possessive

Zain Yan is one of Shenzhen most powerful and ruthless business tycoons. To the world, he is a flawless CEO. But inside him lives a heartless wolf—trapped in a cage of hatred and revenge. Years ago, on a blood-soaked night, Zain lost his mother and his younger sister. The man responsible for their deaths was none other than Uncle Lu Kang— the same man Anya once trusted like family. That night turned Zain’s heart into stone. Now fate brings Anya into Zain’s life— a simple, hardworking, and innocent girl with no idea about the sins of her past. Zain gives her an important project, pushes her talent forward, and keeps her close… but his intentions are far from pure. To Zain, Anya is supposed to be a pawn— someone he can use to get closer to Lu Kang and destroy him completely. But destiny plays its own cruel game. Anya’s brilliance attracts dangerous attention, and the underworld ruler known as the Dragon King discovers who she really is. To eliminate a future threat, he orders her death. The girl Zain meant to use… becomes the girl he risks his life to protect. Caught between bullets, blood, and betrayal, Zain makes a shocking decision that changes everything— A forced contract marriage. In front of the world, and especially in front of Uncle Lu Kang, Zain declares Anya as his wife. The man who killed his family… and the girl who now carries his name— are tied together by a marriage built on revenge. Is this marriage merely a weapon? Or is Anya the only weakness of the Heartless Wolf? When buried truths begin to surface, when the real connection between Dragon King and Lu Kang is revealed, and when Anya finally learns why Zain chose her— It won’t be just a relationship that breaks… but the very cage imprisoning a wounded heart.

[WARNING !!!!!!!! MATURE CONTENT 18+ sexual content, Violence, Vulgar words, etc] April Carter at age 21 was already married to Jake Steele her 38 years old husband who made a deal with April’s mother.  In a marriage where she was promised to be taken care of and allowed to study, April’s dream soon crumbled, became impossible as she is often been maltreated by her husband.  After spending two years in marriage of bondage, grief, pain and agony, April  thought she could finally be free and saved from Jake Steele as she plans to divorce him and continue her studies, but then she fell into another misfortune. Getting pregnant with Lucas Brook’s child while being married to her husband.  What would she do? falling into one misfortune after another like her life was created only for bad luck .  Years Later, she is left with no choice but to get married to Lucas Brook the Cold hearted CEO. The man who once rejected his own child.  April thought with her mind full of uncertainty about the marriage as she takes on a new chapter in life.  Lucas on the other hand was forced into the marriage against his will. Making it hard for April to hope for a beautiful marriage with him.  Is it a blessing in disguise? Or another wheel of misfortune? what’s her next plan? ***************** April also sat down on the task chair gently with her head lowered because with Lucas’s demeanor she couldn’t look him in the eye, his cold eyes were enough to freeze her up.  “I don’t think I need to explain myself much, as you know, I’m the sperm donor.”  “I– I know.” April stuttered and swallowed hard still with her head lowered.  Lucas nodded before he continued.  “I heard you’re already two weeks pregnant, and as for that, this is my bank card. It has huge amounts of money enough for you to get rid of that.”   Lucas stretched his hand forward towards April to receive the card but tears instead gathered in her eyes while staring at the black card in between his fingers.  “That? But— This is your child.” April’s eyes already flood with tears.  “I won’t repeat myself; I have nothing to do with it. Just get rid of it and live your life, the money is enough to keep your family happy for years to come.”  April raised her head staring at his cold eyes before giving any response.  “I guess all men are the same then, a rogue, pathetic and heartless human.” April in a hoarse voice as the tears couldn’t stop but instead flooded more.  “I never intended for this to happen; I kept it for a reason. Sort yourself out, you don’t want to ruin your future, do you?”   Lucas spoke in his cold voice before slamming the card on the table as he strode out in long stride with his secretary behind him.  “You heartless man, I hate you!” April ran out the door screaming at his back with tears in her eyes.  Lucas didn’t turn back or even blink an eyelid to think about what she said. 

[Trigger Warning: This semi dark fantasy romance contains few mature themes.] --- SYNOPSIS: •A WORLD BUILT ON LIES• Long ago, humans lived unaware of the supernatural beings hidden among them—werewolves with their primal instincts, witches whispering spells in the dark, and elves with their ancient, watchful eyes. For centuries, they coexisted in fragile silence. Then, everything shattered. Near the shadow-drenced woods of the Shadow pack kingdom, human traveler stumbled upon a gruesome scene: an old woman’s lifeless body, her skin ashen, her wounds gaping like accusations. A few paces away lay a dead werewolf, its throat ripped open, its muzzle still flecked with blood. The truth was undeniable—monsters walked among them. Fear ignited war. Humans, armed with fire and steel, hunted the supernatural races. Witches and elves were dragged into the slaughter, their homes burned, their people butchered. The bloodshed raged until King Alfred V of the Amethyst Kingdom stood before the four Werewolf Kings—Silverhowl, Crimsonheart, Shadow, and Atlassian —and offered a deal drenched in poison. A sacrifice for peace. Every twenty years, each human family would surrender a daughter to the werewolves. And in return, the future Alpha Kings must wed a human—or the war would reignite. The werewolves agreed. The witches and elves retreated, their hatred festering like an open wound. The world remained fractured, its peace a fragile lie. --- •THE PROPHECY OF FIRE• In the hidden Blaze Tribe, where crimson eyes burned like embers, the seer Prophetia foresaw annihilation. "Our people will fall," she rasped, her voice trembling. "But from the ashes, a girl will rise—the one who will bring true peace… and the one they will slaughter for it." The tribe made a desperate pact. They would cast a spell—a curse of forgotten memory—erasing their existence from the world’s mind. Their souls would be the price, but their legacy would live on in Ovelia, the child of prophecy. The night the Blaze Tribe fell, Ovelia’s parents hid her in the whispering forest, their hands shaking as they sealed a goddess—Firera—inside her infant body. Then, they turned to face their doom. --- •FATE’S CRUEL WHISPER• Ace Draven—half-werewolf, half-witch prince of Silverhowl—had never believed in destiny. Until he found a crying infant in the forest. His wolf, Fenrir, howled in recognition. A crimson thread shimmered between them—mates. But Firera, watching from within Ovelia’s soul, snarled. "She’s a child. This is too soon." With a flick of her wrist and spell, she tore the memory from Ace’s mind, leaving only an empty ache in his chest. --- •TWENTY YEARS LATER: A SACRIFICE IGNITES• Ovelia has spent her life as a slave, raised by the cruel mayor of Timberline Village—a man who would gladly sacrifice her to spare his own daughter. The night of the sacrifice, the air reeks of damp earth and iron. Torches flicker as the werewolves emerge from the shadows. And then—Ace Draven steps forward. Their eyes meet. Fenrir *howls*. Ace’s claws unsheathe, his breath ragged. He doesn’t understand why his wolf is clawing at his ribs, why his pulse hammers at the sight of this stranger. But the bond between them burns hotter than vengeance. Ovelia doesn’t know him. He doesn’t recognize her. And yet, their souls scream in unison.

She did not know who she was or where she came from. Her memories were completely erased. Then that man appeared, claiming her as his own. Ou Yuusha, the handsome and enchanting prince of the Kingdom of Urca, yet cruel and merciless. And thus, the girl’s journey began. “Ishara Ningyou. From now on, that is your name. And you belong only to me, Ou Yuusha! You will obey no one but me!” “I am foolish. No matter how often you hurt me. No matter how much this body is broken, how shattered my heart and soul become … I will never hate you.” Will she be locked for the rest of her life with an angel who has the heart of a devil, like Ou?

(WARNING: MATURE CONTENT!!!) In a land divided by elements and ruled by powerful lords blessed by ancient gods- Ignarion- god of fire. Vireon -god of storms. Caelion- god of wind. Neryth-goddess of ice and water. And Thalor- god of earth. Every alliance forged and every oath sworn carries the weight of divine power... and ancient prophecy. For centuries, each lord has coveted more power, more dominion, and more control. One spark is all it takes to ignite war. Born of fire, Aurelia Flameborne was once the pride and beloved daughter of Ashmere. A beautiful warrior princess, destined for greatness and betrothed to Neris Winterbourne, the cold and noble Lord of Winter. All of that shatters the day the witch Ishara curses her. After the devastating War of Ashmere, Her face becomes scarred, her magic fractures, and her family locks her away in the tallest tower, too ashamed to let the world see what she has become. Even her fiancé, the Lord of Winter, abandons her for another. But destiny refuses to let her fade. When whispers from the North threaten to end her engagement, Aurelia's heart shatters. But before her world crumbles completely, a storm rises. Valerian Stormborne, the ambitious and enigmatic Lord of Thunder, steps forward to claim her. Now bound to a tempest, Aurelia finds herself caught in a whirlwind of betrayal, political games, and the unexpected warmth of love from her tempestuous husband… and her husband's son who calls her mother. But beneath the surface of mortal schemes, the gods begin to stir. Buried deep in the ashes of Caelmont lies an ancient prophecy: A child blessed by all five gods, born of powers that should never mix, will either unite the fractured realms… or bring about their ruin. Now, every Lord wants that child. Every kingdom seeks to control fate. But the gods? They have plans of their own. Now Aurelia stands at the center of obsession and war. The Lord of Winter who rejected her wants her back. The Lord of Wind hides desire behind a cunning smile. Her sister, plots from the shadows. And Valerian, the man who swore she'd "never be a wife," to him begins to burn for her with a passion he cannot control. Caught between storms, gods, and a love that could destroy kingdoms, Aurelia must rise—or the realms will fall.

[MATURE CONTENT WARNING; 18+ only. Explicit scenes, Abuse, Torture, Harassment, assault, steamy and erotic content, murder and vulgar words. Reader’s Discretion is advised.] *.*.* “You are mine Alora,” Ryan confessed, his expression as stoic as ever. His body pressed on mine, caging me in as his strong hands tightly gripped mine. “You belong to me and no one will ever take you away. I own you.” I chuckled dryly. The sound of my bitter  laughter echoed through the empty room. It was raw, brittle and filled with hate. “You pushed me away, Alpha Ryan. You rejected and abused me. You made me a laughing stock and accused my father wrongly and now, you want me back?” “It was a mistake.” He cut me off, eyes dancing in what seems to be remorse but I am unmoved. “Come back to me Alora. I promise that I will treat you right this time. I promise to do right by you.” I pulled my hands away from his grip, a smirk playing on my lips, “You lost the chance to claim me three years ago, Alpha Ryan. Now, I am your Luna Queen and you will bow your head at my feet!” I deadpanned.  ****** Alora Harrington, the Beta’s only daughter is a sweet, kind and loving girl who was cherished by all who knew her until tragedy struck. Weeks before her eighteenth birthday, Alora's parents are murdered in cold blood by her betrothed, Alpha Ryan who claims that her father had committed treason against his family.  He accuses her wrongly, rejects her, tortures her, strips her of her status and makes her a slave in his pack as punishment for her father's mistakes. On the night of her eighteenth birthday, she escapes and bumps into a strange man whom she realizes was her second chance mate. She finds out that he is one of the strongest and most feared Lycan of the seven prominent kingdoms. He is considered a tyrant, fiesty, grumpy, stubborn, intelligent and doesn't show emotional feelings or attachment to anyone due to the fact that he was cursed from birth. Rescued and taken back to his pack, after she is left for dead, Alora plots her revenge against the man that killed her parents and vows to make his life miserable as he had made hers. She enlists the Lycan’s help but he agrees on two conditions;  1. She would not get close to him during a full moon no matter what.  2. She will not fall in love with him. In the midst of the chaos, she learns about her mate's dilemma and tries to help him but what if he doesn't share the same affection and sentiments as she does? Would his grumpy self eventually learn to open up to her? What happens when she finds out his grave secret? Would their relationship be affected by her psychotic ex who wants her back? And what happens when her light finally meets the Lycan King’s darkness? 

Three years ago, the Zahryssar Empire saved the Northern Kingdom of Thalryn from absolute annihilation. In gratitude—and desperation—Duke Veyrhold of Thalryn swore a vow to the Coiled Throne: he would send a bride to the Serpent Emperor. But gratitude soon turned to fear. The ruler of Zahryssar, Zeramet Karash, Prime Alpha of a bloodline, was rumored to be a monster—the Serpent King who wiped out his own bloodline, a ruler no consort had ever survived, and a sovereign who could erase a person’s very identity. No omega stepped forward and the promise remained unfulfilled. Until Zahryssar demanded payment. “If I could save your kingdom,” the Emperor declared, “I can erase it just as easily.” With war threatening once more and innocent lives at stake, the Duke made a final choice to send his own omega daughter—only to be refused by her; she chose death over being sent to a monster. And then, his son stepped forward. Levin Veyrhold, Alpha heir of House Veyrhold—warrior, future heir of Veyrhold—offered himself instead. No Omega could survive the Serpent Emperor… but perhaps an Alpha could. In a world where vows are law, power is biology, and love is the most dangerous defiance of all, can Levin Veyrhold survive the serpent emperor?

Choi Yujun- born into power but cursed with a 'weakness'. The only son of the Choi family is born an omega, born an embarrassment to a bloodline of strong and pure alphas. At a party, a violent attack from a mutual enemy exposed Yujun’s secret in front of his family’s sworn enemy, Hwang Jaehyun, Yujun prepares for humiliation and blackmail, offering himself to be used by the Alpha in order to protect himself from his own family Instead of the humiliation...Hwang Jaehyun does the unthinkable... The rival who is supposed to destroy him, becomes his drug, his shield, his forbidden comfort. Together they fight to bring down the people who made Yujun bleed…together they bleed in the face of betrayals, trials and "Don't you realize? I'm a Choi, I am cursed and I am sick" Yujun says with deep angish, "then use me, Yujun-ah, use me like a drug" Jaehyun response came out raw and desperate, his alpha swearing it.

Willow wakes in a hospital bed broken, medicated, and alone. She is told her life ended weeks ago. Her fiancé stands beside her and calmly explains that they broke up before the accident. That the separation was mutual. That he stayed only out of decency. He is already with someone else, his boss’s daughter, and he speaks as if this has always been the truth. The room accepts it. Doctors attribute Willow’s disbelief to concussion. Nurses soften their voices. The same explanation is repeated with quiet confidence until it begins to sound official. Documented. Settled. Then Willow looks to the one person who might contradict him. He does not. Her fiancé’s closest friend who despises her, says nothing. He simply nods once. A small, controlled gesture that confirms everything without saying a word. With that, the past closes. Every detail they recount contradicts what Willow knows she lived. Weeks erased. Conversations rewritten. A relationship reassigned without her consent. If she protests, she will be the only one insisting that reality has been altered. She will sound unstable. Emotional. Confused. So she stays silent. And in that silence, something colder begins to form. Why would her fiancé need the past rewritten now, when she cannot safely object. Why would his closest friend choose this moment to agree. And what was decided about her while she lay unconscious. This is not a story about forgetting. It is a story about being rewritten calmly, professionally, and without resistance. Some knives do not need to be seen. They cut because no one hears them move.

The Hidden Assassin: Undercover Heart "Where loyalty is a shadow, and love is a death trap." In the frozen wilderness of Moscow, a high-stakes mission goes cold when Ricky, a top-tier DGFI agent, is brutally executed in front of his partner and lover, Sophia. Trapped between grief and duty, Sophia cannot afford to cry. As a ghost agent of the elite unit, her only option is to vanish—and then strike back. Haunted by the memory of Ricky’s final kiss and driven by a thirst for vengeance, Sophia transforms herself. She sheds her military skin to become a lethal temptress. Clad in a provocative red sheer dress, she infiltrates the inner circle of the Kremlin’s most dangerous shadow: Dmitri. Dmitri is a Russian mafia kingpin with cold blue eyes and sun-kissed hair—a man who rules with iron and blood. He is captivated by Sophia’s mysterious golden eyes, unaware that she is the Hidden Assassin sent to dismantle his empire from within. As Sophia weaves a web of deception, she finds herself caught in a dangerous psychological game. In the den of the enemy, the lines between her mission and her emotions begin to blur. Her Undercover Heart starts to beat for the very man she is sworn to kill. Will Sophia avenge her fallen lover, or will she succumb to the forbidden allure of the Russian Boss? In a world of secrets and silver bullets, the deadliest weapon isn't a gun—it's a heartbeat.

Mira Collins’ life turns upside down the day she is offered one million dollars to become the rental wife of Eirian Dawn Arundel—the man she hates for all the right reasons. Eirian Arundel is the sole reason Mira’s life fell apart. Once the pride of her parents and a brilliant law student, Mira’s future was destroyed by a single lie Eirian chose to stay silent about. That silence cost her everything—her education, her reputation, and her family’s trust. As punishment for a crime she never committed, Mira was forced into an arranged marriage with a stranger, the son of her father’s old friend. With no other way out, Mira fled to New York, abandoning her past in search of freedom. But survival in the city was brutal. Rejection after rejection pushed her to the edge—until she finally secured a job at Arundel Enterprises, unaware that fate was leading her straight back to the man who ruined her life. When Mira comes face-to-face with Eirian again, years of buried resentment resurface. He is still powerful, still arrogant—and now desperate. “Wait!” I yelled, grabbing his arm. He stopped, turning back, his cold gray eyes flicking to my hand before lifting to my face. I let go instantly, my heart pounding. “Would you just listen to me?” I pleaded. He sighed, impatience etched into his expression. “Let’s make a deal.” “A deal?” he asked. “A favor for a favor.” Cornered by a high-profile custody battle and a damaged public image, Eirian needs a woman by his side—a fiancée, a future wife, a lie convincing enough to fool the world. Mira is the perfect choice. She knows him. She hates him. And she has nothing left to lose. Bound by a contract and forced into a marriage neither of them wants, Mira and Eirian must play the roles of a loving couple while clashing behind closed doors. But as resentment slowly gives way to understanding, and hatred blurs into something dangerously close to desire, Mira is forced to confront the one question she never wanted to ask: Can she trust the man who once destroyed her life— or will loving Eirian Dawn Arundel cost her everything again?

Love bound them. Deception sealed their fate. In the tranquil village of Wisteria, Damaris lives freely, weaving tales and tending her herbs, until a mysterious gardener arrives. Cold, silent, and unnervingly perceptive, he disrupts her peaceful life, sparking clashes, teasing, and an undeniable connection. What begins as irritation slowly blossoms into love—until one fateful night, she witnesses something she shouldn't have, and Damaris vanishes. As danger gathers and old enemies stir, Zuriel must track his runaway bride, only to discover that more than his own secrets, the woman he loves hides secrets deeper than memory itself. In a world of whispered lies and unexpected truths, love and deception become inseparably intertwined.

Ever wondered what you'd do if you were dropped into a shitty novel as the girl who's scheduled to die? No magic system. No second chances. No comforting narration assuring you everything happens for a reason. Just bad writing and worse men But if this world thinks it can erase me quietly, it has misunderstood the assignment. I don't belong to its romance, its tragedy, or its redemption arc. I am a foreign object in its machinery. And stories break when something refuses to fit.

Reina Suzuki was an overworked office worker—until she died and woke up as Lavinia Devereux, the infamous villainess princess of the Elarion Empire. She knows how this story ends: she’ll drink poison and die. A painless, easy death. So why bother changing fate? Villainy, revenge, redemption—sounds like way too much work. She decides to do absolutely nothing and let the story play out. But her terrifying father, Emperor Cassius Devereux, won’t ignore her like he’s supposed to. He watches her, questions her, and—worst of all—starts acting like he actually cares. Lavinia just wanted a quiet villainess retirement… So why does everything keep changing?

Years ago, she walked away, shattering Xu Tao's world without a single goodbye. Now, she's back, but there's a devastating catch: she doesn't remember him. The intense, shared history, the first taste of true love—it's all a blank slate. Xu Tao is no longer the light-hearted boy she left behind. He is the cold, ruthless inheritor of an untouchable dynasty. Power drips from his every move, but the one thing he can't control is his lingering obsession with her. He could have his vengeance, or he could seize this shocking twist of fate as a cruel, beautiful opportunity. As he draws her into his glittering, dangerous life, Xu Tao sets a perilous game in motion. He will rebuild their connection from the ground up, manipulating her amnesia until she depends on him completely.

!MATURE THEMES! After her family is brutally murdered in front of her by the Vampire King, Zyren Blackthorn, for being hunters, Aria is left broken and devastated, desperate for death. Her world is shattered when Zyren, instead of killing her, claims her as his pet, dragging her away from her village into the heart of the central city. As a human slave, she is forced to endure his sadistic desires. Every night, he reminds her of her helplessness, but beneath his cruelty lies an obsession that burns with intensity. Despite her hatred and longing for revenge, Aria’s body betrays her, and she finds herself caught between a dark desire and her desperate need for revenge. Excerpt: Aria’s breath hitched as Zyren’s fingers traced the line of her jaw, his touch colder than ice, yet searing her skin with the promise of more. She should resist, should fight back, but her body betrayed her—shivering, craving the pleasure she knew he could give. “You thought I’d kill you,” Zyren murmured, his voice a dark purr. “But instead, you’ll belong to me. Every part of you will be mine.” Her lips parted to speak, but the words caught in her throat. The memory of her family’s blood staining her hands made her stomach churn as she glared hatefully at him. “Tell me,” he growled, his hands moving lower, pressing against the softness of her skin, “do you still wish to die?” She clenched her fists, tears threatening to spill, but her body trembled under his touch. “I wish for nothing but to be free of you,” she spat, but even as the words left her lips, she felt the hunger in her—a hunger she hated but couldn’t deny as she stared into his red eyes. A need to PRESENT herself to him and have him mount her…body and soul.

Willow Sheffield suffers a fate worse than death when she is sold as a slave to the cold and cruel Alpha King, Dorian Haywood. Dorian, who is given an ultimatum by the elder council to find himself a luna who would give him an heir to the throne did not expect his mate to turn out to be a lowly slave. Sparks fly when they meet, but the discovery makes Dorian extremely embarrassed and furious and he makes it his mission to break his mate instead of claiming her. Unable to take his horrible behavior anymore, Willow escapes, only for Dorian to track her down years later, and this time, she is stronger and she also has a son who carries the Alpha’s eyes. Now Dorian will fight anyone to make Willow his again. What will Willow do?

Zoryn spent twenty-two years living as Daeleon’s son—her father's pride and joy—until her first heat exposed the truth... she was a woman! In the Beastworld, females are almost extinct. So when Zoryn’s hidden power awakens at the Grand Festival, her Heat calls every tribe’s strongest male: Wolves circle, lions challenge, bears soften. Serpents obsess and avians tremble. But one reaches her first—Zarenien, the last-born dragon, fated protector of the Matriarch's line. Chosen by the beasts. Claimed by the dragon. And when an ancient, forgotten tribe stirs against Zoryn’s return, six beastmen and one dragon must put aside instinct and rivalry—or lose their Empress forever. [NO rape. NO irredeemably toxic male leads. NO overuse of misunderstandings arcs. STRONG, tomboy female lead. GOOD communication, and EVEN BETTER smut. ♡]

Raven barges into the walk-in closet without knocking—only to freeze at the sight of Alexander standing there, half-naked, a white towel secured around his waist. “Oh my goodness—I’m sorry,” she blurts out, turning away. Alexander scoffs, his tone cold and dismissive. “There’s nothing to apologize for. Married people see each other like this all the time.” “But this isn’t a real marriage,” Raven snaps back. His eyes narrow. “I see you’ve been filling your head with foolish ideas. Don’t push me, Raven.” He steps closer, his voice low and controlled. “Even if my father arranged this marriage, it will be real—in every sense of the word.” Her breath catches as he adds, “Brace yourself, wifey. Soon, we’ll be doing exactly what real couples do.” With that, he grabs his clothes and walks out, leaving Raven standing there, stunned and speechless.

Dylan has everything—wealth, a name, and a future planned by his powerful CEO father. But as the only son, he feels like an heir to expectations, not a person with choices. Feeling trapped, he runs away and transfers to a public school to live life on his own terms. There, he meets Flynn—the only son of a commoner. Flynn is sharp-tongued, stubborn, and unlike anyone Dylan has ever met. At first, they clash, full of pride and misunderstandings. But when Dylan sees the hidden struggles Flynn carries, something in him changes. He starts to care—quietly, fiercely, and more deeply than he realized was possible. Flynn, who has never been cared for like this, doesn't know what to do with Dylan's attention—or the growing feeling in his own heart that he can no longer ignore. Between rivalry and tenderness, denial and desire, Dylan and Flynn navigate their complicated youth—where the most important truths are the hardest to say aloud, and the most unforgettable stories are the ones left unspoken. "Some feelings are too real to say out loud. Some stories are too true to tell." This is theirs—OFF THE RECORD. ---------------------------------------------------- PROLOGUE "Do you know Flynn?" Dylan asked. "Flynn?" Nicole echoed, raising an eyebrow. "Yeah... Flynn Amaro Luz." "Oh, the handsome guy from the Regular Department. Who doesn't know him? He's not just good-looking — he's smart, too. Most of the professors know him, and I heard some seniors from the Star Department even tried to recruit him, but he refused. Why do you ask?" "I think... I like him," Dylan said quietly. Nicole blinked. "So the rumors are true?" "Rumors? What rumors?" Dylan asked, frowning slightly. "Well... it's not exactly a rumor, but a lot of girls have been fantasizing you two together since Foundation Week. I just have to ask—are you gay, Dylan?" "I'm not," he replied after a pause. "I don't feel this way about any other guy... just him. And honestly, I'm confused too." "But... don't you have a girlfriend?" Nicole asked. "We're not together anymore," Dylan said simply. "So you broke up because of Flynn?" "No... not exactly. But... maybe it has something to do with him," Dylan admitted with a small shrug. "Have you told him how you feel?" "No. I don't think I can." "Because he's a guy?" Nicole asked softly. "It's not that," Dylan said, shaking his head. "I know he's a guy — but I'm confused by how he acts around me. I try to be caring, sometimes even clingy, and he always stops me. But if he really didn't feel anything, shouldn't he have pushed me away completely?" "Well... only you can find out," Nicole said after a pause. "I don't know him personally, so I can't judge." Dylan looked out the window, his expression uncertain but determined. "Actually... I'm planning to confess tonight. After his performance." Nicole laughed softly. "You're something else, Dylan. Who would've thought that a guy who looks so rebellious could be tamed... by another guy?"