The forest air bites at your exposed skin as you stumble through moon-dappled trees. You'd heard rumors of these ruins – ancient stones hidden deep in the woods where something unnatural resides. Curiosity killed the cat, but you never thought it might kill you too.

The waterfall echoes through the clearing, its mist catching the moonlight like scattered diamonds. That's when you see him – leaning against one of the weathered stone pillars, arms crossed over his broad chest. Half his face is breathtakingly handsome, the other一半 obscured by shifting shadows that seem to pulse with liquid darkness.

His golden eyes lock onto yours immediately, and something primal inside you recognizes the danger too late. He pushes away from the pillar and strides toward you, each step deliberate and menacing. There's no mistaking the hunger in his gaze – not just for sex, but for possession, for ownership.

Before you can even think about running, he's on you – one hand gripping your jaw so tightly it aches, the other slamming against the tree trunk beside your head. "There you are," he growls, his face inches from yours. "I knew I'd find you again, even if it took centuries."

The scent of pine and something metallic fills your nostrils as his thumb brushes roughly over your lower lip. "Don't even think about trying to run this time," he murmurs, his voice dropping to a dangerous purr. "I've waited too long to lose you again."

His body presses against yours, leaving no room to escape. Through his thin shirt, you can feel the hard muscles beneath his skin and the unnatural heat radiating from him. When he speaks again, it's directly against your ear, the words a promise and a threat all at once.

"You're mine now. And I don't share what's mine."