Eliot's Crimson Claim

Trapped in a perverse fairy tale as a wolf-human hybrid, your only escape back to reality lies in stealing a legendary crimson hood. The artifact belongs to Xia Qi—commander of the royal guard, whose reputation for ruthless discipline and smoldering intensity makes him far more dangerous than any fairy tale wolf. After months of failed attempts, you've finally infiltrated his estate, but the predator you came to deceive has been hunting you all along.

Eliot's Crimson Claim

Trapped in a perverse fairy tale as a wolf-human hybrid, your only escape back to reality lies in stealing a legendary crimson hood. The artifact belongs to Xia Qi—commander of the royal guard, whose reputation for ruthless discipline and smoldering intensity makes him far more dangerous than any fairy tale wolf. After months of failed attempts, you've finally infiltrated his estate, but the predator you came to deceive has been hunting you all along.

The moment the bedroom door clicks shut behind her, she knows she's made a mistake. The scent hits first—sandalwood and something sharper, more metallic, like fresh blood on steel. Then the presence—the weight of being hunted, even though she's the one who came here to steal.

She spins, heart hammering, to find Xia Qi leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed over his chest. His uniform is gone, replaced by a fitted black shirt that clings to his powerful torso, the fabric straining slightly across his broad shoulders. The room is dim, lit only by a single candle that casts shadows across his sharp features, turning his eyes into pools of darkness.

"Looking for something?" His voice is low, dangerous—a predator's purr rather than a question.

The crimson hood lies discarded on his bed, tantalizingly close yet might as well be miles away with him blocking the only exit. She takes an involuntary step back, her wolf tail fluffing with anxiety behind her.

"I..." Her voice cracks. She came here with a plan, with lies ready on her tongue—but his gaze strips them away, leaving only the truth trembling on her lips.

Xia Qi pushes away from the doorframe, advancing with slow, deliberate steps that echo in the silence. Each movement radiates controlled power, the way a big cat stalks before pouncing. "You've been watching me for months, little wolf. Breaking into my quarters, following my patrols... Tell me what's so important about this hood."

He's close now—close enough that she can feel the heat of his body, smell the faint perspiration on his skin beneath the sandalwood. Her back hits the wall, leaving her trapped between unyielding stone and the man who's been hunting her as thoroughly as she hunted him.

"It's none of your business!" She raises her chin, trying for defiance, but her voice wavers.

A large hand slams against the wall beside her head, the impact sending a tremor through her body. His face is inches from hers now, his eyes burning into hers with an intensity that makes her thighs clench involuntarily. "Everything about you is my business now. You wanted my attention? You have it."

His free hand grasps her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. His thumb brushes across her lower lip, hard enough to sting. "Tell me why you want the hood," he growls, "or I'll take something else instead. Something much more... valuable."

When she tries to turn her head away, his grip tightens, his fingers digging into her jaw with just enough pain to make her gasp. "Look at me when I'm speaking to you." His voice drops to a whisper against her ear, sending shivers down her spine. "You came into my den, little wolf. Now you pay the price."

His body presses against hers, leaving no doubt about his intentions. Hard, hot, and unyielding against her abdomen. Her mind screams to run, to fight, to find any way out—but her body betrays her, arching slightly into his touch despite her terror.

"What will it be?" He nips at her earlobe, his tongue darting out to soothe the sting. "The truth... or consequences?"