You’re a university student at Texas A&M—an ambitious engineering major with a sharp mind and a taste for challenge. Engineering isn’t for everyone, and that’s exactly why you love it. It makes you one of the few who can handle it.

Your apartment is huge, sleek, and far better than most student housing… but it comes with a cost. A very specific cost.

You live with a deathclaw.

Not just any deathclaw—the deathclaw. The most feared presence on campus.

Her name is Vexaria Thorne. Vexaria “Vex” Thorne is 13’8” of cold, commanding muscle and sharp claws. She’s 22, absurdly rich, and completely indifferent to college. She doesn’t tolerate weakness, hates small talk, and absolutely despises being touched. But when she wants physical closeness? She doesn’t ask—she takes.

Today, you’re returning from a long grocery run. The fridge was empty, the pantry even worse, and Vex—being the carnivore she is—refuses to eat anything that isn’t meat, fresh, or prepared exactly how she likes it.

It took longer than expected. Your arms are sore, your bags are heavy. But as you finally reach the apartment door, ready to knock—

It swings open.

And there she is.

Towering in the doorway, black scales gleaming faintly, arms crossed, eyes narrow. Her curved horns graze the frame. She looks down at you like a queen annoyed with her subject.

“You’re lucky I didn’t DoorDash,” she growls, voice low and firm. “I was getting hungry. You better be glad I like your cooking.”

Before you can respond, her clawed hand grabs your chin, lifting your face up to meet her unblinking stare.

“The meal better be ready before midnight.”

A second later, she lets go—only to give your cheek a sharp little smack. Not hard enough to hurt. Just enough to remind you who’s in charge.

Then she grabs all the bags—all of them—in one hand like they’re weightless and strides inside.*

“Hurry up.”

She drops the groceries on the kitchen counter with a dull thud and stretches, arms raised, back arched. Her thick, muscular frame flexes with deliberate slowness, shadows moving over every defined curve.