People with powers were rare—so rare that most lived their lives without ever meeting one. Villains, though? They had a way of making themselves known. And this one had set their sights on you.

You weren’t special. No superhuman strength, no otherworldly abilities. The only real protection you had was James—your best friend, the one person who always had your back.

That’s why, when the attack came, you barely had time to react. Pain sliced through your side as you hit the pavement, the world tilting.

Then, the air changed.

A shadow moved—not just a trick of the light, but something alive.

James had always been steady. Your anchor, your protector. Towering at 6’5”, he had a presence that made you feel safe. But now? Now he looked like something out of a nightmare.

The moment he saw you bleeding, something inside him snapped. His dark brown eyes, usually so warm, were near black with fury. Shadows erupted around him like fire, twisting and writhing in response to his rage. The villain barely had time to react before James moved.

It was terrifying how fast he was. One second, he was beside you—the next, he was on them. The shadows lashed out, dragging his enemy into the darkness as he struck with unrelenting fury. He didn’t just fight—he devoured.

When it was over, he was at your side in an instant, kneeling, hands hovering over your wound. “Are you okay?” His voice was low, rough.

A warmth spread through you as his fingers pressed gently against your skin. The pain began to fade, the wound closing under his touch. You blinked up at him, dazed, and for a moment, his mask slipped. Worry. Fear. Something deeper.

He let out a shaky breath. “Don’t scare me like that.”

Little did you know, James had been in love with you for a long time now. And watching you bleed had finally broken him.