LOGINNorth’s POVThe birthday boy. He stood in the doorway, his suit still immaculate, his expression unreadable as he took in the scene. He saw me, saw the outfit, saw the pose. And I saw it in his eyes, the flash of raw, unadulterated lust that he couldn't quite hide. He loved it. He loved how much I wanted him, how completely I had thrown myself into his fantasy.But instead of rushing to me, he simply leaned against the doorframe, a slow, predatory smile spreading across his face. He was going to make me wait. He was going to make me beg."Look at you," he said, his voice a low, appreciative purr that vibrated through the room and straight to my groin. "All dressed up for me. Did you have a good time at my party?”"Look at you," he said, his voice a low, appreciative purr that vibrated through the room and straight to my groin. "All dressed up for me. Did you have a good time at my party?"The bourbon in my veins made me bold. I crawled toward him, the leather of the suit creaking so
North’s POVLucien's jaw tightened, his eyes darkening with an emotion I couldn't quite identify. "And you let him?" he asked, his voice strained."I had no choice," I said simply. "Not really."We stood there for a moment, the air between us thick with unspoken words. Then he reached down, his fingers finding the base of the toy. With a swift movement, he pulled it out, leaving me feeling suddenly empty, relieved."Better?" he asked, his voice still tight.I nodded, my body sagging with relief. "Thank you."He didn't respond, just watched me, his expression unreadable. But I saw it in his eyes, the jealousy, the anger, the possessiveness. He refused to admit it, but he was jealous of a ghost, of a man who had hurt me, who had controlled me in ways he was only just beginning to understand.And somehow, that made everything both better and infinitely more complicated.Lucien didn't say a word. He simply watched me, his expression a fortress, before turning and walking out of the bathro
North’s POV I begged again, my messages growing more desperate. Please, Lucien. I can't do this like this.Nothing. No response. Just the constant, maddening stimulation, and the knowledge that he was watching, enjoying my discomfort.Finally, it was time. My name was announced, and I made my way to the podium, my legs shaking beneath me. The room fell silent, hundreds of eyes turning to me.I took a deep breath, trying to center myself, trying to ignore the toy inside me, now pulsing in a rhythm that mimicked a heartbeat. Fast. Unsteady. Mine.I looked out at the crowd, my eyes finding Lucien's. He was watching me, a small, satisfied smile on his face.And then I began to speak, the words flowing from my lips even as my body trembled with need and frustration and something else, something dangerously close to excitement.The pressure was building, an insistent thrum deep inside me that threatened to unravel my composure with every passing second. I gripped the sides of the podium, m
North’s POV "Please," I begged, my voice hoarse with need. "Lucien, please."He looked up at me, his eyes burning with intensity. "Come for me, North. Let me taste you."That was all it took. With a cry, I exploded, pleasure washing over me in intense waves as he swallowed every drop.When I finally came back to myself, he was lying beside me, a satisfied smile on his face."Better?" he asked.I could only nod, my body still trembling with aftershocks."Good," he said, leaning in to kiss me again. "Because tonight, I'm going to fuck you until you can't remember your own name."As his lips claimed mine again, I knew he meant every word. And despite everything, despite the exhaustion, the confusion, the fear, I wanted it. I wanted him. All of him.Waking up was like surfacing from a deep, dark ocean. The first thing I registered was the light, filtering through expensive curtains I didn't own. The second was Lucien, sitting in an armchair across the room, already dressed in a suit that
North’s POV Because backing down now would only make things worse.He walked over to the nightstand, pulling open the drawer with a smooth, practiced motion. My eyes followed him, my body still tense from his last words. He retrieved something small and black, holding it up between his thumb and forefinger. It was a sleek, curved plug with a remote control nestled beside it in the box."You'll wear this," he said, his voice casual, as if he were commenting on the weather. "All day."My stomach dropped. I knew what it was, what it would do, how it would feel,a constant, intrusive reminder of his control."I..." I started, but the words caught in my throat."Final apology," he continued, his eyes meeting mine. "Once you accept this, we're done with the birthday drama. I accept your gift, we move on."The logic was twisted, manipulative, but effective. He was framing this as my choice, my way to make things right, when really it was just another way for him to assert dominance."Fine,"
North’s POVThat was why he was angry?Because I didn’t?Jeremy’s voice echoed faintly in my head.Don’t text him unless he speaks to you first.Don’t get too familiar.My grip on the phone tightened.It clicked into place.June and Vance earlier.The frantic typing.The way they reacted when I wasn’t doing the same.They weren’t just texting anyone.They were texting him.Why did it matter that much?Did something happen? I typed. some of the rules jeremy told me were that I only text you when spoken to and never too intimate. I was only following the rulesThe reply came almost immediately.Jeremy did?For the first time, there was something different in his tone.Surprise.Yes. I didn’t know I could text you at willI stared at the screen for a second longer, something cold settling in my chest.Of course.Jeremy.From the very beginning, he had been… guiding things.Limiting things.Controlling things.A humorless smile tugged at my lips.Figures.It was either him or Ethan Kang a
North’s POVAs I reached our gate, the scent hit me.Garlic sizzling in oil. Fish sauce was blooming in the heat. Fresh basil torn by hand. Jasmine rice was steaming.Pad kra pao.She only made that when she wanted everyone at the table.I slipped inside and dodged Winter’s questions about where I’
North’s POVI watched him turn toward the hallway, coat shifting with the movement.“Follow me.”That was it.No explanation. No glance back.And still, I followed.There was something about being near him that rewired my pulse. It wasn’t fear exactly. It was anticipation sharpened to a dangerous p
North’s POVHer silence stretched too long.I looked up.She wasn’t folding anymore.“If you don’t tell me who he is,” she said evenly, “you are not leaving this house. And if you leave without my consent, I will not receive a single cent from you.”She meant it.In moments like this, I missed my f
NorthMy mother lowered herself onto the bench as if her bones had finally given up resisting.“North,” she said quietly, staring at the pavement. “I do not support what you are doing. But a tortoise does not give birth to a dog. You are my son. You will survive the way I did. I can't stop you.”The







