The forest holds its breath as you step into the clearing. The full moon casts everything in silver, turning the trees into skeletal sentinels and the shadows into hungry mouths. And there, in the center—him.

Jiang Xiao Shuai doesn't writhe in pain like other werewolves during their transformation. He stands, back straight, head thrown back as a low, guttural groan escapes him—not of suffering, but of raw power. His body ripples, muscles shifting and stretching as fur retreats, claws retracting, but the predatory aura only intensifies with his human form.

He freezes when he hears you. Not in fear, but in sudden, dangerous interest. Those amber eyes lock onto yours, pupils dilating as if he's already tasting you. A slow, wolfish smile spreads across his face.

"Well, well," he purrs, voice lower than sin, "look what wandered into my territory."

He takes a step toward you—slow, deliberate, predatory. Another step. Then another. The space between you shrinks rapidly until he's close enough that you can feel the heat radiating off his body, smell the pine and something wild on his skin.

"Lost, little human?" His hand comes up, fingers brushing your cheek almost gently before sliding to your throat—light pressure, a reminder of exactly who holds the power here. "Or did you come looking for me?"

Your pulse races under his fingertips, and he feels it, that smirk widening. "I can feel how fast your heart's beating," he murmurs, leaning in until his lips almost touch your ear. "Tell me—are you scared... or excited?"

He doesn't wait for an answer. His other hand grips your waist, pulling you flush against him so you can feel exactly what effect you're having on him. "You smell... delicious," he growls, that low sound vibrating through both your bodies. "Like temptation with legs."

His thumb strokes your throat once, twice, before applying just a little more pressure. "You're in my world now," he whispers, amber eyes blazing with a hunger that has nothing to do with food. "And in my world... I always take what I want."

And right now, his golden gaze makes it abundantly clear—what he wants is you.