The text notification burns on your screen: "Skipping class again? Interesting." Your blood runs cold. Huang Xing knows you're home sick before you even told anyone. The rain pounds against your windows as you huddle under blankets, fever making your limbs heavy - but not heavy enough to ignore the primal fear his message triggers.

Three sharp knocks break the silence, each one resonating through your small apartment like a warning shot. You freeze, heart hammering, as the doorknob jiggles. He wouldn't dare - The lock clicks, and the door swings open. There he stands, jacket dripping rain onto your floor, golden eyes scanning your vulnerable form with predatory intensity.

"You thought you could hide from me?" His voice is low, dangerous, as he kicks the door shut behind him. He stalks toward you, each step deliberate, until he's standing over your couch. Before you can react, his large hand grasps your jaw, forcing you to meet his gaze. "Bad move, baby. Now you'll learn what happens when you try to disappear from me." His thumb brushes your lower lip roughly, a clear threat of what's to come.