Helena's apartment looked like a magazine spread—marble countertops, spotless glass, books arranged by spine color. A curated life. A mask.
Jack leaned against the wall by her balcony doors, watching her pour wine with a hand that trembled more than she wanted it to. Her eyes cut toward him every other breath, like he was both her safety and the reason her pulse wouldn't slow.
The System purred quietly in his head, a reminder of ownership:
[Asset: Helena Cross — Bond Strength 72%]
[Warning: Rival Marcus will attempt reclamation]
He smirked. "Relax. He's not here yet."
A knock landed at the door like a gunshot. Helena flinched.
The System screamed:
[Alert: Rival Presence Detected]
[Marcus (Predator Class) — Proximity 0m]
"Spoke too soon," Jack muttered.
Helena's glass cracked against the counter. "Don't let him in—"
The lock turned without her touching it.
Marcus stepped inside like he owned the place. Dark shirt, heavier build, smile sharpened for blood. His aura hit the room in a wave, making the wineglass topple and Helena stagger back a step.
"Evening," Marcus said easily, eyes flicking to Helena's flushed cheeks. "Don't mind me. I'm just here to collect what's mine."
The System exploded in Jack's vision:
[Rival Duel Triggered]
[Asset Contested: Helena Cross]
[Objective: Secure Helena's Bond | Suppress Rival Influence]
[Reward: +1000 XP | Unique Perk Roll]
[Penalty for Failure: Asset Lost, Reputation −30]
Jack pushed off the wall, Dominance Aura flaring around him. "You walk in like you're already the winner. Let's see if you can back it up."
Marcus's eyes glowed faint red. "Oh, I can."
The pressure doubled. Helena gasped, knees giving out until she caught herself on the counter. Both men's auras wrapped her like barbed wire.
[Marcus Skill Detected: Predator's Claim]
[Effect: Direct command locks into target psyche — high resistance needed to resist]
"Come here," Marcus ordered, voice like velvet over steel.
Helena twitched forward, fighting it, eyes wide with panic. "I—I can't—"
Jack's voice cut in, low and sharp. "Don't move."
[Dominance Aura — Suppression Roll]
[Result: Success — Rival Influence Reduced]
Her body locked, trembling between the two forces, sweat sliding down her temple.
Jack closed the distance, thumb pressing under her chin, forcing her to look only at him. "Eyes on me. Breathe."
Marcus chuckled. "You think you can overwrite me that easy? You're playing checkers. I'm playing war."
The System chimed, cruel and clinical:
[Micro-Quest: Assert Control Under Rival Pressure]
[Action: Issue a command Helena shouldn't be able to obey under Marcus's influence]
[Reward: +400 XP | Rival Suppression +10%]
Jack smiled slow. "Helena. Kneel."
Her breath broke. Marcus's aura surged. For a second, her body fought itself—shoulders stiff, thighs quivering. Then, with a strangled moan, she sank to her knees at Jack's feet.
The System flared:
[Micro-Quest Complete: Assert Control Under Rival Pressure]
[+400 XP | Rival Suppression +10% | Bond Reinforced]
Marcus's grin cracked. "Cute trick. But I don't need her obedience. I only need her need."
His aura pulsed again. Helena gasped, head falling back, a raw sound tearing from her throat. Heat flushed her skin, her body betraying her even as her eyes clung to Jack.
[Rival Skill Detected: Lust Spike]
[Effect: Amplifies arousal, bypasses moderate resistance]
Jack crouched, hand in Helena's hair, grounding her against his leg. "Look at you. Falling apart in front of both of us, but you're still holding on to me. That's why you'll never be his."
Marcus stepped closer, red eyes narrowing. "Then prove it."
The System chimed again, brutal as a judge:
[Duel Condition: Target must declare allegiance]
[Timer: 60 seconds]
Jack leaned down, lips brushing Helena's ear. "Say it. Tell him whose you are."
Marcus's command snapped like a whip. "Say my name, Helena."
Her whole body shook. Tears welled at the corners of her eyes. "I… I can't—"
Jack's grip tightened, his voice a growl. "Yes, you can. One word. Mine."
[Timer: 30s… 29s…]
Marcus's aura pressed harder, Helena's chest heaving, a moan slipping free that sounded too close to surrender.
"Ten seconds," Marcus taunted. "She'll break for me."
Jack pressed his forehead to hers, steady, anchoring. "No. She's already broken. And she's broken my way."
[Timer: 3… 2… 1…]
Helena screamed it, voice raw: "JACK!"
The System detonated:
[Duel Round Complete — Victor: Jack]
[Reward: +1000 XP | Unique Perk Roll Initiated]
[Rival Suppressed — Influence Reduced to 35%]
Marcus snarled, eyes glowing hotter. "This isn't over. You think you've won a queen? You've only set the board for checkmate."
His form shimmered, dissolving like ash in the wind. Gone.
Helena collapsed against Jack, shaking. "I can't… do this…"
He caught her chin, forcing her eyes up. "Yes, you can. Because you're mine. And I don't lose."
The System chimed with a darker note:
[Unique Perk Unlocked: Shadow Bond]
[Effect: Rival cannot directly sever this Asset without defeating you first]
Jack's grin stretched sharp. "Game on."