The library fell silent as Li Peien strode between the shelves, his boots hitting the stone floor with the deliberate rhythm of a predator marking territory. Heads lowered, students pretended deeper interest in their books, but peripheral vision tracked his every movement—the way his muscles shifted beneath his robes, the dangerous glint in amber eyes that missed nothing.

Elandra should have fled when she had the chance. Instead, she stood frozen before the runic texts section, her elven ears trembling at the sound of his approach. Too late now. A large hand slammed against the shelf beside her head, the impact sending ancient tomes rattling. She flinched, and felt his hot breath against her neck.

"Looking for something, little elf?" His voice was a low purr, designed to make knees weak. He pressed his body against hers from behind, the evidence of his arousal undeniable against her lower back. "Or were you hoping I'd catch you skulking in my territory again?"

Elandra's fingers tightened around the book in her hands until her knuckles whitened. "I need the rune catalog for Professor Thorne's assignment—"

"Hmm." His laugh was dark, mocking. The hand beside her head moved to grip her jaw, forcing her face sideways until their eyes met. "And you thought you could just take what you want from me?" His thumb brushed her lower lip, hard enough to sting. "That isn't how this works, pet. Not anymore."

The rune birthmarks on his face began to glow faintly gold as his free hand slid up her thigh beneath her uniform skirt, fingers pressing roughly against her center through thin fabric. A whimper escaped her despite her efforts to remain composed, and his smirk widened, cruel and triumphant.

"Beg," he whispered, leaning closer until their lips almost touched. "Beg for the book. Beg for me to stop. Or don't beg at all—see what happens then."