Chapter Six: Challenge One

Jacky’s POV

I should have known this whole “bonding by the fire” crap would be exactly what it sounded like—another excuse for Malia to puff herself up. The moment we sat down, she strutted up like she was running the show. I figured we’d get the usual hazing ritual from her or some kind of speech. But I wasn’t in the mood to sit here and pretend like she was someone worth listening to.

She cleared her throat and flicked her hair back, casting her eyes over all of us. I could feel the other new contestants beside me shift uncomfortably, and I didn’t blame them. Malia’s whole presence was designed to make people uncomfortable. She was tall, a little too smug, and held herself with this arrogance that screamed “I’m better than you.” She wanted us to know it. We all did, especially when she made sure her morning “visit” with Alpha Roman was the main topic at this little meeting.

“Ladies,” she began, pausing for dramatic effect. “I just want you to know that we’re all here together, and the way I see it, that makes us a family.”

Family? I wanted to laugh out loud. This was a competition, not some sisterhood. The only “family” bond I’d seen here was the kind that had the claws out behind your back.

“We look out for each other when the challenges aren’t happening,” she continued, pacing slowly around the circle like she was the damn Alpha herself. “We bond, we support, and we lift each other up.”

Right, because she was all about supporting others. I’d been here all of five minutes, and I could already tell Malia was the type to throw someone under the bus if it meant getting closer to Alpha Roman.

I noticed the other girls glancing at each other, as if they weren’t sure if they should be nodding along or rolling their eyes. A few of them looked like they’d rather be anywhere else, too, but no one was getting up. Probably didn’t want to deal with the blowback from Malia. She noticed everything, and you could bet she’d make your life hell if you didn’t play her little game.

“And speaking of Alpha Roman,” she added, her voice dropping a bit, as if she was sharing some precious secret, “he’s taken notice of those who… support me.”

She flashed a coy smile, the kind that screamed “I’m better than all of you.” She knew exactly what she was doing. All the girls here had been whispering about her morning walk of shame from the Alpha’s room. She wanted us to envy her, to feel like she was special, and that, if we played nice, maybe we’d be next in line.

“Yeah, I’m sure he really called her ‘his favorite’,” I muttered under my breath. One of the girls beside me hid a snicker, and Malia’s eyes snapped in my direction.

“Do you have something to add, Jacky?” She tilted her head, her smile a little too tight.

“Oh, I just think it’s funny that you’re preaching about being a family,” I replied, not even bothering to hide my sarcasm. “Some of us actually left family to be here, so forgive me if I’m not super invested in your little ‘bonding sessions.’”

Her eyes narrowed, and she crossed her arms, sizing me up. “I think it’s a shame you’re so eager to throw away a chance at unity here, Jacky. I mean, maybe I could have helped you out if you weren’t so… cold.”

“Unity?” I laughed. “Is that what you call it? Because from where I’m sitting, it looks more like a game of ‘suck up to Malia and maybe she’ll put in a good word with the Alpha.’ Just because Alpha Roman chose to put his wrinkly—”

The gasp from one of the girls nearby told me that one hit home. I didn’t stop.

“—dick in you doesn’t mean you’re special, Malia. If you were, he would’ve ended the whole competition and named you his new mate already, don’t you think?”

The look on her face was worth every single second of this moment. Her mouth opened, then closed, like she couldn’t figure out what to say. For once, the girl who had something to say about everything had nothing to say to me.

Around us, a few of the girls chuckled. I could feel them watching me, and honestly, I felt more alive than I had all night. This whole fake “sisterhood” routine Malia was pushing was a joke, and it was about time someone said it out loud.

“You don’t know what you’re talking about,” she hissed, her hand reaching out to grab my arm. Her grip was tight, and I could see the fire in her eyes. “Alpha Roman sees more in me than he ever will in someone like you.”

“Sure, Malia,” I said, yanking my arm free. “Keep telling yourself that if it helps you sleep at night. I’m not here to suck up to anyone, least of all you. So if you’re looking for another lapdog, keep looking.”

Her eyes burned with fury, and I could see her struggling to come up with something, anything, to put me in my place. She scanned me, probably trying to find some kind of flaw to dig her claws into. And finally, she landed on my clothes, my rough hair, the fact that I didn’t put as much effort into dressing up as she did. I could see the insult forming in her mind before she even said it.

“No wonder the Alpha doesn’t give you the time of day,” she sneered. “I mean, look at you. It’s no mystery why you’re alone. Maybe if you actually tried—”

“Oh, you mean like you?” I shot back, smirking as I leaned in closer. “Guess what? I’d rather walk alone than prance around, begging for scraps of attention from a man who doesn’t care about you any more than he cares about a piece of furniture. You think he likes you? I’d bet good money he doesn’t even remember your name.”

Her face went pale. The silence around us was deafening, and it was pretty clear every girl there was hanging on to every word of this showdown. The whispers, the side-glances—it was all going straight to Malia’s ego. She couldn’t handle it, and for the first time, she looked genuinely rattled.

I could’ve stayed to watch her squirm a bit longer, but I was tired. Tired of the fake sisterhood, tired of Malia’s smug little act, and tired of this ridiculous competition. Without another word, I turned and started walking away from the fire, leaving her standing there, speechless.

“Where do you think you’re going?” she called after me, her voice shrill, barely hiding the shake in her tone.

“To bed,” I shot back, not even looking over my shoulder. “Some of us actually want to get some sleep, instead of wasting our time kissing up to you.”

Behind me, I heard a few muffled laughs, but I didn’t care enough to see who was brave enough to actually laugh in her face. All I knew was, I was done here. If this was the kind of competition they were running, they’d have to do it without my attendance at Malia’s little pep rallies. And judging by the silence that followed me, I had a feeling Malia would be rethinking her “leadership” strategy tonight.

I smirked to myself as I walked away, letting her deal with the fact that, for once, her little “family” wasn’t entirely under her control.

I knew who Malia was. How could I forget that face? That was the bitch that stuck her knife in my sister. On live television, outside of the competition. I planned to slowly unravel her and drive her crazy. Killing her first wouldn’t make her suffer enough. I’d break her down, take away whatever control she thought she had.

Only then would I give her the mercy of death.