The fabric Lucifer touched shattered instantly.
The chest, deliberately restrained by military attire and tightly bound in specialized fabric, suddenly lost all concealment amid the tearing sound. Not the flat muscles of a man, but snow-white, delicate curves with gentle undulations abruptly collided with his crimson gaze.
The air seemed to freeze solid in that instant.
Lucifer's pupils contracted violently. All rage, all murderous intent, even the surging curiosity—everything was replaced in that moment by a shock bordering on absurdity. The hand that had just ripped the fabric, still carrying the remnants of its destructive power, froze mid-air, its fingertips nearly touching that delicate, warm skin.
A female...
Within this body he had always deemed "male"—a conviction that had fueled his profound offense and loathing—lay a genuine, living female!
Under his abruptly halted pressure, Lin Xi gasped sharply, cold air piercing her lungs. The exposed skin sent a shiver through her, but stronger than the chill was a desperate resolve. With the secret torn open, retreat was impossible.
Far from attempting to conceal it, she slightly arched her waist in the position he'd thrown her into the throne, offering the exposed expanse of snow-white flesh more directly to his stunned gaze. Her bloodstained lips curved into an almost demonic smile.
"Confirmed now?" Her voice remained hoarse, yet carried a peculiar calm born of mutual destruction, even a hint of defiance. "Your Majesty, how does my 'flavor'..."
She deliberately slowed the word "flavor," her tongue lightly grazing her teeth, carrying the lingering, metallic sweetness of his blood.
Lucifer's frozen fingers curled violently.
That crisp scent, like moonlit night blooming flowers, now washed over him unimpeded. It mingled with the sweet-salty tang of her blood and a... uniquely feminine allure—subtle yet potent enough to ignite an Alpha's primal instincts. This scent differed from any cloying sweetness he knew from Omegas. It was more like a cold flame—piercingly icy, yet capable of instantly igniting the most primal craving deep within his bloodline.
Mark her!
Possess her!
Let this icy flame melt beneath him, burn, until she surrendered completely!
The thought roared like a beast, instantly shattering all his reason and hesitation. Who sent her? Why was she disguised? In this moment, she was a female—a female bold enough to utterly disrupt his composure, a female who stirred an unprecedented possessiveness within him!
A low, utterly beastly growl erupted from his throat. His stiffened hand slammed down—no longer to destroy, but with scorching heat, pressing heavily against that exposed, delicate skin. His palm was burning hot, nearly searing into her very flesh and bone.
Lin Xi shuddered violently. The heat radiating from his palm was staggering, carrying an undeniable claim of ownership that sent a shiver of fear and excitement racing up her spine.
"Very good." Lucifer leaned closer, his crimson pupils locked onto hers. The desire churning within them resembled an abyss, threatening to swallow her whole. His other hand braced against the throne's armrest, trapping her entirely within his shadow. His voice was hoarse beyond recognition. "Whoever you are..."
His fangs gleamed coldly once more, slowly inching toward her exposed, pale, fragile neck. There was no trace of a gland there, yet it seemed to emit an even more alluring scent.
"Your scent," his scorching breath flared across her skin, raising tiny goosebumps, "is mine."
Just as his fangs were about to pierce her skin—
[Warning! Mission Time Remaining: 2 hours 19 minutes!]
Lin Xi jerked her head away. His lips grazed her collarbone, leaving a scorching wet trail.
"Just... the scent?" she gasped, her gaze like the sharpest hook piercing straight into the depths of his desire-filled eyes. "Your Majesty, what you desire... surely isn't just that?"
Her knees, driven by resolute force, thrust once more against his taut waist, halting his final advance.
"Either mark me," she stared at him, enunciating each word like an oath, like a final temptation, "or... kill me."
"You want me to melt like those Omegas under your pheromones? Don't even think about it."
Lucifer was utterly enraged by her renewed defiance—or rather, her unyielding, rebellious spirit ignited his conquest instinct. He seized her thrusting knees, forcing them apart as his heavy frame descended, crushing the last shred of space between them.
The throne's cold metal dug into her back, while his scorching body threatened to melt her.
"As you wish." He lowered his head, biting down hard on the exposed skin of her shoulder—not the marked spot, yet carrying the intent of punishment and possession, leaving a clear, bleeding tooth mark.
"I shall personally... inspect every inch of you."
"Let's see how long that sharp tongue of yours can hold out."
[Time Remaining: 2 hours 17 minutes]