The storm from the previous night had destroyed half the mountain road.
Massive trees blocked the path while loose rocks covered the muddy ground. Workers struggled to clear the debris under the cold morning fog.
Inside a black luxury SUV, Chen Guanlin glanced at his watch for the third time.
His secretary, Kong Li, nervously adjusted his glasses.
"President Chen, at this rate we'll miss the meeting."
One of the workers hurried toward the vehicle and bowed apologetically.
"Sir, the road ahead is completely blocked. It may take another two or three hours before it's safe."
Chen Guanlin's expression darkened slightly.
He hated delays.
"There is another route," the worker added quickly. "A shortcut through the forest. It leads directly toward Alishan House Hotel."
Kong Li immediately frowned.
"A forest road? Is it even safe?"
The worker hesitated.
"It's rough… but passable."
Chen Guanlin opened the car door before anyone could stop him.
Cold mountain air rushed against his face.
"Take the shortcut."
Thirty minutes later, the SUV came to a stop again.
This time the narrow dirt road ahead had collapsed from the rain.
Kong Li looked ready to cry.
"President Chen… maybe we should go back?"
Chen Guanlin stepped out of the vehicle calmly.
"We walk from here."
The two bodyguards instantly followed.
The deeper they walked into the forest, the quieter everything became.
Too quiet.
Only the sound of dripping water echoed through the trees.
Then suddenly—
The bodyguards stiffened.
Someone was watching them.
Chen Guanlin felt it too.
A sharp gaze lingered on his body with frightening intensity.
Slowly, he lifted his eyes toward the trees.
And froze.
Golden eyes stared back at him from the shadows.
Wild.
Bright.
Inhumanly beautiful.
For a moment, everything around him disappeared.
The woman stood several meters away on a large rock, sunlight filtering through the trees onto her body. Her dark braided hair hung over one shoulder while animal fur rested against her back.
No—
Not fur.
A freshly skinned wolf.
Kong Li nearly choked.
"What the hell—?!"
The woman's gaze shifted lazily toward him before returning to Chen Guanlin as if no one else existed.
That annoyed him more than it should have.
Chen Guanlin studied her carefully.
Her clothes were rough and worn, yet they failed to hide the lean muscles beneath her skin. Dirt and traces of blood stained her arms, but instead of making her look unpleasant—
She looked dangerous.
Alive.
Beautiful.
One of the bodyguards subtly stepped forward.
"President Chen, this woman may be dangerous."
The woman's lips curved slightly.
Sharp canines flashed between them.
The bodyguards immediately became alert.
But Chen Guanlin only stared at her.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
Kong Li forced out an awkward laugh.
"Miss… would you happen to know where Alishan House Hotel is?"
Silence.
The woman tilted her head slightly as if studying prey.
Then finally—
"East."
Her voice was low and rough, almost unused.
Kong Li blinked.
"Pardon?"
"She said east," Chen Guanlin replied calmly without taking his eyes off her.
Kong Li quickly nodded.
"R-right! Thank you, Miss!"
He turned to leave before realizing nobody followed him.
"President Chen?"
Chen Guanlin loosened the buttons on his sleeves slightly.
"You and the bodyguards go ahead."
Kong Li's eyes widened.
"Sir?!"
"Prepare a room for me at the hotel."
The secretary looked horrified.
"B-but—"
"That's an order."
The bodyguards exchanged glances but obeyed immediately.
Soon, only Chen Guanlin and the mysterious woman remained.
The forest became silent once more.
The woman slowly stepped off the rock.
Closer.
Chen Guanlin noticed the way she moved.
Not like a normal human.
Like a predator circling prey.
But strangely enough—
He did not feel threatened.
He felt excited.
The woman stopped directly in front of him and lifted her golden eyes to meet his.
"Yan," she said simply.
Chen Guanlin's lips curved faintly.
"Chen Guanlin."
Yan repeated his name softly as though tasting it.
"Chen… Guanlin."
For some reason, hearing his name from her lips sent heat through his chest.
His gaze lowered briefly to the bite marks and scars decorating her shoulders and arms.
"You hunt wolves alone?"
Yan smiled wider.
"I hunt many things."
Her confidence amused him.
"You don't seem afraid of strangers."
She stepped even closer.
Now he could smell earth, rainwater, blood—
And something uniquely wild.
Yan inhaled near his neck curiously.
"You smell strong."
Chen Guanlin chuckled quietly.
"And you smell dangerous."
Instead of denying it—
She grinned.
The tension between them thickened instantly.
Neither moved away.
Neither wanted to.
Somewhere deep inside, Chen Guanlin felt something awaken for the very first time in his life.
And Yan—
Yan looked at him the same way a predator looked at prey worth claiming.
The forest had grown darker by the time silence settled between them again.
Rainwater dripped softly from the trees while cold wind passed through the mountain path.
Neither Chen Guanlin nor Yan moved away.
The tension between them had become dangerous.
Yan stood close enough to hear his heartbeat clearly now.
Strong.
Steady.
Unlike prey.
Her golden eyes slowly traveled across his face again, studying him openly without shame.
Chen Guanlin noticed.
"You like looking at me that much?"
Yan tilted her head slightly.
"Yes."
The direct answer caught him off guard for the first time that day.
A low chuckle escaped his throat.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
Most women tried to impress him.
Yan simply observed him like an animal deciding whether to bite.
And strangely—He liked it.
A distant howl suddenly echoed through the mountains.
Yan's expression changed instantly.
Alert.
The playful atmosphere disappeared from her eyes.
Chen Guanlin noticed immediately.
"You have to leave."
It was not a question.
Yan glanced toward the deeper parts of the forest before looking back at him.
"My cub waits."
Chen Guanlin frowned slightly.
Cub?
Before he could ask, Yan stepped backward.
For some reason, seeing her leave irritated him.
"When will I see you again?"
Yan paused.
The question felt strange.
No human had ever asked to see her again before.
Most feared her.
Others ran.
But this man kept looking at her like he wanted more.
Yan slowly walked closer again until only a small distance remained between them.
Then—
She leaned forward and inhaled softly near his neck.
Chen Guanlin's body stiffened.
"You smell good," she murmured quietly.
Before he could react—
Sharp pain shot through his shoulder.
Chen Guanlin grabbed her waist instinctively as Yan bit him lightly near his collarbone.
Not enough to seriously injure him.
Just enough to leave a mark.
When she pulled away, her golden eyes gleamed with satisfaction.
"Now," she said softly, "I remember your smell."
Chen Guanlin stared at her in shock.
Then slowly—
He smiled.
Darkly.
Possessively.
"Careful, Yan."
His fingers tightened slightly around her waist.
"You may regret marking me like that."
Yan grinned, revealing her sharp canines.
"Maybe."
Then suddenly—
She disappeared backward into the trees.
Fast.
Silent.
Wild.
Within seconds, only the sound of rustling leaves remained.
Chen Guanlin stood motionless in the middle of the forest.
His shoulder still burned where she bit him.
And for the first time in his perfectly controlled life—
Something felt completely out of his control.
He touched the bite mark slowly and muttered her name under his breath.
"Yan."
That was the beginning of his obsession.