The ranch was located on the outskirts of the city, surrounded by a peaceful, wide-open landscape. As Lucien stepped out of the car, he looked around at the pristine, empty trails and frowned.

"Is this place going out of business?" Lucien asked, genuinely concerned. "Why is there no one here?"

Leon leaned against the car, looking effortlessly cool. "It's a weekday. People are busy."

Lucien nodded, accepting the lie. He didn't realize that Leon had essentially cleared the schedule for the day. Leon grabbed Lucien's hand, his fingers sliding between Lucien's with a possessive ease that Lucien was slowly—too slowly—getting used to. "Come on. I'll show you my horse first."

They reached a private stable where a massive, jet-black horse was waiting. He was a beast of a creature, muscles rippling under a coat that shone like silk.

"Zoe, stop," Leon commanded as the horse tried to nuzzle him.

Lucien peeked out from behind Leon's broad shoulder, eyes wide. "Zoe? That's his name?"

"He has a good temperament," Leon promised, his voice dropping into that low, soothing register. He reached back, guiding Lucien's hand to touch the horse's muzzle. "He just needs to get used to you."

After a quick trip to the changing rooms—where Leon offered to help Lucien with his "difficult buttons" and was promptly shut down by a slamming door—they returned to the track. Leon was dressed in black riding gear and white breeches. Lucien tried very hard not to notice how well the white fabric emphasized Leon's... well, everything.

"I've never done this," Lucien admitted, looking up at the towering horse. "Maybe I should start with a pony?"

"No need." Leon smirked. "I'll hold you."

Before Lucien could protest, Leon's large hands clamped around his waist. He lifted Lucien like he weighed nothing more than a bag of PLL chips and settled him into the saddle. A second later, Leon swung up behind him.

The contact was immediate and overwhelming. Because of the size difference, Lucien was essentially tucked into Leon's lap. Leon's chest was a solid wall against Lucien's back, and his long arms reached around Lucien to grab the reins, effectively caging him in.

"Don't be scared," Leon murmured, his lips brushing against the shell of Lucien's ear.

He kicked Zoe into a gallop. The world blurred. Lucien gasped as the horse picked up speed, his body jolting against Leon's with every stride. He felt Leon's grip tighten around his waist, pulling him closer until there wasn't a single inch of space between them.

By the time they finished, Lucien was trembling, his legs feeling like jelly. When Leon dismounted and reached up to catch him, Lucien didn't even try to walk. He just collapsed into Leon's arms, burying his face in Leon's neck.

"Legs sore?" Leon asked, sounding way too smug as he carried Lucien toward the clubhouse.

"I'm never letting you teach me anything ever again," Lucien muffled into Leon's jacket.

The next day, Lucien was back on campus, trying to focus on reality. He had been roped into the drama club's end-of-term play—The Butterfly Lovers. To his immense relief (and slight annoyance), he wasn't the lead. He was playing a minor servant to the villain, Ma Wencai.

"Lucien! More energy!" Lily, the director, shouted. "You're a bully! Act like it!"

Lucien sighed, adjusting his baggy servant's robes. His "boss" in the play was being played by Chen Fang—the guy from the beach who had a weird, obsessive grudge against him.

During a break, Lucien collapsed onto a sofa, throwing his jacket over his head to hide from the world. He was just drifting off when he heard a familiar, annoying voice.

"Wow, these costumes are... something."

Lucien froze. That was Joey. Which meant...

"Everyone, this is Leon Bolton," Joey announced to the room, sounding like he was introducing a god.

Lucien peeked out from under his jacket. Leon was sitting in the front row of the empty theater, looking like a bored king. His steel-gray eyes were locked onto the stage.

"Lucien, we're back on!" Lily called.

Lucien had to perform a scene where he "bullied" the hero, Liang Shanbo (played by Chen Fang). He threw a half-hearted punch and kicked at Chen Fang's shins. From the corner of his eye, he saw Leon's expression darken. Leon's jaw was tight, his hands clenched into fists on his knees.

The second the rehearsal ended, Lucien bolted for the dressing rooms.

He was halfway through pulling off his robes when the door was pushed open. He didn't even have to look up to know who it was. The air in the room suddenly felt twice as heavy.

"What are you doing here?" Lucien snapped, his heart hammered against his ribs.

"You didn't reply to my texts," Leon said, stepping into the small space and closing the door. He moved toward Lucien with predatory slowness. "And I don't like the way you were 'playing' with that guy on stage."

"It's a play, Leon! It's in the script!" Lucien huffed, backed into a corner.

"I don't care." Leon trapped Lucien against the wall, his hands on either side of Lucien's head. "I was jealous. There. Are you happy?"

Lucien blinked, his breath hitching. Leon sounded... frustrated. Vulnerable. "You... you're serious?"

"I'm always serious about you." Leon leaned down, his forehead resting against Lucien's. "I've been holding back because you said you were 'reserved.' But I'm done waiting, Lucien. I want to be with you. Properly."

Lucien felt his face go nuclear. "You haven't even officially asked me out yet," he whispered, trying to sound brave even though his knees were shaking.

"I'm asking now." Leon's gaze dropped to Lucien's mouth. "Can I kiss you? Just once?"

Lucien bit his lip, looking up at the man who could probably level the building with his bare hands but was currently asking for permission to touch him.

"Just once," Lucien whispered.

Leon didn't wait. He crashed his lips against Lucien's, a desperate, hungry kiss that tasted like mint and possessiveness. He tasted like a wolf finally getting a taste of what he'd been stalking for months. Lucien gasped into the kiss, his fingers tangling in Leon's blonde hair, realizing—with a mix of terror and thrill—that he was officially the King's Lamb.