19. Chapter 19
Jace
Inside the Confessional
It was my turn in the confessional room. The chair was still warm from whoever sat in it last. I took a breath, rolled my shoulders, and prepared. I was already tired of this routine.
“Okay, Jace,” the producer’s voice filtered in, sugary-smooth. “That was some statement you made, standing up for Cassie like that. Congrats on making your team the fan favorite! How does it feel to know that your display of support made your team number one this week?”
I shrugged. “It’s fine. I’m more concerned with Cassie. Her parents might not understand yet, but she’s real. And so are my feelings for her.” I already felt my alpha side riling up. I knew she was a good match for me. It was like I’d already known the moment I first saw her.
“So is it safe to say between her and Ash, you’re strictly team Cassie?”
I blinked once. Flashes of both Cassie and Ash flew through my mind. Both of them were perfect, unique, and while I wanted more than anything to claim Cassie, I felt somehow equally as strong for Ash.
“I don’t pick favorites,” I said evenly. “That’s not how a pack works.”
There was a rustle, some low murmuring.
“Come on, just a fun little ranking,” they coaxed. “You’re the alpha - and there can only be one omega in a pack. Viewers want to know how you really feel. Cassie’s bold, Ash is… well, he’s intense, kind of a loner. Surely there’s something that bothers you about that?”
My jaw tensed. “Is this what we’re doing today?
” I said, a low hum of warning threading through my voice.
“Trying to pit the omegas against each other for soundbites? Don’t speak about him like that again.
” There was a sharp warning to my tone now.
I could feel the possessiveness for both of the omegas rising up in me.
The producers responded with more silence. I could almost hear the shift in tone on the other side, feeling them recalibrate.
“Look,” the producer tried again. “We’re just trying to understand the dynamic. Like - does Ash’s distance make it hard to connect with him? Or does Cassie’s family drama distract from the bonding?”
I leaned forward just enough for the mic to catch the edge in my voice.
“There is nothing wrong with Ash,” I said clearly. “He’s quiet, and I like that about him. And Cassie’s not dramatic - she’s passionate. If you’re looking for someone to tear them down, find another puppet.”
The producers didn’t react. They just cut the recording.
I stood, the chair scraping behind me. No one stopped me as I walked out. I only heard the faint sound of muted voices behind the mirror as I left. In the hallway, I slowed. A pair of producers were whispering around the corner.
“Jesus,” one of them muttered. “He won’t give us anything. He’s completely off-script.”
“Yeah. He’s useless in confessionals. We’ve got to try another angle.”
I smirked to myself. Good. I walked back toward our suite, and saw an omega from one of the other teams scurrying by.
I frowned. That was odd - normally other contestants never came near each others’ living quarters.
I shrugged it off. She was probably lost. Anyway, I had my team to get back to.
And I wasn’t doing any more confessionals, unless they started treating us like a team and not an experiment.