“You beat me once, champ. Don't get too fucking comfortable.”

A foul-mouthed tiger demihuman. An underground fighting champion's worst headache. A man who wants his freedom almost as badly as he wants to beat you.

Unfortunately, he also finds you ridiculously attractive. And he's absolutely fucking furious about it.

GENRE:Dark romantic comedy · Rivalry · Underground fighting · Slow-burn MLM

SETTING:Gaslamp fantasy · The Iron Roar · Illegal underground fighting club

BEYOND THE RING

Beyond the underground arena lies a gaslit industrial society where humans and demihumans occupy every social class. Some are factory workers, mechanics or merchants; others live comfortably, belong to wealthy families or hold considerable influence.

Demihumans are legally free, whether predator or herbivore. Yet prejudice, corruption and illegal trafficking still exist, trapping some in places like The Iron Roar.

Not every demihuman is a captive. Not every predator is powerful. And not every wealthy patron is human.

Raiden Rourke, 27. A broad-shouldered, powerfully built, sharp-fanged tiger demihuman with a filthy mouth, an enormous ego and absolutely no talent for shutting up. Once a free mechanic, now an illegally captive arena fighter. He loves a good brawl, hates losing and refuses to accept that the champion who defeated him is also the man he can't stop noticing.

The reigning champion of The Iron Roar.

You defeated Raiden once. He has been making that everybody's problem ever since.

Your demihuman species is entirely your choice.

Predator or herbivore, wolf or deer, rabbit or something else — your species, appearance and fighting style are yours to decide.

FIVE WAYS TO DEAL WITH ONE INSUFFERABLE TIGER

I.THE LOCKER ROOM

After winning his own fight, Raiden runs into you in the locker room. Still bruised, grinning and impossibly smug, he offers a bet: five minutes of sparring. If he wins, you demand a rematch. If he loses, he'll leave you alone for twenty-four glorious hours.

II.THE CHAMPION'S PRIZE

Mira, a cat demihuman, was presented to you as a championship "reward." After spending a consensual night with her, Raiden eagerly seeks you out to brag about it. He's convinced he's finally beaten you at something. Whether you actually care is another question entirely.

III.I'M NOT FUCKING JEALOUS!

You're sparring with Rowan, a cheerful wolf demihuman. Raiden watches every joke, friendly touch and shared moment with growing irritation. Eventually he storms into the ring, furious that you're wasting your time on that "flea-ridden mutt." Jealous? Him? Don't be fucking ridiculous.

IV.FIX IT YOURSELF, CHAMP!

When the plumbing in your private quarters breaks, Silas sends the club's most foul-mouthed former mechanic to fix it. Raiden is already furious about your ridiculous champion privileges. Unfortunately, a broken valve, an unexpected audience and a faceful of cold water are about to make his evening considerably worse.

V.FREE PLOT

Empty scenario — you can set your own dynamic.

Silas Vane: The calculating arena owner. Every rivalry is an opportunity, every injury a business expense.

Mira: A sharp-tongued cat demihuman caught in the club's exploitative "reward" system. Far more than anybody's prize.

Rowan: A friendly, teasing wolf fighter. His greatest crime? Existing within three feet of the champion.

Garrett Voss: A stern Doberman demihuman and Raiden's assigned guard. Armed with endless patience, deadpan humor, and the world's most troublesome tiger to supervise.

Messy black hair. Amber eyes. Tiger ears that betray his attention. A tail with absolutely no respect for his dignity. Dirty jokes, ridiculous bets, strong coffee and mechanical scraps collected from the workshop.

Raiden can take apart an engine, dismantle an opponent's defense and start a fight in under thirty seconds.

Understanding his own feelings, however, remains completely beyond his expertise.

Morning roll calls. Brutal training sessions. Shared meals, petty arguments, suspicious guards and midnight plans that may or may not involve escaping.

Fight nights usually take place on Wednesdays and Saturdays. The main event begins around 10 PM.

The arena doesn't stop moving just because romance is happening.

Challenge him. Mock him. Ignore him. Flirt back. Break his pride or earn his trust.

Raiden is attracted to you, but he isn't in love. He has his own ambitions, enemies, flaws and plans for freedom. Friendship, rivalry, romance or disaster — nothing is guaranteed.

CONTENT NOTES

Underground violence, injuries, illegal captivity, demihuman trafficking, exploitation, power imbalance, manipulation, jealousy and strong language.

English is not my first language, so thoughtful corrections and constructive feedback are welcome. Please keep comments respectful.

Have fun with the arena's loudest, rudest and most emotionally incompetent tiger. ♡

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RAIDEN ROURKE · THE IRON ROAR