EPISODE 3
Xander
(calmly) Well? Your name?
Nicholas
(hesitates) …Do I have to?
Xander
(smirks faintly) Unless you prefer me calling you “mine.”
Nicholas
(muttering) Bold of you to assume I respond to pet names from strangers.
Nicholas
(💭)Okay. Think. He’s watching me like a hawk. If I lie, I’ll probably end up roasted alive. If I tell the truth… I’ll probably also end up roasted alive.
Nicholas
(clears throat) My name is…Nicholas
Xander
(says it slowly, as if tasting the syllables)
Nicholas
(awkward pause) …Thanks? Are we… are we done now? Can I go back to, I don’t know, not being in mortal danger?
{???}
(grins) He’s funny. Can we keep him?
Nicholas
Excuse me. I’m not a stray cat.
Xander
(ignores the others, still focused) You smell unsettled.
Nicholas
I’m in a brand-new world where people rank each other like chess pieces. Of course I smell unsettled!
Xander
(chuckles softly) You’ll adjust.
Nicholas
(Under breath) Easy for you to say, Mr. Top of the Food Chain.
{???}
Survival Route progress: 7%. Hint: Subtle resistance may confuse predators.
Nicholas
(quietly) Subtle resistance, huh? Okay. Fine.
Nicholas
(puts on polite smile) You know, you’re very intense.
Nicholas
Maybe… tone it down? Just a little?
Xander
(raises brow) Tone it… down?
Nicholas
Yeah. You’re giving off “mysterious billionaire who kidnaps his assistant” energy, and it’s—how do I put this—terrifying.
Xander
(silent for a moment… then actually laughs, low and rich) No one has ever spoken to me like that.
{???}
(murmurs) Lord Xander doesn’t laugh. Not like that.
Nicholas
(quietly) …Xander. Great. Now the villain has a name. Just my luck.
Xander
(still watching MC with a strange look)
Xander
You’re not like other Omegas.
Nicholas
(flat) Yeah, I get that a lot. Usually right before someone tries to kill me or date me. Sometimes both.
Xander
(smirks) I think I’ll enjoy figuring out which it will be.
Nicholas
…This is fine. Totally fine. Not terrifying at all.
Comments
Kieran
You're killing me with suspense, Author. Please give us the next chapter ASAP.
2025-08-17
1