Maria.
"Come on, Maria… don't tell me you're shy?" Vincent asked, his tone carrying a teasing edge as he stepped closer.
My muscles tightened instantly the moment he moved.
He didn't stop there. Instead, he continued advancing until he was directly in front of me, then lowered himself to my level as though trying to meet my eyes properly. His presence was too close, too invasive, making my instincts flare up in warning.
Before I could even decide how to react, he lifted his hands and began to rub my fur as if I were some harmless pet.
That was the final straw.
Disgust surged through me immediately.
I didn't hesitate.
I snapped forward and bit his other hand sharply.
"Hey! What's wrong with you?" Vincent exclaimed at once, jerking back as pain registered on his face.
He took a quick step away from me, shaking his hand slightly as if trying to ease the sting. His expression shifted from surprise to irritation in seconds.
