The room was drenched in darkness, yet his presence filled the air with an undeniable heat.
Arjun's breaths quickened as the stranger advanced—step by step, like a predator circling its prey.
"Are you afraid?" His voice was low, deep, and disturbingly alluring.
He stopped just inches from Arjun, so close that Arjun could feel his warm breath on his face.
"Or…" he smiled, leaning in, whispering in his ear—
"I don't scare you… I make you crave more."
Arjun's heart slammed against his chest.
A faint glow sparked in his eyes, as if the fire recognized the mark pulsing on Arjun's wrist.
In an instant, the stranger's fingers traced the air, summoning a small whirl of crimson light in his palm.
The light surged, connecting with Arjun's mark, as if a secret thread tied them together.
"What… what are you doing?" Arjun tried to step back, but his feet were frozen.
The stranger chuckled softly, eyes glinting dangerously,
"If I wanted distance, would I have come here at all?"
Anger and fear surged through Arjun. He shoved him—
"Stay away from me!"
But the stranger moved closer, unshaken.
His lips hovered near Arjun's ear, voice low and burning—
"Whether you accept it or not…
you're already mine."
The room fell silent, except for Arjun's trembling breaths and the frantic beating of his heart