BECK
I was standing in front of the library door, taking a deep breath before knocking. My fingers felt stiff, and my head was filled with worry. What if I said the wrong thing? What if Sera got angry? But I had to do this. I couldn't bear to leave things hanging last night.
“Just come in,” Sera's voice came from inside, calm and gentle as always.
I opened the door, finding her sitting by the large window with an open book on her lap. The sunlight reflected off her hair, making it look like a living painting.
“Hey,” I said softly, trying to sound casual.
She looked at me, closed her book, and smiled. “Beck? You're already back?”
I nodded faintly, still standing at th
CALThe tapping of chess pieces filled the silence of the living room. Ace sat opposite me, his body relaxed, but his gaze sharp as ever. I knew his mind worked faster than his hands.Ace moved his rook with quiet but purposeful movements. On the other hand, I leaned back casually in my chair, letting my gaze drift towards the large glass door that overlooked the backyard.The sound of Sera's laughter rang out, light as the wind touching the leaves. Through the wide window, I watched her step with Beck into the back garden. Beck, as always, looked awkward, but Sera exuded an aura of confidence, her every move feeling so natural.Across the table, Ace's eyes followed them as they began to disappear into the wall. His expression was flat, but there was a sharp glint that was hard to ignore.&nbs
ACEThat morning, the sun was shining brighter than usual, as if trying to interfere in this family's complicated affairs. The tennis court behind the estate was way too fancy—green fences, perfect white lines, and a small spectator stand that, surprise surprise, was totally empty. This kind of game didn’t attract anyone except us—the players. But I was not here to capture the audience's attention, I had a more specific target in mind.I twirled the racket in my hand, standing at the side of the tennis court in a relaxed manner. Cal, as always, was in good spirits. Last night I had overheard him almost begging Beck to come play. Cal was trying too hard to bring us together who clearly didn't want to be together.However, what really caught my attention was Damon. I hadn’t seen him since that night—since he c
DAMONI leaned against the net post, enjoying the brief respite after the first game. Ace, with that annoying winning smile, was clearly satisfied. But I didn't care about this game. I knew he was just trying to provoke me, especially with what he said about Sera. But I knew, he also didn't know what was in my head... or what was between me and Sera.My eyes followed Sera's approaching movements. Her slender legs stepped gracefully, her white dress swayed lightly, as if the whole world stopped spinning and there was only her. That face full of curiosity—oh, she had something to say, didn’t she?I gave her a lopsided smile, a smile that I knew would make her curious. “Something on your mind, princess?” My voice was low, teasing, carrying just the right edge of challenge.
SERAAfter Damon left with a sardonic smile still in my mind, I looked over to Ace who was being handled by Cal. Beck was standing not far away holding his racket. Instantly, I felt worry creep into my chest, even though I knew Ace was a strong person. I tried to suppress the annoyance that was still bubbling up, and focus on this situation.I knelt down beside Ace who was still sitting on the field, clutching his ankle which was starting to swell. His facial expression was a mixture of pain and annoyance that he tried to hide behind a faint smile.“Ace, are you okay?” I asked, even though he clearly wasn't.Cal crouched on Ace’s other side, his hands moving efficiently as he examined the injury. “It’s not a fracture, but it looks like a sprain. We need to get him to his room and ice it.”I nodded. “Should I call a doctor?”Cal let out a small laugh, glancing up at me. “Sera, I’m a doctor, remember?”Oh. Right. Feeling slightly foolish, I just nodded again, more seriously this time. “
DAMONThe door creaked as I opened it, the small sound was enough to make Sera turn her head with a sudden movement. She was sitting on the edge of the bed, her body tense like someone who had waited too long in too narrow a space. Turner mentioned she was waiting for me, but I didn’t expect her to actually stay up this late—and in my room.Our eyes met, and I could see it in hers—anger. Sharp, blazing, and brimming with things she was dying to say.But I beat her to it. “What are you doing here?” My voice was flat, almost casual, though we both knew that wouldn’t last long.She stood up, her jaw tight as she faced me. “Where the hell have you been? Everyone’s been looking for you, but you just disappeared.”
SERA“Don’t hold back, Sera.” His words were a dark, whispered command. “I want to hear every sound you make.”I shook my head slightly, my body trying to resist the overwhelming friction. “I don’t understand what you’re doing to me, Damon,” I whispered. But when his hot hand slid to my back, pulling me closer, I knew I’d already given in.Ignoring my words, his lips returned to my neck, his tongue teasing me there as his hand expertly unclasped my bra. “I can’t stop,” he said in a husky voice that made my heart race.He didn’t give me a choice. There was no escape. I knew I should be angry, should demand an explanation, but somehow, something deeper drew me into this game. “Then don’t.”He stripped away the rest of our clothes with swift movements. I stare at his body with increasingly heavy breathing as he puts on the condom. The tattoos wrapped around his body seemed to tell a dark, unspoken story. And my stomach felt like it was twisting at the sight of how ready he was for me.Hi
SERAThe room was quiet, dimly lit, with nothing but the sound of our breathing filling the space. I lay next to him, staring at the ceiling, trying to catch my breath. But my eyes kept drifting to him—to that tattoo-covered body lounging lazily against the headboard. My hand moved on its own, tracing my fingers over the ink—lines so intricate, so mesmerizing.My fingers stopped at the wolf howling at a full moon, beautifully etched across his chest, covering most of his left side and stretching to his shoulder. “A wolf,” I murmured, my voice softer than usual. “Like your name.”I tilted my head, looking at the wolf that seemed to be howling helplessly at the moon. “Why does it seem bound to the moon? Wolves are supposed to be free,” I asked, trying to understand.Damon looked at me with an expression I couldn’t quite read, something unspoken lingering in his eyes. “Because the moon isn't just light to him. It gives him strength, but is also his greatest weakness,” he replied softly.W
CALTurner sat in the driver’s seat, fiddling with his phone while waiting. I leaned back in the rear seat, gazing out the window and enjoying the crisp morning air.“Turner,” I called, breaking the silence as I glanced at his reflection in the rearview mirror.“Yes, Mr. Cal?” he replied politely.“You’re pretty close with Damon, aren’t you?” I asked, keeping my tone casual.Turner turned slightly, then fixed his gaze back on the front. “You could say that. It’s nice having someone to talk to about spare parts and such.”I nodded thoughtfully. “Seems like he treats you nice. He talks to you more than he does with me or anyone
ACEThe air inside the car felt warm, even with the AC still on. The night outside was eerily quiet, broken only by the rustling of leaves swaying in the wind. Dim street lights cast a faint glow on the dashboard, creating soft shadows on Sera’s face.I sat in the driver’s seat, one hand resting on the wheel while the other lay lazily on my thigh. Sera, seated beside me in the passenger seat, still wearing her night dress—the one I chose. A deep blue that blended into the night, baring her shoulders in just the right way. The fabric clung to her body like it was made for her. She turned her head toward me, her gaze searching mine for something.“I’ve kept my promise,” she murmured.I turned to her, locking eyes. “And you think that’s enough?”She was silent for a moment, then a small, challenging smirk tugged at her lips. “You really are never satisfied, are you?”I knew this game. I knew when she was teasing and when she was trying to deflect. And I wasn’t in the mood to play along.
SERAAce and I walked through the living room, which felt quieter than usual. There was no sound of clinking glasses or heated discussions that usually filled the space at night. Or the weird jokes that Beck usually cracked.Damon was at the hospital with Cal, keeping Reggie company. Or rather, Cal had dragged Damon along. Normally, I would be there with Cal, but tonight, I chose to sit this one out to keep my promise to Ace. Meanwhile, Beck had been busy these past few days scouting locations downtown for his art gallery.I glanced at Ace, trying to read his expression. “Looks like we have the house to ourselves tonight,” I remarked casually.Ace turned to me, his signature expression intact—a mix of confidence and something subtler, almost teasing. “What? Are you saying we should cancel dinner and do something else instead?”I let out a small scoff, raising an eyebrow at him. “Wow, Ace. Changing your mind that easily?”Ace grinned, his expression unshakable. “I’m just offering an al
SERAIt had been a month since I started living with the Blackwood Brothers. I should have been used to it by now, but it still felt like walking a tightrope; balancing between ambition, veiled lies, and constantly changing emotions. This house, usually quiet and still, was now filled with men who should have come with their own warning labels. And every single day, I found myself asking the same question: How the hell did I get here?Ace, Beck, Cal, Damon… they weren’t just men I had to choose from. They were puzzles I had to solve. And if I wasn’t careful, I would end up trapped in this game with no way out.Ace? He was too brilliant for his own good. Too self assured too. Talking to him felt like walking into a national debate unprepared. I knew he wanted me, but sometimes I wondered; had I been the woman he truly desired, or just a challenge he was determined to conquer? There had been a particular way his eyes had lit up every time I tried to resist him, like my defiance only fue
CALMorning came with a silence that felt heavier than usual. Maybe it was because of yesterday. Or maybe it was just this house, always keeping secrets behind its walls.I walked down the hallway, balancing a tray in one hand. As I reached Sera’s door, I lifted my other hand and knocked lightly with the back of my fingers.However, before my hand could touch the wood, the door had already opened from the inside. Damon stood in the doorway, his expression was as unreadable as ever, but there was something in his eyes—fatigue, maybe. Or something deeper.I raised an eyebrow, offering a faint smile. “Morning.”Damon held my gaze for a moment before responding, his voice low and rough. “Morning.”He didn’t move away immediately. Instead, he kept a hand on the door, giving me space to step inside before finally shifting aside.Taking the hint, I walked in. “Had breakfast yet?” I asked casually, still balancing the tray in my hands.Damon let out a short, quiet exhale. “I’m good.”A standa
BECKI sat at the edge of the bed, watching Sera’s pale face for what felt like an eternity. Her breathing was steady but heavy, like her body was fighting against something I couldn’t see. I didn’t know what was happening. I didn’t know what had caused this. All I knew was that she was sick, and I was here.My hand moved on its own, brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear with the gentlest touch, like if I pressed too hard, she might crack and shatter into pieces.I wanted to ask. I wanted to know. But I couldn’t. Because even though my mind was drowning in questions, I couldn’t put that weight on her right now.I felt there was something between us, but did Sera think the same? Or am I just misinterpreting everything? I wanted to believe that I had a place in her heart, that I was more than just someone who happened to be by her side.My hands curled into fists on my lap, trying to push down the uncertainty gnawing at my chest. This wasn’t the time for this. Sera was sick.But
DAMONWhen Ace walked out, I didn’t follow him right away. I stayed where I was, feeling Beck and Cal’s eyes lock onto me. The atmosphere in the room shifted—easygoing to suffocating in an instant, tension thick in the air like a storm about to break.I could feel Sera standing at the doorway, restless. I didn’t have to turn around to know she was biting her lower lip, debating whether to speak or stay silent.Finally, I exhaled a short breath and started moving. “I’ll be fine,” I murmured, casual, before slipping past them.I followed Ace down the hall to his room. He shoved the door open, motioned me inside, then slammed it shut behind us.“Again, I have no idea why you’re pissed,” I said, leaning against his wardrobe, all ease, all nonchalance.“How old are you, huh? Fifteen?” Ace finally spoke, his voice low, cold.I narrowed my eyes. “What’s that supposed to mean?”“Do you even know Sera got sick because of you?” His voice was quiet, but it carried the weight of restrained fury.
ACEI saw her hesitate. Sera looked down for a moment, then glanced at me. It was only a split second, but I caught her weighing something.Then, with a quiet voice, she finally admitted, “I took an after-morning pill this morning.”Silence.I didn’t say anything. The doctor merely gave a small nod, jotting something down on his clipboard before giving a few instructions.I stayed quiet, feeling the muscles in my jaw tighten. My breathing was heavier than usual. I didn’t know why, but something in my chest clenched at her confession. And I didn’t like it.The doctor finally left, leaving just the two of us in a room that felt even quieter than before. I was still standing in the same spot, staring at her.Sera didn’t speak right away. She knew I was angry. It was in the way she took a breath, in the way her fingers toyed with the edge of the blanket.“You don’t have to react like that,” she finally said, looking away slightly. “I knew what I was doing.”My eyes narrowed. I didn’t like
ACEI should’ve noticed earlier.Sera was sitting across from me, but she wasn’t really there. She played with her fork, stirring her food absentmindedly. Usually, she’d have thrown some sharp remarks by now—something laced with sarcasm, something that carried that signature defiance she always took pride in.“What do you think Reggie will do to Dominic?” I asked, baiting a reaction.She turned to me with a weak smile. “Reggie would finish him off.”Something was wrong.Just this morning, Sera, with her signature style-sharp, defiant, stabbing with words—had managed to strip Dominic down. But now… she looked like she had lost half of herself.I had barely taken a single bite when Sera suddenly set down her spoon. The movement was too abrupt, too noticeable.I raised a brow, studying her face. “What’s wrong?”She didn’t answer. Her jaw tightened, fingers curling into fists on the table. Then, the next second, she stood up.“I need to use the restroom,” she muttered before walking away.
CALI had just finished a lap when I saw someone step out from the back door—Damon, finally showing up.I slowed down and walked toward him. He was stretching, lazily pulling his arm across his chest.“Well, look who finally woke up,” I smirked, standing beside him. “I was starting to think you’d given up on life and decided to become part of the living room couch.”Damon just grunted, clearly not in the mood to throw back his usual sarcasm. But as I got a closer look at his face, something felt... off. I narrowed my eyes, trying to figure out what was bothering me.And then, I saw it.I held back a laugh. “Damon… what the hell happened to your eyebrow?”He frowned. “What?”I pointed at the slit in his brow—usually pretty noticeable, but now, it looked darker, like someone had tried to fill it in. “Looks like somebody took a marker to it.”Damon blinked, confusion flickering across his face before realization hit him like a truck. “Shit.” He immediately reached up to touch his brow, m