One Year With Mr.Kingland
Selena Jesus has spent years holding her broken family together after her father’s betrayal destroyed their lives. But when her mother is diagnosed with cancer and debt threatens to bury them completely, Selena makes a desperate choice:
she agrees to a one-year contract marriage with billionaire CEO Matthew Kingland.
Cold, ruthless, and emotionally unavailable, Matthew only needs a wife to protect his empire. The rules are simple — no love, no interference, and a perfect performance for the public.
But behind closed doors, Selena quickly realizes her husband is still dangerously entangled with his seductive ex, Victoria.
What begins as a business arrangement soon turns into something far more toxic: obsession, temptation, and emotional warfare.
Until the night Selena catches Matthew in a devastating betrayal that shatters what little trust she had left.
This time, she refuses to break.
Selena rebuilds herself from the ashes — stronger, richer, and untouchable. And when she grows closer to Matthew’s powerful cousin, Alexander, Matthew is finally forced to face the one thing he never expected:
losing her.
Now consumed by jealousy, regret, and a love he realized too late, Matthew begins a desperate battle to win back the only woman who ever truly mattered.
But after everything he destroyed, can Selena ever trust him again… or will another man become the revenge Matthew can never survive?
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Chapter: Contract"It means you can't go to a charity gala I'm attending and get drunk and start a fight with my business rivals," Matthew said. "You have to be able to smile and look married and not embarrass me. It's not complicated.""And the intimate relations clause?""Means we don't sleep together," he said. "We don't kiss unless someone's watching. We don't touch unless we're being photographed. You have your own bedroom. I have mine. We're roommates who happen to be legally married.""What about Victoria?" Selena asked, and she knew the moment she asked it that she'd made a mistake, because Matthew's expression changed slightly."How do you know about Victoria?" he asked."I researched you," Selena said. "Before I came here. There was an article. From a few years ago. It said you were serious with someone named Victoria Lang.""We were," Matthew said, and his voice was suddenly very neutral. "That ended.""Because—""Because it did," he said, cutting her off. "And it has nothing to do with this
Last Updated: 2026-06-28
Chapter: Jaysonme still wants him. When it’s all shattered and broken into pieces… it’s so unimaginable when the heart just stops working. Will leaving us be worth it? You can call me that curvy girl — the finest in my family, with a mad sense of humor. By the way, I’m just a 26-year-old Canadian girl. On the 10th of March, one of my bitches rang me up. “Girl, get dressed! We’re hitting the club tonight. I need my ride-or-die with me.”It was Mila Anderson. Her dad is stupid rich, so when she says club, she means proper VIP vibes. We pulled up and the bass was shaking everything. That’s when I saw Jayson. He was so damn fine I couldn’t take my eyes off him. My knees literally went weak. I froze right there. Mila looked back. “Hey girl, what’s good? Who are you staring at like that?” I didn’t even blink. “That handsome, cute, sexy guy right there. You know him?” “Yeah, he’s a regular here,” she said. I spun around smiling. “And who’s that girl next to him?” “That’s his girlfriend, Cas
Last Updated: 2026-06-27
Chapter: What If The WorldHere’s a dramatic romance chapter with emotional tension and a slow-burn attraction.Chapter 8: The Contract Was Never Meant for LoveThe rain drummed softly against the floor-to-ceiling windows of Adrian Kingston’s penthouse. From the fiftieth floor, the city glittered below like a sea of stars, yet his attention never wandered beyond the woman standing in front of him.Elena Hart.Six months ago, they had signed a contract. It was simple on paper: she would pose as his fiancée for one year to satisfy his late grandfather’s final condition before he inherited the Kingston empire. In return, she would receive enough money to erase her family’s debts and start a new life.No emotions.No questions.No falling in love.Those had been the rules.Yet somewhere between charity galas, fake kisses for photographers, and late-night conversations neither of them admitted enjoying, the lines had begun to blur.“You’ve been staring at me for five minutes,” Elena teased, closing the folder she ha
Last Updated: 2026-06-26
Chapter: The DayOn day 23, they were finishing the final property designs.The last three properties were straightforward compared to the earlier ones. They'd learned how to think together. They'd established a rhythm.In twelve hours, they completed work that should have taken three days.By midnight on day 23, the International Tourism Development Initiative portfolio was essentially complete.Just two days left for final review and presentation materials.And then 25 days would be over.---Matthew and Selena stood on the balcony of her office looking out over the city.It was 1 AM. The office was empty. They were alone for the first time in 25 days without being actively working."Thank you," Selena said quietly."For what?" Matthew asked."For coming back," she replied. "For doing this work. For showing me what we can create when we stop fighting and just... build.""Thank you," Matthew said, "for calling me. For being willing to work with me. For reminding me why I loved this work in the first
Last Updated: 2026-06-25
Chapter: The PushMatthew walked into the conference room where Selena was already working.And everything that had been separate for the past three weeks reconnected in an instant."We need to finalize the African property," Selena said immediately, showing him her latest design iterations. "The government wants cultural authenticity, but the operational complexity is—""Significant," Matthew finished. "But manageable if we think about infrastructure as part of the cultural story instead of separate from it."They spent the next eight hours in the conference room.No breaks. No breaks. No discussion of anything beyond the work.And by 2 AM, they'd solved the African property completely. Not by compromise, but by integration. By finding a way for Matthew's operational thinking to enhance Selena's design vision instead of constraining it.It was extraordinary work. And it was the natural result of two people thinking in perfect synchronization.---For the next three days, they barely left the office.T
Last Updated: 2026-06-24
Chapter: Mine To HisBy week three of the remote work arrangement, the International Tourism Development Initiative properties were taking definitive shape.Twelve unique designs. Twelve operationally sound frameworks. Twelve properties that would change the luxury hospitality industry forever.It was extraordinary work. And it was the product of Matthew and Selena's collaboration at their absolute best.And they'd created it while barely acknowledging each other as human beings.Selena went home to the mansion every evening. She'd convert one of the drawing rooms into a second office. She'd work until midnight on design refinements that Matthew had flagged as operationally challenging.She'd find solutions. She'd send them to him via email.He'd respond with technical feedback. She'd incorporate it. And they'd iterate toward perfection.All without ever speaking directly.All without acknowledging that what they were building was extraordinary because they brought out each other's best thinking.---Matt
Last Updated: 2026-06-23
우리의 가장자리
메이슨 리드(Mason Reid)는 모든 것을 가졌다. 하키 팀 주장, 장학금, 그리고 감독이기도 한 아버지까지. 그가 유일하게 가질 수 없는 존재는 바로 에즈라 콜(Ezra Cole)뿐이다. 급식실에서 일어난 난투극으로 두 사람 모두 벤치 신세가 되자, 교장 선생님은 그들에게 비밀리에 함께 훈련하라는 명령을 내린다. 증오로 시작된 관계는 갈급하게 훔쳐낸 밤들, 맴도는 손길, 그리고 메이슨의 세계 전체를 송두리째 뒤흔들어 놓은 단 한 번의 입맞춤으로 변해간다.
대회와 루머, 그리고 혼란스러운 훈련 캠프 속에서 졸업반 생활이 이어지는 동안, 서로의 주위를 맴도는 것은 메이슨과 에즈라뿐만이 아니었다. 새로 전학 온 학생은 두 사람 모두를 원하고, 인기 많은 한 여학생은 에즈라에게 깊이 빠져든다. 그리고 질투에 눈이 먼 한 반 친구가 절대 보아서는 안 될 장면을 포착하고 마는데… 그는 모든 것을 파멸시킬 수 있는 동영상으로 네 사람 모두를 협박하기 시작한다.
가족의 거부, 공황 발작, 대중 앞에서의 굴욕, 그리고 장학금을 잃을지도 모른다는 두려움 속에서 메이슨과 에즈라는 결정을 내려야만 한다. 계속 숨어 지내며 서로를 영원히 잃을 것인가… 아니면 모든 것을 불태워버리고 함께 빙판 위로 나아갈 것인가.
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Chapter: [라일라 시점]이번에는 라일라의 시점(POV)이군요! 네 사람의 복잡한 감정선 사이에서 중심을 잡으려고 애쓰는 라일라의 복잡한 내면과, 카이와의 가슴 먹먹하면서도 다정한 대화, 그리고 마침내 트레버를 향해 드리우는 지독한 의심의 그림자까지 아주 팽팽한 긴장감이 잘 살아있습니다.라일라 특유의 섬세하고 이성적이면서도, 친구들을 깊이 아끼는 다정한 어조와 감정선을 그대로 살려 이전 번역들과 100% 일치하는 톤앤매너로 번역해 드립니다.## 라일라 POV (시점)방과 후의 도서관은 보통 내가 복잡한 현실로부터 도망쳐 나와 온전한 안정감을 느낄 수 있는 유일한 도피처였다. 막장 드라마 같은 치정극도 없고, 기괴한 대화도 없으며, 주변에서 일어나는 그 모든 파국적인 상황에 나 역시 멘탈이 터져서 방황하고 있다는 사실을 들키지 않으려 내숭 떨 필요도 없는 곳. 하지만 오늘만큼은 그 도피처마저 제 기능을 하지 못하고 있었다.나는 구석 자리에 앉아 수학 교과서를 펼쳐놓은 채, 벌써 몇 시간은 지난 것 같은 영겁의 시간 동안 똑같은 문제 하나만 멍하니 노려보고 있었다. 숫자들이 마치 외계어처럼 눈앞에서 따로 놀기 시작했고, 어떻게든 집중해 보려고 대가리를 굴릴 때마다 내 신경은 자꾸만 다른 곳으로 표류했다. 다시 그 통나무집 안으로. 에즈라를 영영 잃어버릴까 봐 무서워서 눈에 핏대를 세우던 메이슨의 그 처절한 눈빛과, 속으로는 전혀 괜찮지 않으면서 겉으로는 세상 쿨한 척 포커페이스를 유지하던 카이의 그 가식적인 비주얼까지.그리고 그 중심에서, 이상하게도 행복해 보이면서 동시에 영혼까지 완전히 털려 나간 것처럼 위태로워 보이던 에즈라에게로 내 모든 신경이 되돌아가 버렸다.나는 그 애들에게 화가 난 게 아니었다. 내가 도대체 무슨 자격으로 걔들한테 화를 내겠어? 하지만 솔직히 말해서, 정작 화가 나지 않는다는 그 사실 자체가 내겐 가장 짜증 나는 부분이었다. 왜냐하면 차라리 내가 대놓고 분노할 수 있었다면 모든 상황이 훨씬 더 단순하고 명쾌해졌을 테니까. 하지만… 그래. 난 이해하고
Last Updated: 2026-06-29
Chapter: 나는 그를 아꼈다 [메이슨 시점] 솔직히 말해서, 난 예전에 두려움이라는 감정이 눈에 대놓고 보이는 것인 줄만 알았다. 상황이 감당하기 힘들 정도로 좆같이 흘러갈 때 손을 덜덜 떨거나, 목소리가 사정없이 떨리거나, 겁을 먹고 뒤로 나자빠지는 그런 꼴사나운 모습들 말이다.하지만 내 착각이었다. 때로 두려움은 새벽 5시 훈련을 위해 눈을 뜨고선, 정작 5분마다 한 번씩 초조하게 휴대폰을 확인하고 있는 자신을 들키지 않으려 아무렇지 않은 척 연기하는 모습으로 찾아왔다.때로는 속이 온통 칼로 난도질당한 것처럼 뒤틀려 비명을 지르고 있으면서도, 학교 복도를 지날 때만큼은 턱을 치켜들고 당당하게 걸어가는 오기 어린 비주얼로 나타나기도 했다.그리고 또 어떤 때는, 내가 온 신경을 다해 아끼는 사람이 다른 새끼와 함께 웃고 있는 모습을 가만히 지켜보면서… 그 애의 완벽한 일상을 망치는 걸림돌이 되고 싶지 않다는 이유 하나만으로 “난 진짜 괜찮아”라고 스스로를 속여 넘기는 비참함으로 찾아왔다. 그리고 그게 이 모든 상황을 통틀어 가장 최악인 부분이었다.나는 지난 몇 년 동안 그 누구도 나를 건드릴 수 없도록 세상 모든 일에 좆도 관심 없는 척 주변을 속여왔다. 그게 훨씬 속 편했으니까. 내가 어디에 목숨을 거는지 남들이 눈치채지 못한다면, 그 누구도 나를 아프게 때릴 수 없을 테니까. 하지만 내 인생에 에즈라가 들이닥쳤고, 순간 내게도 잃고 싶지 않은 절대적인 약점이 생겨버렸다.나는 방에 앉아 마지막으로 날아온 문자를 띄워놓은 채 폰을 노려보았다.발신번호 표시제한: 사진 한 장. 우리 네 사람의 모습.오직 우리 네 사람만의 전유물이어야 했던 그 비밀스러운 순간이, 지금 저 바깥 세상에 대놓고 노출되어 있었다. 다른 어떤 정체 모를 새끼가 이 사실을 다 알고 있다. 내 턱근육이 거칠게 불거졌다.누군가 알아챘다는 사실 자체에 빡친 게 아니었다. 어떤 개새끼가 에즈라에게, 아니 우리 네 사람 모두에게 그토록 소중했던 그 순간을 포착해선, 우리를 난도질할 잔인한 무기로 악
Last Updated: 2026-06-29
Chapter: 후회해야 할까요?캠프가 끝난 다음 날 아침은 최악의 방식으로 비현실적인 기분이 들었다. 마치 내 가슴팍 위에 거대한 비밀 하나를 얹어둔 채 그대로 평범한 일상 속으로 걸어 들어온 것만 같았다. 모든 것이 전과 똑같았다. 똑같은 방. 준이가 아직 잠에서 깨지도 않았으면서 정작 끄지는 않아서 울려대던 짜증 나는 알람 소리. 그리고 조만간 꼭 치우겠노라 스스로에게 끊임없이 다짐했던 의자 위의 똑같은 옷 무더기들까지. 하지만 정작 나라는 인간은 전과 같지 않았다. 나는 침대에 누워 천장만 멍하니 바라보며, 머릿속으로 어젯밤 통나무집에서 있었던 그 모든 일들을 필사적으로 지워내려 애쓰면서도 끊임없이 되감기하고 있었다. 메이슨의 목소리, 카이의 미소, 긴장할 때 터져 나오던 라일라의 웃음소리. 그리고 우리 네 사람 모두가 다시는 되돌릴 수 없는 선을 완전히 넘겨버렸던 그 비주얼까지. 폰은 침대 위 내 옆자리에 덩그러니 놓여 있었다. 새로운 메시지도, 그 어떤 협박도 없었다. 아무런 연락이 없다는 그 사실이 희한하게도 나를 한층 더 좀먹어 들어갔다. 왜냐하면 어떤 끔찍한 일이 터질지 모른 채 기다리는 게, 차라리 이미 터져버린 걸 마주하는 것보다 훨씬 더 고역이었으니까. 나는 마침내 무거운 몸을 일으켜 침대 밖으로 나왔고, 등교 준비를 마쳤다. 복도로 발을 내딛는 바로 그 순간, 사방의 모든 소음이 평소보다 훨씬 더 고막을 찔러댔다. 애들은 계단 근처에서 자지러지게 웃어댔고, 누군가는 스포츠 페스티벌을 두고 열변을 토하고 있었으며, 미식축구부 무리들은 서로 일정표를 비교해가며 떠들고 있었다. 지극히 평범한 일상이었다. 다만 이제는, 저 새끼들 중 누군가 그 비밀을 알고 있는 게 아닐까 하는 지독한 의심을 멈출 수 없다는 게 문제였다. 역사 수업을 같이 듣는 어떤 여자애가 내 옆을 지나가며 생긋 미소를 지어 보였다. 나 역시 마주 웃어주었지만, 그 뒤로 꼬박 5초 동안은 걔가 도대체 왜 내게 웃어준 건지 그 숨은 의도를 의심하느라 대가리를 굴려야 했다. 진짜 한심하고 유
Last Updated: 2026-06-28
Chapter: 우리가 한 일번갯불 같았던 모닥불 밤이 지나간 이튿날 아침은 최악의 의미로 비현실적이었다.눈을 뜨고 처음 몇 초 동안은 내가 어디에 와 있는지조차 진짜로 분간하지 못했다. 내 눈에 들어온 건 오직 통나무집 창문 사이로 스며드는 희부연 아침 햇살과, 사방에서 나를 빈틈없이 에워싸고 있는 뜨끈한 온기뿐이었다.그리고 이내 내 뇌 회로가 정상화되었다. 메이슨의 단단한 팔은 잠결에도 소유욕을 대놓고 증명하듯 내 허리를 강하게 감싸 안고 있었다. 카이는 마치 원래 자기 자리라는 것처럼 내 다리 위로 다리 한쪽을 척 걸친 채 내 옆구리에 몸을 웅크리고 있었고, 라일라는 온 머리를 산발을 한 채 내 가슴팍에 고개를 묻고 있었는데, 숨을 쉴 때마다 머리카락이 내 턱끝을 간지럽혔다.그 누구도 움직이지 않았다. 이내 내 심장박동이 한층 더 끔찍한 감정과 함께 미친 듯이 요동치기 시작했다. 왜냐하면 어젯밤의 기억이 선명해짐과 동시에, 내가 그 일을 얼마나 눈물 나게 후회하지 않고 있는지가 고스란히 자각됐으니까.원래대로라면 이 사실에 더 소름이 돋고 미치겠어야 정상인데, 이상하게도 전혀 무섭지 않았다.내 옆에서 카이가 먼저 뒤척이더니, 나직하게 앓는 소리를 내며 눈을 깜빡였다. 걔는 잠시 잠결에 비몽사몽한 눈으로 나를 빤히 쳐다보더니, 이내 온몸이 뒤엉킨 채 눈을 뜬 이 상황이 세상에서 가장 당연하다는 듯 슬며시 미소를 지었다."좋은 아침," 걔가 잠긴 목소리로 중얼거렸다.잠에서 막 깨어나 잔뜩 갈라진 거친 목소리였다.나는 침을 꿀꺽 삼켰다. "어, 좋은 아침."카이가 몸을 살짝 일으키더니 이내 손을 뻗어, 어젯밤 자는 동안 내 몸 밑에서 엉망으로 뒤틀려 있던 내 후드티 깃을 뚝딱 고쳐 잡아주었다. 몹시 사소하고 무의식적인 손길이었지만, 걔가 그 행동을 너무나도 자연스럽게 해냈다는 그 사실 자체가 어젯밤의 그 어떤 자극보다도 내 가슴을 더 먹먹하게 쥐어짜 안았다.카이는 내가 순간 얼어붙은 걸 포착하고는 희미하게 웃었다. "너 금방이라도 기절할 것 같은 얼굴이다?""그럴지도
Last Updated: 2026-06-27
Chapter: 아름다운 상처스포츠 페스티벌 공지가 떴을 때부터 이미 온 학교가 미쳐 돌아가고 있었지만, 진짜 대혼란이 시작된 건 이틀 뒤 아침 조례 시간이었다.게이지 교장 선생님이 마이크 앞으로 걸어 나왔다. 교사들이 학생들의 모든 평화를 박살 내기 직전에 짓는 딱 그 특유의 표정이었다.“올해 쇼케이스에 대한 관심이 뜨거워짐에 따라,” 교장 선생님이 발표했다. “다음 주말, 주립 공원에서 참가 선수들을 대상으로 2박 3일간의 리더십 및 훈련 캠프를 개최할 예정입니다.”체육관이 순식간에 술렁이기 시작했다.“숙소 생활, 팀워크 다지기 훈련, 전략 회의, 그리고 추가 훈련 기회가 모두 포함됩니다. 올해는 대학 스카우터들이 매우 주의 깊게 지켜보고 있으니, 적극적인 참여를 강력히 권장합니다.”맨 뒤쪽에 있던 누군가 고래고래 소리를 질렀다. “그러니까 한마디로 감정적 트라우마를 곁들인 서머 캠프라는 거네요!”체육관의 절반이 자지러지게 웃기 시작했다.코치님은 벌써부터 영혼이 가출한 표정이었다.나는 몸을 의자 밑으로 더 깊숙이 파묻었고, 주변 애들은 벌써부터 방 배정이 어떻다느니, 술을 어떻게 몰래 숨겨 들어갈 거라느니 하며 앞다투어 떠들어댔다.데릭의 파티에서 그런 일들이 벌어진 후, 메이슨과 단둘이 캠프에서 2박 3일을 보낸다는 것만으로도 머리가 터질 만큼 스트레스였는데.거기에 카이와 라일라까지 이 판국에 엮인다고 생각하니 상황은 한층 더 최악으로 치달았다.아니, 어쩌면 훨씬 더 위험해지거나.솔직히 나조차도 이제는 분간할 수 없었다.라일라가 내 쪽으로 고개를 휙 돌려 나를 쳐다보았다. “너 되게 긴장돼 보인다.”“어, 진심 긴장돼.”“보통 감정이라는 게 그렇게 작동하긴 하지.”“참 고맙다, 심리치료사 나셨네.”뒷줄에 앉아 있던 카이가 우리 쪽으로 몸을 쑥 내밀었다. “진정해, 브룩스. 최악의 시나리오래봤자 누군가 숲속에서 감정이 북받쳐서 즙 짜는 것밖에 더 있겠냐.”내 옆 통로 자리에 앉아 있던 메이슨이 카이를 째려보았다. “꼭 네 얘기 아닌 것처럼 말한다?”카
Last Updated: 2026-06-27
Chapter: 공개된 재난라일라가 말을 끝낸 후에도 그 누구도 움직이지 않았다.아래층에서는 여전히 바닥이 흔들릴 정도로 음악 소리가 쿵쾅거리고 있었지만, 이 위쪽 복도는 이상하리만치 고요했다. 지나칠 정도로.라일라는 자기 두뇌가 이 상황을 처리하려다 처참하게 실패하고 있는 것처럼 우리 세 사람을 다시 한번 번갈아 쳐다보았다.카이가 먼저 벽에 몸을 슥 기대며, 어떻게 저러나 싶을 정도로 완벽하게 평온한 태도로 입을 열었다. "와, 진짜 타이밍 한번 예술이네."라일라가 눈을 한번 깜빡였다. "카이.""왜?""지금 내가 내 두 눈으로 뭘 보고 있는 건지 도대체 설명 좀 해줄래?""솔직히 말하자면, 그건 좀 답변하기 곤란한 난제인데."나는 즉시 손으로 얼굴을 쓸어내렸다. "너 지금 전혀 도움 안 되거든."메이슨은 여전히 내 등 뒤에 바짝 붙어 서 있었고, 한 손은 거기가 자기 자리라는 걸 까먹은 것처럼 내 허리 아래쪽에 낮게 얹혀 있었다. 라일라의 시선이 순식간에 그 손으로 떨어졌다가, 이내 내 얼굴로 확 치켜올려졌다."너 카이랑 키스한 거야?""아니," 내가 입을 열기도 전에 카이가 가로채 대답했다. "엄밀히 말하면 내가 얘한테 키스한 거지.""그게 묘하게 더 나쁜데.""난 솔직한 게 미덕인 줄 알아서."라일라는 카이를 당장이라도 계단 아래로 밀어 버리고 싶다는 눈빛으로 노려보았다.그 와중에 나는 문자 그대로 돌연사하기 일보 직전이었다."이거 네가 생각하는 그런 거 아냐," 내가 힘없이 웅얼거렸다.카이가 그 즉시 웃음을 터뜨렸다. "에즈라, 양심이 있어라. 너 방금 벽에 완전히 처박혀 있었거든?""이 상황을 한층 더 트라우마로 만들어줘서 참 고맙다.""별말씀을."라일라가 우리 모두를 향해 손가락을 거칠게 삿대질했다. "오케이, 됐고. 내 베프가 왜 위층 복도에서 하키부 놈들 둘을 양옆에 끼고 무슨 넷플릭스 드라마에 나오는 것처럼 동시에 입을 맞추고 자빠졌는지 누군가 납득이 가게 설명하기 전까진 아무도 여기서 못 떠나."아래층에서 누군가의 이름을 연호하
Last Updated: 2026-06-25
Edges Of Us
Mason Reid has everything hockey captain, scholarship, a dad who’s also the coach. The only thing he can’t have is Ezra Cole. When a cafeteria fight gets them benched, the principal forces them to train together in secret. What starts as hate turns into desperate stolen nights, lingering touches, and a kiss that cracks Mason’s whole world open.
As senior year drags them through competitions, rumors, and a chaotic training camp, Mason and Ezra aren’t the only ones circling each other. A new transfer student wants them both. A popular girl falls hard for Ezra. And one jealous classmate catches something he was never meant to see… and starts blackmailing all four of them with a video that could destroy everything.
Family rejection, panic attacks, public humiliation, and the fear of losing scholarships force Mason and Ezra to decide: keep hiding and lose each other forever… or burn it all down and skate out together.
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Chapter: Choosing UsThe first thing I notice when I woke up was the silence.No alarm. No practice notification. No stupid group chat blowing up with plays and stats. Just my room, pale morning light coming through the gaps in my blinds, and the kind of quiet that only happens when the world decides to leave me alone for once.I checked my phone and it was 7:47 AM. Then a text lights up the screen.Mason: get ready. I'm stealing u for the dayMason: wear something u can actually move inI grin at my phone. Just thirty minutes ago, I had been bracing for the weekend to be weird. Tense. The kind of thing where Mason would act fine in public but tight as a drum the whole time, stuck in his own head about his dad, and about everything.But this….this feels different like Mason is actually trying.I roll out of bed and get in the shower, already running through my closet in my head. Not too fancy. Not trying too hard. But also not looking like I just rolled out of bed at seven in the morning, which, technical
Last Updated: 2026-06-29
Chapter: The Son He Thought He Knew **Mason POV**The drive home felt longer than it should have. My dad’s message kept sitting on my phone screen like something waiting for me.Just four words that somehow felt heavier than any lecture he had ever given me. I knew what this was about.At least, I thought I did. He had seen me slipping during practice. The way my attention kept drifting even when I tried to force myself to focus.He was going to talk about scouts, my future and probably everything I had spent my whole life working toward.I could handle that because yea. I have handled it my entire life. I knew how to sit there, nod my head, and promise I would do better.That was easy. What wasn’t easy was the fact that lately, every time I looked at Ezra, every time he smiled at me or reached for my hand when nobody was watching, I felt like I was finally living a life that actually belonged to me. And that really scared me than losing hockey ever did.When I pulled into the driveway, the house was quiet. Usually
Last Updated: 2026-06-28
Chapter: The Weight Of ExpectationsMason POVI always gets to the rink before everyone else. The quiet was the only time this place actually felt like mine. No teammates shouting. No coach correcting every move. No scouts watching from the stands. Just me, the ice, and the sound of my blades cutting through the surface.Usually, that was enough to clear my head but not today. Because all I could think about was Ezra. I hated how easy it had become to think about him.The way he smiled when he was trying not to. The way he got annoyed when Kai teased him but still laughed anyway. The way he looked at me like I wasn’t just some hockey player trying to be perfect all the time. Like I was actually a person. Hockey had always been simple.You worked harder than everyone else. You trained longer. You won. That was the formula.My dad made sure I knew that. I still remembered being ten years old, standing on the ice after practice while everyone else had already gone home. My legs were shaking. My hands were numb. I had tears
Last Updated: 2026-06-27
Chapter: Different Ways Of Loving **Ezra POV**Practice ended later than usual that day. The rink was almost empty by the time the coach finally called it. The bright lights above the ice made everything feel colder than it actually was.My body was tired, but my mind was worse. These last few days kept replaying in my head. The cabin, messages, Mason looking at me like he was trying to be brave even though he was scared. And Kai smiling like he had everything under control when I knew he didn’t. Lila trying to act like she was okay.I was surrounded by people I cared about, and somehow I had never felt more lost like this right now. I was putting my things away near the boards when I saw Mason and Kai standing near the penalty box.They weren’t arguing, which alone surprises me.Mason had his arms crossed, his usual defensive posture. Kai leaned against the boards, quieter than normal. No teasing. No jokes. I stayed where I was, pretending to fix my bag while listening.Mason spoke first. “You really like him,
Last Updated: 2026-06-24
Chapter: Friendship And More **Lila POV**The library after school was usually the one place where I could disappear to and feel safe. No drama. No weird conversations or me pretending I wasn’t confused about everything happening around me. But today, it wasn’t working.I was sitting in the corner with my math textbook open, staring at the same problem for what felt like forever. The numbers were starting to look like a different language to me and every time I tried to focus, my brain went somewhere else. Back to the cabin. The way Mason looked at Ezra like he was so terrified of losing him, and the way Kai acted like everything was cool with him even though I could tell it really wasn’t. And back to Ezra, who somehow looked happy and completely overwhelmed at the same time.I wasn’t angry at them. I mean why should I? But honestly, that was the most annoying part. Because if I was angry, things would be easier. But yeah. I understood. Maybe too much.I sighed and dropped my pencil on the table. “Come on,
Last Updated: 2026-06-24
Chapter: I Cared For Him [Mason’s Pov]Honestly, I really used to think that fear was something you could see. Like a shaking hand,nervous voice and someone backing away when things got too hard.But I was wrong, sometimes fear looked like getting up at 5 AM for practice and pretending you weren’t checking your phone every five minutes. Sometimes it looked like walking through school halls with your head high while your stomach felt like it was tied in knots.While, sometimes it looked like watching the person you cared about laugh with someone else and telling yourself you were fine because you didn’t want to be the guy who ruined everything for them and that was actually the worst part of it all.I had spent years convincing everyone I didn’t care about anything. It was easier that way because people won't be able to hurt you if they didn’t know where to hit. But then Ezra happened and suddenly I had something to lose.I sat in my room staring at my phone, the last message still open.Unkn
Last Updated: 2026-06-17
Chapter: What BreaksJay's first thought when he woke up was: *something's wrong.*Not the usual "where am I" wrong. Deeper. Wrong in his chest. In his meridians. In the very foundation of his cultivation.He tried to sit up but his body didn't listen."Easy." Kael's voice. Close. The General's hand settled on Jay's chest—not pushing him down, just... steadying. "Don't move yet."Jay's eyes opened. The world was too bright. Everything had a golden haze to it that made his head pound. He was in a bed—not his chambers. The royal wing's medical suite, judging by the sterile white walls and the faint smell of healing herbs.Kael sat in a chair beside the bed. Hadn't moved. Probably hadn't slept. His jaw was shadowed with stubble, his eyes exhausted, but those gold eyes tracked every micro-movement Jay made."How long?" Jay's voice came out wrecked."Twelve hours." Kael's hand didn't move from his chest. "You collapsed after the breakthrough. We brought you here. You've been unconscious since."Twelve hours. T
Last Updated: 2026-06-12
Chapter: Blood And PoliticsJay woke up alone. The bed was cold on both sides—Kael's warmth gone, Nyx's ice-cold presence vanished. Just empty sheets and the lingering scent of two Alphas who'd helped him through heat and then disappeared.*Of course they left. Why would they stay?*His first life's abandonment issues tried to surface. Jay shoved them down. *Focus. They're probably dealing with court fallout. This isn't personal.*Except it felt personal.He sat up, wincing. His body was sore in ways that made his face heat. The heat was gone—truly gone, not just suppressed—but the aftermath lingered. Sensitive skin. Heightened awareness. And the phantom sensation of hands he couldn't quite forget.*Stop. Business brain. What's the play today?*A knock at the door."Your Highness?" Finn's voice. Strained.Jay wrapped a robe around himself. "Come in."Finn entered carrying a breakfast tray. But his hands were shaking. His face pale."What happened?" Jay asked immediately."Nothing, Your Highness. I just—" Finn se
Last Updated: 2026-06-12
Chapter: Heat And ChoiceJay woke up burning with an actual fire under his skin, in his veins, consuming him from the inside out. His clothes were soaked through—sweat, slick, desperation. The room spun. *Where—* Not the throne room. Not his chambers either. Somewhere bigger. Softer. A bed beneath him that actually had clean sheets and pillows that didn't smell like mildew. Guest quarters. Royal wing. *They brought me to the royal wing. Not the east wing trash heap.* "He's awake." Kael's voice. Close. Jay's head turned automatically toward the sound, and his hindbrain flooded with *Alpha Alpha need—* The General sat in a chair by the bed. Still in formal dress but the jacket was gone. Sleeves rolled up. Hair disheveled like he'd been running his hands through it. Those gold eyes tracked every movement Jay made. "How long?" Jay's voice came out wrecked. Throat raw like he'd been screaming. "Four hours since the ceremony." Kael's jaw was tight. Controlled. "Your heat hit fully about an hour ago. You've
Last Updated: 2026-05-18
Chapter: Mate SelectionJay stood outside the throne room doors trying not to throw up.He had just two days to prepare for this moment, and his body was already betraying him.The heat suppressant was failing. He could feel the warmth crawling under his skin, slick between his thighs that he had wiped away three times this morning. His scent was changing already, sweetening, broadcasting to every Alpha in the palace that he was approaching heat.Perfect timing.[WARNING: HEAT CYCLE IMMINENT][ESTIMATED TIME: 18-24 HOURS][CURRENT SUPPRESSANT EFFECTIVENESS: 34%][RECOMMENDATION: SECURE ALPHA BOND BEFORE FULL MANIFESTATION]"Stop helping," Jay muttered at the floating text."Your Highness?" Finn hovered nearby, nervous. He had helped Jay dress this morning into, royal blue robes that actually fit, hair styled simply, nothing excessive. "Are you ready?""No." Jay's hands were shaking. He fisted them in his robes. "But we are doing this anyway."Two opened meridians hummed with qi in his chest. Body Refinement,
Last Updated: 2026-05-01
Chapter: Between The PredatorsThe shadows didn’t just move, they swallowed the light whole.The room got freezing cold in seconds. Jay’s breath came out in white clouds. Frost crawled across the window like someone was drawing it with icy fingers.Kael’s sword hissed out of its sheath. “Show yourself.”“I am showing myself, General,” the voice answered, deep and cold like winter wind. “This is all your weak mortal eyes can take without burning.”The darkness gathered and took shape. Taller than Kael. Wider. A figure made of pure shadow that hurt to look at directly. Two glowing crimson eyes burned where a face should be.Jay felt his pocket turn ice-cold. The crystal.The Shadow King.“Step away from him,” Kael ordered, moving between Jay and the shadow. Protective. Possessive.Shit. Alpha bullshit already. This is about to get ugly.“Possessive already?” The Shadow King sounded amused. “You’ve known him for what… twenty minutes? I’ve been watching him for days.”Jay’s old CEO instincts kicked in hard. Two powerfu
Last Updated: 2026-04-29
Chapter: The General Returns"May I?" Kael asked."May you what?""Scent you properly. You're suppressing your pheromones. I can tell. But I want to know what you actually smell like under the cultivation energy."Jay's mind raced. He's asking permission. That means he wants it, and also to know if we're compatible.Which means I have power here.Every instinct said this was dangerous. Letting an Alpha into personal space was an invitation to claim.But refusing would make Kael suspicious. And a suspicious Alpha was unpredictable.Let him smell. Let him want. Want is leverage."Fine," Jay said. "But you don't touch.""Agreed."Kael leaned in. His nose traced the line of Jay's throat without making contact—close enough that Jay could feel breath heat.Jay's body responded immediately. Warmth pooling low in his belly. Omega biology screaming yes, this Alpha, claim claim claim—His mind stayed cold. Calculating.He's restraining himself. That tremor in his hand—he wants to touch and isn't. Good. The more he wants an
Last Updated: 2026-04-23
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