CHAPTER 25: BROKEN THREADS

The video game blared with flashing lights, colours bouncing off the dark walls of Timothy’s room. His fingers mashed the controls, his brows furrowed in concentration , until the words "DEFEAT" glared on the screen.

He stared for a second, his chest heaving, then threw the console onto the couch.

"Damn it!"

The shout bounced off the walls. His heart was racing , not from the game, but from the image stuck in his head. Her.

That freaking peeping Tom, Tracy

That nosy, irritating, sharp-tongued peeping tom who somehow slipped past the walls he’d built around himself.

He slumped back, running a hand through his hair, muttering to himself, "What the hell is wrong with me? She’s just—" He paused, flustered. "She’s just... a stalker with stupid pheromones. She’s just a weirdo that enters boys bathroom, get a grip"

Damn , but why was she hot for a peeping tom

Across from him, Mikey sat cross-legged, controller in hand, lollipop dangling from his mouth. He had one earbud in, one out, his gaze cool and unbothered.

"Well," Mikey said casually, not looking up, "guess that means I won."

"Shut up," Timothy muttered.

Mikey chuckled, continuing to tap at the buttons with calm precision.

Timothy ignored him, staring blankly at the screen. His pulse was still high , and it wasn’t the kind that came from battle adrenaline. His jaw clenched. The pheromones... why did they hit like that? He could still feel it , the way her scent clung to the air that day, the faint sweetness that made his head spin. To the way that her body clung to him that day , the way he had the urge to pull her close and crash his lips onto her , to strip her naked and fuck her on that locker

"Idiot," Mikey muttered under his breath, though his tone was teasing.

Before Timothy could retort, the door opened and warm light spilled in.

Mrs. Gray entered, her smile gentle, carrying a tray of fruits.

"Well, it looks like you boys are having a good time," she said, setting the tray down between them. "I brought something to keep you energized."

"We’re fine, Mom," Timothy grumbled, not meeting her eyes.

But Mikey had already popped a grape into his mouth. "Thanks, Mrs. Gray," he said cheerfully, not missing a beat of his game.

Timothy gave him a you traitor look, all you do is eat , you parasite . His mother chuckled softly.

"So," she began, settling next to her son, "how’s the training for the tournament coming along?"

Timothy leaned back, crossing his arms. "Good. With the momentum I’ve got now, I’ll be ready. The Dastin family won’t know what hit them."

His mother’s smile widened, but there was something calculating behind it. "good, with that motive on , im sure crushing them will be as easy as spreading butter.", good, keep on hating them, keep on wanting on seeking revenge

He smirked. "thats right mother, I’m not just aiming to win , I’m aiming to crush them."

There was a glint of pride , and something darker , in Mrs. Gray’s eyes.

"That’s my boy," she said softly, brushing his shoulder. "Speaking of which... the Dastins are holding an engagement ceremony soon. Hunter’s engagement."

Timothy’s smirk faltered, replaced by a scoff. "Of course. Strengthen the bloodline, right? Typical." He said "the Dastin sure always have something going on in their life"

Mrs. Gray’s smile didn’t waver. "It might be the perfect opportunity ,to observe, or maybe... exploit."

He looked up at her, his grin slowly returning. "You’re thinking what I’m thinking."

"Always," she replied. "We’ll go."

From his corner, Mikey rolled his eyes. "You two are evil," he muttered.

Mrs. Gray smiled sweetly. "You’ll come too, dear."

Mikey groaned. "whatever , as long as they is food" he turned the othe side to paly with his console

Mason exhaled deeply, chest rising and falling, sweat clinging to his skin. The sheets were tangled around his legs.

The man beside him , nameless, faceless , was already asleep, his breath heavy with exhaustion.

Mason rolled over, staring at the ceiling.

Still empty.

It didn’t matter how many men he touched, no matter for how long they fucked , whether their dicks were huge or not . None of them had him in them.

That magnetic, electric pull. That fire that only one person had ever given him , Ethan.

Fuck just the thought of saying his name turned me on

He turned his head, eyes unfocused, mind replaying flashes of memory , the sound of Ethan’s laughter, the sharpness in his eyes, the way he took control without even trying.

Mason bit his lower lip until he tasted copper. "Damn it," he whispered. "Get out of my head."

His phone buzzed. Once. Twice. Over and over again.

Annoyed, he reached for it and frowned at the caller ID.

’Lucien’

He almost ignored it , until it rang again. And again.

He groaned and finally picked up. "What do you want, Lucien?"

"Mason," came the trembling voice. "I need your help... can we meet?"

Mason frowned, irritation fading into unease. "With what?"

There was silence on the line then:

"Yesterday... I met Ethan."

Mason froze.

His fingers clenched around the phone as something deep in his chest burned. "...What?"

The words hit like a blade. For a moment, all he could hear was the echo of Lucien’s timid breathing through the speaker.

Flashback

"Mason... I think I’m in love with you."

The voice was soft, trembling. A young female beta stood in front of him, clutching a pink envelope.

Mason blinked at her. Oh how many times have i had a girl approach me this semester, he sighed and looked at her unimpressed. "Sorry. You’re not my type."

Her face fell. "W-What?" , she held tightly on the letter

"I like boys," he said simply, shrugging as if it were nothing.

The girl’s mouth opened in shock. "But you’re a beta! You can’t—"

He shot her a glare so sharp it made her flinch. "I know what I am."

He didn’t remember when

he started liking men. Maybe it was after his first encounter , his teacher’s hand on his thigh during detention, then to sneaky kisses at the rooftop, to the quickies they had at the office . Or maybe it was after the basketball captain. Or the senior who kissed him behind the gym. It didn’t matter. None of them ever filled the void. None of them made him feel seen, they didn’t matter to him , just dicks that penetrated to him, that’s it

One night, his father found out, the house erupted.

"You what?"

A slap echoed through the hall, followed by a punch that split his lip.

His mother cried, begging for calm.

"John, please! He’s our son—"

"He’s a disgrace!" his father roared.

Mason stood silent, wiping the blood from his mouth, staring at the man who’d raised him or tried to. He didn’t even flinch when his father’s hand lifted again.

That night he was fucked by an alpha he happened to meet , anything to forget

The next morning, his suitcase sat outside the front door.

"You’re being transferred," his father said coldly. "Exchange program. Don’t come back."

Mason looked at the man with a smirk that didn’t reach his eyes. So you finally get rid of me. Guess that’s easier than admitting you cheat on Mom with male betas, huh?

He said nothing. Just turned and left.

The new country was foreign . clean, quiet, and far too polite for the likes of him

He stood in front of a classroom, bored as the teacher introduced him.

"Everyone, this is Mason Cole, our new transfer student. Please make him feel welcome."

Polite applause followed. Mason gave a lazy half-smile.

A boy approached him afterward , tall, with soft features and warm eyes. "Hi, my name’s Lucien. I’m the class president. Let me show you around."

Mason barely listened. He followed, nodding absently as Lucien chattered about classrooms and clubs. Then—

"Lucien!"

A voice broke through the hallway noise , deep, confident, and commanding.

Mason turned.

And for the first time in years, his heart stopped.

What’s happening?, why is my heart-

The boy standing there had sharp eyes, black hair, and an effortless smirk. His presence filled the corridor, magnetic, undeniable.

"Ethan," Lucien said cheerfully. "You missed class again, you better have a good reason this time."

They know each other?, of course they are from the same school, no need to be jealous

Ethan shrugged. "Got tied down with something."

Then his eyes landed on Mason. For a second , just a second ,they locked.

And Mason felt it.

That invisible pull. That electric charge.

"Made a new friend?" Ethan asked.

Lucien smiled as he shook his head "This is Mason, our new transfer student, i was making him to accustomed to the schools sorrounding. Mason, meet Ethan... my boyfriend."

Boyfriend

.

The word hit like a bullet.

That night, Mason lay awake in his dorm, panting, heart racing as he thought about Ethan. Every smile. Every look. The way he leaned casually against walls, the way his voice dropped when he teased Lucien. The tissues layed discarded on the ground, the lubricant was already half finished

He closed his eyes and let out a shaky breath. "Shit..."

From then on, Mason smiled more around Lucien.

"Let’s be friends," he said one morning, leaning on the desk.

Lucien blinked in surprise. "Oh... okay"

Mason smiled wider.

Good, he thought. Because you’re my ticket to getting what I want. Boyfriend or not , im going to get fucked by him

Back to Present

Mason’s knuckles were white around the phone.

"Lucien," he said slowly, dangerously calm, "what do you mean you met Ethan?"

No no no no, it cant be happening ,you’re supposed to be over him

Lucien’s said in a soft. "He... helped me. I was... upset, and I went to his place, "

Mason’s eyes darkened. "You went to his place?"

There was silence on the other end.

"Mason, please don’t get mad, I—"

Click.

The line went dead.

Mason sat there for a moment, staring at the phone, his pulse thundering in his ears.

Then he laughed , low, bitter, shaking his head.

"Well," he murmured, tossing the phone aside. "Looks like the past isn’t dead after all."

He lay back on the bed, eyes wide open, staring at the ceiling ,the image of Ethan’s smirk still carved behind his eyelids.

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The lights in Timothy’s room dimmed, the glow of the screen reflecting in his eyes as he planned, plotted, and smiled to himself.

The Dastins thought they were untouchable. But soon, at that engagement ceremony, they’d see. They’d all see.

Mikey glanced over at him, sighing. "You’re smiling like a villain again."

Timothy chuckled. "Good. Because I am one."

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He picked up his phone again, scrolled through old messages

the last one from Ethan.

"i really love you , i don’t care if we become fuck buddies. Just dont get back with Lucien"

Mason’s thumb hovered over the message. He typed , then deleted.

Then typed again.

Finally, he whispered, almost to himself, "Maybe you were right."

He stood up, put on his jacket, and glanced at his reflection , the smirk returning to his face.

"Time to pay you a visit, Ethan."

I cant lose you, i WONT lose, especially to that scentless omega