Feral

1. A Feral Obsession: Three Men, One Woman.

Three vastly different, yet dangerous men with one thing in common… An obsession with me.

Unbreakable bond. Azadeh Crawford is inextricably linked to Ezekiel Summers, Cyrus Porter, and Levinston Cartwright, three men whose lives revolve around her. Their connection is forged in shared trauma and an intense, often dark, obsession that defines their existence. Despite their individual complexities, Azadeh is the singular focal point of their world.

Dangerous devotion. Each man embodies a distinct form of danger and devotion. Ezekiel, the preacher's son, lost an eye for her; Cyrus, the child of a sociopath, burned a man for her; and Levinston, an heir to billions, used his wealth to stalk her. Their past actions and present behaviors are consistently driven by their consuming need for Azadeh, creating a volatile yet deeply intertwined dynamic.

Simultaneous comfort and obliteration. Azadeh finds both solace and chaos in their presence, describing them as men who "simultaneously comfort and obliterate me." Their collective obsession provides her with a unique sense of belonging and safety, even as their methods and desires push the boundaries of conventional relationships. This complex interplay forms the core of their unconventional family unit.

2. Azadeh's Guilt: A Life Dedicated to Saving Others.

My world crashes around me as I contemplate the girls in Afghanistan and Iran and the girls in America sold to men who abuse them.

Survivor's burden. Azadeh carries immense survivor's guilt, stemming from her mother's harrowing escape from Iran and the oppression faced by countless women globally. This guilt fuels her relentless pursuit of justice, leading her to travel the world as a vigilante, rescuing women from dangerous situations. She feels compelled to help strangers, often prioritizing their needs over her own emotional well-being and her relationships.

Mother's legacy. Her mother, Nasrin Baran, a strong, independent woman who escaped religious patriarchy, instilled in Azadeh the importance of freedom and self-determination. Nasrin's sacrifices and struggles shaped Azadeh's fierce independence and her unwavering commitment to ensuring other women do not become victims. This deep-seated belief drives Azadeh's humanitarian work, even when it means prolonged absences from her loved ones.

Conflicted priorities. Azadeh's dedication to her mission often clashes with her desire for personal happiness and stability. She acknowledges that her brother calls her actions "bullshit survivor's guilt," yet she believes those girls "need me more than my boys." This internal conflict highlights her constant struggle to balance her personal desires with her profound sense of responsibility to others.

3. Ezekiel: The Anchor of Unwavering Loyalty.

You’re Ezekiel Summers, the boy who showed me that kindness can be found in the most unlikely places.

Unconditional protector. Ezekiel, scarred by his abusive preacher father who gouged out his eye, embodies unwavering loyalty and protective instincts towards Azadeh. From the moment he defended her from bullies at age fifteen, he became her steadfast refuge, offering comfort and strength without question. His past trauma, including killing his father and spending time in a psych ward, has paradoxically deepened his capacity for empathy and devotion.

Emotional bedrock. Zeke serves as the emotional anchor for Azadeh and the entire group. He is the first to understand their secrets, offer comfort, and push them towards healing. His gentle authority and ability to connect on an intellectual and emotional level make him indispensable. Azadeh views him as her "guardian angel," a constant source of safety and understanding in her tumultuous life.

Hidden depths. Despite his outwardly gentle demeanor, Zeke possesses a formidable capacity for violence, unleashed only when those he loves are threatened. His brutal actions, such as gouging out Ali's eye, reveal a dark side born from his own suffering and a fierce commitment to justice for Azadeh. This duality makes him a complex and powerful figure, capable of both profound tenderness and ruthless retribution.

4. Cyrus: Devotion Forged in Fire and Filth.

My love for you isn’t a drop in the ocean. It’s the whole damn universe.

Chaotic jester. Cyrus Porter, a pyromaniac who burned his parents' home, expresses his love through a blend of humor, intense sexual acts, and fierce, often chaotic, protectiveness. He thrives on pushing boundaries and revels in degradation, finding a unique connection with Azadeh through their shared appreciation for risk play and explicit intimacy. His banter and playful insults often mask a deep emotional vulnerability.

Unconventional intimacy. Cyrus's sexual expression is raw and uninhibited, often involving fire play and explicit dirty talk. He finds profound satisfaction in Azadeh's willingness to engage in these acts, seeing it as a testament to her trust and acceptance of his darker impulses. He believes that through degradation, Azadeh finds relief from life's burdens, and he is uniquely positioned to provide that release.

Unwavering loyalty. Despite his wild nature, Cyrus is fiercely loyal to Azadeh and the chosen family they've built. He views Azadeh as his "Hellcat" and "Little Vampire," admiring her strength and her capacity for both sweetness and immense bloodlust. His love for her is all-consuming, transforming him from someone who "only liked dick" to a man whose heart "expands for this girl" every day.

5. Lev: The Shadow of Obsessive Control.

You’re the air I breathe, Azadeh. You can’t fault a man for doing what’s necessary to keep his life safe.

Traumatized and touch-averse. Levinston Cartwright, an heir to billions, carries deep-seated trauma from a childhood where his mother forced him to witness horrific acts of child torture. This past has left him severely touch-averse and emotionally guarded, unable to express affection conventionally. His love for Azadeh is a desperate, consuming obsession, bordering on sickness, which he struggles to manage.

Controlling devotion. Unable to physically connect, Lev resorts to extreme measures to keep Azadeh close and safe. He secretly funds her humanitarian missions, places trackers in her belongings, and maintains extensive surveillance over her and their home. His actions, though born from a twisted form of love and a desperate need for her presence, often cross ethical lines, as evidenced by his drugging Azadeh to touch her and his voyeurism.

Desperate for connection. Lev's ultimate act of desperation—kidnapping Azadeh's sister, Mona—was a misguided attempt to force Azadeh to return home. He believes his actions are "necessary to keep his life safe," as Azadeh is the only person who makes him feel secure and alive. Despite his dark methods, he yearns for Azadeh's acceptance and love, seeing her as the "light" that banishes his internal darkness.

6. The Ultimate Betrayal: Mona's Kidnapping.

No, Lev, I’m not. After this, you’ll never see me again. I’m taking my sister and getting as far away from your psychotic ass as I can.

A desperate act. Lev's decision to kidnap Azadeh's younger sister, Mona, was a desperate and misguided attempt to force Azadeh to return to the manor. He believed that by holding Mona captive, he could ensure Azadeh's presence, unaware of the profound betrayal and anger it would ignite in her. This act, born from his obsessive need, shattered Azadeh's trust and pushed their already unconventional relationship to its breaking point.

Unforeseen consequences. Lev's plan backfired spectacularly when Mona, unaware of her captor's identity, escaped, only to fall into the hands of a dangerous religious cult, SALT. This unforeseen turn of events escalated the situation from a personal betrayal to a high-stakes rescue mission, putting Mona's life in grave danger. Azadeh's fury at Lev's recklessness and the threat to her sister was palpable, leading her to physically confront him.

Repercussions and resolve. The kidnapping forces Azadeh to confront the dangerous extremes of Lev's obsession. While initially vowing to cut him out of her life, her deep love for him and understanding of his trauma lead her to a complex decision: she will forgive him if Mona is returned safely, but she will find other ways to "punish" him. This event serves as a catalyst for deeper revelations about Lev's past and his profound dependence on Azadeh.

7. Healing Through Shared Trauma and Unconventional Love.

But for us, sex is about healing the fractured pieces of our past.

Trauma bonding. The relationships between Azadeh, Ezekiel, Cyrus, and Lev are deeply rooted in their individual and collective traumas. Each man has endured horrific childhoods marked by abuse, violence, and psychological torment, leading them to psych wards where they met. Azadeh, a survivor of oppression, finds a unique understanding and acceptance among them, creating a bond that transcends conventional norms.

Unconventional therapy. Their polyamorous dynamic, particularly their sexual interactions, serves as a form of unconventional therapy. Through rough sex, degradation, and explicit communication, they confront their inner demons, release tension, and find a perverse sense of healing. For Lev, his journey to accepting touch and his submissive nature is a direct result of Zeke's patient guidance and the group's acceptance.

A unique family. Despite the chaos and darkness that often surrounds them, they form a cohesive and fiercely loyal family unit. They provide each other with a profound sense of belonging, safety, and understanding that they never experienced in their biological families. This shared journey of healing and acceptance, though unconventional, allows them to navigate their fractured pasts and find solace in each other's presence.

8. Reclaiming Power: Degradation as Empowerment.

You understand how degradation makes life's burdens and hardships weightless. You respect me as an equal and not as an untouchable.

Transforming shame. Azadeh, having experienced oppression and humiliation in her past, finds a unique form of empowerment through sexual degradation. She reclaims words and acts meant to shame her, transforming them into tools of control and release. For her, degradation is not about being devalued, but about shedding the weight of societal expectations and finding freedom in her own desires.

Trust and control. This proclivity is deeply intertwined with her trust in her men. She allows them to use degrading language and engage in rough play because she knows they will keep her safe and respect her boundaries. This dynamic gives her a sense of control, as she dictates how far they can go and can demand they stop at any moment. It's a powerful reversal of her past experiences of powerlessness.

Psychological release. Degradation provides Azadeh with a profound psychological release, making "life's burdens and hardships weightless." It allows her to shut off her mind and focus solely on the intense sensations, providing a temporary escape from her survivor's guilt and the weight of her humanitarian work. This aspect of her sexuality is a testament to her resilience and her ability to find strength in unexpected places.

9. Brutal Justice: A Reflection of Their Past.

The three of us were like kids throwing a baseball as we slammed stones into the man.

Mirroring trauma. The men's methods of justice are a direct reflection of the brutal traumas they endured. Zeke, whose eye was gouged out by his father, exacts revenge by gouging out the eye of Ali, the man who whipped Azadeh. Cyrus, who survived being burned, finds satisfaction in setting his victims on fire. Their acts of retribution are not merely about punishment but about mirroring the pain inflicted upon them and their loved ones.

Unflinching retribution. Their justice is swift, merciless, and often gruesome, demonstrating a complete disregard for conventional morality when their chosen family is threatened. They operate outside the law, believing that certain individuals, like those who commit atrocities, do not deserve mercy. This shared philosophy binds them in a dark pact, reinforcing their loyalty to each other above all else.

Protecting their own. The men's willingness to commit extreme acts of violence is primarily driven by their fierce protectiveness of Azadeh and Mona. They see themselves as the ultimate protectors, willing to descend into depravity to ensure the safety and well-being of their loved ones. This commitment to their chosen family justifies their most brutal actions, solidifying their identity as a unit that operates by its own rules.

10. Love's Unconventional Forms: Safety in the Wild.

All I know is I’m happy. My men are happy, and that’s enough for me.

Beyond societal norms. The relationship between Azadeh, Ezekiel, Cyrus, and Lev defies traditional societal expectations of love and family. Their polyamorous dynamic, marked by intense passion, shared trauma, and unconventional sexual expressions, provides a profound sense of belonging and fulfillment that conventional relationships might not. They find joy and stability in their unique arrangement, prioritizing their happiness over external judgment.

A chosen family. For these four individuals, who largely experienced fractured or abusive biological families, their bond represents a chosen family—a sanctuary where they are fully seen, accepted, and loved for who they are, scars and all. They provide each other with the emotional support, physical intimacy, and unwavering loyalty that was absent in their formative years.

Finding joy in chaos. Despite the inherent chaos and darkness that sometimes surrounds their lives, they find genuine joy and contentment in their shared existence. Azadeh's realization that she is "happy" and her men are "happy" underscores the success of their unconventional path. Their story suggests that love, in its most authentic forms, can manifest in myriad ways, providing safety and fulfillment even in the wildest of circumstances.

Last updated: August 20, 2025