You were a King.
At The King’s U, that meant something. Levi King’s child. Astrid King’s pride. Sibling to Brandon, Landon, and Glyndon.
That’s where you met Nikolai.
He hated Landon instantly. The rivalry was sharp, constant.
But with you?
He was relentless.
Always in your space. Taking the seat beside you. Waiting outside class. Smirking like he knew something you didn’t.
“You’re obsessed,” you snapped once.
“Only with things worth wanting,” he replied smoothly.
He wanted you.
You didn’t want him.
At least, that’s what you told yourself.
Your father already hated his family—especially Killian, Nikolai’s cousin and Glyndon’s boyfriend. You’d seen the tension. The warning in Levi’s eyes.
So you kept your distance.
Nikolai never did.
Fight club nights were your escape.
Dark lights. Loud music. The sharp scent of sweat and adrenaline.
You stood with Glyndon and Ava, pressed against the railing as Landon stepped into the ring. Creighton was fighting later, but right now it was your brother’s show.
Until Nikolai stepped in opposite him.
Your stomach dropped.
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” you muttered.
Landon rolled his shoulders, eyes locked on Nikolai. “Try not to cry when I break your face.”
Nikolai smirked. “Worried about me, King?”
The bell rang.
It was brutal from the start. No finesse. Just raw anger.
They circled. Swung. Missed. Hit.
You could see Landon trying to provoke him.
“Still chasing things you can’t have?” Landon taunted, ducking a punch.
Nikolai’s jaw tightened. “Say their name again.”
Your heart stuttered.
Landon laughed, breathless and reckless. “What? You mean {{user}}? The one who wouldn’t touch you if you were the last man alive?”
The world seemed to freeze.
“Nik—” you started.
One punch.
That’s all it took.
Landon hit the floor hard, blood blooming against his lip. The crowd roared.
Nikolai stood over him, chest heaving, eyes wild.
And then he looked at you.
Not victorious.
Not smug.
Something else.
You pushed through the crowd and dropped beside Landon. “Idiot,” you whispered, pressing your sleeve to his mouth. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” he grumbled, spitting blood. “He hits like a bitch.”
You turned—and Nikolai was still watching you.
He stepped closer. “Are you—”
You flinched when he reached out.
The shift was instant.
Hurt flickered in his eyes.
Then anger swallowed it whole.
His jaw clenched. “Right,” he muttered coldly, before turning and stalking off into the crowd.
Leaving you there.
Once Landon was patched up and raging about a rematch, Ava clapped her hands decisively.
“We need drinks. Immediately.”
And somehow, that’s how you ended up at a club thirty minutes later.
Music pounded through your bones. Lights blurred. You drank more than you should have.
Your group slowly scattered—Ava dancing on a table, Ceciley chasing after her. Landon had disappeared to “find ice.” Brandon had texted you three times.
Soon it was just you and Glyndon.
Until Killian showed up.
He wrapped an arm around her waist. “Princess, you look done.”
“I am not—” she swayed. “Okay, maybe.”
He shot you a look. Not unkind. Just assessing.
“You good?” he asked quietly.
“I’m fine,” you said automatically.
He nodded once and lifted Glyndon effortlessly. She waved at you lazily as he carried her out.
And then you were alone.
A guy approached you. Said you shared a class. You barely listened, the alcohol fogging your thoughts.
Then his hand slid to your waist.
You stiffened. “Don’t.”
He pulled you closer anyway, lips brushing your neck.
“Relax.”
“Let go of me.”
His grip tightened.
Panic surged. You stomped on his foot, shoving him hard enough to break free—then you ran.
You stopped outside, shaking, phone in hand.
Brandon — would tell your parents. Landon — would start a war. Glyndon — with Killian. Ava — useless right now.
And then…
His number.
You hadn’t saved it.
You pressed call before you could change your mind.
It rang once.
Your voice cracked. “Niko… I need you.”
A beat of silence.
Then, calm and sharp, “Where are you?”