*Akira siempre fue el Alfa tranquilo. Popular, disciplinado, intocable. Capitán del equipo de básquet, notas impecables, sonrisa fácil.* *Pero contigo… nunca fue tan fuerte como aparenta.* *Después del entrenamiento, intenta salir del gimnasio sin mirarte. Sabe que lo estás esperando. Siempre lo haces.* — “¿Vas a ignorarme otra vez?” —*tu voz resuena suave en el pasillo vacío. Él acelera el paso. Error.* *Lo tomas del brazo y lo arrinconas contra la puerta metálica de la bodega. No lo lastimas… pero no le dejas espacio.* *Su respiración se vuelve irregular.* — “Deja de hacer esto…” —*murmura, sin mirarte directamente. Te acercas más.* — “¿Hacer qué, Akira?” *Tus dedos suben lentamente por su cuello, inclinando su rostro hacia ti.* — “¿Mirar cómo otros te desean?” — “¿O recordarte que cuando alguien se te acerca… me miras a mí?” *Su mandíbula se tensa. No niega nada. No puede. Te inclinas apenas, tu voz baja, posesiva.* — “No necesito que digas que eres mío.” — “Solo necesito que no soportes la idea de que sea de alguien más.” *Sus manos tiemblan cuando finalmente te sujeta por la cintura, más fuerte de lo que pretendía.* — “Deja de manipularme…” *Y tú sonríes. Porque si realmente quisiera escapar… Ya lo habría hecho.*

** *cuts him off, quieter now.* "This isn't a locker room. This is my home. And I can't afford your version of team spirit." *The words hang there, sharp and true. Chase’s jaw tightens. For a second, he looks genuinely cornered, the bluster gone.* "...Yeah," *he finally says, voice rough.* "I got it." *He heaves himself off the couch, grabs the plate and a fistful of cans. The loud clatter feels like an apology—the only kind he knows how to make.*

I noticed her the moment she walked into the room. Something about the way she carried herself—poised, sharp, untouchable—made my pulse skip in a way it rarely did. And then it hit me. She remembers. Every detail. That day in Macroeconomics. The incident. The way she’d seen me… exposed. Alistair cleared his throat, his hand gesturing vaguely. “Caspian, this is your—” “New stepsister,” I finished smoothly, letting my smirk linger just long enough for her to feel it. Her eyes flicked up to mine, steady, intelligent…and that tiny spark of recognition. A rush of something wild ran through me—part panic, part thrill. I could feel it curling in my chest, that delicious mix of danger and fascination. “Well,” I said, my voice softer than usual, but no less confident, “this is…unexpected.” I let my gaze linger, tracing the line of her jaw, the way her hair caught the light. “But I have to admit… I do love a surprise.” She gave me a small, polite nod, but I caught the flash in her eyes—the memory of that day, the unspoken accusation. My smirk widened just slightly. She thought she had power over me because she saw me that day. Maybe she did—but I was never one to back down from a challenge, and this one was far too interesting to ignore. I leaned back, swirling my glass of wine, letting the tension hang between us like a charged wire. Every subtle glance, every polite word from her, felt like a challenge—and I was suddenly very aware of how much I wanted to push, to tease, to see how far I could make her falter. The game had begun, and a part of me was already eager to watch her unravel—or rise to the challenge.

“Well, well… didn’t think I’d see my old rival wrapped around a billionaire’s arm.” *He sips his drink, smirk curling.* “Tell me, do you still hate losing as much as you used to?”

*On Saturday night, your Step brother stumbled home late, as he often did, reeking of alcohol. He stumbled over to the living room, and turned on the television. After a few minutes of silence, only interrupted by the sound of the TV, your step brother suddenly spoke up.* “Be useful and get me a beer,” *he shouted, his voice echoing through the house. The sound reached your room, and consumed by fear, you hurried downstairs to where your step brother awaited.*

*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.*

}: *You nod* Got it. Bye bye. *You walk out* JIMIN: Bye princess... *Once you left..* JIMIN: *Calls Jiho* JIHO: *Answers* Yes, sir? JIMIN: Cancel all my meetings and appointments from next week till the end of next month. And get ready the private jet. JIHO: Yes sir. But why? JIMIN: I'm taking User to Shanghai. She wants to go and I promised her I will. JIHO: Ok. I'll get it ready. Sir? JIMIN: Yes, Jiho? JIHO: This could be the chance to propose to her. JIMIN: *Pulls a velvet red box and opens it, revealing the ring he bought* You really think so? JENNY: *Still watching and gasps* He... He... He's gonna marry her?! *Panics* No... No... I can't let that happen. No way. I need to do something. Fast. *Walks off* JIHO: You've been holding that ring for three weeks. Now's the best chance. JIMIN: *Anxious* What if she says no? JIHO: She will never say no. She loves you, sir. I've seen it. The way she smiles at you, looks at you. She loves you as much as you love her. JIMIN: Ok. Thanks for keeping it a secret, Jiho. JIHO: No worries. I'll cancel your meetings and appointments. And the private jet. Bye. *Hangs up* JIMIN: *Puts his phone down, staring at the ring* Hope my princess says yes... I need to call her dad too... *Meanwhile, you were at the cafe, doing orders. Unaware of everything.*

}… but it seems I’ve discovered something far more interesting.” He adjusted his cuff, suddenly less composed. “Would it be inappropriate if I asked what would say to start a conversation with the man who just ruined every other restaurant for me?”

*The morning sunlight creeps into the house through the curtains, the orange and yellow hues twinkling off of the fancy furniture. The morning starts off calm, normal, even. Like this life is a normal one to live.* *You wake up as the sunlight streams into your room, stretching and yawning as you open your eyes. I'm not there like I usually am. You pause, feeling uneasy.* *You cautiously walk down the winding staircase and see me standing alone in the kitchen, eyes dark and unreadable, drinking a cup of coffee while standing shirtless. You look at my abs before looking back up at my face, staring at you with a burning intensity that could melt steel.* "You're finally awake, love."

Darkness. Stone. The faint scent of dried flowers. There is warmth against him. Warmth where there should be nothing. A rhythm. Soft. Steady. A heartbeat. His fingers twitch first. Then breath — shallow, unsteady. Crimson eyes open slowly. The ceiling is stone. But there is weight at his side. He turns his head. You. Your hair spilling across his arm. Your body curled against his chest. Alive. His voice is hoarse when it comes. “…You are warm.” A pause. His hand shifts slightly, almost hesitant, resting more firmly at your back as if confirming you are real. “I was certain I would wake alone.”