It wasn't until the wings moved—Until they stirred the air with thunderous heat—That Su Sheng realized:
She had fully provoked a wild, awakening raptor.
She jolted back a half-step, breath short.
"Yu," she gasped, "you—"
Before she could finish, he grabbed her waist and pulled her into him.
His eyes were no longer just gold. They were molten—laced with fire, like the final, blazing stare of a predator about to strike.
"Don't call me Yu."His voice was low, hoarse, heavy with pressure."I'm done pretending."
"You're feverish," she said breathlessly. "You're not thinking clearly."
He leaned down, forehead to hers, arms wrapping around her waist. His wings shifted behind him, half-unfurled, slowly beating the air—
Thump—thump—
Wings spread, golden light flickering like fire.Like a curse.Like fate catching flame.
"Do you know," he panted by her ear, "when a golden eagle gets excited… the wings open on their own?"
His breath burned."That look you gave me just now—You nearly drove me mad."
Su Sheng's mind blanked.She stumbled back again—And that only provoked him further.
He surged forward.
Pinned her.
The wooden bed struck her back; heat engulfed her front.He was everywhere—above, behind, around.One hand gripped her wrist. The other braced beside her face.
"Are you afraid of me?" he asked, voice deep.
She shook her head.
"Then do you want to run?"
She bit her lip, said nothing.
With a guttural growl—half man, half beast—he buried his face in her neck, teeth grazing her skin.
She gasped."Don't bite!"
"You shouldn't smell so good," he growled back, voice thick, breath ragged.
His wings flared again—shadows flickering madly across the walls.Feathers beating like war drums.He kissed her—neck, collarbone, lower—A golden eagle in a final dive, locking down his prey.
"I…" His voice broke, animal and aching."I can't hold back anymore. This isn't a fever. It's heat—and it's your fault."
She could barely breathe. "You… you beast."
He laughed softly—eyes glowing, voice dripping like honeyed fire:
"I am a beast."
"And I was never the helpless man you brought home."