3. Chapter 3
Cassie
If I ever doubted the show would be overly dramatic, those doubts died the moment we were led onto the Reveal Terrace. The terrace was torch-lit and overlooking a pool so still that I could barely see a ripple in the water. Oh, and there were cameras rolling from every possible angle.
Ash hovered at my side, his eyes sweeping the scene.
I felt a sort of ease that he was here with me.
At least we were in this together. He must have sensed my worry, since his eyes caught mine.
Dark and devastatingly handsome in this light, he gave me a soft smile and a nod.
“Don’t worry. Voters would be crazy not to let us go on.
” I felt myself relax a bit at his reassurance, then nodded and stepped forward.
A producer’s voice sounded through a hidden earpiece - “Big smiles, Cassie. You’re about to meet your alphas!”
I fought the urge to scowl at the nearest lens. Ash nudged me. “Ready?”
“Not even slightly.”
“Good. Let’s disappoint them together.”
Then the doors opened. Three alphas stepped out in slow succession, one after another, like a modeling agency casting call.
The first one caught my eye. He was broad-shouldered, bronze-skinned, with warm hazel eyes and a golden retriever smile that immediately made me suspicious.
Still, he was disarmingly cute with his big, blonde himbo appearance.
And, as much as I hated to say it, he was hot.
Like, really hot. I’d at least have something nice to look at while I was on this show.
Then the second one walked out. He had long, dark, curly hair, tied back in a bun.
He was well built with phenomenal posture, sharp cheekbones, and dressed well, although he still had a rugged edge to him.
He barely smiled, only tipping his head at us.
He didn’t even need to smile. His aura was enough to knock a weaker omega on her ass.
He had the type of strong, zaddy vibes that I admired.
Maybe he’d be fun to talk to - or do other things with.
I shook my head, snapping myself out of it. This was not the time to be playing.
And then… The third alpha stepped out, all polished charm and quiet power. Sharp suit. Smooth stride. Tie undone just enough to make him look casually devastating.
I froze. Oh no. No . No no no no.
Jace freaking Langston.
He didn’t notice me at first, too busy scanning the terrace. But when his gaze landed on me, it hit with full impact. His brow twitched. “...Cassie?”
My jaw clenched so hard I almost cracked a molar.
“Hi, Jace ,” I said, voice honeyed with venom. “What a surprise. Didn’t know the show let tech bros moonlight as reality tv stars now.”
Ash’s head whipped toward me. “Wait, you know him?”
“Oh, we’ve met,” I said sweetly, keeping a smile on my face in case the cameras were watching.
“He’s the reason my entire career combusted in real time.
” You see, Jace was another staff member in our organization who had set up my laptop before I presented.
I was on my way to a promotion, one which I knew he was also vying for, before my incredibly embarrassing personal photos and fantasy smut was posted for all the organization to see.
I always suspected he’d messed it up intentionally.
Jace blinked. “Wait, what? What are you-”
“You pulled from the wrong file before my presentation,” I snapped. “My entire presentation was replaced with my personal selfies! Worked out well for you though!”
His eyes widened. “Cassie, if you think I had anything to do with that-” He started, but I knew he was full of it. I know he’d gotten the promotion after I quit.
“Oh, bite me.” I snapped at him.
The other two alphas glanced at each other. Golden retriever guy actually started chuckling. Ash stepped forward, subtly sliding between me and Jace. “Cassie, maybe this isn’t the time-”
“He ruined my career.” I sneered at him, livid that the one thing I finally had for myself, he was trying to take too. I was shaking with anger, the memories of that day and the following backlash boiling up inside me. It was his fault that it happened, his fault that I was here at all.
“Calm down, omega!” Jace said, his voice calm but stern.
“Don’t tell me what to do!” I hissed, even more livid. A camera swooped closer. I spun toward it with a practiced smile.
“I’m so excited to meet our new team,” I said, voice bright and fake.
Ash matched my expression instantly. “Yeah. Chemistry’s already explosive.”
The first alpha, the Golden Retriever guy, stepped forward, offering his hand like he hadn’t just watched a bomb go off.
“I’m Leo,” he said, still smiling. “So glad to finally meet you! This’ll be fun.” Fun indeed, I thought. This guy looked vaguely familiar as well, though I was sure I’d never met him before.
Rugged guy followed. “Rys.”
I shook their hands without breaking eye contact with Jace. Their skin was warm, and now that they were closer, I could feel how powerful they were. Jace offered his hand too. “Jace. And… yeah. We definitely got off on the wrong foot.”
I didn’t take his hand. Ash leaned toward me, voice low. “We fake it, we win. Cameras are rolling, remember?”
I braced myself, then smiled, stepped in closer to Jace, and said through my teeth: “I will fake so hard, the gods themselves will weep.”
The cameras captured every second.