Elsa's POV

“Let’s go, I’ll give you a ride, then head to work. I still have time.”

Jong Suk—my friend of two years—offers as I wash my hands.

We met here, in this very animal shelter, bonded over our love for strays and rescues. He’s been a good friend ever since. A genuinely nice guy who cares for me—sometimes a little too much.

Today, we have extra work, which means I’m already running late.

I live in a dorm, almost an hour away. With curfew closing in two hours, I’m screwed.

“Yeah, let’s go,” I sigh, walking with him toward the gate. But before I can step out, I bump into someone.

“Ow—”

I freeze the moment my eyes lift. Jeon Jungkook.

The last person I want to see before the day ends.

Mafia leader. Dangerous. A man people whisper about as if he rules life and death with a single look—and maybe he does. No one dares cross him, not if they want to keep breathing.

Women? They’d kill to be in my position. Even now, the shelter workers are giving him hungry eyes, ready to drop on their knees for a single glance.

And me? I’m the exception. I don’t want him to notice me. Not even know me. But luck has never been my friend.

Because from the first day I stepped into this place, Jungkook’s attention has been locked on me. Like I’m his property.

“I’ll drop you,” he says, rubbing my forehead with his thumb—soft, at least as soft as a man like him can be. But his voice is all authority, all command. And damn it, a part of me hates how my stomach flips.

I force myself back a step, needing space to breathe.

Jungkook’s POV

She glances at the men stationed outside—my men, holding guns, waiting for my word. She sighs.

“Thanks, but I’m going with Jong. He’ll drop me.”

I turn my head to the so-called friend standing frozen like a statue.

“You must be getting late for work, Jong Suk.”

I let his name roll off my tongue with deliberate weight. I hate the way she calls him Jong. Like he has the right to her in any form.

Am I obsessed? Abso-fucking-lutely.

“I… still have some time,” he stammers, gulping hard. My jaw ticks before I smooth my expression.

“Is that so?” I step closer, my gaze daring him. His face pales instantly.

“I—I forgot. I should get there early. You… go with him, Elsa.”

And just like that, he runs. Smart boy.

“Jong, wait—” she tries to follow, but my hand wraps around her wrist, halting her.

“He’s busy,” I say, calm as ever.

Her eyes flare. “Are you kidding me? You scared him half to death. What the hell is wrong with you?”

I only poke the inside of my cheek, amused. “Let’s go. You’ll get late.”

Her glare could cut glass. “I’d rather get late than go with you.” She jerks her hand free and walks off.

Elsa’s POV

I barely take three steps before my back slams against the wall, my breath catching. His arms cage me in, blocking every escape.

“Let me go, Jungkook.”

“Never.”

Frustration bubbles in my chest. “Why can’t you just leave me alone?”

His eyes darken. “Because you’re mine, babygirl. I can’t do that.”

“I’m not yours. And don’t call me that!” I snap, louder than I intend.

He leans in, close enough for his breath to brush my lips. “I’ll call you whatever the fuck I want. You don’t—”

“Mr. Jeon.”

The new voice cuts through. We both turn to see Mr. Lee, the shelter owner, standing a few feet away.

“Good afternoon, Mr. Lee. I’m done for the day,” I say quickly, slipping through the gap while Jungkook’s focus wavers.

“Elsa.” His voice carries warning, but I ignore it, forcing myself toward the exit. Pretending I don’t notice his men’s eyes tracking my every step.

To be continued....