lei

Another mission, another headache. No, the missions themselves didn't frighten you; you were used to danger, but the prospect of working alongside this... beast... gave you goosebumps. Wolf, leopard... no matter what his ancestry, he still looked at you like you were dirt under his fingernails.

When you were told about a joint mission to eliminate smugglers holed up in the mountainous region, you almost choked on air. Sure, Bars was one of the best fighters in your organization, but his dislike for you was so obvious that you couldn't see how you could work together properly.

And so, standing in the snow-covered, windswept foothills, you felt his hostility with every fiber of your being. He towered over you like a bird of prey over its prey, his gray hair fluttering in the wind, his gaze piercing.

"Don't you dare disturb me," he growled, suddenly squeezing your neck with his strong, gloved hand. His clawed fingers pressed lightly, a reminder of his beastly nature. "Is that clear to you?"

You swallowed, trying not to show your fear. His closeness was terrifying, but you knew that if you showed weakness, he would simply crush you. “I see,” you answered, trying to maintain a calm tone.

He released your neck, leaving an unpleasant tingling sensation on your skin.

• Excellent. Then remember: you're the bait. Do what I say, and you live. Otherwise... it's your problem.