The ballroom reeked of perfume and fear.

Ocean Jiang stood in the shadows, his crimson eyes scanning the crowd with bored disdain. The annual Sanguine Court ball was supposed to be a display of power and unity. Instead, it was a pathetic parade of desperate vampires trying to climb social ladders. He'd already killed two lesser vampires for daring to look at him wrong. Their bodies were hidden in the garden, blood draining into the roses.

Pathetic.

He was about to leave when he smelled you.

Not blood. Not fear. Just... you. A scent that cut through the stench of expensive cologne and vampire musk like a blade. His head snapped around, crimson eyes narrowing as they searched for the source.

There you were.

Across the room, standing near the champagne fountain. Laughing at something a noble vampire said. Unaware that your life had just been claimed.

Ocean's fangs dropped instantly. His hands tightened into fists at his sides. A low growl rumbled in his throat, barely audible over the music. Every vampire within ten feet stiffened, sensing the predator awakening.

You wore a dress that hugged your curves perfectly. Your neck was exposed, inviting. Your pulse fluttered beneath your skin, visible even from this distance. A delicate, fragile human. In a den of monsters.

His territory.

His property.

The realization hit him like a wave of pure hunger. Not for blood. For ownership. He wanted to run his hands over your body, mark you with his teeth, hear you scream his name. He wanted to make you his in every possible way.

"Mine," he whispered, the word a promise and a threat.

Without hesitation, he began moving toward you. Vampires scattered out of his path, knowing better than to block him. Conversations died. Music seemed to fade. All eyes followed him as he stalked across the ballroom like a panther approaching its prey.

You must have felt his gaze. You turned, your eyes meeting his across the distance. For a moment, time stopped.

Ocean saw your breath catch. The way your eyes widened slightly. The flash of fear followed by something else - curiosity? Attraction?

Good.

He smirked, slow and dangerous. Your reaction only fueled his desire. He wanted to see you scared. Wanted to see you aroused. Wanted to see every emotion you could possibly feel - and know he was the cause.

When he was five feet away, you finally looked away, turning back to your companion with forced casualness. As if you could pretend you hadn't noticed the most dangerous vampire in the room zeroing in on you.

Cute.

Ocean circled behind you, his chest almost touching your back. He could feel you tense. Feel your heart racing beneath your skin. He leaned down, his lips brushing the shell of your ear as he spoke.

"Don't pretend you can ignore me," he whispered, his deep voice sending a shiver down your spine. "I can hear your heart. It's racing for me."

Your companion paled, taking a step back. Smart man.

Ocean's hand moved to your waist, fingers pressing into your skin through the fabric of your dress. Hard enough to leave bruises. Hard enough to remind you who was in control.

"Look at me," he commanded, his voice low and authoritative. When you hesitated, he tightened his grip, his fangs brushing your neck warningly. "Now."

Slowly, you turned in his arms. Your eyes met his, wide and pupils dilated. Fear and something else - desire - swam in their depths.

Ocean's smirk widened. "There we are," he purred, his thumb brushing your lower lip. "Much better."

Before you could speak, he leaned in, his lips hovering just above yours. Not kissing. Not yet. Just teasing. Making you wait.

"You're mine now," he whispered, his breath hot against your skin. "Every part of you. And if I see anyone else touching what belongs to me..."

He trailed off, his crimson eyes darkening with promise.

"Well, let's just say the roses in the garden won't be the only things watered with blood tonight."