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  • Restless – Episode 5

    Restless – Episode 5

     

     RESTLESS

    Restless – Episode 5
    An Action/ Romance  Thriller 

    Oyin Oluwatosin Emmanuel


    ♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤

    Date: 18-09-2015
    Time: 18:05PM
    Location: El Deols, Anthanna
    “Hello…” Sheila sang in a pleasant tone as she walked into the house.
    Henry welcomed her with a smile. He was sitting in the living room, holding a health book in his hand. The book was closed and a finger was at the middle, helping him keep the page he stopped reading at. His attention had been turned to the television set previously before Sheila walked in.
    She had two bags with her. Lesedi was following behind her with three extra ones. It was obvious she had gone shopping on her way from work.
    “You can take those ones to the store,” Sheila said to Lesedi who nodded and continued walking.
    “Welcome Sheila,” Henry greeted her, still carrying a smile on his face.
    She smiled back at him as she settled on the sofa beside him. She stared at his face silently for a while and he also stared back, taking his eyes off the TV completely.
    “Why are you staring like that?” he asked, already feeling weird about it.
    “Well,’ she chuckled and looked away. “You’re looking so different tonight.”
    “How do I look?” he asked, interested in hearing her answer. She stared at him intently for seconds without speaking, she seemed not to be able to point out specifically why he looked different. “Well, I just had my haircut today.” He gave her a clue.
    “I see,” she took another look at him. “You look very handsome in the new haircut.”
    His smile broadened, “Thank you.”
    “So, I got you some things on my way back,” she said, handing him one of the bags. “I don’t know if you’d like them.”
    “Thank you,” he collected the bag and looked into it.
    “Why don’t you try them on now, especially the shoe?” she requested.
    “Okay,” he dropped the bag and took out the carton of sport shoes in it. He raised one of the pair up first and then placed it on the ground to see if his leg would fit in. “I really love this,” he said as he unlaced it.
    She watched him put on the pair and get up on his feet.
    “They’re my size, how did you know my size without asking me?” he questioned playfully as he bounced on his feet with the shoe.
    “Come on, you’ve been here for weeks. I definitely know the sizes of your shoes, your shirts and even trousers now.”
    “Hmm…. Thank you, they’re so nice.” he said and sat back, taking off the sport shoes gently.
    “You’re welcome,’ she said and rested her back in the chair. “Uhm…” she leaned forward again and looked at his face with a smile. She looked like she wanted to make a request but wasn’t sure if he would grant it. “I tried to come up with a workout program for myself sometime ago and for some months, I followed a workout routine. However, I stopped January this year. I would like to continue by starting tomorrow. I don’t know if you’d like to join me.”
    “Oh! Certainly, I would like to work out with you, I’ve been doing some push-ups and other exercises on my own but I’d…”
    “Huh?” She interrupted him. Her face got covered with a worried look as she squinted at his face. “How long have you been exercising without letting me know?”
    His eyebrows gathered and his shoulders dropped weakly as he wondered the reason for her reaction. “Just few days ago.”
    “Are you sure it’s really few days ago and not up to a week yet?”
    “Yes, not up to six days. I only started after the doctor confirmed that most of the wounds were healed already.”
    She let out a sigh of relief.
    Henry smiled. He could see that she worried about him so much like he was a kid.
    “So i was saying, I’d like to go out and do some more, probably some dumbbell exercises,” he added.
    “Dumbbell exercises?” She widened her eyes at him in shock. She let out a loud laugh. “I’m sure you’re going to ask for heavy barbells soon.”
    “No, just…”
    “I’m not going to let you have that,” she said, shaking her head in total disagreement. “You are still recovering from a lot of wounds. You have to recover fully before you think of building more muscles.”
    He sighed. He wasn’t going to argue with her, the look on her face made it obvious she wasn’t going to agree with his reasons.
    “Come to think of it, you have enough muscles already.” she said, punching him hard on the shoulder. “Ouch!” she yelled, shaking her hand vigorously as she felt some pain on her knuckles.
    “Haha! Sorry about that,” he laughed at her.
    She gave him a childish look and then sat back on the sofa. “So we would continue with my workout routine tomorrow, we’ll take a jog for a few kilometres tomorrow morning to the public gym. There we would do some more exercises suitable for both of us, No dumbbell or barbells yet,” she said, stressing her tone in the last statement to emphasize her point.
    “It’s okay Sheila,” Henry agreed.
    “Good,” she picked up the other bag from the ground and was about to get up.
    “I have something else to talk about Sheila,” Henry stopped her.
    She sat back and looked at his face. He was carrying a serious look and his tone also sounded serious.
    “Please go ahead.”
    “Sheila,” he began in low tones. “I must say once again that I am grateful to you for being so kind and patient with me.” he took a brief pause and sniffed. “You helped me and saved me from death and you don’t seem tired of having me around you since then.” he paused again and looked at her face. Her eyebrows were gathered together as she listened to him with utmost seriousness.
    “Why are you talking about this Henry?” she asked, wondering what he was driving at and suspecting it would be something she would not like.
    “Sheila, you’ve done your best to help me regain my memory.
    I know and I’ve seen all your efforts in trying to help me find my roots but no one seems to know me in the whole of Anthanna. I probably do not have a family, or I have one who do not want me anymore.” he continued after readjusting his sitting position. “Since we’ve not been able to identify who I was in the past or find out if anyone has been looking for me, I would suggest we stop spending time and money on helping me regain my memory.”
    “Don’t talk like that Henry, I believe we just need to try more. You’ll get back to yourself soon again,” She tried to encourage.
    Henry sighed and shook his head. “The doctor explained that I was seriously injured by those who dropped me at the Nura River. It was a narrow escape from death and it led to retrograde amnesia. I have taken my time to read about retrograde amnesia online. With my findings and the doctor’s report, I’m sure there’s no way I’m going to recall those memories any longer. It’s better we just stop troubling ourselves and let me start a new life.”
    Sheila closed her eyes and inhaled and exhaled lightly. She opened her eyes and looked into his eyes. She knew he was saying the truth but could not openly agree with him. The doctor had told her that there was a higher possibility that he would never regain his memory again and even Tom had told her several times to stop wasting her time and efforts.
    “So what do you plan? What kind of new life do you want to start?” she asked.
    “I think I should leave to somewhere very far from El Deols, somewhere far from Nura.I can learn a new craft and take a new job afterwards.” he explained.
    “Why do you want to leave to somewhere very far?” she asked, not liking the idea even though she knew deeply inside that it was the right thing to do for his safety.
    “Sheila, some people tried to kill me. I don’t know them and I don’t know why, this makes me afraid. These guys may still recognize me and come back for me if they see me, the only way I can forget about them is leaving here.” he replied.
    Sheila could see fear written all over his face and it seemed funny to see a man well built like him so frightened.
    “Listen to me Henry, you are safe with me, you are safe with us. My Dad has got great influence in this country, especially in El Deols. No one can touch you as long as you are with us.” she said, trying to dissuade him from thinking of leaving.
    “You may be right Sheila, but that would mean I would have to live the rest of my life depending on you and I haven’t even met your father yet. I know you won’t like me to remain dependent on you, I need to live a life where I would be free to live without fears at all. I also need to stop being a disturbance to you, very soon you would get married to Tom and I don’t want you to continue to be a burden to you.”
    Sheila sighed. She wasn’t excited with the thoughts of getting married to Tom. “I haven’t told you that you are a burden, have I?”
    “No, you have never told me that or even acted in that way but I have to let you live your life, soon you’d be married and start raising kids, you can’t be worrying about me at the same time.”
    Sheila let out a breath and shook her head briefly. She kept her eyes staring at his face for a moment without saying anything.
    “I’ll let you meet my father,” she finally broke the silence. “Tomorrow, you’d meet with him. We’d find time after the workout program to go see him.”
    She saw his facial expression change and realized that he may have thoughts that she wanted him to stay against his will. “I’m not trying to stop you from leaving, no. You would leave when it’s time,” she quickly added. “But I believe you should understand that you cannot go anywhere until you fully recover. Once you recover fully, it’s settled.”
    “Thanks Sheila,” he said gratefully.
    She smiled faintly. “So have you thought of where to move to?”
    “I’m not sure yet, I just want to leave to somewhere far from public eyes for a moment. Once I work and I raise enough money, I would move out of the country to another.”
    Sheila made a chuckle, she stared at his face with a ridiculous look. “I have enough money to get you out of the country comfortably and start a new life wherever you want to in the world and you’re talking about raising enough money first?”
    “You’ve done so much for me already Sheila, I don’t want to add my problems to yours anymore.”
    She shook her head. “I’m not going to let you struggle to make money. When you’re fit, I’ll pay for you to get to any country of your choice and we would set up something for you to do there. Have you thought of any job?”
    Henry was silent for a while, then he let out an amusing smile.
    “i just keep getting these ridiculous ideas of wanting to be in the army,” he said and chuckled. “But I think I’m too old to join the army now. So I already joined a developers class online, I could improve up something in that area later.”
    “You know I own a developing firm as one of my businesses, don’t you?”
    “Yes, I actually got the inspiration from you.” he added a smile. “I want to be like you, I like the way you play around with codes when you work at home.”
    She smiled too. “I’m going to organize a personal trainer for you.”
    “Oh! Thank you.”
    She responded with a smile. “I have to go in,” she said as she reached for the handle of her bag. “I’ll be back later.”
    Her phone rang as she got up and she stopped to take it out. Tom was the caller.
    “Hey Love!” she said into the phone as she walked away.
    Henry watched her go, he could hear her giggling on her way to the room.
    _____________ 
    Date:19–09–2015 
    Time: 17:10PM
    Henry sat eagerly in the well furnished living room, waiting for the arrival of Emery Jack. He had heard so much about the man from Sheila already and also read about him online. He had seen several of the man’s pictures and he was sure he would recognize him once seen physically.
    He was seated on an armless sofa, his hands placed on his raised knees and his eyes scanning round the sitting room. It was beautiful and expensively decorated like he expected. He turned sideways and located some pictures hung on the wall. The first picture that caught his eyes was that of the Emery dressed in black suit, his late wife’s picture was by the side and a wedding picture of theirs was in the middle. His gaze lingered on the woman’s picture for a while, he couldn’t but admit that Sheila had gotten her beauty from the woman. Sheila was an exact replica of the mother.
    “My mother! I wish you had met her alive, she is the kindest woman I know of.” Sheila said as she entered into the living room with two cups of cold milk in her hands. She had seen him staring at the picture intently.
    Henry turned back to her slowly. “You look just like her,” he said, staring at Sheila’s face again.
    “Yeah, people say that a lot but my father never agrees, he always wants to believe that I look like him.” Sheila replied as she got closer to him.
    Henry turned again to take another look at Emery Jack’s picture. “No, you don’t look like your father. You look like your mother,” he said as he received the cup of cold cream she offered him. “Thanks.”
    She smiled in response and moved back to a seat adjacent to him. She rested her back and took a sip from her cup.
    “You shouldn’t let my Dad catch you saying I look like my mother, he’s gonna start a debate with you.” Sheila said and Henry laughed out loud. She joined in the laughter and waited until he was silent before she spoke again. “He would join us soon, I told him you’re waiting to see him.” She said to him.Henry’s anxiety returned and he quickly changed his sitting position. He had read that the man was a well disciplined man and had no time for nonsense. He wasn’t sure how the man would feel or think about him.
    Sheila notified his anxiety. She smiled and spoke some words to ease his tension, “My Dad is a nice man, you need to relax yourself, you would enjoy meeting him.”
    He smiled back at her.
    The man arrived three minutes later. He was putting on a white shirt which had one of his companies’ label inscribed at the center. He had black shorts on with white sneakers on his feet.
    “Henry,” he called pleasantly as he walked into the living room.
    Henry looked up and stood to his feet immediately he saw the man. Surprising to him, the man had a pleasant smile on and stretched out for a handshake as he got closer.
    “Good evening Mr. Emery,” Henry greeted with a smile.
    “Good evening Mr. Henry,” Emery Jack replied.
    Henry took his hand in his and they had a firm handshake, more like business partners.
    The man appeared taller than he looked in his pictures, Henry noticed he was only a little taller than the man. It was obvious that Sheila got her height from him.
    “I’m glad to meet you sir,” Henry answered.
    Emery Jack chuckled. “It’s my pleasure to meet you Henry, the man who rose who rose from the dead.” He joked.
    Henry also laughed briefly.
    “Please do have your seat,” Emery Jack said and also stepped back to take a seat not too far.
    “Thank you.”
    “I’ve heard a lot about you from my daughter here already and I must commend her for being brave to help you.
    ” The man began. “She didn’t give me the details until you rose back to consciousness and I’m proud of her for being so kind to you.”
    Henry flashed a look at Sheila and caught Sheila with a shy smile at her father’s remarks.
    “I’m eternally grateful to her sir, I could have been dead if she wasn’t there.” Henry replied gratefully.
    There was silence for a while with the exchange of smiles going on.
    “So I heard you plan to learn a new skill and get back on your own soon.” Emery Jack continued, he decided to skip talking about Henry’s amnesia.
    Henry gave a sharp look at Sheila, wondering how she already told him what they discussed the last night. “That’s exactly my plan sir.”
    “It’s a good one I tell you, I see you as a brave man since you’ve decided to take the bull by it’s horn. You’ve decided to go on with life regardless of the circumstance. I’m also aware of your security fears and I’ll join Sheila to work on it and ensure you’re safe during your stay here and even after you leave for another country.”
    “Thank you sir, that’s kind of you.”
    The man smiled back in response.
    “Well, I was dressing to go out when you both came in. My friends are waiting for me, we planned to take a drink together this evening.” The man said as he adjusted himself on the seat, ready to get up. “Would you like to come with me?”
    Henry became suddenly dumb, he didn’t know what response would be appropriate. He stared at Sheila’s face and she didn’t help matters by staring at him without any facial expression.
    “I think he should go with you Dad, it’s time he spends time with men like himself.” Sheila suggested.
    “He has to be willing,” the man replied and then stared at Henry’s face.
    “Of course, I would like to come with you sir.” Henry replied confidently.
    “Great,” the man got up to his feet swiftly.
    Henry noticed the man’s swift movement and considered it quite fast for a man of his age. It revealed the agility of the man. Henry joined him on his feet.
    “See you later, Henry.” Sheila bid him goodbye as she watched them walk away.
    Henry followed the man sheepishly, wondering why no one was talking about how he was going to return to Sheila’s place.
    “Hey love, I’m at Dad’s and I’m coming over to your place.” Sheila said into her phone.
    You don’t want to miss what happens in the next episode. Don’t bother to guess, you’d be wrong! Well, see you on Friday.
    To be continued
  • Reckless – Episode 7&8

    Reckless – Episode 7&8

     

     RECKLESS

    Reckless – Episode 7&8

    → Out•Of•Control ←

    [Book 1 in The Untamed Duet]

    ________________________

    All rights reserved. 

    No part of this publication may be reproduced, copied, or reposted in any form, or by any means without a BOLDLY written permission from ME.

    Copyright © 2025

    Naomi Cindy B.

    ___________________

    ★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★

    [Mass Comm Lounge]

    It’s been thirty minutes since the voting came to an end, and the campus is practically empty except for the Glitz Society.

    Four of ’em are present, sitting in their individual spaces with disappointed, mad looks.

    Zendaya leaned on a desk. She tried to act nonchalant—look unbothered, but she couldn’t.

    All her facial features betrayed her, showcasing her guilt.

    Kehlani is typing aggressively on her phone, Tania is still with her ball, but she’s just staring at it.

    Tasha is into her phone too.

    Stacy is the only absent one, but it didn’t take long before she entered.

    The energy in the room shifted. 

    She came straight for Zendaya, raising her long nails angrily at her.

    “How f+kin dumb can you be, Zen? You voted for that guy to stay, and you’re here, trying to maintain that blank look? It doesn’t f+kin suit you! You should be on your damn lowest!” 

    “Him being in school is actually better. You can do whatever you want with him!” Zendaya argued.

    “Shut the fûck, Zen!” Kehlani stood, throwing her phone off. “Don’t even try to sell that lie to us cos we’re not braindead and won’t buy it! I see the way you’ve been looking at him since this morning at the main gate!”

    Zendaya gulped.

    “And I heard from the Computer Science students,” Tasha stood too. “That you stared at him throughout the class, and you even stopped the lecturer from slapping him!” 

    Zendaya found nothing to say.

    “Any other lie to f+kin tell? Huh?” Stacy planted herself in front of Zendaya like a villain, her eyes stabbing. “Any other damn lie?”

    Zendaya is the tallest in the bunch, so she’s looking down at her.

    “Y’all aren’t gonna beat me now, are you?” She muttered.

    And that was when Tania stood. She threw the ball she’s holding at Zendaya’s chest.

    “Tania!” Zendaya shouted.

    “Talking should even be a problem for you right now, Zen. You just betrayed the sisterhood, and you’re f+kin moving your mouth?” Tania glared, waltzing close.

    “You girls are…” Zendaya muttered, pausing and gulping before suddenly bursting…”F+k, yes! I have a crush on Cove Fabio and it’s not a shameful thing to admit! Y’all have had hundreds of crushes. The hell, Lani even has a boyfriend but no one’s interested in me cos of my size! I couldn’t even like any guy in campus cos I was afraid I’d be made fun of, but now that I suddenly find myself falling for that guy, nothing is ever gonna stop me, ok? Nothing!!” 

    Zendaya was panting heavily, her heavy breàsts followed every breath up and down on her chest as the words poured out of her mouth seamlessly.

    The girls were left with apprehensive looks on their faces like Zendaya had suddenly grown two darn heads.

    She grabbed her small fashion backpack from the desk and sighed.

    “See y’all at Lani’s anniversary. It’s 10pm till daybreak, right?” She nodded. “We’ll see.”

    With that, she left the lounge.

    “Did Zendaya just admit to having a crush on the garage boy?” Kehlani looked at the girls, pointing at the door where Zendaya just exited.

    “Still trying to convince myself that my ears were malfunctioning,” Tasha muttered.

    “Stacy?” Tania said, waiting for what Stacy has to say.

    “Zen has never really had a crush on anyone. It’s her first” Stacy said calmly, biting her lip before dropping on a lounge chair.

    “So… you’re saying?” Kehlani said.

    “You’re letting her be?” Tasha said.

    “You’re letting the garage boy be?” Tania frowned.

    Kehlani scoffed.

    —

    [Studio Apartment]

    When Cove came back from campus at 7, first thing he did was get himself a pineapple.

    His shirt is off, as usual. He likes peeling it shirtless.

    He stood alone beside the kitchen tray, peeling with his single ear pod on. He’s not listening to a song.

    The apartment is bigger than normal studio apartments, but still the same structural design.

    The bathroom is the only thing built differently with a different door.

    Other rooms are open. 

    From the bedroom, you can see the small dinning and kitchen.

    There are two bed spaces though. One is down below a small rail-less stairwell, and the second one is on top of the stairwell. 

    That upper one belongs to Trevor, Cove uses the lower one for sleep.

    They hang their clothes together on one small hanger, and shoes stay on a small rack close to the door.

    Small space, but neat.

    After peeling the pineapple and dicing it like he likes, he received a text on his phone.

    He swiped up to check…

    Matteo: Why are you still not here, rascal. There are still three cars to repair tonight.

    Cove ate three pieces from the pineapple and slid the rest into the small refrigerator.

    He threw on a black shirt, matching the black jean he’s wearing.

    He left the apartment, but getting to the door, he met the three girls.

    Trinidad, Roxy and Elmira.

    They probably came here from the Atelier at the back cos Roxy’s face is a mixture of colours again.

    “For creating that show in campus today, I’m gonna cancel your rent for the rest of this year” Roxy grinned.

    “No need, I don’t like owing people,” Cove replied, locking the door.

    “I’m doing it cos I’m impressed, ice prince.” Roxy rolled eyes.

    “No. Need.” Cove blanked, going down the short stairs already.

    “No words for your competitor?” Trinidad suddenly said.

    Cove looked back.

    “You’ll only be a competitor if you’re on my level of intelligence. You’re behind—an upcoming.” He replied and finally left.

    “Gawd…who raised this bastard? I get why Stacy and her dogs are so eager to push him out. He’s too damn blunt.” Trinidad muttered.

    “You’ll get used to him, soon.” Roxy replied, glancing at Elmira.

    “I expect you to swoon over him, so what’s up with the silence?”

    Elmira stood, her eyes full of mischief and greed.

    “When are we gonna go to the anniversary party?” She asked.

    Trinidad and Roxy exchanged surprised glances.

    —

    [Dorian’s Mansion, Inbuilt Studio]

    Dorian is currently doing a mock singing session for voice stability, going high pitched on every chorus he sang. He sounds divine.

    With a careless crescendo, he entered the chorus…, his fingers tapping the guitar strings professionally.

    Chorus:

    At night’ you own my soul

    When the dark takes control

    Your ghost wraps around my spine

    I’m yours, I’m yours—

    At night♪

    At night, I fall apart

    You’re the blade, you’re the scar

    I swear I’m free in daylight

    But I die for you—

    At night♪

    With a short laughter, he ended it, sliding the guitar off his body as the noise in the booth went off slowly.

    He came out, meeting Angela by the door. She’s already waiting with a pack of open cigar.

    Dorian picked a cigar and placed it on his lips. Angela sparked fire on it for him from a zippo, and when he had the first drag, he nodded.

    “That hits the spot,”

    “I had to have the manufacturing company make your cigar differently and remove the toxicity. You know what happened to your voice the last time you smoked a cigar soaked in marijuana.” Angela said.

    “That can’t happen,” Dorian faced her sharply as a glint of the dark memory crossed his eyes. “Again.”

    Then he continued his walk to his lounge where he sat on a couch, taking his time to smoke well.

    There are songbooks, pens and correction pens on the glass table. He was actually writing a song before he went to the studio earlier.

    “Your new concert date has been set for weekend. We’re using a different arena this time cos more tickets got sold out exclusively.” Angela said as she settled in front of him.

    The cigar left his lips immediately.

    “The ruined concert was just yesterday,  how the hell did the crew decide the new date without informing me first to confirm my feelings?” He stood.

    “You still have Wednesday and Thursday to prepare for it, Rian. Diamonds are starving for you—like real hunger. It’s been a year, try and understand why they’re making demands so high.” Angela shot up.

    “I’m not talking about my Diamonds here, Angel. I’m talking about the crew and you! I’m hale and healthy, so why would a new date be decided without my consent!” He snapped, trying to contain his anger.

    Angela sighed…

    “Your mum said—”

    “Of course it’s her again. I thought I escaped her freakiness when I left San Francisco, but it was my own delusion after all. Fûck this!” Dorian interrupted and threw the cigar on the table, heading inside.

    “I was able to schedule a visit for you to the repair garage,” Angela quickly said, and Dorian stopped.

    “But you have to be careful. You know you’re not tolerant to the smell of grease.” She continued.

    Dorian turned, nodding.

    “You’re multi talented. Ruin my mood, then repair it.” He said.

    Angela smiled, her long dark lashes moving beautifully.

    —

    [Montana Mansion]

    Stacy met Albert waiting for her when she arrived from school, but she didn’t give him face.

    Albert is rarely home. 

    He’s always busy going from one conference to another, one country to another. One media gala to another, fundraisers and sponsorships.

    She’s used to his absence, and no matter how much she likes the fact that he’s home tonight, she couldn’t bring herself to talk to him.

    She dropped her backpack for her housekeeper—Anita, then she went upstairs to her room.

    The room is designed deep pink and black… interchangeably. 

    A goth barbie style.

    The ceiling isn’t just a ceiling, it’s black, electric with pink glowing flower projections like a floral garden, moving in rotations.

    She pulled off her heels first, throwing it off. She didn’t bother taking it back to the closet.

    She took off her uniform and wore a armless top and a mini skirt. Her navel ring shinning.

    She sat in front of her mirror, ready to start wiping off her makeup, but Albert came in, interrupting.

    “You’re still mad at me,” he said.

    “I don’t know what to say to you, dad. You know what? I don’t even wanna talk to you.” She replied, her eyes on the mirror as she took some damp Kleenex tissues.

    “I have the second largest share in the school, Stacy. If I’m to make an Instant decision to rusticate him, then I’d have to buy the Chancellor’s shares with my own cos his shares are more!” Albert said.

    “Then just f+kin buy the shares! Buy the damn Chancellor too if you have to!” Stacy spranged up.

    “He’s not ready to let go of his shares even when I offered times ten of the money. The other shareholders aren’t ready to sell their shares too!” Albert retorted.

    “You know this is your fault, right?” Stacy looked him dead in the eyes. “When everyone were buying shares, you weren’t in the country, and that’s why the Chancellor got to buy the largest before you. You’re never around, and I can count how many times you’re stepped this house since mother’s death! You changed!”

    Albert’s next words were interrupted by a call on his phone. It’s one of his news anchors calling.

    He looked at Stacy.

    “Work? You should go,” she nodded.

    “Stacy —”

    “Leave for work, dad. I don’t wanna see you right now, and as for the garage boy, I don’t even want you getting involved again. I’ll take care of things myself.” She cut his words and sat back in front of her mirror, turning her back on him.

    A minute later, she heard the door shutting, meaning he’s gone.

    She breathed out, checking her phone. She went to IG, typed Cove Fabio, but she got nothing.

    No account, but in the suggestions, there’s a garage.

    No Sleep Garage.

    She clicked on the page, and pictures of Cove flooded her screen.

    Pictures of him repairing cars at the garage, but none captured his face. His face is either hidden by a bonnet or booth cover, but his body physique and tallness shows it’s him.

    “Low shady thing,” Stacy muttered, but remembering what Zendaya said about liking him made her chill.

    She left the page and went back to her own page—the picture she posted in the morning.

    22k comments and still counting, all from Diamonds.

    “They’re just as retarded as their singer,” she mumbled.

    Next, she typed Dorian Wesley, and she found his page immediately.

    His handle is Ri-Rian.

    120M followers.

    Pictures of his last concert last year is the last public picture on his page. Other pictures include pictures of him skating on ice, pictures of him in his studio, of him eating or just smiling beautifully.

    All from last year.

    He’s cheerful jerk.

    A minute later, Stacy left IG completely.

    Then…she clicked on a black app on her phone.

    The app is called OBSCURE.

    An anonymous app where one can go to vent your anger, confess your darkest sins and keep your sinful secrets in a box.

    It has been in existence for years now, and Stacy has been a part of the active app users.

    Tonight felt like the right night to use it again, so she opened it.

    There are three rooms in the app.

    Sin confession room.

    Anger venting room.

    Secrets spitting room.

    She’s not here to add to her darkest sins and secrets tonight, so she unlocked the anger room.

    This room uses voice notes.

    She has vented here close to hundred times, so there are so many VNs.

    She pressed down the voice note icon and began talking…

    “His name’s Cove Fabio, and I just get this overwhelming sensation to kill him anytime he speaks. A garage boy? Talking without filter to me? It has never happened before and I just wanna end him, but Zen is the most annoying! How dare she fall for that boy? How?? Ughh!!”

    “Then there’s another one Dorian Wesley with his Diamonds fandom. I feel like murdering that one too cos tell me why he disrespected me first by bringing that copter and I made him pay by ruining his concert but then his fandom stormed my comments section to bash me? Can someone just tie both Dorian and the garage boy to a piano and throw them off a cliff? F+k!!!!”

    The two voice notes were enough. She screamed to her heart’s content before closing the anger room.

    She felt better, but now she’s looking at her sins and secrets room.

    Oh how darkly filthy the things she wrote in there are. 

    But she’s not here to open them tonight. She has no addition to give to those two.

    So she left the app, and she instantly received a new text from the Glitz Society group chat.

    Kehlani just sent the dress code.

    “Two hours to the party, and she’s just sending the code? Lani is so not serious,” she smiled, standing.

    She exited, and she could already smell pasta in the air before she even arrived at the kitchen.

    Anita is there, cooking.

    She’s a beautiful woman in her early forties. She has been housekeeping this mansion since Stacy’s mother died, so there’s kinda like a connection between them.

    Apart from cooking, cleaning, Anita also has a brilliant sense of fashion, so she picks Stacy’s outfits sometimes.

    She sensed when Stacy entered the kitchen, and she turned from the pan of pasta meat on fire.

    “Stacy, I’m so sorry I came late from the grocery store. You’d have to wait thirty more minutes for your dinner,” she apologized.

    “Chill, Anita. I still have two more hours left before going to the party.” Stacy assured, standing on a stool to get a box of corn flakes from the upper cabinet.

    She poured some in thick cold milk and began eating with spoon as she settled beside the kitchen table.

    “Kehlani and her boyfriend’s party?” Anita asked from the cooker.

    “F+k yeah, and you’re gonna pick out my dress. I’m too tired to enter my closet right now.” Stacy replied, sliding her unlocked phone to Anita on the table.

    Anita took it, checked the dress code and nodded.

    “You’d be standing out as usual, trust me.” She smiled.

    “You’re that woman, Anita. Of course I trust you” Stacy smiled back, taking a spoonful of milk into her mouth.

    “Did you have a fight with your father again?” Anita asked.

    “Can we not talk about dad? Don’t ruin my mood.” Stacy glared.

    “Fine, but you and your girls? Are y’all ok? You know you added me to your campus gist group so I know all the tea that happened with the Cove boy. Are you mad at Zendaya for voting him?” Anita asked curiously.

    Her back is on Stacy, she’s currently mixing the pasta.

    “As much as I wanna get mad at Zen, I can’t even do it. She hasn’t liked anyone before, and I’m glad she’s finally crushing, but on that boy? It’s so f+kin weird.” Stacy said.

    Her latina accent crowned her voice.

    “Our hearts work differently, Stacy. It’s her first, let her live. You’ve always been a girl’s girl.” Anita replied, dishing the pasta.

    She dished friend chicken and sliced eggs to go with it. 

    She took a jug of wine and a glass cup, settling them in front of Stacy.

    “You said thirty minutes, but you spent just ten minutes, Anita.” Stacy raised her glittering lashes.

    “I made wrong calculations, sorry!” Anita winked.

    “You’re so fuckin strange tonight. Want sum?” Stacy noticed immediately.

    “Um….I was thinking…” Anita said uncomfortably.

    Stacy had a forkful from her pasta before giving Anita a probing look.

    “Thinking what?”

    “My salary, can I get an advance this month? I’m so sorry, Stacy, I shoulda told your dad about it, but he’s harder to deal with than you. I’ve not asked anything like this before so please….” Anita knelt.

    “You’re not sick, right?” Stacy stopped eating instantly, looking worried.

    “No! I need it for my daughter… urgently.” Anita muttered.

    “I won’t give you your advanced salary, but I’ll give you the amount you need. Take it as a tip.” Stacy said, returning to her meal.

    Anita stood, mouth wide.

    “I’m so grateful, Stacy. I’m very thankful. Thank—”

    “Can you stop thanking me and get me more wine?” Stacy pushed the wine jar to the woman.

    “Of course!” Anita took it, rushing to the cellar to fill it up.

    “Friggin adorable,” Stacy commented, smiling again.

    —

    [Young Mansion]

    Dinner is late here too cos Owen took time to settle in before she agreed to visit the dinning with her son.

    They’re both waiting for Silas to join them before they’d start eating.

    The maids served them and left the area completely.

    Kane just stared at the meals in front of him, not looking like he’s interested at all.

    “Anything the problem?” Owen asked, noticing his disinterest.

    “You got the man of your dreams, mum, and you’re happy. I won’t share that happiness with you.” He replied.

    “Kane!” Owen came closer. “Don’t start today, don’t just start. It’s an happy day so keep it that way and just hope your stepbrother likes you.”

    Ignoring her words, Kane took a glass of water to drink.

    Silas joined them.

    He sat beside Owen, and the woman beamed brightly.

    They began eating in deep silence, and Kane managed to eat two spoons from the rice.

    “You like the food?” Silas asked. “Our maids are good.”

    “Not bad,” Kane said, and Silas nodded at him.

    “About Scott’s sister, how’s it going?” Owen asked suddenly.

    Silas paused.

    Scott actually really has a junior sister who went to San Francisco last year and went missing.

    “I still don’t know what to think, Owen. We searched throughout last year, but there was no answer. My money couldn’t get me answers about her whereabouts.” Silas said.

    “I just hope she’s still alive wherever she is. She’d have definitely gotten along with Kane cos you told me she’s a bright, smiley girl.” Owen smiled.

    “You got it.” Silas smiled back.

    At this point, Kane slowly dropped his spoon and stood.

    “Tell me address of that anniversary party location, I’ll go find my stepbrother myself,” he said.

    “What!”

    “His name is Scott, isn’t he? Give me the address.” Kane insisted.

    —

    [No Sleep Garage, 9:30PM]

    The garage smelled like burnt oil and metal filings.

    Trevor sat beneath a canopy, playing games with Cove’s phone.

    Cove is repairing a car.

    A few street boys are under the canopy too, talking about RIDE campus students.

    As Cove repaired the car, Matteo is beside him, watching.

    Cove had the hood of the black sports car propped open, his forearms streaked with grease. 

    His fingers moved with surgical precision—tightening a bolt, adjusting the timing belt, tapping a diagnostic tablet.

    Matteo was about to touch something in the car when he talked…

    “Don’t touch that,” he said without looking up.

    The senior mechanic froze, hand hovering mid-air. 

    “I was just—”

    “You were about to misalign the camshaft again.” Cove cut him off monotonously. “If you want to destroy a six-figure engine, do it on your own time.”

    A couple of more street guys entered the garage, whispering things about his bluntness. 

    Cove ignored them since they’re only background noises.

    He finished work on the car and told Matteo to enter the car to test it.

    Matteo slid into the driver’s seat, turned the key.

    The engine purred smoothly, flawlessly.

    Cove listened to the sound, his head tilted, expression unreadable.

    “See? Precision over guesswork,” he muttered, eyes scanning the garage.

    He got a face towel to wipe his sweaty face cos of heat.

    “And people are saying they dunno why i can’t ever let anything happen to you? You’re like my lucky charm, Covey.” Matteo grinned, patting Cove’s shoulder.

    Every street boy under the canopy stood with Trevor when a black custom-made Benz drove into the garage. It’s the first time a custom-made car entered this place.

    Trevor paused his game, blinking.

    “Who’s that?”

    Even Matteo and Cove turned.

    The car grinded to a stop not far from the gate, and Dorian came out with Angela… and the guards.

    Dorian wore a nose mask, but Trevor recognized him at a glance.

    “Riri? It’s Riri!” He shouted.

    Realizing he has been blown, Dorian got rid of his mask.

    The street guys rushed forward immediately, trying to make contacts, but the guards stopped it, so they could only admire his skin and designers from a distance.

    As they checked him out, then gossiped.

    • It’s really the metal singer. Guess I’m lucky to be here tonight.

    • They called him the most fashionable guy in San Francisco, but now that he’s in LA, he’s here to take the title too? He dresses so good.

    • Everything on him is custom-made, you can’t find them anywhere else.

    “It’s you…Riri. can’t believe I’m really seeing you up close like this. Last night at the concert it was too chaotic.” Trevor said emotionally.

    Dorian snapped his fingers, and Angela brought a package out of the car…an iphone box.

    She handed it to Dorian.

    “Saw you snapping pictures with Wizard’s phone at the concert, so I figured you didn’t have a personal phone.” He said, stretching it out to Trevor who gasped.

    “For me? You bought me an iphone?”

    He’s already crying.

    “And this,” Dorian stretch out his VIP concert ticket.

    “It’s rescheduled for Friday, you should come for the VIP spot.” 

    “A ticket too?” Trevor sniffled. “I did nothing to deserve this. I don’t even buy your CDs cos they’re so expensive, and I only secretly stream your songs on Cove’s phone when I get the chance.” 

    “This is to say sorry for the microphone hit on your head, kiddo. Don’t get emotional.” Dorian smiled.

    “How can I not get emotional?” Trevor sniffled again. “Can I hug you? I don’t use perfume but I use roll-on and I don’t smell.”

    “Come here, talkative.” Dorian pulled him into a hug by himself.

    “Please take my pictures…use Cove’s phone to take the pictures…” Trevor quickly signalled at one of the street boys who immediately began snapping the pictures.

    They’ve barely snapped two when Angela pulled Dorian away from Trevor. She dislikes it.

    To her, he’s too expensive to come in contact with filth like them.

    “Thank you, Riri.” Trevor appreciated again, and Cove stepped in.

    He took the phone and ticket from Trevor and stretched them to Dorian.

    “I don’t wanna know what your motive is for coming here and gifting Trevor, but wrap it up. Leave.” 

    He sounded monotonous again, voice low but weighty.

    “Cove, you can’t take the gifts from me!” Trevor argued.

    “They’re genuine gifts, Wizard. Don’t be paranoid.” Dorian said.

    “Genuine? From you?” Cove smirked.

    “If they weren’t genuine, I wouldn’t come to this repair garage in the first place cos I hate hate the smell of grease” Dorian got serious.

    “Hey…this shouldn’t escalate…” Matteo stepped in.

    He took the gifts from Cove and returned them to Trevor.

    “Are you here to just gift Trevor?” He asked, facing Dorian.

    “No. Actually….” Dorian smiled, looking at Cove. “I came to take Cove out of here. You see… there’s an anniversary party at the Plaza tonight, planned by students from my Major. I wanna go with Cove.”

    “Delusional,” Cove muttered, walking back to the next car he wants to repair for tonight.

    “Riri, what are you saying? We didn’t discuss that you’d be going to the anniversary party!” Angela ranted.

    “Well I’ve decided it now. Deal with it, Angel.” Dorian shrugged.

    “As you can see, he still has one more car to repair.” Matteo smiled.

    “If he comes with me, I’ll pay you two thousand for each minute he spends with me.” Dorian negotiated.

    “What!” Trevor and Matteo gasped. Even the street guys.

    “Riri!” Angela cautioned, but Dorian just smiled.

    Cove looked up from the car he’s already repairing, and when he saw Dorian’s smile, he cursed.

    —

    [Bel-Air Plaza, 10:20]

    The anniversary party is already in full swing. Students filled the building like bees in a honeycomb. There’s barely any space to walk in.

    Music poured in through every wall. Speakers are built with the walls, so they aren’t even visible as they thumped violently on the plasters.

    Kehlani and Max pictures are everywhere with One Year F+kin Anniversary crafted on them.

    None of the pictures are clean.

    They’re either kissing, grinding each other, eating noddles from each other’s mouths, spraying money in clubhouses or half-naked in pools.

    Right now as ‘Gasolina’ threatened to tear the speakers, Kehlani and Max are on top of a high table, dancing and wetting each other with alcohol.

    They’re so wet already, but they’re still pouring as the crowd of party animal students cheered them on.

    Strippers soon climbed the table with them, and Kehlani had to sit. The strippers began twerking on her laps, and she had a good time spanking their ar$es, wetting them with alcohol and screams from her throat.

    It was too much.

    Tania and Tasha are the main hypers. They’re on a lower table, screaming louder than the rest and spraying expensive alcohol around, wasting it.

    The third stripper came to Kehlani’s laps, and Kehlani used belt this time, striking her with the sting.

    “Beat that arse, Lani!” Tania screamed, crazily.

    “Beat it up!!!” Tasha joined, getting a stripper for herself too.

    “I wasn’t expecting this level of freakiness….” Roxy muttered from where she sat under the blue lights.

    The smokes from her cigar saturated the blueness.

    “You should know they love to overdo. I expected this much….” Trinidad muttered, pouring her alcohol down her throat 

    It burned.

    Elmira was speechless, cos now the strippers are done with their dance, and Kehlani is currently kissing Max.

    Max is spraying her money from a money-spraying machine.

    Huge dollar notes.

    Elmira angrily took the big bottle of alcohol. She started drinking, uncontrollably till it wet her chest.

    “Babe what the hell!” Trinidad snatched the bottle from her.

    —

    Stacy entered the Plaza like a damn queen. She’s not wearing one of her skimpy skirts tonight.

    She wore bum shorts, and it’s definitely worse than her skirts. A glittering belt held it to her hips cos she might be short, but she’s slightly curvy with cakey arse cheeks.

    Her makeup is heavy with glitters and long lashes. Her top is long sleeved at least, but it’s see-through.

    Students made way for her, and she marched the feet of so many of them with her bling bling heels when they wouldn’t leave her way fast.

    • Here comes the hottest girl in RIDE.

    • Correction. In LA.

    • I’d eat sand if it means I get to be between her legs for once.

    • She smells so good!

    • Of course she does, have you seen her perfume rack in her closet? You’d think she sells them.

    • F+k, I’m cummin.

    Hearing the mundane comments only made her head swell.

    She loves male eyes.

    Her steps slowed when she saw Zendaya coming in front of her.

    Zendaya slowed too, but they both started walking closer at once till they got to each other and stopped.

    Zendaya might be plus-size, but she has stylists who know ball. 

    They know how to style her according to her body type, so she’s hot as hell right now in her brown backless palazzo bodysuit, her heels gave her more height.

    “You look… sickly s+×y.” Stacy gave her a smiley look.

    “You’re not mad at me anymore?” Zendaya asked surprisingly.

    “Mad at you cos you like a guy? No, I’m just disappointed it had to be that guy…” Stacy said.

    “I’m sorry..I just….” Zendaya said.

    “Is that..Cove?” A student beside them said, and Zendaya was so fast to turn.

    Stacy turned too.

    Cove is just entering the Plaza with a guy wearing a nose mask.

    “He came,” Zendaya smiled.

    “Strange. That f+cker doesn’t look like someone who’d enter this kinda setting,” Stacy muttered.

    “Homegirls!” Tasha and Tania screamed from the table top.

    “C’mon my little sluts!” Kehlani screamed too, her lips pale from Max’s excessive kissing.

    Stacy and Zendaya joined the dance on the table. While Zendaya twerked, Stacy stayed behind her, grinding sexually like a boy.

    She’s m0@ning too.

    The strippers are gone now, so the twins took over twerking for Kehlani who began rubbing their arses.

    Max left the table for the girls and went in search of a restroom.

    Elmira followed him.

    —

    Remo and the rest of the guys are in another corner.

    Frank supplied dru&s, so their corner smells like hard drugs.

    Remo’s eyes are red right now, but he’s still swallowing more pills, chasing more highness.

    Same as Frank.

    Scott went to use the washroom, so it’s just Frank and Remo, but they became three when a guy joined them suddenly.

    Remo’s red eyes looked up.

    “You are?” He glared.

    “I…. I’m… I’m Kane. I was told I could find my stepbrother here,” he replied.

    Despite Remo’s highness, he recognized who it was immediately.

    “Scott’s father’s wife son?”

    “Y.. yeah…” Kane replied.

    Frank laughed.

    “And you dared to come here?”

    Remo stood and threw a punch and Kane’s face.

    Kane slumped. 

    He fell unconscious on the couch behind him with a bleeding nose.

    Instantly, Scott returned from the restroom. He frowned, seeing the body on the couch.

    “Meet your stepbrother, says his name is Kane.” Remo chuckled, waving his right hand in the air.

    “What the….” Scott muttered, looking at the unconscious guy’s face again.

    He kept staring.

    —

    [Restroom]

    Max emptied his bladder and cleaned up shortly, grunting.

    He’s half-drunk, but he could still make out his environment, and he knows what he’s doing.

    With drowsy eyes, he turned around to leave the restroom, but he was grabbed without warning.

    He gasped, but it was short cos it ended on the lips of someone else.

    He knows his Kehlani’s lips taste, and this is definitely not it.

    He pushed himself off the grip of the person and broke the kiss.

    “Elmira?” He gasped again, seeing the face clearly.

    “There’s no rule that says you have to date one girl at a time, cos I like you.” She said shamelessly.

    Max collected water from the dispenser, not minding the fact that it’s a restroom.

    He rinsed his mouth and spit the water at Elmira.

    Elmira jerked as the water wet her.

    “I’m not interested in your pussy, Elmira. You’re not even half as hot as Lani if we’re to start with that… You prostitute.” He glared.

    Then he left the restroom.

    Elmira rested on the running dispenser, water dripping off her.

    “You’ll bow, Max. Eventually, you’ll do me.” She promised.

    —

    Knowing Cove’s silently dangerous personality, Dorian chose a less crowded part of the Plaza for them to sit at, though it’s still loud, but better.

    His guards are inside this plaza… guarding him from hidden angles.

    Angela nearly didn’t let him come here, but he had to escape.

    Cove might not be obsessed with money, but his boss Matteo couldn’t turn down the thousands per minute payment offer, so he sold Cove off.

    Cove has his single earbud on, and he hasn’t said a word to Dorian since they got here.

    Dorian kept his nose mask on to avoid recognition.

    The bartenders bought them wine, but Dorian declined.

    “I won’t drink wine, and this guy won’t drink too. Unless you have pineapple flavored wine. He’s obsessed with pineapple.” He said.

    “Have you been stalking me? Are you gay?” Cove finally talked, no hint of likeliness whatsoever in his eyes.

    “I don’t have to stalk you, Cove. I get every info I want easily, and gay? Why the hell would I be gay when there are so many delicious pussies to drill?” Dorian said freely.

    Cove looked away from him, checking the time.

    He planned to spend just fifteen minutes here.

    He can’t stand the smell of hard drugs. Even Dorian can’t stand it too, but anything to spend time with this ice prince.

    Their eyes went to the dancing table at the same time.

    Stacy and her girls are still fuckin it up, dancing sinfully.

    But Stacy’s eyes suddenly clashed with their angle, and she stopped dancing immediately.

    She stretched her two hands forward, recognizing the masked guy as Dorian now.

    She gave the two of them her middle fingers, and while Dorian smirked, Cove stayed unmoved.

    Zendaya noticed Stacy has stopped dancing, so she stopped dancing too and faced her line of sight.

    She saw Cove, and her heart skipped unhealthy beats. She fell harder.

    Cove’s hoodie is half-zipped, and a little part of his chest is out.

    She gawked with a racing chest. Looking away it impossible for her.

    “Stacy might be spoilt, but she’s fineee…I tell you.” Dorian told Cove.

    Cove stood, ready to get out of the Plaza now, but that was when a voice echoed in the building.

    “Truth or dare? This is the part where the first game comes in!” 

    The music stopped now, and students began squealing in excitement.

    It happened fast.

    A flat screen came on, showing a spinning wheel containing the names of all important students in the party.

    “Whoa…” Dorian removed his mask, and two of his guards came to stay with him to keep students off.

    “I didn’t know it’d be as fun as this!” He smiled widely.

    Cove kept standing, looking at the spinning wheel on screen.

    Max is back with the guys now. Kane is still unconscious.

    Elmira is back with Trinidad and Roxy, and she looks calmer.

    Glitz girls have jumped down the table, they’re participating.

    The wheel stopped spinning, and it pointed two names out.

    Stacy and Remo.

    Remo palmed his last pill and nodded, standing.

    “Truth or dare, China Doll?”

    Stacy didn’t think.

    “Dare, motherf+ker.” She replied.

    She hates him too.

    Remo grinned, a type that comes out of the mouth of a evil maniac before they execute their plans.

    As everyone waited for Remo’s dare, there was silence in the Plaza.

    A heavy silence.

    Remo swallowed his last ecstasy pill before speaking finally.

    “I dare you to drag Cove and Dorian to any corner of your choice. Take their shirts and suck wetly on their lips for six full minutes. Three minutes per person.”

    TBC.

    Next Episode 

    Previous Episode 

  • The Wolf King’s Omega – Episode 59&60

    The Wolf King’s Omega – Episode 59&60

     

     The Wolf King’s Omega


    The Wolf King’s Omega – Episode 59&60

    (Bound by moon, betrayed by fate)

    By Midnight Sparkles

     ♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤

    The wind over the Draven Pack carried a strange heaviness that morning, as if the air itself sensed something approaching. Lyra left her room later than usual, still flustered from earlier.

    Down in the courtyard, warriors moved with uneasy tension. Omegas whispered behind hands. Elders exchanged troubled glances.

    Something was wrong.

    Before Lyra could ask anyone, Kael found her. His expression was calm, but she could read the faint worry behind his eyes.

    “Walk with me,” he said.

    She nodded and followed him through the quiet hallway that led to the council room. The moment the door shut behind them, Kael exhaled.

    “The reports came in,” he said. “The curse… it’s starting.”

    Lyra froze. “What happened?”

    Kael rubbed his jaw. “Three wolves collapsed last night. No wounds. No illness. They’re alive but not waking up.”

    “Are they linked to the moon bond?” Lyra asked softly.

    “That’s what worries me. They all served close to the throne. If the curse is targeting the kingdom’s core…” He trailed off.

    Lyra stepped closer, her voice steady. “We’ll find a way. Together.”

    Kael held her gaze for a moment, then nodded slightly.

    Before they could continue, Beta Ronan burst into the room. His chest was rising sharply, his face pale.

    “They’re awake,” Ronan said. “All three.”

    “That’s good news,” Lyra said.

    “No,” Ronan replied. “They woke up screaming.”

    Kael and Lyra exchanged a quick look and rushed out with Ronan leading the way.

    ***

    The infirmary was filled with panicked whispers. The three wolves lay trembling on their beds as healers tried to calm them.

    One of them pointed a shaking finger in the air the moment Lyra entered.

    “You,” he whispered.

    Lyra stopped. “Me?”

    “They were calling your name,” one healer said quietly. “Begging someone to protect you. Something… something was attacking them in their dreams.”

    Kael’s brows drew together.

    Lyra swallowed. “What did you see?” she asked the wolf closest to her.

    The warrior’s voice cracked. “Fire. Shadows. And a voice saying the Luna is marked. The end is near. The kingdom will fall.”

    A heavy silence fell.

    Kael stepped in front of Lyra protectively.

    “That’s enough,” he said firmly. “They need rest.”

    The healers ushered the wolves back down as they drifted into uneasy sleep.

    Lyra wrapped her arms around herself. “Kael… this is connected to the curse from that night. Whoever that stranger was… they warned us that our end is near.”

    Kael shook his head. “I won’t let anything happen to you.”

    Lyra raised her chin slightly. “And I won’t let anything happen to this pack.”

    Kael touched her hand briefly, grounding them both.

    “We’ll call a council meeting immediately,” he said. “This is only the beginning.”

    Lyra nodded. “Then we need answers before the curse spreads further.”

    They left the infirmary together, unaware of the pair of eyes watching from the shadows near the door. The mysterious stranger lingered unseen, whispering under his breath.

    “It has begun.”

     ***

    The training ground was quiet except for the soft breeze brushing against the stone tiles. Kael had cleared the place early, telling the warriors they needed space to focus on Lyra’s control. Lyra stood in the center, her hands trembling slightly as she tried to gather her power the way Kael had instructed.

    Kael watched her with calm eyes.

    “Relax, Lyra. Do not force it. Just breathe slowly and call it. You are in control.”

    Lyra inhaled but she could already feel something wrong. Her power was not rising gently like before. “You are reading from www.mhiztaemy.com.ng” It was rushing upward, bursting through her like boiling water under pressure.

    “Kael,” she said softly. “Something is not right.”

    He stepped toward her. “Then stop gathering it. Just stop for now.”

    “I cannot,” she whispered.

    The air around her thickened. A faint blue glow began spreading from her skin. The ground beneath her feet vibrated. Kael reached out to grab her arms, but the energy flared too quickly.

    “Lyra. Look at me.”

    His voice was steady but she could hear the worry in it.

    “I am trying. I swear I am trying.”

    The glow exploded outward.

    A shockwave blasted across the training ground like a burst of wind. The stones cracked under her feet, splitting apart in long lines like lightning scars. The walls shook. Several tiles flew into the air before slamming back down with a loud crash.

    Kael shielded his face with his arm.

    “Lyra stop, calm down. It is too much.”

    Lyra fell to her knees, holding her head as the power roared inside her.

    “I cannot control it. Kael, I cannot hold it.”

    Kael rushed to her, grabbing her shoulders despite the force of the energy pushing him back.

    “Yes, you can. Look at me. You are here with me. You are not alone.”

    Her breath caught, and slowly the glow dimmed. The ground stopped shaking. The power eased just enough for her to fall into Kael’s chest, exhausted and frightened.

    She looked at the shattered tiles.

    “I did that without meaning to.”

    Kael lifted her chin. “We will figure this out. You are stronger than you think.”

    Lyra swallowed hard. “But what if this is something worse. What if I am losing control for a reason.”

    Kael had no answer for that.

    ***

    Later that day, Lyra went to the library with her arms folded tight against her chest. She could still feel the echo of her power under her skin. The librarian bowed quickly and stepped aside when she entered, saying nothing. The shelves were tall and shadowed, and Lyra walked along them slowly, trying to quiet her thoughts.

    She reached the old forgotten section in the back of the library. Something tugged at her instincts. A faint pulling sensation, she followed it until she found a book sitting alone on a high shelf, covered in dust.

    “The First Luna of Draven Pack,” Lyra read aloud. “A personal journal.”

    She carried it to a table and opened it gently. The handwriting was delicate, written by a woman who had lived centuries ago. As Lyra read, her heart began to race.

    The journal described a Luna born with awakened powers, chosen directly by the moon. A Luna whose strength could save the kingdom or destroy it completely. The words matched things she had experienced too perfectly.

    Lyra whispered, “This sounds like me. Exactly like me.”

    She kept turning the pages until she reached the end. Her breath stopped.

    The final page had been ripped out.

    Lyra stood quickly, holding the book tightly.

    “Why would someone remove the last page. What did it say.”

    She looked around the empty library, suddenly feeling as if someone had been there before her. Someone who did not want her to know the end of the prophecy.

    ***

    That night, Kael slept restlessly. Lyra tried to stay awake and watch him, but her eyes were heavy. She drifted into sleep beside him, hoping for a peaceful night for both of them.

    It did not come.

    Kael gasped and sat upright suddenly. His chest heaved like he was drowning in invisible water. Lyra jolted awake.

    “Kael, what is wrong.”

    He rubbed his head. “I keep seeing something. A nightmare. You are in it. You are screaming and covered in blood and I cannot reach you.”

    Lyra held his hand. “It is only a dream. It is not real.”

    He tried to smile but it did not reach his eyes.

    “I do not dream like this, Lyra. I never have.”

    Lyra frowned. “The curse. It is affecting you too, is it not.”

    Kael did not answer. He stood from the bed and faced the mirror on the wall. Lyra watched him closely, noticing the tension in his shoulders.

    “Kael,” she called softly. “Talk to me.”

    He ran a hand through his hair. “I can feel something inside me. Something heavy. Something that wants to pull me somewhere dark.”

    Lyra walked to him and touched his back. “We will fix this. Whatever the prophecy says, we will face it together.”

    Kael turned to her. “I hope so. Because I do not understand what is happening to me.”

    He lifted his shirt slightly to wipe his face and froze.

    Lyra’s eyes widened.

    Long, fresh claw marks ran across his chest.

    “Kael,” she whispered. “Who did that to you.”

    He stared at the wounds, stunned. “I do not know. I was asleep.”

    Lyra felt a shiver run through her.

    “Something is changing. In both of us.”

    Kael met her eyes. “And whatever is coming, it is getting closer.”

    TBC

    Next Episode 

    Previous Episode 

  • Restless – Episode 4

    Restless – Episode 4

     

     RESTLESS

    Restless – Episode 4
    An Action/ Romance  Thriller 

    Oyin Oluwatosin Emmanuel


    ♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤
    (SHEILA’S HOME)

    Location: El Deols, Anthanna.
    Date:17–08–2015
    Time: 07 : 42
    Henry heard the knock on his door a second time and it was accompanied by her voice this time. He rolled out of the bed quickly and ran to the door like a kid going to welcome his mother.
    He opened the door and saw her smiling with a tray in her hands. He opened the door wide enough to let her come in. He closed it as soon as she got in and followed her. She dropped the tray on a footstool and sat at the edge of the bed.
    “Good morning Henry,” she said to him with a smile.
    He smiled back, “Good morning.”
    He noticed she was well dressed and knew she must be heading out to somewhere. He suddenly felt bad because he might not get to enjoy her company for that day, most times when she went out she always returned late.
    It was only fifteen days after he left the hospital and nineteen days in total since he had come out of coma but he was already so used to her company. Whenever she was in the house, she made sure he never felt lonely and spoke to him even when he wanted to keep to himself.
    “I see you just woke up,” Sheila said, judging from his appearance. He was still putting on his pajamas and his eyes still looked sleepy.
    “Yes, I woke up a few minutes ago but I’ve been lazy to get out of bed.” He replied and sat at the other edge of the bed.
    “I’m about to leave the house, so I brought your breakfast,” she said. She took a closer look at his face and noticed that the scar on his face had begun it’s process of fading away after he began to apply some skin therapy that was recommended for him. “How are your wounds now?”
    “Better, I don’t feel any pain this morning. It has been like that for three days,” he said and stretched his body in demonstration to her, he also stretched his legs and shook his ankles.
    “It’s okay, stop!” she said with a hand gesture to emphasize her word. “You should remember that the bones aren’t strong enough yet and you’re not supposed to stress them yet.”
    “I remember,” Henry said and stopped making the body movements. “When are you returning today?”
    “Ermm… I’m not so sure but I’m sure I would return late.” She replied. “Everything you need would be taken care of by Lesedi and she would keep you company.”
    Henry let out a breath. Lesedi was one of the maids in the house. They were two, the other one was called Esther. Lesedi was a young woman of partial South African descent and Athannaian. Already thirty one years old, she looked busty and had a round face and chubby cheeks, one would mother of several children even though she was yet to have any. Henry wasn’t sure that he would enjoy Lesedi’s company like he did Sheila’s, it wasn’t his first time of being left alone in the house but it was Sheila’s first time of promising him of Lesedi’s company. He however decided to take it in good faith, acknowledging that Sheila had her life to live and was only being kind to him, he was not supposed to take it for granted.
    Sheila left and he was left all alone in the room. He stood to take his bath and wash his mouth before having breakfast. After breakfast, he took his plates back to the kitchen and met Lesedi on his way.
    “Good morning sire, you should have called me to come for the plates,” she said as she collected the tray and entered into the kitchen with it. He followed her and stopped halfway. He stared around the kitchen for a while. He could tell it was well kept, even though he wasn’t sure he knew how clean a kitchen was supposed to be, it still looked good to him. Lesedi and her partner was doing a great job, he thought to himself.
    “Good morning sire,” someone greeted from behind. He turned back and saw Esther walking in. She was dressed just like Lesedi, in their uniform and a kitchen apron.
    “Good… Morning,” he answered slowly. “Is there something I can help you with?”
    “No sire, please you don’t have to bother about helping us with anything.” Lesedi replied him quickly, turning back with a smile.
    He nodded gently and turned back. He walked out of the kitchen and found himself at the back verandah of the house where he leaned his back against the balcony rails, admiring the beauty of the structure of the house and the environment in which it was built. Random thoughts came flying through his mind.
    He was alone for close to an hour before someone joined him there.
    “Sire…” he heard Lesedi’s voice and turned back. Here she was , the company Lesedi promised him.
    He saw the look on Lesedi’s face but couldn’t tell what it meant. He watched in silence as she joined him lean against the balcony rails giving a little space between. “You’ve been in this same position for close to an hour, and you haven’t moved,” she stopped to look at his face, her eyebrows gathering together to form a curious look. “Or did you change position when I wasn’t watching?”
    Her questions revealed two things to Henry; the first was that she had been watching him which he believed was probably on the instructions of Sheila. The second was the fact that he had truly been standing in the same position without moving any part of his body until she joined him. He had his bum leaning against the concrete rails, making his waist to down to his feet slightly slant. His arms were folded across his chest and his feet were crossed over each other. That was how he had positioned himself since he got there and he hadn’t moved any other part of his body except for his neck, when he turned to look at Lesedi.
    He folded his arms and uncrossed his legs, he stared at Lesedi with a questioning look. “Yes, I’ve been standing like that since I came here. Am I supposed to have changed my posture? Is something wrong with the posture?”
    “No no no,” she replied with a smile. “It’s just the way you stood rigidly without shaking. It looked so firm, like somebody who had undergone a military training. A normal person should have moved or changed position”
    “Military training?” He chuckled. “Well, I don’t know about that. I just found myself standing like that.”
    Lesedi also chuckled. She knew she could be right, with the man’s physical features and the way he had been caught moving and standing on various occasions, he could have been in the military at a time in his life. She knew a little about him and how he had lost his memory, she had heard it from Sheila and Tom while they were arguing about him once in the house. Apart from that, she knew nothing else about the man except that he was Sheila’s guest.
    “So Lesedi, tell me about yourself.” Henry broke the silence.
    Lesedi smiled and looked at his face. She rarely found anyone asking to know more about her.
    “Well… I’m Lesedi Zuma born of a man from Pretoria South Africa and a woman from El Deols in this country…” she began and went ahead to talk about how she was left to be on her own from an early age and how she survived up till when she met Sheila. She added some details which he was yet to know about Sheila.
    “So Sheila is nice to everyone,” Henry said thoughtfully.
    “Yes, she is a really good woman.” Lesedi replied pleasantly.
    “And do you know that man that came home with her some days ago?” Henry asked.
    The smile on her face vanished immediately and was replaced by a frown. She knew he was referring to Tom. She preferred not to talk about him. Nobody was in Tom’s good books and discussing him with someone else could only make matters worse.
    “I’d rather not talk about him,” she said trying to force a smile. 
    Henry knew she was forcing the smile. “Why?” He probed further.
    “Ermm…” her face was contorted with a smile.
     “Sire, I’m sorry I would have to leave you now. I have to take care of the laundry and I would be back after then.”
    “Hmmm,” Henry shrugged, he wondered why she was scared to talk about Tom.
    “Are there dirty clothes in your room?” she asked, hoping to get away hurriedly from him and avoid answering questions about Tom. The last time Tom had caught her discussing with her colleague about him, he had asked Sheila to do away with her, not considering the fact that she wasn’t saying anything bad against him. It had turned into a heated argument between him and Sheila and got resolved several days after. Since then she always avoided him like a plague whenever he was in the house.
    “Well, I have my pajamas and a few clothes. I was hoping to do the laundry myself since I’m not busy with anything.”
    “I’ll take care of the clothes.”
    “I’ll come along to help you,” he offered.
    “No please, I’ll do it alone by myself.” she said.
    Henry didn’t press further. He noticed she was no longer comfortable discussing with him.
    “It’s okay, I hope you come back later.”
    She bowed slightly and quickly hurried away. He watched till she was out of sight. He turned around and placed his elbows on the concrete rails, taking a view of the beautiful garden. He had taken strolls around the garden several times since he began to stay in the house.
    He took in a breath of fresh air. He realized he was missing Sheila more than he imagined he would. She never got tired of talking with him whenever she was around and always answered his questions pleasantly. But he had learnt from his discussion with Lesedi that even though Sheila had always answered his questions truthfully, she never gave him more details than he asked for. She had told him about her family when he asked but never told him how wealthy and well known her father was in the country. She also never told him she was the CEO of her own company. He smiled to himself as he wondered how she could be so humble despite her father’s wealth and influence.
    17:38PM
    The day had been a long one for Henry. he managed to make it less boring by engaging himself with some of the books he found in his room and with the apple phone Sheila had gotten for him. Lesedi had come back like she promised but he was already busy then having newly discovered a website, mhiztaemy.com.ng , where he could read thrilling fiction stories. He was just playing a crime game on the phone when an advertisement popped up showing the banner of a tough looking man and woman both holding guns and looking ready for war. The picture had caught his attention and gave him some strange kind of excitement that he could not explain. He clicked on the banner and was led to the fiction stories website.
    He was already busy reading an action story on the blog when he heard the sound of Sheila’s voice. She was already close to his room. Though he was hesitant to leave the story he was reading, he managed to put down his phone and sit up. He heard a soft knock on the door.
    “You may come in,” he said.
    The door opened gently and she walked in slowly. “You are reading from www.mhiztaemy.com.nh” .She managed to put a smile on her face even though she looked tired from work.
    “Hey Big man! Don’t tell me you locked yourself in all day,” she said, raising her brows mischievously.
    “No, I actually spent more time outside today.”
    “Good,” she smiled again. “Okay, I need to take a shower and deal with some other things now. I’ll call for you in thirty minutes.”
    “Okay,” he smiled and watched her walk out before returning to his phone. He continued with the action story he was reading. He discovered he was more interested in the fighting and gun scenes. It felt so real to him and he found himself clenching his fists occasionally and positioning his fingers like someone who wanted to use a gun.
    Thirty minutes passed by and Sheila wasn’t back. It was so unusual of her, he thought to himself. He waited for an extra ten minutes before he decided to go look for her.
    He stopped when he got out of his room, trying to decide whether to go look for her in direction of her room or to the main living room. He finally decided to go look for her at the living room and advanced in the direction.
    It was a large house and he had to go through a major hallway and a smaller one before getting to the main living room. He was close to the curtains covering the living room from the hallway when he began to hear some sounds. He couldn’t tell what was happening exactly, but he knew the voice heard was Sheila’s. He moved closer and the voices became clearer, he could also hear the voice of a second person.
    Sheila was laughing so happily as if she was being tickled.
    “But you know we are in the living room right? Can’t you just…” she was saying before she burst into another round of laughter.
    Henry stood at the entrance of the hallway and watched Sheila and Tom continue their romance on the sofa. He felt like turning back immediately but somehow he felt glued to the spot. He watched as Tom covered Sheila’s lips with his.
    “Argh!” He shook his head in a sudden movement as the picture of a woman flashed across his mind.
    He remained there with his eyes closed, trying to keep the picture which flashed through his mind but he couldn’t keep nor retrieve the image.
    He opened his eyes to find Sheila staring at him and disengaging from Tom. He realized the sound he made attracted their attention.
    “What? Is he why you’re getting up?” Tom asked in a disgusted tone as he looked back and saw Henry. He was annoyed that Sheila was disengaging herself from him because Henry was seen watching them.
    “Oh! I’m sorry Henry, you have to forgive me for not keeping to my promise.”
    “No, it’s fine. I’m sorry for interrupting you,” Henry quickly said and turned back immediately, feeling somewhat embarrassed. He walked back to his room.
    “What? You want to go with him?” Tom scoffed, his anger clearly written all over his face.
    “I’m sorry Honey,” she turned back quickly to Tom. She sat on his laps to prevent him from getting up. “I’m sorry, I had promised him I was going to call for him in thirty minutes time but you came and I totally forgot him.” she explained, looking again in the direction of the hallway.
    “And so what?” Tom raised his brows.
    She looked at his face again. “You know he’s not supposed to be neglected, I have to help him recover faster.”
    Tom sighed. He was getting tired of the attention she was giving the stranger already and he wasn’t willing to understand her actions anymore. Solely because of the stranger’s presence in the house, he had reduced his visit to Sheila’s place and only visited once since he got to the house. Now that he had decided to visit again, he was dividing their attention.
    “Give me a minute Tom, I’ll be back.” Sheila said and kissed him on the forehead as she got up from his lap and hurried towards the hallway.
    “Sheila!” he called but she only reaffirmed that she was returning soon without looking back. “Are you leaving me for him?”
    She stopped at the curtain and turned back briefly. “I only need to apologize, I’ll be back here in a minute.”
    Tom stared at her without knowing what response to give until she got out of sight in the hallway.
    He was furious! He wasn’t going to have anymore. He picked up his car keys and bounced to his feet, he glanced towards the hallway before he stormed out of the house.
    To be continued
  • The Wolf King’s Omega – Episode 45&46

    The Wolf King’s Omega – Episode 45&46

     

     The Wolf King’s Omega


    The Wolf King’s Omega – Episode 45&46

    (Bound by moon, betrayed by fate)

    By Midnight Sparkles

     ♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤

    The man stepped closer until the moonlight caught his face.

    He was tall, lean, and scarred across the jaw. His eyes glowed silver, brighter than the moon above them. The mark on his neck pulsed in rhythm with hers, alive, burning faintly through his skin.

    Lyra gripped her dagger tighter. “Who are you?”

    The man gave a faint smile. “I should be the one asking that. You carry the same mark as me.”

    Her heart pounded. “That’s impossible. The mark is part of the Moon Bond.”

    He nodded slowly. “It is. But not all bonds come from love. Some come from blood. From vengeance.”

    Lyra’s breath caught. “What do you mean?”

    He looked at her carefully, his tone shifting. “You were part of the Vale Pack, weren’t you? The one the Alpha destroyed.”

    Her chest tightened. “Yes.”

    His eyes softened. “Then we share the same past. I was part of the Crescent Line, the allied pack your people were meant to join before the slaughter. When Kael’s army came for you, they came for us too. Only a few of us survived.”

    Lyra stared at him, speechless. “So you’re saying… you’re bonded to me because…”

    “Because the Moon Goddess marked us both,” he interrupted quietly. “Two survivors from fallen packs, two remnants of bloodlines that should have died together. Our marks mean more than you think.”

    Lyra shook her head, stepping back. “No, I already have a bond. With Kael.”

    The man’s voice hardened. “That bond is a curse, not love. You feel it pulling you, don’t you? The pain, the confusion. That’s not affection, Lyra. That’s control. The mark was never meant to join you. It was meant to break you.”

    Lyra’s fingers trembled around her dagger. “You’re lying.”

    “Am I?” His silver eyes flickered. “Why do you think the bond burns when you resist him? Why do you think you remember the night he killed your family every time you get close to him?”

    She didn’t answer. Her breathing turned shallow, her mark flaring hotter against her skin.

    He took a slow step forward. “The power inside you was never meant for him. It’s yours. You just don’t know how to use it yet.”

    The air around them shifted suddenly, a cold wind whipping through the trees. Lyra gasped, clutching her neck as her mark began to glow, spreading faint light through her veins.

    “What’s happening to me?” she whispered.

    The man’s expression changed from calm to alarm. “The moon is full tonight. You can’t fight it. The Moonline is waking in you.”

    Lyra fell to her knees, her heart pounding wildly. The pain was unbearable. Her bones ached, her body shuddered, and heat coursed through her like fire.

    “I can’t—” she gasped, gripping the dirt beneath her.

    “Don’t fight it,” the man said urgently. “Let it happen.”

    She screamed as the pain tore through her again, her fingers digging into the ground. Her vision blurred, the world twisting, spinning. Her nails lengthened into claws, her heartbeat slowed then raced again, and fur began to shimmer across her skin.

    The man stepped back as her body changed before his eyes, her cries mixing with the roar of the wind. Her bones snapped and reformed, her limbs stretched, her eyes glowed bright gold.

    Then everything went still.

    When Lyra stood, she was no longer human. Her wolf form was massive, her fur white as snow with streaks of silver running along her back. Power radiated from her like heat from fire.

    The man stared in awe. “The Moonline Wolf,” he whispered. “The last of your kind.”

    Lyra looked down at her paws, then up at the glowing moon. She could feel everything, the forest, the pull of the bond, the pulse of power in her blood. It wasn’t just energy. It was freedom.

    But then another pull hit her, stronger, heavier, from the direction of the castle. The mark burned again, harder than before.

    Miles away, Kael woke with a jolt. His mark throbbed so violently that it felt like it was tearing through his chest. He stumbled out of bed, grabbing his shirt, his vision spinning.

    “Lyra,” he breathed.

    Ronan, sleeping in the adjoining room, rushed in when he heard the crash. “What’s wrong?”

    Kael was already heading for the door. “She’s outside the walls.”

    “What?”

    “I can feel her,” Kael said, his voice low. “The bond, something’s happening to her.”

    He ran down the hall, ignoring the servants who called after him. The moon outside was unnaturally bright, painting the forest in silver light.

    Kael reached the courtyard and shifted before the guards could react, his body exploding into his black wolf form. He sprinted toward the forest, his paws pounding against the ground. The pull grew stronger, guiding him deeper into the trees.

    Somewhere ahead, he could feel her. Her scent, her heartbeat, her fear.

    He pushed faster through the undergrowth until the trees opened into a clearing, and he stopped dead.

    In the center stood a great white wolf, glowing faintly beneath the moonlight. Power rippled through the air like thunder.

    Kael froze. He knew those eyes.

    It was Lyra.

    But before he could take a step forward, another figure moved from the shadows, the man with the silver eyes, his mark burning just like theirs.

    Kael’s growl echoed through the night. The air between them tightened, full of threat and fury.

    Lyra stood between them, golden eyes blazing, her voice rumbling low and fierce.

    “Stop,” she said.

    But neither of them moved.

    The forest was silent except for the whisper of wind through the trees.

            

    Kael stood in his black wolf form, tall and tense, his golden eyes fixed on the stranger across the clearing. The man didn’t move, his calm gaze shifting between Kael and Lyra.

    Lyra’s white wolf form glowed faintly in the moonlight. She stood between them, her breathing uneven, her claws digging into the dirt.

    The stranger raised a hand slowly. “You’ve both been living a lie,” he said. His voice carried through the forest. “Do you even know what binds you?”

    Lyra’s growl deepened. Kael took a step forward, his tail flicking in warning.

    “Who are you?” Kael demanded, his voice low and rough.

    The man’s eyes glowed faintly. “That doesn’t matter. What matters is the curse your blood carries, Alpha of the Draven Pack.”

    Lyra’s ears twitched. “Curse?”

    The man smiled faintly. “You think this bond between you is a gift from the Moon Goddess? It isn’t. It’s retribution.”

    Kael shifted back into his human form, his expression cold and wary. “You’re speaking nonsense.”

    The man shook his head. “Am I? Tell me, Kael do you even know what your pack was before it became the Draven?”

    Kael’s brow furrowed. “We’ve always been Draven.”

    The man’s eyes darkened. “No. Your ancestors were the BloodFangs. Ruthless, power-hungry wolves who led a massacre generations ago. They wiped out an entire pack the SilverClaws, the name Lyra’s pack was called then before the Vale.”

    Lyra’s eyes widened, her white fur bristling.

    The man looked straight at her. “Your family, your lineage, comes from those same SilverClaws. The night your ancestors burned, the curse was born. The Moon Goddess bound the two lines, BloodFang and SilverClaw, so that one would always destroy what it loved most.”

    Lyra’s body trembled. “You mean…”

    “Yes,” the man said quietly. “This bond isn’t a blessing. It’s punishment. Each generation, the Alpha of your bloodline is fated to be bound to the last surviving heir of hers. Love and death, tied together.”

    Kael’s jaw tightened. “You’re lying.”

    The man’s smile faded. “Then tell me, Kael why does your mark burn every time she’s near? Why does her power rise when yours falters?”

    Kael didn’t answer.

    Lyra shifted back into human form, her eyes wide with confusion. “You said my family… my pack… were killed because of him.”

    The man looked at her sadly. “Not him. His blood. His fathers before him. His line started the war. But Kael finished what they began.”

    Kael’s eyes flickered, regret washing across his face. “Enough,” he said quietly.

    But the man kept going. “You slaughtered the remnants of her pack, Kael. The SilverClaws that survived your ancestors’ war. You killed them, her family without knowing they were the ones your ancestors cursed.”

    Lyra took a step back, the ground feeling unsteady beneath her. “No…”

    Kael’s face hardened, but the pain in his eyes was clear. “It was war,” he said, voice low. “Your pack attacked the borders…”

    “They were defending what little they had left!” the man snapped. “You called it victory. The Moon Goddess called it balance.”

    Kael’s breath caught. He looked at Lyra, her eyes filled with shock and hurt. “Lyra…”

    She shook her head slowly. “Your people killed mine.”

    “I didn’t know,” he said, stepping forward. “I wasn’t even born.”

    The man’s tone softened. “And now you do. The curse continues because neither side ever sought forgiveness. Until one of you ends it, it will keep repeating.”

    Lyra’s knees weakened, her heart pounding painfully. “So, we were meant to destroy each other.”

    The man nodded. “Or end the curse. But only one survives when the bond breaks.”

    Kael turned sharply to him. “What are you saying?”

    “I’m saying,” the man replied, “that love between you was never meant to last. It’s the weapon of your bloodlines. The Moon Goddess made sure of it.”

    Before Kael could speak, the man’s eyes flickered silver. “Your fates are already written, Alpha. You can’t escape what was done long before you were born.”

    A gust of cold wind swept through the clearing. When the moonlight shifted, the man was gone, vanishing into the forest as if the darkness itself had swallowed him.

    Lyra stood frozen. Kael reached for her, but she stepped back.

    “Don’t,” she whispered.

    He lowered his hand, his chest tightening. “Lyra, listen to me…”

    “We ruined each other,” she said again, her voice breaking.

    Kael’s eyes softened with regret. “If I could undo it, I would. I should have never killed your family.”

    Her eyes filled with tears, but she didn’t look away. “And now we’re cursed because of it.”

    Kael didn’t deny it. “Yes. But I won’t let it end the way it began.”

    Lyra turned away, trembling. “Then you’ll have to fight fate itself.”

    Kael looked up at the sky, the moonlight burning through the trees. “Then I will.”

    TBC

    Next Episode 

    Previous Episode 

  • Mr Tycoon’s baby surprise – Episode 37&38

    Mr Tycoon’s baby surprise – Episode 37&38

     

    MR TYCOON’S BABY SURPRISE 


    Mr Tycoon’s baby surprise – Episode 37&38

    […. Reclaiming what’s his….]

    Genre : Office romance 

    Tags : hate , love , betrayal, obsession, vengeance, passion…

    Setting: Technology era ( Toronto, California.)

    By Sheryl B

    ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤

       

        Evelyn was trembling as tears poured out like rain ” I’m so sorry , I did not know what came over me ” 

          ” Eve why would you do something like that , I know you hate her but it hasn’t gotten to that extent”. Stephen said clearly disappointed 

         ” Anything Liam does to you is exactly what you deserve *sighs* I can’t believe my own wife is this evil ” 

       She kneels down ” honey I’m so sorry , I just wanted the best for our son , Liam forgive me pls I thought Scarlett was a burden to you ” 

        

       Liam scoffs ” you’ve made it hard for Scarlett to let us into Aiden’s life and I’ve no intention of entering forcefully… I’m going to win their trust ” 

        ” Do you still like Scarlett son ” Stephen asks . 

        He sighs ” I don’t deserve her love anymore sad same for Aiden’s… I’m still trying to get her to forgive me ” 

         Stephen nods ” one step at a time then ” 

         ” Yeah , *turns to Evelyn who was still crying* I will not forgive you for what you did , you really crossed the line what if she had gotten a serious injury or worse died , Aiden would have been motherless ” he said coldly 

       Evelyn sobs feeling more guilty, she was not expecting Scarlett to be really pregnant for her son . 

         ” I’m sorry ” 

        He looks at her with something new , disgust … ” Dad make sure she’s on a house arrest for a month with all social communications cut off ” 

        ” Of course son ” 

      Liam leaves 

        ” S-Stephen I …. ” 

       ” I don’t want to hear a word from you ” he said and continues reading the magazine. 

    LIAM’S VILLA 

       He enters inside sighing and totally exhausted… The strength to face Scarlett tomorrow wasn’t there and he dreaded it . 

          He discards his tie on the couch and heads upstairs but stops dead as he hears noise coming from the kitchen. 

      Who the hell could that be , he’s sure that it’s not Rylan then who the f+k is it ?

       Liam walks to the kitchen on alert , Camilla steps out smiling , she was beautifully or should I say s+×ily dressed in a red handless short gown and a rabbit slippers… She looked like a housewife preparing two meals for her husband 

        ” Hy love did I scare you ” 

         He groans , it seems that he has forgotten about Camilla knowing this Villa passcode that’s why he has many other villas . 

          ” I wanted to surprised you with dinner ” she said walking to him and puts her arm round his shoulder. 

         ” I know you must be tired from all days work ” 

       Liam nods trying to ignore the fact that he deliberately rubbed her boobs on his chest but he wasn’t getting aroused one bit it was as if he’s gay . 

        ” That’s very kind of you ” he said stopping back 

      Camilla frowns slightly, he’s acting distant again after buying that necklace for her , when is he going to give it to her. 

          ” Liam I’m best to keep our relationship alive , we’ve been engaged for two years but you’ve not made love to me … We only kissed and when we going to get married, I’m waiting, tired of being the one making a move ” 

       He sighs holding the urge to roll his eyes . 

        ” I did not ask you to save this forced relationship or wait .. it was your decision stop sounds like I agreed to any of this ” 

          She freezes in shock, liam has never said anything like that to her at all . 

        ” Why … What have I done to deserve this ” 

       Liam sighs rubbing his forehead, it was pounding furiously like it was gonna explode. 

       ” I’m sorry Camilla but I’m not in the mood to talk about this , pls leave ei need to sleep.” 

       She blinks back her tears trying not to cry in front of him .

        ” This is not over yet ” 

      

       Liam sighs in relief as he watches her storm away angrily. 

    SCARLETT APARTMENT.

         She sat in front of the make-up mirror in her room , her mind was far away as she brushed her long slik hair slowly. 

        Crystal was fast asleep on the bed and she was even smiling, it looks like she was having a sweet dream , probably about Rylan. 

        ” I’m tired ” Scarlett mutters staring at her reflection in the mirror.

       ” Do I really have to go to work tomorrow” 

       She is certainly sure that Liam will start disturbing her to give him access to Aiden … After all he is Aiden’s father and by law it is his right to be with him . 

        ” I was not expecting Liam to find out about Aiden soon , everything won’t be the same now ” she mutters sighing and stands up .

         Scarlett opens the drawer and brings out the box Liam gave to her back in Calgary..

        ” I never had the chance to open it ” she mutters unwrapping the box and opens it . 

       Her heart drops to the ground at what she saw inside …. The necklace he bought in that’s auction that worth trillions. 

       ” Why? Why would he give this to be as a gift , is Camilla not there anymore…. The whole world is expecting him to give it to Camilla not me maybe it is a mistake” 

       She closed the box back , too afraid to touch the necklace and wraps it back up . 

       ” I’ll return it to him first thing tomorrow morning ” 

    PRESIDENTIAL ESTATE 

    PRIVATE VILLA 

       A limousine enters slowly inside and reporters struggled to get a glimpse from outside. 

          The car parks and General Macgonnel steps out smartly dressed in his army uniform and sorrouned by soldiers. 

        The house staffs bowed respectfully to him of course, you’re looking at the General of the Canadian army , that is the highest rank in the country. 

         He was led through the magnificent presidential villa into the study room . 

        President Victor stood up as General Macgonnel entered still surrounded with his bodyguards. 

        ” John” he said smiling 

        ” Victor ” 

      They exchanged pleasantries and sat down while the soldiers and bodyguards stood at each corner of the room . 

        ” Thank you for fighting for the peace of our country ” Victor said 

       John smiled and leaned back on the couch ” that is my responsibility Victor ” 

        He nods ” you did not invite me for your wife’s burial ” 

        ” I’ve not buried her yet ” John said sighing.

       Victor looks at him in surprise, it’s been more than twenty years since Rina died. ” What ! ” 

        He sighs ” I want my daughter to be there ” 

        ” You’ve found her ” 

       ” I never lost her actually, I left her in safe hands so I’m going back to take my daughter ” 

       Victor smiles sadly ” I’m sure she will look like your wife ” 

        He chuckles imagining a grown up version of his daughter who will look exactly like his dear Rina .

        

        ” She does even from birth , where are your children ? ” 

       Victor smiles ” Romans and his wife are on honey moon while Moana and her mother are shopping” 

       John nods ” I’m afraid I won’t be able to wait until they arrive, I’m going to meet my daughter today ” 

        ” No problem, don’t forget to update me when you finally see her. *Smiles* maybe my second son Orion will be perfect for her ” Victor said smiling mischievously. 

       John laughs ” let me get to know her first you matchmaker” 

    BLACKWOOD APARTMENT 

       Mary is ransacking her drawer for the diamond pendant that mysteriously disappeared . 

        ” Seriously ken I’m sure I put it here and now it’s gone ” 

       He groans going through the closet ” how can you put it there when it’s not safe, have you forgotten how important that necklace is to us ” 

        ” I know , I’m sure it’s in this house somewhere ” she said ruffling her hair 

        Ken eyes her angrily ” have you asked Yvonne” 

       ” No ” 

      ” Then what the hell are you waiting for , go and ask her” 

      Mary hisses and leaves the room . 

      She is about to knock on Yvonne’s door but stops as she hears m0@ns coming from inside.  

       ” Uh she brought a guy over ” she mutters confused 

     Opening the door slightly to see Yvonne riding like a horse on a v+brat0r… 

        ” What the f+k are you doing” Mary yells .

        Yvonne groans and removes the v1brat0r from her p+sy and stands up. ” Can’t I have some privacy” 

         ” F+k no ” Mary said eyeing her 

        She rolls her eyes and seats back on the bed . 

        Mary steps inside ” did you take any diamond pendant from my drawer ” 

     ” No ” 

        ” That pendant is very important to us Yvonne, if you’re with it hand ot over now ” 

      Yvonne groans ” I’m not with it okay , stop accusing me …. I’m not a thief ” 

       She scoffs ” let’s hope so … Our lives are on that pendant, I hope you’re saying the truth ” 

       Mary looks at her one last time and leaves. 

        ” What does she mean , is this pendant really important to us ” she mutters and locks the door . 

        She brings out the pendant from under the bed staring intensely at it . 

        ” Why do I have this feeling that it has something to do with Scarlett ” she mutters and slips it inside her pocket before lying back on the bed like nothing happened. 

        

        

    R.E 

       Indigo walked through the corporate hallways rubbing her hair softly , she still hasn’t recovered from what Crystal did to her hair . 

        ” I strongly believe that she escaped from the psychiatrist hospital and why the f+k will Mr Rylan defend her ” she mutters frowning.

    Her phone rings 

       ” Oh it’s Miss Camilla” 

    Indigo: hello ma’am 

    Camilla: hello indigo , do you’ve any news for me 

    Indigo: *panics, she had no time to spy on Scarlett and Liam like she said she would* err yes I do 

    Camilla: *smiles* good I’m listening 

    Indigo: Mr Liam gave Scarlett a day off immediately after they returned from the trip , that has never happened to any employee before . Even Mr Rylan has hasn’t experienced that . I believe he’s giving her special treatment ma’am. 

    Camilla : *scoffs , no wonder he behaved strangely last night* I see * pauses* do you know about the Meyer family banquet 

    Indigo: *gasps* yes ma’am I do 

      The Meyer’s family is the second most richest family in the country after The Reynold who in the world doesn’t know them . 

    Camilla: good you’re attending it right 

    Indigo: *sighs* I wish I could but I won’t be invited 

    Camilla: that is not a problem, I’ll provide the invitation for you… There is a way we can end Scarlett permanently 

    Indigo: *jumping up happily* of course ma’am, I’ll be glad to help you get rid of that pest 

    Camilla: *smirks* I’ll fill you in the details later *hangs up *

         ” Oh my gosh I can’t believe it , I’ll be attending the Meyer’s family banquet” she said dancing around.

    LIAM’S OFFICE 

        Scarlett enters inside quietly, the office was empty so yeah Liam hasn’t arrived…

        She sighs in relief, not yet ready to face him . 

      She settles on the seat and brings out her laptop. 

       ” Today is a new day ” she mutters starting her work 

       Half an hour later Liam enters , walking past her quietly like a cold breeze . 

        

       ” Good morning sir ” 

       He nods an heads to his table. 

      

       She bites her lips feeling a twinge of disappointment. 

      Liam suddenly stops and turns back to her . 

      ” How is Aiden , is he home alone ” 

       She bows her head trying to ignore the relief she felt.  

         “He is fine sir and no he is not alone , I left him with a Nanny” 

       He sighs not liking the sound of the Nanny thing . ” Will you tell him that I’m his father ” 

      Scarlett smirks, so he still wants Aiden to recognize him as his father . 

        ” Are you his father ? ” 

      He looks at her surprised well what was he expecting when he rejected Aiden even before he was born . 

       ” Yes Scarlett, I want to be … All I caused you 4yrs ago , I’m sorry , I thought I could not impregnate a lady and when you told me you were pregnant I thought you were cheating” 

       Scarlett scoffs blinking back her tears , every pain she went through was still fresh in her memory and forgetting about it is going to be very difficult. 

        ” It’s best we don’t talk about the past sir , it would be dumb if I still say that you’re not his father … So I’ll give you access to him but know it will be limited and I don’t want Aiden anywhere near your parents especially your mother and your fiancee” 

       He sighs ” of course of course, I’m ready to do anything to see my son ” 

       ” Your son indeed” she mutters and brings out the box from her bag 

       ” Sir I believe this is not meant for me ” she said giving it to him 

        Liam pushes it back in her hands , he was not expecting her to take it but still ….

        ” You must have forgotten that I don’t collect things I gave out . It is for you , if you’re don’t like it then sell it or trash it” 

      She smirks ” fine I will trash it ” 

      She catwalks to the refuse bin in the corner and dumps it inside . 

      Liam jaw dropped to the ground, that set of earrings and necklace worth trillions and she just threw it away ! 

       ” You are crazy ” 

       She smirks and seats back on her chair , ignoring his angry and irritated gaze 

       ” I’ve always been crazy sir ” 

      He leans on the desk already tired of her behavior. 

         ” Good for you , I’m happy Aiden did not inherit this craziness…. I’ll follow you home to see him today” 

        Scarlett looks up surprised ” what no way ” 

       He smiles , showing off the pure white teeth ” yes way , we will leave immediately it’s closing hours ” 

       ” Fine ” She mutters reluctantly 

     BLACKWOOD APARTMENT 

          Mary sat tiredly on the couch in the seating room while ken continued searching upstairs.

       They have been looking for the pendant for more than four hours but still yet it hasn’t been found. 

         ” I’m so exhausted gosh what kind of witchcraft is this “

     The door bell rings 

         ” Who is that , I’m so not in the mood in receiving visitors “. She stands up and goes to open the door.

       Mary mouth opens in shock as she sees who it is . 

       General Macgonnel and his men swiftly was right at her doorstep. 

       ” Oh my gosh ” 

      He scans her wondering if she took care of his wonderful daughter. 

       ” I’m General Macgonnel and I have come to take my daughter that I left at your doorstep with a note .. this * the soldiers bring out a bag of cash and at the other side it was filled with gold* is your payment ” 

       Mary eyes were huge like a watermelon and she was literally drooling….

       ” Oh my gosh pls so come in ” 

      He nods and they enter inside. 

        ” Darling pls come downstairs now ” Mary said sweetly and urshers them them to their seat . 

           Ken comes downstairs and pauses in shock … 

       He quickly greets General Macgonnel and seats next to his wife opposite them . 

    Few minutes later 

        General Macgonnel sighs already impatient , their talks were starting to bore him , he just wanted to take his daughter and leave . 

         ” Where is my daughter? I’ve had enough of your talks ” 

      Ken gulps nervously, the stern faces of the soldiers not to talk of the General was making it difficult for him to breathe,who would have thought that Scarlett biological father is a army general. 

       ” Of course, let me bring her ” Mary said standing up and drags Yvonne to them who was peacefully coming down from the staircase. 

       ” This your daughter general Macgonnel ” 

      Yvonne opens her mouth to talk, she was literally confused, Mary pinches her to keep quiet. 

         

          She smiles and steps forward , her eyes has caught sight of this bag of cash on the table. 

       ” Hi dad , I thought you will never come for me ” 

                              TBC 

    Next Episode 

    Previous Episode 

  • Aurora – Episode 93

    Aurora – Episode 93

     

     AURORA

    Aurora – Episode 93

    Tag; love, billionaire, s€x, tragedy 

    Warning: Stay clear from this book

    ★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★ 

    ALEXANDER POV

      I enter the mall to get something and at the same time talking to Richard on the phone.

    📞”Yeah, she called me last night, but I was already on the plane and I couldn’t get down”.

    📞”I will go and check up on her”.Richard said from the other end of the phone.

    📞”Ok, talk to you later”. I was about to hang up the phone when two kids pumped into me making me drop my phone. They raise their faces to me and I was taken aback by their looks

       “You!” They spoke and I could see the shock on their faces.

     I couldn’t believe the little resemblance between the two kids and me, I felt something strange and I was about to speak when suddenly I saw a boy running towards them calling their names.

        “You two scare me, do you know I was looking for you and I thought something bad had happened to you, don’t–“. he paused as he raised his face to me and I could see the surprised look on his face. ” Oh geez!”.

      We were all looking at each other speechless, then a young man came to them.

       “There you guys are, I was looking for you”. He took the two kids’ hands and walked away with the other following him behind and they were turning their backs to look at me.

       ” What was that?” I wonder confusedly as I pick up my phone and walk away.

    ★★★★★

      Later in the day, I arrived at my lounge, and I was still taken aback about the two kids, I left for the refrigerator to get a bottle of water and gulped. I sat down still memorizing the look of those adorable kids and I didn’t understand why I was suddenly drawn to them.

    .

    .

    .

    .

      NARRATOR POV

       ••Leonard’s mansion••

       Andrew and Adrian were explaining what they saw at the mall to their grandfather and their mother and they seemed not to understand what they were saying.

       “We know what we saw, it was the man in our dreams”. Andrew said.

      ” Yes, they are right, I saw him too, Mom,Grandpa, you needed to see a clear difference, Andrew and Adrian have the same similarity with the man, I was shocked as well”. Gabriel said.

       “It doesn’t make sense to me, there are people who can share the same similarity”. Mr.Leonard said.

       ” You think so, Grandpa?”.Adrian asked.

       “I know so, my child”. he said and they sighed tiredly as Victoria was lost in deep thought about what her kids said.

         ••CALIFORNIA STATE ••

          ~~Hospital~~

      Elizabeth was ignoring Spike’s calls due to what happened between them that night.

     ••Flashback•••

       That same night, after she collapses Spike carries her to the bedroom, and the thought of claiming her ignites his muscles as the potion in the water starts to intoxicate him. The liquid substance contains flibanserin which increases sexual desire and once the person gets intoxicated by the drugs and lays with a woman, he will become hers forever and it also contains magic love potion.

      Spike couldn’t control his urge anymore and he started to take off her clothes, Elizabeth finally regained consciousness and she noticed Spike on top of her trying to undo her clothes. She screamed and pushed him off.

       ” How dare you! Get out of here”. She said angrily squeezing herself on the bed.

       “Come on Elizabeth, I love you, don’t push me away, I want you badly “.

       ” You must be sick in the head, how dare you try to touch me with those filthy hands, are you out of your mind? Don’t you know who I am”.She quarrels.

       “I don’t care, please let me have you”. He rushed to her and started placing kisses on her body, Elizabeth was struggling hard with him.

       ” Let me go you beast!”. She screamed out. “Let me go!”. She struggles hard with him, But Spike overpowers her as he pinned her two hands to the bed and ripped off her clothes. ” No! Someone help me!”. She cried out.

       “Am sorry Elizabeth, I love you so much”. He said with his hand still pinned on hers, he started to undo his trousers.

       ” Spike don’t do this!”. She sobs.” Please!”. She screams as Spike spaces her legs and thrusts inside her drastically.”No!!! Please stop!”. She sobs bitterly as he continues to thrust inside her.

      Some minutes later, Elizabeth was crying bitterly on the bed as her clothes were torn into pieces, Spike came to his senses and tried to apologize to her.

       ” Am sorry, I didn’t mean to do it, you should know I was intoxicated by the potion, please forgive me”. He said feeling regretful.

       “Get out! Stay away from me!”. She yelled at him and continued crying.

      ” Am sorry, just know I will take responsibility for what happened, I love you so much, please don’t hate me, I will come and see you later”. he picked up his clothes and left the room. Elizabeth kept weeping uncontrollably.

    ~~Flashback ends~~

       “You beast, I will kill you for this!”. She grunts angrily.

    .

    .

    .

      ••FLORIDA STATE••

      Victoria was working in her study room when her father entered.

       ” What are you working on dear?”. He asked as he sat down.

        “Am trying to prepare for the party, you know we just have this week to organize everything”.

        ” But that isn’t your job to do, that’s why I hired an event planner”.

        “You did that already, Dad?”.

       ” Yes, I don’t want you to be stressed out, you should relax and let the event planner do their work, you can only be a supervisor to them”.

        “OK, that will help”. They smiled at each other.

       ” Time to go to bed”. They stood up and left.

    ★★★★★

       Alex was standing on the balcony and was on the phone with his mother.

    📞”Why did you travel all of a sudden?”.Mrs. Stella asked from the other end.

    📞”Mom, I have a party here to attend next week and also to relax my mind”.

    📞”When are you returning home?”.

     📞”Soon, I will be back before New Year’s Eve”.

    📞”OK, take care of yourself”.

    📞” I will Mom, I love you”. He hung up and sighed as he stared at the sky.

       Meanwhile, Victoria was having a nightmare, she kept tossing around her bed and then she jerked up trying to catch her breath.

    .

    .

    .

    .

        ••CALIFORNIA STATE••

       Days passed and Elizabeth kept ignoring Spike’s calls and messages. After work hours, she came home but was stopped by Spike on the way.

        “Why are you avoiding me?”. he asked holding her hand and Elizabeth flipped off his hand from hers.

        ” How dare you touch me!”.She yelled.”Didn’t I warn you to stop following me around? Leave me alone”. She said and turned to leave, but Spike stopped her.

       “You can’t get rid of me that easily, I mean we have come a long way”.

       ” I will, you are nothing but a rapist, you force your way into me and you expect me to forgive you”.

       “You know it wasn’t my fault, I was intoxicated, I noticed what I did was because of the potion”.

        ” And you ruin everything, that potion was meant for Alex and not you”.

       “I know and I am deeply sorry, I have learned from my mistake, the spell has been undo. I went to see the seer and she gave me the cure, that’s why I am here to apologize”. he said sincerely.

        ” Well is too late, I no longer need your services anymore, just stay away from me”.She said and walked away. Spike sighed and stared after her.

    ★★★★★

         ••FLORIDA STATE••

       Alex was having his lunch at the hotel restaurant, Just then he felt someone present and stopped eating. He stares around the place confusedly.

        “Aurora? Why do I feel your presence here all of a sudden”. He sighed and thought for a while before he resumed his food.

       Meanwhile, Victoria came out of the same hotel after meeting with her clients, she got to the car and it zoomed off.

        ••Leonard mansion••

        Gabriel was in his room talking on the phone with Madison while Andrew and Adrian hid spying on him.

     📞”Yeah, so will you come with your family to the party? I would really love it, if you showed up, so we can have enough time for ourselves”. He said smiling and there was a pause.” OK, I will be honored to have you at the party”. he giggles.

       “He has really lost it,” Adrian said quietly.

       “Quiet, don’t let him hear you”. Andrew said.

      📞” I will tell you everything you need to know, but for the question you ask if Mrs. Victoria is my real mom, well, she is not really my biological mom, I will tell you all about it at the party”. he said and continued chatting with her.

        “Let’s go before he sees us”. Andrew said and they left.

    Next Episode 

    Previous Episode 

  • On The Grounds Of Hell – Episode 14

    On The Grounds Of Hell – Episode 14

     

     𝐎𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐆𝐑𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐃𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐇𝐄𝐋𝐋


    On The Grounds Of Hell – Episode 14

      {•𝑩𝒍𝒖𝒆𝒚 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑯𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒔•}

    𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐞: 𝑰’𝒍𝒍 𝑳𝒆𝒕 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑾𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅 𝑩𝒖𝒓𝒏 𝑭𝒐𝒓 𝑯𝒆𝒓.

    ʙʏ ʙᴀʀʙɪᴇʟʟᴇ 

      -ʟᴜᴄᴋ ɪs ᴀɴ ɪʟʟᴜsɪᴏɴ-

    ♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤

    ★𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐨’𝐬 𝐒𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐞★

    Sergio sat on the couch, his tablet already in hand when the door opened. Strix stepped inside quietly, shutting the door behind them.

    “You sure no one followed you?” Sergio asked without looking up.

    “No,” Strix replied curtly, ruffling her hair as she moved closer. “I made sure of it.”

    “Good.” Sergio stood, his tone calm but sharp. “Let’s get this done.”

    They walked into the living room, and Sergio placed the tablet on the table, swiping across the screen before hitting the call icon. 

    Within seconds, Raul’s face appeared on the screen, his surroundings dimly lit, like he wasn’t supposed to be talking at all.

    “Finally,” Raul muttered. “So, were you guys able to find anything?”

    Sergio leaned back in his seat, nodding toward Strix. .”

    Strix crossed her arms. “Well, I found out from my friends about something quite interesting. Turns out MIA might be more than just a school. One of them suspects that MIA is using the dead bodies from the games for some underground business.”

    Raul’s eyes widened slightly. “I also suspected that. I looked into most of the people who entered MIA and the ones who were expelled or killed… they’ve been completely erased. No burial records. No graves. And those listed as expelled, gone. No trace at all.”

     “So what does that mean? We can’t leave? Are we all going to die in here?”Strix frowned.

    Sergio exhaled slowly, his jaw tightening. 

    “I don’t think so. My Set, Robert and the others graduated. They left the school. I think the only way to actually survive is to stay until the final games or graduation day. But there’s a catch.”

    Sergio leaned closer to the screen. “What kind of catch?”

    “The duration,” Raul said quietly. “It isn’t consistent. The system changes it every time, some set I’ve investigated stayed for 2, 3, 4 years and counting.”

    The room fell silent for a moment. Even through the screen, Raul’s expression turned grim.

    “So basically,” Strix muttered, “…we’re trapped in a place that decides who gets to live or die and when.”

     “Exactly.”Sergio’s eyes hardened.

    “Also, Natalie mentioned something…” Strix said.

    “Is it about Hades?” Sergio asked.

    “Not that. I don’t really think that is relevant — I mean, the guys a playboy, I’m not interested in that. I’m talking about Miss Dora.” Strix’s voice dropped.

    “Do you know her, Raul? She’s the principal.” Sergio leaned forward.

    “No. She wasn’t the principal in our time,” Raul replied. “What about her?”

    “Apparently Natalie said there was a time Miss Dora summoned Jocelyn to her office,” Strix said, “…and the girl started acting weird afterwards. That led to her loss of Sigils and eventual expulsion.”

    “So the principal should be the key,” Sergio said slowly.

    “Exactly,” Strix answered. “If we can find out anything about what MIA really is, it’s going to start with the principal.”

    “How is that possible? Her office is heavily guarded,” Sergio frowned.

    Raul tapped the side of his jaw. “We can easily start something that triggers suspicion of a spy in MIA.”

    “What?” Sergio and Strix said together.

    “Are you out of your mind? Are you seriously trying to set us up?” Sergio snapped.

    “Listen,” Raul said quietly.

    “…it’s for the greater good. They’ll put the Aces in charge of finding the spy. In the process you’ll get access to the principal’s office. Your goal is to check around once you’re in her office and see if there’s any way to break in later. It’s just a phase of the plan.”

    “And how do we die down the suspicion?” Strix asked, jaw tight.

    “Set someone up,” Raul said flatly. “It’s that simple.”

    “We’re going to set an innocent person up?” Strix’s voice cracked on the last word.

    “Everyone who died in MIA is practically innocent,” Raul said, cold and flat on the screen. “So it doesn’t make a damn difference.”

    Strix flinched like she’d been slapped. Sergio’s jaw tightened but he didn’t speak—he let Raul finish.

    “Look, Strix,” Raul continued, softer now.

     “…we’re trying to help everybody there. I don’t know why the guards helped me escape when I thought I was done for after I lost all my sigils, but the point is this system is eating people. If we can expose the mechanism, even if it means a dirty trick or two, we can stop them from using students as livestock.”

    Sergio rubbed his temple.

     “Do you have any idea who owns MIA or who runs it?” he asked.

    “Someone named Madam Rue,” Raul said. “Not sure that’s a real name. I looked but  couldn’t find anything. She keeps a tight curtain.”

    Strix let out a slow breath. “Okay. We’ll plan exactly when and where to manufacture suspicion about a spy.”

    “Good,” Raul nodded on the screen. He leaned forward, the webcam catching the earnestness in his face. “Be careful. And I’ll say again—don’t die.”

    He ended the call. The rectangular window snapped away, leaving the tablet screen black for a beat.

    Strix stood up, smoothing the hem of her shirt. 

    “I’m going to my dorm now. I’m kinda busy,” she said, trying for lightness that wouldn’t land.

    “Go on, before your boo gets suspicious,” Sergio teased before he could stop himself.

    Strix shot him a look. 

    “Whatever,” she said, and left.

    Sergio watched the door close, then pushed back from the couch and paced once, twice. Raul’s words hung between them, harsh and necessary. 

     The plan felt wrong and right at the same time: messy, dangerous, maybe the only way out.

    Then he thought about Hyce and the possibilities of their relationship getting messy cause of this.

    —–

     ★𝐀𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐇𝐚𝐥𝐥★

    The executive meeting room was filled with tension and curiosity. The Aces sat around the long black table. Sergio, Trevor, Hugo, Hyce, and obviously Hades isn’t here, said he wasn’t interested.

    Each waiting for Miss Dora’s entrance. The room was too quiet, the air thick with that particular unease that followed every sudden summons from the principal.

    The glass door slid open, and Miss Dora walked in with her usual graceful authority, her heels clicking sharply against the floor.

     Her expression was unreadable as always, her tablet in one hand, a faint smile curving her lips that didn’t quite reach her eyes.

    Trevor leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table.

     “So, what’s this meeting about?” he asked, his tone direct but edged with mild boredom.

    Miss Dora’s gaze swept across the room before she spoke.

     “Nothing serious, Trevor. I’ve been thinking the students deserve something light-hearted for once. So, I’m planning a fun camp outside the school grounds. Three days, no official games or competitions that’s involves Sigils, just… fun.”

    “Fun?” Hugo raised a brow, half-smirking. “That’s weird.”

    A few quiet chuckles circled the room, but Miss Dora didn’t mind.

     “Well, consider it the school being generous to its players. Out of the 300 total at resumption, new and old, only one 110  remain. I think they deserve a little reward.” she continued smoothly.

     “I would have loved it if Morgan was still an Ace. She would’ve been perfect for organizing something like this.” Her voice softened briefly, almost wistful.

    Hyce glanced toward Sergio, who didn’t return the look, his focus was entirely on Miss Dora. 

    Miss Dora turned her attention to Hyce.

     “Hyce,” she said, her tone brisk again, “I need you to work with Morgan and other students to plan and organize the camp. The deadline is tomorrow since we leave the following day.”

     “Tomorrow? That’s… fast.”Hyce blinked, caught slightly off guard.

     “Then I suggest you start today.”Miss Dora’s smile sharpened.

    The room fell silent for a few moments, the Aces exchanging wary looks. A camp. Outside the school. With Miss Dora’s approval. Nothing about it felt “fun.”

    Trevor leaned back in his chair, tapping a finger on the table.

     “A camp in MIA? That’s a first.”

    Miss Dora’s smile didn’t fade. “That’s the point,” she said, before turning to leave. “I’ll be expecting your plans by morning. Don’t disappoint me.”

    The door shut behind her.

    For a long moment, no one spoke. Then Hugo muttered, “This smells off.”

    Sergio crossed his arms, eyes narrowing toward the door. 

    “Yeah,” Hyce said quietly. “But at least, we’re gonna have fun.”

    The camp!! Perfect place for the plan, Sergio thought.

    ——

    Bluey went to get the last of her things from her room and was now on her way to Hades’ suite. The hallways were mostly quiet, echoing faintly with the distant hum of voices and footsteps. 

    She took a turn toward the east wing when she spotted someone sitting on the staircase at the corner.

    It was Morgan. Her eyes were swollen, her face streaked with tears. She looked small—broken in a way Bluey had never seen before.

    Bluey hesitated, glancing around before walking closer.

     “Hey…” she said softly, pulling out a handkerchief from her pocket and extending it.

    Morgan lifted her gaze, red and glassy, and the moment she recognized Bluey, her expression hardened.

     “Go away.”

    Bluey froze for a moment, hand still outstretched. “I was just trying to—”

    “I said leave!” Morgan’s voice cracked mid-yell, but there was more pain than anger in it.

    Bluey exhaled quietly and turned to leave.

    Morgan laughed bitterly, shaking her head.

     “How would you feel… if you found out that the guy you loved so much and dedicated everything to… can never be yours?” Her voice trembled, breaking on the last word.

    Bluey blinked, thrown off. She slowly crouched down until she was at Morgan’s eye level.

     Bluey shifted uncomfortably, unsure how to begin.

     “Did you and Trevor have… um… a fight?” she asked gently.

    Morgan gave a broken laugh through her tears.

     “A fight? We rarely fight. He’s such a sweet guy.” Her voice softened, trembling as she spoke.

     “We had plans, you know? After MIA… we were going to travel around the world, live our best life. Just us.”

     “Then… what’s stopping you?”Bluey asked.

    Morgan looked up at her, eyes glistening, and whispered hoarsely, “He’s my brother. Half-brother, to be exact.”

    Bluey froze, staring at her in disbelief.

     “What…?” she managed to say, voice barely above a whisper.

    Morgan gave a weak, humorless laugh, shaking her head. 

    “I feel so ashamed,” she choked out. “I actually called your mom a slut… when mine’s the bigger slut. I hate her, Bluey. I hate her so much.”

    “So..”

    “My mom had an affair with his dad and it hurts me so much. I feel so betrayed.”

    Her words broke into sobs, raw and unrestrained. She covered her face with her hands, her shoulders trembling as the weight of it all poured out.

    Bluey hesitated, her heart twisting at the sight. She wanted to comfort her but didn’t know how—what could she possibly say?

     She reached out, paused halfway, then instead gave Morgan’s back a few awkward pats. 

    “Hey… it’s okay,” she murmured quietly, even though both of them knew it wasn’t.

    Morgan sniffled, wiping her tears with the back of her hand before slowly standing up. Her eyes were still red and glassy, her voice trembling as she muttered.

    “I… shouldn’t be talking to you. We’re not even friends.”

    Bluey looked up at her, calm and soft-spoken. 

    “We’re not enemies either,” she said simply.

    Morgan froze for a moment, then exhaled shakily. The tension in her shoulders eased a little as she managed a faint, tired smile.

     “Thanks… for… not letting Hades hurt me,” she said, her tone filled with quiet sincerity. “I’ll pay you back someday.”

    Before Bluey could respond, Morgan turned and walked away down the corridor, her steps unsteady but determined. 

    Bluey watched her go, a faint ache tugging at her chest, unsure if Morgan’s words were a promise or a warning.

    ——

    Hyce was walking briskly down the marble hallway toward Sergio’s suite when he spotted Gomez coming from the opposite direction.

     Their eyes met for a brief second, and Hyce quickly looked away, ready to pass without a word.

    “Do you really love him?” Gomez’s voice stopped him in his tracks.

    Hyce froze, then slowly turned around with a frown. “What are you talking about?”

    “Your new boyfriend,” Gomez said calmly, his tone unreadable. “Do you really love him?”

    “Of course I do. What kind of question is that?” Hyce replied sharply.

     “Do you trust he won’t hurt you?”Gomez took a step closer, his gaze dark and steady.

    Hyce moved closer too, irritation flaring in his eyes. “What’s your problem, huh?”

    “I’m just saying I don’t trust him,” Gomez said simply. “I don’t like him either.”

    Hyce gave a humorless laugh. “You don’t need to like him. He’s none of your business. And stop assuming he’s like you, he’s better.”

    Before Hyce could move away, Gomez grabbed his face and crushed his lips against his.

    Hyce shoved him back instantly, his fist connecting with Gomez’s jaw. The impact echoed down the hallway.

    “Your kisses don’t affect me anymore, Gomez,” Hyce said coldly, wiping his lips. “So stop trying. And stop talking trash about my boyfriend. I hate it.”

    Gomez tilted his head, rubbing his jaw with a bitter smirk. “Don’t come crying to me when he breaks your heart.”

    Hyce didn’t respond. He turned on his heel and walked away, the sound of his footsteps fading, leaving Gomez standing alone in the empty corridor.

    ****

    Hyce walked into Sergio’s suite, the sound of his footsteps echoing faintly across the polished tiles. 

    He stopped at the open glass door leading to the inner compound where Sergio was doing push-ups, shirtless, sweat running down the smooth planes of his back.

    For a moment, Hyce simply stood there watching him, a soft smile tugging at his lips.

     He couldn’t help but giggle quietly. Sergio’s form was perfect, his arms flexing with each motion, muscles coiling and releasing in a rhythm that felt hypnotic.

     Hyce might be stronger himself, but his body never showed the same kind of definition. So, he didn’t even bother trying to compete.

    Then, like a cruel whisper in the back of his mind, Gomez’s words echoed.

    “Don’t come crying to me when he breaks your heart.”

    His smile faltered for a split second. He shook his head, almost irritated with himself. Gomez was just being paranoid. Sergio wasn’t like that. He couldn’t be.

    “Hyce!!!”

    He blinked and looked up, startled out of his thoughts. Sergio was standing now, wiping sweat from his chest with a towel, staring at him with concern.

    “Are you okay?” Sergio asked, his brows knitting slightly as he studied Hyce’s face.

    Hyce forced a small smile. “Yes… I’m fine.”

    But Sergio didn’t look convinced. He dropped the towel and walked toward him, his gaze never leaving Hyce’s.

    Sergio frowned, studying Hyce’s face closely. 

    “What’s the problem?” he asked, his tone soft but firm.

    Instead of answering, Hyce stepped forward and wrapped his arms tightly around him.

    Sergio froze. 

    “I’m all sweaty,” he muttered, glancing down at Hyce pressed against his chest.

    “I don’t mind,” Hyce mumbled, his voice low, almost trembling.

    Sergio’s hand lingered firmly at Hyce’s waist.

     “What’s the matter?” he asked again, this time quieter.

    “I love you,” Hyce said suddenly, his voice barely above a whisper. “So much.”

    Sergio stiffened, then gently pulled him back to look at him. “What did that brainless jerk tell you this time?”

     “It’s okay. Don’t worry about him.”Hyce smiled faintly.

     “No. What did he say?”Sergio’s jaw tightened.

    Hyce shook his head, refusing to answer.

    Sergio cursed under his breath and turned, grabbing his towel.

     “I swear, if that idiot said something again or tries to badmouth me, I’ll—”

    Hyce chuckled softly, tugging on his arm before he could storm off. 

    “You’re not fighting anyone,” He said, amusement flickering in his tone.

    Sergio looked down at him, still visibly annoyed, but Hyce’s smile disarmed him.

    “You’re unbelievable,” Sergio muttered, brushing a strand of Hyce’s hair away from his forehead.

    “And you’re too easy to provoke,” Hyce teased, leaning against him again.

    Hyce smiled up at him, his earlier tension fading.

     “I came here to hang out with you,” he said softly. “Let’s not talk about Gomez, okay? I just want to be with you.”

    Sergio’s frown melted into a grin. “Hang out, huh?”

    Before Hyce could reply, Sergio bent down and in one smooth motion, lifted him upclean off the ground. Hands firm beneath his thighs, his body pressed against Sergio’s chest. 

    Hyce gasped and clung to him, laughter spilling from his lips, instinctively wrapping his arms around Sergio’s neck and his legs around his waist.

    “W–what are you doing?” Hyce laughed, cheeks burning.

    Sergio smirked. “You’re quite heavy,” he teased, “but I’m strong enough.”

    “Sergio!”

    “You said you came to hang out, so I’m taking you upstairs. I’ve got nasty stuff to do to you.” Sergio said, walking toward the stairs.

    Hyce hid his flushed face in Sergio’s neck, laughing. “You’re so dramatic.”

    “Romantic..” Sergio corrected with a grin. “Speaking of romance, what should I get you for our first month anniversary?”

     “You actually want to celebrate that?”Hyce blinked, looking at him in disbelief.

    “Of course I do. I’ve been counting,” Sergio said, climbing the last few steps. “So, what’ll it be? A trip? Jewelry? A matching tattoo?”

     “Geez, Sergio. Stop. You’re so corny.”Hyce rolled his eyes, smiling despite himself.

    Sergio chuckled, laying Hyce gently on the bed before leaning over him. “Corny? Or hopelessly in love?”

    Hyce gave him a playful shove. 

     “You know, sometimes I think about it.”He brushed a thumb over Hyce’s cheek.

    “About what?” Hyce asked, voice barely above a whisper.

    “About marrying you someday.”

    Hyce laughed, shaking his head.

     “What? You gonna get married to a girl?” Sergio frowned. 

    “Never.”

    “Good boy.”Sergio smirked, leaning closer until their noses almost touched. 

    Hyce’s smile softened as Sergio’s hand slid into his hair, the warmth in his eyes saying more than words ever could.

    “Then I guess I’m stuck with you,” Hyce murmured.

    “Forever sounds about right,” Sergio replied quietly.

    ——-

     ★𝐇𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐬 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐆𝐲𝐦 ★

    Bluey stepped into the gym, the faint hum of machines filling the air. Her gaze landed on Hades—shirtless, headphones in, his body moving in perfect rhythm on the treadmill. 

    Sweat glistened on his skin, tracing down his chest and the curve of his abs before disappearing beneath the low hang of his sweatpants.

    For a second, she forgot how to breathe. How can someone be this unfairly hot? His tattoos flexed with every stride, dark ink against muscle and heat.

    Hades slowed to a stop, sensing her before he even looked. He pulled out one earbud, his lips curving in a smirk.

    “I’m practically yours,” He said, voice rough and teasing. “No need to drool.”

    Bluey blinked, cheeks instantly flushed. “Hey, I wasn’t drooling!”

    “Yeah,” he murmured, stepping off the treadmill, “I know.”

    He reached for a water bottle, never breaking eye contact as he tipped it back. .

    Bluey shifted her weight, her heart thudding.

    “You done moving your stuff?” he asked, voice lower now.

    “Y–Yes,” she managed, nodding.

    “In my room specifically?”

    Another nod. Her pulse was out of control.

    “You hungry? I can make something for you.”

     “You can cook?”Her brows rose.

     “Yes. Why? Don’t tell me you can’t cook.”

    He smiled, the kind that carried danger.

    “Me? Of course I can,” she stammered.

    He took a slow step closer, until the air between them tightened.

     “Really?” he murmured. “Show me, then.”

    “Huh?… okay.” she whispered, already feeling heat crawl up her neck.

    He tilted his head, smirk deepening. Then his hand found her waist, his touch firm but unhurried, grounding her in place.

    “If I find out you lied,” he said quietly, his breath brushing her ear, “I’m going to punish you real bad, Mi ruina.”

    His voice was a low growl that crawled under her skin, sending a shiver that she couldn’t hide.

    “Of course I can cook, very perfectly.”

    Bluey nodded—once, twice, then a third time, her thoughts scrambled.

    Hades chuckled softly, pulling back just enough to meet her eyes again.

     “Good girl.”

    ***

    Hades sat on a stool by the counter, elbows resting on the marble surface as he watched Bluey from across the kitchen. 

    The counter was a mess of ingredients, vegetables, spices, raw meat, and an open recipe book she hadn’t even bothered to read yet.

    Bluey picked up the kitchen knife like it was some foreign weapon and stared at the onion sitting on the chopping board.

    You can do this, she thought. It’s just an onion.

    The knife came down awkwardly, far too hard, slicing the onion unevenly in half.

    “Ow! My eyes… why am I crying?” She winced, blinking rapidly as tears started streaming down her cheeks. 

    She shut her eyes tight, waving her hands in the air as if she could fan away the sting.

    When she opened them again, Hades was still staring at her blankly, a faint smirk threatening the corner of his lips.

    “Don’t. Say. Anything,” she warned, pointing the knife at him with one watery eye open.

    He raised his hands in mock surrender, silently amused.

    Bluey groaned, sniffed, and continued with her hopeless attempt. 

    The onion pieces were uneven, the tomato rolled off the counter, and when she tried to light the stove, she somehow turned on the wrong burner.

    After five minutes of chaos, she dropped the knife with a sigh of pure defeat.

    “Fine… I can’t cook. I lived with my grandma, and she never let me do anything,” Bluey admitted, her voice soft.

    Hades took slow strides toward her. She instinctively moved back until her spine met the cold counter. Her breath hitched as he leaned in close.

    “I told you I was going to punish you, didn’t I?” His voice dropped to a low, commanding growl.

    She bit her lip and pressed her thighs together, overwhelmed by everything about him—his face, his voice, the way his breath brushed her ear. 

    The way he looked at her like she was the only thing that mattered. Those eyes, they ignited something deep inside her.

    Without warning, he grabbed her and flipped her against the counter.

    “I hate lies, Bluey.” His hand came down in a sharp spank on her ass.

    “F+k,” she moaned, instantly bringing her palm to her mouth.

     “Did you just cuss and moan at the same time?”Hades smirked, stepping back.

    “Silly girl.” He chuckled.

    He’s always stopping halfway, why can’t he just finish what he started, Bluey thought inwardly and pouted.

    ***

    Hades stirred the pot in silence, the scent of garlic and spices filling the air. Bluey leaned against the counter, watching him with a mixture of curiosity and hesitation.

    “My friends said something about you,” she began quietly. “That you had an affair with a girl named Jocelyn. And that you… humiliated her.”

     “Wow. You already know a lot about me. Impressive.”He let out a soft, humorless chuckle.

    “What really happened?” she pressed. “Why’d you do it?”

    He turned down the heat and wiped his hands on a towel, his expression unreadable. 

    “Bi+ch thought she could control me. We had s+x one night. Then she tried to blackmail me with it. Threatened to expose and leak my nude if I didn’t make us ‘official.’”

     “And what did you do?”Bluey frowned.

    “I leaked her nude instead, trust me it was bad. Her p+sy was wide as f+k and I never really enjoyed her and-“He paused and looked at Bluey.

    She stared at him, a quiet unease growing in her chest. “You ruined her?”

    He finally looked at her, his eyes dark and unflinching. “She ruined herself. I just gave her the spotlight she wanted.”

    Bluey looked away, the sound of sizzling oil filling the silence that followed.

    “I would never do that to you, if that’s what you’re thinking,” Hades said, turning her gently to face him.

    His gaze burned into hers. 

    “I love you. I love you so much. You’re the first girl I’ve ever treated this way. The first I’ve had to hold myself back for because, heaven knows, I want to f+k you more than  anything.” 

    Bluey swallowed hard.

    “You’re the first girl I’ve called mine. The first I’ve ever killed for. The first…” He hesitated, his jaw tightening as if the next words were hard to say. 

    “You’re the first girl I’ve ever fallen in love with, and I swear, I’ll never break your heart.”

    Bluey’s breath hitched. “But… you’re always saying things about punishing me.”

    “That’s only if you piss me off,” he said without missing a beat, his tone low, controlled. 

    “I have anger issues. I hate it when people disobey me. I hate it when they lie. And I hate sharing especially when it comes to you. If I ever see you clinging to another guy, he’s dead, and you’ll answer for it.”

    He turned back to the stove, stirring the pan like nothing had happened.

    She swallowed hard, trying to steady her breathing. He has to be joking… right?

    “But…” she finally said, voice small, “did you kill her? You didn’t answer me.”

    The sound of sizzling oil was the only thing between them for a few seconds before he stopped. 

    He turned his head slightly, meeting her eyes in a gaze that made her heart pound.

    “I didn’t kill her,” He said quietly. “She was expelled.”

     “Was Bryan the first person you’ve ever killed? In general?”Bluey’s voice came out softer this time.

    Hades froze. The knife he’d been holding clinked against the counter as he dropped it.

    “What’s with all the questions, huh?” His tone hardened, eyes narrowing.

    “Just answer me, it shouldn’t be that difficult—”

    “I’ve killed a lot of people, okay?” His voice rose suddenly, sharp and bitter. “It’s not my fault! We go on missions, dangerous ones. And a lot of people have tried to hurt me here.”

    She swallowed. “Oh.”

    He scoffed, a harsh laugh escaping him.

     “I don’t like it when you start asking me questions like I’m some kind of monster. I’m not good, Bluey, but I’m not what you think I am either.” His voice lowered, thick with venom.

     “If you want your answer….yes, I’ve killed a lot . That’s what you wanted to hear, right?”

    “No, I just—”

    He slammed his hand against the counter, making her flinch. The air cracked between them.

    “Stop!” His breathing was heavy, For a second, his hand lifted like he was about to hit her but he caught himself.

     His fist tightened, trembling with the effort to hold back.

    Bluey’s eyes widened, heart thudding. The silence between them turned feral and cold.

    Hades turned away, grabbing his phone with shaking fingers. 

    “I’ll order food for you,” He muttered, voice low and rough.

     “Where are you going?”She blinked, still frozen.

    “Anywhere. As long as you’re not there.” His voice cracked with restrained fury as he headed for the door.

    “Hades—”

    “You’re seriously pissing me off, Bluey.” He didn’t look back. 

    The door slammed hard enough to make her flinch again.

    She stood there in the quiet kitchen, staring at the space he’d left behind, her chest rising and falling fast. 

    For a long second, she couldn’t tell if she wanted to cry or chase after him.

    ——-

    ★𝐇𝐮𝐠𝐨’𝐬 𝐒𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐞★

    Hades literally barged into Hugo’s suite without knocking. The door slammed against the wall, making Hugo flinch where he sat sprawled on the couch watching a movie. 

    Hades didn’t even look at him. He stalked straight to the fridge, yanked it open, and grabbed a bottle of water.

    Hugo’s brows furrowed as he watched his friend unscrew the cap and down half the bottle in one go like he was trying to drown his anger. 

    Hades’s throat worked with every gulp, his jaw tight, his movements tense.

    When he finally finished, he tossed the empty bottle across the room, missing the trash bin entirely, and dropped heavily onto the couch beside Hugo.

     “Did someone piss you off? You look like you could kill someone.”Hugo blinked, remote still in hand.

    “Nothing,” Hades muttered, leaning back with his arms crossed.

    “Nothing? And your face is like that?” Hugo quirked a brow.

    Hades exhaled through his nose, long and sharp, rubbing the back of his neck. “It’s… Bluey.”

     “Bluey? You two had an LQ?”Hugo sat up a little.

    Hades turned his head, eyes narrowing. “What’s LQ?”

    “Lovers Quarrel,” Hugo said, grinning.

    Hades groaned. “Don’t ever say that again.”

    “Whatever, man. Just tell me what happened.”

    Hades tilted his head back against the couch, staring at the ceiling for a long moment. 

    His fingers clenched on his knee, knuckles cracking from the pressure. Finally, he muttered, “She asked me questions. Stupid ones.”

    “What kind of stupid ones?”

    “She asked if Bryan was the first person I killed. If I’ve killed others. Like I’m some damn monster.” His voice rose with every word, rough and sharp around the edges. “And I almost—” He stopped himself, jaw locking.

    Hugo’s expression softened. “Almost what?”

    “I almost hit her.” The words came out like venom. 

    Hades rubbed his face with both hands, his breathing uneven. “I didn’t. But I wanted to. And the worst part? She looked at me like she was scared.”

    Hugo leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “You know you’ve got to get a grip on that temper of yours, right? She’s not your enemy.”

    “I know that,” Hades snapped. “You think I don’t know that? It just….she gets under my skin. Every word, every look. I can’t explain it.”

    “Sounds like love to me. Toxic, messed-up love, but love all the same.” Hugo said lightly.

     “She’s the first person who makes me feel… something. But every time she looks at me like that….like she sees the monster. I just…” He clenched his fists. “I don’t want her to be scared of me.”

    Hugo sighed. 

    “Believe it or not, it’s bound to happen. Honestly, if she asks you, just tell her. You can’t hide things from her for far too long, it’ll come out eventually. And can you be a little patient? It’s just one argument and you’re already loosing it.”Hugo scoffed. 

    Hades was quiet for a long moment before standing up, running a hand through his hair. “I need air.”

    “Go talk to her, not the air,” Hugo called after him.

    “Can you stop giving me love advice? I can’t believe I’m listening to you.” Hades rolled his eyes.

    “Hey, I’m still better than you…you punk!” Hugo snapped with a grin as Hades walked out. 

    When the door clicked shut behind him, Hugo turned back to the TV and muttered.

     “He’s right, I should be thinking of my own problem.”

    ——–

    ★ 𝐓𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐨𝐫’𝐬 𝐒𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐞★

    Trevor walked into his suite, the silence hitting him harder than he expected. Morgan’s scent still lingered faintly in the air, the sheets on his bed wrinkled, the small box of her things on the table gone. 

    He ran a hand through his hair and sat down heavily, staring blankly at his phone.

    He remembered her face and how she’d stopped him just before they could have sex. 

    The tremble in her voice, the guilt in her eyes. He didn’t even try to stop her when she left. “You are reading from www.mhiztaemy.com.ng” Maybe part of him knew it was already over but he couldn’t accept it.

    The only option is to stay away from each other for the meantime. 

    The phone on the desk vibrated. The screen flashed with an unlisted number.

    He hesitated, then picked up. “Yeah.”

    A pause. Then, his expression shifted slightly. 

    “Is it there already?”

    He listened for a moment, eyes narrowing.

    “Has it been properly arranged?”

    Another pause.

    “How about the containment? You did it right this time?”

    He exhaled, jaw tightening.

    “I’ll be there.”

    He hung up, slipped his phone into his pocket, and walked out of the suite.

    ——-

     ★𝐌𝐈𝐀 𝐔𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐚𝐛★

    An MIA student walked into the underground facility, the sound of his footsteps echoing through the long, sterile hallway.

     The air smelled faintly of disinfectant and cold steel.

    He stopped at the last door — a white lab, silent except for the hum of the cooling system.

    Inside, Bryan’s body lay motionless on a metal table under the harsh fluorescent lights, pale and still.

    The student pulled on his gloves, adjusted his mask, and zipped up his white overalls. For a moment, he just stood there, staring down at the body. 

    Then he exhaled slowly, the sound muffled beneath his mask, and stepped closer to begin.

    The hum of the overhead light was the only sound in the underground lab. The air was sterile, heavy with the scent of antiseptic and cold metal.

    The student worked in silence, his movements precise, methodical — almost rehearsed.

     Under the white glare, the body on the table looked more like a specimen than a person.

    He adjusted his gloves, the latex snapping faintly against his wrist, then leaned over the stainless table. 

    Instruments clinked against the tray as he reached for each one in turn. Every motion was deliberate. 

    When he finished, he began transferring the key anatomical parts, the heart, kindey, lungs, eyes…. one after another into separate jars filled with a pale, translucent solution. 

    The liquid rippled faintly each time glass met steel. Labels were marked with black ink: Cardiac tissue. Renal sample. Hepatic lobe.

    The smell of preservatives replaced the metallic tang in the air.

    By the time he was done, the once-sterile table was streaked with dark stains and the jars lined neatly along the counter, each sealed, catalogued, and chillingly still.

    He stripped off his gloves and stared at his hands for a long time, silent, before turning off the lights and left.

    The steel door creaked open, and the student stepped out, tugging off his gloves one by one. 

    The faint scent of disinfectant still clung to him. The hallway was dim, a single fluorescent light flickering above.

    She was waiting for him.

    Dressed in all black, her coat brushing the floor, dark shades hiding her eyes even in the half-light. 

    The heels of her boots clicked against the concrete as she tilted her head slightly, studying him like a shadow that had come alive.

    “Who wears shades in a basement, Rue?” He muttered, his voice low, tired.

     “Is that how you greet me? You didn’t miss me?”Rue smiled faintly, her crimson lips curving with unbothered amusement.

     “Didn’t think you’d come today.”He scoffed and leaned against the wall.

    “Why not?” She took a slow step forward, her perfume faintly sweet but dangerous underneath.

     “I see there’s been a lot of dead victims lately… and it’s only three weeks to resumption. Weaklings.”

    He bit his lips, eyes glinting beneath the sterile light.

    Rue circled him, tapping her nails against the metal tray beside the door, glancing briefly toward the sealed room behind him.

     “Nice job, Joker. Nice job.”

    Joker turned his head slightly, that same unsettling smile still on his lips. 

    “Always a pleasure, Madam Rue.”

    .

    .

    .

    𝐓𝐨 𝐁𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐞𝐝 ✰

    Next Episode 

    Previous Episode 

  • On The Grounds Of Hell – Episode 13

    On The Grounds Of Hell – Episode 13

     

     𝐎𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐆𝐑𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐃𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐇𝐄𝐋𝐋


    On The Grounds Of Hell – Episode 13

      {•𝑩𝒍𝒖𝒆𝒚 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑯𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒔•}

    𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐞: 𝑰’𝒍𝒍 𝑳𝒆𝒕 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑾𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅 𝑩𝒖𝒓𝒏 𝑭𝒐𝒓 𝑯𝒆𝒓.

    ʙʏ ʙᴀʀʙɪᴇʟʟᴇ 

      -ʟᴜᴄᴋ ɪs ᴀɴ ɪʟʟᴜsɪᴏɴ-

    ♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤

    Hades was chasing Morgan, his face and body smeared with Bryan’s blood, his eyes glowing with a fury that didn’t look human. 

    Every step he took echoed like thunder down the hallway, and the metallic scent of blood trailed after him.

    Morgan ran as fast as her trembling legs could carry her, breath breaking into sharp sobs. Her heart pounded so hard it hurt. She turned a corner only to hit a dead end.

    Her eyes widened in horror.

    “No!! No!! No!!” she cried, stumbling backward until her spine hit the wall. “Please… I’m begging you, spare me!”

    Hades appeared from the shadows, slow, deliberate, terrifyingly calm. Blood streaked down his jaw and dripped from his fingers. His eyes were cold, black, unblinking locked onto her like a predator cornering its prey.

    “Spare you?” His voice was low, dangerous. “That’s funny. Did you spare her when you whipped her back till she bled?”

    “I….I didn’t mean—” Morgan’s voice broke, shaking violently. “I just lost control…”

    “Lost control?” Hades took a step closer. She pressed herself harder into the wall.

     “You enjoyed it, didn’t you? Watching her cry, hearing her beg for mercy… you liked it.”

    “N-No…please….I was angry—”

    “Good.” His tone dropped even lower, colder. “Because now you’ll know exactly what that feels like.”

    Before she could react, Hades grabbed her by the throat and slammed her against the wall. 

    She gasped, clawing at his hand, eyes widening in panic as she struggled to breathe.

    “H-Hades…please…” she croaked out, tears spilling down her cheeks.

    “You think ‘please’ works on me?” he hissed, his grip tightening. “You hurt what’s mine. You laid your filthy hands on her.”

    He lifted her higher, her feet barely touching the floor, her face turning red as she gasped for air.

    “I warned you,” Hades said, voice laced with venom. “You thought I was joking. You thought I wouldn’t find out? You thought I’d overlook it like every other time you bullied her?.”

     “I’m…so…sorry…. please spare me..” Morgan shook her head, barely able to speak.

    “Spare you? I will spare you… only if you give me one reason….just one reason why you laid your f+king hands on her.” Hades’ voice was low, coiled so tight it sounded like a threat you could cut your palm on.

    “I… I just…” Morgan’s reply was breathless, useless. 

    Her words dissolved the instant they left her mouth.

    “You enjoy watching her suffer, huh?” Hades’ lips hardly moved. 

    Pain flared across Morgan’s face the moment his grip tightened. Her eyes bulged; the world narrowed to the press of fingers and the throb in her temples. 

    Air left her like a kicked bucket. Her hands scrambled, claws at Hades’ forearm, but his hold didn’t loosen, if anything, he steadied his hand, as if testing how much she could take.

    “I always keep my promises,” he said, close enough that the rasp of his breath caressed her ear. 

    Morgan’s face went from flushed to puce, then to a scared white. Panic seized her throat; every inhale was a ragged fight.

     “Please… please—I’ll do anything—” she choked, the plea shredded by the hold.

    Hades’ thumb pressed a fraction harder. For a heartbeat she thought she was going to black out.

     Her knees gave way; she slid down the wall in a cascade of trembling limbs until she was on the floor, hands scrabbling at his arm, pressing uselessly against the iron that held her.

    “I’m going to end your miserable life today… Morgan.” The threat was a hushed promise, dead calm and certain.

    Her knees hit the tiles with a soft, defeated sound. Tears spilled over, unbidden, hot tracks cutting through mascara. 

    Her hands clawed at Hades’ sleeve, fingers slipping on the damp fabric.

     “Please… I’m… so… sorry.” The apology stuttered from her lips, raw and small.

    Hades stood frozen, his chest heaving with ragged breaths. The sight of the blood and marks on Bluey’s back, those ugly red welts that screamed of cruelty on her white skin hit him hard.

     Something inside him cracked, quietly and completely. Rage was no longer a flame; it was an inferno that burned through his veins, eating away at reason.

    He wanted to make Morgan feel every ounce of pain Bluey had endured. He wanted her to beg, to understand what fear truly meant. But then—

    Tiny arms slipped around his waist from behind.

    “Hades…” Bluey’s voice was soft, trembling, weak. 

    But it reached him in places no one else could.

    His grip faltered, fingers twitching against Morgan’s throat. That one fragile word from her undid the violence in him.

    “Let her go… for my sake… please,” she whispered, voice breaking between her sobs.

    For a moment, Hades stood perfectly still. The monster in him wanted to ignore her plea, to finish what he started. 

    But the man….the man who loved her felt his insides melt under the weight of her touch. 

    Her voice carried warmth through the blood and chaos. Her tears were his undoing.

    His hand loosened. Morgan dropped to the floor, coughing and gasping for air. Hades didn’t even glance at her. 

    He turned toward Bluey, and the fury that had darkened his eyes moments ago dimmed into something softer, aching.

    He pulled Bluey close and positioned her in front of Morgan. 

    “Apologize to her,” he ordered, voice low but firm.

    Morgan’s head snapped up, face red and trembling. “You want… me… to apologize… to her?”

    Hades tilted his head, eyes dark. “Should I kill you instead?”

    That was enough. Morgan’s resolve broke. Her lips quivered as she bowed her head. “I’m sorry… Bluey.”

    Bluey nodded faintly, her body weak, and then wrapped her arms around Hades again.

     “I’m tired,” she pouted.

    “I know you are,” Hades murmured, his tone soft now, nothing like the deadly calm from before. 

    He lifted her carefully into his arms, his touch protective, gentle, despite the blood still drying on his skin. 

    “Let’s get you cleaned up.”

    He walked away with her pressed against his chest, her head resting near his heartbeat.

    Behind them, Morgan lay flat on the cold floor, tears pooling beneath her. The ache in her chest spread until it felt unbearable.

     “I should’ve let him kill me,” she sobbed. “My life has no use anymore.”

    Her voice broke as she whispered into the empty space.

     “My mom’s a liar and a slut, my dad isn’t my real father, and the guy I love… can’t be mine anymore… It hurts so much. So, so much.”

    —–

    ★𝐇𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐬 𝐒𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐞★

    Hades pushed the door open to his suite, the lights dim and the room silent except for the soft hum of the air conditioner.

     The scent of blood and smoke clung to him, but all he could think about was the small, trembling figure in his arms.

    He shut the door quietly behind them, walking straight toward the bathroom.

     Bluey’s head rested against his chest, her breathing shallow, her skin pale beneath the faint glow of the room’s lamps.

    When he set her down on the counter, she winced, her body stiff with pain. His jaw clenched as he caught sight of the bruises along her back again, dark, raw, and cruel.

     His hand hovered for a second before brushing her hair away from her face.

    “You shouldn’t have stopped me,” he said quietly, his voice strained, torn between anger and concern.

    Bluey gave a weak, tired smile. “If I didn’t, I would’ve regretted it, you already killed Bryan…it was scary.”

    He didn’t answer. 

    Instead, he turned on the bathtub faucet, letting warm water pour in, the sound filling the heavy silence.

     He reached for a bottle of bath salts and poured some in, his movements careful, deliberate. Steam began to rise, and the faint scent of lavender filled the air.

    When he turned back to her, she was still sitting there, her hands gripping the counter weakly. He approached her slowly.

    “Let me,” he murmured.

    Her cheeks flushed faintly as his fingers moved to the hem of her torn shirt. She didn’t stop him, she just nodded, her trust in him absolute.

     He peeled the blood-stained fabric away, revealing the angry red marks that made his heart twist all over again. His throat tightened, and for a moment, he had to close his eyes to steady himself.

    “You shouldn’t have to endure this,” he whispered under his breath.

    Once she was undressed, he scooped her up again, cradling her carefully like something fragile.

     He lowered her into the warm bath, and she exhaled shakily as the water met her skin.

    “Too hot?” he asked softly.

    Bluey shook her head. “It feels… nice.”

    He knelt beside the tub, sleeves rolled up, and reached for a soft towel. His movements were gentle as he cleaned the dried blood from her arms and shoulders.

     Every stroke was tender, almost reverent—like he was afraid she’d break.

    “Does it hurt?” he asked quietly.

    “No,” she whispered back, her voice trembling but sincere.

    **

    When the bath was done, Hades reached for a towel and carefully lifted Bluey from the water. Droplets slid down her skin as he held her close, the warmth of her body pressing against his bare chest. 

    His shirt was long gone, tossed aside after it got soaked in blood and the heat of his skin against hers made her shiver.

    He set her down gently on the edge of the bed, wrapping the towel around her shoulders.

     His movements were quiet, almost too gentle for someone with hands that had spilled blood not long ago. 

    He dried her arms and legs slowly, careful not to touch the bruises. When he was done, he reached for the black shirt he had placed on the bed a loose one that would hang softly on her small frame.

    “Here,” he said quietly.

    Bluey nodded and slipped her arms into it. The fabric swallowed her whole, but the scent of him, lavender, made her feel safe.

    Hades turned to his closet again and opened the first-aid box. He brought it to the bed and sat beside her, flipping the lid open. 

    The sound of antiseptic bottles and gauze rustling filled the silence.

    “This might sting,” he warned.

    She didn’t answer, just watched him. His face was tense as he dipped a cotton pad in antiseptic and began cleaning the gash on her shoulder.

     The moment the liquid touched her skin, she hissed softly, clutching the sheets.

    “Sorry,” he murmured, steadying her with his other hand. 

    His thumb brushed against her wrist, a small, grounding gesture.

    “It’s okay,” she whispered.

    He worked quietly after that, cleaning every wound with precision, bandaging the deeper cuts. His brows furrowed each time she winced. 

    It hurt him more than he’d admit to see her flinch from pain, even from his touch meant to heal.

    When Hades was done, he set the box down quietly and moved back toward her, lowering himself to kneel between her legs on the bed.

    She instinctively tried to close her legs, and he noticed.

    “What’s wrong?” Hades asked softly.

    “Um… I… don’t have any panties on,” Bluey admitted, her cheeks coloring slightly.

    “So?” Hades replied, his voice calm and reassuring.

    “So… um… isn’t this a little weird? Awkward?” Bluey’s voice wavered with uncertainty.

    “Awkward?” Hades echoed, then smiled gently. Her breath caught as she looked down, noticing his hand resting lightly on her thigh.

    “Hades…” she murmured, a mix of nervousness and trust in her tone.

    “I just bath you and bow you’re feeling awkward?”He asked and she but her lips.

    “I’ve seen you like this more times than I can count, and all I’ve done is kiss you,” he whispered closely, “…that’s real self-control.”

    Hades leaned in closer, his voice low and teasing. “Are you wet?”

    “Wet…?” Bluey blinked in surprise.

    “Yes,” Hades said, his hand slowly sliding up her thigh, deliberate and confident. “Tell me if you are.”

     “Um… no, I’m not.”Bluey hesitated.

    “Really?” His lips curved into a knowing smile.

    Her breath hitched softly as his fingers brushed against her cunt.

     “Oh my… Hades,” she m0@ned, the sound barely a whisper.

    He pulled his hand away, revealing it glistening with her arousal. 

    “You’re not wet, huh?”

    “I… um…” Bluey bit her lip, unable to deny the truth.

    He chuckled.

    “Master…”She called.

    “Hmmm.”

    Bluey’s cheeks flushed deeper as she met Hades’ gaze shyly.

     “I… I want more,” she admitted softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

    Hades raised an eyebrow, a playful glint in his eyes. “More what?”

    She hesitated, then looked down, fiddling with the edge of the sheet. 

    “Um… for you to… stick your fingers in….there”

    A slow, satisfied smile spread across his face. He leaned closer, his breath warm against her skin. 

    Hades gently helped her to stand, his palm sliding up her thighs until it cupped her wetness. Bluey exhaled softly, the warmth of his touch sending a shiver through her.

    He leaned close, his breath warm against her ear as he pressed his palm against her slick, sensitive opening. 

    “Mm… it… it feels good,” Bluey whispered mischievously, wrapping her arms around him and moving her body, urging him to deepen his touch.

    “Stop being so n+ghty, Mi Ruina,” he growled low and husky right into her ear.

    She bit her lip tightly, then cried out softly, “Master…”

    The waves of pleasure overwhelmed her as he slowly withdrew, a confident smirk curling on his lips. 

    “I didn’t even do anything and you’re already close to having an orgasm? You’re such a bad girl.”He whispered.

    “Get your stuffs from your room, you’ll be staying here.” He said and turned, then strolled back toward the bathroom, leaving Bluey trembling.

    Suddenly, she felt a warm liquid trickle down her leg. Her eyes widened as she looked down in surprise.

    “Oh my goodness,” she gasped, her heart pounding.

    —–

    ★𝐀𝐧𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐲’𝐬 𝐄𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞★

    Corazon stepped out of the bathroom, her damp hair brushing her shoulders, and walked into the bedroom. 

    Anthony was already on the bed, lounging casually, a glass of whiskey in his hand. The room smelled faintly of her perfume and the faint steam from her bath lingered in the air.

    Since their relationship wasn’t a secret anymore, it felt natural for her to stay here, unbothered by the closeness or the familiarity between them. 

    She moved toward the dresser to grab her robe, wrapping it loosely around her.

    “How did your husband even find out?” Anthony asked, raising an eyebrow as he took a sip from his glass.

    “He probably had me investigated,” Corazon said, her tone calm, almost detached.

    Anthony set his glass down, a flicker of concern crossing his face. “But he’s probably going to cut off his investments in the campaign.”

     “Also… does he know Morgan is my daughter?”Anthony’s eyes narrowed slightly.

    Corazon gave a faint shrug.

    “No,” she said firmly. “As long as he still believes Morgan is his, we still have access to his money.”

    Anthony leaned back on the bed, exhaling slowly. “Smart. We just have to keep it that way, then. For now.”

    “Trevor already knows that he’s Morgan’s brother,” Anthony said softly. “I feel so bad for him and Morgan. I wish I knew they were in a relationship… I would’ve stopped them earlier.”

    Corazon looked at him, tension in his jaw, but she waved it off lightly. “It’s no big deal. They’ll both get over it and move on.”

    She paused, letting her gaze soften as she approached the bed.

     “Don’t worry about all that. What’s important is that we’re together,” she murmured, climbing onto the bed beside him.

    Anthony shifted slightly, pulling her close as she rested against him.

     The warmth of the bed, the faint scent of her hair, the quiet closeness, they both let themselves breathe, even if just for a moment.

    Corazon’s hand brushed against his chest, and she smiled faintly.

     “Nothing else matters right now,” she whispered.

    Anthony chuckled softly, running a hand through her damp hair. “I love you Corazon.”

    “I love you too, Anthony.” She smiled.

    They stayed like that for a moment, wrapped in each other, plotting their next moves silently while finding a rare sliver of peace in each other’s presence.

    —–

     ★𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐆𝐲𝐦★

     Iris was running on the treadmill, keeping herself in shape, when Marco entered. She immediately stopped and turned to face him.

    “What the—” she started, her voice sharp.

    “It’s good to see the First Lady here… you look so irresistible,” Marco said, flashing his usual smirk.

    Iris’s eyes blazed.

     “You’ve got some nerve to shoot my son!” she yelled, her voice echoing across the gym. “How dare you hurt him..”

    Marco’s smirk faltered slightly, replaced by a sneer.

     “Anytime I see Hades,” he spat, “….it disgusts me. He’s proof Iris, proof of your love for Robert. It should have been me. It should have been my son.”

    Iris clenched her fists, her anger radiating. “You are a sick, twisted man, Marco. No matter what you think, I will always choose Robert. Always.”

    Marco stepped closer, undeterred by her fury. 

    “You know, Iris… you could still have me. I could give you what Robert never could,” he said, his hand brushing dangerously close to her arm.

    Iris recoiled, glaring daggers at him. 

    “Do not touch me!” she snapped. “You’ll never ever be with me. Not now, not ever.”

    He leaned in slightly, smirking. “Oh, come on… you know you want this. I’ve waited a long time.”

    Iris’s patience snapped. 

    “I don’t want you, Marco! You disgust me. You think because you shot Hades, you can intimidate me, but you’re nothing. You’re a coward and a fool. I will never be with a monster like you!”

    Marco froze for a moment, his smirk faltering, but then his ego took over.

     “We’ll see,” he muttered, though Iris had already turned back to her treadmill, ignoring him completely, leaving him fuming in silence.

    —–

    ★ 𝐓𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐨𝐫’𝐬 𝐒𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐞★

    Trevor’s suite was quiet, heavy with the weight of unspoken pain. Morgan stood by his closet, tears streaking her cheeks as she packed her things, one trembling hand at a time. 

    Each item she folded or tucked away felt like another thread being ripped from her heart.

    Trevor stood behind her, watching silently. His own eyes were red, shoulders slumped, and his chest heaving.

     He couldn’t stop the lump in his throat from growing, the raw ache of seeing her like this.

    Finally, he stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her from behind. Morgan stiffened for a second, then slowly melted into him. 

    She turned and her hands reached back, clutching his as tightly as she could manage, as if holding on to something real in a world that suddenly made no sense.

    “Let’s pretend we don’t know the truth,” Trevor whispered into her ear, his voice rough with emotion, nearly breaking. “Let’s pretend none of this ever happened, even if just for tonight.”

    Morgan shook her head, her sobs muffled against his chest.

     “But we can’t, Trevor… it’s real. Everything’s real… the truth… your father… me…”

    Trevor tightened his hold, pressing his forehead to the side of hers. 

    “I don’t care. I don’t care about the truth right now. I just want to feel you here, just like this. Can’t we hold onto that, even for a little while?”

    Morgan’s tears soaked through his shirt as she pulled back slightly, shaking her head, tears still streaming down her face.

     “Trevor… it’s wrong. We… we can’t…”

    “I don’t care,” he interrupted firmly, his voice low but unyielding. His hands tightened around her, holding her close.

     “Four years, Morgan… four years we’ve loved each other. Are you seriously asking me to just throw that away?”

    She looked into his eyes, searching for something, hope, reason, anything that could make this make sense. Her voice trembled.

     “But… the truth… our blood…”

    Trevor shook his head, brushing a stray tear from her cheek. 

    “I don’t care. None of that matters. You’re mine, Morgan. Nothing…nothing will ever change that.”

    He leaned in slowly, his forehead resting against hers. Her breath hitched as his lips found hers.

     For a moment, she froze, torn between shock and the flood of feelings she had been holding back for so long.

    Then, instinctively, she kissed him back, pouring every ounce of her love, fear, and desperation into it. 

    It was fierce, desperate, the kind of kiss that said more than words ever could. 

    He deepened the kiss, and she clung to him, as if letting go would mean losing everything they had ever shared. “You are reading from www.mhiztaemy.com.ng” Their hearts pounded in sync, as his hand reached for her zipper and he pulled it down, letting her dress slip from her body.

    He broke the kiss and looked at her, and she had the same look of fire in her eyes. He held her as they moved closer to the bed and they both fell on it.

    “I love you Morgan. I love you so damn much.”He mumbled taking off his shirt.

    —–

     ★𝐇𝐮𝐠𝐨’𝐬 𝐒𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐞★

    Hugo and Dawn in his dorm after training.

    He was sitting on his bed as Dawn came out after taking a shower.

    He looked at her, wearing his shirt, and water dripping.

    “Can you stop looking at me like that?” Dawn muttered.

    “I can’t,” Hugo replied, his gaze holding hers.

    She scoffed.

    “I’m going to my dorm room,” she said, heading to the door.

    He grabbed her wrist, pulling her to sit on his thigh.

    “What are you doing?” she asked, eyes narrowing.

    “Where are you going? You didn’t think I’d let you leave, right?” Hugo’s tone was firm, but not harsh.

    Dawn tried to pull her wrist back. “Hugo, let go. Seriously.”

    He shook his head. “Not a chance. You walked out on me before, but not this time..”

    She frowned, cheeks warming despite herself. “You’re impossible.”

    “Maybe,” he said, smirking slightly. “But you’re still here, aren’t you? That has to mean something.”

    Dawn glared at him, trying to resist.

    Hugo leaned back, still holding her just enough so she couldn’t move away. 

    Dawn turned swiftly, settling onto Hugo’s lap with deliberate confidence. Her legs straddled his thigh as they sat on the bed, her eyes locked onto his. 

    Hugo’s hands found the curve of her hips, steadying her while she wrapped her arms around his neck.

    “I know you, Hugo,” she said, voice low but teasing. “You can hardly stay without—well, you. Three days celibate? That’s impressive.”

    Hugo’s breath hitched, lips close enough to hers to feel the heat between them. “I’m just trying my best to prove to someone that I’m serious about her.”

    Dawn’s finger pressed gently against his lips, silencing him before he could close the distance. “You don’t get to kiss me whenever you like. From now on, I call the shots.”

    A slow smirk curved on her lips as she began grinding herself against him, the movement deliberate, teasing. Hugo’s eyes widened as he realized her skin was bare against him, no barrier between her and his growing desire.

    “Dawn…” he breathed, a mix of disbelief and hunger in his voice.

    She bit her lip, eyes sparkling with challenge. “Mm.”

    “It’s driving me crazy,” he confessed, fingers tightening slightly, “I want you. Damn these shorts I’m wearing.”

    She chuckled softly, her movement more deliberate now. “You don’t think I’ll just let you have me, do you?”

    “If I have to, I’ll beg,” he said, voice thick with need.

    He leaned in to capture her lips, but she pulled away just before the kiss could land, smiling mischievously each time. 

    The frustration in his eyes only deepened her grin as the dance of desire and control played between them.

    Dawn’s hands moved confidently to Hugo’s chest, feeling the rapid beat of his heart beneath her touch. She could sense him growing more undone by the moment, every breath she took fueling his desire. 

    Her touch was both a tease and a challenge, and she watched as his breath hitched, his body responding unavoidably.

    “Please, Dawn…” Hugo’s voice cracked with desperation, tears gleaming in his eyes. “Please, baby… just five minutes. I’ll…. I’ll go crazy if I don’t cum right now. I swear I’ll be quick.”

    She smirked, a quiet power in her movements as she slowly slid down from his lap. His gaze followed her, wide and undeniable as his dick pressed against his shorts like it would rip off.

    Leaning close enough to whisper in his ear, she let the moment hang for a while.

    “I’m not in the mood, and if you dare fuck another girl, you’re done for.”She said, then without another word, she stood and walked out of the room.

    “Dawn…” Hugo’s voice cracked again, choked with tears, reaching out through the doorway as tears began to fall.

    —–

     ★𝐆𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐳’𝐬 𝐑𝐨𝐨𝐦★

    “F+k! harder! Yessss!”Juniper screamed as Gomez rammed into her arse from behind.

    Gomez grasped her hair roughly matching her fervor with his own. Yet even in this heated embrace, his thoughts drifted to Hyce.

    His touch, his warmth, the sounds he made when he kissed him and it stirred something deep within him.

    All he could think of was gucking Hyce, squeezing his n+pples, spanking his ass and hearing him m0@n. He wants to feels it, how warm his insides would be, his sweet mouth on his c+k as he shoots his seed down his throat.

    “Hyce…f+k.”Gomez moaned as he reached his orgasm, strangling Juniper’s neck from behind.

     Juniper pushed him off.

    Gomez glared at Juniper, his hands shaking with rage.

    “Why are you thinking about him when we’re… together?” Juniper snapped, her voice sharp. “Hyce isn’t better than me!”

    Gomez’s jaw tightened, his face red with anger. “Don’t tell me what he is or isn’t! You don’t get it!”

    Juniper took a step back, her hands trembling.

     “You’re acting like a fool. If you want him in your head, fine but don’t expect me to stay here and take it! My pussy is better than his arse with ever be.”

    In a sudden flash of anger, Gomez slapped her. She gasped, hand to her cheek, eyes wide with shock.

    “You need to leave,” he growled.

    Juniper didn’t need to be told twice. She grabbed her clothes and stormed out, slamming the door behind her.

     Gomez sank onto the edge of the bed, running a hand through his hair, furious and frustrated, his mind a whirlwind of guilt, obsession, and jealousy.

    He took his phone and checked his home screen wallpaper, one he took of Hyce n+ked on his bed when they were still dating. In the picture, Hyce’s dick was hard since it was a morning hard on.

    “F+k!!” His hand ruffled his hair.

    —–

     ★𝐁𝐥𝐮𝐞𝐲’𝐬 𝐃𝐨𝐫𝐦★

    “So you’re seriously moving into his suite?” Nia asked in shock.

    “Yeah, he told me he wanted to keep a close eye on me,” Bluey said, packing the rest of her stuff.

    “And you just agreed?” Nia asked, disbelief heavy in her voice.

    “Is….there a problem?” Bluey asked, her brow furrowed in confusion.

    “Of course not, I’m just saying that, it’s been just one day, Bluey. He announced you as his girl before everyone…that’s cute. But then asking you to move into his suite? It screams controlling!!” Nia’s tone rose slightly, a mix of worry and exasperation.

    “Controlling? He’s just looking out for me,” Bluey replied, shrugging lightly.

    “Aren’t you scared of him? Bro killed Bryan with his bare hands,” Nia added, glancing at Bluey with wide eyes.

    “Babe, why are you trying to scare Bluey?” Loci intervened, a teasing tone in his voice.

    “I’m not scaring her, I’m just….well…I don’t know,” Nia admitted, sighing.

    “Speaking of Bryan, I’ve been investigating the history of MIA for a while now,” Natalie interjected, her voice serious.

    “History of MIA? Why’s that?” Nia asked, curiosity piqued.

    “Before we all got into this school, we never knew what it was about. I believe that each and every one of us thought it was just like every normal high school, but the truth is, none of us knew what it was before coming here, and neither did our parents actually tell us,” Natalie explained, her tone measured and thoughtful.

    “So what are you trying to imply?” Zayne asked, leaning forward.

    “What I’m saying is that MIA seems more than just a school. It feels like a place that, once you’re in, you can never get out,” Natalie said, her eyes scanning the group, making each of them feel the weight of her words.

    Bluey paused, glancing down at the items in her hands, feeling a chill creep up her spine. 

    “But you can get expelled and leave, right?” Bluey asked, her voice hesitant.

    “Seems like expulsion is just a front,” Natalie said, her tone serious. “If you get expelled, you’ll still die, because only one person has ever been expelled in MIA.”

    “One person? Oh, you mean that Jocelyn girl?” Loci asked, raising an eyebrow.

    “Yeah,” Natalie confirmed.

    “Who’s Jocelyn? How come you guys know all this and I didn’t?” Nia frowned.

    “You weren’t enrolled in MIA yet,” Loci reminded her.

    “So Jocelyn… she was a student here,” Natalie continued. “She was brilliant—so smart, she rose from a beginner to a jack in just a week, and in two months, she was already a knight. The problem was, she got too cocky and wanted more. She challenged an Ace to a duel… and she lost.”

    “And? If you lose Sigils, it’s closer to going below Zero. It’s totally normal,” Bluey said, trying to sound unconcerned.

    “She still had points, but was highly down after she had an affair with an Ace. She was humiliated badly in public by him and it bruised her ego. Later on, she was called in by Miss Dora once, and after that, things got… stranger. It wasn’t just shame anymore. She stopped participating, spent plenty of time in the penalty zone, eventually lost all her Sigils… and was expelled,” Natalie said, her eyes darkening with the weight of the story.

    “So… what happened then?” Bluey asked, her curiosity mingled with unease.

    “During the holiday back then, I wanted to visit her and see how she was doing since we were pretty close, but I found nothing. Their house and property were sold, and they disappeared without a trace, both she and her parents. It’s like they never existed at all,” Natalie said, her voice low.

    “So… they were probably killed, right?” Nia asked, her eyes narrowing slightly.

    “Yes,” Natalie confirmed.

    “Okay, all this doesn’t make sense. They must’ve moved or left the country,” Bluey said, frowning.

    “Exactly. You’re putting scary thoughts in us,” Zayne muttered.

    “What do you think they do with the dead bodies?” Natalie asked, leaning closer.

    “Bury them,” chorused Zayne, Bluey, and Loci in unison.

    “Bury? There’s no cemetery here in MIA,” Natalie said, her tone edged with disbelief.

    “It might be outside the school,” Loci suggested.

    “Why would they even be killing students like that? What are we… some kind of animals?” Natalie asked, her voice trembling slightly.

    “So you think MIA is a front for running some kind of underground business?” Nia said quietly, her eyes flicking around the room, sharp and calculating.

    “Exactly,” Natalie said, giving Nia a pointed look.

    “Y’all are crazy,” Bluey muttered, shaking her head.

    Nia was silent for a moment, her gaze lingering on everyone a beat too long. She tapped her fingers against her armrest, her expression unreadable. 

    A flicker of something….curiosity? suspicion?….passed over her eyes.

    “Who was the Ace that Jocelyn had an affair with?” Nia finally asked, tilting her head.

    “Hades,” Loci said flatly.

    Bluey froze, biting her lips.

    “So… I’m guessing she’s Hades’ 20th victim?” Zayne whispered, the weight of the revelation sinking in.

    Natalie nodded gravely.

    From the doorway, Sergio smirked, having overheard everything. One of them glanced at the door, and there he was.

    He smiled as if confirming a long-held information that’ll be of value on their side.

    “Bingo.” 

    .

    .

    .

    𝐓𝐨 𝐁𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐞𝐝 ✰

    Next Episode 

    Previous Episode 

  • On The Grounds Of Hell – Episode 12

    On The Grounds Of Hell – Episode 12

     

     𝐎𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐆𝐑𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐃𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐇𝐄𝐋𝐋


    On The Grounds Of Hell – Episode 12

      {•𝑩𝒍𝒖𝒆𝒚 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑯𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒔•}

    𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐞: 𝑰’𝒍𝒍 𝑳𝒆𝒕 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑾𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅 𝑩𝒖𝒓𝒏 𝑭𝒐𝒓 𝑯𝒆𝒓.

    ʙʏ ʙᴀʀʙɪᴇʟʟᴇ 

      -ʟᴜᴄᴋ ɪs ᴀɴ ɪʟʟᴜsɪᴏɴ-

    ♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤

    Bluey’s hand trembled as it wrapped around him, feeling the thick weight she hardly knew how to handle. 

    Slowly, almost nervously, she brought his d+k closer to her lips, lost in the unfamiliarity of what she was doing.

    She pressed a tentative kiss to the tip, then took him gently into her mouth, drawing him in with a long, deep motion.

    “Jesus… f+k,” Hades groaned, his fingers tightening softly in her hair before pulling her mouth away.

    “Did I do something wrong?” Bluey asked, her voice small and uncertain.

    Hades’s mind was a storm. The warmth and tightness of her mouth sent waves of pleasure crashing over him without any effort on her part.

    “Go on,” he growled lowly.

    Bluey resumed, more confident but still unsure. He held her hair firmly, guiding her head deeper, demanding more.

    She gagged slightly as his d+k touched the back of her throat, her face flush and strained, but she sucked harder, desperate to please him.

    The cigarette dropped from his fingers as he bucked his hips upwards, a raw sound escaping his lips. 

    Tears welled in Bluey’s eyes but she kept going.

    “Yes… You can do it..”Hades said in a a cold, deep voice and he stared at Bluey’s teary face, his hands fisting her hair.

    “Go deeper just a little bit more…..a little bit more…”Hades pushed her head deeper.

    “Mmm.”Bluey cried harder, choking.

    “You’re doing so…gooood. You’re such a good girl.”He groaned deeply.

    Finally, he groaned loudly, pulling out his c+k as thick ropes of his c+m spilled on her face, her hair, her bare boobs and dripping to the floor.

    Bluey breathed gasping for air.

    Hades’s breathing was unsteady, shallow and rapid. He couldn’t believe how fast it had happened, it was barely five minutes on the timer.

    Every girl he’d been with before had never come close to this. And this was supposed to be Bluey’s first time?

    She remained on the floor, her body sticky and still trembling.

    Without a word, Hades crouched down and lifted her into his arms.

    Bluey’s wide eyes searched his face, confused and almost vulnerable. Why was he suddenly so gentle?

    There was a quiet softness in his gaze that hadn’t been there before, something almost protective.

    Hades carried Bluey to the bathroom without rushing, his touch surprisingly tender despite the harsh edges he usually wore. 

    She clung to him, still overwhelmed and unsure what to expect next.

    When they reached the bathroom, he gently placed her on the floor.

     She looked up at him, searching his face for the usual coldness but it was gone, replaced by an unreadable calm.

    He began filling the tub with warm water and soap, the steady sound filling the quiet room. Once the bath was ready, he stepped in and looked at her.

    “Come,” he said simply.

    Bluey hesitated, then eased herself into the warm water, the soap bubbles soft against her skin. Hades reached for the washcloth, moving slowly and deliberately. 

    His hands were gentle as he began to wash her, careful not to rush or hurt her.

    Each touch was careful, almost reverent, as if he was discovering a new side of himself through her.

    He helped her lean against his chest, his arms wrapping around her protectively. Slowly, he patted her hair with a steady, soothing rhythm.

    “Did I pass the test?” Bluey asked softly, her voice tentative.

    Hades’s breath hitched slightly.

     “More than I expected.” His hands moved to her tummy, rubbing in slow circles as he pulled her closer, making her sit on his thigh. 

    She shifted uncomfortably, feeling his hardness press against her opening, growing even larger.

    “I’m trying so damn hard right now, Bluey,” He confessed, his voice low and raw. “It’s so fucking frustrating to have you in my arms, naked, and not be able to fuck you.”

    Bluey swallowed hard, anxiety flickering in her eyes.

    “Why… why’s that?” she whispered.

    He looked down at her with surprising tenderness. “Because I don’t want to hurt you but at the same time I will. Besides, didn’t I tell you that you’d be the one to beg me for it?”

    He tightened his embrace, hands gripping her waist firmly yet protectively. 

    “It’s been torture, Bluey,” Hades admitted, his voice rough with restraint. 

    “Every second I stayed away was a battle because the closer I got, the harder it was to control myself.”

    Bluey’s eyes filled with a mixture of pain and confusion. “You watched them bully me. I wanted you to step in, to help me. But you didn’t.”

    Hades’s jaw clenched. 

    “I stayed away because I respected your decision. If I’d come closer, I wouldn’t have been able to hold back. I would’ve destroyed everything trying to protect you, and maybe hurt you in the process. So instead, I acted cold, distant.”

    He drew her in tighter, voice dropping to a low growl. “But now? Now I’m never letting you go again, not in this life.”

    Bluey’s breath hitched, memories of his warning echoing in her mind. “But you told me that….you loving me will hurt me, Why is that ? I’m nervous already.”She bit her lips.

    Hades’s eyes darkened, shadows flickering behind them like a storm. 

    “Because, Bluey… I’m already lost. I’m broken in ways even I don’t fully understand. But you…you cracked that darkness open. I love you. In this twisted, dangerous way that consumes me every day. And no matter how much I warned you, I won’t let that fear stop me from claiming you.”

    “Want to eat anything?” He asked.

    “I already had dinner, I’m quite full. ”Bluey said.

    “Okay.” He said, hugging her closer.

    “Let’s stay like this for a little while, please. ” She pleaded.

    He nodded and she smiled.

    —–

    Morgan’s eyes were red, her lashes still wet from hours of silent crying. She’d barely made it through the school gates, hoping to slip into her suite unnoticed, when Trevor’s voice cut through the hallway.

    “Morgan?”

    Her heart seized. She froze mid-step, her hand tightening on the strap of her bag before she slowly turned.

     Trevor was standing there, worry etched across his face.

    “Where did you go? I’ve been calling you for hours.”

    “I—” Her voice cracked, “I went home.”

     “Have you been crying. What’s wrong?” He frowned, taking a step closer.

    “Nothing,” she muttered quickly, brushing past him, her face turned away so he wouldn’t see the trembling of her lips. “I’m fine.”

    He caught her wrist before she could escape. “Morgan, talk to me.”

    “Trevor, let go.”

    But he didn’t. Instead, his grip tightened—not in anger, but desperation. “Not until you tell me what’s going on. You look like you’ve been through hell.”

    Her throat closed up. Tears pricked her eyes again, threatening to fall. “Please, Trevor. Not now.”

    “Then when?” he snapped, pulling her toward him. “You disappear for hours, you come back like this, and you expect me to just let you walk away?”

    She shook her head, struggling weakly. “Trevor, please….”

    “Morgan,” he said, turning her to face him, his voice lower now, gentler. “Look at me.”

    She kept her eyes on the floor, silent tears spilling down her cheeks.

    When she finally looked up, there was nothing but anguish in her gaze.

    ***

    Trevor held her hand and led her quietly into his suite, shutting the door behind them. The sound of the lock clicked faintly before he turned to face her, his eyes searching her tear-streaked face.

    “What’s wrong? What’s going on, babe?” he asked, stepping closer, his voice soft but strained with worry. “You know you can tell me anything.”

    He reached out, tilting her chin gently, trying to make her meet his eyes.

    But Morgan flinched, taking his hand off her face and stepping back. Her lips trembled as another tear slipped down.

    “Morgan…” Trevor’s chest tightened. “C’mon, talk to me. You’re making me cry right now.”

    She shook her head, backing away until her back hit the wall. Her voice came out in a broken whisper. “So you really don’t know?”

     “Know what?”He frowned.

    “Your dad didn’t tell you anything?”

    Trevor’s brows furrowed deeper, confusion turning to impatience.

     “C’mon, Morgan, stop beating around the bush and tell me what it is already.” He ran a hand through his hair, exhaling hard. “You’re scaring me right now.”

    Her sob broke the silence. 

    “Your dad…” she choked, her voice cracking. “Your dad is my real father, Trevor.”

    He froze, his hand still halfway through his hair.

    “What?”

    “My mom and your dad, they’ve been having an affair for years. He’s my real father.”

    Trevor’s face went pale. His breath hitched, the words hitting him like a knife to the gut.

     “We’re siblings, Trevor. Half-siblings.” Morgan’s tears fell harder.

    For a moment, the world seemed to stop. The air between them turned heavy, suffocating. Trevor stared at her like she’d just torn the ground out from beneath him.

    Trevor’s jaw tightened, his eyes wide with disbelief. He took a step forward, shaking his head slowly as if trying to undo her words.

    “No. No, that’s not true,” he said, his voice unsteady. “You’re joking, right? This is some kind of sick joke, Morgan. Tell me you’re lying.”

    She shook her head weakly, tears still falling. 

    “I wish I was, Trevor. My mom told me everything. She said my dad couldn’t have kids. You’re Anthony’s son, and I’m…” her voice cracked, “I’m his daughter.”

    “Stop!” Trevor snapped, his voice breaking as he pointed at her. “Don’t….don’t say that. Don’t even say that, Morgan.”

    “I’m telling you the truth!” she cried, clutching her chest. “Why would I lie about something like this?”

    He turned away, running both hands through his hair, his chest rising and falling fast. “No. My dad would never do that. He—he’s not that kind of man!”

    “He is, Trevor!” she shouted through her tears. “He’s been lying to you. To all of us!”

    Trevor slammed his fist against the wall.

     “No, Morgan! You’re lying! You’re just—” He stopped, his voice trembling. “You’re trying to end this… to push me away? That’s what this is? Did I do something wrong?”

    Morgan’s lips trembled. “I’m not trying to push you away, Trevor. I’m scared of the truth.”

    He looked at her then, his eyes glassy and red. 

    “No… we love each other, Morgan. We….” His voice broke mid-sentence.

    “We can’t love each other anymore,” she whispered.

    He took a step toward her, but she stepped back, shaking her head. “Don’t, Trevor. Please. Don’t make this harder.”

    And before he could say another word, she turned and ran out of his suite, her sobs echoing down the hallway.

    Trevor stood there frozen, staring at the door she’d just walked through. His breathing was ragged, his fists trembling at his sides.

    A single tear slid down his cheek before he sank onto the couch, staring blankly at the floor.

    “She’s lying,” he whispered to himself, his voice barely audible. “She has to be lying…”

    But the more he said it, the more the pain in his chest grew, until denial could no longer silence the truth that shattered everything he thought he knew.

    ——

    ★ 𝐍𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠- 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐥𝐲 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐬★

    The sky was still a dull gray, the air damp with the last traces of dawn. 

    Every student stood in the wide assembly grounds, some rubbing their eyes, others shivering slightly from the morning chill. 

    The call had come from Hades himself and when Hades called, no one dared to ignore it.

    It was barely 6:30 a.m., and half the academy looked half-awake, half-terrified.

    “Gosh… Bluey, do you have any idea what Hades is up to?” Nia yawned, covering her mouth.

    “No,” Bluey said softly.

    “Girl, what happened in his suite last night? You came back really late,” Natalie whispered, leaning closer.

    “Nothing,” Bluey murmured, biting her lip shyly, her heart skipping at the memory.

    Before they could say another word, silence spread through the crowd like a chill. Every head turned as the heavy iron gates opened.

    Hades walked in.

    Clad in black from head to toe, black tee-shirt, black sweatpants,he moved with that cold, effortless authority that made every single person instinctively bow.

     Even the morning breeze seemed to avoid him. His presence alone silenced the entire grounds.

    He climbed the high platform without a word, his expression unreadable, eyes sharp as blades.

    Bluey’s lips parted unconsciously. Even from afar, she could see the faint shadow under his eyes, the relaxed but powerful way he stood.

     How can someone look this intimidating and still that good this early? she thought, pulse racing.

    “You can all hear me, right?” Hades finally spoke. His voice carried easily, low and controlled, yet with a weight that made the air heavy.

    “Yes!” The crowd shouted in unison.

    “Good.”

    He let the silence stretch, eyes sweeping over them one by one, slow, deliberate. Some flinched under his gaze.

    “The reason I called this meeting is to announce that starting today, Bluey Cruise is officially mine.” He said, voice low and razor-still.

    Gasps rippled through the crowd. Heads snapped toward Bluey, who sat frozen like a small animal in the center of the grounds.

    “When I say mine, I mean she’s my woman.” He paused, voice hardening. 

    “Now I don’t want anyone going around calling her my ‘f+k toy’ or treating her like trash because I will beat the crap out of you.”

    He pointed once, deliberately. “That girl there.” Every eye swung to Bluey. “She owns my heart.”

    A nervous murmur tried to rise; Hades crushed it with a look. His expression didn’t  only a cold, lethal calm.

    “You all have gotten used to her being picked on,” he said, slow and flat, “…but it ends today.” His gaze cut through the rows until it rested on Bryan and Aris.

     “If I see even a scratch on her body from any one of you, if a single strand of her hair is pulled loose, or if she sheds a tear because of anything you do…” His voice dropped to a tone that made the blood in the air feel colder.

     “I will kill that person with my bare hands.”

    The words landed like ice. Students went rigid; a few swallowed audibly. Natasha, Bryan and Aris paled. 

    “Am I understood?” Hades’s voice boomed, cold and final.

    “Yes, sir!” Everyone chorused in unison, their voices echoing across the assembly grounds.

    Then unexpectedly, he turned his head slightly, catching Bluey’s eyes in the crowd.

     The corner of his mouth lifted into a slow, effortless wink before he gave her a rare, breathtaking smile.

    The entire school froze.

    Gasps broke through the silence.

    💬 “Did Hades just smile?”

    💬 “Oh my god, I’ve never seen him do that before.”

    💬 “Please keep making him happy, Bluey.”

    The air buzzed with disbelief and excitement as Hades walked off, every step composed and commanding until he disappeared from sight.

    Bluey stood there, dazed, her cheeks pink.

     “Girl….your boyfriend is so damn hot and sexy, I swear!”Nia grabbed her arm.

    “He’s not my boyfriend…” Bluey mumbled, trying to look away, but both girls stared at her like she’d just cursed the gods.

    “Yet,” She added quietly.

     “OH MY GOD, SHE SAID YET!”Natalie and Nia screamed, jumping and hugging each other.

     Zayne clenched his fists hard, jaw tightening as his eyes darkened watching the girl whom he always cared for and did everything possible for to keep her safe, now become the center of Hades’s entire world.

    —–

     ★ 𝐇𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐬’ 𝐒𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐞★

    Hades was smiling like a fool as he dropped the bottle of wine onto the table with a satisfying thud. 

     Hugo and Hyce exchanged silent, knowing looks as he poured the drinks—his movements uncharacteristically light, almost… happy.

    “A toast,” Hades said, raising his glass, that faint but genuine smile still tugging at his lips. “To my newly found source of happiness.”

    “Cheers,” Hugo and Hyce chorused, their laughter echoing through the room.

    “I seriously can’t believe you did that,” Hugo said, shaking his head in disbelief. “You really announced to the entire school that she’s your woman?”

    “Why not?” Hades smirked, swirling his drink lazily. “I don’t want anyone hurting her while she’s not with me. They should even try.”

    “Wow, lover boy,” Hyce teased, leaning back on the couch. “I swear I missed that rare smile of yours. She really makes you happy, huh?”

    “Yes,” Hades admitted softly, his voice dropping into something almost tender. “And she barely does anything. Just seeing her… that’s enough for me.”

    “So to get this straight, did you go beg her, or did she come on her own?” Hugo asked, leaning forward with a mischievous grin.

    Hyce snorted before Hades could even open his mouth. “Hades? Beg someone? Please, he’d rather die.”

    “Stop being dramatic, Hyce,” Hades muttered, rolling his eyes but unable to hide the small smile tugging at his lips. 

    “I… was really scared, actually. I hurt her yesterday and thought she’d hate me after that. I was ready to stay away, but she came back. That’s enough reason for me to push forward, right?”

    Hugo’s teasing grin softened. “That’s rare coming from you, man.”

    Hyce raised an eyebrow, his tone turning serious. “But honestly, Hades… do you think she’s going to last long with you?”

    Hades frowned. “What do you mean?”

    “I mean, we all know how you are,” Hugo added carefully. “You’re really… uh, what’s the right word… difficult.”

    Hades sighed, his expression tightening. “I’m planning on hiding that part of me from her. I mean, I’ll try—to be the guy she wants.”

    Hyce leaned forward, his voice calm but firm.

     “You think she’ll be happy if you pretend? Look, I’m not saying you shouldn’t treat her right, but don’t hide the real you. If you plan to be with her forever, she deserves to see every side of you. If she can handle it, good. If not, let her walk away.”

    “Walk away?” Hades’s tone dropped, cold and certain. His eyes flicked up, glinting darkly under the light. “Never.”

    Hugo and Hyce exchanged a glance. The air around them grew heavier. That familiar edge, the one that made Hades who he was….was back.

     And this time, it was clear: Bluey wasn’t just some girl to him. She was an obsession he wasn’t willing to lose.

    “Whatever,” Hyce said, waving a hand dismissively before grabbing his glass. “By the way, I already have a boyfriend.”

    Both Hades and Hugo froze mid-sip and turned to him.

    “…You what?” Hugo blinked.

    “Yeah,” Hyce said casually, smirking as if it was nothing. “Sergio is a nice guy and… he’s hot too.” He took a long drink, pretending not to notice their stunned faces.

    “Hot?” Hugo echoed, raising a brow. “Right. Just like how you were fantasizing over Gomez, and then boom, you got your very first painful heartbreak.”

    Hyce groaned, slamming his glass down. “That was different! Gomez was a jerk. Sergio won’t hurt me.”

    “If you say so,” Hades muttered, leaning back with a faint, knowing smirk. His tone was calm but his eyes flickered with amusement, watching Hyce squirm under Hugo’s grin.

    “You both suck,” Hyce hissed. “Can’t a man be in love without getting roasted?”

    Hugo chuckled. “Not in this circle, buddy.”

    Hades shrugged, refilling his glass. “Just don’t cry to us when he breaks your heart. I’ve got my own woman to protect.”

    “Yeah, yeah,” Hyce rolled his eyes. “You’re all lovestruck now, Mr. God-of-the-School.”

    “Damn right,” Hades smirked, clinking his glass against theirs. “To love… and to chaos.”

    They laughed, the sound echoing through the suite, three men, three stories of love, pain, and the kind of trouble only they could attract.

    Hades’ phone buzzed loudly on the table, breaking their laughter. He picked it up lazily, glancing at the caller ID.

    “Mom?” he answered, sounding half-reluctant.

    “Why didn’t you tell me?!” Iris’ voice exploded from the speaker, forcing him to pull the phone away from his ear.

    “Tell you what?” Hades frowned.

    “That you were shot twice?! I thought I told you to be careful!” Iris’ tone was pure fury mixed with panic.

    “I’m already fine—”

    “Come home. NOW!” she yelled and hung up before he could reply.

    Hades exhaled, shaking his head. “Geez… this woman.”

    Hugo blinked. “Wait. You were shot?”

    Hyce’s eyes widened. “Twice?”

    Hades gave them a flat look. “Do I look like someone who’s affected by it?”

    They exchanged glances and both went quiet immediately. The silence was answer enough.

    “Yeah, that’s what I thought,” Hades muttered, standing and adjusting his jacket. “Anyway, I’m off. See you later.”

    “Greet Madam First Lady for me,” Hugo said with a grin.

    “Sure will.”

    “And if she cooked,” Hyce added, wagging a finger, “don’t be stingy enough not to share!”

    Hades smirked. “I’ll think about it.” He grabbed his keys and left the suite, door closing behind him.

    A moment of quiet passed before Hyce leaned toward Hugo with a mischievous grin.

    “I saw that embarrassing video of you chasing after a girl yesterday… Dawn, right?”

    Hugo froze, narrowing his eyes. “And?”

    “I would never have believed it if someone prophesied it to me,” Hyce teased, barely suppressing a laugh.

    “How do you think I can win her back?” Hugo sighed, rubbing his forehead.

    “I pray she doesn’t take you back,” Hyce scoffed, standing up.

    “Hey….! hey! Whose side are you on? I’m your friend!” Hugo stood up after him.

    “You’re a punk,” Hyce said over his shoulder, walking out.

    “Who are you calling punk, huh?!” Hugo shouted, chasing after him as their voices echoed down the hallway.

    —–

     ★𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐨’𝐬 𝐒𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐞 ★

    Sergio, Dawn, and Desiree were lounging in Sergio’s suite. 

     Desiree sat cross-legged on the couch, staring at Dawn like she’d just confessed a crime, while Sergio leaned against the counter, a whiskey glass dangling in his hand.

    “Wait so you’re still in love with Hugo?” Desiree finally asked, her tone a mix of disbelief and judgment. 

    “After everything that jerk did? The way he treated you, used you, and dumped you in front of half the school?”

    Dawn’s eyes lowered to her hands resting on her lap. Her voice came out soft but steady. “Yeah. I still love him.”

    Sergio’s brow furrowed. “You’re serious? Dawn, the guy humiliated you.”

    “I know,” she whispered.

     “But… you can’t just stop having feelings for someone you’ve given so much of yourself to. You spend time, effort, you unlock parts of you you didn’t even know existed and then suddenly you’re supposed to just stop? It doesn’t work that way.”

    Desiree groaned and threw a pillow at her. “That’s literally the definition of toxic, babe!”

    Dawn caught it and sighed. “Maybe it is. But despite everything Hugo did, I still love him. I hate that I do… but I can’t help it.”

    Sergio crossed his arms, his voice dropping low. “So what are you gonna do if he comes crawling back? Just forgive him?”

    A faint smirk tugged at her lips.

     “Oh, no. If Hugo wants me back, he’s going to have to earn it. I’ll make him work for it until he realizes what it feels like to be the one begging.”

    Desiree clapped her hands dramatically. “Finally, some backbone! Make him suffer, girl.”

    Sergio chuckled. 

    Dawn leaned back against the couch, her eyes distant but determined.

     “He broke me once. If he wants me again… he’s going to have to rebuild every shattered piece himself.”

    “Also…” Sergio began, setting his drink down and glancing between Dawn and Desiree with a teasing smirk. “Hyce and I…”

    He paused just long enough for suspense to fill the room. Desiree’s brows shot up, and Dawn leaned forward slightly.

    “…are dating.”

    “WHAT?!” Desiree shrieked, jumping up so fast her phone nearly flew off the couch. “Ahhhh! Are you kidding me right now?!”

    Dawn’s mouth fell open, eyes wide. “No way. You and Hyce? Hyce Hyce?”

     “The one and only.”Sergio chuckled, clearly enjoying their reactions.

    Desiree dramatically clutched her chest.

     “Oh my God, I am so jealous! Do you know how many people would kill for that man’s attention? You just bagged a walking Greek god, Sergio!”

    “Yeah, yeah,” Sergio said, grinning smugly. “He’s something else.”

    Desiree’s eyes suddenly widened with suspicion. 

    “Wait… wait a minute. Have you two…” she trailed off, lowering her voice like she was about to ask a state secret, “…you know… done it?”

    Sergio gave her a slow, knowing smirk. “Yeah. Last night.”

    “WHAT?!” Desiree gasped again, fanning herself dramatically. 

    “Oh my God—I need air!” She stumbled toward the window, throwing it open and sticking her head out like she was about to faint.

     “Someone call a medic, I can’t handle this level of perfection and betrayal in one day!”

     “Desiree, calm down!”Dawn burst into laughter, clutching her stomach.

    “I will not calm down!” Desiree pointed accusingly at Sergio. “You’re living my dream, you monster!”

    “Yeah right, lost all hope when you found out Sergio was gay? Too bad for you.”Dawn laughed.

     “Cheers to that, drama queen.”Sergio raised his glass, grinning.

    Sergio’s laughter faded when his phone buzzed on the table. The name flashing across the screen made his expression drop instantly.

    Raul.

    Desiree was still chattering with Dawn about Hyce when she noticed the sudden shift in his demeanor. “

     “Um….guys I’ll just… take this call. I’ll be right back.”He forced a small smile.

    Without waiting for a reply, he slipped into his room and shut the door behind him.

    He took a deep breath before answering. “Hello.”

     “So, what’s the current update?”Raul’s voice came through, deep and commanding.

    Sergio glanced around his room, ensuring no one was listening.

     “Mission 1 accomplished. I’m already an Ace, so access should be easier from now on.”

    “That’s good.” Raul’s tone was low, calculating. “What about Strix? Have you two talked about the plan yet?”

    “Not really,” Sergio replied, keeping his voice even. “But I’ll text her. It’s too risky for us to be seen together. Don’t wanna raise any suspicion.”

    “Understood. Keep it that way,” Raul said. “And remember, Sergio, no mistakes this time. Just inform me as soon as you all find out anything and no matter what you do, do not get caught.”

    “Sure,” Sergio said curtly. “I’ll hang up now.”

    He ended the call, exhaled sharply, then ran a hand through his hair. His reflection in the mirror looked colder than before, like a completely different person. 

    The charming smirk he wore earlier with Desiree and Dawn was gone, replaced by something darker.

    “Well… well…” His lips curved into a knowing smirk. “It’s time to get to business, dear MIA.”

    —–

    ★𝐖𝐡𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐓𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫- 𝐀𝐧𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐲’𝐬 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞★

    The door slammed open so hard it nearly came off the hinges.

    “Is it true?!” Trevor’s voice roared through the office, sharp enough to cut the air in half.

     Anthony jerked his head up from his paperwork, startled, but before he could even stand, Trevor was already across the room, his eyes wild, chest heaving, fists shaking at his sides.

    “Trevor, calm down—”

    “Don’t tell me to calm down!” Trevor’s voice cracked like thunder as he slammed his fist on the desk, sending papers flying. 

    “I said is it true?! Are you having an affair with Morgan’s mother?!”

    Anthony’s lips parted, but no sound came out. His hesitation was all Trevor needed.

    “You sick bastard!” Trevor shouted, his rage snapping loose as he grabbed his father by the collar and punched him straight across the face. 

    Anthony stumbled back, crashing against the bookshelf behind him, blood spilling from the corner of his lip.

    Trevor didn’t stop, he was trembling with so much fury it looked like he could break the whole room apart.

     “You….you couldn’t keep it in your pants, could you?! You ruined everything! You ruined me!”

    Anthony raised a hand, trying to reason, “Trevor, please listen….”

    “Answer me!” Trevor barked, his voice breaking, his eyes glassy with pain. “Is it true or not?!”

    Anthony finally lowered his gaze and whispered, “Yes… it’s true. I had an affair with her mother.”

    For a second, Trevor just stared and then he laughed. A low, bitter, broken laugh that sounded nothing like him.

     His hands went to his hair as he paced back and forth, dragging in heavy, uneven breaths.

    “You’re telling me,” he said slowly, trembling from head to toe, “…..that I’ve been dating, kissing, and fucking my own sister?!”

    “Trevor-”

    “Don’t you dare say my name!” Trevor’s shout echoed through the office. “You should’ve told me! You should’ve told me before any of this happened!”

    Anthony took a step closer. “I’m so sorry, son. I didn’t know how to tell you. If I’d known you had feelings for Morgan, I would’ve stopped you—”

    “Stop me?!” Trevor’s voice broke into a bitter laugh. “You are reading from www.mhiztaemy.com.ng” “You don’t get to say that! You don’t get to act like some father who suddenly cares now that the damage is done!”

    Anthony’s eyes glistened. “Please—”

    Trevor shook his head, taking a step back. His entire body was shaking. 

    “Please just tell me I’m adopted,” He said softly, almost pleading, tears burning in his eyes. “Just tell me this isn’t real… please.”

    But Anthony’s silence told him everything.

    Trevor’s jaw clenched. 

    “I love her,” he whispered, his voice cracking. “I fucking love her.”

    He looked at his father one last time, tears streaking down his face, then turned and stormed out, slamming the door so hard the frame splintered.

    ****

    Trevor stumbled out of the building, every step heavier than the last. The air outside felt too sharp, too cruel against his skin. 

    He barely saw where he was going, just walked until he reached his car, slammed the door shut, and sat there gripping the steering wheel so tightly his knuckles turned white.

    For a long moment, he didn’t move. His breath came in shallow, ragged bursts.

     Then it hit him, everything at once. The truth. The betrayal. The disgust twisting in his stomach.

    “Why?!” He screamed, his voice echoing violently inside the car. 

    He slammed his fist against the dashboard, once, twice, again—until his hand throbbed in pain. 

    “Why the hell did it have to be her?!”

    He threw his head back against the seat, eyes squeezing shut as a choked sob broke through his chest.

     “I love her,” He whispered. “God you know, I love her so damn much…”

    His breathing turned uneven. He hit the steering wheel again, this time with both hands, screaming from somewhere deep and broken inside. 

    The kind of scream that tore through the soul.

    “I can’t do this,” He whispered hoarsely, shaking his head. “I can’t, she’s not my sister. She’s not. She can’t be.”

    Tears streamed down his face, hot and uncontrollable, dripping onto his hands.

     “She’s mine,” He muttered, voice cracking. 

    He leaned forward, resting his forehead against the wheel, gasping between sobs.

     The car was silent except for his cries, raw, aching, desperate.

    —–

    ★𝐖𝐡𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞★ — MASTER BEDROOM

    The door opened and Hades stepped in, his  mother, Iris, was sitting on the bed beside Robert, their expressions shifting instantly at the sight of him.

    “Mom. Dad,” he greeted, his voice rough but steady.

    “My son.” Iris shot up from the bed, running to him and wrapping her arms around his neck like she was afraid he’d vanish.

    “Mom, I’m fine,” he said, trying to soothe her, his voice muffled in her shoulder.

    “How the fuck am I supposed to relax?” she snapped, pulling back to look at the bandage near his ribs. “You were shot, Hades.”

    Robert stood slowly, his voice deep and controlled. “Who did this?”

    Hades’ jaw flexed. “Some lunatic named Marco.”

    The air changed immediately. Iris froze. Robert’s expression darkened, exchanging a long, wordless glance with her.

    Hades noticed. “I’m guessing you know who he is. That bastard was spilling shit about wanting you, Mom.”

    Iris’s eyes widened, guilt flickering before she masked it. Robert’s tone turned grave. “Marco and I… we were best friends back in MIA.”

    Hades frowned. “Friends?”

    Robert nodded, his gaze distant. “Until Iris chose me. He never forgave that. He saw it as betrayal—thought I stole her from him.”

    Hades scoffed.

    “What do you mean?”Hades asked.

    Robert sighed heavily and sat back on the edge of the bed, rubbing a hand over his face as if the memories burned to recall.

    “It started after Iris rejected him,” He began quietly.

     “Back then, Marco wasn’t the monster you see now. He was… brilliant, ambitious, a little arrogant but loyal. When Iris told him she loved me, something in him broke.”

    Robert looked up at Hades. “He blamed me for taking her away. For ruining him. The night before our wedding, he showed up with a gun, drunk out of his mind. Said if he couldn’t have her, no one would.”

     “He tried to kill you?”Hades stiffened.

     “He aimed at me, but Iris stood between us. She told him if he pulled that trigger, she’d never forgive him even in death. He broke down and left… we thought that was the end of it.”Robert said slowly.

    “It wasn’t,” Iris said softly. “He sent letters for years, letters I never replied to. He wanted me to run away with him. Said I’d regret choosing Robert.”

     “And now he’s back. He must think hurting you, Hades, is the perfect way to make me suffer.”Robert’s eyes hardened.

    Hades lifts his head, eyes burning. 

    “If I see that bastard again,” He says slowly, voice cold as ice, “I’ll beat his sorry ass myself.”

    Iris straightened, a small smile creasing her face.

     “By the way, I cooked,” she announced, “There’s beef stew in the kitchen. Eat or don’t, but it’s fresh.”

    Hades let out a sound that was almost a grunt, but his eyes softened the tiniest fraction. 

    “You cooked?” he repeated, like it was a dream come true. 

    He quickly hugged Iris from behind, kissing her cheeks.

    Robert practically lunged forward.

     “Hey ! that’s my wife,” He said, mock-offended, snatching Iris into a quick, possessive hug. “Hands off my woman.”

    Iris rolled her eyes fondly and, without missing a beat, wriggled free to pat Hades’ shoulder.

     “Come on, you cutie. Eat before you faint.”

    Hades glanced between them, clearly torn between irritation and the absurd comfort of being fussed over. 

    “I’m not fainting,” he said stiffly. Then, quieter: “But I’m not turning down your stew.”

    Robert shot Hades a pointed look and jabbed a finger at his chest. 

    “Hey, You can’t just come here and steal my wife’s attention.”

     “She’s my mom.”Hades snorted.

    Robert blinked, then threw up his hands in exaggerated surrender. 

    “Well, yeah — and she’s my wife. Figure it out, son. Go look for your own woman.”

    Iris laughed, the sound warm and bright in the tense room, and planted a quick kiss on Robert’s cheek. 

    “You two are impossible,” she chided, but her eyes were soft as she watched them bicker.

    —–

    ★ 𝐒𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐫’𝐬 𝐄𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞★

    Corazon slammed the door on her way out, her suitcase rolling behind her as the echo of her heels faded down the marble hallway. 

    Upstairs, Gael sat on the floor beside his bed, surrounded by empty bottles. Ten, maybe more, he’d lost count hours ago.

     His shirt was half unbuttoned, tie hanging loose around his neck. His eyes were red, swollen, and glassy from tears that refused to stop.

    “Why…” he muttered, voice hoarse as he poured himself another drink. “Why couldn’t she just love me?” He slammed the glass down, spilling whiskey all over his hand.

     “Why Anthony… why him of all people…” His words broke apart, dissolving into another pitiful sob.

    The door creaked open slightly, and Maureen peeked in. 

     “Sir…” she whispered, stepping in quietly. “You’ve had enough to drink.”

    Gael looked up, eyes unfocused, expression hollow. 

    “Maureen,” he slurred, a broken smile twitching on his lips. “You’ve always been here… always…” He tried to stand but stumbled, catching her by the arm.

    “Sir, please….” she began, but before she could finish, his hand came up to her face, fingers trembling. 

    His eyes searched hers, full of longing, confusion, and unbearable pain.

    “I gave her everything,” He whispered, his voice cracking. “Everything, Maureen… and she still left.”

    “Mr. Gael, you should rest,” she murmured, trying to steady him, but then he leaned in suddenly.

    His lips pressed against hers. It wasn’t gentle. It was desperate, messy, fueled by alcohol and heartbreak. 

    Maureen froze, eyes widening in shock as her hands instinctively went to his chest.

    “Sir—please, don’t…” she breathed against his mouth, trembling.

    But Gael pulled back, his expression collapsing into guilt and confusion as his knees buckled.

     “I’m sorry…” he mumbled, falling back onto the bed, tears streaking down his face. 

    “I didn’t mean… I just…” His voice trailed off as his eyes fluttered shut, lost to the alcohol and exhaustion.

    Maureen stood there for a long moment, heart pounding, staring at him but instantly he kissed her again.

    Before she could react fully, she kissed back, more out of instinct than desire, her mind racing. 

    Then, using a swift move, she grabbed a nearby pillow and pressed it against his face. 

    Gael’s struggles slowed, and within moments, he slumped unconscious onto the bed.

    Maureen pulled the pillow away, stepping back, brushing her hair from her face. She scoffed lightly, shaking her head. 

    “He’s a great kisser…. too bad I don’t have a soft spot for my enemies.” She scoffed and walked out of the room, leaving him passed out and alone.

    ——

    ★ 𝐌𝐈𝐀 – 4𝐏𝐌★

    Morgan sat on the edge of her suite bed, the wine glass heavy and useless in her hand.

     She drank and drank, but the liquid only warmed her throat — it couldn’t numb the raw ache hollowing her chest. 

    Tears leaked without permission, burning hot, then cooled into a hard, bitter glare.

    She stared at the framed photo on her dressing tabl, one of she and Trevor, a perfect smile that suddenly felt like a lie.

     Her fists tightened until her knuckles blanched. She wanted someone to feel this. Not pity. Not comfort. Pain. Retribution.

    She reached for her phone with a slow, deliberate movement, thumb hovering over a name she already knew would answer.

    Natasha.

    She dialed. The call rang twice.

    “Hello?” Natasha’s voice was lazy, like she hadn’t expected orders this early.

    “Bring Bluey to my suite,” Morgan said, flat and dangerous.

     The wine had not softened her tone. It sharpened it.

     “Now. Drag her if you have to. I want her where I can see her.”

    There was a pause on the line, a small intake of breath that could have been surprise — or excitement.

    “You sure, boss?” Natasha purred. “You want me to fetch the little charity girl? But….”

    “Yes.” Morgan’s smile was all ice. “And make it hurt.”

    She ended the call and tossed the phone onto the bed. 

    The glass in her other hand trembled; she let the wine slosh against the rim and looked up at the ceiling as if searching for an answer that wouldn’t come.

    ****

    Bluey barely had time to react before hands grabbed her, pushing her roughly toward the center of Morgan’s suite. 

    Bryan and Aris looked uncertain, fear etched across their faces, while Natasha followed stiffly, her jaw tight with guilt.

    Morgan emerged from her room, whip coiled in her hand, eyes glinting with a dangerous satisfaction. 

    “You’re perfect,” she hissed, circling Bluey like a predator. “Exactly who I want to let out all my anger on.”

    Before Bluey could plead, Morgan lashed the whip across her back. The sharp crack echoed through the room, and Bluey yelped, arching from the sting, tears welling instantly.

     “Please… I didn’t do anything ” Her voice broke.

    “Now, Bryan,” Morgan commanded, pointing at him. “You’re going to help. Come on.”

    Bryan froze, trembling. “I… I can’t—”

    “You will,” Morgan said, voice cold, unrelenting. 

    Panic twisted his face, and his hands shook as he gripped the whip. With a forced motion, he struck, the leather slamming against Bluey’s back. 

    She gasped, a raw, choking sound escaping her lips.

    Bluey’s body shuddered, her sobs filling the room.

     “Please, stop! I’ll do anything! I’ll leave! I’ll—” Each plea fell on Morgan’s unyielding stare, while the whip rose again.

    Bluey’s cries grew louder, her hands instinctively clutching at her reddened back.

     She tried to curl up, to escape the pain, but Morgan’s control was absolute. Every lash left her trembling, pleading for mercy that didn’t come.

    Bryan faltered with each strike, guilt written all over his face, but Morgan’s icy command forced his compliance.

     Natasha’s eyes darted anxiously, but she didn’t intervene, and Aris’s hands clenched tightly, too scared to step in.

    Bluey’s sobs echoed in the room, the sound of someone utterly powerless under the rage of another, every plea begging for the pain to end.

    *****

    Bluey’s steps were unsteady, each movement sending sharp jolts of pain across her bloodied back. 

    Her robe hung loosely, stained and torn, dragging slightly as she limped toward her dorm.

     She hadn’t wanted anyone to see her like this especially not Hades, but the moment she turned the corner at the end of the hallway, there he was.

    Hades froze mid-step, his dark eyes locking onto her. The usually calm, unreadable mask of his face twisted ever so slightly, a storm of anger, protectiveness, and something more primal flickering behind his gaze.

     He looked like a predator who had spotted his prey hurt, and even though no words escaped him yet, the aura around him made the air feel colder, heavier.

    Bluey instinctively stepped back, wincing as her robes shifted, exposing the raw streaks across her back.

     “H-Hades… it’s nothing,” she stammered, voice barely a whisper. “It was an accident…”

    But Hades didn’t move to comfort her immediately. Instead, his gaze sharpened, darkening with a deadly intensity. 

    “Who did this to you?” His voice was low, almost a growl, each word dripping with ice and fire at once.

    Bluey’s throat tightened. She hadn’t expected him to look like this, so cold, so terrifyingly fierce. 

    She hesitated, barely able to meet his eyes, her pain mingling with fear. 

    “I… I don’t want you to worry,” she murmured, but her voice betrayed the trembling in her chest.

    Hades took a slow, measured step toward her, every movement controlled but threatening, like a storm barely contained.

     His hand twitched, the way it always did when he was ready to strike at anyone who dared harm what he claimed as his.

     “Bluey,” He said, his voice barely above a growl, “….don’t make me repeat myself. Who f×king hurt you?.”

    “Morgan and her lackeys.” She said lowly. 

    *****

    Hades stood like a dark statue outside the dorm, the evening air tense around him.

     Two boys shoved Aris, Bryan, and Natasha forward, forcing them to kneel on the cold ground before him.

     Their heads bowed, their eyes wide with fear, their pleas trembling in the silence.

    “Please… Hades, it wasn’t us! Morgan…she made us do it!” Natasha cried, voice cracking.

    “It was her! She forced us! We didn’t want to….please!” Aris added, desperation in every syllable.

    Hades slowly rolled up his sleeves, the black fabric sliding up to reveal his forearms. The sight made the students lingering in the corridors freeze in both fear and pity. 

    None dared move.

    “I made an announcement this morning,” Hades said, his tone deadly calm, each word slicing through the air. 

    “And you thought I was f+king joking?” His eyes scanned each of them, sharp and merciless.

    He turned his gaze sharply to the kneeling trio. “Who used the whip on her?”

    Natasha and Aris exchanged a quick, terrified glance before both pointed directly at Bryan.

    “I’m sorry… please, forgive me, Hades!” Bryan’s voice was frantic, eyes wide and pleading, the weight of his guilt almost crushing him.

    Hades didn’t speak at first. He just stared, his expression cold and unreadable, the tension so thick the air seemed to vibrate around them.

    Hades’ grip on Bryan’s collar was iron-strong, his dark eyes burning with rage. With a sudden, brutal motion, he slammed his fist into Bryan’s face. 

    The crack echoed across the hallway. Blood splattered, staining Hades’ clothes and the floor beneath him.

    “I said… no one lays a finger on her!!” Hades growled, his voice low and deadly.

    Bryan barely had time to stagger before Hades struck again. Each punch landed with bone-jarring impact, forcing Bryan to the ground and back up again.

     His nose bled freely, a gash split his lip, and his shirt was smeared with crimson.

    The students watching from the corridors recoiled in terror. 

    They had never seen Hades like this, like an unrestrained predator, a god of wrath unleashed. 

    Every swing, every punch, sent a shiver of fear through them.

    Bryan’s cries of pain filled the air, his pleas lost under Hades’ relentless assault. 

    “Stop… please… I’m sorry!” he gasped, but Hades’ fury only intensified.

    “You know one thing I hate, right?”Hades asked.

    “Disobedience.” Bryan shook.

    “This is what happens when you disobey me hurt what’s mine!” Hades roared, his fists moving faster, more precise, and utterly merciless.

     Blood, sweat, and sheer terror mingled in the hallway as Hades, dead-eyed and monstrous, made it clear, he was not someone to ever cross.

    The scene was chaotic, violent, and horrifying. Every student present knew that no one in that school could stand against him when he was like this. 

    *

    Bryan lay sprawled on the floor, barely breathing, his face a swollen, bloody mess. Hades didn’t pause.

     Punch after punch landed with brutal precision, counting in his head as if marking his wrath.

    “96…97…98…99…100.”

    Hades finally pulled back. 

    Bryan was limp, eyes shut, unresponsive. The hallway was deathly silent, broken only by the harsh breathing of Hades. 

    His face and shirt were streaked with blood, his expression cold and feral. He looked less like a man and more like a monster who had just devoured its prey.

    🔊 Player 088… Eliminated.

    A collective gasp rippled through the watching students. No one dared to breathe. 

    Did Hades… seriously just kill Bryan? With his bare hands?

    Hades stood, towering over the carnage, as two guards cautiously stepped forward and hauled Bryan’s bloody body away. 

    Natasha trembled violently, and Aris’s face drained of all color. Natasha fainted, collapsing to the floor in fear.

    Up at the barricade, Morgan watched, frozen in sheer terror. 

    Her body shook uncontrollably, heart hammering, she had never seen fear like this, never felt the raw, unrelenting danger of Hades’ wrath firsthand.

    Hades’ gaze swept up to meet hers. The air seemed to crackle with menace.

    “No…no…no.!” Morgan said in fear, stumbling back. 

    “You better run, Morgan… because you’re next.” 

    .

    .

    .

    .

    .

    .

    𝐓𝐨 𝐁𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐞𝐝 ✰

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