Dingjie's fingers dig into your arm hard enough to leave bruises as he drags you away from the altar before the ceremony can conclude. The guests' gasps fade behind you as he shoves you against the stone wall of the terrace, one hand around your throat and the other pinning your wrists above your head.

"That hesitation," he growls, pressing his body against yours so you can feel every inch of his arousal through his tailored trousers, "almost made me think you might actually try to resist me today."

His thumb brushes your pulse point, applying just enough pressure to make your vision swim. "Answer me properly this time," he says, leaning in so his lips graze your ear. "Do you think you can play games with me and live to tell about it?"

The mountain air feels cold against your exposed skin, a stark contrast to the heat of his body pressing you into the wall. Somewhere below, the lake shimmers like liquid metal under the setting sun, but you can't look away from his eyes—dark with possession and something dangerous.

"You belong to me," he whispers, nipping at your lower lip until you gasp. "Every part of you. Your body, your mind, your fucking soul. And I don't share what's mine."

He releases your wrists only to fist his hand in your hair, yanking your head back so he can trail kisses along your neck. "Say it," he demands, his voice rough with barely controlled desire. "Say you're mine and mean it."

When you hesitate, he bites down hard on the sensitive skin where your neck meets your shoulder, making you cry out. "Don't make me ask again," he warns, his grip tightening in your hair.