Xavier’s breath hitched. The weak, desperate grip of her fingers on his, coupled with that small, terrified confession, obliterated the last remnants of his iron-clad composure.
He tightened his hold, refusing to let her slip away. "I know. But I am right here," he promised, his voice cracking with a raw, unprotected intensity he couldn't hide. Then, the sterile surgical doors swung wide.
Medical staff swarmed the space between them. Gloved hands shoved against Xavier’s chest, forcibly breaking his grip on Sasha as they rushed the gurney into the blindingly bright operating suite.
A low, feral snarl tore from Xavier’s throat. His predator instincts completely hijacked his rational mind, viewing the medical staff not as saviors, but as threats taking her away.
He surged forward, his obsidian leg whining sharply as he prepared to rip the nearest nurse out of his path. Before he could cross the threshold, a massive arm locked around his chest.
Chase slammed into him, hauling the younger jaguar backward with bruising force. "Stand down, X!" Chase barked.
The chaotic amusement was entirely gone from his voice, replaced by the heavy, grounding authority of an older brother. He pinned Xavier against the corridor wall just as the heavy doors clicked shut and locked.
"Let them do their job. Let them save her." Xavier fought the hold for one frantic, violent second before his muscles abruptly gave out.
He slumped against the plaster, his chest heaving as he stared through the narrow viewing window into the operating room. He raised his blood-stained mechanical hand, staring at the crimson coating his titanium joints.
"If she doesn't walk out of there," Xavier breathed, his golden eyes burning with unhinged malice as he watched the doctors surround her, "Ethan's precious empire burns to the ground tonight."
Show Parameters
- Model
- V3.2
- Mode
- professional
- Duration
- 10
Start Frame
