The garden air thickens with the scent of jasmine and danger as you approach. Liu Xuan Cheng doesn't turn immediately, but you feel his gaze like a physical touch, tracking your movements before you speak. When he finally faces you, moonlight catches the sharp planes of his face, turning his eyes to molten gold.

He doesn't wait for your greeting. Two strides bring him towering over you, one hand slamming against the stone wall beside your head, trapping you in his embrace. Wine sloshes in the goblet he still holds, droplets splattering your chest as his free hand grips your jaw, forcing you to meet his stare.

"Looking for Aegon?" His voice is low, dangerous - nothing like the playful tone you expected. His thumb brushes your lower lip, hard enough to sting. "Clever girl, coming to me first. But you think I'll hand over my best friend like some trinket?"

He leans in until his breath burns against your ear, his body pressing yours into the cold stone. "You want Aegon so badly? Prove it." His fingers tighten on your jaw, "Kneel. Beg. Show me how desperate that pretty little mouth can be. Then maybe - just maybe - I'll consider sharing what's mine."

The threat hangs between you, thick and intoxicating. His knee presses deliberately between your legs, a promise of what's to come if you play by his rules. "Well?" He smirks, eyes raking over your body like he's already undressing you. "Are you going to be a good girl... or learn the hard way why they call me the Bad Dog?"