Jacky’s POV
I woke to a soft ache in my head, the kind that made everything feel like a hazy memory trapped in fog. My eyes fluttered open, squinting against the sunlight streaming through the tall windows of the pack’s dormitory.
Was it a dream? The Queen, the Alpha, the chaos of emotions-all of it seemed so unreal. My fingers curled into the blanket, and I blinked again, trying to ground myself. My surroundings were familiar but alien, the room buzzing with quiet chatter.
The dorm was alive with a whirlwind of activity. Girls darted around, folding clothes, straightening mirrors, and fussing over last-minute details for the festival. The air carried the hum of constant conversation, each voice blending into the next like the layers of a lively symphony.
One group near the window leaned close together, their whispers turning to giggles. “Did you see Alana’s dress for tonight? It’s like she *wants* to be the laughingstock of the pack,” one said, her voice dripping with mock concern.
Another girl, perched on the edge of her bed and brushing her hair, smirked. “Please, the dress isn’t the problem-it’s her dancing. Do you remember last year? She nearly kicked a guard in the face during that spin.”
The others burst out laughing, and a girl across the room shouted, “You’re all just jealous she has the guts to dance at all. I’d like to see you try without tripping over yourself.”
The teasing bounced back and forth, mixing with the clatter of drawers opening and closing. A voice from the other side of the room interrupted. “Forget Alana. Who’s sneaking drinks past the guards this year? Someone always manages it.”
The hair-brushing girl snorted. “Oh, come on, like last year? Liana smuggled in that flask and ended up puking all over the Beta. I thought he was going to throw her out on the spot.”
Everyone laughed again, and someone threw a pillow across the room, narrowly missing its intended target.
“You’re all focusing on the wrong thing,” another girl chimed in from her bunk. She leaned back dramatically, her arms crossed. “I heard the Alpha himself might show up at the festival this time.”
The laughter died down, replaced by skeptical murmurs. “The Alpha? Yeah, right. He doesn’t waste his time on things like this,” a girl near the door scoffed.
“Not true!” The bunk girl sat up, her eyes wide with indignation. “I’m serious! I overheard the guards talking about it in the yard this morning.”
The skeptic rolled her eyes and muttered, “You probably just heard wrong.”
The bunk girl’s face turned red. “I *didn’t*! And anyway, you’re just mad because he barely looked at you the last time you tried to talk to him.”
Gasps echoed through the room, followed by a burst of laughter that seemed to shake the walls. The girl near the door grabbed her pillow and hurled it toward the bunk, shouting, “That was *one* time!”
The teasing didn’t stop, and the playful chaos only grew louder, filling the dorm with energy and anticipation. It was clear the festival had everyone on edge, each girl desperate to stand out in her own way, hoping tonight would be her night.
The festivals tonight…
That phrase drifted from one corner of the room, tugging at my attention. Festivals? What day was it?
“Finally awake, Sleeping Beauty?” Valerie’s voice cut through the haze, her familiar teasing tone bringing some relief. She stood by my bed, arms crossed, her auburn hair glowing in the sunlight.
I sat up, still disoriented. “What day is it?”
Valerie chuckled, shaking her head. “Saturday. You’re really something, you know that?”
My stomach sank. Saturday? That meant I’d lost two whole days.
“What happened to me? How did I-”
Valerie raised an eyebrow, her smirk turning sly. “Oh, please. Don’t play innocent. I assumed you and Alpha Roman were busy *bonding*.”
Her insinuation made my cheeks burn. “What?”
She tilted her head, clearly enjoying this. “You’ve been out of sight for two days. What else am I supposed to think? The Alpha doesn’t just disappear with anyone. Don’t tell me you don’t remember a thing?”
Before I could respond, Malia’s voice rang out like a whip. “Of course, she doesn’t.”
I turned to see her sauntering towards us, her lips curled into a sneer. She was dressed impeccably, as always, her hair cascading over her shoulders in polished waves. But her eyes-sharp and cold-held a venom I knew was directed entirely at me.
“Careful, Malia,” Valerie shot back, her tone dripping with sarcasm. “You’ll overheat if you keep fuming like that.”
Malia ignored her, focusing entirely on me. “So, Jacky. Care to share what you were doing with Alpha Roman for two days? Or are you just here to flaunt your new position?”
Her words pricked at something raw inside me. “I don’t remember,” I admitted, my voice firm despite the doubt gnawing at me.
Malia’s eyes narrowed. “Convenient.”
Valerie cut in with a mocking laugh. “Oh, please. Maybe the Alpha finally found pussy better than yours. Come on Malia, not everyone has to claw their way into his bed.”
The room went still.
Malia’s fury boiled over as she screamed, “The Alpha is mine!”
Before I could process it, she lunged at Valerie, her fist connecting with her jaw.
“Enough!” I shouted, stepping between them. Valerie stumbled back, clutching her face, but I stood firm, glaring at Malia.
She didn’t hesitate. Her nails raked across my arm as she shoved me back, forcing me into the ground. She was on me in seconds, pinning me down with surprising strength.
“You think you can take him from me?” Malia’s voice trembled with raw emotion, her hands gripping my shoulders like she wanted to crush me. “Do you have any idea what I’ve sacrificed for him?”
I struggled, trying to push her off, but her anger gave her an edge I couldn’t match.
“I killed my best friend, Eloise, for him!” she spat, her face inches from mine. “I almost killed Liana too, and I’ll do it again if it means keeping him. He’s mine. *Mine*! I’ve bled for him, lied for him, betrayed everyone who mattered for him!”
“Malia, stop!” I gasped, my voice strained as her weight pressed down on me.
But she was relentless. “You think you can just waltz in here and take what’s mine? I won’t let you! I’ll destroy you before that happens!”
Her nails dug into my skin, and I felt a surge of panic. My wolf stirred, pushing against the edges of my control. I didn’t want to hurt her, but if this continued-
“Malia, enough!” Valerie’s voice cut through the chaos, but Malia ignored her.
I twisted beneath her, finally managing to push her back slightly. She screamed in frustration, her hands clawing at me like a wild animal.
“Guards!”
The shout came from somewhere beyond the chaos.
Seconds later, the dormitory doors burst open, and palace guards stormed in, pulling Malia off me. She thrashed against them, her screams echoing through the room.
“You don’t deserve him!” she shouted at me, her voice raw with hatred.
The room was silent except for her ragged breathing as the guards restrained her. Then, the air shifted.
Alpha Roman entered.
Every girl in the room fell into a hushed whisper. It wasn’t just his presence that commanded attention; it was the sheer absurdity of it. The Alpha never stepped foot in the dorms.
His eyes scanned the room, settling on me.
“Enough,” he said, his voice calm but laced with authority. “This ends now.”
He stepped closer, his gaze flicking briefly to Malia before returning to me. “It is everyone’s responsibility to ensure Jacky and Malia do not fight again. Their battle is already well anticipated.”
His words sent a ripple through the room. Anticipated?
“Their duel in the ring of blood will take place tomorrow,” he continued, “It will be a grand event. Both families have been invited. Malia’s family will attend, as will Jacky’s. Each will have their place at my side.”
The weight of his words pressed down on me. Tomorrow. It was happening tomorrow. Why would he invite our families. This was between Malia and I.
“The festivals are today,” he added, “but neither of you will attend. You’ll spend the day preparing for the trials. And the rest of you,” his gaze swept over the girls, “can place your bets on who will win.”
He turned to leave, but stopped at the doorway. His eyes locked on me again, and for a moment, the room seemed to shrink, leaving just the two of us.
“Jacky,” he said, his voice softer but no less commanding. “Do not disappoint me.”
And then he was gone, leaving a stunned silence in his wake.
I sat there, my body aching, my mind spinning. The whispers of the other girls buzzed around me, but I couldn’t focus. All I could hear was his voice.
*Do not disappoint me.*