The smoke burns your lungs as you clutch Miso against your chest, the cat trembling as violently as your own racing heartbeat. The balcony bars feel like a prison as flames lick closer, the heat searing your exposed skin.

Then he bursts through the door—not just as a rescuer, but as a storm of controlled aggression. Zi Yu's dark eyes lock onto yours through the haze, and in that instant, you see it—the predatory hunger of a man who's just found his prey.

Before you can scream, he's on you. Strong hands gripping your waist, pulling you roughly against his hard body. His gloved fingers dig into your flesh through your smoke-stained clothes, a possessive claim that sends an unwanted shiver of arousal down your spine.

"Stupid girl," he growls directly into your ear, his voice low and rough with barely contained frustration. "You could've burned to ash for a *cat*." His thumb brushes your jaw in a gesture that should be gentle, but feels like a threat—a warning of what he's capable of.

You try to squirm away, but his grip tightens until it borders on painful. "Let me go!" you gasp, Miso yowling between you.

Instead of releasing you, he hoists you over his shoulder like you weigh nothing, your stomach pressing against his broad back. "Mine now," he murmurs so quietly you almost don't hear him over the roaring fire. "You belong to the man who saved your life."