untamed hearts

chapter 5 : cracks in the armor

The days that followed were strange for Riley. She had never felt this kind of anticipation before—this eagerness to see someone, to know what was going through his mind, and, more than anything, to understand him. Jax had peeled back a layer of himself that night, and Riley couldn't shake the feeling that there was so much more he was hiding beneath his guarded exterior.Their next encounter wasn't planned. Riley was at a bookstore, flipping through a stack of magazines in a small corner when she looked up and saw Jax across the room, leaning casually against the shelf, reading. The sight of him in the quiet, surrounded by books, was so unexpected that she nearly dropped what she was holding.Riley hesitated, debating whether to go up to him. This was his space, his sanctuary, and she didn't want to intrude. But something compelled her to walk over, her heart pounding with each step. He hadn't noticed her yet, so she quietly slipped a book off the shelf, pretending to read as she stood next to him."Didn't think I'd find you here," she murmured.Jax glanced up, and a flicker of surprise crossed his face before he smirked. "Following me now?"Riley rolled her eyes. "I was here first," she lied, smirking back. "Besides, I didn't peg you for the bookish type."He raised an eyebrow, his lips curving into a sly smile. "And what type did you peg me as?""Confident, stubborn, occasionally infuriating," Riley listed, her tone teasing.Jax chuckled, shaking his head. "And here I thought alphas only saw what they wanted to see."Riley leaned in, dropping her voice. "Maybe I'm different."Jax's gaze softened, and for a moment, they just looked at each other, the world around them fading into the background. Riley could feel her pulse quicken, the air between them thick with unspoken words."So, what are you reading?" she asked, desperate to break the tension.Jax held up a book—an old, worn copy of a classic romance novel. Riley's eyes widened, genuinely surprised. She hadn't expected that from him."Didn't think you'd be into that kind of stuff," she said, unable to keep the surprise out of her voice.Jax shrugged, a slight blush coloring his cheeks. "Everyone needs a little romance, even if it's just fiction."Riley's heart did a strange flip at his words. He was so different from her usual type, from anyone she'd ever met, really. She was starting to understand that Jax wasn't playing hard to get; he was genuinely cautious, careful about who he let in."So, are you always this closed-off?" Riley asked, the question slipping out before she could stop herself.Jax hesitated, his expression guarded. "Maybe I just don't want to be someone's project. I'm not here to be fixed or changed."Riley's heart sank a little, guilt twisting in her stomach. She had never thought of him as a project, but she could see why he'd feel that way. "I don't want to change you, Jax. I just... want to know you."He looked at her, his gaze intense, as if he were searching for the truth in her words. Finally, he sighed, closing the book and slipping it back onto the shelf. "Alright. But if you want to know me, Riley, it has to be real. I don't do half-hearted connections."She nodded, her heart pounding. "I can handle real."For the first time, Jax's guarded expression melted, replaced by a tentative smile. "Then maybe... we can start over."Riley smiled back, a wave of relief and excitement washing over her. This wasn't just another chase anymore. It was real, and it was terrifying—and she was more than ready for it.They spent the next hour wandering through the bookstore, sharing favorite titles and memories, laughing at each other's choices. For the first time, Riley felt like she was getting to know Jax on a deeper level, not as the sassy omega who played hard to get but as someone with dreams, fears, and vulnerabilities.As they walked out of the bookstore, Riley felt a warmth settle over her that she hadn't felt in a long time. This was just the beginning, but she could feel it—something was shifting, something she couldn't deny.And she was more than ready to see where this would take her.