untamed hearts

chapter 4 : breaking through the ice

Riley was starting to feel restless. The more Jax resisted her advances, the deeper she found herself wanting him, and not just for the thrill of the chase. She wanted to understand him, to know what made him tick. The usual fleeting satisfaction she got from her conquests was nowhere near enough. But Jax's walls were firmly in place, and she knew it was going to take more than flirtation to break them down.Determined, Riley showed up at the club once again, but this time, she wasn't just hoping to see him—she had a plan. She spotted him at his usual spot, eyes focused on his drink, seemingly lost in thought. There was a rare softness in his gaze, and for a moment, Riley felt a pang of curiosity mixed with something new... concern?Taking a deep breath, Riley approached him, but this time without the usual swagger. She settled beside him, her tone softer than usual. "Do you ever go anywhere else, or do you just live here?" she asked, giving him a gentle nudge.Jax looked at her, a bit surprised by her lack of bravado. "What, you're stalking me now?" he replied, but there was no bite to his words."Maybe," she replied with a shrug, giving him a sideways smile. "Or maybe I just wanted to hang out. No games. Just... company."He looked at her suspiciously, as if he didn't believe her, but after a moment, his expression softened. "Alright, Riley. No games," he said, giving her a small, genuine smile that made her heart skip a beat.They sat in comfortable silence for a while, watching the chaos of the club around them. Riley found herself relaxing in a way she hadn't expected, just enjoying the quiet moment with him. It felt strange, but good—almost as if the world had faded away, leaving just the two of them in their own little bubble."So, what's your story, Jax?" she finally asked, genuinely curious. "Why are you so determined to keep everyone at arm's length?"Jax raised an eyebrow, his defenses going up again. "Why do you care?""Because..." Riley hesitated, choosing her words carefully. "Because you're not like anyone I've ever met. And for some reason, I actually want to get to know you."Jax stared at her, his expression unreadable, and for a moment, Riley thought he would brush her off like he always did. But then he sighed, looking down at his drink. "People like you think you know what it's like to be an omega, but you don't."Riley frowned, surprised by the vulnerability in his voice. "Try me."Jax looked at her, and something in his gaze shifted, as if he were weighing whether or not to trust her. Finally, he took a deep breath and spoke. "Being an omega isn't what people think. They assume we're weak or submissive, that we're just here to be taken care of. But I don't fit that mold, and it's... exhausting, always having to prove myself."Riley felt a pang of understanding, and for once, she didn't have a witty comeback. She just listened, realizing that Jax had probably been carrying this weight for a long time."I don't need anyone to take care of me," Jax continued, his voice steady. "I can handle myself just fine. And I don't need an alpha swooping in, thinking they can change that."Riley nodded, her respect for him growing with every word. "I get it. And I'm not here to change you, Jax. I just... I want to know you. The real you, not the version everyone expects."Jax looked at her, and for the first time, Riley saw a flicker of something other than resistance in his eyes. Maybe it was trust, or maybe it was something more. Either way, it made her heart race."Fine," he said finally, a small smile playing on his lips. "But don't think this means I'm going to fall at your feet, Riley. I'm still not that easy."Riley grinned, feeling a warmth spread through her chest. "Good. I'd be disappointed if you were."They spent the rest of the night talking, the usual tension between them replaced with something softer, something real. And as Riley walked away from the club that night, she realized that this was more than just a game for her.She didn't just want Jax—she wanted to be worthy of him. And that was a challenge she was ready to face, no matter how long it took.