Warning, contains mature scenes~~~

The Obsidian, Alexander’s private superyacht, cut through the dark blue waters of the southern strait. There were no guests, no loud brothers, and no rebellious teenagers, just the crew, who knew how to stay invisible, and Huan.

Outside, the wind whipped the whitecaps, but inside the main saloon, the only sounds were the soft crackle of a bio-ethanol fireplace and clinking ice.

Alexander stood by the panoramic window, a tumbler of aged scotch in his hand. He wore a thick cashmere sweater, a rare casual look that only emphasized his broad shoulders. He watched the horizon, the tension of the past week finally beginning to unspool from his spine.

Huan sat on a plush cream sofa nearby, ostensibly reading a tablet, though his eyes often drifted to Alexander’s back. The silence between them was comfortable. He never tired of admiring Alexander’s body. The man always made him tremble. Whatever potion Alexander had given him had him on his knees like this.

"The stabilizers are working well," Huan murmured, setting his tablet down. "Barely feels like we’re moving."

Alexander took a slow sip of his drink, not turning away from the window. "It’s quiet. That’s the most important thing." He finally turned, his gaze landing heavily on Huan. "Finally, we can have some time for us. Sorry to delay the trip. We should have made it yesterday."

Huan smiled. "What’s the difference? We have another good memory from yesterday. We were happy together. I don’t regret delaying it."

Alexander nodded. "Yeah, you’re right. Although I’m still not sure about that kid."

"Vale?"

Alexander nodded.

"Don’t worry. I’ll check everything later. As far as I know, Nathan is mature enough to find a good friend. You shouldn’t worry too much."

Alexander reached for his glass and took another sip. His gaze was fixed on the sea ahead of them. "I’m just too afraid that I might fail."

Huan stood up, stepped behind him, and hugged him tightly. Behind his authoritarian attitude, Huan knew Alexander was just an ordinary man. The man had his own fears. At times like this, he could feel Alexander’s vulnerability.

Alexander smiled slightly, took Huan’s hand, and squeezed it.

Huan breathed in Alexander’s scent deeply, the familiar musky aroma filling his nose.

Alexander was still lost in thought. "Leo... how is he?"

Huan, who had hoped this moment would be just for them, frowned slightly. Then he released his embrace, returned to the sofa, and picked up his tablet.

"It looks like he’s in contact with Freya. That woman is completely unpredictable. It’s common knowledge that she keeps many men, but I didn’t expect her to buy them too."

Alexander was silent for quite a while. "Make sure Steven keeps an eye on Leo. I don’t want to be surprised by a police report."

Huan nodded. "You don’t need to worry. But shouldn’t you talk to Leo?"

Alexander took another sip of his wine. "He’ll only withdraw if I bring it up. It’ll be harder for me to control him. It’s better if he feels safe doing everything at home, rather than outside where I don’t know what he’s doing."

"But he also knows you’re watching him."

"What’s wrong with that? He knows I’m watching him to protect him."

Huan was silent, then spoke again. "You still have to talk to him. His hobby is too extreme."

Alexander was quiet for a moment, then looked at Huan. "I can’t believe you said that in front of me, Huan."

Huan startled and looked up at him. Seeing Alexander smile, he clicked his tongue.

"You and I do more than he does," Alexander continued.

"Well, I guess you’re right. I’m too used to it," Huan replied, returning his gaze to the tablet.

Silence filled the room. Alexander stared at Huan, who continued scrolling without speaking.

He smiled.

He walked over to the sofa, placing his glass on a brass coaster with a deliberate clink. He stood over Huan, his presence suddenly dominating the space. He didn’t touch him, but Huan immediately froze.

Huan felt his heartbeat begin to accelerate. He looked up. Alexander was silent, just watching. He followed the line of Huan’s jaw with his eagle eyes.

Gulp . The pulse in Huan’s neck beat steadily.

"Are you done pretending to read?" Alexander asked, his voice dropping to that low rumble that always made Huan’s stomach tighten.

Huan swallowed and tilted his head back to meet Alexander’s gaze. He looked down, hiding his smile. "Well, you always know what I’m doing."

"Bored?"

Huan shook his head. "No, of course not. Just—"

"Leave the tablet. Come here," Alexander cut him off in a commanding tone. He didn’t wait for an answer, turning and walking toward the master suite corridor.

Hearing that, Huan knew what awaited him. He cleared his throat nervously, set the tablet aside, and smoothed his white sweater before following his master.

They entered the master stateroom, a vast space dominated by a king-sized bed, dark wood paneling, and thick carpets that swallowed sound. The curtains were drawn, plunging the room into a warm twilight, closer and more intimate than the saloon.

After Huan entered, Alexander closed the heavy door and flipped the lock. The click echoed like a gunshot in the quiet room.

"Shirt off," Alexander commanded, walking toward the bed and stopping to watch.

Huan complied smoothly, draping his sweater over a chair.

"The pants."

Huan swallowed hard, then quickly removed the last piece of clothing. He stood calmly in the middle of the room, though his heart was pounding. He had done this hundreds of times, yet he could never control his heartbeat.

Alexander watched every movement, his eyes shining and predatory.

"Come."

Huan took a deep breath and stepped closer, stopping inches away.

"Nervous?" Alexander asked, feeling the heat radiating from his beloved aide. His fingertips barely grazed Huan’s ribs.

Huan shivered, his breath hitching.

"So shy today, hm?" Alexander murmured. He didn’t grab, he traced. His hand slid up to Huan’s throat, his thumb resting lightly against his windpipe.

Huan trembled, his breath quickening, his face flushing. "Don’t tease me, Master."

"You’re acting like it’s the first time you’ve been naked in front of me," Alexander said softly, applying just a fraction of pressure to tilt Huan’s chin up. "Look at me."

Huan’s eyes snapped open, dark with devotion and desire, fixed on Alexander’s face.

"To the bed," Alexander murmured, releasing his throat and gripping Huan’s hip, guiding him firmly. He pushed him down onto the Egyptian cotton sheets.

Huan sat on the edge, looking up, waiting.

"Spread your legs."

Huan complied, his body rigid, surrendering everything.

Alexander smirked, standing between Huan’s knees. He didn’t undress yet, enjoying the contrast, his fully clothed authority against Huan’s naked vulnerability.

"Lie back," Alexander said.

Huan lay back, his head sinking into the mattress. He began to lift his arms, reaching instinctively.

"No. No." Alexander’s voice was sharp, a verbal slap. "Did I say you could use your hands?"

Huan froze, arms hovering before quickly lowering them, palms open in supplication. "I’m sorry, Master."

"Up. Hands above your head. Grip the headboard."

Huan obeyed, crawling upward and stretching his arms back to grasp the padded leather headboard. The position arched his back, displaying his chest and stomach perfectly for Alexander’s inspection.

Alexander climbed onto the bed, straddling Huan’s waist, his weight heavy and grounding. He placed his hands flat against Huan’s chest, feeling the frantic heartbeat beneath his palms.

"You belong to me, don’t you?" Alexander whispered, lowering his face until their noses nearly touched.

"Yes, Master," Huan breathed, knuckles white as he fought the urge to touch.

"Say it properly." Alexander dragged his thumbs down over Huan’s nipples, drawing a sharp gasp.

"I belong to you, Master."

"Good." Alexander sat back on his heels, towering over him as he began undoing his belt. His gaze never left Huan’s face, savoring the tortured anticipation. "Don’t move an inch until I tell you. We have the whole ocean to ourselves, and I intend to use every hour."

Minutes later—

" Ahhh ~~~ M-master...!"

"Sshh. Did I say you could make a sound?"

***

In the Mansion

Nathan walked down the grand staircase, the sound of his bare feet on the marble echoing through the vast emptiness. It was midday on January 1st.

The house was quiet.

Roger had left at dawn, hungover and wearing sunglasses, muttering about needing salt water to cure his headache. Lucas had disappeared with his girlfriend to some brunch gala. Malvin was somewhere in the west wing, probably napping with Nael after staying up all night playing video games.

And Alexander... Alexander was gone.

Nathan went to the kitchen. Usually, the staff would be swarming around, or one of his brothers would be there causing a scene. Today, he opened the massive refrigerator, grabbed a carton of orange juice, and drank directly from the spout.

He leaned against the counter, looking around the cavernous kitchen.

So this is what Nael meant, Nathan thought. Nael had said that the brothers were only home because of him. Nathan hadn’t believed him. But now, the moment the "threat" of the holidays was over, they had scattered to the winds.

But it was better. Peaceful.

For the first time since arriving in this golden cage, Nathan felt his shoulders relax.

He walked into the living room and threw himself onto the expensive, soft sofa. As he stared at the high ceiling, his mind drifted back to the previous night.

How his brothers had willingly abandoned their plans to ruin his night. He didn’t know whether to be grateful or complain. The attention he received was truly terrifying.

They acted like he was made of glass, ready to shatter at any moment.

"They are really crazy," Nathan muttered to the empty room.

Nathan thought about the deal. Six months. He had to endure their craziness.

A knot of dread formed in his stomach. If Alexander was this controlling about a simple New Year’s Eve outing, what would he be like when school started? What would he be like about Nathan’s grades? His curfew?

"He’s going to make my life hell!"