4. Chapter 4
Cassie
The lights were blinding, and the camera lenses sharp as they moved in, finding the best position as the producers seated each of our team in a chair for our first on camera interviews. I gave them my best smile and tried to remain calm, despite bristling on the inside.
The host, Frank Cruz, stepped forward and flashed a perfect white smile.
“Welcome to this season of Last Pack Standing ! This year’s theme? Fate versus fantasy. We’ll see which of our hopefuls came here for love… and which came for something else entirely.”
That last line felt like it was aimed directly at me.
Frank went on, introducing each of the teams. “Each team has been picked by our matchmaking experts, perfectly curated to be the best match possible. As we go on, the teams will face challenges, and hopefully we’ll get some real connections from it.
But it's up to you, the audience, to keep them on the show. Each week, one team will be voted off. The one with the least chemistry, has got to go! And the winners will be… the Last Pack Standing!” He smiled big, and I tried not to roll my eyes.
“Now, let’s meet the teams!” The host walked up to each group, which I had to admit, looked like some real competition.
There was a team that looked vaguely familiar, and I realized I’d seen some of them before.
They were all semi-famous influencers. They were incredibly engaging, and I could tell they were here to win.
A few other teams had some semi-celebrities, and one was made up of dancers.
But the majority were teams who seemed like they’d been put together to stir up drama - some had very big and clashing personalities.
Finally, the host reached us. Frank turned to the cameras.
“Let’s meet the members of our next team - Team Silver! ”
First up was Ash. He sat up, cool and casual, but giving off the type seductive aura that only an omega can achieve. His dark curls had been styled into some version of "messy but camera-friendly," and his dark eyes focused on the lens.
“I’m Ash, an omega. I’m here to, well, see if real connection is possible.” He gave a lopsided smile. “And perhaps win. The prize is definitely a bonus!”
There was a chuckle from the crew. I couldn’t tell if he was serious or sarcastic. Probably both.
Then came Leo. He strode into the light like it loved him - and honestly, it did.
Tall, broad, with his golden hair raked back in a casual way, Leo radiated warmth.
When he smiled, it lit up the room. I scented a whiff of well worn leather and bergamot coming from him, and got a head rush from it.
Woah. I wasn’t expecting that - I hadn’t had much interest in anyone the past six months, and now my body was keening to be closer to this massive alpha.
“Hey! I’m Leo. Alpha.” He waved at the camera with a natural ease. “I’m recently retired from the field, and while I’ve been loving the free time, I also want to find a pack to share it with. So I’m here to find the pack that makes me feel at home. That’s it. That’s the goal.”
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 was him . 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 picked partially 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.