Standing still, unmoving, I continued to hold the sleeping Sonya. Inwardly, I wondered: Would he really attack? While his sister is still in my arms?
Maximus, fists clenched, his wild eyes shifted from my face to Sonya's, sleeping peacefully in the crook of my arm. He saw how she slept soundly, even snuggling slightly into my chest, not looking at all like someone kidnapped or in danger.
Slowly, his heavy breathing began to subside. The feral anger receded, replaced by an internal struggle clearly visible on his face.
He let out a long sigh, his shoulders slumped, and the energy around him faded.
"I... I'm sorry," he finally said, his voice still tense but much more controlled. His eyes no longer held pure hatred, but were still full of suspicion.
"I panicked. I... I worry about my sister a lot. She rarely stays out this late without a word. I thought something had happened," he explained, looking at Sonya again, and there was genuine tenderness in his gaze.
