I had one that was so territorial that he would stand at the top of the stairs and growl down anyone that tried to go up the stairs.
He hooked me one time all the way through my skin like a fish hook (in one side and out the other) because I picked him up. I played hell trying to get him to retract his hook from out of my arm. He was finally made to live out his “bitter” life outdoors. He was a happy fellow after that... killing rabbits, snakes, and whatever on our country property. The cat even had an evil look to him. He was a orange tabby with the most vivid true green eyes I have ever seen on a cat. He was a total terror from the time we brought him home at 8 weeks old. We thought he would chill out, but he never did. He finally died of old age years ago.
Cats are extremely sensitive, especially as kittens. My two, according to my vet, were probably one week away from being totally unsociable before I rescued them from certain feral status. They are the sweetest cats I've ever known, but extremely sensitive. I raise my voice cheering a football game and they're running into the closet. I would be willing to bet something happened to this cat before you brought him home. But you were responsible enough to deal with it. Thank you.