Roman’s POV
The day had been tiring and exhausting. All I wanted to do was rest. One more moment thinking about Jacky made my head ache.
It was enough that the image of my beautiful mate, the masked girl, was now tarnished by Jacky. She was a curse. I shouldn’t be feeling this way for a woman who’s not my mate. I shouldn’t be feeling this way for her, of all people. This is what she does. She touches, infects and seats back to watch everything crumble.
Why? Why was did Luca’s second-part description fit so much into Jacky?
I know, I haven’t yet seen the fiery side of my mystery girl. Perhaps when I do, Jacky will fade in the background. And I can finally hurt her like I want, not be excited when I’m close to her. Not use any excuse to touch her.
The sight that greeted me as I opened the door stopped me cold. Malia knelt in the center of my room, naked, clearly having prepared what she thought would be a compelling tableau. The desperation in her eyes was noticeable, matched only by the reverence in her expression. I rubbed my temples, feeling the threatening headache intensify.
“Alpha,” she breathed, her voice trembling with an eagerness that set my teeth on edge. “I’ve been waiting so long for this. For you.”
I clenched my jaw, unable to suppress an eye roll at the display before me. Her fervor was overwhelming, lacking any semblance of the dignity I expected from potential queens. The whole scene felt orchestrated, desperate-everything I despised.
She began crawling toward me, her eyes blazing with determination. “Five years. Five years, and I’ve kept myself pure-only for you. I knew it would be worth it. I was born to be by your side.” The words spilled from her lips in an undignified rush, each one grating against my nerves. Her wide eyes sought mine, searching for approval. “I will win these trials and become your queen. I swear it.”
My patience wore thinner with each passing moment. “Is this what you think I want, Malia?” I kept my voice low, though I couldn’t entirely mask my frustration. “For you to throw yourself at my feet? To beg as if that alone would win you my interest?”
I watched the hope in her eyes flicker, but she pressed on, blind to my growing irritation. “I’m strong, Alpha. I’ve proven myself. I can give you everything you need. I’m yours to claim.” Her hand reached for my boot as she whispered, “I am yours, in every way.”
Disgust rose in my throat as I stepped back. This display wasn’t strength-it was weakness masquerading as devotion. The very sight of it repelled me.
“Enough,” I snapped, watching her freeze in shock, her lips parting soundlessly. I drew in a deep breath, forcing my annoyance into something colder, more controlled. “I’m not interested in hollow promises or hasty displays. What you’re offering, Malia, means nothing to me.”
“But, Alpha-” Her voice quavered, and I could see her carefully laid plans crumbling in her eyes.
“Listen carefully,” I said, my words sharp as ice. “If you think this is how you’ll prove yourself worthy of anything-let alone a crown-you are mistaken. I have no need for a queen who is too desperate to understand strength.” I turned away, unable to look at her any longer. “Show me you can stand without begging at my feet, and perhaps then I’ll take you seriously.”
I didn’t need to see her face to know my words had struck true. I could hear the shift in her breathing, sense the way she drew back. Today in the Ring, I had witnessed true strength. When Jacky killed that girl, it was as if she had no soul. Her eyes focused on Malia while she chocked her victim. Even when she gave out, Jacky went the extra mile to snap her neck. That was what I wanted. Animosity on a beautiful face. Seeing Jacky fight on that field yesterday reminded me of myself. The blank stare deadly eyes. It was like she had a beast locked inside her.
The only difference here was that I knew my beast and what it was capable of. I was in control. Atleast when I found my mate, I could control it forever instead of struggling.
Jacky, however, had a beast within her far dangerous than her supernatural wolf. Her mind, her memory and her determination. She was a killing machine, only, she didn’t know it yet. Didn’t remember it.
“Jacky is starting to make waves. She’s going to erase all your hard work.” I said to her, starting to plant my seed of poison. “She would make a perfect queen, except for one thing.”
Malia looked up at me, hopeful, teary eyes.
“I’m not just looking for strength and brutality. I’m looking for warmth, gentleness, vulnerability. You’ve already shown me both sides of you. You’ve shown me you can be both, which makes a perfect queen. But right now, those girls out there don’t respect or fear you like they did before. They look up to her. You’ve lost your footing darling. In this world, a queen needs to know when to stand down, and when to reclaim her throne.”
I looked at her, my words sunk into her like I was writing a testament on her mind. “What time do you think it is Malia?”
I raised a brow. ” Time to reclaim my throne Alpha.”
“Good girl.” I smiled, kissed the top of her head and walked past her.
Without turning back, I started to strip, getting ready to shower.
“Get dressed. Leave. And don’t return unless you’ve figured out what real strength looks like.”