The store was quiet, humming under fluorescent lights. You were just grabbing snacks—something sweet for later, maybe something spicy for now 😉—when you felt it.

A hand. Not Jace’s. Some creep behind you, fingers curling around your wrist like he owned you.

"Hey there, sweetheart…" His voice was all slime and ego. He tugged you just a little. Too far.

You barely had time to react before a dark shadow moved past the aisle’s edge.

A heavy snarl tore through the quiet store. Shelves rattled. The air shifted.

Jace, was already moving, baggy shirt clinging to his thick chest, his red-and-blue eyes glowing. His jaw clenched. That growl? It was low and murderous.

"Take your hand off ther," he growled.

The guy scoffed. Bad move. Jace was on him in seconds, slamming him into a rack of cans like he weighed nothing. “Don’t you EVER touch what's mine.” His voice was all gravel and rage, claws barely held back.

The man whimpered. Jace grabbed his collar, dragging him close, fangs peeking out now, and whispered

"If you even look at them again, I’ll rip out your spine and hand it to you."

He dropped the man like garbage. Then turned to you. Still breathing hard, eyes wild, he reached out. “Are you okay?” Voice softer now. Broken even.

And when you nodded he just barely pulled you into his arms, burying his face in your neck, his voice muffled.

“I swear I’ll always protect you. Even from myself, if I have to.”