Wolves of the new dawn

Power of attraction

*Freesia*

I focus intently on Jo, my hands steady as I apply the poultice to her fevered skin. Every moment feels like a race against time, and I can feel the weight of Raze’s gaze on me from behind. It’s intense, almost as if he’s willing me to succeed with the force of his will alone… but there is something else to it too, an intense longing.

The air thickens with unspoken words and emotions, and I have to swallow hard to push my own feelings aside. Right now, it’s about Jo… nothing else matters. Something as precious as a kid needs to be protected.

As I work, Jo’s soft whimpers tug at my heart. I know I need to keep my emotions in check to provide her with the care she needs. I can’t afford to be distracted, even if Raze’s presence sends an unsettling flutter through my stomach. There’s something about the way he looks at me, a mixture of gratitude and something deeper, that makes my pulse quicken. I shove the thought away, focusing instead on the task at hand.

Torren steps outside with my sister, saying he will take her to eat and then rest, leaving Raze and me alone in the cramped room. The silence that fills the space is thick and charged, and I can feel the tension between us, a delicate thread that seems to intertwine our fates. I finish adjusting the poultice and lean back, observing Jo’s face for any signs of improvement.

“Let’s hope this works,” I murmur, wiping my hands on a cloth. Jo’s eyelids flutter, and I can see the faintest hint of color returning to her cheeks. It’s a small victory, but it feels monumental.

I glance up at Raze, and our eyes lock. There’s a fierceness in his gaze, one that makes me acutely aware of the distance between us. The way he looks at me stirs something deep inside me. I can’t let my heart race for him… he is a stranger, and a werewolf.

“Will she be okay?” Raze’s voice is low, almost a whisper, but it carries the weight of a thousand fears. His concern for Jo is palpable, and it softens the edges of his rugged demeanor.

I take a breath, trying to project confidence. “I believe so. If her fever breaks and she keeps drinking water, she should recover.” My words feel reassuring, even if uncertainty lingers in the back of my mind. I want to believe it as much as he does.

“Thank you, Freesia,” he says, and there’s a sincerity in his voice that makes my heart swell. He steps closer, and before I can register his intentions, he takes my hand and kisses it gently, sending a jolt of energy coursing through me.

I’m taken aback, my breath hitching in my throat. This is too intimate, too charged. I can feel the warmth of his skin against mine, the calloused strength of a man who has fought for everything he loves. The pull between us is magnetic, but I can’t let it draw me in.

Apparently he feels it too, and a swift tug, has me stumbling into his arms. Pressed against his wide chest I try to catch my breath.

“Raze,” I say, pushing gently against his chest, trying to create space. “We can’t… not now.” My voice is firm, though my heart races at the nearness of him. I’m supposed to be focused on Jo, not entangled in whatever this connection is.

He looks at me with a mixture of surprise and something else… disappointment, perhaps? But I can’t afford to dwell on that now. I can’t accept the possibility of distraction when lives are at stake. I take a step back, creating a gap between us, and the air shifts, thick with unspoken tension.

Raze’s expression softens, but I can see the hurt in his eyes. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to overstep… I… I’m sorry.” His voice is low, tinged with regret.

“We’re here for Jo,” I remind him, forcing myself to stay focused. “Let’s keep our attention on her recovery.”

He nods, but I can feel the weight of his gaze as he studies me. I can’t deny the flicker of something electric between us, but my resolve holds firm. I’ve dedicated myself to healing, to saving lives, and I won’t let anything… especially not a spark of attraction… derail me from that, especially here where I am truly needed.

Just then, Jo stirs, a soft sigh escaping her lips, and Raze rushes to her side, kneeling close. “Hey, sweet pea,” he whispers. “You’re safe. Just rest.”

As I come over Raze gets up and steps back, giving me space, but I can still sense his presence, grounding and powerful. As I check Jo’s pulse, I can’t shake the feeling of his touch.

“Stay with us, Jo. Sleep and rest so you can heal,” I say softly, and as I look up at Raze, I see a flicker of hope in his eyes.

Damn, he really is handsome, and he do appeal to me in a way no man in the city ever has.