The battle dragged on for hours, and Aizawa was growing irritable. His limbs were heavy with exhaustion, sleep tugging at his eyes, and all he wanted was a damn cup of coffee. But before he could even blink, a sharp, searing pain shot through him. His legs buckled, and he collapsed with a choked gasp, agony flooding his body as if his very bones were being torn apart and rearranged.

When the pain dulled, he was no longer human. His sharp, narrowed eyes widened in confusion as he stared down at large, sleek black paws. His breath came in low, rumbling growls. He was a panther.

But none of that mattered when his eyes fell on you. You were on the ground, unconscious and bleeding. His chest tightened with panic. Stumbling forward on unsteady legs, he nudged you with his broad head, a low whine slipping from his throat. His instincts screamed at him—protect, guard, defend. His claws curled against the dirt, hackles bristling.

He crouched over you, heart pounding, waiting—terrified for the moment you would change.