Page 94

Wolfaraine did not turn. "I used to do a better job of guarding my emotions."

"When you are well-rested. Not when you have gone seven days without sleeping or going for a run, and more than that period of time without the sexual touch of your mate."

It does not seem like the wolf wanted to hurt her, Ismena thought.

It boosted her hope. It elevated her courage.

She took a step forward, closer to the wolf, watching its movement. The wolf did not react aggressively or anything. That's a plus.

Another step forward. And another. And another.

Ismena stood in front of the bars. Now, she is within grabbing distance. With quick reflexes, it can grab her and twist her neck.

Then, hellooooo...Death.

But the wolf didn't. It just watched her, with glassy, amber eyes.

"Hi. I-I'm Ismena. I'm sorry for waking you up if you were ever sleeping." She cleared her throat, "You are the first wolf I've come this close to. Well, there is your brother, but he was raving mad at me at night. After fighting Wild Ones, I rode on his angry fur-back on the way home."

Damn, this is the worst time to blab. But then again, whenever she was nervous, she might as well be wearing a crown for Blab Queen.

"Don't blame me, please. I tend to blab a lot when I'm nervous, you know." A nervous laugh, "You hate me and you hate my kind. It's actually foolish of me to be here but I had to try. Even if I'm scared, and I know you know I am. You can smell it, but I can't help myself. I mean you can reach out through this thing and tear me apart."

What are you saying, Ismena!?

She stretched her arms, palm out, "I'm not saying you should do it, okay? I'm just pointing out what I know you know I know you can do." She licked her lips anxiously, "Anyway, I'm not saying you should do it. I understand that you're mad at the world and—"

She snapped her mouth shut when the wolf lowered its head down a bit until its head became level with her eyes, then it stopped.

Almost as if it was offering her its head...to stroke.

Hesitantly, Ismena raised her hand and stroked the wolf's head.

It did not pull away.

"Oh, my God..." She whispered under her breath. Fresh tears filled her eyes.

The wolf wanted to be stroked.

So, she did. She stroked her hand through the soft furs of its head, touching her tentatively.

"Please fight to live longer, Nalaila. Please." She whispered again.

She saw another teardrop from the eyes of the wolf, and it broke Ismena's heart. If only she wasn't so afraid, she'll steal the key to these bars from the Sentinel in charge, open this gate and take this wolf out herself.

But she was afraid and she wasn't stupid either. A lot could go wrong. She's courageous, not suicidal.

Hours later, Ismena laid under the duvet, trying to get some sleep.

She was smiling as she kept her eyes closed, waiting for the loving arms of sleep to embrace her.

This night felt like a breakthrough to her. She'd reached Nalaila. She felt too happy. There was a euphoric feeling inside her like she'd accomplished something important. And she had.

She might not have gotten Nalaila to change back into her human form, she might not even have succeeded in changing the wolf's mind about going outside, but at least she was able to reach the wolf.

The wolf had allowed her to stroke her head. It had listened to her. It heard her.

It never pounced on her to devour her like she'd feared it would.