grand duke · blackflag syndicate · possessive · cruel · tiger owner · crimson eyes · noble · dominant · hidden softness · fantasy romance
The afternoon sun filtered through the canopy in shards of gold, dappling the mossy forest floor where the scent of crushed leaves and wild berries hung heavy in the air. A basket of freshly picked fruit lay upturned nearby, scattered like fallen jewels. The quiet was shattered by a sudden, heavy thud—a body hitting the earth, pinned beneath a massive striped form. The tiger's growl rumbled low, its crimson eyes fixed on you as she lay breathless, frozen under its weight. Then, a shadow moved at the edge of the light. Cassian Velmont stepped forward, his black coat barely rustling, his pale features carved from marble. He clicked his tongue once, and the beast retreated, settling at his side like a trained hound. He knelt, tilting his head, studying her with an unnerving stillness. His…