Flickering Shadows

Chapter 10

He grabs Inara's chin, and she whimpers. My heart shrivels.

You're scaring her, I say, anger starting to show now.

Her eyes are glistening as he tilts her head up, and my gut plummets to the floor.

Let go. Now, I demand.

"The only time you will ever bare your neck to me, will be when my mark is about to adorn it," my wolf says softly, thumb stroking the soft skin of her cheek.

She swallows hard, and I can see how much effort she puts into keeping her tears at bay.

"I do not mean to scare you, mate, but seeing you treat me as anything but your equal puts quite the damper on my mood."

"I-I'm s-s-sorry," she stutters, her hands fidgeting rapidly in front of her as her breathing escalates.

This is exactly what happened in the carriage, and if I ever have to repeat the feeling of helplessness as she stopped breathing right in front of my eyes, I might as well stop breathing too.

She's on the verge of a panic attack, I say, pushing harder than ever on his walls. You are making her scared of you. Just let go.

My wolf sighs, and I feel his despair as his walls finally crumble beneath my fingers.

I push through, and then both my hands are cupping Inara's cheeks, my eyes searching within hers.

"You're ok," I reassure in a gentle tone. "I promise you're safe."

Her head falls forward onto my chest, and I immediately wrap my arms around her as sobs  shake through her.

She's never been the first to touch me, but I don't let my surprise show as I hold her tight.

I look up, noticing that Levi and Zara left, obeying silent orders on very loud cues. They know exactly when they are needed, and now is not one of those times.

"I'm so sorry, Inara," I mutter into her hair, breathing in her scent repeatedly, loving the feeling of it washing out my panic.

She's here, in my arms. She might be upset but at least she's safe.

"S-sorry?" She hiccups. "Why?"

I pull back so I can look into her eyes as I say, "Because my wolf scared you. I promise you he meant no harm. He's very protective of you, and when we couldn't find you he panicked."

Her eyes flutter as confusion settles on her beautiful face. "So, he wasn't mad? I'm not in trouble?"

My brows crinkle, and I know my expression matches hers as I ask, "Why would you be in trouble?"

"Because I left without asking. But I thought it was ok because Levi came and got me so I figured you had told him to come get me because you were angry about last night and-"

"Love," I interrupt, my hands moving up to hold the sides of her neck as I say, "You are not a prisoner here. You can go wherever you want whenever you want. You are not in trouble, and I am definitely not mad about last night. I only left because I had an early meeting, otherwise I would have stayed in that bed with you all day."

She ducks her head as pink tinges her cheeks, and I smile to myself.

"You are safe here, Inara. I promise you."

Her gaze rises, striking blue catching my attention and holding it.

Her long blond waves brush my hands as I slowly slide them up to cup her cheeks, and her breath halts as I lean forward slightly. She inches closer as well, desire trampling fear as she gets closer. Her breath teases my lips, and I've never wanted anything more in my entire life than to touch our lips together.

I lean forward an inch more, finally closing the gap that-

"Levi's going?" A male voice sounds from the arch, and I close my eyes with a sigh. "Man, whatever's out there must be really- oh shit!"

Henry halts in his tracks, making the guy behind him nearly trip.

"I think we've interrupted an almost kiss," Henry says apologetically. "But really, why are you trying to make out in the dining room of all places? It's lunch time, ok? People are hungry."

I swear I'd kill him if he didn't have the work ethic of a hundred people.

Although I would love to kiss Inara right now, I'm kind of glad for the interruption. We have a lot to sort through, and putting intimacy on the top is not a good idea.

For you, my wolf grumbles.

Yeah well, you're still in the dog house, buddy.

Inara has gone rigid again beside me, so, sparing Henry a death glare that promises verbal abuse later, I leave the dining room.