

But then, right when I was starting to think that maybe the night would go by without any more problems, I heard the door swing open, the bell announcing the presence of more customers.

I didn’t look up immediately. It was probably just another set of tired, hungry elders who had just finished their days work. But then, I heard the unmistakable sound of laughter—loud, confident, the kind of laughter that always drew attention. And I froze on the spot.

A cold shiver ran down my spine as I lifted my head, slowly, almost deliberately. And there they were…the last people I had expected to show up at this part of the town…

No, not them. Please…just let me be hallucinating…for once…please…

But no god has ever heard my prayer, and this time as well…I realized that I was far from hallucinating.

Caleb was walking in, his usual air of effortless confidence radiating from him. Behind him, as always, was Caroline, followed by his friends—Shane, Mia, and Jade. They filled the room with their presence, their beauty, and their reputation.

I didn’t know why I felt so powerless around them. Maybe it was the way they moved, how everyone’s eyes seemed to follow them whenever they entered a room. Or maybe it was just the simple fact that they were everything I was not—rich, popular, untouchable. And yet, here they were, strolling into my diner like it was any other place.

“Great…” I muttered under my breath, trying to keep the panic from showing. I didn’t want to be obvious. But I could already feel my heart racing as I wiped my hands on my apron, wondering if I should just pretend not to notice them.

I hurriedly set my apron tighter around my waist, trying to shake off the feeling of dread in my chest. I tried to avoid their gaze as much as possible, but the sound of my name being yelled out made my stomach tighten.

I moved quickly, trying to keep my movements as professional as possible despite the tightness in my chest. As I passed by the counter to tell Jeremy that I wanted to switch tables with someone else, I could already feel his sharp gaze on me.

“Jeremy, is there any way I can switch tables with—”

“No,” Jeremy interrupted, not even glancing up from the bills in front of him. “We’re short-staffed as it is, Aura. Get to work.”

I forced myself to nod, even though my nerves were fraying. I hated this—hated being at the mercy of others, hated how helpless I felt in these moments.

With a resigned sigh, I grabbed the order slip for Caleb’s table and walked towards them.

For now, all I needed to focus on was getting through the shift and going home. After all, what could possibly be more important than keeping my little brother safe and fed? Anything else, like Caleb and his group of bullies, was just a distraction I couldn’t afford right now.