The growl vibrating from Fang's chest was deep and threatening as he stood between Leo and me, yellow eyes fixed on my outstretched hand. I kept my breathing steady, my gaze locked with his. Not challenging, but not submitting either.
"He's going to bite you," Leo warned, but there was curiosity in his voice. "That's what he always does to strangers."
I didn't move. "We're just having a conversation, aren't we, Fang?"
The massive dog tilted his head slightly, ears twitching forward. His growl softened but didn't stop. I could feel Vincent's anxiety radiating behind me.
"Miss Beaumont, please—"
"Shhh," I whispered, not breaking eye contact with Fang. "He's deciding whether I'm a threat."
Slowly, I turned my palm down and lowered my hand to the floor, then sat cross-legged on the carpet. Making myself smaller, less threatening. The growling stopped.
"You're interesting," Leo said, stepping closer. "No one's ever done that before."
