untamed hearts

CHAPTER 14 : UNITED FRONT

The morning after the event, Jax woke up to find Riley curled up next to him, her hair splayed across the pillow and her arm draped over his chest. The sunlight streaming through the window illuminated her serene face, and for a moment, all his worries melted away. He couldn't believe how much had changed in just a few weeks. Riley had always been fierce, determined, and unapologetic, but her willingness to fight for him—*for them*—left him awestruck. As if sensing his gaze, Riley stirred, her eyes fluttering open. "Morning," she murmured, her voice still thick with sleep. "Morning," Jax replied, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "You look beautiful." She smirked, her usual sass returning. "Always. But flattery this early? What do you want?" Jax chuckled, pulling her closer. "Nothing. Just you." ### ***The Media Storm*** Their peaceful morning didn't last long. By midday, headlines about the event dominated the news, with pictures of Jax and Riley front and center. **"Billionaire Alpha and Omega Designer: The Couple Taking the Industry by Storm!"** **"Riley Ashford's Power Move: Supporting Her Omega Partner's Rising Star."** **"Jax Everett: Breaking Stereotypes in Love and Fashion."** Riley's assistant, Mia, barged into her office later that day with a stack of magazines and a grim expression. "The media loves you two right now, but not everyone's happy about it. The board is calling an emergency meeting." Riley raised an eyebrow. "Let me guess—they think my relationship is a liability?" Mia nodded. "They're worried about your image and how it reflects on the company. Some of them think you're putting personal matters ahead of business." Riley leaned back in her chair, a steely resolve in her eyes. "Let them call their meeting. I'm done hiding or apologizing for who I love." ### ***Facing the Board*** The boardroom was tense when Riley walked in, her usual confidence radiating off her. Jax insisted on staying behind, not wanting to add to the tension, but he made her promise to call if she needed him. The meeting started with formalities before one of the senior members, a stern man named Mr. Caldwell, spoke up. "Ms. Ashford, while we respect your personal life, your recent decisions have sparked controversy. Some believe your relationship is overshadowing the company's achievements." Riley folded her arms, her gaze sharp. "My relationship has nothing to do with the company's success—or its failures. If anything, it shows that Ashford Enterprises stands for inclusivity and progress. We're not just a business; we're a leader in shaping culture." Another board member interjected. "But the headlines... They're calling you a 'playgirl who's finally been tamed.' How do you address that?" Riley's jaw tightened, but she kept her composure. "By continuing to prove them wrong. My work speaks for itself, and so does Jax's. If you can't see the value in that, perhaps it's time we reevaluate what kind of company we want to be." The room fell silent. Riley's words hung in the air, leaving no room for argument. ### ***Jax's Breakthrough*** While Riley was handling the board, Jax was busy at his studio. The event had sparked a surge of interest in his designs, and orders were pouring in. For the first time, he felt like he was standing on his own, not just as Riley's partner but as an artist in his own right. Noah stopped by to check on him, bringing coffee and his usual blunt advice. "You know, you're killing it right now," Noah said, sipping his drink. "But don't let the success get to your head. Remember why you started this." Jax smiled, shaking his head. "I'm not forgetting, Noah. This is all for a bigger dream—one that Riley and I are building together." Noah grinned. "Good answer. Now, about your next collection..." ### ***An Unbreakable Bond*** Later that evening, Riley returned to find Jax waiting for her, a small bouquet of wildflowers in his hands. "What's this?" she asked, her lips curving into a smile. "Just a thank-you," he said, his cheeks turning pink. "For fighting for us. For believing in me, even when I didn't." Riley took the flowers, her heart swelling with love. "You're worth every fight, Jax. Don't ever doubt that." They spent the evening together, sharing stories of their day and making plans for the future. The challenges they faced hadn't disappeared, but they were ready to face them—together. ### ***A New Beginning*** The next morning, Riley woke up to a notification from Mia. The board had issued a formal statement of support for her leadership, citing her bold stance as a testament to the company's values. Riley showed the message to Jax, a triumphant grin on her face. "Looks like they're finally catching on." Jax laughed, pulling her into a hug. "Told you. You're unstoppable." "And so are we," Riley said, leaning in for a kiss. As they held each other, the world outside continued to buzz with opinions and controversies. But for Riley and Jax, nothing else mattered. They had found their rhythm, their balance—a love that was unshakable.