Chapter 8

Jackson's POV

"That was intense." Caroline, my lover giggled.. after our exhilarating sex session.

"Of course, it was." I boasted to her with a cheeky smile on my face, causing her to slap my arm. I was so good at what I did and I knew it. There was no denying it.

She placed her head on my chest and I slowly caressed her long, black hair, doing my best to catch my breath after what was a very intense session.

"I can't believe that you have the chance to become the next Alpha of the Crimson Pack." She exclaimed in delight, much to my surprise.

I didn't know where that came from as we had never had such a discussion or anything that looked like that. It seemed strange to me that she'd even want to talk about that, especially with the stakes involved in the entire process.

I held back from saying anything to her because I felt like she was going to be offended by it. I felt she'd be mad that I was even comfortable enough to talk to her about it. So I just ignored it, not wanting any trouble at all.

"What exactly do you mean, Caro?" I managed to say, still looking into her eyes in surprise. "I'm not interested in being the Alpha, not even in the slightest way. There's no way in this world that I could be chasing after a slave when I have you by my side, my love."

"You do know that that Slave can make you the next alpha of the crimson pack, right?"

Her response was astonishing to me. I had imagined that we'd be on the same page. I mean, no woman in her right senses would want her man chasing after some other lice interest, or the possibility that her man might get married to that love interest.

"Hey, I'm not going to fight for any silly position. I won't do that." I boldly insisted. "I would never think of doing something like that. We are supposed to get married very soon, aren't we? How then am I supposed to let that go just because of the position of the Alpha? You're worth more than that to me, Caroline and you know it. We should quit talking about this and do something else instead."

"We're certainly not doing that!" She yelled, taking her head off my chest as she sat up and glared at me.

She was furious. I could feel the hot air coming out from her nostrils as she breathed. I would have apologized to her, so she would be less angry.. but I didn't even know what my crime was exactly.

I struggled to believe that she was upset with me, for refusing to leave her for someone else. How ridiculous!

"Do you know that this position that you just referred to as silly is what would guarantee us being in this relationship in the future?" She asked, placing her hands on her waist with her gaze still firmly fixed on me.

Now what is she saying?

"I don't understand. What has this got to do with us being in a relationship?" I asked, puzzled by her reaction. "We have been in this relationship, long before this talk of being the Alpha came up. If it didn't come up, would we not still be in a relationship?"

"But it did, Jackson. It has come up and we must talk about it." She insisted firmly. "We can't act like you're not trying to pass on a very good opportunity, an opportunity many people would grab with open arms. Don't tell me that what I have is a coward for a man. This is a challenge and I expect you to grab it with both hands and not to shy away from it like a coward. The entirety of our relationship depends on this, Jackson. It does."

I sat up too, unable to remain in a lying position anymore. I don't really think at this moment, I should be relaxed.. Things were getting out of hand and needed to be rescued before more damages would be caused.

"Let me get you very clearly, Caroline...." I paused, adjusting my position on the bed as she did the same.

This time, she didn't look furious. She had a stern look that suggested a lot of seriousness as she stood from the bed. "Are you trying to suggest that if I refuse for your sake, to compete for the heart of a slave, you're going to break up with me?"

I didn't want any assumptions. I had to be sure about what she was saying to me. I wanted to know if she was willing to give up everything that we had been through based on some silly competition. I hoped that was not the case.

"Yes. That's exactly what I'm saying. I'm glad you've figured that out now, smart guy."

My hope was dashed in that instant. Indeed, it was the hope that always killed men. I had never imagined that a day like that could ever come. Yet, it was there, staring at me, and there was nothing I could do about it.

I got out of bed too, stood right next to her and attempted to lightly caress her cheeks but she wasn't having it. She hit out my hand in a hurry and I smiled to cover up the way that I truly felt.

"You're probably not in a good mood." I remarked with a sigh. "When you are in a better mood, you can come look for me."

I picked up my clothes from the bed and put them on as fast as I could. Then, I made my way to the door, but just as I was about to leave, I heard three words that shattered my heart...

"Let's break up."