Then the Wolf Step In

Chapter 15

Joy’s POV

Silence stretched and I could sense the weird atmosphere. My intuition was shrieking DANGEROUS while my mind was wondering what could be the reason that made me feel this way.

Ryan leaned forward and I was immediately enveloped by his aura. I sniffed but could no longer smell a trace of wine on him. Now he smelled so good that I couldn’t help but lean closer. Ryan put an arm between us to create some place. I stared at him, hesitating how I should respond.

Shall I push his hand away and hug him tightly so I can take in his scent more easily or shall I hold back my urge and stay where I am?

Shit. Why would I even conjure up the first idea? I scolded myself for being p*****t but the more I deny myself, the more tempting the first choice appeared to be. With a deep sigh, I went with my nature.

Ryan tried to stop me when I moved away his hand but my determination made him hesitate. He must be thinking why I am doing this. I didn’t give him the time to anticipate my next move and happily threw myself into his hug and let out a sigh of satisfaction, “You smell so good. What perfume do you wear? Is it affordable for me? I am going to get myself one.”

His body stiffened and a century passed before I heard a whisper above my head, “It’s not perfume.”

I glanced up. The moment our eyes meet I knew something was off. Ryan’s gaze was so intense and the way he stared at me reminded me of wolves in the documentary I saw on TV. The pack animals would stare at their prey in the same way.

Shivers ran my spine and my rationality came back, forcing me to alienate myself from Ryan even though I was mesmerized by his scent. I was about to lean backward when Ryan put an arm around my waist and held me there. I struggled a bit and he immediately loosened the grip and let go of me.

I was dumbfounded when I found I just freed myself from his iron fist with little effort. What the f**k is going on? Ryan had never been so gentle to me! Looking at his disappointing face I couldn’t help but feel guilty for stopping hugging him. Has he advanced his tricks to play victim? Because right now Ryan does look like a pitiful puppy to me and the only thing stops me from hugging him again is my rationality, which will be running out soon if he keeps showing his vulnerable side.

I took a sharp breath to clear my mind and asked, “Is everything okay, Ryan?”

Ryan laughed bitterly and shook his head, “No.”Then he said,“I need to tell you something.”

“Go ahead. Tell me.”I nodded in encouragement, wondering what secret he was holding.

“Listen, what I am going to tell you could be a blow to your original worldview. So please stay cool and don’t freak out or get too excited, alright?”He said.

“Why?”

“Because horrible things happen when listeners couldn’t cope with such information. Some of them may have a heart attack and have to stay in bed for the rest of their life. Some would even lose their mind and are sent to asylum.”

I laughed and teased him, “What are these for? Warning messages at the beginning of TV programmes?”

“This is not funny Joy. What I told you were real cases.”Ryan sighed and gave me an uncertain look, “Are you sure you’re ready for the truth?”

“Yeah. I am not that fragile. Just tell me.”

“Right.”Ryan sighed and stated with a serious look, “I am a werewolf.”

“What?”I blinked at him and burst out laughing. “That’s a good one. But today is not Apirl 1st Ryan. If you were a werewolf. I would be a vampire! We would be sworn enemies!” I declared in amusement.

“You don’t believe me. I knew it.”Ryan grunted in frustration and the seriousness in his tone made me alert.

I reconsidered the possibility that he was telling the truth and asked, “Did this idea occur to you long time ago or did you come up with it recently? My presence could cause you much stress and your mind is confused—”

“Are you suggesting I am mad?”Ryan shook his head and insisted, “There is nothing wrong with my mind. I know I am a werewolf since my birth.”

“Have you shared this thought with your father?”I wondered how Uncle Henry would react when he heard Ryan say such crazy stuff.

“No.”Ryan replied. Then he gave me a strange look and said, “Why bother? My parents are both werewolves and why should I emphasize I am a werewolf to my father?”

I was totally speechless. I opened my mouth trying to say he is delusional but in the end I kept my mouth shut. I still remembered his words that arrogance blocked my imagination. Instead of accusing him of talking nonsense, I let my patience take the lead and asked him, “Fine. What makes you think that you’re a werewolf?”

“Because my wolf appeared when I aged 18 and since then I could hear him talk to me.”

“Your wolf?”

“Yeah, his name is Max and he is a chatterbox. I had to block him to seek peace. The doctor of the pack gave me a dose of portion to better control my wolf. Now Max only appeared when I lost my mind. In fact I chatted with him a couple of minutes ago when I was drowsy.”

“You have a pack and a wolf who can talk to you.”I couldn’t help but repeat his words.

“Yep. Any comment?”Ryan gave me a nervous smile.

“What are you, a Disney princess?”I mused.

“Wrong comparison.”Ryan rolled his eyes and sighed, “If you still don’t believe me. I could let you meet my wolf.”

“Your wolf is still with you?”I asked curiously, “But I thought you just said he would appear when you lose your mind.”

“Yeah your scent is driving me crazy.”Ryan swallowed hard and whispered, “My wolf was angry at me for not marking you right now. He was roaring.”

“My scent? What kind of scent?”I sniffed my wrist and said, “I couldn’t smell my scent.”

“But you could smell mine. This is how a mate bond works.”

I frowned and asked,“But we've met a long time ago. How could this never happen before?”

“Because,”Ryan paused as he slowly lifted my necklace and revealed the answer, “You have been wearing a descenter since our first encounter.”