Page 5 of Last Pack Standing
Short, sweet, and heart-melting. Leo glanced over at me, giving me a wink and a huge smile. He certainly knew how to play this game. I had a hard time determining if he was acting or if he really was this charming. I squirmed in my chair. I couldn’t stop myself from feeling a rush of warmth at his attention. But I had to quickly remind myself that this was all fake - he was an ex-pro athlete, and he likely wanted exposure just like I did.
Next was Rys. His massive frame was accentuated by his clothes, and my eyes bugged out just looking at how ripped he was. He was tall and composed. Some of his long, dark curls fell free from the bun that framed a face carved into perfection, complete with a close cropped dark beard. His eyes were a soft hazel, and seemed to see down into your soul.
“I’m Rys,” he said, voice calm and soothing. “Alpha. I just got back from a research expedition in Antarctica. I’m an avid mountaineer, and love spending time outdoors. I came here to find people I can support… and be supported by. I came here to find connection. Even if the only thing that comes from this is a new group of friends, I’ll be satisfied. But I’d love to find something more.”
I didn’t detect any fakeness or posturing. Just sincerity that dug it’s way under my skin and stayed there. Now Rys, he smelled of woods and the ocean. Somehow, I knew he wasn’t here for anything else like I was. He was real. And really, really hot.
And then… Then there washim. Jace.
He stepped into the light, looking just as handsome and aloof as he had when I last saw him before I quit my old job. He was as tall as I remembered, with the same broad shoulders under a fitted button-down. His storm-blue eyes assessed the room, and his dark brown hair was combed neatly like he was still at the office. The only sign that he wasn’t quite as ease was his jaw - it was slightly tense. I noticed his scent earlier - cedar and a hint of spice, one I couldn’t name. Like something powerful, hidden until needed.
“My name is Jace, and I’m an alpha. I work in tech innovation,” he said smoothly. “I joined this experience to find the people I might want to spend my life with. Hopefully, we can build something real.”
That’s rich, I thought as I clenched my teeth. Real? He’s the reason my entire pitch exploded in flames. I’ll admit, he’s a good looking guy, but after how he ruined my career, I wanted nothing to do with him.
Fallon turned to me next. “Cassie, our final omega. Tell us about you.” The light focused on me, and I tried not to squint.
“I’m Cassie,” I said brightly, even as my stomach twisted. “And I’m an omega. I’m an artist and designer, and I joined the show to find a real pack. I need a little help with that, and I figure the show’s matchmakers could help me out, so here I am. I want to find true love.” That last part scraped its way out of me. Fallon smiled, clearly buying none of it. “You’re also a bit of a viral legend after that pitch debacle. Think you’ll be a fan favorite?” My stomach turned in knots. I really didn’t want to talk about that on the show.
“I’m not worried about the viral moment,” I lied smoothly. “I’m here for connection.” She laughed and moved on, but the cameras stayed fixed on me. Beside me, I could feel the alphas watching.
Leo with his warm gaze that made my breath catch. Rys with his quiet knowing that made me want to sit down and tell him everything I’d ever tried to bury. And Jace, with that same damn intensity he’d always had in meetings, only now, he was looking at me like I was a puzzle he regretted never solving.
Something about being here, with all their combined scents, was making me feel light headed. They were obviously pickedpartially for their looks, but I never usually had any issues managing my hormones around alphas. I was on suppressants. But it had been so long since I’d even been on a date or been interested in someone, that the intense gaze of these men was doing something to me. And that was dangerous. Because I was here to win, not to feel. I’d always been independent, able to keep my wits about me no matter what alpha looked my way. But with the way these alphas were looking at me, and the way my body was already responding - I was starting to think this might be a dangerous game to play after all.
Chapter 5
Cassie
Inside the Confessional
I was trying really hard not to sweat through my shirt. The lights were hot, the cameras were closer than I liked, and the entire room seemed claustrophobic. I sat on a little velvet chair and smiled like I was actually excited, trying to ignore my queasy stomach.
"Okay, Cassie," one of the producers said through the speaker, their voice chipper. "Tell us your first impressions of your team. How are the alphas treating you so far?"
I smiled in a dreamy way, just like they probably hoped I would. “Honestly, I lucked out. I mean… have youseenthem?” I gave afake little laugh. “I’d like to thank casting for putting me with the hottest alphas I’ve ever seen!”
Behind the cameras, they chuckled. I felt I was doing good so far - acting flirty, interested. It would go over well with the audience. And part of it was true. When I thought back to seeing them for the first time, the aura that they exuded, well, I guess it had been a long time since I was around alphas. It was natural to feel like I wanted to climb all over them. And their scents were divine. But again, it had been a while. I was sure it was nothing, and over time I’d get annoyed with their alpha dominance and bossy behavior, like I usually did with most alphas.
“We made sure to set you up with people who we were sure would be a great match for you. Here are their scent cards, in case you didn’t get a good whiff earlier. Any favorites so far?” An assistant handed me three cards, and I held them gingerly. It was almost too much to be near them earlier. But I lifted them one by one up to my nose, inhaling deeply. I knew this was one of the parts of the show the audience loved.
Rys and his wooded ocean scent. It calmed me, and beckoned to me. Leo, his card smelling of leather and bergamot - something about his smell made me feel like he’d care for me always. And Jace, with his surprisingly good cedar and spice scent, made me feel warm in my core. I quickly crossed my legs, trying not to ruminate on the scents too much. It was rare that I liked an alpha’s scent, and yet these three were so good that I wanted to keep the cards and smell them like an addict. Even Jace’s card. But this wasn’t real, this was just a means to an end. I pretended to get lost in their smells as the cameras watched me.
“Hmm. Well, how can I choose when everyone is so perfect? Rys is all strong confidence, and Leo is so hot, I mean, he’s got to have a huge fan base already! So count me in as a fan. Yes, casting did well.” I said with a giggle. But none of them knew that while I was spouting compliments, I was silently willing myself not to crack. Of all the people to put on my team…
"Speaking of casting, let’s talk Jace," the voice prompted. There was something sly in their tone. "We picked him for your team specifically. You two used to work together, right?"
My entire body stiffened. Ugh, of course they knew he worked with me. If they picked me partially because of my viral fame, they probably knew it would be dramatic to have him here too. My only question was why he ever applied in the first place. I fought the urge to roll my eyes and instead forced a slow nod, like I was feeling something wistful. “Yes, we definitely have history together.” I made sure to say it with enough weight to spark speculation.
In reality, I wanted to scream out about how it was his fault I was even here, his fault I lost my job, and all so he could get the job position I wanted. But that wasn’t the kind of narrative that kept you on shows like this.
“So, did you miss him after you left your job?” they pried. Oh no. I was going to have to really work this angle, make it seem like we were flirtatious on the job, and fake that this whole thing was totally okay.
I let out a breathy laugh and pretended to blush. “Well, I mean, how can you not miss a face like his?” I bit my lip, looking down. “I just never thought I’d see him again!” Well, at least that was the truth. And they seemed like they were eating it up.
"Well, he’s here, and all yours. At least, if you can win his heart. There is some other competition." They continued, “Speaking of competition, what do you think about Ash?”
That made me pause. Ash and I hadn’t said much, but he didn’t bother me the way a normal omega in my space would. Maybe that’s because I didn’t care if he wanted to be with the alphas. He was a male omega, a rarity. He was also very attractive - maybe that’s why I had the strangest feeling, like I wanted to be around him more. He was clearly playing his own game, but the mention of his name made my stomach flutter in the most inconvenient way.
