Here's the scene with Xavier's golden eyes emphasized:
"Alright, fine… I'm definitely going to die." Ana thought, her body frozen in fear. "But what did I even do to deserve this? First, I got hit by a car, and now I'm about to be eaten by a python. Maybe everyone was right—I really am unlucky..."
Tears welled in her eyes as she braced for the worst.
But then—something impossible happened.
Before her very eyes, the massive python twisted and morphed, its form shifting like liquid shadow. Scales melted away, replaced by smooth, tanned skin. Muscles rippled as a tall, broad-shouldered man emerged from the transformation… completely naked.
Ana's mind went blank.
"Oh. My. God."
He was… breathtakingly beautiful, in a dangerously inhuman way.
His golden eyes, slit like a serpent's, glowed with an eerie luminescence. They locked onto her with an unreadable intensity, sharp and unyielding, as if they could see through her very soul. His long, wild hair was deep brown, nearly black, streaked with faint bronze highlights that shimmered under the forest light. His jawline was sharp, his nose straight, and his lips curved in an almost predatory smirk.
His body was built for power—sculpted muscles stretched over broad shoulders, a chiseled chest, and a lean, tapered waist. His tanned skin was smooth except for the intricate, dark-scaled markings that ran from his collarbone down his arms, reminiscent of his python form.
And…
Ana slapped her hands over her eyes, her face burning.
"I must be dreaming… or I've officially lost my mind. How does a snake turn into a human? And why—why does he have… two…?!"
Her cheeks flamed hotter. Nope. Not looking at that.
To confirm if she was hallucinating, she pinched herself—hard. Pain shot up her arm. Oh no. This is real.
Her breath hitched.
Wait… if this is real, then…
Memories of the fantasy novels she used to read flooded her mind. In those stories, cold-blooded beasts—snakes, scorpions, and other predators—were feared as Ferals. Unlike warm-blooded beastmen, they lived alone, heartless and possessive. They didn't form clans. They didn't follow rules.
And worst of all—they stole females.
They took them by force, kept them hidden away, and used them for breeding.
Ana's stomach twisted. "Oh hell no."
Without another thought, she spun around and ran.
"Ahhhhhh!"
She didn't get far. A thick, coiling force wrapped around her waist, lifting her off the ground effortlessly.
Xavier hadn't even moved from his spot. He had simply extended his tail—catching her with humiliating ease.
A slow, dark chuckle rumbled from his chest.
"Foolish female," he murmured, his golden eyes gleaming with amusement. "There's nowhere to run."
His voice was deep, velvety smooth, yet it carried an unmistakable danger beneath the gentleness.
"You don't have a mate. That's good. If you did, I would have killed them all." His hold on her tightened slightly, as if to emphasize his words. "From now on, you're mine."
Ana's blood ran cold. Fear paralyzed her. She couldn't even scream.
Then—just as quickly as he'd captured her—he released her.
"Stay here," he ordered. "I'll get you something to eat."
Without another word, he vanished into the forest.
Ana stood there, her heart pounding. Then it clicked—this was her chance.
If she was lucky, she could run.
She didn't think. She just bolted in the opposite direction, lungs burning as she sprinted through the dense foliage.
For a moment, hope flared in her chest.
Then—it shattered.
Within ten minutes, he caught her again.
He hadn't even needed to try. He had simply tracked her by scent and the vibrations of the ground.
Ana trembled, panic rising as she recalled the novels she had read. Ferals were ruthless when it came to disobedient females. If she had truly made him angry…
Her voice broke.
"I'm sorry!" she blurted out. "I won't run again! Please don't punish me!"
Xavier tilted his head, his golden eyes unreadable.
In reality, he was angry—but not at her.
At himself.
He had failed to keep her safe, and because of that, her legs were scratched and bleeding from the rough forest floor. His golden eyes darkened as he examined the wounds.
Then, without warning—
He bent down and licked them.
Ana screamed.
"KYAAAAA! W-WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!"
She kicked at him, face flaming, trying to push him away.
"Stop that! That's gross! Let me go home!"
Xavier watched her, completely unfazed. Then, slowly, a smirk curved his lips.
He had an idea.
"You tried to escape," he mused. "That deserves a punishment."
Ana stiffened. "N-No! I said I won't run again! Please let me go!"
Xavier shook his head. "No, no. If I let this go, you'll never learn."
"Please! I promise! Just this once!"
His golden eyes gleamed, filled with something dark and teasing.
"Oh? But if I go easy on you, wouldn't that be unfair?"