CHAPTER 2

Pov: Marshall Ackerman

There was so much I hated and every day I had to go through the routine of rejecting women who wanted me to be in a Jacktic relationship with them. I wondered when they were going to take the hint that I didn’t give a rat’s ass about such things and I would rather be alone than spend my time forming a futile connection with some woman just because it’s somehow better than being a lone wolf.

Trina Adams stood outside my door as I struggled into my jacket. I tried to imagine how long she had been there waiting and it hurt my head just thinking about it. She followed behind me and I couldn’t help feeling sick from the smell of desperation oozing off of her. And her cologne.

“Marshall.” She said in a voice that most men would consider seductive.

“What?” I snarled. 

She jerked in response almost like she had been threatened by a rabid dog baring its fangs. I could see the pain in her eyes and I felt pity for her but it wasn’t enough to let her guilt trip me into agreeing to whatever bullshit offer she had for me.

“I wish you’d be nicer. I went through a lot to doll myself up for you, yunno.” She said, her cheeks flushed.

When she noticed I wasn’t going to say anything, she continued. “The Alpha is throwing a party tonight. I was hoping I could be your plus one.”

I stopped walking to look at her well for the first time. She had enough makeup to make a Chinese royal concubine jealous. Her breasts were partly exposed and she was trying too hard to make me notice the huge swell of her cleavages. 

“So?” She asked, tilting her head to the side.

“No.”

I left her there thinking about her life decisions. I knew I was being unnecessarily cruel but the way I saw it I was just being myself. The way I saw it, it would be more cruel if I did otherwise and led them on.

I got to the arena just as the morning sun graced the sky. I changed into my training outfit and rushed to the ring where Drago waited patiently with a smile on his face.

He was the most feared fighter in the arena and despite the numerous spars happening there, our corner had quite an audience. Drago was big and fast for a man of his size but he still was no match for me. My cockiness and fighting spirit outmatched whatever he had to bring to the table. Also, I was the gamma of the pack. The top warrior. The war machine! He should be shitting his pants going against me.

“You ready, small guy?” I asked as we touched fists in the middle of the ring.

He smiled viciously as he said, “I’ll enjoy crushing you.”

Roughly two minutes later, I stood aside as the medical unit rushed in with a stretcher to take Drago’s bloodied body away.

“He’ll be fine.” I waved. “Just need a few stitches and a goodnight’s rest.”

As I turned to leave I heard a familiar voice behind me. “I can see you’re having fun.”

Jack stood with a smile on his face. The bastard always had a smile on his face but something about him gave me the creeps. He seems harmless but I could tell he was as deadly as any slithering snake.

“How can I help you, Jack?” I asked, frowning at him.

“Me?” He shrugged. “There’s nothing you can do for me I’m afraid. I’m here on behalf of Nate to remind you about the party tonight. We know how you like to skip these events so he thought it best I let you know that your attendance is—how do I say this,” He paused and then smiled again, “Mandatory.”

Fucking hell, I thought. There’s no way I’m getting out of this one.

That evening I arrived at the castle late wearing a fresh suit I’d gotten last minute with Trina Adams by my side. She seemed excited to be there with me but I would have done anything to be anywhere but there.

“It’s bigger than I thought.” She shrieked happily. “I can’t believe I’m here.”

“Me too,” I grumbled, slapping my palm to my head. “I’ll go grab a drink.”

“And what will I do?” She asked with a dumb look on her pretty heavily makeup face.

“Anything you want.” I sighed, walking away.

I took two shots of the drink they had. The bartender promised it was their strongest stuff but it was nothing. It was like drinking water mixed with honey. Moon goddess please spare me and speed up this night. I can’t go through this fucking torture in real-time.

“Excuse me, sir?”

I turned around and felt a blow run through my chest as I looked at the woman standing in front of me. I convinced myself the kick had come from the alcohol and not the beautiful woman. Maybe it was strong after all.

“What?” I answered her in my customary way.

She seemed to be insulted by this. Her face went red as she said, “You don’t have to be rude. I just wanted to ask if you’ve seen Alpha Nate?”

I slapped my forehead and moaned as I realized she must be one of the women who had come to the party hoping to throw herself on him.

“Look, darling. There are like a thousand others like you in here so take a number or something.”

She gasped, putting her hand on her mouth. “How dare you! I’m Kira Jansen, daughter of Albert Jansen, the Alpha of Jansenbrook Pack.”

I eyed her curiously and the first thing that came to my mind was how incredibly beautiful she was. I could see how she was a princess. I’d heard about her and thought she was just another stuck-up royal but the woman in front of me wasn’t that.

“I’m sorry if I offended you, princess,” I said mockingly. “But I’d like it if you scurried off and be on your way.”

“You’re the most annoying man I’ve ever met.” She grinded her teeth.

“Good to know I”m making quite the first impression.”

I turned to face my drink, sure she would leave me but I was wrong as she tapped my shoulders constantly until I turned around to face her.

“I’m not done with you.” She said, red-faced. “What’s your name?”

“None of your business.” I averted my eyes away from her face. I could feel something unexpected happening to me and I knew it would continue if I stayed in her presence. She was dangerous to my existence.

“I’ll call you, Mr. Asshole then.” She beamed for the first time.

Before I could warn her and put the fear of god into her she turned around and left, leaving me to look after her and wonder what she had done to me. I could feel I was no longer the same man that had walked into the party.