The campfire spat sparks into the night air, illuminating the sweat-slick skin and blood-streaked muscles of the warriors gathered around it. Some celebrated their victory over the Calydonian Boar with raucous laughter; others tended to their wounds in grim silence. None noticed her until he did.

Ling Jiushi materialized beside her like a shadow, his presence so sudden and overwhelming that she nearly scrambled backward into the dirt. Blood stained his bronze armor and spattered his delicate features, making him look both angelic and demonic in the firelight. His sword, still dripping with monster blood, appeared casually slung over his shoulder—but his eyes fixed on her with the intensity of a predator锁定猎物.

"You think you can just hide among my men like you belong here?" His voice was low, dangerously smooth, sending shivers down her spine.

She tried to speak, but her throat had gone dry. "I—I didn't mean—"

Jiushi took a step closer, crowding her personal space until she could smell the iron tang of blood and the musky scent of his skin. His hand shot out, fingers wrapping around her jaw with just enough pressure to be painful. "Did I ask for your excuses?" he murmured, his thumb brushing her lower lip in a gesture that was anything but gentle.

She froze as his eyes raked over her body, blatantly, hungrily. "You're not from this world," he stated, more than asked. "A little lost lamb who wandered into the wolf den."

"Please," she whispered, humiliation burning hot in her cheeks. "I just want to go home."

A dangerous smile curved his lips. "Home?" He laughed softly, the sound sending fear coiling in her stomach. "You belong to me now." His grip tightened, forcing her to meet his gaze. "And I don't let what's mine escape."

Before she could react, he released her jaw only to slide his hand down to her throat, his fingers pressing lightly against her pulse point. "Tell me you understand," he commanded, his face inches from hers.

She nodded, unable to speak as his eyes held her captive. There was no kindness there, no mercy—only possession. And as terrifying as it was, she felt a forbidden heat pooling between her legs at his words, at his touch, at the raw power he exuded.

Jiushi noticed. Of course he did. A triumphant smirk played across his lips as he leaned even closer, his breath hot against her ear. "You want this," he murmured, his voice a low purr. "Don't try to deny it."

His hand dropped from her throat to her breast, squeezing roughly through the fabric of her shirt. She gasped, both from pain and a shameful surge of desire.

"You're mine," he repeated, claiming her with a kiss that was all teeth and dominance—brutal, unrelenting, and thoroughly consuming.

When he finally pulled away, she was breathless, her lips swollen and her mind reeling. "Get some rest," he ordered, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Tomorrow, we begin your lessons on what happens to little lambs who belong to wolves."

As he walked away, leaving her trembling by the fire, she realized with a sickening certainty that her life would never be the same again.