untamed hearts

chapter 2 : testing the waters

The next few days were unlike anything Riley had experienced before. Jax wasn't like the other omegas she'd met, and the challenge only fueled her desire to win him over. Normally, one flirtatious glance and a confident grin were enough to make anyone fall under her spell, but Jax? He barely gave her the time of day.It was infuriating—and exhilarating.Riley couldn't stop thinking about their brief encounter. That smirk, the way he dismissed her without a second thought. No one had ever done that to her before. She wasn't sure whether she was more intrigued by his confidence or annoyed by his resistance. Either way, she was determined to see him again.A few days later, Riley found herself walking into the same club, scanning the room for Jax. He was there, of course—sitting in the same spot as before, sipping on a drink, seemingly lost in thought. The club was buzzing with energy, but he looked like he was in his own world.Riley made her way over to him, leaning against the table with her usual air of confidence. "You always sit alone like this?" she asked, her voice laced with playful curiosity.Jax looked up at her, his eyes cool and unreadable. "Only when the company's not worth my time," he replied, not missing a beat.Riley laughed, impressed by his quick wit. "Lucky for you, I'm here now.""Am I supposed to feel lucky?" he quipped, raising an eyebrow. He took a sip of his drink, watching her with that same amused expression.Riley was used to controlling the conversation, but with Jax, it felt like she was constantly on the back foot. His sharp tongue and casual confidence were disarming, and she found herself both frustrated and intrigued by the way he didn't fall for her usual charm."Let me guess," Jax said, interrupting her thoughts. "You're used to getting what you want. Alphas like you think you can just walk in, flash a smile, and everyone will fall at your feet.""Am I that predictable?" Riley smirked, taking a seat across from him.Jax leaned forward, his eyes locking onto hers with a seriousness she hadn't expected. "You think you're different from the other alphas. That you can just waltz in here and change things up. But I'm not someone you can win over with a few smooth lines, Riley."For a moment, Riley was speechless. No one had ever spoken to her like that before, especially not an omega. But the way Jax said her name—like he already had her figured out—sent a thrill through her. He wasn't playing hard to get; he genuinely didn't care about her games.But Riley wasn't one to give up so easily."Maybe I don't want to win you over," she said, leaning in closer, her voice low and teasing. "Maybe I just want to get to know you."Jax studied her for a moment, his eyes narrowing slightly, as if he was trying to decide whether to believe her or not. Finally, he shrugged. "Then you better be prepared for a long ride, because I'm not an easy puzzle to solve."Riley smiled, feeling the spark of excitement in her chest. "I like a challenge."Jax didn't respond right away, but she could see a flicker of something in his eyes—maybe curiosity, maybe something more. He leaned back, his expression still guarded, but there was a hint of amusement in his voice when he finally spoke."Alright, Riley. Let's see what you've got."It wasn't a victory, but it wasn't a defeat either. Riley could sense that she had made progress, even if it was small. The tension between them was electric, and for the first time in her life, she wasn't just chasing a fleeting thrill—she was chasing something real. And that scared her more than anything.