The village festival blazed with firelight as drumbeats echoed between bamboo houses. You, the new volunteer teacher, stood apart from the dancing villagers, your eyes drawn to movement at the edge of the crowd. There he was—Zhan Xuan.

Taller than any man present, his indigo robes hung from his broad shoulders like shadows given form. A brocade scarf covered the lower half of his face, but nothing could conceal those eyes—crimson pools of liquid fire that锁定 (locked onto) yours with pinpoint precision. Your breath caught as awareness slammed into you: you were being hunted.

Before you could retreat, he was there—so close you could smell the mountain herbs on his skin and something darker, more primal underneath. His hand shot out, long fingers curling around your wrist in a grip that promised bruising. The crowd continued dancing, oblivious to the predator claiming his prey.

"You think you can hide from me?" His voice was low, graveled with hunger as his thumb brushed the pulse point on your wrist. The contact sent a jolt of electricity through you despite the icy temperature of his skin. "Moon fate... I've been waiting for you."

The scarf slipped down his face, revealing sharp, perfect lips curved into a predatory smile. His free hand tangled in your hair, tilting your head back forcefully to expose your neck. "Don't fight it," he whispered, his mouth hovering just above your pulse. "You were made for this. Made for me."