I find I’m disappointed at the Alphas who joined under hidden pretenses. Who am I kidding? That is the basis of this entire show—an underlying opportunity to become famous, put your pack on the map, outsourcing, and networking. The payoff if you win a mate who has money, who can make all of your dreams come true.
Well, sort of. I did some research. These matches have a pathetic 19 percent success rate. The couples put on a good showfor the paparazzi and late night and daytime interviews. Then, when their fame dies away, so does their supposed infatuation.
I sigh. I keep telling myself this whole thing is just a cover to bring the Resistance forward, so I can eliminate them once and for all. But the glaring truth is that I really do need to find a mate, if only to meet the requirements initiated by LS Pack law.
Somewhere deep inside of my heart and brain, I want to find that undeniable, butterflies-in-your-stomach type of love. I want the kind of love where we can't get enough of each other, where distance, time, and space make us crave one another. I'm not talking about fairytale love or the kind of love you read in those romance novels that I catch Sixes reading. I want real and true love.
I thought I had it once—maybe even a few times—but something always happened, and in the end, I got burned. I push down those feelings of longing and activate the rational part of my brain. I need to stop this. In reality, that kind of love doesn't exist for someone like me. It can't happen without suffering consequences. The only thing that makes absolute sense at the end of this whole circus is to find someone who will match me as an equal. I need a business partner. No love necessary, and as far as sex, well. I have ways around that.
The limo door opens. I must have missed Holden’s announcement.
Long legs and jet-black hair are all I can see at first. Elias grins and stands off to the side. Squaring his shoulder, he stands post, like I watched him do a thousand times when he escorts my father. He's standing guard for someone.
I quickly glance at my family. My parents’ faces are masked. The twins are missing. Anders doesn't move, also adopting an expressionless mask.
Ean emerges from the limo and takes his position on the opposite side of Elias. He offers me a mischievous smile. Then,Elijah exits the limo with a guilty expression. That’s when I know.
Irritation swells in my core. He can't seriously be doing this to me. My hands ball into fists at my sides. I close my eyes briefly, trying to squelch the boiling anger.
Holden clears his throat, and I turn my gaze on him. He gives me a big smile and points to his lips. Right. I'm supposed to look happy, eager. I plant a fake smile on my face.
Damien is the last person I expected to see coming out of the limo. I'm so confused. My Damien, who has been my friend for years and now I know as my brother, takes up position next to Elias. The four of them now standing in front of me, watching me.
Holden clears his throat again. "Young Alpha Prince Aodh McLoughlin, Island of Ireland Territory, MacTire Pack.”
I whip my head in Damien's direction. McLoughlin Construction, the Alpha who Damien works for. Slowly, I look over the Blackguard men. Was I wrong to assume?
A flash of copper hair catches my attention. The light reflects off of his diamond earring. My body stiffens. No, I wasn’t wrong, Young Alpha Prince Aodh McLoughlin is Liam Fitzpatrick.
I stare at him, not sure how to respond. I can’t believe he has the balls to show up, and yet, secretly, my heart soars. Then, I remember that he's already married and shouldn't be here at all.
What the fuck is he doing here? Liam takes a few steps toward me, and I wish my magic wasn’t gone. I would love to strike his ass down with a lightning bolt. My body vibrates with anger as he takes slow calculating strides closer.
I smell that same cologne he wore for years—spicy and warm, with an underlying hint of smoke from a low burning fire. Memories, good and bad, rush through my mind. I can't do this. I can’t keep letting him in, only for him to leave me without an explanation and break my heart every time.
With every step he takes forward, I take one back. He finally stops.
I hike up my long dress and run toward the castle. My heart and mind race. Why is he doing this now, now of all time? He had a chance to be with me but chose to go home and marry someone else.
"Jessica, wait! Please stop!" Liam shouts behind me.
I won't stop. He broke my heart every time he left. I stupidly thought that, over time, he would choose me.
I make my way just inside of the entrance. "Jessica! It didn't happen. I'm not mated or married." His voice is closer, louder.
I tremble with fury. Gripping the skirt of my dress tighter, I whip around to face him. "Do you honestly think that it matters?"
He slows his run to slow strides and stops, leaving several feet between us.
His eyes search my face. His arms drop to his sides, hands open. He relaxes his shoulders. A clear sign that he isn't going to fight.
Disappointment settles in my heart. He will never fight for me. He never needed to because I made it so easy for him. I let him come and go and never once questioned any of it. I did this to myself, but I can't continue. It hurts too much. I'm tired of crying over him.
“This isn’t about you! This is about my life, my obligations to my pack. You can’t just show up, Liam, and expect me to drop everything for you, like I always do, only for you to leave me over and over again without a word, without an explanation. I can’t trust you!” I yell.
He just stands there like an impenetrable wall. His silence is all the answer I need. It’s the same shit every time. He can leave and move on, but I can’t.
I look around me and notice the filming crew, the sound team, random staff, my parents, the Blackguards, and my Knight brothers all stare at me, waiting to see what I’ll say next. I feel like an idiot. I just made a complete ass out of myself.
