Broken

I needed sleep.

I was exhausted, my body heavy and aching from the tension that had settled deep in my bones over the past few days. But the thought of closing my eyes, of drifting into that vulnerable state, filled me with a deep, unsettling fear.

I glanced over at Owen, who was casually sitting on the couch beside Shadow, offering tips and tricks to help him pass a level in the game they were playing. His laughter was light, his demeanor relaxed—completely normal. Dinner had gone surprisingly well; there was no sign of the dark, twisted version of him that I had seen before.

And Shadow seemed to be getting along with him better than I expected. He laughed a little, his small face lighting up with curiosity as he listened intently to Owen's instructions. It was almost… comforting. It was still Owen, the man I'd been with for years, the one I'd shared so many memories with. For a moment, I allowed myself to believe that maybe everything was okay, that maybe I was just overreacting.

But then my gaze drifted back to Owen's face, and the fear crept back in, coiling around my heart like a serpent. Was it really him? Or was it that other side of him, hiding just beneath the surface, waiting to emerge again once I let my guard down?

Was I imagining things? Was his alter ego just a figment of my mind, conjured up by stress and exhaustion? Or was there something real, something darker lurking within him that I didn't fully understand?

I swallowed hard, feeling the dryness in my throat, my hands trembling slightly. I wanted to sleep. I needed it so badly. But I was terrified of what I might find in the darkness of my dreams, of what might happen if I let myself slip into that vulnerable state. Would I see that other side of Owen again? Would I wake up feeling the same sense of disorientation and fear?

I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts, but the anxiety gnawed at me, relentless and unyielding. I felt like I was on the edge of a precipice, teetering between reality and something far more sinister. I didn't know what to believe anymore.

"Owen," I said softly, my voice trembling slightly as I tried to keep my tone steady. "Do you ever… feel like you're not yourself?"

He looked up from the game, his brow furrowing slightly. "What do you mean?" he asked, a hint of concern in his eyes.

I hesitated, searching for the right words. "I mean… have you ever felt like there's another side of you, something you can't control?"

Owen chuckled, shrugging it off. "We all have our bad days, Liliam. But I'm still me. Always have been, always will be."

His words were meant to reassure me, but they only deepened the unease in my gut. I forced a smile, nodding slowly. "Yeah, I guess you're right."

But as I watched him turn back to Shadow, the doubt lingered, heavy and insistent. I wasn't sure what to believe anymore. I wasn't sure if I could trust my own mind, or if the darkness I felt creeping in was a sign of something much worse.

Sleep. I needed sleep. But the thought of closing my eyes and facing whatever might be waiting for me in the darkness made my heart pound with fear. I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself, but the fear wouldn't let go.

I needed to figure this out. I needed answers. But for now, all I could do was watch, and wait, and try to keep myself from slipping into the unknown.

I opened my eyes and groaned.

I was back in the dream forest.

I had fallen asleep.

I stood up, looking around the familiar surroundings. The tall trees loomed overhead, their leaves rustling softly in the breeze, casting shifting patterns of light and shadow on the forest floor. "Zeff?" I called, my voice echoing slightly in the stillness.

There was a rustle nearby, and a figure stepped out from behind the trees. My heart sank when I saw who it was.

William.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, taking an instinctive step back. My pulse quickened as I tried to make sense of why he was here, in my dream, instead of Zeff.

William looked around, his hands casually tucked in his pockets, a grin slowly spreading across his lips. "This is a nice setup you pulled me into," he remarked, his tone light, almost teasing, but his eyes held a hint of something darker.

"Pulled you in?" I repeated, confused. Was this all me?

He nodded, his eyes never leaving mine, dark and gleaming with something I couldn't quite place. "Mind Consciousness," he explained, his voice smooth and calm, like honey with a touch of steel. "It's mostly conjured to call out mates."

So it was me all along?

He stepped closer, closing the distance between us, and I could smell that familiar scent of passion fruit mingled with lemon. It was intoxicating, wrapping around my senses, making my head spin. I bit the inside of my cheek, trying to stay focused, but his presence was overwhelming, pressing down on me like a weight.

His hand reached out to touch my cheek, and I wanted to move away, but my body felt heavy, almost as if it had a mind of its own tonight. His fingers trailed down from my cheek to my neck, leaving a trail of tingling warmth in their wake. They moved over my shoulder, and before I could shiver at the sensation, his hand slipped to my waist, pulling me closer to him, his touch both gentle and possessive.

"I'm kind of jealous you were thinking about Zeff," he murmured, his voice low and rough in my ear, sending a shiver down my spine.

I tried to push him away, but he was solid, his weight anchoring me in place. He leaned down, his lips brushing against my earlobe, kissing it softly. The unexpected intimacy of the gesture sent a shudder through me, a reaction I didn't want to acknowledge. When he pulled back slightly, I saw something different in his eyes—something I hadn't expected.

A plea.

William, the King of Alphas, the powerful, commanding leader I'd heard so much about. He thrived on power, respect, and adoration. But there was a vulnerability in his gaze now, a silent, desperate plea that seemed out of place in the eyes of a man like him. It was as if, beneath all that bravado and strength, there was a part of him that was just as lost, just as searching as I was.

I wanted to relax. I wanted to let go of all the tension and stress that had been weighing me down. I felt like I needed to vent, to release everything that had been building up inside me. Without really thinking, I reached up and grabbed a fistful of his hair, pulling him closer with a smile. The move elicited a deep, almost guttural sound from him, a sound that sent a wave of heat rolling through me.

William grinned, his eyes gleaming with a mixture of surprise and delight. His muscles tensed under my touch, waiting, almost as if he was anticipating my next move. His gaze was intense, his lips parted slightly, and I could feel the tension radiating from him, a coiled spring ready to snap.

Is he waiting for me to take the lead?

I felt a strange, thrilling sense of empowerment wash over me, my body humming with an energy I'd never felt before. This was different. With Zeff, it had always been about giving in, about surrendering to the connection, to the gentle yet insistent hunger of his touch. But here, with William, I could feel something else—an anticipation, a sense of control that was entirely new.

I let my lips graze his, feeling the anticipation building between us. His skin seemed to tingle with excitement, his body vibrating with the energy that hung thick in the air around us. His breath hitched, and I felt his body press closer, his chest against mine, his heart hammering wildly. His eyes fluttered closed, his lips barely touching mine, waiting, wanting, but not daring to take the final step.

When I finally captured his lips with mine, I felt him yield, his mouth opening to mine, hungry yet waiting, almost like he was holding back, waiting for my command. His kiss was fervent, but there was a restraint there, a hint of submissiveness that I hadn't expected. It was like he was giving me the power, letting me lead, and the realization sent a thrill of power surging through me.

I deepened the kiss, and he followed willingly, like a puppy eagerly following its master, ready and happy to serve. His taste was sweet and tangy, like passion fruit on my tongue, and the way he responded to me, the way his body seemed to come alive under my touch, sent a rush of power through me. I felt his hands move to my waist, his touch firm but gentle, as if afraid to push too far.

Was this the great Alpha King? A man who thrived on control and power, now a willing participant in submission? The thought sent a thrill through me, a strange, intoxicating feeling of dominance that I hadn't expected to enjoy so much.

Is the great Alpha King a sucker for submission?

The idea almost made me laugh. But there was no denying the truth in his actions, in the way he waited for me, responded to me, his body taut with anticipation. I could feel his need, his desire to please, to serve, and it stirred something deep within me. I wanted to explore this, to see how far this new dynamic could go.

I pulled back slightly, my lips brushing against his, my breath mingling with his. "Do you like this?" I whispered, my voice low and teasing.

His eyes fluttered open, his pupils blown wide with desire. "Yes," he breathed, his voice barely more than a whisper. "I like it… I like it a lot."

His confession sent a jolt of pleasure through me, a heady rush of power that made my head spin. I felt his hands tighten on my waist, pulling me closer, his body pressing against mine. His need was palpable, a raw, almost desperate yearning that matched my own.

I leaned in again, capturing his lips with mine, and this time, there was no hesitation. I felt him surrender completely, his body relaxing into mine, his hands moving up to my back, holding me close. The kiss deepened, becoming more intense, more passionate, and I felt the world around us blur, fading away until there was nothing but him and me and this moment.

The power dynamics had shifted, and I reveled in the control I had over him. I felt a surge of adrenaline, of excitement, coursing through my veins. I wanted to see how far I could push him, how much he was willing to give.

I broke the kiss again, my lips hovering just inches from his. "On your knees," I whispered, my voice filled with command.

For a moment, I thought he might resist, but then his eyes darkened with submission, and he slowly sank to his knees before me, his gaze never leaving mine. The sight of him like that, kneeling at my feet, was intoxicating, a heady mix of power and desire that left me breathless.

I felt a thrill of satisfaction, of triumph, as I looked down at him. This was a side of him I hadn't expected, a side that craved submission, that wanted to be dominated. And I was more than willing to oblige.

I reached down, threading my fingers through his hair, pulling him closer. His eyes fluttered closed, a soft, almost blissful expression crossing his face as he leaned into my touch. His hands rested on my thighs, his grip firm but not forceful, as if waiting for my permission to move.

"Good boy," I murmured, and the words sent a shiver through him. His lips parted slightly, a soft moan escaping as he looked up at me with a mixture of awe and desire.

I positioned myself atop his lap, my legs straddling him. My fingers twisted into his hair, pulling his head back, exposing the throbbing pulse of his neck. I could feel his arousal pressing against me, twitching with anticipation, his body trembling under my touch. His head tilted to the side, his breath hitching as he let out a low moan, surrendering to the sensation.

I leaned down, my lips brushing over the sensitive skin of his neck, feeling the heat radiating from his body. His skin was hot, feverish almost, and the scent of passion fruit and lemon filled my senses, intoxicating me. I felt his breath quicken, his chest rising and falling rapidly against mine.

Then, without hesitation, I sank my teeth into his neck, biting down firmly. A sharp, electrifying jolt shot through both of us. The initial pain quickly morphed into something deeper, more intense, sending waves of pleasure crashing through my body. We both moaned, the sound echoing through the forest clearing, raw and unrestrained.

William's hands flew to my back, his fingers digging into my skin, his nails grazing against my flesh as he tried to pull me even closer. I could feel the tension in his muscles, the way his body shuddered with each movement, each breath. His moans grew louder, more desperate, as if he were on the edge of something he couldn't quite control.

I held onto him tightly, my teeth still embedded in his neck, tasting the saltiness of his skin mixed with the sharp tang of blood. The sensation was overwhelming, a heady mix of power and desire that left me breathless. I could feel every shiver, every tremor that ran through his body, each one mirrored in my own.

William's hands roamed my back, his touch growing rougher, more frantic. His hips bucked beneath me, his erection pressing harder against my core, sending jolts of pleasure spiraling through me. I could feel his need, his hunger, as he moaned and gasped, his body moving instinctively, seeking more, seeking release.

I bit down harder, and he let out a deep, guttural moan, his body arching into mine. His grip tightened on my back, his fingers pressing into my skin hard enough to leave marks. His moans turned into soft whimpers of pleasure, his head rolling back, surrendering completely to the sensation.

A surge of satisfaction washed over me, a thrill of power coursing through my veins. I had him in my grasp, the mighty Alpha King, trembling and moaning beneath me, completely at my mercy. The thought sent another wave of heat through my body, intensifying the pleasure that pulsed between us.

His neck throbbed under my lips, his pulse quickening with every second. I released my bite, pulling back to look at him. His eyes were half-lidded, glazed with a mix of pain and pleasure, his lips parted as he panted heavily, his breath hot against my skin. His gaze was dazed, almost pleading, as if begging for more, needing more.

"Do you want more?" I whispered, my voice low and teasing.

"Yes," he breathed, his voice rough and desperate. "Please… more…"

His response sent a rush of adrenaline through me, a sense of triumph and power. I leaned down again, my lips brushing over the fresh bite mark, feeling the heat of his skin, the way his body shivered in response.

As I sank my teeth into his neck again, he let out a broken moan, his hands gripping me even tighter, his body bucking beneath me. I could feel the intensity of his need, the way his body responded to every touch, every bite. It was intoxicating, the feeling of control, of power, knowing that he was completely at my mercy.

I pulled back once more, my lips hovering over his, feeling his breath mingle with mine. His eyes were wide, filled with a mix of awe and desire. His body was tense, every muscle coiled with anticipation, his chest heaving with each labored breath.

He looked up at me, his eyes pleading, his lips quivering with unsaid words. I could feel his heart pounding against my chest, the rhythm syncing with mine, creating a strange, almost hypnotic beat.

"You like this, don't you?" I whispered, my voice dripping with satisfaction.

He nodded, his head bobbing weakly, his eyes fluttering closed. "Yes… I like it… I want it…" he murmured, his voice barely a breath.

His admission sent another wave of heat through me, my body responding to his need, his desire. I leaned down again, capturing his lips with mine, feeling the urgency, the hunger in his kiss. His hands moved up to tangle in my hair, pulling me closer, deepening the kiss, his body arching into mine.

I could feel his arousal pressed against me, throbbing with need, and I couldn't help but smile against his lips. In this dream world, everything was different. Here, I was in control, and William, the mighty Alpha King, was mine to command.