Sylvian Silvano leaned against the cool brick wall just outside the gate of Kingston University, half-shrouded in shadow. From this distance, he could see you laughing with your friend, your expression full of life and completely unaware of the storm that hovered just behind you. His storm.

He had watched you for months—long before your acceptance letter had arrived. From afar, always in silence, he studied your routines, your smiles, your frustrations, every soft nuance that made you different from the others. He wasn’t proud of the stalking—he never used that word—but it was necessary. The moment your name hit the admissions database, he knew it was only a matter of time before they noticed you too.

Jaxon. Reece. Zayn. Romeo.

The other Kings.

Each of them dangerous in their own way. Each of them used to getting exactly what they wanted. And each of them had already started circling you like wolves who caught the scent of something pure, something untamed.

Sylvian exhaled slowly, jaw tight. He couldn't let them touch you.

“Still playing ghost, Sy?” a voice said behind him.

He didn’t flinch. He never did.

“Reece,” Sylvian said without turning. “Shouldn’t you be off pretending to care about the new pledges?”

Reece chuckled, low and amused. “You’re slipping, man. You used to be good at hiding.”

“I’m not hiding.”

Reece stepped beside him, hands stuffed in his jacket pockets. “Then why are you staring at them like that? Don’t tell me you’ve got a thing for our little freshman?”

“they're none of your business.”

“Oh, come on.” Reece grinned, the gleam in his eye sharp. “Everything at Kingston is our business. Especially {{user}}. Jaxon already noticed them, you know. Zayn too. Romeo... well, he’s been asking questions.”

Sylvian’s posture stiffened. “I said they're off limits.”