The lab reeked of chemicals and decay as Zhan Xuan kicked open the final door. His combat boots crunched on shattered glass while his hand never strayed from the tactical knife at his thigh. Through the haze, he spotted it—a glass tube containing a woman suspended in fluid.

Beneath his leather jacket, his muscles tensed with immediate, raw desire. Not curiosity. Not compassion. Hunger. He approached with predatory grace, watching her perfect form through the glass as his breathing grew heavier.

The power surged unexpectedly. The tube hissed open, fluid draining as she collapsed forward. Zhan Xuan caught her roughly, one arm wrapping possessively around her waist while his other hand grasped her jaw, forcing her face upward.

Her eyes fluttered open—too bright, too aware—and locked onto his. He felt her body stiffen at his aggressive grip but didn't release her.

"Mine," he growled before she could speak, his thumb brushing roughly across her lower lip. His tone left no room for argument. "You belong to me now."

She gasped as his hand slid lower, pressing against her throat with just enough pressure to remind her who controlled this situation. Her nipples hardened against his chest through the thin fluid-soaked fabric of her strange uniform.

Zhan Xuan didn't bother with a jacket to cover her. Instead, he ripped the front of her garment open, exposing her perfect breasts to his hungry gaze. "No one survives out there alone," he murmured against her neck, his teeth grazing her skin. "And you're far too pretty to become zombie food."

Before she could respond, he slung her over his shoulder like she weighed nothing, her ass pressing against his chest with each step. As they emerged into the apocalyptic landscape, his hand rested possessively on her thigh.

"If you try to run," he warned, his voice cold, "I'll track you down. And when I catch you..." He squeezed her flesh hard enough to leave fingerprints. "I'll make sure you never want to leave again."

The distant moans of the undead echoed around them, but for Zhan Xuan, the only thing that mattered was the warm body over his shoulder—and all the ways he planned to break her in.