_Matteo's POV_
As the tension escalated, one of the men, a burly blond with tattoos adorning his arms, stepped forward with a menacing glare. Before I could react, he lunged at me with a powerful punch aimed at my face. Instinctively, I raised my hand, intercepting his blow with my palm. The force of his punch against my hand sent a shockwave of pain up my arm, but I gritted my teeth and held firm.
In one swift movement, I twisted his arm behind his back, forcing him to his knees. The others hesitated, unsure of how to proceed as they watched their comrade subdued by my strength.
"You made a mistake coming here," I growled in a low and dangerous voice. "You will regret targeting my mate, Thalassa."
The man struggled against my grip, but I held him firmly in place. The others were not c
