Dog on a Leash

Taiga was determined to understand what all the hype was about. If Maya was truly considering going back to his ex, then Taiga wasn’t going down without a fight.

The party that had every team buzzing was finally here. Taiga will arrive alone—Maya had mysteriously come down with a cold and had to stay behind. Dressed in sharply tailored suit pants and an expensive, form-fitting corset top, Taiga looked like he belonged on a runway.

“Maybe this outfit is a little over the top,” he murmured to himself, glancing around and feeling slightly overdressed.

As a Luna, Taiga wasn't overly masculine, but he was far from delicate. He had a slim waist and broad shoulders, standing at an impressive 6'3"—a whole three inches taller than Maya. His hips were wide enough to be mistaken for the result of a serious leg day, and his sculpted thighs and matching glutes only added to the effect. He was by no means a small man.

Compared to female Lunas, male Lunas were typically larger and often had the ability to pack on muscle like a male Enigma. In fact, a Luna could easily surpass an Enigma in sheer size if they chose to. Male Lunas also had the ability to conceal certain features—flattening their chest, hardening their skin, or building up muscle to avoid appearing too feminine. They rarely embraced their natural softness, especially in environments where they felt threatened or unsettled.

Tonight, though, Taiga had no intention of hiding. He looked stunning, powerful—and he was ready to prove something.

He would show Maya that Dante was nothing more than a dog, the kind who’d sleep with anyone, even his ex’s current boyfriend.

Taiga’s phone buzzed in his hand as he grabbed his car keys and wallet. He answered immediately.

“Are you sure you don’t want to get checked out, babe? You know a common cold can turn into a fever if you don’t treat it,” he said, concern lacing his voice as he paused at the door.

“I know, that’s why I’m staying back to rest, baby,” Maya replied, his voice muffled and scratchy.

“You know all you have to do is say the word, and I’ll be there before you can blink,” Taiga said softly, still not moving. “No party is worth leaving my baby alone with a runny nose and sore throat.”

“I’m fine, babe, I promise. You need to be there. Can’t have a party without our ace, my love,” Maya said, sneezing mid-sentence.

“Aww, baby,” Taiga cooed. “Get some rest, drink something hot. Don’t forget your meds.”

“Ugh, babe, I know. Now leave me be and go have fun. You owe me lots of stories when you get back, okay?” Maya replied, already sounding half-asleep.

“Bye, baby. I’ll text you when I wake up. Feeling kinda drowsy,” he added with a yawn.

“Bye, my love,” Taiga whispered, slipping his phone into his pocket and stepping out the door.

The night had just begun. And Taiga was going to have fun—on his terms.

Takuri Komori’s house wasn’t a house—it was a kingdom with speakers. Music thundered against the high ceilings, lights ricocheted off crystal fixtures like strobe stars, and the walls pulsed with the beat like it had a heartbeat of its own. It felt more like an upscale club than someone’s residence. People crowded the enormous space—some from rival schools, others from teams Taiga had never played against, much less spoken to.

Eyes followed him the moment he walked in.

People whispered.

And yet, Taiga walked with the kind of grace that made whispers die mid-sentence.

He didn’t care what they were saying. Not anymore. Tatsuya had taught him that skill early on: ignore the noise. Being a Luna in a competitive male-dominated world made thick skin not optional—but essential. It became second nature to move with purpose, to breathe in judgment and exhale elegance.

Finding his team wasn’t difficult. The Shirakiba Wolves were as loud and chaotic as ever, centered around the gravitational pull that was Takuri. The former team captain and current host was the sun in this particular universe—people orbited around him with drinks in hand and stories on their tongues.

“Whoa, Taiga!” someone from the team called out, eyes wide. “You look… damn. You look good.”

Taiga offered a smile and a quiet “Thanks,” slipping into the group with an air of practiced effortlessness.

From the other side of the group, a stranger approached—smiling like they’d known each other for years. “So you’re Taiga. Our new Ace. I’ve heard all about you.” The man extended a hand. “I’m Takuri Komori. Founder of the team. With your strength, you brought us the Winter Cup. That’s no small feat.”

Takuri looked nothing like Taiga expected. For someone who carried a reputation almost as big as the house he lived in, Taiga had anticipated someone intense, perhaps brooding. But the man before him was all warm grins and casual charm. If anything, he felt more like a host at a beach house than the founder of a legendary basketball squad.

“Couldn’t have done it without the team,” Taiga replied, shaking his hand. “It’s all teamwork in the end.”

Takuri laughed and clapped him on the shoulder. “You’re humble too. Dangerous combination.”

A quiet presence to the side caught Taiga’s attention. Rin, their captain, sipped slowly from a cocktail glass, saying nothing, his gaze sharp and fixed on the exchange. His posture was relaxed, but his eyes said otherwise.

That’s strange, Taiga thought.

He hadn’t interacted much with Rin yet, but Maya had filled him in on team dynamics—especially the silent rumor that Rin and Takuri were more than just old teammates. Their relationship was a known secret within the squad. Seeing Rin standing there, watching Takuri with that unreadable look, his scent subtly spiking with something like... unease? Jealousy?

Something’s definitely up, Taiga noted, storing it away for later.

“I should tell you—Maya won’t be coming,” Taiga said to the group. “Caught a cold, so he’s resting tonight.”

A chorus of “aww, poor thing” and “tell him to get well soon” rose from the circle.

Takuri’s smile didn’t falter. He kept right on grinning, even as he nodded. Taiga found it odd. Maybe he was just that kind of guy. Or maybe something about him was… off.

“Excuse me, guys,” Taiga said with a polite nod. “Be right back.”

He slipped away from the group without much protest. Behind him, he heard soft murmurs trail in his wake—mostly compliments, a few guesses about his secondary gender, none of which bothered him. He’d heard worse. Much worse. He chuckled softly, rolling his eyes.

As he moved through the party, he picked up more than a few lingering stares. Enigmas and Prime Alphas watched him with curiosity—and, in some cases, hunger. It was almost amusing how easily they misread him.

They all think I’m an Enigma, he thought. Typical.

Some of the athletes from rival schools had clearly spread rumors. “The new Ace of Shirakiba? He has to be an Enigma. No alpha or prime moves like that.” The whispers must have started the second he walked in. And yet, they still approached him. Drawn in like moths to a flame.

He ended up at the bar, a drink in hand, humoring another admirer—Kozen, a Prime Alpha from last year’s rival team, who was currently rambling about his team’s Winter Cup loss.

“…and that’s how we got knocked out right before the semis,” Kozen finished with a sigh.

Taiga nodded absently. His mind wasn’t really on the conversation. He knew Dante was here. He could feel it. The moment was getting closer, and he needed just a bit more liquid courage.

So he laughed at something Kozen said—though he didn’t hear it—and took another sip.

Then he felt it.

An arm draped itself across his shoulders, fingers brushing his neck.

The smirk formed in his mind before it ever reached his lips.

He let a scowl replace it instead.

“Well, don’t you look rather dashing tonight,” a voice murmured in his ear.

Taiga turned his head, slowly.

Dante.

Of course.

He was dressed in some over-the-top designer two-piece. The pants looked like joggers but definitely weren’t. The top hugged his body like a second skin, emphasizing muscle in all the right places. His hair was slicked back—completely out of place in this setting—and yet somehow still worked for him.

Taiga gave him a long, calculated look.

“You expecting me to return the compliment?” he asked, arching a brow.

Dante leaned closer. “Aren’t you? With the way you’re looking at me, one would think you want to fuck.”

Taiga’s gaze flicked to the side. Kozen was gone. He hadn’t even noticed when he left.

Not that it mattered.

He was part of the scenery now—background noise to the main event.

Dante had taken the bait.

And now it was time to reel him in.

He had heard his teammates talking about how sexy Taiga looked in his outfit—some of them sounding so thirsty you could practically see the drool drip from their mouths. So he went to check for himself.

To say Dante was stunned was an understatement.

He was speechless, stopping dead in his tracks. He stood atop the stairs for a while when he saw him—blood-red hair falling over his face as he listened to whatever the hell the guy beside him was saying. His waist was pulled taut in that undeniably tight corset top, skin-tight pants hugging every inch, and some sneakers to finish the look. Honestly, if Maya hadn’t come to him with the offer of a poly relationship, he would’ve done it himself.

What broke him from his trance was when Taiga laughed at whatever punny-ass joke the dork beside him said. That’s when he decided to approach them. The guy Taiga was talking to noticed him first, looking up in surprise, and before he could react, Dante had already given him a silent order to leave.

He flung his arm over Taiga’s shoulder, lips brushing his ear.

“well,Don’t you look rather dashing tonight,” he murmured.

The other boy turned around to face him—and god, he was sure his heart damn near skipped a beat. He looked... beautiful. Bright red eyes, piercing and dark. Lips parted in retaliation, glossed. Hair falling to cover one eye—the other looking him up and down, raking over his form slowly.

Dante was about two or three inches taller than Taiga, but right now, he felt so small with those eyes on him.

“You expecting me to return the compliment?” Taiga said, lips moving, rolling his eyes like Dante didn’t mean shit. And oh, he was starting to feel like it.

But he had to look cool.

He put on his signature smirk. “Aren’t you?” he said smoothly, taking the spot Taiga’s guest had been occupying.

“I really do not have your time today, Dante. I’m here to have fun—for both me and Maya—so kindly get lost,” Taiga said, turning to the bartender and ordering another glass.

“No need to fret. Arguing with you isn’t on my list of things to do today, so chill out with the sass, okay?” Dante said, staring at him as he chugged down the bottle in one go.

“Now why the actual fuck do you think I’d want to talk to my boyfriend’s ex, let alone have drinks with him? You’re ruining my fun. I was having fun with Kozen—and you interrupted.”

Taiga feigned annoyance.

“And how would Maya feel knowing you’re talking to some other shithead alpha? If you want to cheat on him, do it with someone with a higher rank,” Dante said, trying to get a reaction out of him.

“How dare you accuse me of something so stupid? I am not you, Dante. I am not a dog, willing to sleep with my ex’s boyfriend, I’d never indulge you,” Taiga snapped, taking another shot.

“Is that a confession? Are you trying to say something? We’re both Enigmas—what makes you think I’d sleep with you?” Dante taunted, trying to get him to slip.

“Except maybe you’re not an Enigma. If you’re not an Enigma, Taiga… what are you?” Dante asked, staring straight at him.

He noticed how red his face was. If Taiga was tipsy, it would be easy to get him to bite the bait. Dante released his pheromones, trying to get a reaction… and he did.

“And what if I am?” Taiga said, voice louder now. “What are you going to do about it? It means I’m better than you, does it not? I could give Maya everything he wanted—and you would never have him. ‘Cause he’s mine. Not yours. Mine.”

If they were in any other setting, Taiga would as well be screaming at the top of his lungs.

“Is that so?” Dante said, leaning closer and whispering in his ear. “What if I wanted you both?”

Mouth agape with shock, Taiga looked at him, their faces so close anyone paying attention would think they were making out. Taiga immediately regained his composure and moved even closer—so close they could feel each other’s breath.

“How cocky. If you couldn’t handle Maya, what makes you think you could ever handle me?” Taiga said, unmoving from his position. “You’re not on my level, Dante. I could have anyone I wanted in the blink of an eye.”

“I’m not someone you speak to in this manner. I am an Elite Prime Enigma. And I could have a Luna if I wanted to,” Dante said, tone darkening, voice lowering.

Taiga smirked, knowing he had struck a nerve.

He hadn’t realized he had started to release pheromones himself. He had taken the bait—and Dante now had full proof.

“I never said you couldn’t get a Luna. But an Elite Prime Luna like me ranks above the likes of you. I’d never submit to you.”

Dante chuckled darkly, grabbing Taiga by the waist. “I’d just have to make you.”

How their lips met, neither of them could explain.

Dante was sober. Taiga was not. But he kissed taiga back—messy and hungry, like they’d both been starving for one another. Taiga wasn’t in the right state of mind to think clearly—not with the alcohol taking over and Dante’s scent intoxicating him. It was powerful and dominating, but not enough to make him submit.

Dante was focused—sober and determined. His hands raked over Taiga’s body, grabbing his ass. He wanted to sit him on his lap but couldn’t—Taiga’s hands were already tangled in his hair, pulling him closer.

Yes, they had to get a room. Immediately.