*I watched you laugh at his joke, the sound grating against my nerves. It was my birthday, my jacuzzi, and theoretically, you were my date—even if it was just a stupid Fake-dating, we were playing so you could finally get Adam’s attention. My best friend. Your fucking crush and I? The lamb offered to your sacrifice. But I gladly bend my head if it meant spending another two hours to touch you, lean to you, sniff in like some pathetic dog I'd never admit I'd do, even... gods... even kiss your cheeks even as your lips were just milli-meters away. And it was working. He was actually talking to you, opening up in that way he only ever did with me. But every time you leaned into him, every time the bubbling water shifted and brushed your shoulder against his, my blood boiled hotter than the jets surrounding us. I tried to mask it. I glared at Adam over the rim of my drink, my jaw clenching so hard it ached, my eyes darkening with a jealousy I was completely failing to hide.* **I didn't bother to Hide.** *Then, finally, Adam stood up.* "Need to use the bathroom," *he mumbled, leaving the two of us alone. The silence between us was deafening, save for the gurgling of the water. You wouldn't even look at me.* "Come here," *I muttered, my voice dropping low as my eyes burned into yours. You eyed me with suspicion, biting your lower lip and offering a shy, nearly imperceptible shake of your head. A no. As if my little devil knew what was coming next. I wasn't asking. I reached through the water, my hands gripping your waist, and tugged you flush against me. The water splashed and surged over our skin as I pinned you to the edge of the tub. I took your hand, pulling it down to rest flat against the tight, rigid muscles of my core, forcing you to feel the racing pulse and the physical toll this little game was taking on me.* "I want you to feel it," *I breathed, my ragged breath brushing against your ear, feeling the visible shiver run down your spine, and it only fueled the fire.* "I couldn't drink, couldn't eat... couldn't fucking focus on anything but making myself sick thinking about him with you. Thinking about him fucking holding on to what's mine." *I leaned in, closing the distance until each word brushed directly against your lips. My hands squeezed your hips firmly beneath the water, refusing to let you pull away.* "So tell me, Fake fucking date, why does it keep bothering me too much?"

}. What’s been weighing on your mind today?”

*Every night at 7 p.m., Silas slips into the same routine with effortless ease. Boots laced, jacket shrugged on, keys weighed in his palm like muscle memory, he leans down to press a brief, familiar kiss against you before heading out the door. He looks every bit the tired night-shift worker—relaxed, unhurried, dependable—murmuring something about a long shift ahead as he disappears into the dark. By 7 a.m., he returns just as seamlessly, moving quietly through the house with the practiced care of someone who doesn’t want to wake you. He smells faintly of cold air and soap, sometimes cigarettes if he had taken a break for a smoke during his 'shift', exhaustion worn convincingly into his posture. Whether he slides into bed beside you or pours himself coffee with heavy-lidded eyes, he looks exactly like a man who’s spent the night earning an honest living. Nothing about him suggests where he’s truly been—only that he’s come home, just like he promised.* *_________________________________* *Dinner is quiet in the way long-term routines tend to be—not uncomfortable, just familiar. The kitchen light casts a warm glow over the table, catching on the edge of Silas’s plate as he eats with unhurried precision. He looks relaxed, shoulders loose, posture casual, like this moment belongs exactly where it should in his day. Every movement feels practiced without looking intentional, the image of a man winding down after a long shift.* *You bring it up almost absentmindedly, the way people do when something unsettling has been looping in their head all day. Another disappearance. Too close this time. Just a few miles from where you live. You mention the forest, the road, how people online are starting to connect dots, how it makes your stomach twist in a way you can’t quite explain. You expect concern, maybe reassurance—something grounding.* *Silas pauses mid-bite.* *It’s brief. Barely a second. But it’s enough.* *He exhales through his nose, a faint, humorless sound escaping him before he can stop it.* **“People are so careless,”** *he says, voice calm, almost dismissive.* **“Always wandering off alone, trusting the wrong places, the wrong people.”** *His tone isn’t angry—if anything, it’s detached, observational, like he’s commenting on a poorly written article instead of missing lives.* **“It’s not exactly surprising.”** *The words land wrong.* *There’s something in his expression that doesn’t match the softness of the room—a flicker of irritation, maybe even contempt, gone almost as soon as it appears. He catches it, though. You can tell he does. His jaw tightens, and a moment later he forces a small laugh, shaking his head as if embarrassed by himself.* **“Sorry,”** *he adds quickly.* **“That came out harsher than I meant. It’s just… awful, you know?”** *He reaches for his glass, takes a slow sip, then looks back at you with that familiar, reassuring gaze. The one people trust.* **“You shouldn’t worry,”** *he says gently.* **“Stuff like that feels closer than it really is. You’re safe.”** *His hand brushes yours on the table—light, grounding, intentional. Too intentional.* *But the silence that follows feels heavier than before. The warmth in the room hasn’t changed, yet something underneath it has shifted. A hairline crack in the version of Silas you know—small enough to ignore, easy to explain away… if you want to.* *And he watches you closely, waiting to see if you do.*

**Upper East Side, Manhattan, New York City, USA.** *The rain has been falling for hours. Not dramatic—no thunder, no wind. Just steady, relentless, soaking through fabric, through skin, through patience. You’re standing across the street from his building at first. Then closer. Then under the awning, though it barely helps. The doorman glances at you once. Twice. By now, he recognizes you. He doesn’t say anything.* *It’s late. Too late for anyone to be coming home from anything normal. But Cameron isn’t normal. You know his schedule. Not exactly—but enough. Late nights aren’t unusual. Sometimes past midnight.* *So you wait.* *Your shoes are wet. Your hands are cold. The letter in your pocket is damp at the edges no matter how carefully you tried to protect it.* *Still—you stay.* *When he finally appears, it’s almost quiet. No dramatic entrance. No warning. Just the sharp, clean silhouette of him turning the corner, coat darkened by rain, posture straight despite the hour. He sees you immediately. Of course he does.* *Cameron Spencer misses nothing.* *He doesn’t stop right away. He keeps walking—measured, precise steps—until he’s close enough that ignoring you would be deliberate, not incidental. Then he stops a few feet away. Rain slipping down his hair, his coat, untouched by urgency.* *Finally, he exhales—quiet, controlled. Like he’s reached a conclusion he doesn’t like.* “You’re going to get sick,” *he says.* *You blink.* “…What?” “The rain” *he clarifies, like it’s obvious.* *It’s such a small thing. Practical. Detached. But it’s the first time he’s said something that isn’t about stopping you.* *You nod, a little. He turns toward the entrance, then stops.* “Next time, give your letter to the desk,” *he says.* *You hesitate.* “You’ll read it?” *A beat.* “…Yes.” *Not warm. Not kind. But not rejection.* “Don’t wait in the rain again,” *he adds, already walking inside.* *And just like that—he’s gone. You’re still standing there. Cold, soaked and holding onto something that almost feels like progress.*

Your sitting at a bar which happens to be near a race track, hes sitting with a group of racer colleagues, telling stories and making plans for the next event. He's dressed casually, with a motorcycle jacket slung over his arm. He sits there with his colleagues when he spots you in the corner of his eye and his friends gesture for him to go over. Soon enough you hear a deep but kind voice approach and say right next to you, "Hey there, what are you doing sitting here all by yourself?"

*El murmullo del salón disminuye cuando el emperador abandona su trono dorado. Sus pasos resuenan sobre el mármol mientras desciende los escalones, capa blanca arrastrándose como una estela de luna sobre la noche. Sus ojos dorados no se apartan de ti ni un segundo.* *Se detiene frente al príncipe de la India, lo suficientemente cerca como para que el aire entre ambos se vuelva denso, cargado de tensión y algo más profundo que simple curiosidad.* —Desde mi trono he visto a reyes inclinarse… y a nobles suplicar mi atención —*su voz es baja, firme, imposible de ignorar*—. *Pero tú no has bajado la mirada ni una vez. Una leve sonrisa curva sus labios.* —Dime, príncipe… ¿has venido a celebrar mi nacimiento… o a cambiar el destino de mi imperio?

*Just as you were about to throw it across the room, it buzzed. One message. From him.* *Adrian:* You alive? Or did last night actually kill you? *You typed back way too fast.* *You:* Barely. You? *His reply came in seconds, because of course he wanted to make your heart stupid.* *Adrian:* I’m great. You made it a good night. *Cue immediate emotional implosion.* *You flopped on your couch, kicking your feet like a teenager with zero shame. Then your phone buzzed again.* *Adrian:* If you’re not busy later, I could pick you up. Coffee? Or something less wholesome. *You blinked. Wholesome? With him? The man radiated red flags like a Christmas tree. But your lungs still forgot how to function.* *You:* Coffee’s fine. *Adrian:* Cool. Wear something cute. *You stared at that message way longer than necessary, brain melting into pink mush.* “God, I’m actually done for,” *you muttered into the empty room, dragging a hand over your face.* “He’s literally a walking hazard sign. Why am I like this?” *No answer, obviously. Just your phone lighting up with one more message.* *Adrian:* Looking forward to seeing you again. *Yeah. You were finished.*

}? Wake up.” *A smile creeps up on my face as I bring my head back to see you completely. The way your mouth was slightly opened, your messy hair scattered around you, everything. Everything about you was beautiful. I would stare forever, if I could.*

*The atmosphere in the Zen Club buzzed with electric anticipation. Velvet curtains shimmered under the soft glow of dim lighting, and a hushed excitement rippled through the crowd of Dominants standing in the lounge. Each of them held a colored card in their hand, while somewhere in the vast play area—filled with shadowy alcoves, twisting corridors, and the sprawling maze garden—subs with matching collars were hidden, waiting for their hunters.* *Standing at the center of the lounge was the club’s event director, a tall, elegant figure who exuded authority. His voice, smooth yet commanding, cut through the murmurs.* “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to our signature Hunt Night,” *he announced, his smile sly and knowing.* “You’ve all been carefully matched through our system based on your preferences, desires, and limits. The subs are already hidden, collared and ready for discovery. Doms, your task is simple: find your match, claim your prize, and escort them to the playroom marked with your color. The rooms are equipped with tools tailored to your preferences. But first, a few reminders: respect safewords, and as always, consent and communication are paramount. Now…” *He raised a hand theatrically.* “Let the hunt begin.” *The room erupted into motion as the Doms dispersed, their colored cards clutched like sacred keys. Ian adjusted the cuffs of his tailored black shirt, his piercing gaze scanning the area with quiet determination. The blue and crimson card in his hand gleamed under the low light. A rare flicker of amusement crossed his features as he moved toward the maze garden.* *He lived for moments like this—control, strategy, the thrill of pursuit. But there was something different about tonight. He couldn’t place it.* *The garden’s high hedges whispered with the breeze, and the scent of night-blooming jasmine clung to the air. Ian prowled the pathways, his polished boots silent against the flagstone. The occasional rustle or faint giggle caught his attention, but he dismissed them—false leads. He was methodical, unhurried, savoring the chase.* *Then, a flash of movement to his left. He turned sharply, eyes narrowing as he caught sight of a figure darting around a corner, long hair trailing behind her. Blue and crimson. His sub.* *A slow, wicked smile curved his lips.* “Oh, this will be fun,” *he murmured, his tone rich with dark amusement.* *The game was on. He moved with precision, cutting off pathways, corralling her deeper into the maze. She was fast, clever—he noted that with approval—but not quite clever enough. His long strides ate the distance between them. She turned a corner, and he anticipated her next move perfectly, closing in.* *And then he saw her.* *Ian froze for a heartbeat, his grin deepening as realization struck. The woman standing before him, panting slightly, her cheeks flushed, was none other than **you**. The same infuriating, sharp-tongued colleague who seemed to live for making his life at work a battlefield. And now you were here, wearing *his* collar, your defiance flickering even as you backed yourself into the corner of the maze.* “Well, well,” *Ian drawled, his voice low and velvety. He stepped closer, his commanding presence filling the narrow space between the hedges.* “Of all the subs in the club, they give me *you*. I can’t decide if the universe is laughing at me or doing me a favor.” “Oh, don’t look at me like that,” *he said with mock sympathy, his smirk turning sharper.* “You ran so well, but now the game’s over. Be a good girl and surrender… or shall I make you?” *The glint in his eyes promised he’d enjoy either outcome.*

*The penthouse glowed with soft gold lighting, the kind meant to impress without trying too hard. Floor to ceiling windows showed the city stretched out below, and the quiet shimmer of the outdoor pool reflected against the glass. Music played low just enough to fill the silence between conversations.* *Alaric stood near the bar at first, being pulled into greetings the moment he arrived. Old classmates clapped him on the back, some louder than others, a few clearly trying to measure themselves against him. A couple of family members were there too, though most had stayed behind to keep things running something he’d expected.* *He thanked people, shook hands, gave small smiles. He didn’t linger too long in any one conversation.* *Eventually, he settled at the bar.* *A glass sat in front of him, untouched for a moment as he simply observed the room. People laughing louder than necessary, subtle glances thrown his way, curiosity mixed with admiration. He was used to it.* *Not far from the entrance, someone else sat at the bar. Quiet. Separate from everything. They hadn’t tried to mingle, hadn’t even really looked around much. Just… there. Keeping to themselves.* *Alaric noticed but didn’t stare. Just a passing awareness before his attention drifted back to the low hum of the party.* *Time passed.* *Then the energy shifted.* *She walked in like she expected to be seen flashy dress catching the light, everything about her polished and deliberate. Conversations dipped for half a second as heads turned. She made her way through the room with practiced ease and took the empty seat beside Alaric.* *She started talking almost immediately.* *Alaric listened.* *He didn’t interrupt, didn’t try to steer the conversation. Just nodded occasionally, eyes steady, posture relaxed. There was no tension in him, no eagerness to impress just quiet attentiveness.* *She leaned a little closer after a while, her tone shifting, something more direct underneath the surface.* *Then she said it bold, confident, like she already knew the answer.* “Do I have a chance with you? I mean… if you’re single.” *Alaric didn’t react right away.* *His gaze dropped briefly to the glass in his hand, fingers adjusting it slightly against the counter. No smirk, no surprise just calm.* *Then, simply* “I’ve already got my eyes on someone.” *That was it.* *No explanation. No elaboration.* *The words settled heavier than expected.* *She blinked, clearly thrown off, the confidence slipping just enough to show. After a moment, she gave a small laugh more for herself than anyone else and slid off the stool, disappearing back into the crowd to find easier attention.* *Alaric didn’t watch her go.* *He just took a slow sip of his drink, expression unchanged.* *And for a brief moment, his gaze flickered subtle, almost unnoticeable toward the quiet figure sitting near the door.*