Self-defense

Hello, I was involved in a self-defense alteration last night and I want to seek advice as I am slightly worried about consequences. I am in NC. Firstly, my gf was being assaulted by her friend at a bar. It occurred 2 times and we sought police guidance. Later, my gf had gone to retrieve her belongings in her friend’s apartment and the other girl threatened her. I went along to be a mediation to prevent a physical altercation. Of course, they began fighting because the friend started throwing punches. I stepped in between to try and defuse it however, this friend punched me 3-4 times in the face and had my gf by the hair and was pulling it out (ripped out a massive handful of her hair). I decided in that moment to defend myself and my gf to prevent further harm to us. I honestly potentially hit this girl harder than I should’ve. I also attempted after a few hits on my to do a minor chokehold to stop it but I never for real choked her out by any means. Just an attempt to separate them however, the friend was unrelenting. I have told the entire situation to the police and made an official report. When we had an interaction with them last night and my gf did not want to press charges. I am worried about the potential repercussions because I am a male who hit a female in order to protect my gf and myself. This other girl was aggressively drunk as we were all previously at the bars. As I said, this was where the 2 other assaults happened and bouncers had to separate the girls and some of them even took a punch from the friend. I did not want to be hitting this woman but she was viciously attacking my gf and this was the 3rd time and with nobody else around to stop it. I am concerned about potential consequences despite being the one in self defense. I would like to also make it clear that I stood far away from the two girls during that 3rd fight. I did not position anywhere close to them to ensure I was not making a threatening presence. There are plenty of witnesses to confirm the woman’s aggressive behavior from the incidents earlier in the night. After speaking to police, they wanted to know if we wanted to press charges on the friend and my gf did not want to. The friend also told the police to go away and that they were not welcome at her apartment post alteration. I think she wouldn’t attempt to sue me since that opens the prior assaults against my gf on my gf and even myself since she hit me first multiple times. I just want some direction here because I got involved with this crap and I want to make sure I am covered on all bases. Again, I do feel poorly about responding in a self defensive way and hitting back but it felt necessary to end the altercation and thwart the girls aggression. Thank you to whoever responds!