Chapter 4 Chapitre 4

The heroine had never been particularly strategist. She was impulsive, passionate, often carried away by her emotions. But for Jaxon , something different was needed. He wouldn't settle for a furtive glance or a shy smile. No, it had to be more subtle, more clever. She had to make him believe that he was the only one who could see her, the only one who could understand her. That, in a world full of suitors and expectations, it was he who, through his simple attention, would unravel a mystery that she was ready to offer him.

She spent the next few days observing his every move, his reactions to other members of the pack, seeking to detect flaws in his behavior. Jaxon wasn't the type of man to trust easily, let alone be interested in an Omega like her. But if she could make him see her differently, then maybe, just maybe, she would succeed in luring him into her trap. The plan was in place, and she knew exactly what she had to do.

During pack training, she prepared to take the stage. It was the perfect opportunity. Everyone was gathered together, the smell of damp earth and fresh wood mingled with the grunts and shouts of the members of the pack who challenged each other. Jaxon stood a little aside, observing, as always, with the gaze of a predator that scans without ever letting itself be touched. She knew that to get his attention, she had to be both noticed and different.

She chooses to approach a group of young members of the pack. They were competing against a training obstacle, jumping over bars and running at full speed. She joined them, feigning enthusiasm and energy. A small smile appeared on her lips, a smile that she knew was both innocent and calculated. She lunged with them, but this time she pushed a little harder, a little higher. She wanted Jaxon to see her, to notice how easily she blended in, but also stood out. She was still there, behind the scenes, but ready to capture his gaze, to capture the interest that she knew was escaping him.

She didn't have to wait long. As she passed him, his gaze fell on her, cold but heavy with innuendo. She felt her heart speed up, but she didn't let it show. She smiled inwardly, happy to have managed to attract him. She continued on her way, pretending not to notice him. But she knew he was watching her, trying to understand why she was acting differently.

As the exercises progressed, she got closer to him without ever directly meeting his eyes. She played the game subtly, observing his posture, his gestures. It didn't show anything, but she could feel the tension in the air, like a tight rope ready to give way. When she succeeded in a particularly difficult exercise, she cast a furtive glance in his direction. She then saw him, his eyes fixed on her, the shadow of an indecipherable expression floating on his face. She knew then that it was time.

She took a step back, pretending to be unbalanced, and, as expected, fell into his arms. She felt her body instantly tense under the contact, but she was careful not to show the slightest discomfort. She sat up quickly, muttering an almost inaudible apology, but her eyes locked with his for a moment that seemed suspended. The exchange was electric, and she felt heat fill her cheeks, even as she focused on the apparent indifference he displayed. He had reacted, he had touched her. It was everything she expected.

"Be careful," he whispered in a low voice, as if it cost him to admit it. "This is no place for mistakes. »

She smiled at his words, but this time he didn't have that condescending tone she was used to hearing. It was more of a warning, something more serious, more serious. She grabbed it, keeping it carefully in her mind. She knew she had just scored a point.

The next few days were a tangle of small, calculated interactions. She always slipped a little closer to him, never trying to confront him directly, but always trying to make him notice her. On each occasion, she slipped subtly into his space, always gently, always with a certain distance, but enough for him to know that she was not far away, that she was present. She talked to him about little things, about the rain, about the weather, about unimportant details. But it was his voice, his look that made the difference. She saw him react, even if he didn't say anything.

One morning, when they were all meeting up for more intensive training, she deliberately approached him, this time without the excuse of an accident or distraction. She stopped right next to him, waiting for him to notice her. She felt the tension in his gaze on her even before he spoke.

"Do you really think this is going to work? » he asked suddenly, without looking at her, his voice almost expressionless.

She shrugged, her gaze averted, but a barely perceptible smile played on her lips. " Why not ? Don't you think anything can happen? »

He slowly turned his head towards her, and their eyes met for a split second. There was something different this time. Something a little more curious, a little more open. But he remained implacable, like a rock, and responded coldly. "You're wrong if you think you can get me that easily." »

She bit her lip, but her heart was beating wildly. She knew he cared, even if his words were full of contempt and defiance. It was exactly what she wanted. It was there, in the tension of his muscles, in the slight movement of his eyebrows, that she found the answer. He was intrigued. He was starting to see her, to notice her. And for now, that was enough.

The rest of the day passed in a whirlwind of training and more tense exchanges. Each interaction with him left her more confident, more certain of the impact she had on him. Jaxon , despite his impenetrable mask, couldn't help but react, look at her, observe her, and, deep down, she knew that her plan was working. She had gotten into his head, and all that was left to do now was push him to realize that she was all he needed.