Soft laughter emits from the darkness. “Let’s go with the truth, instead of a scripted line.”
“I used to believe that there was someone out there for me. Goddess knows that despite my busy and chaotic life, I really did give it a try.” I cast my eyes down, avoiding the camera. “Butafter the fourth devastating heartbreak, I can’t help but wonder if it’s really in the cards for me.”
“Four?”
“Yep. I thought I fell in love four times with four different men.” I raise my hand and use my fingers to count. “The first one ghosted me. The second one hates my guts to the point where he wants to kill me. The third one—well, it’s complicated. Let’s just say it ended badly. And the fourth one died protecting me.” I wiggle four fingers in front of the camera.
“Wow, and you still chose to come onA Game of Hearts Desireto find love?”
Technically, I didn’t choose to be here, no thanks to my PR guy, Gary. All in all, this serves as an alternative purpose—to fish out the Resistance leader. But I think we can keep that little secret to myself. I clear my throat, ready to give Carmen an answer.
For a moment, I think about those four men—how much I really loved them, how painful it was when things ended. That gaping metaphorical wound sitting right beneath my breastbone burns with residual grief.
“Alpha Princess?” I shift my gaze back to the camera. “Tell the viewers what’s on your mind.”
I swallow the threat of tears and show a weak smile before answering, “I can’t help but wonder if this will be all worth it in the end, if there really is someone out there for me.”
“I’m confident you will be pleasantly surprised with the men we chose for you. And I think you will become one of our success stories.”
I emit a forced chuckle. “Well, I guess we’ll soon find out.”
Chapter 2
Mic Check, Please
JESSICA
Present Day
April 2025
My skin feels like it’s been scrubbed raw. My scalp tingles and not in a good way. I smell like chemicals from the polish on my fingernails and toes, not to mention the amount of makeup lathered on my face you could scrape off and fill in rust spots on an old car. I have been sitting in this chair for what seems like several hours, which makes me wonder how much of a hot mess I must look like on a daily basis.
Auntie gently places her fingers under my chin and tilts my face up toward her for one last inspection. “Gorgeous!” she sings. “Girl, those men will fall all over themselves once they look at you!” Auntie stands at over six feet tall, with thick platform shoes and long blond hair piled high on the top of her head in a beehive updo. She always wears a lot of makeup in a dramatic fashion. Tonight, her brows are drawn into high arches, and her lids are painted with rainbow-colored eyeshadow with eyeliner that fans out in a ferocious cat-eye look.Her fake eyelashes are so long I worry she might poke my eye out when she leans in close to inspect my face.
I tilt my head back, clench my teeth, and jokingly ask, “Can I smile, or will it crack?”
She throws her head back and emits a loud laugh. “Woo! You’re fiery tonight.” She growls and makes a playful clawing gesture with her hand.
A hearty laugh escapes me. Auntie always makes me laugh. I met Auntie on my first trip into the Emerald Pack’s town beauty shop eight years ago, when my mother took me to get my hair done. Auntie is the pack’s resident transgender woman and everyone’s aunt. I quickly became enamored by her theatrics, and we remained friends over the years.
When I first committed to be onA Game of Hearts Desire, I requested that the production team hire locals. It was important to me that they employ the hardworking people of the LS territory, instead of recruiting more outsiders.
Once dressed, Carmen, the show’s behind-screen manager, greets me in the entrance hall. “Ready to meet your future mate?”
I offer a tentative nod.
“Wow! You clean up real nice,” Jeremy claims before he envelops me in a hug.
Justin steps to his side. “You’re going to wrinkle her dress and mess up her hair.” He smiles and pulls me into a hug next.
My brothers and our parents insisted they be present for the introductions and the meet-and-greet of each contestant. Initially, I didn’t think it was a good idea to leave my father out in the open, vulnerable to an attack, but Anders reassured me guards were positioned everywhere. Anders and I are slowly rebuilding the trust behind us after I found out he's my biological father.
Justin nudges me. “We’re all safe. Don’t think about it. Just focus on tonight.”
I nod. The only one not here is Luke, not that I thought he would come. During our last fight, he made it very clear that I was not his family, and he never wanted to see me again. Despite Luke’s recent feelings about me, my parents and the twins still want to be a part of my life.
I follow Carmen to the main entrance of the castle. Bright lights stand tall on their poles, illuminating the driveway and emanating so much heat I feel like I might melt. Cameramen stand everywhere, and additional men stand at their sides holding boom mics.
