_Majin_

Alexa never should have come back.

She thought she was just returning home, facing ghosts of the past she left behind. But Zaiyo was never just a ghost—he was a force. Calculated, patient, untouchable.

The moment she steps back into town, she falls into his web, though she doesn’t realize it yet. His words twist around her, his presence lingers in places he shouldn’t be, and the people she trusts? They’re not as trustworthy as she thought. Even her best friend is slipping away, drawn into his world.

Then there’s Ethan—her ex, the boy who once broke her heart. But if she thought she was caught between two men, she was wrong. There is only Zaiyo. And there always has been.Lies unravel. Desires clash. And as Alexa fights to break free, she begins to wonder—was she ever in control? Or was she just another piece on his board?

Because Zaiyo always gets what he wants. And what he wants… is her.

But not in the way she expects.

Silken Snare

She had convinced herself he wouldn't remember.

Easier to believe that to him, she was just another face in the crowd. Just another woman staring too long, caught in the orbit of his presence.

"You could've left by now. You could've walked away, pretended I don't exist."

The way he said it. Smooth. Calculated. Like he already knew she had tried. Like he had expected her to.

Her breath was steady, her expression unreadable, but inside?

"That doesn't mean anything," she said, voice controlled, as if she could will away the weight of his gaze.

Zaiyo hummed, tilting his head. "No? Then tell me…"

He leaned in just slightly—just enough that she could feel the warmth of him, smell the clean spice of his cologne. His voice dropped to something quieter, something meant for her alone.

"Why are you shaking?"

Her breath caught. She wasn't shaking. She wasn't.

But then she realized—her fingers had tightened around her glass, nails pressing against the cool surface. Not enough for anyone else to notice.

His lips curled, amusement flickering behind his sharp, knowing eyes.

"You always did that," he murmured.

The word hung between them like a loaded gun.

She swallowed. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Don't you?" He exhaled a soft laugh, shaking his head. "You were always good at pretending, I'll give you that."

Every instinct told her to run. To create distance. To shove this conversation into the past where it belonged.

But that would mean letting him win.

And she had never been one to lose.

So she lifted her chin, forcing herself to meet his gaze head-on. "You think you know me?"

"I know exactly who you are."

His confidence was suffocating. Not arrogant, not reckless—just sure. Like he had already predicted every move she would make.

He lifted his drink to his lips, eyes never leaving hers. And then—just as casually—he said it.

"You're the girl who used to act like I didn't exist."

The words hit like a strike of lightning, electrifying the air between them.

Zaiyo leaned in, voice low, teasing, edged with something darker.

"I want to see you try that again."

She couldn't ignore him now.

He was just getting started.

You Never Stood a chance