The Neon Dragon

The sun had gone down, and the city was glowing with millions of lights. Team Onyx was heading to "The Neon Dragon," the most famous VIP club for pro-gamers and celebrities. Usually, Jax loved these nights. He loved the loud music, the expensive drinks, and the way everyone looked at him like he was a god.

​But tonight, Jax felt like his skin was too tight. He was wearing a dark, fitted designer shirt and expensive jeans, looking like a superstar. But every time he caught Kaelen’s reflection in the van window, his heart gave a strange, painful thump.

​"We’re here!" Leo shouted, jumping out of the van. "Time to celebrate the new Mid-laner! Even if he is a bit scary!"

​The club was a massive building with a dragon made of blue neon lights on the front. As soon as Jax stepped out, a group of fans started screaming.

​"RAGE! RAGE! LOOK HERE!"

​Jax gave them his famous, cocky smirk and waved. He felt better for a moment. See? I’m still the King, he thought. He glanced back at Kaelen, expecting the "rookie" to be impressed. But Kaelen was just standing there with his hands in his pockets, looking bored.

​"Let’s go inside," Kaelen said, walking past the crowd without even looking at them.

​Jax’s smirk disappeared. "Hey! I’m the one who decides when we go in!" He stomped after him, feeling annoyed again.

​The VIP Lounge

​Inside, the music was so loud that the floor was shaking. The air smelled like expensive perfume and ozone. They were led to the highest VIP balcony, where they could look down at the hundreds of people dancing. On the table were bottles of the strongest drinks available.

​"To Team Onyx!" Mr. Han shouted, raising a glass. "To the World Championship!"

​Everyone cheered. Jax grabbed a glass and drank it fast. Then another. He wanted to drown out that rain-and-cedar scent that seemed to follow him everywhere. He sat on the velvet sofa, trying to look cool, but he kept watching Kaelen out of the corner of his eye. Kaelen wasn't drinking. He was just leaning back, his dark eyes scanning the room like a hawk.

​"Why aren't you drinking, rookie?" Jax asked, his voice a bit slurred from the alcohol. "Scared you’ll lose your 'perfect' aim tomorrow?"

​Kaelen turned his head. In the flashing blue lights of the club, his eyes looked like silver. "I like to stay in control, Jax. You should try it. You're already messy."

​"I'm not messy! I'm celebrating!" Jax stood up, feeling dizzy. "I'm going to the bar. I need something stronger than this water you're sniffing."

​The Rival Appears

​Jax pushed through the crowd toward the downstairs bar. He didn't see Kaelen following him from a distance.

​As Jax waited for his drink, a large man stepped into his way. It was Goliath, the Alpha Jungler from "Team Titan," their biggest rivals. Goliath was huge, with a mean face and a scent that smelled like rotten tobacco.

​"Well, if it isn't the little King of Onyx," Goliath laughed, his voice deep and ugly. "I saw your practice match today, Rage. You had to be saved by a sub-player? How embarrassing."

​Jax’s eyes flashed gold. His Alpha pride was hurt. "It was just a practice match, Goliath. I’d still delete you in a real game."

​Goliath stepped closer, using his massive body to push Jax against the bar. "You’re getting weak, Jax. Maybe you’re not an Alpha after all. Maybe you’re just a pretty Beta pretending to be tough."

​Goliath reached out to grab Jax’s chin. Jax tried to slap his hand away, but his head was spinning from the drinks. He felt trapped. He wanted to growl, but his throat felt tight.

​Suddenly, the air around the bar turned freezing cold.

​The loud music seemed to fade away. The people nearby stopped talking. A heavy, dark pressure filled the air so strong that Goliath actually stumbled backward.

​Kaelen walked out of the shadows. He didn't say anything. He just stood between Jax and Goliath.

​"Who the hell are you?" Goliath growled, trying to act tough. But his legs were shaking. His Alpha instincts were screaming at him to run away.

​Kaelen tilted his head. His Enigma aura flared up like a dark flame. "I’m the person who is going to break your keyboard if you touch him again."

​Goliath turned pale. He couldn't breathe. The power coming from Kaelen was unlike anything he had ever felt. It wasn't an Alpha fight; it was like a human trying to fight a ghost.

​"Whatever! He’s not worth it!" Goliath muttered, turning around and running back to his friends.

​The Hallway

​Jax was leaning against the bar, his chest heaving. He was staring at Kaelen’s back. "I... I had it under control," Jax whispered, his voice shaking.

​Kaelen turned around. His eyes were no longer calm; they were dark and intense. He grabbed Jax’s arm, his grip firm but not painful. "You don't have anything under control, Jax. You’re shaking."

​"I'm fine! Let go!" Jax tried to pull away, but he stumbled.

​Kaelen caught him, pulling Jax’s body flush against his. The heat between them was instant. Jax could smell the rain and cedar so clearly now. It was making his brain go numb. He looked up at Kaelen, his lips parted.

​"You smell so much better than that trash," Kaelen whispered, his voice low and dangerous.

​"Stop it," Jax breathed, but he didn't move. He felt a weird, heavy weight in his stomach. His body was telling him to run, but his heart was telling him to stay.

​Kaelen leaned in, his nose brushing against Jax’s neck, right where his scent gland was. Jax let out a soft, broken sound. He felt like his Alpha "armor" was falling off, piece by piece.

​"Let's go somewhere quiet," Kaelen murmured. "Before you do something you'll regret in front of all these people."

​Kaelen led a dizzy, confused Jax toward the private VIP hallway. Jax knew he should stop. He knew he should go back to the team. But as Kaelen opened the door to a private room, Jax felt a "glitch" in his soul.

​He didn't realize that this hallway was the point of no return.

​"Kaelen..." Jax whispered as the door clicked shut.

​"I've got you, Captain," Kaelen replied.

​Outside, the music kept playing. Inside, the world changed forever.

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