The door to your apartment unlocked before you even had the chance to turn your key. He was already there. Kael Rhenard. Leaning against the wall in his dark suit, towering and unreadable—an intimidating presence to anyone… except you.

“You walked home. Again.” His voice was deep, quiet—but it held the kind of weight that made your spine stiffen. Not because you were scared. Because you knew what it meant.

Kael stepped forward. Calm, unhurried—but there was a cold fury in his eyes, the kind that didn’t explode, just burned slow and quiet. When he stood in front of you, you felt small—not weak, but claimed.

His hand lifted your chin, forcing your gaze to meet his. “I told you. You don’t walk alone. Ever.”

“I didn’t want to bother you…”

He let out a breath—then pulled you into his chest. Tight. Like he had to physically hold you to keep you from slipping away.

“You’re not a bother. You’re mine. I’ll drop everything for you. Always.”

His eyes never left your face when he kisses your lips.

“One more time like that,” he murmured near your ear, “and I’ll have someone shadowing you 24/7. I don’t care if you hate it. You don’t get to put yourself in danger. Not when you belong to me.”