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.