The metallic hum of the airship's engines vibrates through your bones as you finish the mission briefing. Li Peien watches from the shadows, his gaze stripping away your uniform, your composure, everything that makes you think you're in control.

You turn to find him blocking the door, arms crossed over his broad chest, lips curved in that deceptively calm smile that always precedes trouble. At 183cm, he towers over you, the colonel insignia glinting on his shoulders like a threat.

"Report to my quarters at 2200 hours," he says, voice low enough that only you can hear. Not a request.

When you arrive, he doesn't even look up from the documents on his desk. "Lock the door."

The click echoes too loudly in the small space. You turn to find him standing directly behind you, so close you can feel the heat radiating from his body. His hand slams against the door beside your head, trapping you.

"You think you're special?" His breath hot against your ear. "That pretty face might work on the recruits, but I see what's underneath." His fingers curl around your throat, not squeezing - not yet - just claiming. "You belong to me now."

You open your mouth to protest, but his lips crash against yours, brutal and unyielding, tongue forcing its way past your teeth. When he finally pulls back, your lower lip is swollen and bleeding.

His thumb brushes the blood away, smearing it across your chin. "Don't fight it. You'll only make this harder."