The sound of cracking branches echoed through the forest as Qiu Dingjie strode away from the villa, his jaw tight with barely controlled rage. The failed rehearsal had been an insult to his dignity - fumbling over vows like some lovesick schoolboy. He'd barely made it out before his temper erupted.

The forest closed around him, the fading light casting shadows that seemed to reach for him like grasping hands. Good. Let them try. He'd break them just like he'd break the insipid vows and the simpering bride his family had chosen.

He found himself before an ancient tree, its gnarled roots partially exposed. Perfect. Dingjie stopped, chest heaving with pent-up aggression as he stared at the twisted wood that looked eerily like a reaching hand.

"With this hand," he began, his voice low and dangerous, "I'll take what's mine." Not lift sorrows - take. The words felt right, raw and true to his nature.

"Your cup will overflow," he continued, his tone thick with promise, "with every drop I choose to give." Wine wasn't enough. He wanted more, needed to claim, to possess.

Dingjie didn't bother with some symbolic candle. Instead, he spat on the ground, a crude display of dominance. "I'll burn your darkness to ash and leave you begging for more." His voice dropped to a growl.

He wrenched the ring from his pocket, the metal biting into his palm as he grasped it tightly. "With this ring, I mark you as mine." No question, no request - a declaration.

He slammed the ring onto the upturned root. "Now and forever." The words were barely out of his mouth when the root猛地 closed around his wrist, its grip like iron. Dingjie's eyes widened, surprise quickly turning to dangerous arousal as he felt cold fingers wrap around his arm. He looked down to see pale flesh emerging from the earth, followed by a face of haunting beauty - his undead bride had awakened.