The sudden, cold, intellectual resistance mounted by Thalynn was the most unexpected turn of the entire engagement. For Lucian, the predictable fear and eventual biological surrender had been the final, conclusive stage of the hunt. Thalynn’s chilling ultimatum—choosing to compromise the prized Project Janus rather than endure further physical violation—had not caused rage, but a surge of profound, complicated amusement. Lucian was a man accustomed to the predictable calculations of power. Most people capitulated with self-pity, or fought back with ineffective, emotional defiance. Thalynn, however, had used his own shame—the humiliating surrender of the kiss—to forge a ruthless, functional boundary, turning his greatest vulnerability (the project's success) into his strongest weapon. Lucian found himself momentarily checked, but not defeated. He was, instead, energized. The game, which had momentarily risked becoming monotonous a
Last Updated : 2025-12-30 Read more