Episode 3

The city’s skyline gleamed under the moonlight, a reflection of the dangerous world Zera had just entered. Every step she took felt heavier, as though the weight of her decision was sinking into her soul with each passing second. Ares’ presence loomed over her like a shadow, an ever-present reminder of the contract she had signed with her own uncertainty.

Zera wasn’t sure what she had expected when she agreed to Ares’ proposal. The reality of it hit harder than she could’ve imagined. She thought she was stepping into something calculated, something she could control. But now, with every breath she took, she could feel the tension building between them, the magnetism that was pulling her deeper into his world.

Ares walked ahead, his strides confident, almost regal. He was the king of shadows, the man whose very name sent tremors through the underground. His aura was undeniable, but there was something more—something about him that left Zera questioning everything she thought she knew.

Zera had always been a fighter, never one to let anyone control her. But with Ares, there was an undeniable pull. The way he moved, the way he spoke, the way he seemed to know exactly what she was thinking. She couldn’t explain it, but every moment spent near him felt like a battle between resistance and surrender.

As they entered a dark, luxurious penthouse, Zera’s breath caught in her throat. The place was a world of its own—opulent yet cold, a reflection of the man who lived there. Dark walls, sleek furniture, and an overwhelming sense of power surrounded her. Ares’ kingdom, his empire, was built on strength and fear, but there was also an undeniable beauty in it.

He motioned for her to sit on a plush sofa, his eyes never leaving her face. “Welcome to your new home,” he said, his voice laced with a hint of amusement. “Or should I say, our new home?”

Zera remained silent, unsure of what to say. She had been thrust into a life she had never imagined for herself. A life where the rules were different, where power and control defined every interaction.

“You don’t have to stay silent, Zera,” Ares said, his tone softening for a brief moment. “I’m not your enemy… yet.”

Yet. The word echoed in her mind, and for the first time, she felt a chill that had nothing to do with the cold air of the penthouse. Ares wasn’t her enemy—at least, not yet. But he was no hero either. The man before her had built an empire on violence and manipulation. He was a king, but his throne was made of darkness.

Zera’s eyes met his, and for a moment, the tension between them was palpable. It was like a spark waiting to ignite, the beginning of something neither of them could control. “What happens now?” she asked, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside her. “What do you want from me, Ares?”

He leaned forward, his gaze never leaving hers. “I want everything, Zera. But most of all, I want you to understand that this is no ordinary partnership. You and I—our destinies are intertwined now. And I’ll do whatever it takes to keep you by my side.”

The intensity in his voice was undeniable, and for the first time, Zera felt a flicker of fear mixed with something else—something that felt dangerous. She didn’t want to be controlled. She didn’t want to be trapped in his world. But there was a part of her that couldn’t deny the allure of his power, his confidence, the way he seemed to know what she needed before she did.

Ares reached out, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face, his touch sending a wave of heat through her. “You’re not just a pawn, Zera,” he whispered. “You’re something more. And whether you like it or not, we’re bound together. There’s no escape now.”

Zera swallowed, the weight of his words settling in her chest. She was in too deep to back out now. She was tangled in his web of power, desire, and control. The question wasn’t whether she could escape—no, it was whether she could survive the storm that was Ares King.

But one thing was certain—no matter how strong the pull between them, Zera was no stranger to the darkness. She had her own fire, and she wasn’t afraid to use it. The question was: Would Ares be her salvation… or her destruction?

To be continued...

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