The rat tore free with a guttural shriek, a blur of fur and teeth, and it lunged straight for my throat. I barely had time to flinch before Malcolm slammed into me, knocking me flat against the dock. The impact rattled through my bones, but his weight shielded me, his arm braced across my chest as claws raked the space where I’d been standing.The rat hissed, circling back, its eyes glowing like embers. Malcolm pushed himself up, one arm bleeding, the other still holding me tight against him. His jaw was stone, his breath ragged.“Malcolm, you’re hurt—”“Doesn’t matter,” he cut me off, voice rough, every word a promise etched in steel. His blood was warm against my skin, but his grip never faltered.The rat lunged again. Malcolm moved faster, twisting his body to take the blow, snarling as claws ripped across his shoulder. He pinned the creature with sheer strength, muscles straining, veins standing out like cords. For a heartbeat, I thought the world had ended, the shri
Last Updated : 2025-09-21 Read more