Sophia froze, her pulse hammering against her ribs.
Ryan stiffened, his hands dropping from her waist as they both turned. Lucian.
He stood at the edge of the clearing, his presence swallowing the air around them. Dark. Commanding. Unyielding. His gaze locked onto Ryan like a predator sizing up its prey.
Ryan clenched his fists. "What the hell is your problem, man?"
Lucian ignored him. His piercing eyes never left Sophia. "Go home, Sophia."
Her breath hitched. His voice—low and dangerous—sent a shiver down her spine.
Ryan stepped between them. "She's not going anywhere with you."
Lucian's gaze slowly flicked to Ryan. And in that moment, something shifted.
A silent, unspoken threat.
Ryan faltered, a flicker of uncertainty crossing his face.
Sophia swallowed hard, forcing herself to find her voice. "Lucian, you can't just—"
"I can." His eyes darkened. "And I will."
Ryan exhaled sharply. "You think you can control her? Newsflash, dude, Sophia's not yours."
Lucian smirked—cold and sharp. "Not yet."
Sophia's stomach flipped.
Ryan grabbed her wrist. "Come on, Soph. We're leaving."
Lucian moved. Too fast. Too fluid. One second he was a few feet away, the next—he was right in front of them.
Ryan stumbled back, his expression shifting from anger to something dangerously close to fear.
Lucian leaned in slightly, his voice dropping to a whisper only Sophia could hear. "He doesn't deserve to touch you."
Her breath caught. Heat pooled low in her stomach, a rush of something forbidden.
Ryan growled. "You're insane!"
Lucian chuckled—a sound that sent goosebumps down Sophia's arms. "Perhaps."
His gaze snared hers. "Go home, Sophia. Now."
And deep down, she knew—resisting him was impossible.